The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by...

[1]When Jove to Hector and his host had given Such entrance to the fleet, to all the woes And toils of unremitting battle there He them abandon’d, and his glorious eyes Averting, on the land look’d down remote5 Of the horse-breeding Thracians, of the bold Close-fighting Mysian race, and where abide On milk sustain’d, and blest with length of days, The Hippemolgi,[2] justest of mankind. No longer now on Troy his eyes he turn’d,10 For expectation none within his breast Survived, that God or Goddess would the Greeks Approach with succor, or the Trojans more.

Nor Neptune, sovereign of the boundless Deep, Look’d forth in vain; he on the summit sat15 Of Samothracia forest-crown’d, the stir Admiring thence and tempest of the field; For thence appear’d all Ida, thence the towers Of lofty Ilium, and the fleet of Greece. There sitting from the deeps uprisen, he mourn’d20 The vanquished Grecians, and resentment fierce Conceived and wrath against all-ruling Jove. Arising sudden, down the rugged steep With rapid strides he came; the mountains huge And forests under the immortal feet25 Trembled of Ocean’s Sovereign as he strode. Three strides he made, the fourth convey’d him home To Ægæ. At the bottom of the abyss, There stands magnificent his golden fane, A dazzling, incorruptible abode.30 Arrived, he to his chariot join’d his steeds Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and maned with wavy gold; Himself attiring next in gold, he seized His golden scourge, and to his seat sublime Ascending, o’er the billows drove; the whales35 Leaving their caverns, gambol’d on all sides Around him, not unconscious of their King; He swept the surge that tinged not as he pass’d His axle, and the sea parted for joy. His bounding coursers to the Grecian fleet40 Convey’d him swift.

There is a spacious cave Deep in the bottom of the flood, the rocks Of Imbrus rude and Tenedos between; There Neptune, Shaker of the Shores, his steeds Station’d secure; he loosed them from the yoke,45 Gave them ambrosial food, and bound their feet With golden tethers not to be untied Or broken, that unwandering they might wait Their Lord’s return, then sought the Grecian host. The Trojans, tempest-like or like a flame,50 Now, following Priameïan Hector, all Came furious on and shouting to the skies. Their hope was to possess the fleet, and leave Not an Achaian of the host unslain. But earth-encircler Neptune from the gulf55 Emerging, in the form and with the voice Loud-toned of Calchas, roused the Argive ranks To battle—and his exhortation first To either Ajax turn’d, themselves prepared.

Ye heroes Ajax! your accustomed force60 Exert, oh! think not of disastrous flight, And ye shall save the people. Nought I fear Fatal elsewhere, although Troy’s haughty sons Have pass’d the barrier with so fierce a throng Tumultuous; for the Grecians brazen-greaved65 Will check them there. Here only I expect And with much dread some dire event forebode, Where Hector, terrible as fire, and loud Vaunting his glorious origin from Jove, Leads on the Trojans. Oh that from on high70 Some God would form the purpose in your hearts To stand yourselves firmly, and to exhort The rest to stand! so should ye chase him hence All ardent as he is, and even although Olympian Jove himself his rage inspire.75

So Neptune spake, compasser of the earth, And, with his sceptre smiting both, their hearts Fill’d with fresh fortitude; their limbs the touch Made agile, wing’d their feet and nerved their arms. Then, swift as stoops a falcon from the point80 Of some rude rock sublime, when he would chase A fowl of other wing along the meads, So started Neptune thence, and disappear’d. Him, as he went, swift Oïliades First recognized, and, instant, thus his speech85 To Ajax, son of Telamon, address’d.

Since, Ajax, some inhabitant of heaven Exhorts us, in the prophet’s form to fight (For prophet none or augur we have seen; This was not Calchas; as he went I mark’d90 His steps and knew him; Gods are known with ease) I feel my spirit in my bosom fired Afresh for battle; lightness in my limbs, In hands and feet a glow unfelt before.

Thus they, with martial transport to their souls Imparted by the God, conferr’d elate. Meantime the King of Ocean roused the Greeks, Who in the rear, beside their gallant barks Some respite sought. They, spent with arduous toil,105 Felt not alone their weary limbs unapt To battle, but their hearts with grief oppress’d, Seeing the numerous multitude of Troy Within the mighty barrier; sad they view’d That sight, and bathed their cheeks with many a tear,110 Despairing of escape. But Ocean’s Lord Entering among them, soon the spirit stirr’d Of every valiant phalanx to the fight. Teucer and Leïtus, and famed in arms Peneleus, Thoas and Deipyrus,115 Meriones, and his compeer renown’d, Antilochus; all these in accents wing’d With fierce alacrity the God address’d.

Oh shame, ye Grecians! vigorous as ye are And in life’s prime, to your exertions most120 I trusted for the safety of our ships. If ye renounce the labors of the field, Then hath the day arisen of our defeat And final ruin by the powers of Troy. Oh! I behold a prodigy, a sight125 Tremendous, deem’d impossible by me, The Trojans at our ships! the dastard race Fled once like fleetest hinds the destined prey Of lynxes, leopards, wolves; feeble and slight And of a nature indisposed to war130 They rove uncertain; so the Trojans erst Stood not, nor to Achaian prowess dared The hindrance of a moment’s strife oppose. But now, Troy left afar, even at our ships They give us battle, through our leader’s fault135 And through the people’s negligence, who fill’d With fierce displeasure against him, prefer Death at their ships, to war in their defence. But if the son of Atreus, our supreme, If Agamemnon, have indeed transgress’d140 Past all excuse, dishonoring the swift Achilles, ye at least the fight decline Blame-worthy, and with no sufficient plea. But heal we speedily the breach; brave minds Easily coalesce. It is not well145 That thus your fury slumbers, for the host Hath none illustrious as yourselves in arms. I can excuse the timid if he shrink, But am incensed at you. My friends, beware! Your tardiness will prove ere long the cause150 Of some worse evil. Let the dread of shame Affect your hearts; oh tremble at the thought Of infamy! Fierce conflict hath arisen; Loud shouting Hector combats at the ships Nobly, hath forced the gates and burst the bar.155

With such encouragement those Grecian chiefs The King of Ocean roused. Then, circled soon By many a phalanx either Ajax stood, Whose order Mars himself arriving there Had praised, or Pallas, patroness of arms.160 For there the flower of all expected firm Bold Hector and his host; spear crowded spear, Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man and shield;[3] The hairy crests of their resplendent casques Kiss’d close at every nod, so wedged they stood;165 No spear was seen but in the manly grasp It quiver’d, and their every wish was war. The powers of Ilium gave the first assault Embattled close; them Hector led himself[4] Right on, impetuous as a rolling rock170 Destructive; torn by torrent waters off From its old lodgment on the mountain’s brow, It bounds, it shoots away; the crashing wood Falls under it; impediment or check None stays its fury, till the level found,175 There, settling by degrees, it rolls no more; So after many a threat that he would pass Easily through the Grecian camp and fleet And slay to the sea-brink, when Hector once Had fallen on those firm ranks, standing, he bore180 Vehement on them; but by many a spear Urged and bright falchion, soon, reeling, retired, And call’d vociferous on the host of Troy.

Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons Of Dardanus, oh stand! not long the Greeks185 Will me confront, although embodied close In solid phalanx; doubt it not; my spear Shall chase and scatter them, if Jove, in truth, High-thundering mate of Juno, bid me on.

So saying he roused the courage of them all190 Foremost of whom advanced, of Priam’s race Deiphobus, ambitious of renown. Tripping he came with shorten’d steps,[5] his feet Sheltering behind his buckler; but at him Aiming, Meriones his splendid lance195 Dismiss’d, nor err’d; his bull-hide targe he struck But ineffectual; where the hollow wood Receives the inserted brass, the quivering beam Snapp’d; then, Deiphobus his shield afar Advanced before him, trembling at a spear200 Hurl’d by Meriones. He, moved alike With indignation for the victory lost And for his broken spear, into his band At first retired, but soon set forth again In prowess through the Achaian camp, to fetch205 Its fellow-spear within his tent reserved.

The rest all fought, and dread the shouts arose On all sides. Telamonian Teucer, first, Slew valiant Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich In herds of sprightly steeds. He ere the Greeks210 Arrived at Ilium, in Pedæus dwelt, And Priam’s spurious daughter had espoused Medesicasta. But the barks well-oar’d Of Greece arriving, he return’d to Troy, Where he excell’d the noblest, and abode215 With Priam, loved and honor’d as his own. Him Teucer pierced beneath his ear, and pluck’d His weapon home; he fell as falls an ash Which on some mountain visible afar, Hewn from its bottom by the woodman’s axe,220 With all its tender foliage meets the ground So Imbrius fell; loud rang his armor bright With ornamental brass, and Teucer flew To seize his arms, whom hasting to the spoil Hector with his resplendent spear assail’d;225 He, marking opposite its rapid flight, Declined it narrowly and it pierced the breast, As he advanced to battle, of the son Of Cteatus of the Actorian race, Amphimachus; he, sounding, smote the plain,230 And all his batter’d armor rang aloud. Then Hector swift approaching, would have torn The well-forged helmet from the brows away Of brave Amphimachus; but Ajax hurl’d Right forth

at Hector hasting to the spoil235 His radiant spear; no wound the spear impress’d, For he was arm’d complete in burnish’d brass Terrific; but the solid boss it pierced Of Hector’s shield, and with enormous force So shock’d him, that retiring he resign’d240 Both bodies,[6] which the Grecians dragg’d away. Stichius and Menestheus, leaders both Of the Athenians, to the host of Greece Bore off Amphimachus, and, fierce in arms The Ajaces, Imbrius. As two lions bear245 Through thick entanglement of boughs and brakes A goat snatch’d newly from the peasants’ cogs, Upholding high their prey above the ground, So either Ajax terrible in fight, Upholding Imbrius high, his brazen arms250 Tore off, and Oïliades his head From his smooth neck dissevering in revenge For slain Amphimachus, through all the host Sent it with swift rotation like a globe, Till in the dust at Hector’s feet it fell.255

Then anger fill’d the heart of Ocean’s King, His grandson[7] slain in battle; forth he pass’d Through the Achaian camp and fleet, the Greeks Rousing, and meditating wo to Troy. It chanced that brave Idomeneus return’d260 That moment from a Cretan at the knee Wounded, and newly borne into his tent; His friends had borne him off, and when the Chief Had given him into skilful hands, he sought The field again, still coveting renown.265 Him therefore, meeting him on his return, Neptune bespake, but with the borrow’d voice Of Thoas, offspring of Andræmon, King In Pleuro and in lofty Calydon, And honor’d by the Ætolians as a God.270

To whom the leader of the Cretans, thus, Idomeneus. For aught that I perceive Thoas! no Grecian is this day in fault!275 For we are all intelligent in arms, None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems Of Jove himself, that we should perish here Inglorious, from our country far remote280 But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight As erst, and urge each leader of the host.

Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.285 Return that Grecian never from the shores Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs Feast on him, who shall this day intermit Through wilful negligence his force in fight! But haste, take arms and come; we must exert290 All diligence, that, being only two, We yet may yield some service. Union much Emboldens even the weakest, and our might Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown.

So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again295 The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus Arriving in his spacious tent, put on His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand, Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove From bright Olympus shakes into the air,300 A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes; So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran. But him not yet far distant from his tent Meriones, his fellow-warrior met, For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,305 When thus the brave Idomeneus began.

Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear! Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?310 Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself The still tent covet not, but feats of arms?

To whom Meriones discreet replied, Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear315 Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought, Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus.

Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d, Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need,320 Within my tent, leaning against the wall, Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy, Which from the slain I took; for distant fight Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques325 And corselets bright that smile against the sun.

Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet. I also, at my tent and in my ship Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence Far distant. I not less myself than thou330 Am ever mindful of a warrior’s part, And when the din of glorious arms is heard, Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds Know not, at least I judge them known to thee.

To whom the leader of the host of Crete335 Idomeneus. I know thy valor well, Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks, (For in the ambush is distinguish’d best The courage; there the timorous and the bold340 Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast Quick palpitates his death-foreboding heart,345 And his teeth chatter; but the valiant man His posture shifts not; no excessive fears Feels he, but seated once in ambush, deems Time tedious till the bloody fight begin;) Even there, thy courage should no blame incur.[8]350 For should’st thou, toiling in the fight, by spear Or falchion bleed, not on thy neck behind Would fall the weapon, or thy back annoy, But it would meet thy bowels or thy chest While thou didst rush into the clamorous van.355 But haste—we may not longer loiter here As children prating, lest some sharp rebuke Reward us. Enter quick, and from within My tent provide thee with a noble spear.

Then, swift as Mars, Meriones produced360 A brazen spear of those within the tent Reserved, and kindling with heroic fire Follow’d Idomeneus. As gory Mars By Terror follow’d, his own dauntless son Who quells the boldest heart, to battle moves;365 From Thrace against the Ephyri they arm, Or hardy Phlegyans, and by both invoked, Hear and grant victory to which they please; Such, bright in arms Meriones, and such Idomeneus advanced, when foremost thus370 Meriones his fellow-chief bespake.

Then answer thus Idomeneus return’d Chief of the Cretans. Others stand to guard The middle fleet; there either Ajax wars, And Teucer, noblest archer of the Greeks,380 Nor less in stationary fight approved. Bent as he is on battle, they will task And urge to proof sufficiently the force Of Priameïan Hector; burn his rage How fierce soever, he shall find it hard,385 With all his thirst of victory, to quell Their firm resistance, and to fire the fleet, Let not Saturnian Jove cast down from heaven Himself a flaming brand into the ships. High towering Telamonian Ajax yields390 To no mere mortal by the common gift Sustain’d of Ceres, and whose flesh the spear Can penetrate, or rocky fragment bruise; In standing fight Ajax would not retire Even before that breaker of the ranks395 Achilles, although far less swift than he. But turn we to the left, that we may learn At once, if glorious death, or life be ours.

Then, rapid as the God of war, his course Meriones toward the left began,400 As he enjoin’d. Soon as the Trojans saw Idomeneus advancing like a flame, And his compeer Meriones in arms All-radiant clad, encouraging aloud From rank to rank each other, on they came405 To the assault combined. Then soon arose Sharp contest on the left of all the fleet. As when shrill winds blow vehement, what time Dust deepest spreads the ways, by warring blasts Upborne a sable cloud stands in the air,410 Such was the sudden conflict; equal rage To stain with gore the lance ruled every breast. Horrent with quivering spears the fatal field Frown’d on all sides; the brazen flashes dread Of numerous helmets, corselets furbish’d bright,415 And shields refulgent meeting, dull’d the eye, And turn’d it dark away. Stranger indeed Were he to fear, who could that strife have view’d With heart elate, or spirit unperturb’d.

Two mighty sons of Saturn adverse parts420 Took in that contest, purposing alike To many a valiant Chief sorrow and pain. Jove, for the honor of Achilles, gave Success to Hector and the host of Troy, Not for complete destruction of the Greeks425 At Ilium, but that glory might redound To Thetis thence, and to her dauntless son. On the other side, the King of Ocean risen Secretly from the hoary Deep, the host Of Greece encouraged, whom he grieved to see430 Vanquish’d by Trojans, and with anger fierce Against the Thunderer burn’d on their behalf. Alike from one great origin divine Sprang they, but Jove was elder, and surpass’d In various knowledge; therefore when he roused435 Their courage, Neptune traversed still the ranks Clandestine, and in human form disguised. Thus, these Immortal Two, straining the cord Indissoluble of all-wasting war, Alternate measured with it either host,440 And loosed the joints of many a warrior bold. Then, loud exhorting (though himself with age Half grey) the Achaians, into battle sprang Idomeneus, and scatter’d, first, the foe, Slaying Othryoneus, who, by the lure445 Of martial glory drawn, had left of late Cabesus. He Priam’s fair daughter woo’d Cassandra, but no nuptial gift vouchsafed To offer, save a sounding promise proud To chase, himself, however resolute450 The Grecian host, and to deliver Troy. To him assenting, Priam, ancient King, Assured to him his wish, and in the faith Of that assurance confident, he fought. But brave Idomeneus his splendid lance455 Well-aim’d dismissing, struck the haughty Chief.

I give thee praise, Othryoneus! beyond All mortal men, if truly thou perform Thy whole big promise to the Dardan king, Who promised thee his daughter. Now, behold, We also promise: doubt not the effect.465 We give into thy arms the most admired Of Agamemnon’s daughters, whom ourselves Will hither bring from Argos, if thy force With ours uniting, thou wilt rase the walls Of populous Troy. Come—follow me; that here470 Among the ships we may adjust the terms Of marriage, for we take not scanty dower.

So saying, the Hero dragg’d him by his heel Through all the furious fight. His death to avenge Asius on foot before his steeds advanced,475 For them, where’er he moved, his charioteer Kept breathing ever on his neck behind. With fierce desire the heart of Asius burn’d To smite Idomeneus, who with his lance Him reaching first, pierced him beneath the chin480 Into his throat, and urged the weapon through. He fell, as some green poplar falls, or oak, Or lofty pine, by naval artists hewn With new-edged axes on the mountain’s side. So, his teeth grinding, and the bloody dust485 Clenching, before his chariot and his steeds Extended, Asius lay. His charioteer (All recollection lost) sat panic-stunn’d, Nor dared for safety turn his steeds to flight. Him bold Antilochus right through the waist490 Transpierced; his mail sufficed not, but the spear Implanted in his midmost bowels stood. Down from his seat magnificent he fell Panting, and young Antilochus the steeds Drove captive thence into the host of Greece.495 Then came Deiphobus by sorrow urged For Asius, and, small interval between, Hurl’d at Idomeneus his glittering lance; But he, foreseeing its approach, the point Eluded, cover’d whole by his round shield500 Of hides and brass by double belt sustain’d, And it flew over him, but on his targe Glancing, elicited a tinkling sound. Yet left it not in vain his vigorous grasp, But pierced the liver of Hypsenor, son505 Of Hippasus; he fell incontinent, And measureless exulting in his fall Deiphobus with mighty voice exclaim’d.

So he, whose vaunt the Greeks indignant heard! But of them all to anger most he roused Antilochus, who yet his breathless friend[9] Left not, but hasting, fenced him with his shield,515 And brave Alastor with Mecisteus son Of Echius, bore him to the hollow ships Deep-groaning both, for of their band was he. Nor yet Idomeneus his warlike rage Remitted aught, but persevering strove520 Either to plunge some Trojan in the shades, Or fall himself, guarding the fleet of Greece. Then slew he brave Alcathoüs the son Of Æsyeta, and the son-in-law Of old Anchises, who to him had given525 The eldest-born of all his daughters fair, Hippodamia; dearly loved was she By both her parents in her virgin state,[10] For that in beauty she surpass’d, in works Ingenious, and in faculties of mind530 All her coëvals; wherefore she was deem’d Well worthy of the noblest prince of Troy. Him in that moment, Neptune by the arm Quell’d of Idomeneus, his radiant eyes Dimming, and fettering his proportion’d limbs.535 All power of flight or to elude the stroke Forsook him, and while motionless he stood As stands a pillar tall or towering oak, The hero of the Cretans with a spear Transfix’d his middle chest. He split the mail540 Erewhile his bosom’s faithful guard; shrill rang The shiver’d brass; sounding he fell; the beam Implanted in his palpitating heart Shook to its topmost point, but, its force spent, At last, quiescent, stood. Then loud exclaim’d545 Idomeneus, exulting in his fall.

What thinks Deiphobus? seems it to thee Vain boaster, that, three warriors slain for one, We yield thee just amends? else, stand thyself Against me; learn the valor of a Chief550 The progeny of Jove; Jove first begat Crete’s guardian, Minos, from which Minos sprang Deucalion, and from famed Deucalion, I; I, sovereign of the numerous race of Crete’s Extensive isle, and whom my galleys brought555 To these your shores at last, that I might prove Thy curse, thy father’s, and a curse to Troy.

He spake; Deiphobus uncertain stood Whether, retreating, to engage the help Of some heroic Trojan, or himself560 To make the dread experiment alone. At length, as his discreeter course, he chose To seek Æneas; him he found afar Station’d, remotest of the host of Troy, For he resented evermore his worth565 By Priam[11] recompensed with cold neglect. Approaching him, in accents wing’d he said.

So saying, he roused his spirit, and on fire To combat with the Cretan, forth he sprang. But fear seized not Idomeneus as fear575 May seize a nursling boy; resolved he stood As in the mountains, conscious of his force, The wild boar waits a coming multitude Of boisterous hunters to his lone retreat; Arching his bristly spine he stands, his eyes580 Beam fire, and whetting his bright tusks, he burns To drive, not dogs alone, but men to flight; So stood the royal Cretan, and fled not, Expecting brave Æneas; yet his friends He summon’d, on Ascalaphus his eyes585 Fastening, on Aphareus, Deipyrus, Meriones, and Antilochus, all bold In battle, and in accents wing’d exclaim’d.

Haste ye, my friends! to aid me, for I stand Alone, nor undismay’d the coming wait590 Of swift Æneas, nor less brave than swift, And who possesses fresh his flower of youth, Man’s prime advantage; were we match’d in years As in our spirits, either he should earn At once the meed of deathless fame, or I.595

He said; they all unanimous approach’d, Sloping their shields, and stood. On the other side His aids Æneas call’d, with eyes toward Paris, Deiphobus, Agenor, turn’d, His fellow-warriors bold; them follow’d all600 Their people as the pastured flock the ram To water, by the shepherd seen with joy; Such joy Æneas felt, seeing, so soon, That numerous host attendant at his call. Then, for Alcathoüs, into contest close605 Arm’d with long spears they rush’d; on every breast Dread rang the brazen corselet, each his foe Assailing opposite; but two, the rest Surpassing far, terrible both as Mars, Æneas and Idomeneus, alike610 Panted to pierce each other with the spear. Æneas, first, cast at Idomeneus, But, warn’d, he shunn’d the weapon, and it pass’d. Quivering in the soil Æneas’ lance Stood, hurl’d in vain, though by a forceful arm.615 Not so the Cretan; at his waist he pierced Oenomaüs, his hollow corselet clave, And in his midmost bowels drench’d the spear; Down fell the Chief, and dying, clench’d the dust. Instant, his massy spear the King of Crete620 Pluck’d from the dead, but of his radiant arms Despoil’d him not, by numerous weapons urged; For now, time-worn, he could no longer make