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

Such contest for that gallant bark they waged. Meantime Patroclus, standing at the side Of the illustrious Chief Achilles, wept Fast as a crystal fountain from the height Of some rude rock pours down its rapid[1] stream.5 Divine Achilles with compassion moved Mark’d him, and in wing’d accents thus began.[2]

Who weeps Patroclus like an infant girl Who, running at her mother’s side, entreats To be uplifted in her arms? She grasps10 Her mantle, checks her haste, and looking up With tearful eyes, pleads earnest to be borne; So fall, Patroclus! thy unceasing tears. Bring’st thou to me or to my people aught Afflictive? Hast thou mournful tidings learn’d15 Prom Phthia, trusted to thy ear alone? Menœtius, son of Actor, as they say, Still lives; still lives his Myrmidons among Peleus Æacides; whom, were they dead, With cause sufficient we should both deplore.20 Or weep’st thou the Achaians at the ships Perishing, for their outrage done to me? Speak. Name thy trouble. I would learn the cause

To whom, deep-sorrowing, thou didst reply, Patroclus! Oh Achilles, Peleus’ son!25 Noblest of all our host! bear with my grief, Since such distress hath on the Grecians fallen. The bravest of their ships disabled lie, Some wounded from afar, some hand to hand. Diomede, warlike son of Tydeus, bleeds,30 Gall’d by a shaft; Ulysses, glorious Chief, And Agamemnon suffer by the spear, And brave Eurypylus an arrow-point Bears in his thigh. These all, are now the care Of healing hands. Oh thou art pity-proof,35 Achilles! be my bosom ever free From anger such as harbor finds in thine, Scorning all limits! whom, of men unborn, Hereafter wilt thou save, from whom avert Disgrace, if not from the Achaians now?40 Ah ruthless! neither Peleus thee begat, Nor Thetis bore, but rugged rocks sublime, And roaring billows blue gave birth to thee, Who bear’st a mind that knows not to relent, But, if some prophecy alarm thy fears,45 If from thy Goddess-mother thou have aught Received, and with authority of Jove, Me send at least, me quickly, and with me The Myrmidons. A dawn of cheerful hope Shall thence, it may be, on the Greeks arise.50 Grant me thine armor also, that the foe Thyself supposing present, may abstain From battle, and the weary Greeks enjoy Short respite; it is all that war allows. We, fresh and vigorous, by our shouts alone55 May easily repulse an army spent With labor from the camp, and from the fleet,

Patroclus, noble friend! what hast thou spoken? Me neither prophesy that I have heard Holds in suspense, nor aught that I have learn’d From Thetis with authority of Jove! Hence springs, and hence alone, my grief of heart;65 If one, in nought superior to myself Save in his office only, should by force Amerce me of my well-earn’d recompense— How then? There lies the grief that stings my soul. The virgin chosen for me by the sons70 Of Greece, my just reward, by my own spear Obtain’d when I Eëtion’s city took, Her, Agamemnon, leader of the host From my possession wrung, as I had been Some alien wretch, unhonor’d and unknown.75 But let it pass; anger is not a flame To feed for ever; I affirm’d, indeed, Mine inextinguishable till the shout Of battle should invade my proper barks; But thou put on my glorious arms, lead forth80 My valiant Myrmidons, since such a cloud, So dark, of dire hostility surrounds The fleet, and the Achaians, by the waves Hemm’d in, are prison’d now in narrow space. Because the Trojans meet not in the field85 My dazzling helmet, therefore bolder grown All Ilium comes abroad; but had I found Kindness at royal Agamemnon’s hands, Soon had they fled, and with their

bodies chok’d The streams, from whom ourselves now suffer siege90 For in the hands of Diomede his spear No longer rages rescuing from death The afflicted Danaï, nor hear I more The voice of Agamemnon issuing harsh From his detested throat, but all around95 The burst[3] of homicidal Hector’s cries, Calling his Trojans on; they loud insult The vanquish’d Greeks, and claim the field their own. Go therefore, my Patroclus; furious fall On these assailants, even now preserve100 From fire the only hope of our return. But hear the sum of all; mark well my word; So shalt thou glorify me in the eyes Of all the Danaï, and they shall yield Brisëis mine, with many a gift beside.105 The Trojans from the fleet expell’d, return. Should Juno’s awful spouse give thee to win Victory, be content; seek not to press The Trojans without me, for thou shalt add Still more to the disgrace already mine.[4]110 Much less, by martial ardor urged, conduct Thy slaughtering legions to the walls of Troy, Lest some immortal power on her behalf Descend, for much the Archer of the skies Loves Ilium. No—the fleet once saved, lead back115 Thy band, and leave the battle to themselves. For oh, by all the powers of heaven

Thus they conferr’d. [5]But Ajax overwhelm’d Meantime with darts, no longer could endure, Quell’d both by Jupiter and by the spears Of many a noble Trojan; hideous rang125 His batter’d helmet bright, stroke after stroke Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm That had so long shifted from side to side His restless shield, now fail’d; yet could not all Displace him with united force, or move.130 Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time, However short, to breathe again, so close Evil on evil heap’d hemm’d him around.

Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote With his broad falchion, at the nether end, And lopp’d it sheer. The Telamonian Chief His mutilated beam brandish’d in vain,140 And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote. Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived, Shuddering with awe, the interposing power Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain’d to mar145 And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks. He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark; Through all her length the conflagration ran Incontinent, and wrapp’d her stern in flames. Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,150

Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms. Around his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d, With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift Æacides; he slung his brazen sword160 With silver bright emboss’d, and his broad shield Ponderous; on his noble head his casque He settled elegant, whose lofty crest Waved dreadful o’er his brows, and last he seized Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.165 Of all Achilles’ arms his spear alone He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length Enormous, none, Æacides except, In all Achaia’s host had power to wield. It was that Pelian ash which from the top170 Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given. He bade Automedon his coursers bind Speedily to the yoke, for him he loved Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found175 Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar’d. Then led Automedon the fiery steeds Swift as wing’d tempests to the chariot-yoke, Xanthus and Balius. Them the harpy bore Podarge, while in meadows green she fed180 On Ocean’s side, to Zephyrus the wind. To these he added, at their side, a third, The noble Pedasus; him Peleus’ son, Eëtion’s city taken, thence had brought, Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.185 Meantime from every tent Achilles call’d And arm’d his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge The prey yet panting, terrible in force, When on the mountains wild they have devour’d An antler’d stag new-slain, with bloody jaws190 Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave;

No fears have they, but at their ease eject From full maws flatulent the clotted gore; Such seem’d the Myrmidon heroic Chiefs195 Assembling fast around the valiant friend Of swift Æacides. Amid them stood Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war.

The galleys by Achilles dear to Jove200 Commanded, when to Ilium’s coast he steer’d, Were fifty; fifty rowers sat in each, And five, in whom he trusted, o’er the rest He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme. One band Menestheus swift in battle led,205 Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream. Him Polydora, Peleus’ daughter, bore To ever-flowing Sperchius, compress’d, Although a mortal woman, by a God. But his reputed father was the son210 Of Perieres, Borus, who with dower Enrich’d, and made her openly his bride. Warlike Eudorus led the second band. Him Polymela, graceful in the dance, And daughter beautiful of Phylas, bore,215 A mother unsuspected of a child. Her worshiping the golden-shafted Queen Diana, in full choir, with song and dance, The valiant Argicide[6] beheld and loved. Ascending with her to an upper room,220 All-bounteous Mercury[7] clandestine there Embraced her, who a noble son produced Eudorus, swift to run, and bold in fight. No sooner Ilithya, arbitress Of pangs puerperal, had given him birth,225 And he beheld the beaming sun, than her Echechleus, Actor’s mighty son, enrich’d With countless dower, and led her to his home; While ancient Phylas, cherishing her boy With fond affection, reared him as his own.230 The third brave troop warlike Pisander led, Offspring of Maimalus; he far excell’d In spear-fight every Myrmidon, the friend Of Peleus’ dauntless son alone except. The hoary Phœnix of equestrian fame235 The fourth band led to battle, and the fifth Laërceus’ offspring, bold Alcimedon.

Myrmidons! all that vengeance now inflict,240 Which in this fleet ye ceased not to denounce Against the Trojans while my wrath endured. Me censuring, ye have proclaim’d me oft Obdurate. Oh Achilles! ye have said, Thee not with milk thy mother but with bile245 Suckled, who hold’st thy people here in camp Thus long imprison’d. Unrelenting Chief! Even let us hence in our sea-skimming barks To Phthia, since thou can’st not be appeased— Thus in full council have ye spoken oft.250 Now, therefore, since a day of glorious toil At last appears, such as ye have desired, There lies the field—go—give your courage proof.

So them he roused, and they, their leader’s voice Hearing elate, to closest order drew.255 As when an architect some palace wall With shapely stones upbuilds, cementing close A barrier against all the winds of heaven, So wedged, the helmets and boss’d bucklers stood; Shield, helmet, man, press’d helmet, man, and shield,260 And every bright-arm’d warrior’s bushy crest Its fellow swept, so dense was their array. In front of all, two Chiefs their station took, Patroclus and Automedon; one mind In both prevail’d, to combat in the van265 Of all the Myrmidons. Achilles, then, Retiring to his tent, displaced the lid Of a capacious chest magnificent By silver-footed Thetis stow’d on board His bark, and fill’d with tunics, mantles warm,270 And gorgeous arras; there he also kept Secure a goblet exquisitely wrought, Which never lip touched save his own, and whence He offer’d only to the Sire of all. That cup producing from the chest, he first275 With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed Pellucid of the running stream, and, last (His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine. And now, advancing to his middle court, He pour’d libation, and with eyes to heaven280 Uplifted pray’d,[8] of Jove not unobserved.

Pelasgian, Dodonæan Jove supreme, Dwelling remote, who on Dodona’s heights Snow-clad reign’st Sovereign, by thy seers around Compass’d the Selli, prophets vow-constrain’d285 To unwash’d feet and slumbers on the ground! Plain I behold my former prayer perform’d, Myself exalted, and the Greeks abased. Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire! Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide,290 But lo! with all these Myrmidons I send My friend to battle. Thunder-rolling Jove, Send glory with him, make his courage firm! That even Hector may himself be taught, If my companion have a valiant heart295 When he goes forth alone, or only then The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires When I rush also to the glorious field. But when he shall have driven the battle-shout Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms,300 None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return!

Such prayer Achilles offer’d, and his suit Jove hearing, part confirm’d, and part refused; To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet305 He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return. Prayer and libation thus perform’d to Jove The Sire of all, Achilles to his tent Return’d, replaced the goblet in his chest, And anxious still that conflict to behold310 Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent.

Then rush’d the bands by brave Patroclus led, Full on the Trojan host. As wasps forsake Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys Disturbing inconsiderate their abode,315 Not without nuisance sore to all who pass, For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm Around him, fearless in their broods’ defence, So issued from their fleet the Myrmidons320 Undaunted; clamor infinite arose, And thus Patroclus loud his host address’d.

Oh Myrmidons, attendants in the field On Peleus’ son, now be ye men, my friends! Call now to mind the fury of your might;325 That we, close-fighting servants of the Chief Most excellent in all the camp of Greece, May glory gain for him, and that the wide- Commanding Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, May learn his fault, that he dishonor’d foul330 The prince in whom Achaia glories most.

So saying he fired their hearts, and on the van Of Troy at once they fell; loud shouted all The joyful Grecians, and the navy rang. Then, soon as Ilium’s host the valiant son335 Saw of Menœtius and his charioteer In dazzling armor clad, all courage lost, Their closest ranks gave way, believing sure That, wrath renounced, and terms of friendship chosen, Achilles’ self was there; thus thinking, each340 Look’d every way for refuge from his fate.

Patroclus first, where thickest throng he saw Gather’d tumultuous around the bark Of brave Protesilaüs, hurl’d direct At the whole multitude his glittering spear.345 He smote Pyræchmes; he his horsemen band Pœonian led from Amydon, and from Broad-flowing Axius. In his shoulder stood The spear, and with loud groans supine he fell. At once fled all his followers, on all sides350 With consternation fill’d, seeing their Chief And their best warrior, by Patroclus slain. Forth from the fleet he drove them, quench’d the flames, And rescued half the ship. Then scatter’d fled With infinite uproar the host of Troy,355 While from between their ships the Danaï Pour’d after them, and hideous rout ensued. As when the king of lightnings, Jove, dispels From some huge eminence a gloomy cloud, The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights360 Shine all, illumined from the boundless heaven, So when the Danaï those hostile fires Had from their fleet expell’d, awhile they breathed, Yet found short respite, for the battle yet Ceased not, nor fled the Trojans in all parts365 Alike, but still resisted, from the ships Retiring through necessity alone. Then, in that scatter’d warfare, every Chief Slew

one. While Areïlochus his back Turn’d on Patroclus, sudden with a lance370 His thigh he pierced, and urged the weapon through, Shivering the bone; he headlong smote the ground. The hero Menelaus, where he saw The breast of Thoas by his slanting shield Unguarded, struck and stretch’d him at his feet.375 Phylides,[9] meeting with preventive spear The furious onset of Amphiclus, gash’d His leg below the knee, where brawny most The muscles swell in man; disparted wide The tendons shrank, and darkness veil’d his eyes.380 The two Nestoridæ slew each a Chief. Of these, Antilochus Atymnius pierced Right through his flank, and at his feet he fell. With fierce resentment fired Maris beheld His brother’s fall, and guarding, spear in hand,385 The slain, impetuous on the conqueror flew; But godlike Thrasymedes[10] wounded first Maris, ere he Antilochus; he pierced His upper arm, and with the lance’s point Rent off and stript the muscles to the bone.390 Sounding he fell, and darkness veil’d his eyes. They thus, two brothers by two brothers slain, Went down to Erebus, associates both Of brave Sarpedon, and spear-practised sons Of Amisodarus; of him who fed395 Chimæra,[11] monster, by whom many

died. Ajax the swift on Cleobulus sprang, Whom while he toil’d entangled in the crowd, He seized alive, but smote him where he stood With his huge-hafted sword full on the neck;400 The blood warm’d all his blade, and ruthless fate Benighted dark the dying warrior’s eyes. Peneleus into close contention rush’d And Lycon. Each had hurl’d his glittering spear, But each in vain, and now with swords they met.405 He smote Peneleus on the crested casque, But snapp’d his falchion; him Peneleus smote Beneath his ear; the whole blade entering sank Into his neck, and Lycon with his head Depending by the skin alone, expired.410 Meriones o’ertaking Acamas Ere yet he could ascend his chariot, thrust A lance into his shoulder; down he fell In dreary death’s eternal darkness whelm’d. Idomeneus his ruthless spear enforced415 Into the mouth of Erymas. The point Stay’d not, but gliding close beneath the brain, Transpierced his spine,[12] and started forth beyond. It wrench’d his teeth, and fill’d his eyes with blood; Blood also blowing through his open mouth420 And nostrils, to the realms of death he pass’d. Thus slew these Grecian leaders, each, a foe.

Sudden as hungry wolves the kids purloin Or lambs, which haply some unheeding swain Hath left to roam at large the mountains wild;425 They, seeing, snatch them from beside the dams, And rend incontinent the feeble prey, So swift the Danaï the host assail’d Of Ilium; they, into tumultuous flight Together driven, all hope, all courage lost.430

Huge Ajax ceaseless sought his spear to cast At Hector brazen-mail’d, who, not untaught The warrior’s art, with bull-hide buckler stood Sheltering his ample shoulders, while he mark’d The hiss of flying shafts and crash of spears.435 Full sure he saw the shifting course of war Now turn’d, but scorning flight, bent all his thoughts To rescue yet the remnant of his friends.

As when the Thunderer spreads a sable storm O’er ether, late serene, the cloud that wrapp’d440 Olympus’ head escapes into the skies, So fled the Trojans from the fleet of Greece Clamoring in their flight, nor pass’d the trench In fair array; the coursers fleet indeed Of Hector, him bore safe with all his arms445 Right through, but in the foss entangled foul He left his host, and struggling to escape. Then many a chariot-whirling steed, the pole Broken at its extremity, forsook His driver, while Patroclus with the shout450 Of battle calling his Achaians on, Destruction purposed to the powers of Troy. They, once dispersed, with clamor and with flight Fill’d all the ways, the dust beneath the clouds Hung like a tempest, and the steeds firm-hoof’d455 Whirl’d off at stretch the chariots to the town. He, wheresoe’er most troubled he perceived The routed host, loud-threatening thither drove, While under his own axle many a Chief Fell prone, and the o’ertumbled chariots rang.460 Right o’er the hollow foss the coursers leap’d Immortal, by the Gods to Peleus given, Impatient for the plain, nor less desire Felt he who drove to smite the Trojan Chief, But him his fiery steeds caught swift away.465

As when a tempest from autumnal skies Floats all the fields, what time Jove heaviest pours Impetuous rain, token of wrath divine Against perverters of the laws by force, Who drive forth justice, reckless of the Gods;470 The rivers and the torrents, where they dwell, Sweep many a green declivity away, And plunge at length, groaning, into the Deep From the hills headlong, leaving where they pass’d No traces of the pleasant works of man,475 So, in their flight, loud groan’d the steeds of Troy. And now, their foremost intercepted all, Patroclus back again toward the fleet Drove them precipitate, nor the ascent Permitted them to Troy for which they strove,480 But in the midway space between the ships The river and the lofty Trojan wall Pursued them ardent, slaughtering whom he reached, And vengeance took for many a Grecian slain. First then, with glittering spear the breast he pierced485 Of Pronöus, undefended by his shield, And stretch’d him dead; loud rang his batter’d arms. The son of Enops, Thestor next he smote. He on his chariot-seat magnificent Low-cowering sat, a fear-distracted form,490 And from his palsied grasp the reins had fallen. Then came Patroclus nigh, and through his

cheek His teeth transpiercing, drew him by his lance Sheer o’er the chariot front. As when a man On some projecting rock seated, with line495 And splendid hook draws forth a sea-fish huge, So him wide-gaping from his seat he drew At his spear-point, then shook him to the ground Prone on his face, where gasping he expired. At Eryalus, next, advancing swift500 He hurl’d a rock; full on the middle front He smote him, and within the ponderous casque His whole head open’d into equal halves. With deadliest night surrounded, prone he fell. Epaltes, Erymas, Amphoterus,505 Echius, Tlepolemus Damastor’s son, Evippus, Ipheus, Pyres, Polymelus, All these he on the champain, corse on corse Promiscuous flung. Sarpedon, when he saw Such havoc made of his uncinctured[13] friends510 By Menœtiades, with sharp rebuke His band of godlike Lycians loud address’d.

He said, and with his arms leap’d to the ground. On the other side, Patroclus at that sight Sprang from his chariot. As two vultures clash520 Bow-beak’d, crook-talon’d, on some lofty rock Clamoring both, so they together rush’d With clamors loud; whom when the son observed Of wily Saturn, with compassion moved His sister and his spouse he thus bespake.525

Alas, he falls! my most beloved of men Sarpedon, vanquished by Patroclus, falls! So will the Fates. Yet, doubtful, much I muse Whether to place him, snatch’d from furious fight In Lycia’s wealthy realm, or to permit530 His death by valiant Menœtiades.

To whom his awful spouse, displeased, replied. How speaks the terrible Saturnian Jove! Wouldst thou again from pangs of death exempt A mortal man, destined long since to die?535 Do it. But small thy praise shall be in heaven, Mark thou my words, and in thy inmost breast Treasure them. If thou send Sarpedon safe To his own home, how many Gods their sons May also send from battle? Weigh it well.540 For under yon great city fight no few Sprung from Immortals whom thou shalt provoke. But if thou love him, and thine heart his lot Commiserate, leave him by the hands to fall Of Menœtiades in conflict dire;545 But give command to Death and gentle Sleep That him of life bereft at once they bear To Lycia’s ample realm,[14] where, with due rites Funereal, his next kindred and his friends Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb550 (The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.

Opposite now, small interval between, Those heroes stood. Patroclus at his waist Pierced Thrasymelus the illustrious friend Of King Sarpedon, and his charioteer.560 Spear’d through the lower bowels, dead he fell. Then hurl’d Sarpedon in his turn a lance, But miss’d Patroclus and the shoulder pierced Of Pedasus the horse; he groaning heaved His spirit forth, and fallen on the field565 In long loud moanings sorrowful expired. Wide started the immortal pair; the yoke Creak’d, and entanglement of reins ensued To both, their fellow slaughter’d at their side. That mischief soon Automedon redress’d.570 He rose, and from beside his sturdy thigh Drawing his falchion, with effectual stroke Cut loose the side-horse; then the pair reduced To order, in their traces stood composed, And the two heroes fierce engaged again.575

Again his radiant spear Sarpedon hurl’d, But miss’d Patroclus; the innocuous point, O’erflying his left shoulder, pass’d beyond. Then with bright lance Patroclus in his turn Assail’d Sarpedon, nor with erring course580 The weapon sped or vain, but pierced profound His chest, enclosure of the guarded heart. As falls an oak, poplar, or lofty pine With new-edged axes on the mountains hewn Right through, for structure of some gallant bark,585 So fell Sarpedon stretch’d his steeds before And gnash’d his teeth and clutch’d the bloody dust, And as a lion slays a tawny bull Leader magnanimous of all the herd; Beneath the lion’s jaws groaning he dies;590 So, leader of the shielded Lycians groan’d Indignant, by Patroclus slain, the bold Sarpedon, and his friend thus, sad, bespake.

Glaucus, my friend, among these warring Chiefs Thyself a Chief illustrious! thou hast need595 Of all thy valor now; now strenuous fight, And, if thou bear within thee a brave mind, Now make the war’s calamities thy joy. First, marching through the host of Lycia, rouse Our Chiefs to combat for Sarpedon slain,600 Then haste, thyself, to battle for thy friend. For shame and foul dishonor which no time Shall e’er obliterate, I must prove to thee, Should the Achaians of my glorious arms Despoil me in full prospect[15] of the fleet.605 Fight, therefore, thou, and others urge to fight.

He said, and cover’d by the night of death, Nor look’d nor breath’d again; for on his chest Implanting firm his heel, Patroclus drew The spear enfolded with his vitals forth,610 Weapon and life at once. Meantime his steeds Snorted, by Myrmidons detain’d, and, loosed From their own master’s chariot, foam’d to fly. Terrible was the grief by Glaucus felt, Hearing that charge, and troubled was his heart615 That all power fail’d him to protect the dead. Compressing his own arm he stood, with pain Extreme tormented which the shaft had caused Of Teucer, who while Glaucus climb’d the wall, Had pierced him from it, in the fleet’s defence.620 Then, thus, to Phœbus, King shaft-arm’d, he pray’d.

Hear now, O King! For whether in the land Of wealthy Lycia dwelling, or in Troy, Thou hear’st in every place alike the prayer Of the afflicted heart, and such is mine;625 Behold my wound; it fills my useless hand With anguish, neither can my blood be stay’d, And all my shoulder suffers. I can grasp A spear, or rush to conflict with the Greeks No longer now; and we have also lost630 Our noblest Chief, Sarpedon, son of Jove, Who guards not his own son. But thou, O King! Heal me, assuage my anguish, give me strength, That I may animate the Lycian host To fight, and may, myself, defend the dead!635