The Iliad and the Odyssey (Classics of World Literature) (28 page)

Book 8

The cheerful lady of the light, deck’d in her saffron robe,

Dispers’d her beams through every part of this enflow’red globe,

When thund’ring Jove a court of gods assembled by his will,

In top of all the topful heights that crown th’ Olympian hill.

He spake, and all the gods gave ear: ‘Hear how I stand inclin’d,

That god nor goddess may attempt t’ infringe my sov’reign mind,

But all give suffrage, that with speed I may these discords end.

What god soever I shall find endeavour to defend

Or Troy or Greece, with wounds to heav’n he sham’d shall reascend,

Or (taking him with his offence) I’ll cast him down as deep

As Tartarus (the brood of night), where Barathrum doth steep

Torment in his profoundest sinks, where is the floor of brass,

And gates of iron; the place for depth as far doth hell surpass

As heav’n for height exceeds the earth. Then shall he know from thence

How much my pow’r, past all the gods, hath sov’reign eminence.

Endanger it the whiles and see; let down our golden chain,

And at it let all deities their utmost strengths constrain,

To draw me to the earth from heaven. You never shall prevail,

Though with your most contention ye dare my state assail:

But when my will shall be dispos’d to draw you all to me,

Even with the earth itself, and seas, ye shall enforced be.

Then will I to Olympus’ top our virtuous engine bind,

And by it everything shall hang, by my command inclin’d:

So much I am supreme to gods, to men supreme as much.’

The gods sat silent, and admir’d, his dreadful speech was such.

At last his blue-ey’d daughter spake: ‘O great Saturnides!

O father, O heaven’s highest king, well know we the excess

Of thy great power, compar’d with all: yet the bold Greeks’ estate

We needs must mourn, since they must fall beneath so hard a fate:

For if thy grave command enjoin, we will abstain from fight.

But to afford them such advice as may relieve their plight,

We will, with thy consent, be bold, that all may not sustain

The fearful burthen of thy wrath, and with their shames be slain.’

He smil’d, and said: ‘Be confident, thou art belov’d of me:

I speak not this with serious thoughts, but will be kind to thee.’

This said, his brass-hoof’d winged horse he did to chariot bind,

Whose crests were fring’d with manes of gold; and golden garments shin’d

On his rich shoulders; in his hand he took a golden scourge,

Divinely fashion’d, and with blows their willing speed did urge,

Mid way betwixt the earth and heaven. To Ida then he came,

Abounding in delicious springs, and nurse of beasts untame,

Where on the mountain Gargarus men did a fane erect

To his high name, and altars sweet, and there his horse he check’d,

Dissolv’d them from his chariot, and in a cloud of jet

He cover’d them, and on the top took his triumphant seat,

Beholding Priam’s famous town, and all the fleet of Greece.

The Greeks took breakfast speedily, and arm’d at every piece;

So Trojans, who though fewer far, yet all to fight took arms:

Dire need enforc’d them to avert their wives’ and children’s harms.

All gates flew open; all the host did issue, foot and horse,

In mighty tumult: straight one place adjoin’d each adverse force.

Then shields with shields met, darts with darts, strength against strength oppos’d:

The boss-pik’d targets were thrust on, and thunder’d as they clos’d

In mighty tumult; groan for groan, and breath for breath did breath,

Of men then slain, and to be slain: earth flow’d with fruits of death.

While the fair morning’s beauty held and day increas’d in height,

Their javelins mutually made death transport an equal freight:

But when the hot meridian point bright Phoebus did ascend,

Then Jove his golden balances did equally extend,

And of long-rest-conferring death, put in two bitter fates

For Troy and Greece; he held the midst: the day of final dates

Fell on the Greeks: the Greeks’ hard lots sunk to the flow’ry ground,

The Trojans leapt as high as heaven; then did the claps resound

Of his fierce thunder, lightning leapt amongst each Grecian troop:

The sight amaz’d them, pallid fear made boldest stomachs stoop.

Then Idomen durst not abide; Atrides went his way,

And both th’ Ajaces: Nestor yet against his will did stay

(That grave protector of the Greeks), for Paris with a dart

Enrag’d one of his chariot horse; he smote the upper part

Of all his skull, ev’n where the hair, that made his foretop, sprung;

The hurt was deadly, and the pain so sore the courser stung

(Pierc’d to the brain) he stamp’d and plung’d; one on another bears,

Entangled round about the beam; then Nestor cut the gears

With his new-drawn authentic sword: meanwhile the fiery horse

Of Hector brake into the press, with their bold ruler’s force:

Then good old Nestor had been slain, had Diomed not espy’d,

Who to Ulysses, as he fled, importunately cried:

‘Thou that in counsels dost abound, O Laertiades,

Why fliest thou? Why thus coward-like shunn’st thou the honour’d press?

Take heed thy back take not a dart; stay, let us both intend

To drive this cruel enemy from our dear aged friend.’

He spake; but wary Ithacus would find no patient ear,

But fled forthright, even to the fleet. Yet though he single were,

Brave Diomed mix’d amongst the fight, and stood before the steeds

Of old Neleides, whose estate thus kingly he areeds:

‘O father, with these youths in fight thou art unequal plac’d:

Thy willing sinews are unknit, grave age pursues thee fast,

And thy unruly horse are slow; my chariot therefore use,

And try how ready Trojan horse can fly him that pursues,

Pursue the flier, and every way perform the varied fight:

I forc’d them from Anchises’ son, well skill’d in cause of flight.

Then let my squire lead hence thy horse: mine thou shalt guard, whilst I

(By thee advanc’d) assay the fight, that Hector’s self may try

If my lance dote with the defects that fail best minds in age,

Or find the palsy in my hands, that doth thy life engage.’

This noble Nestor did accept, and Diomed’s two friends,

Eurymedon that valour loves, and Sthenelus, ascends

Old Nestor’s coach. Of Diomed’s horse Nestor the charge sustains,

And Tydeus’ son took place of fight; Neleides held the reins,

And scourg’d the horse, who swiftly ran direct in Hector’s face,

Whom fierce Tydides bravely charg’d; but – he turn’d from the chace –

His javelin Eniopeus smit, mighty Thebaeus’ son,

And was great Hector’s charioteer; it through his breast did run,

Near to his pap; he fell to earth, back flew his frighted horse,

His strength and soul were both dissolv’d. Hector had deep remorse

Of his mishap, yet left he him, and for another sought;

Not long his steeds did want a guide, for straight good fortune brought

Bold Archeptolemus, whose life did from Iphytis spring:

He made him take the reins and mount. Then souls were set on wing,

Then high exploits were undergone, then Trojans in their walls

Had been infolded like meek lambs, had Jove wink’d at their falls –

Who hurl’d his horrid thunder forth, and made pale lightnings fly

Into the earth, before the horse that Nestor did apply.

A dreadful flash burnt through the air, that savour’d sulphur-like,

Which down before the chariot the dazzled horse did strike:

The fair reins fell from Nestor’s hand, who did in fear entreat

Renown’d Tydides into flight to turn his fury’s heat.

‘For know’st thou not,’ said he, ‘our aid is not supplied from Jove?

This day he will give fame to Troy; which, when it fits his love,

We shall enjoy: let no man tempt his unresisted will,

Though he exceed in gifts of strength, for he exceeds him still.’

‘Father’, replied the king,
‘
’tis true; but both my heart and soul

Are most extremely griev’d to think how Hector will control

My valour with his vaunts in Troy, that I was terror-sick

With his approach: which when he boasts let earth devour me quick.’

‘Ah, warlike Tydeus son!’ said he, ‘what needless words are these?

Though Hector should report thee faint, and amorous of thy ease,

The Trojans, nor the Trojan wives, would never give him trust,

Whose youthful husbands thy free hand hath smother’d so in dust.’

This said, he turn’d his one-hoo
f
’d horse to flight, and troop did take,

When Hector and his men with shouts did greedy pursuit make,

And pour’d on darts, that made air sigh; then Hector did exclaim:

‘O Tydeus’ son, the kings of Greece do most renown thy name

With highest place, feasts and full cups; who now will do thee shame.

Thou shalt be like a woman us’d, and they will say: “Depart,

Immartial minion, since to stand Hector thou hast no heart.”

Nor canst thou scale our turrets’ tops, nor lead the wives to fleet

Of valiant men, that wife-like fear’st my adverse charge to meet.’

This two ways mov’d him: still to fly, or turn his horse and fight.

Thrice thrust he forward to assault, and every time the fright

Of Jove’s fell thunder drave him back, which he propos’d for sign

(To show the change of victory) Trojans should victors shine.

Then Hector comforted his men: ‘All my adventurous friends,

Be men, and of your famous strength think of the honour’d ends.

I know benevolent Jupiter did by his beck profess

Conquest and high renown to me, and to the Greeks distress.

O fools, to raise such silly forts, not worth the least account,

Nor able to resist our force! With ease our horse may mount

Quite over all their hollow dike; but when their fleet I reach,

Let Memory to all the world a famous bonfire teach:

For I will all their ships inflame, with whose infestive smoke

(Fear-shrunk, and hidden near their keels) the conquer’d Greeks shall choke.’

Then cherish’d he his famous horse: ‘O Xanthus!’ now said he,

‘And thou Podargus, Aethon too, and Lampus, dear to me,

Make me some worthy recompense for so much choice of meat,

Giv’n you by fair Andromache, bread of the purest wheat,

And with it, for your drink, mix’d wine, to make ye wished cheer,

Still serving you before myself (her husband young and dear) –

Pursue, and use your swiftest speed, that we may take for prize

The shield of old Neleides, which Fame lifts to the skies,

Even to the handles telling it to be of massy gold;

And from the shoulders let us take of Diomed the bold,

The royal curace Vulcan wrought with art so exquisite.

These if we make our sacred spoil, I doubt not but this night

Ev’n to their navy to enforce the Greeks’ unturned flight.’

This Juno took in high disdain, and made Olympus shake,

As she but stirr’d within her throne; and thus to Neptune spake:

‘O Neptune, what a spite is this? Thou god so huge in power,

Afflicts it not thy honour’d heart, to see rude spoil devour

These Greeks that have in Helice and Aege of
f
’red thee

So many and so wealthy gifts? Let them the victors be.

If we, that are the aids of Greece, would beat home these of Troy,

And hinder broad-ey’d Jove’s proud will, it would abate his joy.’

He, angry, told her she was rash, and he would not be one

Of all the rest should strive with Jove, whose power was match’d by none.

Whiles they conferr’d thus, all the space the trench contain’d before

(From that part of the fort that flank’d the navy-anchoring shore)

Was fill’d with horse and targeteers, who there for refuge came,

By Mars-swift Hector’s power engaged, Jove gave his strength the same:

And he with spoilful fire had burn’d the fleet, if Juno’s grace

Had not inspir’d the king himself to run from place to place,

And stir up every soldier’s power to some illustrious deed.

First visiting their leaders’ tents, his ample purple weed

He wore, to show all who he was; and did his station take

At wise Ulysses’ sable barks, that did the battle make

Of all the fleet, from whence his speech might with more ease be driv’n

To Ajax’ and Achilles’ ships, to whose chief charge were giv’n

The vanguard and the rearguard both – both for their force of hand

And trusty bosoms. There arriv’d, thus urg’d he to withstand

Th’ insulting Trojans: ‘O what shame, ye empty-hearted lords,

Is this to your admired forms! Where are your glorious words,

In Lemnos vaunting you the best of all the Grecian host?

“We are the strongest men,” ye said, “we will command the most,

Eating most flesh of high-horn’d beeves, and drinking cups full crown’d,

And every man a hundred foes – two hundred – will confound!”

Now all our strength, dar’d to our worst, one Hector cannot tame,

Who presently with horrid fire will all our fleet inflame.

O Father Jove, hath ever yet thy most unsuffer’d hand

Afflicted with such spoil of souls the king of any land,

And taken so much fame from him – when I did never fail

(Since under most unhappy stars this fleet was under sail)

Thy glorious altars, I protest, but above all the gods

Have burnt fat thighs of beeves to thee, and pray’d to raze th’ abodes