The Iliad
BOOK XVII
Of the battle around the body of Patroklos.
But Atreus' son, Menelaos dear to Ares, was not unaware of the slaying
of Patroklos by the Trojans in the fray. He went up through the front
of the fight harnessed in flashing bronze, and strode over the body as
above a first-born calf standeth lowing its mother. Thus above
Patroklos strode fair-haired Menelaos, and before him held his spear
and the circle of his shield, eager to slay whoever should encounter
him. Then was Panthoos' son of the stout ashen spear not heedless of
noble Patroklos as he lay, and he smote on the circle of the shield of
Menelaos, but the bronze spear brake it not, but the point was bent
back in the stubborn shield. And Menelaos Atreus' son in his turn made
at him with his bronze spear, having prayed unto father Zeus, and as he
gave back pierced the nether part of his throat, and threw his weight
into the stroke, following his heavy hand; and sheer through the tender
neck went the point of the spear. And he fell with a crash, and his
armour rang upon him. In blood was his hair drenched that was like unto
the hair of the Graces, and his tresses closely knit with bands of
silver and gold.
Then easily would the son of Atreus have borne off the noble spoils of
Panthoos' son, had not Phoebus Apollo grudged it to him, and aroused
against him Hector peer of swift Ares, putting on the semblance of a
man, of Mentes chief of the Kikones. And he spake aloud to him winged
words: "Hector, now art thou hasting after things unattainable, even
the horses of wise Aiakides; for hard are they to be tamed or driven by
mortal man, save only Achilles whom an immortal mother bare. Meanwhile
hath warlike Menelaos Atreus' son stridden over Patroklos and slain the
best of the Trojans there, even Panthoos' son Euphorbos, and hath
stayed him in his impetuous might." [Jaynes, p.74]
Thus saying the god went back into the strife of men, but dire grief
darkened Hectors inmost soul, and then he gazed searchingly along the
lines, and straightway was aware of the one man stripping off the noble
arms, and the other lying on the earth; and blood was flowing about the
gaping wound. Then he went through the front of the fight harnessed in
flashing bronze, crying a shrill cry, like unto Hephaistos' flame
unquenchable. Not deaf to his shrill cry was Atreus' son, and sore
troubled he spake to his great heart: "Ay me, if I shall leave behind
me these goodly arms, and Patroklos who here lieth for my vengeance'
sake, I fear lest some Danaan beholding it be wroth against me. But if
for honour's sake I do battle alone with Hector and the Trojans, I fear
lest they come about me many against one; for all the Trojans is
bright-helmed Hector leading hither. But if I might somewhere find Aias
of the loud war-cry, then both together would we go and be mindful of
battle even were it against the power of heaven, if haply we might save
his dead for Achilles Peleus' son: that were best among these ills."
While thus he communed with his mind and heart, therewithal the Trojan
ranks came onward, and Hector at their head. Then Menelaos gave
backward, and left the dead man, turning himself ever about like a
deep-waned lion which men and dogs chase from a fold with spears and
cries; and his strong heart within him groweth chill, and loth goeth he
from the steading; so from Patroklos went fair-haired Menelaos, and
turned and stood, when he came to the host of his comrades, searching
for mighty Aias Telamon's son. Him very speedily he espied on the left
of the whole battle, cheering his comrades and rousing them to fight,
for great terror had Phoebus Apollo sent on them; and he hasted him to
run, and straightway stood by him and said: "This way, beloved Aias;
let us bestir us for the dead Patroklos, if haply his naked corpse at
least we may carry to Achilles, though his armour is held by Hector of
the glancing helm."
Thus spake he, and aroused the heart of wise Aias. And he went up
through the front of the fight, and with him fair-haired Menelaos. Now
Hector, when he had stripped from Patroklos his noble armour, was
dragging him thence that he might cut off the head from the shoulders
with the keen bronze and carry his body to give to the dogs of Troy.
But Aias came anigh, and the shield that he bare was as a tower; then
Hector gave back into the company of his comrades, and sprang into his
chariot; and the goodly armour he gave to the Trojans to carry to the
city, to be great glory unto him. But Aias spread his broad shield over
the son of Menoitios and stood as it were a lion before his whelps when
huntsmen in a forest encounter him as he leadeth his young. And by his
side stood Atreus' son, Menelaos dear to Ares, nursing great sorrow in
his breast.
Then Hector called on the Trojans with a mighty shout; "Trojans and
Lykians and Dardanians that fight hand to hand, be men, my friends, and
bethink you of impetuous valour, until I do on me the goodly arms of
noble Achilles that I stripped from brave Patroklos when I slew him."
Thus having spoken went Hector of the glancing helm forth out of the
strife of war, and ran and speedily with fleet feet following overtook
his comrades, not yet far off, who were bearing to the city Peleides'
glorious arms. And standing apart from the dolorous battle he changed
his armour; his own he gave the warlike Trojans to carry to sacred
Ilios, and he put on the divine arms of Achilles, Peleus' son.
But when Zeus that gathereth the clouds beheld from afar off Hector
arming him in the armour of Peleus' godlike son, he shook his head and
spake thus unto his soul: "Ah, hapless man, no thought is in thy heart
of death that yet draweth nigh unto thee; thou doest on thee the divine
armour of a peerless man before whom the rest have terror. His comrade,
gentle and brave, thou hast slain, and unmeetly hast stripped the
armour from his head and shoulders; yet now for a while at least I will
give into thy hands great might, in recompense for this, even that
nowise shalt thou come home out of the battle, for Andromache to
receive from thee Peleides' glorious arms."
Thus spake the son of Kronos, and bowed his dark brows therewithal.
But the armour fitted itself unto Hectors body, and Ares the dread
war-god entered into him, and his limbs were filled within with valour
and strength. Then he sped among the noble allies with a mighty cry,
and in the flashing of his armour he seemed to all of them like unto
Peleus' great-hearted son. And he came to each and encouraged him with
his words--Mesthles and Glaukos and Medon and Thersilochos and
Asteropaios and Deisenor and Hippothoos and Phorkys and Chromios and
the augur Ennomos--these encouraged he and spake to them winged words:
"Listen, ye countless tribes of allies that dwell round about. It was
not for mere numbers that I sought or longed when I gathered each of
you from your cities, but that ye might zealously guard the Trojans'
wives and infant little ones from the war-loving Achaians. For this end
am I wearying my people by taking gifts and food from them, and nursing
thereby the courage of each of you. Now therefore let all turn straight
against the foe and live or die, for such is the dalliance of war. And
whoso shall drag Patroklos, dead though he be, among the horse-taming
men of Troy, and make Aias yield, to him will I award half the spoils
and keep half myself; so shall his glory be great as mine."
Thus spake he, and they against the Danaans charged with all their
weight, levelling their spears, and their hearts were high of hope to
drag the corpse from under Aias, Telamon's son. Fond men! from full
many reft he life over that corpse. And then spake Aias to Menelaos of
the loud war-cry: "Dear Menelaos, fosterling of Zeus, no longer count I
that we two of ourselves shall return home out of the war. Nor have I
so much dread for the corpse of Patroklos, that shall soon glut the
dogs and birds of the men of Troy, as for thy head and mine lest some
evil fall thereon, for all is shrouded by a storm-cloud of war, even by
Hector, and sheer doom stareth in our face. But come, call thou to the
best men of the Danaans, if haply any hear."
Thus spake he, and Menelaos of the loud war-cry disregarded him not,
but shouted unto the Danaans, crying a far-heard cry: "O friends, ye
leaders and counsellors of the Argives, who by the side of the sons of
Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaos, drink at the common cost and are all
commanders of the host, on whom wait glory and honour from Zeus, hard
is it for me to distinguish each chief amid the press--such blaze is
there of the strife of war. But let each go forward of himself and be
wroth at heart that Patroklos should become a sport among the dogs of
Troy."
Thus spake he, and Oileus' son fleet Aias heard him clearly, and was
first to run along the mellay to meet him, and after him Idomeneus, and
Idomeneus' brother-in-arms, Meriones, peer of the man-slaying war-god.
And who shall of his own thought tell the names of the rest, even of
all that after these aroused the battle of the Achaians?
Now the Trojans charged forward in close array, and Hector led them.
And as when at the mouth of some heaven-born river a mighty wave
roareth against the stream, and arouseth the high cliffs' echo as the
salt sea belloweth on the beach, so loud was the cry wherewith the
Trojans came. But the Achaians stood firm around Menoitios' son with
one soul all, walled in with shields of bronze. And over their bright
helmets the son of Kronos shed thick darkness, for in the former time
was Menoitios' son not unloved of him, while he was yet alive and
squire of Aiakides. So was Zeus loth that he should become a prey of
the dogs of his enemies at Troy, and stirred his comrades to do battle
for him.
Now first the Trojans thrust back the glancing-eyed Achaians, who
shrank before them and left the dead, yet the proud Trojans slew not
any of them with spears, though they were fain, but set to hale the
corpse. But little while would the Achaians hold back therefrom, for
very swiftly Aias rallied them, Aias the first in presence and in deeds
of all the Danaans after the noble son of Peleus. Right through the
fighters in the forefront rushed he like a wild boar in his might that
in the mountains when he turneth at bay scattereth lightly dogs and
lusty young men through the glades. Thus did proud Telamon's son the
glorious Aias press on the Trojan battalions and lightly scatter them,
as they had bestrode Patroklos and were full fain to drag him to their
city and win renown.
Then would the Trojans in their turn in their weakness overcome have
been driven back into Ilios by the Achaians dear to Ares, and the
Argives would have won glory even against the appointment of Zeus by
their power and might. But Apollo himself aroused Aineias, putting on
the semblance of Periphas the herald, the son of Epytos, who grew old
with his old father in his heraldship, of friendly thought toward
Aineias. In his similitude spake Apollo, son of Zeus: "Aineias, how
could ye ever guard high Ilios if it were against the will of God?
Other men have I seen that trust in their own might and power and
valour, and in their host, even though they have scant folk to lead.
But here, albeit Zeus is fainer far to give victory to us than to the
Danaans, yet ye are dismayed exceedingly and fight not."
Thus spake he, and Aineias knew far-darting Apollo when he looked upon
his face, and spake unto Hector, shouting loud "Hector and ye other
leaders of the Trojans and their allies, shame were this if in our
weakness overcome we were driven back into Ilios by the Achaians dear
to Ares. Nay, thus saith a god, who standeth by my side : Zeus, highest
Orderer, is our helper in this fight. Therefore let us go right. onward
against the Danaans. Not easily at least let them take the dead
Patroklos to the ships." [Jaynes, p. 74]
Thus spake he, and leapt forth far before the fighters in the front.
And the Trojans rallied and stood up against the Achaians. Thus strove
they as it had been fire, nor wouldst thou have thought there was still
sun or moon, for over all the battle where the chiefs stood around the
slain son of Menoitios they were shrouded in darkness, while the other
Trojans and well-greaved Achaians fought at ease in the clear air, and
piercing sunlight was spread over them, and on all the earth and hills
there was no cloud seen; and they ceased fighting now sad again,
avoiding each other's dolorous darts and standing far apart. But they
who were in the midst endured affliction of the darkness and the
battle, and all the best men of them were wearied by the pitiless
weight of their bronze arms.
Thus all day long waxed the mighty fray of their sore strife; and
unabatingly ever with the sweat of toil were the knees and legs and
feet of each man and arms anal eyes bedewed as the two hosts did battle
around the brave squire of fleet Aiakides. And as when a man giveth the
hide of a great bull to his folk to stretch, all soaked in fat, and
they take and stretch it standing in a circle, and straightway the
moisture thereof departeth and the fat entereth in under the haling of
many hands, and it is all stretched throughout,--thus they on both
sides haled the dead man this way and that in narrow space, for their
hearts were high of hope, the Trojans that they should drag him to
Ilios and the Achaians to the hollow ships; and around him the fray
waxed wild, nor might Ares rouser of hosts nor Athene despise the sight
thereof, albeit their anger were exceeding great.
Such was the grievous travail of men and horses over Patroklos that
Zeus on that day wrought. But not as yet knew noble Achilles aught of
Patroklos' death, for far away from the swift ships they were fighting
beneath the wall of the men of Troy. Therefore never deemed he in his
heart that he was dead, but that he should come back alive, after that
he had touched the gates; for neither that other thought had he any-
wise, that Patroklos should sack the stronghold without his aid.
Now the rest continually around the dead man with their keen spears
made onset relentlessly and slew each the other. And thus would one
speak among the mail-clad Achaians: "Friends, it were verily not
glorious for us to go back to the hollow ships; rather let the black
earth yawn for us all beneath our feet. Far better were that
straightway for us if we suffer the horse-taming Trojans to hale this
man to their city and win renown."
And thus on the other side would one of the great-hearted Trojans say:
"Friends, though it were our fate that all together we be slain beside
this man, let none yet give backward from the fray."
Thus would one speak, and rouse the spirit of each. So they fought on,
and the iron din went up through the high desert air unto the brazen
heaven. But the horses of Aiakides that were apart from the battle were
weeping, since first they were aware that their charioteer was fallen
in the dust beneath the hand of man-slaying Hector. Verily Automedon,
Diores' valiant son, plied them oft with blows of the swift lash, and
oft with gentle words he spake to them and oft with chiding, yet would
they neither go back to the ships at the broad Hellespont nor yet to
the battle after the Achaians, but as a pillar abideth firm that
standeth on the tomb of a man or woman dead, so abode they immovably
with the beautiful chariot, abasing their heads unto the earth. And hot
tears flowed from their eyes to the ground as they mourned in sorrow
for their charioteer, and their rich manes were soiled as they drooped
from beneath the yoke-cushion on both sides beside the yoke. And when
the son of Kronos beheld them mourning he had compassion on them, and
shook his head and spake to his own heart: "Ah, hapless pair, why gave
we you to king Peleus, a mortal man, while ye are deathless and ever
young? Was it that ye should suffer sorrows among ill-fated men? For
methinketh there is nothing more piteous than a man among all things
that breathe and creep upon the earth. But verily Hector Priam's son
shall not drive you and your deftly-wrought car; that will I not
suffer. Is it a small thing that he holdeth the armour and vaunteth
himself vainly thereupon? Nay, I will put courage into your knees and
heart that ye may bring Automedon also safe out of the war to the
hollow ships. For yet further will I increase victory to the men of
Troy, so that they slay until they come unto the well-timbered ships,
and the sun set and divine night come down."
Thus saying he breathed good courage into the horses. And they shook to
earth the dust from their manes, and lightly bare the swift car amid
Trojans and Achaians. And behind them fought Automedon, albeit in grief
for his comrade, swooping with his chariot as a vulture on wild geese;
for lightly he would flee out of the onset of the Trojans and lightly
charge, pursuing them through the thick mellay. Yet could he not slay
any man as he halted to pursue them, for it was impossible that being
alone in his sacred car he should at once assail them with the spear
and hold his fleet horses. Then at last espied him a comrade, even
Alkimedon son of Laerkes, son of Haimon, and he halted behind the car
and spake unto Automedon: "Automedon, what god hath put into thy breast
unprofitable counsel and taken from thee wisdom, that thus alone thou
art fighting against the Trojans in the forefront of the press? Thy
comrade even now was slain, and Hector goeth proudly, wearing on his
own shoulders the armour of Aiakides."
And Automedon son of Diores answered him, saying: "Alkimedon, what
other Achaian hath like skill to guide the spirit of immortal steeds,
save only Patroklos, peer of gods in counsel, while he yet lived? but
now have death and fate overtaken him. But take thou the lash and
shining reins, and I will get me down from my, horses, that I may
fight."
Thus spake he, and Alkimedon leapt on the fleet war-chariot and swiftly
took the lash and reins in his hands, and Automedon leapt down. And
noble Hector espied them, and straightway spake unto Aineias as he
stood near: "Aineias, counsellor of mail-clad Trojans, I espy here the
two horses of fleet Aiakides come forth to battle with feeble
charioteers. Therefore might I hope to take them if thou in thy heart
art willing, since they would not abide our onset and stand to do
battle against us."
Thus spake he, and the brave son of Anchises disregarded him not. And
they twain went right onward, their shoulders shielded by ox-hides
dried and tough, and bronze thick overlaid. And with them went both
Chromios and godlike Aretos, and their hearts were of high hope to slay
the men and drive off the strong-necked horses--fond hope, for not
without blood lost were they to get them back from Automedon. He
praying to father Zeus was filled in his inmost heart with valour and
strength. And straightway he spake to Alkimedon, his faithful comrade:
"Alkimedon, hold the horses not far from me, but with their very breath
upon my back; for I deem that Hector the son of Priam will not refrain
him from his fury until he mount behind Achilles' horses of goodly
manes after slaying us twain, and dismay the ranks of Argive men, or
else himself fall among the foremost."
Thus said he, and called upon the Aiantes and Menelaos: "Aiantes,
leaders of the Argives, and Menelaos, lo now, commit ye the corpse unto
whoso may best avail to bestride it and resist the ranks of men, and
come ye to ward the day of doom from us who are yet alive, for here in
the dolorous war are Hector and Aineias, the best men of the Trojans,
pressing hard. Yet verily these issues lie in the lap of the gods: I
too will cast my spear, and the rest shall Zeus decide."
He said, and poised his far-shadowing spear and hurled it, and smote on
the circle of the shield of Aretos, and the shield sustained not the
spear, but right through went the bronze, and he forced it into his
belly low down through his belt. And as when a strong man with a sharp
axe smiting behind the horns of an ox of the homestead cleaveth the
sinew asunder, and the ox leapeth forward and falleth, so leapt Aretos
forward and fell on his back; and the spear in his entrails very pierc-
ingly quivering unstrung his limbs. And Hector hurled at Automedon with
his bright spear, but he looked steadfastly on the bronze javelin as it
came at him and avoided it, for he stooped forward, and the long spear
fixed itself in the ground behind, and the javelin-butt quivered, and
there dread Ares took away its force. And then had they lashed at each
other with their swords hand to hand, had not the Aiantes parted them
in their fury, when they were come through the mellay at their
comrades' call. Before them Hector and Aineias and godlike Chromios
shrank backward and gave ground and left Aretos wounded to the death as
he lay. And Automedon, peer of swift Ares, stripped off the armour of
the dead, and spake exultingly: "Verily, I have a little eased my heart
of grief for the death of Menoitios' son, albeit a worse man than him
have I slain."
Thus saying he took up the gory spoils and set them in his car, and gat
him thereon, with feet and hands all bloody, as a lion that hath
devoured a bull.
Now great-hearted Aias and Menelaos were aware of Zeus how he gave the
Trojans their turn to victory. First of these to speak was great Aias
son of Telamon: "Ay me, now may any man, even though he be a very fool,
know that father Zeus himself is helping the Trojans. Come, let us
ourselves devise some excellent means, that we may both hale the corpse
away and ourselves return home to the joy of our friends, who grieve as
they look hitherward and deem that no longer shall the fury of
man-slaying Hector's unapproachable hand refrain itself, but fall upon
the black ships. And would there were some comrade to carry tidings
with all speed unto the son of Peleus, since I deem that he hath not
even heard the grievous tidings, how his dear comrade is slain. But
nowhere can I behold such an one among the Achaians, for themselves and
their horses likewise are wrapped in darkness. O father Zeus, deliver
thou the sons of the Achaians from the darkness, and make clear sky and
vouchsafe sight unto our eyes. In the light be it that thou slayest us,
since it is thy good pleasure that we die."
Then fair-haired Menelaos departed glancing everywhither, as an eagle
which men say hath keenest sight of all birds under heaven, and though
he be far aloft the fleet-footed hare eludeth him not by crouching
beneath a leafy bush, but the eagle swoopeth thereon and swiftly
seizeth her and taketh her life. Thus in that hour, Menelaos fosterling
of Zeus, ranged thy shining eyes everywhither through the multitude of
the host of thy comrades, if haply they might behold Nestor's son yet
alive. Him quickly he perceived at the left of the whole battle,
heartening his comrades and rousing them to fight. And fair-haired
Menelaos came and stood nigh and said unto him: "Antilochos, fosterling
of Zeus, come hither that thou mayest learn woful tidings--would it had
never been. Ere now, I ween, thou too hast known by thy beholding that
God rolleth mischief upon the Danaans, and with the Trojans is victory.
And slain is the best man of the Achaians, Patroklos, and great sorrow
is wrought for the Danaans. But run thou to the ships of the Achaians
and quickly tell this to Achilles, if haply he may straightway rescue
to his ship the naked corpse: but his armour is held by Hector of the
glancing helmet."
Thus spake he, and Antilochos had horror of the word he heard. And long
time speechlessness possessed him, and his eyes were filled with tears,
and his full voice choked. Yet for all this disregarded he not the
bidding of Menelaos, but set him to run, when he had given his armour
to a noble comrade, Laodokos, who close anigh him was wheeling his
whole-hooved horses.
So him his feet bare out of the battle weeping, to Achilles son of
Peleus carrying an evil tale. But thy heart, Menelaos fosterling of
Zeus, chose not to stay to aid the wearied comrades from whom
Antilochos departed, and great sorrow was among the Pylians. But to
them Menelaos sent noble Thrasymedes, and himself went again to
bestride the hero Patroklos. And he hasted and stood beside the Aiantes
and straightway spake to them: "So have I sent that man to the swift
ships to go to fleet-footed Achilles. Yet deem I not that he will now
come, for all his wrath against noble Hector, for he could not fight
unarmed against the men of Troy. But let us ourselves devise some
excellent means, both how we may hale the dead away, and how we
ourselves may escape death and fate amid the Trojans' battle-cry."
Then answered him great Aias Telamon's son, saying: "All this hast thou
said well, most noble Menelaos. But do thou and Meriones put your
shoulders beneath the dead and lift him and bear him swiftly out of the
fray, while we twain behind you shall do battle with the Trojans and
noble Hector, one in heart as we are in name, for from of old time we
are wont to await fierce battle side by side."
Thus spake he, and the others took the dead man in their arms and
lifted him mightily on high. But the Trojan host behind cried aloud
when they saw the Achaians lifting the corpse, and charged like hounds
that spring in front of hunter-youths upon a wounded wild boar, and for
a while run in haste to rend him, but when he wheeleth round among
them, trusting in his might, then they give ground and shrink back here
and there. Thus for a while the Trojans pressed on with all their
power, striking with swords and double-headed spears, but when the
Aiantes turned about and halted over against them, then they changed
colour, and none dared farther onset to do battle around the dead.
