The Iliad
BOOK V
How Diomedes by his great valour made havoc of the Trojans, and
wounded even Aphrodite and Ares by the help of Athene.
But now to Tydeus' son Diomedes Athene gave might and courage, for him
to be pre-eminent amid all the Argives and win glorious renown. She
kindled flame unwearied from his helmet and shield, like to the star of
summer that above all others glittereth bright after he hath bathed in
the ocean stream. In such wise kindled she flame from his head and
shoulders and sent him into the midst, where men thronged the
thickest.
Now there was amid the Trojans one Dares, rich and noble, priest of
Hephaistos; and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idaios, well skilled in
all the art of battle. These separated themselves and assailed him face
to face, they setting on him from their car and he on foot upon the
ground. And when they were now come near in onset on each other, first
Phegeus hurled his far-shadowing spear; and over Tydeides' left
shoulder the spear point passed, and smote not his body. Then next
Tydeides made a spear-cast, and the javelin sped not from his hand in
vain, but smote his breast between the nipples, and thrust him from the
chariot. So Idaios sprang away, leaving his beautiful car, and dared
not to bestride his slain brother; else had neither he himself escaped
black fate: but Hephaistos guarded him and saved him in a veil of
darkness, that he might not have his aged priest all broken with
sorrow. And the son of great-hearted Tydeus drave away the horses and
gave them to his men to take to the hollow ships. But when the
great-hearted Trojans beheld the sons of Dares, how one was fled, and
one was slain beside his chariot, the spirit of all was stirred. But
bright-eyed Athene took impetuous Ares by the hand and spake to him and
said: "Ares, Ares, blood-stained bane of mortals, thou stormer of
walls, can we not now leave the Trojans and Achaians to fight, on
whichsoever it be that father Zeus bestoweth glory? But let us twain
give place, and escape the wrath of Zeus."
So saying she led impetuous Ares from the battle. Then she made him
sit down beside loud Skamandros, and the Danaans pushed the Trojans
back.
So they laboured in the violent mellay; but of Tydeides man could not
tell with whom he were joined, whether he consorted with Trojans or
with Achaians. For he stormed across the plain like a winter torrent at
the full, that in swift course scattereth the causeys [Causeways.];
neither can the long lines of causeys hold it in, nor the fences of
fruitful orchards stay its sudden coming when the rain of heaven
driveth it; and before it perish in multitudes the fair works of the
sons of men. Thus before Tydeides the serried battalions of the Trojans
were overthrown, and they abode him not for all they were so many.
But when Lykaon's glorious son marked him storming across the plain,
overthrowing battalions before him, anon he bent his crooked bow
against Tydeides, and smote him as he sped onwards, hitting hard by his
right shoulder the plate of his corslet; the bitter arrow flew through
and held straight upon its way, and the corslet was dabbled with blood.
Over him then loudly shouted Lykaon's glorious son: "Bestir you,
great-hearted Trojans, urgers of horses; the best man of the Achaians
is wounded, and I deem that he shall not for long endure the violent
dart."
So spake he boasting; yet was the other not vanquished of the swift
dart, only he gave place and stood before his horses and his chariot
and spake to Sthenelos son of Kapaneus: "Haste thee, dear son of
Kapaneus; descend from thy chariot, to draw me from my shoulder the
bitter arrow."
So said he, and Sthenelos leapt from his chariot to earth and stood
beside him and drew the swift shaft right through, out of his shoulder;
and the blood darted up through the pliant tunic. Then Diomedes of the
loud war-cry prayed thereat: "Hear me, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus,
unwearied maiden! If ever in kindly mood thou stoodest by my father in
the heat of battle, even so now be thou likewise kind to me, Athene.
Grant me to slay this man, and bring within my spear-cast him that took
advantage to shoot me, and boasteth over me, deeming that not for long
shall I see the bright light of the sun."
So spake he in prayer, and Pallas Athene heard him, and made his limbs
nimble, his feet and his hands withal, and came near and spake winged
words: "Be of good courage now, Diomedes, to fight the Trojans; for in
thy breast I have set thy father's courage undaunted, even as it was in
knightly Tydeus, wielder of the buckler. Moreover I have taken from
thine eyes the mist that erst was on them, that thou mayest well
discern both god and man. Therefore if any god come hither to make
trial of thee, fight not thou face to face with any of the immortal
gods; save only if Aphrodite daughter of Zeus enter into the battle,
her smite thou with the keen bronze."
So saying bright-eyed Athene went her way and Tydeides returned and
entered the forefront of the battle; even though erst his soul was
eager to do battle with the Trojans, yet now did threefold courage come
upon him, as upon a lion whom some shepherd in the field guarding his
fleecy sheep hath wounded, being sprung into the fold, yet hath not
vanquished him; he hath roused his might, and then cannot beat him
back, but lurketh amid the steading, and his forsaken flock is
affrighted; so the sheep are cast in heaps, one upon the other, and the
lion in his fury leapeth out of the high fold; even so in fury mingled
mighty Diomedes with the Trojans.
Him Aineias beheld making havoc of the ranks of warriors, and went his
way along the battle and amid the hurtling of spears, seeking godlike
Pandaros, if haply he might find him. Lykaon's son he found, the noble
and stalwart, and stood before his face, and spake a word unto him.
"Pandaros, where now are thy bow and thy winged arrows, and the fame
wherein no man of this land rivalleth thee, nor any in Lykia boasteth
to be thy better? Go to now, lift thy hands in prayer to Zeus and shoot
thy dart at this fellow, whoe'er he be that lordeth it here and hath
already wrought the Trojans much mischief, seeing he hath unstrung the
knees of many a brave man; if indeed it be not some god wroth with the
Trojans, in anger by reason of sacrifices; the wrath of god is a sore
thing to fall on men."
And Lykaon's glorious son made answer to him: "Aineias, counsellor of
the mail-clad Trojans, in everything liken I him to the wise son of
Tydeus; I discern him by his shield and crested helmet, and by the
aspect of his horses; yet know I not surely if it be not a god. But if
it be the man I deem, even the wise son of Tydeus, then not without
help of a god is he thus furious, but some immortal standeth beside him
with a cloud wrapped about his shoulders and turned aside from him my
swift dart even as it lighted. For already have I shot my dart at him
and smote his right shoulder right through the breastplate of his
corslet, yea and I thought to hurl him headlong to Aidoneus, yet I
vanquished him not; surely it is some wrathful god. Already have I
aimed at two princes, Tydeus' and Atreus' sons, and both I smote and
surely drew forth blood, yet only roused them the more. Therefore in an
evil hour I took from the peg my curved bow on that day when I led my
Trojans to lovely Ilios, to do noble Hector pleasure. But if I return
and mine eyes behold my native land and wife and great palace
lofty-roofed, then may an alien forthwith cut my head from me if I
break not this bow with mine hands and cast it upon the blazing fire;
worthless is its service to me as air."
Then Aineias captain of the Trojans answered him: "Nay, talk not thus;
naught shall be mended before that we with horses and chariot have gone
to face this man, and made trial of him in arms. Come then, mount upon
my car that thou mayest see of what sort are the steeds of Tros, well
skilled for following or for fleeing hither or thither very fleetly
across the plain; they will e'en bring us to the city safe and sound,
even though Zeus hereafter give victory to Diomedes son of Tydeus. Come
therefore, take thou the lash and shining reins, and I will stand upon
the car to fight; or else withstand thou him, and to the horses will I
look."
To him made answer Lykaon's glorious son: "Aineias, take thou thyself
the reins and thine own horses; better will they draw the curved car
for their wonted charioteer, if perchance it hap that we must flee from
Tydeus' son; lest they go wild for fear and will not take us from the
fight, for lack of thy voice, and so the son of great-hearted Tydeus
attack us and slay us both and drive away the whole-hooved horses. So
drive thou thyself thy chariot and thy horses, and I will await his
onset with my keen spear." So saying mounted they upon the well dight
chariot, and eagerly drave the fleet horses against Tydeides, And
Sthenelos, the glorious son of Kapaneus, saw them, and anon spake to
Tydeides winged words: "Diomedes son of Tydeus, dear to mine heart, I
behold two stalwart warriors eager to fight against thee, endued with
might beyond measure. The one is well skilled in the bow, even
Pandaros, and he moreover boasteth him to be Lykaon's son; and Aineias
boasteth himself to be born son of great-hearted Anchises, and his
mother is Aphrodite. Come now, let us give place upon the chariot,
neither rage thou thus, I pray thee, in the forefront of battle, lest
perchance thou lose thy life."
Then stalwart Diomedes looked sternly at him and said: "Speak to me no
word of flight, for I ween that thou shalt not at all persuade me; not
in my blood is it to fight a skulking fight or cower down; my force is
steadfast still. I have no mind to mount the chariot, nay, even as I am
will I go to face them; Pallas Athene biddeth me not be afraid. And as
for these, their fleet horses shall not take both back from us again,
even if one or other escape. And this moreover tell I thee, and lay
thou it to heart: if Athene rich in counsel grant me this glory, to
slay them both, then refrain thou here these my fleet horses, and bind
the reins tight to the chariot rim; and be mindful to leap upon
Aineias' horses, and drive them forth from the Trojans amid the
well-greaved Achaians. For they are of that breed whereof farseeing
Zeus gave to Tros recompense for Ganymede his child, because they were
the best of all horses beneath the daylight and the sun."
In such wise talked they one to the other, and anon those other twain
came near, driving their fleet horses. First to him spake Lykaon's
glorious son: "O thou strong-souled and cunning, son of proud Tydeus,
verily my swift dart vanquished thee not, the bitter arrow; so now will
I make trial with my spear if I can hit thee."
He spake and poised and hurled his far-shadowing spear, and smote upon
Tydeides' shield; right through it sped the point of bronze and reached
the breastplate. So over him shouted loudly Lykaon's glorious son:
"Thou art smitten on the belly right through, and I ween thou shalt not
long hold up thine head; so thou givest me great renown."
But mighty Diomedes unaffrighted answered him: "Thou hast missed, and
not hit; but ye twain I deem shall not cease till one or other shall
have fallen and glutted with blood Ares the stubborn god of war."
So spake he and hurled; and Athene guided the dart upon his nose beside
the eye, and it pierced through his white teeth. So the hard bronze cut
through his tongue at the root and the point issued forth by the base
of the chin. He fell from his chariot, and his splendid armour gleaming
clanged upon him, and the fleet-footed horses swerved aside; so there
his soul and strength were unstrung.
Then Aineias leapt down with shield and long spear, fearing lest
perchance the Achaians might take from him the corpse; and strode over
him like a lion confident in his strength, and held before him his
spear and the circle of his shield, eager to slay whoe'er should come
to face him, crying his terrible cry. Then Tydeides grasped in his hand
a stone--a mighty deed--such as two men, as men now are, would not
avail to lift; yet he with ease wielded it all alone. Therewith he
smote Aineias on the hip where the thigh turneth in the hip joint, and
this men call the "cup-bone." So he crushed his cup-bone, and brake
both sinews withal, and the jagged stone tore apart the skin. Then the
hero stayed fallen upon his knees and with stout hand leant upon the
earth; and the darkness of night veiled his eyes. And now might Aineias
king of men have perished, but that Aphrodite daughter of Zeus was
swift to mark. About her dear son wound she her white arms, and spread
before his face a fold of her radiant vesture, to be a covering from
the darts, lest any of the fleet-horsed Danaans might hurl the spear
into his breast and take away his life.
So was she bearing her dear son away from battle; but the son of
Kapaneus forgat not the behest that Diomedes of the loud war-cry had
laid upon him; he refrained his own whole-hooved horses away from the
tumult, binding the reins tight to the chariot-rim, and leapt on the
sleek-coated horses of Aineias, and drave them from the Trojans to the
well-greaved Achaians, and gave them to Deipylos his dear comrade whom
he esteemed above all that were his age-fellows, because he was
like-minded with himself; and bade him drive them to the hollow ships.
Then did the hero mount his own chariot and take the shining reins and
forthwith drive his strong-hooved horses in quest of Tydeides, eagerly.
Now Tydeides had made onslaught with pitiless weapon on Kypris
[Aphrodite], knowing how she was a coward goddess and none of those
that have mastery in battle of the warriors. Now when he had pursued
her through the dense throng and come on her, then great-hearted
Tydeus' son thrust with his keen spear, and leapt on her and wounded
the skin of her weak hand; straight through the ambrosial raiment that
the Graces themselves had woven her pierced the dart into the flesh,
above the springing of the palm. Then flowed the goddess's immortal
blood, such ichor as floweth in the blessed gods; for they eat no bread
neither drink they gleaming wine, wherefore they are bloodless and are
named immortals. And she with a great cry let fall her son: him Phoebus
Apollo took into his arms and saved him in a dusky cloud, lest any of
the fleet-horsed Danaans might hurl the spear into his breast and take
away his life. But over her Diomedes of the loud war-cry shouted afar:
"Refrain thee, thou daughter of Zeus, from war and fighting. Is it not
enough that thou beguilest feeble women? But if in battle thou wilt
mingle, verily I deem that thou shalt shudder at the name of battle, if
thou hear it even afar off"
So spake he, and she departed in amaze and was sore troubled: and
wind-footed Iris took her and led her from the throng tormented with
her pain, and her fair skin was stained. There found she impetuous Ares
sitting, on the battle's left; and his spear rested upon a cloud, and
his fleet steeds. Then she fell on her knees and with instant prayer
besought of her dear brother his golden-frontleted steeds: "Dear
brother, save me and give me thy steeds, that I may win to Olympus,
where is the habitation of the immortals. Sorely am I afflicted with a
wound wherewith a mortal smote me, even Tydeides, who now would fight
even with father Zeus."
So spake she, and Ares gave her his golden-frontleted steeds, and she
mounted on the chariot sore at heart. By her side mounted Iris, and in
her hands grasped the reins and lashed the horses to start them; and
they flew onward nothing loth. Thus soon they came to the habitation of
the gods, even steep Olympus. There wind-footed fleet Iris loosed the
horses from the chariot and stabled them, and set ambrosial forage
before them; but fair Aphrodite fell upon Dione's knees that was her
mother. She took her daughter in her arms and stroked her with her
hand, and spake and called upon her name: "Who now of the sons of
heaven, dear child, hath entreated thee thus wantonly, as though thou
wert a wrong-doer in the face of all?"
Then laughter-loving Aphrodite made answer to her: "Tydeus' son wounded
me, high-hearted Diomedes, because I was saving from the battle my dear
son Aineias, who to me is dearest far of all men. For no more is the
fierce battle-cry for Trojans and Achaians, but the Danaans now are
fighting even the immortals."
Then the fair goddess Dione answered her: "Be of good heart, my child,
and endure for all thy pain; for many of us that inhabit the mansions
of Olympus have suffered through men, in bringing grievous woes one
upon another."
So saying with both hands she wiped the ichor from the arm; her arm was
comforted, and the grievous pangs assuaged. But Athene and Hera beheld,
and with bitter words provoked Zeus the son, of Kronos. Of them was the
bright-eyed goddess Athene first to speak: "Father Zeus, wilt thou
indeed be wroth with me whate'er I say? Verily I ween that Kypris was
urging some woman of Achaia to join her unto the Trojans whom she so
marvellously loveth; and stroking such an one of the fair-robed women
of Achaia, she tore upon the golden brooch her delicate hand."
So spake she, and the father of gods and men smiled, and called unto
him golden Aphrodite and said: "Not unto thee, my child, are given the
works of war; but follow thou after the loving tasks of wedlock, and to
all these things shall fleet Ares and Athene look."
Now while they thus spake in converse one with the other, Diomedes of
the loud war-cry leapt upon Aineias, knowing full well that Apollo
himself had spread his arms over him; yet reverenced he not even the
great god, but still was eager to slay Aineias and strip from him his
glorious armour. So thrice he leapt on him, fain to slay him, and
thrice Apollo beat back his glittering shield. And when the fourth time
he sprang at him like a god, then Apollo the Far-darter spake to him
with terrible shout: "Think, Tydeides, and shrink, nor desire to match
thy spirit with gods; seeing there is no comparison of the race of
immortal gods and of men that walk upon the earth."
So said he, and Tydeides shrank a short space backwards, to avoid the
wrath of Apollo the Far-darter. Then Apollo set Aineias away from the
throng in holy Pergamos where his temple stood. There Leto and Archer
Artemis healed him in the mighty sanctuary, and gave him glory; but
Apollo of the silver bow made a wraith like unto Aineias' self, and in
such armour as his; and over the wraith Trojans and goodly Achaians
each hewed the others' bucklers on their breasts, their round shields
and fluttering targes.
Then to impetuous Ares said Phoebus Apollo: "Ares, Ares, blood-stained
bane of mortals, thou stormer of walls, wilt thou not follow after this
man and withdraw him from the battle, this Tydeides, who now would
fight even with father Zeus? First in close fight he wounded Kypris in
her hand hard by the wrist, and then sprang he upon myself like unto a
god."
So saying he sate himself upon the height of Pergamos, and baleful Ares
entered among the Trojan ranks and aroused them in the likeness of
fleet Akamas, captain of the Thracians. On the heaven-nurtured sons of
Priam he called saying: "O ye sons of Priam, the heaven-nurtured king,
how long will ye yet suffer your host to be slain of the Achaians?
Shall it be even until they fight about our well-builded gates? Low
lieth the warrior whom we esteemed like unto goodly Hector, even
Aineias son of Anchises great of heart. Go to now, let us save from the
tumult our valiant comrade."
So saying he aroused the spirit and soul of every man. Thereat Sarpedon
sorely chode noble Hector: "Hector, where now is the spirit gone that
erst thou hadst? Thou saidst forsooth that without armies or allies
thou wouldest hold the city, alone with thy sisters' husbands and thy
brothers; but now can I not see any of these neither perceive them, but
they are cowering like hounds about a lion; and we are fighting that
are but allies among you."
So spake Sarpedon, and his word stung Hector to the heart, Forthwith he
leapt from his chariot in his armour to the earth, and brandishing two
keen spears went everywhere through the host, urging them to fight, and
roused the dread battle-cry. So they were rallied and stood to face the
Achaians: and the Argives withstood them in close array and fled not.
Even as a wind carrieth the chaff about the sacred threshing-floors
when men are winnowing, and the chaff-heaps grow white--so now grew the
Achaians white with falling dust which in their midst the horses'
hooves beat up into the brazen heaven, as fight was joined again, and
the charioteers wheeled round. Thus bare they forward the fury of their
hands: and impetuous Ares drew round them a veil of night to aid the
Trojans in the battle, ranging everywhere. And Apollo himself sent
forth Aineias from his rich sanctuary and put courage in the heart of
him, shepherd of the hosts. So Aineias took his place amid his
comrades, and they were glad to see him come among them alive and sound
and full of valiant spirit. Yet they questioned him not at all, for all
the toil forbade them that the god of the silver bow was stirring and
Ares bane of men and Strife raging insatiably.
And on the other side the two Aiantes and Odysseus and Diomedes stirred
the Danaans to fight; yet these of themselves feared neither the
Trojans' violence nor assaults, but stood like mists that Kronos' son
setteth in windless air on the mountain tops, at peace, while the might
of the north wind sleepeth and of all the violent winds that blow with
keen breath and scatter apart the shadowing clouds. Even so the Danaans
withstood the Trojans steadfastly and fled not. And Atreides ranged
through the throng exhorting instantly: "My friends, quit you like men
and take heart of courage, and shun dishonour in one another's eyes
amid the stress of battle. Of men that shun dishonour more are saved
than slain, but for them that flee is neither glory found nor any
safety."
So saying he darted swiftly with his javelin and smote a foremost
warrior, even great-hearted Aineias' comrade Deikoon son of Pergasos,
whom the Trojans held in like honour with Priam's sons, because he was
swift to do battle amid the foremost. Him lord Agamemnon smote with his
dart upon the shield, and it stayed not the spear, but the point passed
through, so that he drave it through the belt into his nethermost
belly: and he fell with a crash and his armour clanged upon him.
Then did Aineias slay two champions of the Danaans, even the sons of
Diokles, Krethon and Orsilochos. Like them, two lions on the mountain
tops are nurtured by their dam in the deep forest thickets; and these
harry the kine and goodly sheep and make havoc of the farmsteads of
men, till in their turn they too are slain at men's hands with the keen
bronze; in such wise were these twain vanquished at Aineias' hands and
fell like tall pine-trees.
But Menelaos dear to Ares had pity of them in their fall, and strode
through the forefront, harnessed in flashing bronze, brandishing his
spear; and Ares stirred his courage, with intent that he might fall
beneath Aineias' hand. But Antilochos, great-hearted Nestor's son,
beheld him, and strode through the forefront; because he feared
exceedingly for the shepherd of the host, lest aught befall him and
disappoint them utterly of their labour. So those two were now holding
forth their hands and sharp spears each against the other, eager to do
battle; when Antilochos came and stood hard by the shepherd of the
host. But Aineias faced them not, keen warrior though he was, when he
beheld two men abiding side by side; so these haled away the corpses to
the Achaians' host, and laid the hapless twain in their comrades' arms,
and themselves turned back and fought on amid the foremost.
But Hector marked them across the ranks, and sprang on them with a
shout, and the battalions of the Trojans followed him in their might:
and Ares led them on and dread Enyo, she bringing ruthless turmoil of
war, the while Ares wielded in his hands his monstrous spear, and
ranged now before Hector's face, and now behind.
Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry shuddered to behold him; and even as
a shiftless man crossing a great plain cometh on a swift-streaming
river flowing on to the sea, and seeing it boil with foam springeth
backwards, even so now Tydeides shrank back and spake to the host:
"Friends, how marvel we that noble Hector is a spearman and bold man of
war! Yet ever is there beside him some god that wardeth off
destruction; even as now Ares is there by him in likeness of a mortal
man. But with faces towards the Trojans still give ground backwards,
neither be desirous to fight amain with gods."
Now the Argives before the face of Ares and mail-clad Hector neither
turned them round about toward their black ships, nor charged forward
in battle, but still fell backward, when they heard of Ares amid the
Trojans. But when the white-armed goddess Hera marked them making havoc
of the Argives in the press of battle, anon she spake winged words to
Athene: "Out on it, thou daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, unwearied
maiden! Was it for naught we pledged our word to Menelaos, that he
should not depart till he had laid waste well-walled Ilios,--if thus we
let baleful Ares rage? Go to now, let us twain also take thought of
impetuous valour."
So said she, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene disregarded not. So
Hera the goddess queen, daughter of Kronos, went her way to harness the
gold-frontleted steeds. And Athene, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus,
cast down at her father's threshold her woven vesture many-coloured,
that herself had wrought and her hands had fashioned, and put on her
the tunic of Zeus the cloud-gatherer, and arrayed her in her armour for
dolorous battle. About her shoulders cast she the tasselled aegis
terrible, whereon is Panic as a crown all round about, and Strife is
therein and Valour and horrible Onslaught withal, and therein is the
dreadful monster's Gorgon head, dreadful and grim, portent of
aegis-bearing Zeus. Upon her head set she the two-crested golden helm
with fourfold plate, bedecked with men-at-arms of a hundred cities.
Upon the flaming chariot set she her foot, and grasped her heavy spear,
great and stout, wherewith she vanquisheth the ranks of men, even of
heroes with whom she of the awful sire is wroth. Then Hera swiftly
smote the horses with the lash; self-moving groaned upon their hinges
the gates of heaven whereof the Hours are warders, to whom is committed
great heaven and Olympus, whether to throw open the thick cloud or set
it to. There through the gates guided they their horses patient of the
lash. And they found the son of Kronos sitting apart from all the gods
on the topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. Then the white-armed
goddess Hera stayed her horses and questioned the most high Zeus, the
son of Kronos, and said: "Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation with
Ares for these violent deeds? How great and goodly a company of
Achaians hath he destroyed recklessly and in unruly wise, unto my
sorrow. But here in peace Kypris and Apollo of the silver bow take
their pleasure, having set on this mad one that knoweth not any law.
Father Zeus, wilt thou at all be wroth with me if I smite Ares and
chase him from the battle in sorry plight?"
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered and said to her: "Go to now, set
upon him Athene driver of the spoil, who most is wont to bring sore
pain upon him."
So spake he, and the white-armed goddess Hera disregarded not, and
lashed her horses; they nothing loth flew on between earth and starry
heaven. As far as a man seeth with his eyes into the haze of distance
as he sitteth on a place of outlook and gazeth over the wine-dark sea,
so far leap the loudly neighing horses of the gods. Now when they came
to Troy and the two flowing rivers, even to where Simoeis and
Skamandros join their streams, there the white-armed goddess Hera
stayed her horses and loosed them from the car and poured thick mist
round about them, and Simoeis made ambrosia spring up for them to
graze. So the goddesses went their way with step like unto
turtle-doves, being fain to bring succour to the men of Argos. And when
they were now come where the most and most valiant stood, thronging
about mighty Diomedes tamer of horses, in the semblance of ravening
lions or wild boars whose strength is nowise feeble, then stood the
white-armed goddess Hera and shouted in the likeness of great-hearted
Stentor with voice of bronze, whose cry was loud as the cry of fifty
other men: "Fie upon you, Argives, base things of shame, so brave in
semblance! While yet noble Achilles entered continually into battle,
then issued not the Trojans even from the Dardanian gate; for they had
dread of his terrible spear. But now fight they far from the city at
the hollow ships."
So saying she aroused the spirit and soul of every man. And to
Tydeides' side sprang the bright-eyed goddess Athene. That lord she
found beside his horses and chariot, cooling the wound that Pandaros
with his dart had pierced, for his sweat vexed it by reason of the
broad baldrick of his round shield; therewith was he vexed and his arm
grew weary, so he was lifting up the baldrick and wiping away the dusky
blood. Then the goddess laid her hand on his horses' yoke, and said:
"Of a truth Tydeus begat a son little after his own likeness. Tydeus
was short of stature, but a man of war."
And stalwart Diomedes made answer to her and said: "I know thee,
goddess daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus: therefore with my whole heart
will I tell thee my thought and hide it not. Neither hath disheartening
terror taken hold upon me, nor any faintness, but I am still mindful of
thy behest that thou didst lay upon me. Thou forbadest me to fight face
to face with all the blessed gods, save only if Zeus' daughter
Aphrodite should enter into battle, then to wound her with the keen
bronze. Therefore do I now give ground myself and have bidden all the
Argives likewise to gather here together; for I discern Ares lording it
in the fray."
Then the bright-eyed goddess Athene answered him: "Diomedes son of
Tydeus, thou joy of mine heart, fear thou, for that, neither Ares nor
any other of the immortals; so great a helper am I to thee. Go to now,
at Ares first guide thou thy whole-hooved horses, and smite him hand to
hand, nor have any awe of impetuous Ares, raving here, a curse
incarnate, the renegade that of late in converse with me and Hera
pledged him to fight against the Trojans and give succour to the
Argives, but now consorteth with the Trojans and hath forgotten
these."
So speaking, with her hand she drew back Sthenelos and thrust him from
the chariot to earth, and instantly leapt he down; so the goddess
mounted the car by noble Diomedes' side right eagerly. The oaken axle
creaked loud with its burden, bearing the dread goddess and the man of
might. Then Athene grasped the whip and reins; forthwith against Ares
first guided she the whole-hooved horses. Now he was stripping huge
Periphas, most valiant far of the Aitolians, Ochesios' glorious son.
Him was blood-stained Ares stripping; and Athene donned the helm of
Hades, that terrible Ares might not behold her. Now when Ares scourge
of mortals beheld noble Diomedes, he left huge Periphas lying there,
where at the first he had slain him and taken away his life, and made
straight at Diomedes tamer of horses. Now when they were come nigh in
onset on one another, first Ares thrust over the yoke and horse's reins
with spear of bronze, eager to take away his life. But the bright-eyed
goddess Athene with her hand seized the spear and thrust it up over the
car, to spend itself in vain. Next Diomedes of the loud war-cry
attacked with spear of bronze; and Athene drave it home against Ares'
nethermost belly, where his taslets were girt about him. There smote he
him and wounded him, rending through his fair skin, and plucked forth
the spear again. Then brazen Ares bellowed loud as nine thousand
warriors or ten thousand cry in battle as they join in strife and fray.
Thereat trembling gat hold of Achaians and Trojans for fear, so
mightily bellowed Ares insatiate of battle.
Even as gloomy mist appeareth from the clouds when after beat a stormy
wind ariseth, even so to Tydeus' son Diomedes brazen Ares appeared amid
clouds, faring to wide heaven. Swiftly came he to the gods' dwelling,
steep Olympus, and sat beside Zeus son of Kronos with grief at heart,
and shewed the immortal blood flowing from the wound, and piteously
spake to him winged words: "Father Zeus, hast thou no indignation to
behold these violent deeds? For ever cruelly suffer we gods by one
another's devices, in shewing men grace. With thee are we all at
variance, because thou didst beget that reckless maiden and baleful,
whose thought is ever of iniquitous deeds. For all the other gods that
are in Olympus hearken to thee, and we are subject every one; only her
thou chastenest not, neither in deed nor word, but settest her on,
because this pestilent one is thine own offspring. Now hath she urged
on Tydeus' son, even overweening Diomedes, to rage furiously against
the immortal gods. Kypris first he wounded in close fight, in the wrist
of her hand, and then assailed he me, even me, with the might of a god.
Howbeit my swift feet bare me away; else had I long endured anguish
there amid the grisly heaps of dead, or else had lived strengthless
from the smitings of the spear."
Then Zeus the cloud-gatherer looked sternly at him and said: "Nay, thou
renegade, sit not by me and whine. Most hateful to me art thou of all
gods that dwell in Olympus: thou ever lovest strife and wars and
battles. Truly thy mother's spirit is intolerable, unyielding, even
Hera's; her can I scarce rule with words. Therefore I deem that by her
prompting thou art in this plight. Yet will I no longer endure to see
thee in anguish; mine offspring art thou, and to me thy mother bare
thee."
So spake he and bade Paieon heal him. And Paieon laid assuaging drugs
upon the wound. Even as fig juice maketh haste to thicken white milk,
that is liquid but curdleth speedily as a man stirreth, even so swiftly
healed he impetuous Ares. And Hebe bathed him, and clothed him in
gracious raiment, and he sate him down by Zeus son of Kronos, glorying
in his might.
Then fared the twain back to the mansion of great Zeus, even Hera and
Athene, having stayed Ares scourge of mortals from his man-slaying.
