The Iliad
BOOK VIII
How Zeus bethought him of his promise to avenge Achilles' wrong
on Agamemnon; and therefore bade the gods refrain from war, and
gave victory to the Trojans.
Now Dawn the saffron-robed was spreading over all the earth, and Zeus
whose joy is in the thunder let call an assembly of the gods upon the
topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus, and himself made harangue to them
and all the gods gave ear: "Hearken to me, all gods and all ye
goddesses, that I may tell you what my heart within my breast
commandeth me. One thing let none essay, be it goddess or be it god, to
wit, to thwart my saying; approve ye it all together, that with all
speed I may accomplish these things. Whomsoever I shall perceive minded
to go, apart from the gods, to succour Trojans or Danaans, chastened in
no seemly wise shall he return to Olympus, or I will take and cast him
into misty Tartaros, right far away, where is the deepest gulf beneath
the earth; there are the gate of iron and threshold of bronze, as far
beneath Hades as heaven is high above the earth: then shall he know how
far I am mightiest of all gods. Go to now, ye gods, make trial that ye
all may know. Fasten ye a rope of gold from heaven, and all ye gods lay
hold thereof and all goddesses; yet could ye not drag from heaven to
earth Zeus, counsellor supreme, not though ye toiled sore. But once I
likewise were minded to draw with all my heart, then should I draw you
up with very earth and sea withal. Thereafter would I bind the rope
about a pinnacle of Olympus, and so should all those things be hung in
air. By so much am I beyond gods and beyond men."
So saying he let harness to his chariot his bronze-shod horses, fleet
of foot, with flowing manes of gold; and himself clad him with gold
upon his flesh, and grasped the whip of gold, well wrought, and mounted
upon his car, and lashed the horses to start them; they nothing loth
sped on between earth and starry heaven. So fared he to many-fountained
Ida, mother of wild beasts, even unto Gargaros, where is his demesne
and fragrant altar. There did the father of men and gods stay his
horses, and unloose them from the car, and cast thick mist about them;
and himself sate on the mountain-tops rejoicing in his glory, to behold
the city of the Trojans and ships of the Achaians.
Now the flowing-haired Achaians took meat hastily among the huts and
thereafter arrayed themselves. Likewise the Trojans on their side armed
them throughout the town--a smaller host, yet for all that were they
eager to fight in battle, of forceful need, for their children's sake
and their wives'. And the gates were opened wide and the host issued
forth, footmen and horsemen; and mighty din arose.
So when they were met together and come unto one spot, then clashed
they targe and spear and fury of bronze-clad warrior; the bossed
shields pressed each on each, and mighty din arose. Then were heard the
voice of groaning and the voice of triumph together of the slayers and
the slain, and the earth streamed with blood.
Now while it yet was morn and the divine day waxed, so long from either
side lighted the darts amain and the people fell. But when the sun
bestrode mid-heaven, then did the Father balance his golden scales, and
put therein two fates of death that layeth men at their length, one for
horse-taming Trojans, one for mail-clad Achaians; and he took the
scale-yard by the midst and lifted it, and the Achaians' day of destiny
sank down. So lay the Achaians' fates on the bounteous earth, and the
Trojans' fates were lifted up towards wide heaven. And the god
thundered aloud from Ida, and sent his blazing flash amid the host of
the Achaians; and they saw and were astonished, and pale fear gat hold
upon all.
Then had Idomeneus no heart to stand, neither Agamemnon, neither stood
the twain Aiantes, men of Ares' company. Only Nestor of Gerenia stood
his ground, he the Warden of the Achaians; neither he of purpose, but
his horse was fordone, which noble Alexandros, beauteous-haired Helen's
lord, had smitten with an arrow upon the top of the crest where the
foremost hairs of horses grow upon the skull; and there is the most
deadly spot. So the horse leapt up in anguish and the arrow sank into
his brain, and he brought confusion on the steeds as he writhed upon
the dart. While the old man leapt forth and with his sword began to hew
the traces, came Hector's fleet horses through the tumult, bearing a
bold charioteer, even Hecktor. And now had the old man lost his life,
but that Diomedes of the loud war-cry was swift to mark. Terribly
shouted he, summoning Odysseus: "Heaven-born son of Laertes, Odysseus
of many wiles, whither fleest thou with thy back turned, like a coward
in the throng? Beware lest as thou fleest one plant a spear between thy
shoulders. Nay, stand thy ground, till we thrust back from the old man
his furious foe."
So spake he, but much-enduring noble Odysseus heard him not, but
hastened by to the hollow ships of the Achaians. Yet Tydeides, though
but one, mingled amid the fighters in the forefront, and took his stand
before the steeds of the old man, Neleus' son, and spake to him winged
words, and said: "Old man, of a truth young warriors beset thee hard;
and thy force is abated, and old age is sore upon thee, and thy squire
is but a weakling, and thy steeds are slow. Come then, mount upon my
car, that thou mayest see of what sort are the steeds of Tros, well
skilled for following or fleeing hither or thither very fleetly across
the plain, even those that erst I took from Aineias inspirer of fear.
Thine let our squires tend, and these let us guide straight against the
horse-taming Trojans, that even Hector may know whether my spear also
rageth in my hands."
So said he, and knightly Nestor of Gerenia disregarded not. Then the
two squires tended Nestor's horses, even Sthenelos the valiant and
kindly Eurymedon: and the other twain both mounted upon Diomedes' car.
And Nestor took into his hands the shining reins, and lashed the
horses; and soon they drew nigh Hector. Then Tydeus' son hurled at him
as he charged straight upon them: him missed he, but his squire that
drave his chariot, Eniopeus, high-hearted Thebaios' son, even him as he
held the reins, he smote upon the breast beside the nipple. So he fell
from out the car, and his fleet-footed horses swerved aside; and there
his soul and spirit were unstrung. Then sore grief encompassed Hector's
soul for sake of his charioteer. Yet left he him there lying, though he
sorrowed for his comrade, and drave in quest of a bold charioteer; and
his horses lacked not long a master, for anon he found Iphitos' son,
bold Archepto- lemos, and him he made mount behind his fleet horses,
and gave the reins into his hands.
Then had destruction come and deeds beyond remedy been wrought, and so
had they been penned in Ilios like lambs, had not the father of gods
and men been swift to mark. So he thundered terribly and darted his
white lightning and hurled it before Diomedes' steeds to earth; and
there arose a terrible flame of sulphur burning, and the two horses
were affrighted and cowered beneath the car. And the shining reins
dropped from Nestor's hands, and he was afraid at heart and spake to
Diomedes: "Come now Tydeides, turn back thy whole-hooved horses to
flight: seest thou not that victory from Zeus attendeth not on thee?
Now doth Kronos' son vouchsafe glory to this Hector, for the day;
hereafter shall he grant it us likewise, if he will. A man may not at
all ward off the will of Zeus, not though one be very valiant; he
verily is mightier far."
Then Diomedes of the loud war-cry answered him: "Yea verily, old man,
all this thou sayest is according unto right. But this is the sore
grief that entereth my heart and soul: Hector some day shall say as he
maketh harangue amid the Trojans: 'Tydeides betook him to the ships in
flight before my face.' So shall he boast--in that day let the wide
earth yawn for me."
So spake he and turned the whole-hooved horses to flight, back through
the tumult; and the Trojans and Hector with wondrous uproar poured upon
them their dolorous darts. And over him shouted loudly great Hector of
the glancing helm: "Tydeides, the fleet-horsed Danaans were wont to
honour thee with the highest place, and meats, and cups brimful, but
now will they disdain thee; thou art after all no better than a woman.
Begone, poor puppet; not for my flinching shalt thou climb on our
towers, neither carry our wives away upon thy ships; ere that will I
deal thee thy fate."
So said he, and Tydeides was of divided mind, whether to wheel his
horses and fight him face to face. Thrice doubted he in heart and soul,
and thrice from Ida's mountains thundered Zeus the lord of counsel, and
gave to the Trojans a sign, the turning of the course of battle. And
Hector with loud shout called to the Trojans: "Trojans and Lykians and
Dardanians that love close fight, be men, my friends, and bethink you
of impetuous valour. I perceive that of good will Kronion vouchsafest
me victory and great glory, and to the Danaans destruction. Fools, that
devised these walls weak and of none account; they shall not withhold
our fury, and lightly shall our steeds overleap the delved foss. But
when I be once come amid the hollow ships, then be thought taken of
consuming fire, that with fire I may burn the ships and slay the men."
So spake he and shouted to his steeds, and said: "Xanthos, and thou
Podargos, and Aithon and goodly Lampos, now pay me back your tending,
even the abundance that Andromache, great-hearted Eetion's daughter,
set before you of honey-hearted wheat, and mingled wine to drink at the
heart's bidding. Pursue ye now and haste, that we may seize Nestor's
shield, the fame whereof now reacheth unto heaven, how that it is of
gold throughout, armrods and all; and may seize moreover from
horse-taming Diomedes' shoulders his richly dight breastplate that
Hephaistos wrought cunningly. Could we but take these, then might I
hope this very night to make the Achaians to embark on their fleet
ships."
And now had he burned the trim ships with blazing fire, but that queen
Hera put it in Agamemnon's heart himself to bestir him and swiftly
arouse the Achaians. So he went his way along the huts and ships of the
Achaians, holding a great cloak of purple in his stalwart hand, and
stood by Odysseus' black ship of mighty burden, that was in the midst,
so that a voice could be heard to either end. Then shouted he in a
piercing voice, and called to the Danaans aloud: "Fie upon you,
Argives, ye sorry things of shame, so brave in semblance! Whither are
gone our boastings when we said that we were bravest, the boasts ye
uttered vaingloriously when in Lemnos, as ye ate your fill of flesh of
tall-horned oxen and drank goblets crowned with wine, and said that
every man should stand in war to face fivescore yea tenscore Trojans?
yet now can we not match one, even this Hector that anon will burn our
ships with flame of fire. O Father Zeus, didst ever thou blind with
such a blindness any mighty king, and rob him of great glory? Nay,
Zeus, this hope fulfil thou me; suffer that we ourselves at least flee
and escape, neither suffer that the Achaians be thus vanquished of the
Trojans."
So spake he, and the Father had pity on him as he wept, and vouchsafed
him that his folk should be saved and perish not. Forthwith sent he an
eagle--surest sign among winged fowl--holding in his claws a fawn, the
young of a fleet hind; beside the beautiful altar of Zeus he let fall
the fawn, where the Achaians did sacrifice unto Zeus lord of all
oracles. So when they saw that the bird was come from Zeus, they sprang
the more upon the Trojans and bethought them of the joy of battle.
Now could no man of the Danaans, for all they were very many, boast
that he before Tydeus' son had guided his fleet horses forth, and
driven them across the trench and fought man to man; first by far was
Tydeides to slay a warrior of the Trojans in full array, even Agelaos
son of Phradmon. Now he had turned his steeds to flee; but as he
wheeled the other plunged the spear into his back between his
shoulders, and drave it through his breast. So fell he from his
chariot, and his armour clanged upon him.
And after him came Atreus' sons, even Agamemnon and Menelaos, and after
them the Aiantes clothed upon with impetuous valour, and after them
Idomeneus and Idomeneus' brother in arms Meriones, peer of Enyalios
slayer of men, and after them Eurypylos, Euaimon's glorious son. And
ninth came Teukros, stretching his back-bent bow, and took his stand
be- neath the shield of Aias son of Telamon. And so Aias would
stealthily withdraw the shield, and Teukros would spy his chance; and
when he had shot and smitten one in the throng, then fell such an one
and gave up the ghost, and Teukros would return, and as a child beneath
his mother, so gat he him to Aias; who hid him with the shining
shield.
And Agamemnon king of men rejoiced to behold him making havoc with his
stalwart bow of the battalions of the Trojans, and he came and stood by
his side and spake to him, saying: "Teukros, dear heart, thou son of
Telamon, prince of the host, shoot on in this wise, if perchance thou
mayest be found the salvation of the Danaans and glory of thy father
Telamon."
And noble Teukros made answer and said to him: "Most noble son of
Atreus, why urgest thou me that myself am eager? Verily with such
strength as is in me forbear I not, but ever since we drave them
towards Ilios I watch with my bow to slay the foemen. Eight long-barbed
arrows have I now sped, and all are buried in the flesh of young men
swift in battle; only this mad dog can I not smite."
He said, and shot another arrow from the string right against Hector;
and his heart was fain to smite him. Yet missed he once again, for
Apollo turned the dart away; but Archeptolemos, Hector's bold
charioteer, he smote on the breast beside the nipple as he hasted into
battle: so he fell from his car and his fleet-footed horses swerved
aside; and there his soul and spirit were unstrung. Then sore grief
encompassed Hector's soul for his charioteer's sake; yet left he him,
though he sorrowed for his comrade, and bade Kebriones his own brother,
being hard by, take the chariot reins; and he heard and disregarded
not. And himself he leapt to earth from the resplendent car, with a
terrible shout; and in his hand he caught a stone, and made right at
Teukros, and his heart bade him smite him. Now Teukros had plucked
forth from his quiver a keen arrow, and laid it on the string; but even
as he drew it back, Hector of the glancing helm smote him with the
jagged stone, as he aimed eagerly against him, even beside his
shoulder, where the collar- bone fenceth off neck and breast, and where
is the most deadly spot; and he brake the bowstring, and his hand from
the wrist grew numb, and he stayed fallen upon his knee, and his bow
dropped from his hand. But Aias disregarded not his brother's fall, but
ran and strode across him and hid him with his shield. Then two trusty
comrades bent down to him, even Mekisteus son of Echios and goodly
Alastor, and bare him, groaning sorely, to the hollow ships. And once
again the Olympian aroused the spirit of the Trojans. So they drove the
Achaians straight toward the deep foss, and amid the foremost went
Hector exulting in his strength. And even as when a hound behind wild
boar or lion, with swift feet pursuing snatcheth at him, at flank or
buttock, and watcheth for him as he wheeleth, so Hector pressed hard on
the flowing-haired Achaians, slaying ever the hindmost, and they fled
on. But when they were passed in flight through palisade and foss, and
many were fallen beneath the Trojans' hands, then halted they and
tarried beside the ships, calling one upon another, and lifting up
their hands to all the gods prayed each one instantly. But Hector
wheeled round his beauteous-maned steeds this way and that, and his
eyes were as the eyes of Gorgon or Ares bane of mortals.
Now at the sight of them the white-armed goddess Hera had compassion,
and anon spake winged words to Athene: "Out on it, thou child of
aegis-bearing Zeus, shall not we twain any more take thought for the
Danaans that perish, if only for this last time? Now will they fill up
the measure of evil destiny and perish by one man's onslaught; seeing
that he is furious now beyond endurance, this Hector son of Priam, and
verily hath wrought many a deed of ill."
And the bright-eyed goddess Athene made answer to her, "Yea in good
sooth, may this fellow yield up strength and life, and perish at the
Argives' hands in his native land; only mine own sire is furious, with
no good intent, headstrong, ever sinful, the foiler of my purposes. But
now make thou ready our whole-hooved horses, while I enter into the
palace of aegis-bearing Zeus and gird me in my armour for battle, that
I may see if Priam's son, Hector of the glancing helm, shall be glad at
the appearing of us twain amid the highways of the battle. Surely shall
many a Trojan likewise glut dogs and birds with fat and flesh, fallen
dead at the ships of the Achaians."
So said she, and the white-armed goddess Hera disregarded not. But when
father Zeus beheld from Ida, he was sore wroth, and sped Iris
golden-winged to bear a message: "Go thy way, fleet Iris, turn them
back, neither suffer them to face me; for in no happy wise shall we
join in combat. For thus will I declare, and even so shall the
fulfilment be; I will maim their fleet horses in the chariot, and them
will I hurl out from the car, and will break in pieces the chariot;
neither within the courses of ten years shall they heal them of the
wounds the thunderbolt shall tear; that the bright-eyed one may know
the end when she striveth against her father. But with Hera have I not
so great indignation nor wrath: seeing it ever is her wont to thwart
me, whate'er I have decreed."
So said he, and whirlwind-footed Iris arose to bear the message, and
departed from the mountains of Ida unto high Olympus. And even at the
entrance of the gates of Olympus many-folded she met them and stayed
them, and told them the saying of Zeus.
And father Zeus drave from Ida his fair-wheeled chariot and horses unto
Olympus, and came unto the session of the gods. For him also the noble
Shaker of Earth unyoked the steeds, and set the car upon the stand, and
spread a cloth thereover; and far-seeing Zeus himself sate upon his
golden throne, and beneath his feet great Olympus quaked. Only Athene
and Hera sate apart from Zeus, and spake no word to him neither
questioned him. But he was ware thereof in his heart, and said, "Why
are ye thus vexed, Athene and Hera? Surely ye are not wearied of making
havoc in glorious battle of the Trojans, for whom ye cherish bitter
hate! Howsoever, seeing that my might is so great and my hands
invincible, all the gods that are in Olympus could not turn me: and for
you twain, trembling erst gat hold upon your bright limbs ere that ye
beheld war and war's fell deeds. For thus will I declare, and even so
had the fulfilment been--never had ye, once smitten with the
thunderbolt, fared on your chariots back unto Olympus where is the
habitation of the immortals."
So spake he, and Athene and Hera murmured, that were sitting by him and
devising ills for the Trojans. Now Athene held her peace, and said not
anything, for wrath at father Zeus, and fierce anger gat hold upon her;
but Hera's heart contained not her anger, and she spake: "Most dread
son of Kronos, what word is this thou hast said? Well know we, even we,
that thy might is no wise puny; yet still have we pity for the Danaan
spearmen, that now shall perish and fill up the measure of grievous
fate."
And Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered and said: "At morn shalt thou
behold most mighty Kronion, if thou wilt have it so, O Hera, ox-eyed
queen, making yet more havoc of the vast army of Argive spearmen; for
headlong Hector shall not refrain from battle till that Peleus' son
fleet of foot have arisen beside the ships, that day when these shall
fight amid the sterns in most grievous stress, around Patroklos fallen.
Such is the doom of heaven. And for thine anger reck I not, not even
though thou go to the nethermost bounds of earth and sea, where sit
Iapetos and Kronos and have no joy in the beams of Hyperion the
Sun-god, neither in any breeze, but deep Tartaros is round about them.
Though thou shouldest wander till thou come even thither, yet reck I
not of thy vexation, seeing there is no thing more unabashed than
thou."
So said he, but white-armed Hera spake him no word. And the sun's
bright light dropped into Ocean, drawing black night across Earth the
grain-giver. Against the Trojans' will daylight departed, but welcome,
thrice prayed for, to the Achaians came down the murky night.
Now glorious Hector made an assembly of the Trojans, taking them apart
from the ships, beside the eddying river, in an open space where was
found a spot clear of dead. And they came down from their chariots to
the ground to hear the word that Hector, dear unto Zeus, proclaimed. He
in his hand held his spear eleven cubits long; before his face gleamed
the spearhead of bronze, and a ring of gold ran round about it. Thereon
he leaned and spake to the Trojans, saying: "Hearken to me, Trojans and
Dardanians and allies. I thought but now to make havoc of the ships and
all the Achaians and depart back again to windy Ilios; but dusk came
too soon, and that in chief hath now saved the Argives and the ships
beside the beach of the sea. So let us now yield to black night, and
make our supper ready; unyoke ye from the chariots your fair-maned
horses, and set fodder beside them. And from the city bring kine and
goodly sheep with speed; and provide you with honey-hearted wine, and
corn from your houses, and gather much wood withal, that all night long
until early-springing dawn we may burn many fires, and the gleam may
reach to heaven; lest perchance even by night the flowing-haired
Achaians strive to take flight over the broad back of the sea. Verily
must they not embark upon their ships unvexed, at ease: but see ye that
many a one of them have a wound to nurse even at home, being stricken
with arrow or keen-pointed spear as he leapeth upon his ship; that so
many another man may dread to wage dolorous war on the horse-taming men
of Troy. And let the heralds dear to Zeus proclaim throughout the city
that young maidens and old men of hoary heads camp round the city on
the battlements builded of the gods; and let the women folk burn a
great fire each in her hall; and let there be a sure watch set, lest an
ambush enter the city when the host is absent. Howbeit for the night
will we guard our own selves, and at morn by daybreak, arrayed in our
armour, let us awake keen battle at the hollow ships. I will know
whether Tydeus' son stalwart Diomedes shall thrust me from the ships
back to the wall, or I shall lay him low with my spear and bear away
his gory spoils. To-morrow shall he prove his valour, whether he can
abide the onslaught of my spear. Would that I were immortal and ageless
all my days and honoured like as Athene is honoured and Apollo, so
surely as this day bringeth the Argives ill."
So Hector made harangue, and the Trojans clamoured applause. And they
loosed their sweating steeds from the yoke, and tethered them with
thongs, each man beside his chariot; and from the city they brought
kine and goodly sheep with speed, and provided them with honey-hearted
wine and corn from their houses, and gathered much wood withal. And
from the plain the winds bare into heaven the sweet savour. But these
with high hopes sate them all night along the highways of the battle,
and their watchfires burned in multitude. Even as when in heaven the
stars about the bright moon shine clear to see, when the air is
windless, and all the peaks appear and the tall headlands and glades,
and from heaven breaketh open the infinite air, and all stars are seen,
and the shepherd's heart is glad; even in like multitude between the
ships and the streams of Xanthos appeared the watchfires that the
Trojans kindled in front of Ilios. A thousand fires burned in the plain
and by the side of each sate fifty in the gleam of blazing fire. And
the horses champed white barley and spelt, and standing by their
chariots waited for the throned Dawn.
