Oh, son of Priam! as the Gods discreet!
I bring thee counsel from the Sire of all.
While yet thou shalt the son of Atreus see
Fierce warring in the van, and mowing down245
The warrior ranks, so long he bids thee pause
From battle, leaving to thy host the task
Of bloody contest furious with the Greeks.
But soon as Atreus’ son, by spear or shaft
Wounded, shall climb his chariot, Jove will then250
Endue thee with such force, that thou shalt slay
Till thou have reach’d the ships, and till, the sun
Descending, sacred darkness cover all.
So saying, swift-pinion’d Iris disappear’d.
Then Hector from his chariot at a leap255
Came down all arm’d, and, shaking his bright spears,
Ranged every quarter, animating loud
The legions, and rekindling horrid war.
Back roll’d the Trojan ranks, and faced the Greeks;
The Greeks their host to closer phalanx drew;260
The battle was restored, van fronting van
They stood, and Agamemnon into fight
Sprang foremost, panting for superior fame.
Say now, ye Nine, who on Olympus dwell!
What Trojan first, or what ally of Troy265
Opposed the force of Agamemnon’s arm?
Iphidamas, Antenor’s valiant son,
Of loftiest stature, who in fertile Thrace
Mother of flocks was nourish’d, Cisseus him
His grandsire, father of Theano praised270
For loveliest features, in his own abode
Rear’d yet a child, and when at length he reach’d
The measure of his glorious manhood firm
Dismiss’d him not, but, to engage him more,
Gave him his daughter. Wedded, he his bride275
As soon deserted, and with galleys twelve
Following the rumor’d voyage of the Greeks,
The same course steer’d; but at Percope moor’d,
And marching thence, arrived on foot at Troy.
He first opposed Atrides. They approach’d.280
The spear of Agamemnon wander’d wide;
But him Iphidamas on his broad belt
Beneath the corselet struck, and, bearing still
On his spear-beam, enforced it; but ere yet
He pierced the broider’d zone, his point, impress’d285
Against the silver, turn’d, obtuse as lead.
Then royal Agamemnon in his hand
The weapon grasping, with a lion’s rage
Home drew it to himself, and from his gripe
Wresting it, with his falchion keen his neck290
Smote full, and stretch’d him lifeless at his foot.
So slept Iphidamas among the slain;
Unhappy! from his virgin bride remote,
Associate with the men of Troy in arms
He fell, and left her beauties unenjoy’d.295
He gave her much, gave her a hundred beeves,
And sheep and goats a thousand from his flocks
Promised, for numberless his meadows ranged;
But Agamemnon, son of Atreus, him
Slew and despoil’d, and through the Grecian host300
Proceeded, laden with his gorgeous arms.
Coön that sight beheld, illustrious Chief,
Antenor’s eldest born, but with dim eyes
Through anguish for his brother’s fall. Unseen
Of noble Agamemnon, at his side305
He cautious stood, and with a spear his arm,
Where thickest flesh’d, below his elbow, pierced,
Till opposite the glittering point appear’d.
A thrilling horror seized the King of men
So wounded; yet though wounded so, from fight310
He ceased not, but on Coön rush’d, his spear
Grasping, well-thriven growth[11] of many a wind.
He by the foot drew off Iphidamas,
His brother, son of his own sire, aloud
Calling the Trojan leaders to his aid;315
When him so occupied with his keen point
Atrides pierced his bossy shield beneath.
Expiring on Iphidamas he fell
Prostrate, and Agamemnon lopp’d his head.
Thus, under royal Agamemnon’s hand,320
Antenor’s sons their destiny fulfill’d,
And to the house of Ades journey’d both.
Through other ranks of warriors then he pass’d,
Now with his spear, now with his falchion arm’d,
And now with missile force of massy stones,325
While yet his warm blood sallied from the wound.
But when the wound grew dry, and the blood ceased,
Anguish intolerable undermined
Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.
As when a laboring woman’s arrowy throes330
Seize her intense, by Juno’s daughters dread
The birth-presiding Ilithyæ deep
Infixt, dispensers of those pangs severe;
So, anguish insupportable subdued
Then all the might of Atreus’ royal son.335
Up-springing to his seat, instant he bade
His charioteer drive to the hollow barks,
Heart-sick himself with pain; yet, ere he went,
With voice loud-echoing hail’d the Danaï.
Friends! counsellors and leaders of the Greeks!340
Now drive, yourselves, the battle from your ships.
For me the Gods permit not to employ
In fight with Ilium’s host the day entire.
He ended, and the charioteer his steeds
Lash’d to the ships; they not unwilling flew,345
Bearing from battle the afflicted King
With foaming chests and bellies grey with dust.
Soon Hector, noting his retreat, aloud
Call’d on the Trojans and allies of Troy.
Trojans and Lycians, and close-fighting sons350
Of Dardanus! oh summon all your might;
Now, now be men! Their bravest is withdrawn!
Glory and honor from Saturnian Jove
On me attend; now full against the Greeks
Drive all your steeds, and win a deathless name.355
He spake—and all drew courage from his word.
As when his hounds bright-tooth’d some hunter cheers
Against the lion or the forest-boar,
So Priameïan Hector cheer’d his host
Magnanimous against the sons of Greece,360
Terrible as gore-tainted Mars. Among
The foremost warriors, with success elate
He strode, and flung himself into the fight
Black as a storm which sudden from on high
Descending, furrows deep the gloomy flood.365
Then whom slew Priameïan Hector first,
Whom last, by Jove, that day, with glory crown’d?
Assæus, Dolops, Orus, Agelaüs,
Autonoüs, Hipponoüs, Æsymnus,
Opheltius and Opites first he slew,370
All leaders of the Greeks, and, after these,
The people. As when whirlwinds of the West
A storm encounter from the gloomy South,
The waves roll multitudinous, and the foam
Upswept by wandering gusts fills all the air,375
So Hector swept the Grecians. Then defeat
Past remedy and havoc had ensued,
Then had the routed Grecians, flying, sought
Their ships again, but that Ulysses[12] thus
Summon’d the brave Tydides to his aid.380
Whence comes it, Diomede, that we forget
Our wonted courage? Hither, O my friend!
And, fighting at my side, ward off the shame
That must be ours, should Hector seize the fleet.
To whom the valiant Diomede replied.385
I will be firm; trust me thou shalt not find
Me shrinking; yet small fruit of our attempts
Shall follow, for the Thunderer, not to us,
But to the Trojan, gives the glorious day.