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The Iliad (translated by Samuel Butler)

Homer

Section 43 of 60 - Table of Contents
Thus through the livelong day did they wage fierce war, and the
sweat of their toil rained ever on their legs under them, and on
their hands and eyes, as they fought over the squire of the fleet
son of Peleus. It was as when a man gives a great ox-hide all
drenched in fat to his men, and bids them stretch it; whereon
they stand round it in a ring and tug till the moisture leaves
it, and the fat soaks in for the many that pull at it, and it is
well stretched--even so did the two sides tug the dead body
hither and thither within the compass of but a little space--the
Trojans steadfastly set on dragging it into Ilius, while the
Achaeans were no less so on taking it to their ships; and fierce
was the fight between them. Not Mars himself the lord of hosts,
nor yet Minerva, even in their fullest fury could make light of
such a battle.

Such fearful turmoil of men and horses did Jove on that day
ordain round the body of Patroclus. Meanwhile Achilles did not
know that he had fallen, for the fight was under the wall of Troy
a long way off the ships. He had no idea, therefore, that
Patroclus was dead, and deemed that he would return alive as soon
as he had gone close up to the gates. He knew that he was not to
sack the city neither with nor without himself, for his mother
had often told him this when he had sat alone with her, and she
had informed him of the counsels of great Jove. Now, however, she
had not told him how great a disaster had befallen him in the
death of the one who was far dearest to him of all his comrades.

The others still kept on charging one another round the body with
their pointed spears and killing each other. Then would one say,
"My friends, we can never again show our faces at the ships--
better, and greatly better, that earth should open and swallow us
here in this place, than that we should let the Trojans have the
triumph of bearing off Patroclus to their city."

The Trojans also on their part spoke to one another saying,
"Friends, though we fall to a man beside this body, let none
shrink from fighting." With such words did they exhort each
other. They fought and fought, and an iron clank rose through the
void air to the brazen vault of heaven. The horses of the
descendant of Aeacus stood out of the fight and wept when they
heard that their driver had been laid low by the hand of
murderous Hector. Automedon, valiant son of Diores, lashed them
again and again; many a time did he speak kindly to them, and
many a time did he upbraid them, but they would neither go back
to the ships by the waters of the broad Hellespont, nor yet into
battle among the Achaeans; they stood with their chariot stock
still, as a pillar set over the tomb of some dead man or woman,
and bowed their heads to the ground. Hot tears fell from their
eyes as they mourned the loss of their charioteer, and their
noble manes drooped all wet from under the yokestraps on either
side the yoke.

The son of Saturn saw them and took pity upon their sorrow. He
wagged his head, and muttered to himself, saying, "Poor things,
why did we give you to King Peleus who is a mortal, while you are
yourselves ageless and immortal? Was it that you might share the
sorrows that befall mankind? for of all creatures that live and
move upon the earth there is none so pitiable as he is--still,
Hector son of Priam shall drive neither you nor your chariot. I
will not have it. It is enough that he should have the armour
over which he vaunts so vainly. Furthermore I will give you
strength of heart and limb to bear Automedon safely to the ships
from battle, for I shall let the Trojans triumph still further,
and go on killing till they reach the ships; whereon night shall
fall and darkness overshadow the land."

As he spoke he breathed heart and strength into the horses so
that they shook the dust from out of their manes, and bore their
chariot swiftly into the fight that raged between Trojans and
Achaeans. Behind them fought Automedon full of sorrow for his
comrade, as a vulture amid a flock of geese. In and out, and here
and there, full speed he dashed amid the throng of the Trojans,
but for all the fury of his pursuit he killed no man, for he
could not wield his spear and keep his horses in hand when alone
in the chariot; at last, however, a comrade, Alcimedon, son of
Laerces son of Haemon caught sight of him and came up behind his
chariot. "Automedon," said he, "what god has put this folly into
your heart and robbed you of your right mind, that you fight the
Trojans in the front rank single-handed? He who was your comrade
is slain, and Hector plumes himself on being armed in the armour
of the descendant of Aeacus."

Automedon son of Diores answered, "Alcimedon, there is no one
else who can control and guide the immortal steeds so well as you
can, save only Patroclus--while he was alive--peer of gods in
counsel. Take then the whip and reins, while I go down from the
car and fight."

Alcimedon sprang on to the chariot, and caught up the whip and
reins, while Automedon leaped from off the car. When Hector saw
him he said to Aeneas who was near him, "Aeneas, counsellor of
the mail-clad Trojans, I see the steeds of the fleet son of
Aeacus come into battle with weak hands to drive them. I am sure,
if you think well, that we might take them; they will not dare
face us if we both attack them."

The valiant son of Anchises was of the same mind, and the pair
went right on, with their shoulders covered under shields of
tough dry ox-hide, overlaid with much bronze. Chromius and Aretus
went also with them, and their hearts beat high with hope that
they might kill the men and capture the horses--fools that they
were, for they were not to return scatheless from their meeting
with Automedon, who prayed to father Jove and was forthwith
filled with courage and strength abounding. He turned to his
trusty comrade Alcimedon and said, "Alcimedon, keep your horses
so close up that I may feel their breath upon my back; I doubt
that we shall not stay Hector son of Priam till he has killed us
and mounted behind the horses; he will then either spread panic
among the ranks of the Achaeans, or himself be killed among the
foremost."

On this he cried out to the two Ajaxes and Menelaus, "Ajaxes
captains of the Argives, and Menelaus, give the dead body over to
them that are best able to defend it, and come to the rescue of
us living; for Hector and Aeneas who are the two best men among
the Trojans, are pressing us hard in the full tide of war.
Nevertheless the issue lies on the lap of heaven, I will
therefore hurl my spear and leave the rest to Jove."

He poised and hurled as he spoke, whereon the spear struck the
round shield of Aretus, and went right through it for the shield
stayed it not, so that it was driven through his belt into the
lower part of his belly. As when some sturdy youth, axe in hand,
deals his blow behind the horns of an ox and severs the tendons
at the back of its neck so that it springs forward and then
drops, even so did Aretus give one bound and then fall on his
back the spear quivering in his body till it made an end of him.
Hector then aimed a spear at Automedon but he saw it coming and
stooped forward to avoid it, so that it flew past him and the
point stuck in the ground, while the butt-end went on quivering
till Mars robbed it of its force. They would then have fought
hand to hand with swords had not the two Ajaxes forced their way
through the crowd when they heard their comrade calling, and
parted them for all their fury--for Hector, Aeneas, and Chromius
were afraid and drew back, leaving Aretus to lie there struck to
the heart. Automedon, peer of fleet Mars, then stripped him of
his armour and vaunted over him saying, "I have done little to
assuage my sorrow for the son of Menoetius, for the man I have
killed is not so good as he was."

As he spoke he took the blood-stained spoils and laid them upon
his chariot; then he mounted the car with his hands and feet all
steeped in gore as a lion that has been gorging upon a bull.

And now the fierce groanful fight again raged about Patroclus,
for Minerva came down from heaven and roused its fury by the
command of far-seeing Jove, who had changed his mind and sent her
to encourage the Danaans. As when Jove bends his bright bow in
heaven in token to mankind either of war or of the chill storms
that stay men from their labour and plague the flocks--even so,
wrapped in such radiant raiment, did Minerva go in among the host
and speak man by man to each. First she took the form and voice
of Phoenix and spoke to Menelaus son of Atreus, who was standing
near her. "Menelaus," said she, "it will be shame and dishonour
to you, if dogs tear the noble comrade of Achilles under the
walls of Troy. Therefore be staunch, and urge your men to be so
also."

Menelaus answered, "Phoenix, my good old friend, may Minerva
vouchsafe me strength and keep the darts from off me, for so
shall I stand by Patroclus and defend him; his death has gone to
my heart, but Hector is as a raging fire and deals his blows
without ceasing, for Jove is now granting him a time of triumph."

Minerva was pleased at his having named herself before any of the
other gods. Therefore she put strength into his knees and
shoulders, and made him as bold as a fly, which, though driven
off will yet come again and bite if it can, so dearly does it
love man's blood--even so bold as this did she make him as he
stood over Patroclus and threw his spear. Now there was among the
Trojans a man named Podes, son of Eetion, who was both rich and
valiant. Hector held him in the highest honour for he was his
comrade and boon companion; the spear of Menelaus struck this man
in the girdle just as he had turned in flight, and went right
through him. Whereon he fell heavily forward, and Menelaus son of
Atreus drew off his body from the Trojans into the ranks of his
own people.

Apollo then went up to Hector and spurred him on to fight, in the
likeness of Phaenops son of Asius who lived in Abydos and was the
most favoured of all Hector's guests. In his likeness Apollo
said, "Hector, who of the Achaeans will fear you henceforward now
that you have quailed before Menelaus who has ever been rated
poorly as a soldier? Yet he has now got a corpse away from the
Trojans single-handed, and has slain your own true comrade, a man
brave among the foremost, Podes son of Eetion."

A dark cloud of grief fell upon Hector as he heard, and he made
his way to the front clad in full armour. Thereon the son of
Saturn seized his bright tasselled aegis, and veiled Ida in
cloud: he sent forth his lightnings and his thunders, and as he
shook his aegis he gave victory to the Trojans and routed the
Achaeans.

The panic was begun by Peneleos the Boeotian, for while keeping
his face turned ever towards the foe he had been hit with a spear
on the upper part of the shoulder; a spear thrown by Polydamas
had grazed the top of the bone, for Polydamas had come up to him
and struck him from close at hand. Then Hector in close combat
struck Leitus son of noble Alectryon in the hand by the wrist,
and disabled him from fighting further. He looked about him in
dismay, knowing that never again should he wield spear in battle
with the Trojans. While Hector was in pursuit of Leitus,
Idomeneus struck him on the breastplate over his chest near the
nipple; but the spear broke in the shaft, and the Trojans cheered
aloud. Hector then aimed at Idomeneus son of Deucalion as he was
standing on his chariot, and very narrowly missed him, but the
spear hit Coiranus, a follower and charioteer of Meriones who had
come with him from Lyctus. Idomeneus had left the ships on foot
and would have afforded a great triumph to the Trojans if
Coiranus had not driven quickly up to him, he therefore brought
life and rescue to Idomeneus, but himself fell by the hand of
murderous Hector. For Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear;
the end of the spear drove out his teeth and cut his tongue in
two pieces, so that he fell from his chariot and let the reins
fall to the ground. Meriones gathered them up from the ground and
took them into his own hands, then he said to Idomeneus, "Lay on,
till you get back to the ships, for you must see that the day is
no longer ours."

On this Idomeneus lashed the horses to the ships, for fear had
taken hold upon him.

Ajax and Menelaus noted how Jove had turned the scale in favour
of the Trojans, and Ajax was first to speak. "Alas," said he,
"even a fool may see that father Jove is helping the Trojans. All
their weapons strike home; no matter whether it be a brave man or
a coward that hurls them, Jove speeds all alike, whereas ours
fall each one of them without effect. What, then, will be best
both as regards rescuing the body, and our return to the joy of
our friends who will be grieving as they look hitherwards; for
they will make sure that nothing can now check the terrible hands
of Hector, and that he will fling himself upon our ships. I wish
that some one would go and tell the son of Peleus at once, for I
do not think he can have yet heard the sad news that the dearest
of his friends has fallen. But I can see not a man among the
Achaeans to send, for they and their chariots are alike hidden in
darkness. O father Jove, lift this cloud from over the sons of
the Achaeans; make heaven serene, and let us see; if you will
that we perish, let us fall at any rate by daylight."

Father Jove heard him and had compassion upon his tears.
Forthwith he chased away the cloud of darkness, so that the sun
shone out and all the fighting was revealed. Ajax then said to
Menelaus, "Look, Menelaus, and if Antilochus son of Nestor be
still living, send him at once to tell Achilles that by far the
dearest to him of all his comrades has fallen."

Menelaus heeded his words and went his way as a lion from a
stockyard--the lion is tired of attacking the men and hounds, who
keep watch the whole night through and will not let him feast on
the fat of their herd. In his lust of meat he makes straight at
them but in vain, for darts from strong hands assail him, and
burning brands which daunt him for all his hunger, so in the
morning he slinks sulkily away--even so did Menelaus sorely
against his will leave Patroclus, in great fear lest the Achaeans
should be driven back in rout and let him fall into the hands of
the foe. He charged Meriones and the two Ajaxes straitly saying,
"Ajaxes and Meriones, leaders of the Argives, now indeed remember
how good Patroclus was; he was ever courteous while alive, bear
it in mind now that he is dead."

With this Menelaus left them, looking round him as keenly as an
eagle, whose sight they say is keener than that of any other
bird--however high he may be in the heavens, not a hare that runs
can escape him by crouching under bush or thicket, for he will
swoop down upon it and make an end of it--even so, O Menelaus,
did your keen eyes range round the mighty host of your followers
to see if you could find the son of Nestor still alive. Presently
Menelaus saw him on the extreme left of the battle cheering on
his men and exhorting them to fight boldly. Menelaus went up to
him and said, "Antilochus, come here and listen to sad news,
which I would indeed were untrue. You must see with your own eyes
that heaven is heaping calamity upon the Danaans, and giving
victory to the Trojans. Patroclus has fallen, who was the bravest
of the Achaeans, and sorely will the Danaans miss him. Run
instantly to the ships and tell Achilles, that he may come to
rescue the body and bear it to the ships. As for the armour,
Hector already has it."

Antilochus was struck with horror. For a long time he was
speechless; his eyes filled with tears and he could find no
utterance, but he did as Menelaus had said, and set off running
as soon as he had given his armour to a comrade, Laodocus, who
was wheeling his horses round, close beside him.

Thus, then, did he run weeping from the field, to carry the bad
news to Achilles son of Peleus. Nor were you, O Menelaus, minded
to succour his harassed comrades, when Antilochus had left the
Pylians--and greatly did they miss him--but he sent them noble
Thrasymedes, and himself went back to Patroclus. He came running
up to the two Ajaxes and said, "I have sent Antilochus to the
ships to tell Achilles, but rage against Hector as he may, he
cannot come, for he cannot fight without armour. What then will
be our best plan both as regards rescuing the dead, and our own
escape from death amid the battle-cries of the Trojans?"

Ajax answered, "Menelaus, you have said well: do you, then, and
Meriones stoop down, raise the body, and bear it out of the fray,
while we two behind you keep off Hector and the Trojans, one in
heart as in name, and long used to fighting side by side with one
another."

On this Menelaus and Meriones took the dead man in their arms and
lifted him high aloft with a great effort. The Trojan host raised
a hue and cry behind them when they saw the Achaeans bearing the
body away, and flew after them like hounds attacking a wounded
boar at the loo of a band of young huntsmen. For a while the
hounds fly at him as though they would tear him in pieces, but
now and again he turns on them in a fury, scaring and scattering
them in all directions--even so did the Trojans for a while
charge in a body, striking with sword and with spears pointed at
both the ends, but when the two Ajaxes faced them and stood at
bay, they would turn pale and no man dared press on to fight
further about the dead.

In this wise did the two heroes strain every nerve to bear the
body to the ships out of the fight. The battle raged round them
like fierce flames that when once kindled spread like wildfire
over a city, and the houses fall in the glare of its burning--
even such was the roar and tramp of men and horses that pursued
them as they bore Patroclus from the field. Or as mules that put
forth all their strength to draw some beam or great piece of
ship's timber down a rough mountain-track, and they pant and
sweat as they, go even so did Menelaus and pant and sweat as they
bore the body of Patroclus. Behind them the two Ajaxes held
stoutly out. As some wooded mountain-spur that stretches across a
plain will turn water and check the flow even of a great river,
nor is there any stream strong enough to break through it--even
so did the two Ajaxes face the Trojans and stem the tide of their
fighting though they kept pouring on towards them and foremost
among them all was Aeneas son of Anchises with valiant Hector. As
a flock of daws or starlings fall to screaming and chattering
when they see a falcon, foe to all small birds, come soaring near
them, even so did the Achaean youth raise a babel of cries as
they fled before Aeneas and Hector, unmindful of their former
prowess. In the rout of the Danaans much goodly armour fell round
about the trench, and of fighting there was no end.
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