Speaker 1: Book sixteen. Thus did they fight about the ship of Protosilaus.
Speaker 1: Then Patroclus drew near to Achilles, with tears welling from
Speaker 1: his eyes, as from some spring whose crystal stream falls
Speaker 1: over the ledges of a high precipice. When Achilles saw
Speaker 1: him thus weeping, he was sorry for him, and said, why, Patroclus,
Speaker 1: do you stand there weeping? Like some silly child that
Speaker 1: comes running to her mother and begs to be taken
Speaker 1: up and carried. She catches hold of her mother's dress
Speaker 1: to stay her, though she is in a hurry, and
Speaker 1: looks tearfully up until her mother carries her. Even such tears, Patroclus,
Speaker 1: are you now shedding? Have you anything to say to
Speaker 1: the Mirmidons or to myself? Or have you had news
Speaker 1: from thea which you alone know? They tell me Menoetius,
Speaker 1: son of Actor, is still alive, as also Pelias, son
Speaker 1: of Aiarchus, among the Mermadon's men, whose loss we two
Speaker 1: should bitterly do applau Or are you grieving about the
Speaker 1: archives and the way in which they are being killed
Speaker 1: at the ships through their own high handed doings? Do
Speaker 1: not hide anything from me, but tell me that both
Speaker 1: of us may know about it, then, O Night Patroclus,
Speaker 1: with a deep sigh, you answered, Achilles, son of Pelias,
Speaker 1: foremost champion of the Achaeans, do not be angry, but
Speaker 1: I weep for the disaster that has now befallen the archives.
Speaker 1: All those who have been their champions so far are
Speaker 1: lying at the ships, wounded by sword or spear. Brave Diomed,
Speaker 1: son of Tiedeus, has been hit with a spear, while
Speaker 1: famed Ulysses and Agamemnon have received sword wounds. Eurypulus again
Speaker 1: has been struck with an arrow in the thigh. Skilled
Speaker 1: apothecaries are attending to these heroes and healing them of
Speaker 1: their wounds. Are you still, o Achilles, so inexorable? May
Speaker 1: it never be my lot to nurse such a passion
Speaker 1: as you have done, to the banning of your own
Speaker 1: good name? Who in future story will speak well of you?
Speaker 1: Unless you now save the Argives from ruin? You know
Speaker 1: no pity, Knight Pelleas was not your father, nor Thetis
Speaker 1: your mother. But the gray Sea bore you, and the
Speaker 1: sheer cliffs begot you. So cruel and remorseless are you, if, however,
Speaker 1: you are kept back through knowledge of some oracle, or
Speaker 1: if your mother Thetis has told you something from the
Speaker 1: mouth of Jove, at least send me and the Murmaduns
Speaker 1: with me. If I may bring deliverance to the Danans.
Speaker 1: Let me moreover, wear your armor. The Trojans may thus
Speaker 1: mistake me for you, and quit the field, so that
Speaker 1: the hard pressed sons of the Achaeans may have breathing time,
Speaker 1: which while they are fighting may hardly be. We, who
Speaker 1: are fresh, might soon drive tired men back from our
Speaker 1: ships and tents to their own city. He knew not
Speaker 1: what he was asking, nor that he was suing for
Speaker 1: his own destruction. Achilles was deeply moved and answered, what,
Speaker 1: noble Patroclus, are you saying? I know no prophesyings which
Speaker 1: I am heeding, nor has my mother told me anything
Speaker 1: from the mouth of Jove. But I am cut to
Speaker 1: the very heart that one of my own ranks should
Speaker 1: dare to rob me, because he is more powerful than
Speaker 1: I am. This, after all that I have gone through,
Speaker 1: is more than I can endure. The girl whom the
Speaker 1: sons of the Achaeans chose for me, whom I won
Speaker 1: as the fruit of my spear, on having sacked a city,
Speaker 1: her has King Agamemnon taken from me as though I
Speaker 1: were some common vagrant. Still, let bygones be bygones. No
Speaker 1: man may keep his anger forever I said, I would
Speaker 1: not relent till battle and the cry of war had
Speaker 1: reached my own ships. Nevertheless, now gird my armor about
Speaker 1: your shoulders and lead the Mermidons to battle. For the
Speaker 1: dark cloud of Trojans has burn furiously over our fleet.
Speaker 1: The Argives are driven back onto the beach, cooped within
Speaker 1: a narrow space, and the whole people of Troy has
Speaker 1: taken heart to sally out against them, because they see
Speaker 1: not the visor of my helmet gleaming near them. Had
Speaker 1: they seen this, there would not have been a creek
Speaker 1: nor grip that had not been filled with their dead
Speaker 1: as they fled back again. And so it would have
Speaker 1: been if only King Agamemnon had dealt fairly by me.
Speaker 1: As it is, the Trojans have beset our host. Diomed
Speaker 1: son of Tideus, no longer wields his spear to defend
Speaker 1: the Danaeons. Neither have I heard the voice of the
Speaker 1: son of Atreus coming from his hated head, whereas that
Speaker 1: of murderous hector rings in my ears, as he gives
Speaker 1: orders to the Trojans, who triumph over the Achaeans and
Speaker 1: fill the whole plane with their cry of battle. But
Speaker 1: even so, Patroclus fall upon them and save the fleet,
Speaker 1: lest the Trojans fire it and prevent us from being
Speaker 1: able to return. Do, however, as I now bid you,
Speaker 1: that you may win me great honor from all the Dinans,
Speaker 1: and that they may restore the girl to me again,
Speaker 1: and give me rich gifts into the bargain. When you
Speaker 1: have driven the Trojans from the ships, come back again.
Speaker 1: Though Juno's thundering husband should put triumph within your reach.
Speaker 1: Do not fight the Trojans further in my absence, or
Speaker 1: you will rob me of glory that should be mine.
Speaker 1: And do not, for lust of battle, go on killing
Speaker 1: the Trojans, nor lead the Achaeans on to Ilius, lest
Speaker 1: one of the ever living gods from Olympus attack you.
Speaker 1: For Phoebus Apollo loves them well. Return when you have
Speaker 1: freed the ships from peril, and let others wage war
Speaker 1: upon the plane. Would by Father Jove, Minerva and Apollo,
Speaker 1: that not a single man of all the Trojans might
Speaker 1: be left alive, nor yet of the archives, but that
Speaker 1: we two might be alone, left to tear aside the
Speaker 1: mantle that veils the brow of Troy. Thus did they converse.
Speaker 1: But Ajax could no longer hold his ground, for the
Speaker 1: shower of darts that rained upon him, the will of
Speaker 1: Jove and the javelins of the Trojans were too much
Speaker 1: for him. The helmet that gleamed about his temples rang
Speaker 1: with the continuous clatter of the missiles that kept pouring
Speaker 1: onto it, and on to the cheek pieces that protected
Speaker 1: his face. Moreover, his left shoulder was tired with having
Speaker 1: held his shield so long. Yet for all this, let
Speaker 1: fly at him as they would, they could not make
Speaker 1: him give ground. He could hardly draw his breath. The
Speaker 1: sweat rained from every pore of his body. He had
Speaker 1: not a moment's respite, And on all sides he was
Speaker 1: beset by danger upon danger. And now tell me, o,
Speaker 1: muses that hold your mansions on Olympus, how fire was
Speaker 1: thrown upon the ships of thes. Hector came close up
Speaker 1: and let drive with his great sword at the ash
Speaker 1: and spear of Ajax. He cut it clean in two,
Speaker 1: just behind where the point was fastened onto the shaft
Speaker 1: of the spear. Ajax therefore had now nothing but a
Speaker 1: headless spear, while the bronze point flew some way off
Speaker 1: and came ringing down onto the ground. Ajax knew the
Speaker 1: hand of Heaven in this, and was dismayed at seeing
Speaker 1: that Jove had now left him utterly defenseless, and was
Speaker 1: willing victory for the Trojans. Therefore, he drew back, and
Speaker 1: the Trojans flung fire upon the ship, which was at
Speaker 1: once wrapped in flame. The fire was now flaring about
Speaker 1: the ship's stern, whereon Achilles smote his two thighs, and
Speaker 1: said to Patroclus, up, noble knight, for I see the
Speaker 1: glare of hostile fire at our fleet. Up lest they
Speaker 1: destroy our ships, and there be no way by which
Speaker 1: we may retreat. Gird on your armor at once, while
Speaker 1: I call our people together. As he spoke, Patroclus put
Speaker 1: on his armor. First, he grieved his legs with greaves
Speaker 1: of good make, and fitted with ankle clasps of silver.
Speaker 1: After this he donned the quiras of the son of Aeacus,
Speaker 1: richly inlaid and studded. He hung his silver studded sword
Speaker 1: of bronze about his shoulders, and then his mighty shield
Speaker 1: on his comely head. He set his helmet, well wrought
Speaker 1: with a crest of horsehair that nodded menacingly. Above it.
Speaker 1: He grasped two redoubtable spears that suited his hands. But
Speaker 1: he did not take the spear of Noble Achilles, so
Speaker 1: stout and strong, for none other of the Achaeans could
Speaker 1: wield it, though Achilles could do so easily. This was
Speaker 1: the ashen spear from Mount Pelion, which Chiron had cut
Speaker 1: upon a mountaintop and had given to Pelias, wherewith to
Speaker 1: deal out death among heroes, he bade Automodon yoke his
Speaker 1: horses with all speed, for he was the man whom
Speaker 1: he held in honor, next after Achilles, and on whose
Speaker 1: support in battle he could rely most firmly. Automodon therefore
Speaker 1: yoked the fleet horses Xanthus and Balius, steeds that could
Speaker 1: fly like the wind. These were they whom the harpy
Speaker 1: Podage bore to the west wind as she was grazing
Speaker 1: in a meadow by the waters of the river Oceanus.
Speaker 1: In the side traces he set the noble horse Pedasus,
Speaker 1: whom Achilles had brought away with him when he sacked
Speaker 1: the city of Etian, and who mortal steed though he was,
Speaker 1: could take his place along with those that were immortal. Meanwhile,
Speaker 1: Achilles went about everywhere among the tents, and bade his
Speaker 1: mermidons put on their armor, Even as fierce ravening wolves
Speaker 1: that are feasting upon a horned stag, which they have
Speaker 1: killed upon the mountains, and their jaws are red with blood.
Speaker 1: They go in a pack to lap water from the
Speaker 1: clear spring with their long, thin tongues, and they reek
Speaker 1: of blood and slaughter. They know not what fear is,
Speaker 1: for it is hunger drives them. Even so did the
Speaker 1: leaders and counselors of the Myrmidons gather round the good
Speaker 1: squire of the fleet, descendant of Aeacus, and among them
Speaker 1: stood Achilles himself, cheering on both men and horses. Fifty
Speaker 1: ships had Noble Achilles brought to Troy, and in each
Speaker 1: there was a crew of fifty oarsmen. Over these he
Speaker 1: set five captains whom he could trust, while he was
Speaker 1: himself commander over them all Menestheus of the gleaming Corselet,
Speaker 1: son to the river Sperchius that streams from Heaven, was
Speaker 1: captain of the first company fair Polydora, daughter of Pelias,
Speaker 1: bore him to ever flowing Sperchius, a woman mated with
Speaker 1: a god, but he was called son of Borus, son
Speaker 1: of Perieres, with whom his mother was living as his
Speaker 1: wedded wife, and who gave great wealth to gain her.
Speaker 1: The second company was led by noble Eudorus, son to
Speaker 1: an unwedded woman. Polimillae, daughter of Phyllis, the graceful dancer,
Speaker 1: bore him. The mighty slayer of Argos, was enamored of
Speaker 1: her as he saw her among the singing women at
Speaker 1: a dance held in honor of Diana, the rushing Huntress
Speaker 1: of the Golden Arrows. He therefore, Mercury, giver of all good,
Speaker 1: went with her into an upper chamber and lay with
Speaker 1: her in secret, whereon she bore him a noble son, Eudorus,
Speaker 1: singularly fleet of foot and in fight valiant. When Elithuia,
Speaker 1: goddess of the pains of child birth, brought him to
Speaker 1: the light of day and he saw the face of
Speaker 1: the sun, mighty Echecles, son of Actor, took the mother
Speaker 1: to wife and gave great wealth to gain her. But
Speaker 1: her father Phylas brought the child up and took care
Speaker 1: of him, doting as fondly upon him as though he
Speaker 1: were his own son. The third company was led by Pisander,
Speaker 1: son of Maemalus, the finest spearman among all the Myrmidons,
Speaker 1: next to achilles own comrade, Patroclus, the old Knight Phoenix
Speaker 1: was captain of the fourth company, and Alcimodon, noble son
Speaker 1: of Laoshius, of the fifth. When Achilles had chosen his
Speaker 1: men and had stationed them all with their captains, he
Speaker 1: charged them straightly, saying, Myrmidons, remember your threats against the
Speaker 1: Trojans while you were at the ships in the time
Speaker 1: of my anger, and you were all complaining of me,
Speaker 1: cruel son of Pelias. You would say your mother must
Speaker 1: have suckled you on Gaul. So ruthless are you you
Speaker 1: keep us here at the ships against our will. If
Speaker 1: you are so relentless, it were better we went home
Speaker 1: over the sea. Often have you gathered and thus chided
Speaker 1: with me. The hour is now come for those high
Speaker 1: feats of arms that you have so long been pining for. Therefore,
Speaker 1: keep high hearts, each one of you to do battle
Speaker 1: with the Trojans. With these words, he put heart and
Speaker 1: soul into them all, and they serried their companies yet
Speaker 1: more closely when they heard the voice of their king,
Speaker 1: as the stones which a builder sets in the wall
Speaker 1: of some high house, which is to give shelter from
Speaker 1: the winds. Even so closely were the helmets and bossed
Speaker 1: shields set against one another, shield pressed on shield, helm
Speaker 1: on helm, and man on man. So close were they
Speaker 1: that the horsehair plumes on the gleaming ridges of their
Speaker 1: helmets touched each other as they bent their heads in
Speaker 1: front of them. All two men put on their armor.
Speaker 1: Patroclus and automedon two men with but one mind to
Speaker 1: lead the mermidons. Then Achilles went inside his tent and
Speaker 1: opened the lid of the strong chest which silver footed
Speaker 1: Thetis had given him to take on board ship, and
Speaker 1: which she had filled with shirts, cloaks to keep out
Speaker 1: the cold, and good thick rugs. In this chest he
Speaker 1: had a cup of rare workmanship, from which no man
Speaker 1: but himself might drink, nor would he make off from
Speaker 1: it to any other God, save only to Father Jove.
Speaker 1: He took the cup from the chest and cleansed it
Speaker 1: with sulfur. This done, he rinsed it in clean water,
Speaker 1: and after he had washed his hands, he drew wine.
Speaker 1: Then he stood in the middle of the court and prayed,
Speaker 1: looking towards Heaven, and making his drink offering of wine.
Speaker 1: Nor was he unseen of Jove, whose joy is in thunder.
Speaker 1: King Jove, he cried, Lord of do Dona, God of
Speaker 1: the Pelaski, who dwells afar you, who hold wintry, Do
Speaker 1: donor in your sway where your prophets. The celli dwell
Speaker 1: around you, with their feet unwashed and their couches made
Speaker 1: upon the ground. If you heard me when I prayed
Speaker 1: to you aforetime, and did me honor while you sent
Speaker 1: disaster on the Achaeans, vouchsafe me now the fulfillment of
Speaker 1: yet this further prayer. I shall stay here where my
Speaker 1: ships are lying, but I shall send my comrade into
Speaker 1: battle at the head of many mirmidons. Grant O all
Speaker 1: seeing Jove, that victory may go with him. Put your
Speaker 1: courage into his heart, that hector may learn whether my
Speaker 1: squire is man enough to fight alone, or whether his
Speaker 1: might is only then so indomitable when I myself enter
Speaker 1: the turmoil of war. Afterwards, when he has chased the
Speaker 1: fight and the cry of battle from the ships, grant
Speaker 1: that he may return unharmed, with his armor and his
Speaker 1: comrades fighters in close combat. Thus did he pray, and
Speaker 1: all counseling Jove heard his prayer. Part of it. He did,
Speaker 1: indeed vouchsafe him, but not the whole. He granted that
Speaker 1: Petroclus should thrust back war and battle from the ships,
Speaker 1: but refuse to let him come safely out of the fight.
Speaker 1: When he had made his drink offering and had thus prayed,
Speaker 1: Achilles went inside his tent and put back the cup
Speaker 1: into his chest. Then he again came out, for he
Speaker 1: still loved to look upon the fierce fight that raged
Speaker 1: between the Trojans and the Chaeans. Meanwhile, the armed band
Speaker 1: that was about Petroclus marched on till they sprang high
Speaker 1: in hope. Upon the Trojans. They came, swarming out like
Speaker 1: wasps whose nests are by the roadside, and whom silly
Speaker 1: children love to tease, whereon any one who happens to
Speaker 1: be passing may get stung. Or again, if a wayfarer
Speaker 1: going along the road vexes them by accident, every wasp
Speaker 1: will come flying out in a fury to defend his
Speaker 1: little ones. Even with such rage and courage. Did the
Speaker 1: Myrmidons swarm from their ships, and their cry of battle
Speaker 1: rose heavenwards. Patroclus called out to his men at the
Speaker 1: top of his voice, Myrmidons, followers of Achilles, son of Pelias,
Speaker 1: be men, my friends, fight with might and with main,
Speaker 1: that we may win glory for the son of Pelias,
Speaker 1: who is far the foremost man at the ships of
Speaker 1: the Argives. He and his close fighting followers, the son
Speaker 1: of Atreus, King Agamemnon, will thus learn his folly in
Speaker 1: showing no respect to the bravest of the Achaeans. With
Speaker 1: these words, he put high art and soul into them all,
Speaker 1: and they fell in a body upon the Trojans. The
Speaker 1: ships rang again with the cry which the Achaeans raised,
Speaker 1: And when the Trojans saw the brave son of Menoetius
Speaker 1: and his squire all gleaming in their armor, they were daunted,
Speaker 1: and their battalions were thrown into confusion, for they thought
Speaker 1: the fleet son of Pelias must now have put aside
Speaker 1: his anger and have been reconciled to Agamemnon. Everyone therefore
Speaker 1: looked round about to see whither he might fly for safety.
Speaker 1: Patroclus first aimed a spear into the middle of the press,
Speaker 1: where men were packed most closely by the stern of
Speaker 1: the ship of Protosilaus. He hit Pyrechms, who had led
Speaker 1: his Paeonian horsemen from the Amidon and the broad waters
Speaker 1: of the river Axius. The spear struck him on the
Speaker 1: right shoulder, and with a groan, he fell backwards in
Speaker 1: the dust. On this his men were thrown into confusion,
Speaker 1: for by killing their leader, who was the finest soldier
Speaker 1: among them, Proclus struck panic into them all. He thus
Speaker 1: drove them from the ship and quenched the fire that
Speaker 1: was then blazing, leaving the half burnt ship to lie
Speaker 1: where it was. The Trojans were now driven back with
Speaker 1: a shout that rent the skies, while the Danions poured
Speaker 1: after them from their ships, shouting also without ceasing, as
Speaker 1: when Jove, gatherer of the thundercloud, spreads a dense canopy
Speaker 1: on the top of some lofty mountain, and all the peaks,
Speaker 1: the jutting headlands and forest glades show out in the
Speaker 1: great light that flashes from the bursting heavens. Even so,
Speaker 1: when the Danions had now driven back the fire from
Speaker 1: their ships, they took breath for a little while, but
Speaker 1: the fury of the fight was not yet over, for
Speaker 1: the Trojans were not driven back in utter rout, but
Speaker 1: still gave battle and were ousted from their ground only
Speaker 1: by sheer fighting. The fight then became more scattered, and
Speaker 1: the chieftains killed one another when and how they could.
Speaker 1: The valiant son of Menoetius first drove his spear into
Speaker 1: the thigh of Areeilichus, just as he was turning round.
Speaker 1: The point went clean through and broke the bone, so
Speaker 1: that he fell forward. Meanwhile, Menelaus struck Thoas in the
Speaker 1: chest where it was exposed near the rim of his shield,
Speaker 1: and he fell dead. The son of Phyleus saw Amphyclus
Speaker 1: about to attack him, and ere he could do so,
Speaker 1: took aim at the upper part of his thigh, where
Speaker 1: the muscles are thicker than in any other part. The
Speaker 1: spear tore through all the sinews of the leg, and
Speaker 1: his eyes were closed. In darkness. Of the sons of
Speaker 1: nesta I, Antilochus speared Atymnius, driving the point of the
Speaker 1: spear through his throat, and down he fell. Maris then
Speaker 1: sprang on Antilochus in hand to hand fight to avenge
Speaker 1: his brother and bestrode the body, spear in hand, But
Speaker 1: valiant Thrasymides was too quick for him, and in a
Speaker 1: moment had struck him in the shoulder. Ere he could
Speaker 1: deal his blow. His aim was true, and the spear
Speaker 1: severed all the muscles at the root of his arm
Speaker 1: and tore them right down to the bone. So he
Speaker 1: fell heavily to the ground, and his eyes were closed
Speaker 1: in darkness. Thus did these two noble comrades of Sarpadon
Speaker 1: go down to Erebus, slain by the two sons of Nestor.
Speaker 1: They were the warrior sons of Amisodorus, who had reared
Speaker 1: the invincible Chimaeira to the bane of many. Ajax, son
Speaker 1: of Elias, sprang on Cleobulus and took him alive as
Speaker 1: he was entangled in the crush. But he killed him
Speaker 1: then and there by a sword blow on the neck.
Speaker 1: The sword reeked with his blood, while dark death and
Speaker 1: the strong hand of fate gripped him and closed his eyes.
Speaker 1: Peneleus and Lichen now met in close fight. For they
Speaker 1: had missed each other with their spears, they had both
Speaker 1: thrown without effect. So now they drew their swords Lican
Speaker 1: struck the plumed crest of Penelius's helmet, but his sword
Speaker 1: broke at the hilt. While Penelius smote Lichen on the
Speaker 1: neck under the ear, the blade sank so deep that
Speaker 1: the head was held on by nothing but the skin,
Speaker 1: and there was no more life left in him. Mariones
Speaker 1: gave chase to Achamus on foot and caught him up.
Speaker 1: Just as he was about to mount his chariot. He
Speaker 1: drove a spear through his right shoulder, so that he
Speaker 1: fell headlong from the car, and his eyes were closed
Speaker 1: in darkness. I Domineus speared aremis in the mouth. The
Speaker 1: bronze point of the spear went clean through it beneath
Speaker 1: the brain, crashing in among the white bones and smashing
Speaker 1: them up. His teeth were all of them knocked out,
Speaker 1: and the blood came gushing in a stream from both
Speaker 1: his eyes. It also came gurgling up from his mouth
Speaker 1: and nostrils, and the darkness of death enfolded him round about.
Speaker 1: Thus did these chieftains of the Dannarns, each of them
Speaker 1: kill his man as ravening wolves seese on kids, or
Speaker 1: lambs fastening on them when they are alone on the
Speaker 1: hillsides and have strayed from the main flock through the
Speaker 1: carelessness of the shepherd. And when the wolves see this,
Speaker 1: they pounce upon them at once, because they cannot defend themselves.
Speaker 1: Even so did the Daneans now fall on the Trojans,
Speaker 1: who fled with ill omened cries in their panic, and
Speaker 1: had no more fight left in them. Meanwhile, Great Ajax
Speaker 1: kept on trying to drive a spear into Hector, But
Speaker 1: Hector was so skillful that he held his broad shoulders
Speaker 1: well under cover of his ox hide shield. Ever on
Speaker 1: the lookout for the whizzing of the arrows and the
Speaker 1: heavy thud of the spears. He well knew that the
Speaker 1: fortunes of the day had changed, but still stood his
Speaker 1: ground and tried to protect his comrades, as when a
Speaker 1: cloud goes up into heaven from a limb rising out
Speaker 1: of a clear sky, when Jove is brewing a gale.
Speaker 1: Even with such panic stricken rout, did the Trojans now fly,
Speaker 1: and there was no order in their going. Hector's fleet
Speaker 1: horses bore him and his armor out of the fight,
Speaker 1: and he left the Trojan host penned in by the
Speaker 1: deep trench against their will. Many a yoke of horses
Speaker 1: snapped the pole of their chariots in the trench, and
Speaker 1: left their master's car behind them. Patroclus gave chase, calling
Speaker 1: impetuously on the Danaans, and full of fury against the Trojans, who,
Speaker 1: being now no longer in a body, filled all the
Speaker 1: ways with their cries of panic and rout. The air
Speaker 1: was darkened with the clouds of dust they raised, and
Speaker 1: the horses strained every nerve in their flight from the
Speaker 1: tents and ships towards the city. Patroclus kept on heading
Speaker 1: his horses wherever he saw most men flying in confusion,
Speaker 1: cheering on his men. The while chariots were being smashed
Speaker 1: in all directions, and many a man came tumbling down
Speaker 1: from his own car to fall beneath the wheels of
Speaker 1: that of Petroclus, whose immortal steeds, given by the gods
Speaker 1: to Pelias, sprang over the trench at a bound. As
Speaker 1: they sped onward. He was intent on trying to get
Speaker 1: near Hector, for he had set his heart on spearing him.
Speaker 1: But Hector's horses were now hurrying him away. As the
Speaker 1: whole dark earth bows before some tempest on an autumn
Speaker 1: day when jove reins his hardest to punish men for
Speaker 1: giving crooked judgment in their courts and arriving justice therefrom
Speaker 1: without heed to the decrees of Heaven. All the rivers
Speaker 1: run full, and the torrents tear many a new channel
Speaker 1: as they roar headlong from the mountains to the dark sea,
Speaker 1: and it fares ill with the works of men. Even
Speaker 1: such was the stress and strain of the Trojan horses
Speaker 1: in their flight. Patroclus now cut off the battalions that
Speaker 1: were nearest to him and drove them back to the ships.
Speaker 1: They were doing their best to reach the city, but
Speaker 1: he would not yet them, and bore down on them.
Speaker 1: Between the river and the ships and water many a
Speaker 1: fallen comrade did he then avenge. First, he hit Pronus
Speaker 1: with a spear on the chest where it was exposed
Speaker 1: near the rim of his shield, and he fell heavily
Speaker 1: to the ground. Next, he sprang on Thestor, son of Enops,
Speaker 1: who was sitting all huddled up in his chariot, for
Speaker 1: he had lost his head and the reins had been
Speaker 1: torn out of his hands. Patroclus went up to him
Speaker 1: and drove a spear into his right jaw. He thus
Speaker 1: hooked him by the teeth, and the spear pulled him
Speaker 1: over the rim of his car as one who sits
Speaker 1: at the end of some jutting rock and draws a
Speaker 1: strong fish out of the sea with a hook and
Speaker 1: a line. Even so with his spear did he pull
Speaker 1: thesta all gaping from his chariot. He then threw him
Speaker 1: down on his face, and he died while falling on this.
Speaker 1: As Eerilaus was on to attack him, he struck him
Speaker 1: full on the head with a stone, and his brains
Speaker 1: were all battered inside his helmet, whereon he fell headlong
Speaker 1: to the ground, and the pangs of death took hold
Speaker 1: upon him. Then he laid low, one after the other,
Speaker 1: Eremus Amphoterus, Epaltes, Klepolymus, Echius son of Damasta, pieris Ipheus, Euippus,
Speaker 1: and Polymilus son of Argaeus. Now, when Sarpadon saw his comrades,
Speaker 1: men who wore ungirdled tunics, being overcome by Patroclus son
Speaker 1: of Menuetius, he rebuked the Lycians, saying, shame on you,
Speaker 1: where are you flying to show your metal? I will
Speaker 1: myself meet this man in fight and learn who it
Speaker 1: is that is so masterful. He has done us much hurt,
Speaker 1: and has stretched many a brave man upon the ground.
Speaker 1: He sprang from his chariot as he spoke, and Patroclus,
Speaker 1: when he saw this, leaped onto the ground also. The
Speaker 1: two then rushed at one another with loud cries, like
Speaker 1: eagle beaked, crooked taloned vultures that scream and tear at
Speaker 1: one another in some high mountain fastness. The son of
Speaker 1: scheming Saturn looked down upon them in pity and said
Speaker 1: to Juno, who was his wife and sister Alas, that
Speaker 1: it should be the lot of Sarpedon, whom I love
Speaker 1: so dearly, to perish by the hand of Patroclus. I
Speaker 1: am in two minds whether to catch him up out
Speaker 1: of the fight and set him down safe and sound
Speaker 1: in the fertile land of Lysia, or to let him
Speaker 1: now fall by the hand of the son of Menoetius.
Speaker 1: And Juno answered, most dread son of Saturn, what is
Speaker 1: this that you are saying? Would you snatch a mortal
Speaker 1: man whose doom has long been fated out of the
Speaker 1: jaws of death? Do as you will, but we shall not,
Speaker 1: all of us be of your mind. I say further,
Speaker 1: and lay my saying to your heart that if you
Speaker 1: send sarpadon safely to his own home, some other of
Speaker 1: the gods will be also wanting to escort his son
Speaker 1: out of battle. For there are many sons of gods
Speaker 1: fighting round the city of Troy, and you will make
Speaker 1: every one jealous. If, however, you are fond of him
Speaker 1: and pity him, let him indeed fall by the hand
Speaker 1: of Patroclus. But as soon as the life is gone
Speaker 1: out of him, send death and sweet sleep to bear
Speaker 1: him off the field, and take him to the broad
Speaker 1: lands of Lysia, where his brothers and his kinsmen will
Speaker 1: bury him with mound and pillar in due honor to
Speaker 1: the dead. The sire of gods and men assented, but
Speaker 1: he shed a rain of blood upon the earth in
Speaker 1: honor of his son, whom Patroclus was about to kill.
Speaker 1: On the rich plain of Troy, far from his home.
Speaker 1: When they were now come close to one another, Petroclus
Speaker 1: struck Thrasidemus, the brave squire of Sarpadan, in the lower
Speaker 1: part of the belly, and killed him. Sarpadin then aimed
Speaker 1: a spear at Patroclus and missed him, but he struck
Speaker 1: the horse Pedasus in the right shoulder, and it screamed
Speaker 1: aloud as it lay groaning in the dust until the
Speaker 1: life went out of it. The other two horses began
Speaker 1: to plunge. The pole of the chariot cracked, and they
Speaker 1: got entangled in the reins through the fall of the
Speaker 1: horse that was yoked along with them. But Automodon knew
Speaker 1: what to do without the loss of a moment. He
Speaker 1: drew the keen blade that hung by his sturdy thigh
Speaker 1: and cut the third horse adrift, whereon the other two
Speaker 1: righted themselves, and, pulling hard at the reins, again went
Speaker 1: together into battle. Sarpadon now took a second dame at Petroclus,
Speaker 1: and again missed him. The point of the spear passed
Speaker 1: over his left shoulder without hitting him. Patroclus then aimed
Speaker 1: in his turn, and the spear sped not from his
Speaker 1: hand in vain, for he hit Sarpadon just where the
Speaker 1: midriff surrounds the ever beating heart. He fell like some
Speaker 1: oak or silver poplar, or tall pine to which woodmen
Speaker 1: have laid their axes upon the mountains to make timber
Speaker 1: for shipbuilding. Even so did he lie stretched at full
Speaker 1: length in front of his chariot and horses, moaning and
Speaker 1: clutching at the bloodstained dust, as when a lion springs
Speaker 1: with a bound upon a herd of cattle and farstens
Speaker 1: on a great black bull, which dies bellowing in its clutches.
Speaker 1: Even so did the leader of the Lysian warriors struggle
Speaker 1: in death. As he fell by the hand of Patroclus.
Speaker 1: He called on his trusty comrade and said, Glaucus, my brother,
Speaker 1: hero among heroes, put forth all your strength, fight with
Speaker 1: might and main. Now, if ever quit yourself like a
Speaker 1: valiant soldier, first go about among the Lycian captains and
Speaker 1: bid them fight for Sarpadan. Then yourself also do battle
Speaker 1: to save my armor from being taken. My name will
Speaker 1: haunt you henceforth and forever. If the Achaeans rob me
Speaker 1: of my armor, now that I have fallen at their ships,
Speaker 1: do your very utmost and call all my people together.
Speaker 1: Death closed his eyes as he spoke. Patroclus planted his
Speaker 1: heel on his breast and drew the spear from his body,
Speaker 1: whereon his senses came out along with it, and he
Speaker 1: drew out both spear point and Sarpedon's soul at the
Speaker 1: same time. Hard by the Myrmidons held his snorting steeds,
Speaker 1: who were wild with panic at finding themselves deserted by
Speaker 1: their lords. Glaucus was overcome with grief when he heard
Speaker 1: what Sarpadin said, for he could not help him. He
Speaker 1: had to support his arm with his other hand, being
Speaker 1: in great pain through the wound which Tusa's arrow had
Speaker 1: given him when Tusa was defending the wall as he
Speaker 1: Glaucus was assailing it. Therefore, he prayed to far darting Apollo, saying,
Speaker 1: hear me, O King, from your seat may be in
Speaker 1: the rich land of Lycia, or may be in Troy.
Speaker 1: For in all places you can hear the prayer of
Speaker 1: one who is in distress. As I now am. I
Speaker 1: have a grievous wound. My hand is aching with pain.
Speaker 1: There is no staunching the blood, and my whole arm
Speaker 1: drags by reason of my hurt, so that I cannot
Speaker 1: grasp my sword, nor go among my foes and fire them. Thou,
Speaker 1: our Prince Jove's son, Sarpadan is slain. Jove defended not
Speaker 1: his son. Do you, therefore, O King, heal me of
Speaker 1: my wound, Ease my pain, and grant me strength both
Speaker 1: to cheer on the Lycians, and to fight along with
Speaker 1: them round the body of him who has fallen. Thus
Speaker 1: did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He eased
Speaker 1: his pain, staunched the black blood from the wound, and
Speaker 1: gave him new strength. Glaucus perceived this and was thankful
Speaker 1: that the mighty God had answered his prayer forthwith. Therefore,
Speaker 1: he went among the Lycian captains and bade them come
Speaker 1: to fight about the body of Sarpadan. From these he
Speaker 1: strode on among the Trojans to Polydamus, son of Pantos,
Speaker 1: and Agenor. He then went in search of Eneas and Hector,
Speaker 1: and when he had found them, he said, Hector, you
Speaker 1: have utterly forgotten your allies, who languish here for your sake,
Speaker 1: far from friends and home, while you do nothing to
Speaker 1: support them. Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian warriors, has fallen.
Speaker 1: He who was at once the right and might of Lycia.
Speaker 1: Mars has laid him low by the spear of Patroclus.
Speaker 1: Stand by him, my friends, and suffer not the Myrmidons
Speaker 1: to strip him of his armor, nor to treat his
Speaker 1: body with contumely in revenge for all the Danaans whom
Speaker 1: we have speared at the ships. As he spoke, the
Speaker 1: Trojans were plunged in extreme and ungovernable grief for Sarpedon,
Speaker 1: alien though he was, had been one of the mainstays
Speaker 1: of their city, both as having much people with him
Speaker 1: and himself the foremost among them. All led by Hector,
Speaker 1: who was infuriated by the fall of Sarpadan, they made
Speaker 1: instantly for the Danaans with all their might, while the
Speaker 1: undaunted spirit of Patroclus, son of Menoetius cheered on the Achaeans. First,
Speaker 1: he spoke to the two Ajaxes, men who needed no bidding.
Speaker 1: A Jaxies said he, may it now please you to
Speaker 1: show yourselves the men you have always been? Or even better,
Speaker 1: Sarpidun is fallen, he who was first to overleap the
Speaker 1: wall of the Achaeans. Let us take the body and
Speaker 1: outrage it. Let us strip the armor from his shoulders
Speaker 1: and kill his comrades if they try to rescue his body.
Speaker 1: He spoke to men who of themselves were full eager.
Speaker 1: Both sides therefore, the Trojans and Lycians on the one hand,
Speaker 1: and the Mirmidons and Achaeans on the other, strengthened their
Speaker 1: battalions and fought desperately about the body of Sarpadan, shouting fiercely.
Speaker 1: The while mighty was the din of their armor as
Speaker 1: they came together, and Jove shed a thick darkness over
Speaker 1: the fight to increase thee of the battle over the
Speaker 1: body of his son. At first the Trojans made some
Speaker 1: headway against the Achaeans, for one of the best men
Speaker 1: among the Mirmidons was killed, Epigius, son of no nobel Agacles,
Speaker 1: who had erewhile been king in the good city of Budeum,
Speaker 1: but presently having killed a valiant kinsman of his own,
Speaker 1: he took refuge with Pelias and Thetis, who sent him
Speaker 1: to Ilius, the land of noble steeds, to fight the
Speaker 1: Trojans under Achilles. Hector now struck him on the head
Speaker 1: with a stone just as he had caught hold of
Speaker 1: the body, and his brains inside his helmet were all
Speaker 1: battered in so that he fell face foremost upon the
Speaker 1: body of Sarpadon, and there died. Patroclus was enraged by
Speaker 1: the death of his comrade, and sped through the front
Speaker 1: ranks as swiftly as a hawk that swoops down on
Speaker 1: a flock of doors or starlings. Even so swiftly, O,
Speaker 1: noble knight, Patroclus, did you make straight for the Lycians
Speaker 1: and Trojans? To avenge your comrade forthwith he struck Sthenelaus,
Speaker 1: the son of Ethaemenes, on the neck with a stone,
Speaker 1: and broke the tendons that join it to the head
Speaker 1: and spine. On this Hector and the front rank of
Speaker 1: his men gave ground as far as a man can
Speaker 1: throw a javelin when competing for some prize, or even
Speaker 1: in battle. So far did the Trojans now retreat before
Speaker 1: the Achaeans. Glaucus, captain of the Lycians, was the first
Speaker 1: to rally them by killing Bathecle's, son of chalcom who
Speaker 1: lived in Hellas and was the richest man among the Myrmidons.
Speaker 1: Glaucus turned round suddenly just as Bathicles, who was pursuing him,
Speaker 1: was about to lay hold of him, and drove his
Speaker 1: spear right into the middle of his chest, whereon he
Speaker 1: fell heavily to the ground. And the fall of so
Speaker 1: good a man filled the Achaeans with dismay, while the
Speaker 1: Trojans were exultant and came up in a body round
Speaker 1: the corpse. Nevertheless, the Achaeans, mindful of their prowess, bore
Speaker 1: straight down upon them. Meriones then killed a helmed warrior
Speaker 1: of the Trojans, Leaoganus, son of Onnitor, who was priest
Speaker 1: of Jove of mount Ida and was honoured by the
Speaker 1: people as though he were a god. Mariones struck him
Speaker 1: under the jaw an ear, so that life went out
Speaker 1: of him and the darkness of death laid hold upon him.
Speaker 1: Inaeus then aimed a spear at Merionis, hoping to hit
Speaker 1: him under the shield as he was advancing. But Marionis
Speaker 1: saw it coming and stooped forward to avoid it, whereon
Speaker 1: the spear flew past him and the point stuck in
Speaker 1: the ground, while the butt end went on quivering till
Speaker 1: Mars robbed it of its force. The spear therefore sped
Speaker 1: from Eneas's hand in vain and fell quivering to the ground.
Speaker 1: Eneus was angry and said, Meriones, you are a good dancer,
Speaker 1: but if I had hit you, my spear would soon
Speaker 1: have made an end of you. And Mariones answered Eneus,
Speaker 1: for all your bravery, you will not be able to
Speaker 1: make an end of everyone who comes against you. You
Speaker 1: are only a mortal like myself, And if I were
Speaker 1: to hit you in the middle of your shield with
Speaker 1: my spear, however strong and self confident you may be,
Speaker 1: I should soon vanquish you, and you would yield your
Speaker 1: life to hades of the noble steeds. On this, the
Speaker 1: son of Menoetius rebuked him and said, Maries, Hero, though
Speaker 1: you be, you should not speak thus taunting speeches, My
Speaker 1: good friend will not make the Trojans draw away from
Speaker 1: the dead body. Some of them must go underground. First
Speaker 1: blows for battle and words for counsel. Fight therefore, and
Speaker 1: say nothing. He led the way as he spoke, and
Speaker 1: the Hero went forward with him. As the sound of
Speaker 1: woodcutters in some forest glade upon the mountains, and the
Speaker 1: thud of their axes is heard afar, even such a
Speaker 1: din now rose from earth. Clash of bronze armor and
Speaker 1: of good ox hide shields, as men smote each other
Speaker 1: with their swords and spears pointed at both ends. A
Speaker 1: man had need of good eyesight now to know Sarpadan,
Speaker 1: so covered was he from head to foot with spears
Speaker 1: and blood and dustust Men swarmed about the body as
Speaker 1: flies that buzz round the full milk pails in spring,
Speaker 1: when they are brimming with milk. Even so did they
Speaker 1: gather round Sarpedon. Nor did Jove turn his keen eyes
Speaker 1: away for one moment from the fight, but kept looking
Speaker 1: at it all the time, for he was settling how
Speaker 1: best to kill Patroclus, and considering whether Hector should be
Speaker 1: allowed to end him now in the fight round the
Speaker 1: body of Sarpadan and strip him of his armor, or
Speaker 1: whether he should let him give yet further trouble to
Speaker 1: the Trojans. In the end, he deemed it best that
Speaker 1: the brave squire of Achilles, son of Pelias, should drive
Speaker 1: Hector and the Trojans back towards the city, and take
Speaker 1: the lives of many first. Therefore he made Hector turn fainthearted,
Speaker 1: whereon he mounted his chariot and fled, bidding the other
Speaker 1: Trojans fly also, for he saw that the scales of
Speaker 1: Jove had turned against him. Neither would the brave Lycians
Speaker 1: stand firm. They were dismayed when they saw their king
Speaker 1: lying struck to the heart amid a heap of corpses.
Speaker 1: For when the son of Satin made the fight wax hot,
Speaker 1: many had fallen above him. The Achaeans therefore stripped the
Speaker 1: gleaming armor from his shoulders, and the brave son of
Speaker 1: Menoetius gave it to his men to take to the ships.
Speaker 1: Then Jove, lord of the storm Cloud, said to Apollo,
Speaker 1: Dear Phoebus, go I pray you, and take Sarpidon out
Speaker 1: of range of the weapons, cleanse the black blood from
Speaker 1: off him, and then bear him a long way off,
Speaker 1: where you may wash him in the river, anoint him
Speaker 1: with ambrosia, and clothe him in immortal raiment. This done,
Speaker 1: commit him to the arms of the two fleet messengers
Speaker 1: Death and Sleep, who will carry him straightway to the
Speaker 1: rich land of Lysia, where his brothers and kinsmen will
Speaker 1: enter him, and will raise both mound and pillar to
Speaker 1: his memory in due honor to the dead. Thus he spoke.
Speaker 1: Apollo obeyed his father's saying, and came down from the
Speaker 1: heights of Ida into the thick of the fight. Forthwith,
Speaker 1: he took Sarpadan out of range of the weapons, and
Speaker 1: then bore him a long way off, where he washed
Speaker 1: him in the river, anointed him with ambrosia, and clothed
Speaker 1: him in immortal raiment. This done, he committed him to
Speaker 1: the arms of the two fleet messengers Death and Sleep,
Speaker 1: who presently set him down in the rich land of Lechia. Meanwhile, Patroclus,
Speaker 1: with many a shout to his horses and to Automodon,
Speaker 1: pursued the Trojans and Lycians in the pride and foolishness
Speaker 1: of his heart. Had he but obeyed the bidding of
Speaker 1: the son of Pelias, he would have escaped death and
Speaker 1: have been scathless. But the counsels of Jove pass man's understanding.
Speaker 1: He will put even a brave man to flight and
Speaker 1: snatch victory from his grasp. Or again he will set
Speaker 1: him on to fight, as he now did when he
Speaker 1: put a high spirit into the heart of Patroclus, who
Speaker 1: then first and who last was slain by you, o Patroclus,
Speaker 1: when the gods had now called you to meet your doom.
Speaker 1: First Adrestus, Autonos, Echeclus, Perimus, the son of Megus, Epistor,
Speaker 1: and Melanippus. After these he killed Eleasus, Mulius and Pilates.
Speaker 1: These he slew, but the rest saved themselves by flight.
Speaker 1: The sons of the Achaeans would now have taken Troy
Speaker 1: by the hands of Petroclus, for his spear flew in
Speaker 1: all directions, had not Phoebus Apollo taken his stand upon
Speaker 1: the wall to defeat his purpose and to aid the Trojans.
Speaker 1: Thrice did Petroclus charge at an angle of the high wall,
Speaker 1: and thrice did Apollo beat him back, striking his shield
Speaker 1: with his own immortal hands. When Petroclus was coming on
Speaker 1: like a god for yet a fourth time, Apollo shouted
Speaker 1: to him with an awful voice, and said, draw back,
Speaker 1: noble Patroclus, it is not your lot to sack the
Speaker 1: city of the Trojan chieftains, nor yet will it be
Speaker 1: that of Achilles, who is a far better man than
Speaker 1: you are. On hearing this, Patroclus withdrew to some distance
Speaker 1: and avoided the anger of Apollo. Meanwhile, Hector was waiting
Speaker 1: with his horses inside the scay and gates, in doubt
Speaker 1: whether to drive out again and go on fighting, or
Speaker 1: to call the army inside the gates. As he was
Speaker 1: thus doubting, Phoebus Apollo drew near him in the likeness
Speaker 1: of a young and lusty warrior, Asius, who was Hector's uncle,
Speaker 1: being own brother to Hecuba and son of Daimas, who
Speaker 1: lived in Phrygia. By the waters of the river Sangarius,
Speaker 1: in his likeness Jove's son Apollo, now spoke to Hector, saying, Hector,
Speaker 1: why have you left off fighting? It is ill done
Speaker 1: of you. If I were as much better a man
Speaker 1: than you as I am worse, you should soon rue
Speaker 1: your slackness. Drive straight towards Petroclus. If so be that,
Speaker 1: Apollo may grant you a triumph over him, and you
Speaker 1: may rule him. With this. The god went back into
Speaker 1: the hurly burly, and Hector bad Sebriones drive again into
Speaker 1: the fight. Apollo passed in among them and struck panic
Speaker 1: into the Argives while he gave triumph to Hector and
Speaker 1: the Trojans. Hector let the other Danans alone and killed
Speaker 1: no man, but drove straight at Petroclus. Patroclus then sprang
Speaker 1: from his chariot to the ground with a spear in
Speaker 1: his left hand and in his right a jagged stone
Speaker 1: as large as his hand could hold. He stood still
Speaker 1: and threw it. Nor did it go far without hitting someone.
Speaker 1: The cast was not in vain, for the stone struck Cebriones,
Speaker 1: Hector's charioteer, a bastard son of Priam. As he held
Speaker 1: the reins in his hands. The stone hit him on
Speaker 1: the forehead and drove his brows into his head, for
Speaker 1: the bone was smashed, and his eyes fell to the
Speaker 1: ground at his feet. He dropped dead from his chariot,
Speaker 1: as the though he were diving, and there was no
Speaker 1: more life left in him. Over him, did you then vaunt,
Speaker 1: o night, Patroclus, saying, bless my heart, how active he is,
Speaker 1: and how well he dives. If we had been at sea,
Speaker 1: this fellow would have dived from the ship's side and
Speaker 1: brought up as many oysters as the whole crew could stomach,
Speaker 1: even in rough water. For he has dived beautifully off
Speaker 1: his chariot onto the ground. It seems then that there
Speaker 1: are divers also among the Trojans. As he spoke, he
Speaker 1: flung himself on Sabriones with the spring, as it were
Speaker 1: of a lion, that, while attacking a stockyard, is himself
Speaker 1: struck in the chest, and his courage is his own bane.
Speaker 1: Even so furiously, o Patroclus, did you then spring upon Sebriones.
Speaker 1: Hector sprang also from his chariot to the ground. The
Speaker 1: pair then fought over the body of Cebriones, as two
Speaker 1: lions fight fiercely on some high mountain over the body
Speaker 1: of a stag that they have killed. Even so did
Speaker 1: these two mighty warriors, Patroclus, son of Menoetius, and brave Hector,
Speaker 1: hack and hw at one another over the corpse of Cabriones.
Speaker 1: Hector would not let him go when he had once
Speaker 1: got him by the head, while Patroclus kept fast hold
Speaker 1: of his feet. And a fierce fight raged between the
Speaker 1: other Danaeans and Trojans, as the east and south wind
Speaker 1: buffet one another. When they beat upon some dense forest
Speaker 1: on the mountains, there is beech and ash and spreading cornell.
Speaker 1: The tops of the trees roar as they beat on
Speaker 1: one another, and one can hear the boughs cracking and breaking.
Speaker 1: Even so did the Trojans and Achaeans spring upon one
Speaker 1: another and lay about each other, and neither side would
Speaker 1: give way. Many a pointed spear fell to ground, and
Speaker 1: many a winged arrow sped from its bowstring about the
Speaker 1: body of Cebriones. Many a great stone, moreover, beat on
Speaker 1: many a shit as they fought around his body. But
Speaker 1: there he lay in the whirling clouds of dust, all
Speaker 1: huge and hugely heedless of his driving. Now, so long
Speaker 1: as the sun was still high in mid heaven, the
Speaker 1: weapons of either side were alike deadly, and the people fell.
Speaker 1: But when he went down towards the time when men
Speaker 1: loose their oxen, the Achaeans proved to be beyond all
Speaker 1: forecast stronger, so that they drew sabriones out of range
Speaker 1: of the darts and tumult of the Trojans, and stripped
Speaker 1: the armor from his shoulders. Then Petroclus sprang like Mars,
Speaker 1: with fierce intent and a terrific shout upon the Trojans,
Speaker 1: and thrice did he kill nine men. But as he
Speaker 1: was coming on like a god for a time, then
Speaker 1: o Patroclus, was the hour of your end approaching. For
Speaker 1: Phoebus fought you in fell earnest. Petroclus did not see
Speaker 1: him as he moved about in the crush, for he
Speaker 1: was enshrouded in thick darkness, and the gods struck him
Speaker 1: from behind on his back and his broad shoulders with
Speaker 1: the flat of his hand, so that his eyes turned dizzy.
Speaker 1: Phoebus Apollo beat the helmet from off his head, and
Speaker 1: it rolled rattling off under the horse's feet, where its
Speaker 1: horse hair plumes were all begrimed with dust and blood.
Speaker 1: Never indeed had that helmet fared so before, for it
Speaker 1: had served to protect the head and comely forehead of
Speaker 1: the godlike hero Achilles. Now, however, Zeus delivered it over
Speaker 1: to be worn by Hector. Nevertheless, the end of Hector
Speaker 1: also was near. The bronze shod spear, so great and
Speaker 1: so strong, was broken in the hand of Patroclus, while
Speaker 1: his shield that covered him from head to foot, fell
Speaker 1: to the ground, as did also the band that held it,
Speaker 1: and Apollo undid the fastenings of his corselet. On this
Speaker 1: his mind became cloud his limbs failed him, and he
Speaker 1: stood as one dazed. Whereon Euphorbus, son of panthous A Dardanian,
Speaker 1: the best spearman of his time, as also the finest
Speaker 1: horseman and fleetest runner, came behind him and struck him
Speaker 1: in the back with a spear midway between the shoulders.
Speaker 1: This man, as soon as ever he had come up
Speaker 1: with his chariot, had dismounted twenty men, So proficient was
Speaker 1: he in all the arts of war. He it was
Speaker 1: o knight Patroclus that first drove a weapon into you.
Speaker 1: But he did not quite overpower you. Euphorbus then ran
Speaker 1: back into the crowd, after drawing his ashen spear out
Speaker 1: of the wound. He would not stand firm and wait
Speaker 1: for Petroclus, unarmed, though he now was to attack him.
Speaker 1: But Patroclus, unnerved alike by the blow that God had
Speaker 1: given him and by the spear wound, drew back under
Speaker 1: cover of his men in fear for his life. Hector,
Speaker 1: on this, seeing him to be wounded and giving ground,
Speaker 1: forced his way through the ranks, and when close up
Speaker 1: with him, struck him in the lower part of the
Speaker 1: belly with a spear, driving the bronze point right through it,
Speaker 1: so that he fell heavily to the ground, to the
Speaker 1: grate of the Achaeans. As when a lion has fought
Speaker 1: some fierce wild boar and worsted him, the two fight
Speaker 1: furiously upon the mountains over some little fountain at which
Speaker 1: they would both drink, and the lion has beaten the
Speaker 1: boar till he can hardly breathe. Even so did Hector,
Speaker 1: son of Priam, take the life of the brave son
Speaker 1: of Menoetius, who had killed so many, striking him from
Speaker 1: close at hand and vaunting over him the while, Patroclus said,
Speaker 1: he you deemed that you should sack our city, rob
Speaker 1: our Trojan women of their freedom, and carry them off
Speaker 1: in your ships to your own country. Fool Hector and
Speaker 1: his fleet horses were ever straining their utmost to defend them.
Speaker 1: I am foremost of all the Trojan warriors, to stave
Speaker 1: the day of bondage from off them. As for you,
Speaker 1: vultures shall devour you. Here. Poor wretch Achilles, with all
Speaker 1: his bravery, availed you nothing. And yet I ween when
Speaker 1: you left him, he charged you straightly, saying, come not
Speaker 1: back to the ship's night, Patroclus, till you have rent
Speaker 1: the blood stained shirt of murderous Hector about his body. Thus,
Speaker 1: I ween did he charge you? And your fool's heart
Speaker 1: answered him yea within you. Then, as the life ebbed
Speaker 1: out of you, you answered, O, knight, Patroclus, Hector, vaunt
Speaker 1: as you will, for Jove, the son of Saturn, and
Speaker 1: Apollo have vouchsafed you victory. It is they who have
Speaker 1: vanquished me so easily, and they who have stripped the
Speaker 1: armor from my shoulders. Had twenty such men as you
Speaker 1: attacked me, all of them would have fallen before my
Speaker 1: spear fate and the son of Leto have overpowered me.
Speaker 1: And among mortal men you, forbus you are yourself third
Speaker 1: only in the killing of me. I say further and
Speaker 1: lay my saying to your heart, you too shall live,
Speaker 1: but for a little season. Death and the day of
Speaker 1: your doom are close upon you, and they will lay
Speaker 1: you low by the hand of Achilles, son of Aachus.
Speaker 1: When he had thus spoken, his eyes were closed in death.
Speaker 1: His soul left his body and flitted down to the
Speaker 1: house of Hades, mourning its sad fate and bidding farewell
Speaker 1: to the youth and vigor of its manhood. Dead. Though
Speaker 1: he was, hector still spoke to him, saying, Patroclus, why
Speaker 1: should you thus foretell my doom? Who knows? But Achilles,
Speaker 1: son of Lovely Thetis, may be smitten by my spear
Speaker 1: and die before me. As he spoke, he drew the
Speaker 1: bronze spear from the wound, planting his foot upon the body,
Speaker 1: which he thrust off and let lie on its back.
Speaker 1: He then went spear in hand after Automodon, squire of
Speaker 1: the fleet, descendant of Aachus, for he longed to lay
Speaker 1: him low. But the immortal se the deeds which the
Speaker 1: gods had given as a rich gift to Pelias, bore
Speaker 1: him swiftly from the field.