WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.080 --> 00:00:05.000 Book twenty three. Thus did they make their moan throughout 2 00:00:05.040 --> 00:00:08.679 the city, while the Achaeans, when they reached the Hellespont, 3 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.519 went back, every man to his own ship. But Achilles 4 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:15.480 would not let the Myrmidons go, and spoke to his 5 00:00:15.519 --> 00:00:21.920 brave comrades, saying, Myrmidons, famed horsemen and my own trusted friends. 6 00:00:22.719 --> 00:00:27.199 Not yet forsooth let us unyoke, but with horse and chariot, 7 00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:31.000 draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus in due 8 00:00:31.039 --> 00:00:34.320 honor to the dead. When we have had full comfort 9 00:00:34.320 --> 00:00:38.159 of lamentation, we will unyoke our horses and take supper 10 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:41.759 all of us. Here. On this they all joined in 11 00:00:41.799 --> 00:00:44.439 a cry of wailing, and Achilles led them in their 12 00:00:44.520 --> 00:00:49.320 lament Thrice did they drive their chariots, all sorrowing round 13 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:53.439 the body, and Thetis stirred within them a still deeper yearning. 14 00:00:54.840 --> 00:00:57.520 The sands of the seashore and the men's armor were 15 00:00:57.560 --> 00:01:00.600 wet with their weeping. So great a minace of fear 16 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:04.120 was he whom they had lost. Chief in all their 17 00:01:04.159 --> 00:01:07.879 mourning was the son of Pelias. He laid his bloodstained 18 00:01:07.879 --> 00:01:12.519 hand on the breast of his friend, Farewell, he cried 19 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:17.200 Patroclus even in the house of Hades. I will now 20 00:01:17.239 --> 00:01:20.480 do all that I erewhile promised you. I will drag 21 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:24.640 Hector hither and let dogs devour him. Roar, twelve noble 22 00:01:24.680 --> 00:01:27.640 sons of Trojans, will I also slay before your pyre 23 00:01:27.680 --> 00:01:32.000 to avenge you. As he spoke, he treated the body 24 00:01:32.000 --> 00:01:35.519 of noble Hector with contumely laying it at full length 25 00:01:35.560 --> 00:01:39.120 in the dust beside the bier of Patroclus. The others 26 00:01:39.159 --> 00:01:42.120 then put off every man his armor, took the horses 27 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:45.560 from their chariots, and seated themselves in great multitude by 28 00:01:45.560 --> 00:01:48.760 the ship of the fleet descendant of Iarchus, who thereon 29 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:53.920 feasted them with an abundant funeral banquet. Many a goodly ox, 30 00:01:54.359 --> 00:01:57.120 with many a sheep and bleating goat did they butcher 31 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:00.760 and cut up many a tusked bore. Moreover, fat and 32 00:02:00.840 --> 00:02:03.719 well fed, did they singe and set to roast in 33 00:02:03.760 --> 00:02:07.000 the flames of vulcan and rivulets of blood flowed all 34 00:02:07.079 --> 00:02:10.639 round the place where the body was lying. Then the 35 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:14.560 princes of the Achaeans took the son of Pelias to Agamemnon, 36 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:17.719 but hardly could they persuade him to come with them. 37 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:20.439 So wroth was he for the death of his comrade. 38 00:02:21.719 --> 00:02:24.759 As soon as they reached Agamemnon's tent, they told the 39 00:02:24.800 --> 00:02:27.360 serving men to set a large tripod over the fire, 40 00:02:27.719 --> 00:02:30.039 in case they might persuade the son of Pelias to 41 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:33.479 wash the clotted gore from this body. But he denied 42 00:02:33.520 --> 00:02:37.800 them sternly and swore it with a solemn oath, saying, nay, 43 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:41.919 by King Jove, first and mightiest of all gods, it 44 00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:45.400 is not meet that water should touch my body till 45 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:48.479 I have laid Patroclus on the flames have built him 46 00:02:48.520 --> 00:02:52.400 a barrow and shaved my head. For so long as 47 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:57.439 I live, no such second sorrow shall ever draw nigh me. Now. Therefore, 48 00:02:57.919 --> 00:03:01.360 let us do all that this sad festival demands. But 49 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:05.120 at break of day, King Agamemnon, bid your men bring 50 00:03:05.199 --> 00:03:09.000 wood and provide all else that the dead may duly 51 00:03:09.120 --> 00:03:12.639 take into the realm of darkness. The fire shall thus 52 00:03:12.680 --> 00:03:15.199 burn him out of our sight the sooner, and the 53 00:03:15.240 --> 00:03:19.080 people shall turn again to their own labors. Thus did 54 00:03:19.080 --> 00:03:21.879 he speak, and they did even as he had said. 55 00:03:23.120 --> 00:03:25.919 They made haste to prepare the meal. They ate, and 56 00:03:26.039 --> 00:03:29.240 every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. 57 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:32.879 As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink. 58 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.639 The others went to their rest, each in his own tent. 59 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:39.680 But the son of Pelias lay grieving among his mrmidons 60 00:03:39.719 --> 00:03:42.599 by the shore of the Sounding Sea, in an open 61 00:03:42.639 --> 00:03:45.759 place where the waves came surging in one after another. 62 00:03:47.360 --> 00:03:49.840 Here a very deep slumber took hold upon him and 63 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:53.080 eased the burden of his sorrows, for his limbs were 64 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:58.639 weary with chasing hector round windy Ilius. Presently, the sad 65 00:03:58.680 --> 00:04:01.599 spirit of Patroclus drew near him, like what he had 66 00:04:01.639 --> 00:04:05.319 been in stature, voice and the light of his beaming eyes, 67 00:04:05.639 --> 00:04:10.080 Clad too, as he had been clad in life, the 68 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:13.639 spirit hovered over his head and said, you sleep, Achilles, 69 00:04:13.639 --> 00:04:16.600 and have forgotten me. You loved me living, but now 70 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:18.480 that I am dead, you think for me no further. 71 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:21.639 Bury me with all speed that I may pass the 72 00:04:21.680 --> 00:04:25.720 gates of Hades. The ghosts, vain shadows of men that 73 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:29.279 can labor no more drive me away from them. They 74 00:04:29.319 --> 00:04:31.399 will not yet suffer me to join those that are 75 00:04:31.439 --> 00:04:34.160 beyond the river, and I wander all desolate by the 76 00:04:34.199 --> 00:04:37.759 wide gates of the house of Hades. Give me now 77 00:04:37.800 --> 00:04:40.279 your hand. I pray you, for when you have once 78 00:04:40.319 --> 00:04:43.480 given me my dues of fire, never shall I again 79 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:47.000 come forth out of the house of Hades. Never more 80 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:50.319 shall we sit apart and take sweet counsel among the living. 81 00:04:51.040 --> 00:04:53.800 The cruel fate, which was my birthright, has yawned its 82 00:04:53.839 --> 00:04:59.240 wide jaws around me. Nay, you two, Achilles, peer of gods, 83 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:03.199 are doomed to die beneath the wall of the noble Trojans. 84 00:05:04.199 --> 00:05:06.399 One prayer more will I make you, if you will 85 00:05:06.399 --> 00:05:10.519 grant it? Let not my bones be laid apart from yours, Achilles, 86 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:13.720 but with them, even as we were brought up together 87 00:05:13.800 --> 00:05:17.000 in your own home. What time Menoetius brought me to 88 00:05:17.079 --> 00:05:20.160 you as a child from Opoas, because by a sad 89 00:05:20.240 --> 00:05:24.439 spite I had killed the son of Amphidamus, not of 90 00:05:24.519 --> 00:05:29.120 set purpose, but in childish quarrel over the dice. The 91 00:05:29.199 --> 00:05:32.240 knight Pelleas took me into his house, entreated me kindly, 92 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:35.639 and named me to be your squire. Therefore, let our 93 00:05:35.680 --> 00:05:39.000 bones lie in but a single urn, the two handled 94 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:45.160 golden vase given to you by your mother. And Achilles answered, why, 95 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:48.279 true heart, are you come hither to lay these charges 96 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:50.879 upon me? Will of my own self, do all as 97 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.879 you have bidden me, draw closer to me, let us 98 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:56.600 once more throw our arms around one another, and find 99 00:05:56.639 --> 00:06:00.720 sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows. He opened 100 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:03.079 his arms towards him as he spoke, and would have 101 00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:06.680 clasped him in them, But there was nothing, and the 102 00:06:06.720 --> 00:06:10.519 spirit vanished as a vapor, gibbering and whining into the earth. 103 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:15.120 Achilles sprang to his feet, smote his two hands, and 104 00:06:15.160 --> 00:06:19.360 made lamentation, saying of a truth, even in the house 105 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:22.759 of Hades, there are ghosts and phantoms that have no 106 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:26.120 life in them. All night long, the sad spirit of 107 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:30.879 Patroclus has hovered overhead, making piteous moan, telling me what 108 00:06:30.959 --> 00:06:34.240 I am to do for him, and looking wondrously like himself. 109 00:06:35.600 --> 00:06:38.480 Thus did he speak, and his words set them all 110 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:42.000 weeping and mourning about the poor, dumb dead till rosy 111 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:47.360 fingered morn appeared. Then King Agamemnon sent men and mules 112 00:06:47.360 --> 00:06:50.040 from all parts of the camp to bring wood, and 113 00:06:50.120 --> 00:06:54.319 Mariones squire to I Dominaeus was in charge over them. 114 00:06:54.600 --> 00:06:57.079 They went out with woodman's axes and strong ropes in 115 00:06:57.120 --> 00:07:01.680 their hands, and before them went the mules uphill and 116 00:07:01.800 --> 00:07:05.120 down dale did they go by straight ways and crooked, 117 00:07:05.639 --> 00:07:08.160 And when they reached the heights of many fountained ida, 118 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:10.680 they laid their axes to the roots of many a 119 00:07:10.759 --> 00:07:13.639 tall branching oak that came thundering down as they felled it. 120 00:07:14.720 --> 00:07:16.839 They split the trees and bound them behind the mules, 121 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:19.319 which then wended their way as they best could through 122 00:07:19.319 --> 00:07:22.639 the thick brushwood onto the plain. All who had been 123 00:07:22.680 --> 00:07:26.199 cutting wood bore logs for so Merionis squire to a 124 00:07:26.279 --> 00:07:29.480 Dominaeus had bidden them, and they threw them down in 125 00:07:29.519 --> 00:07:31.360 a line upon the sea shore, at the place where 126 00:07:31.399 --> 00:07:35.079 Achilles would make a mighty monument for Petroclus and for himself. 127 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:38.199 When they had thrown down their great logs of wood 128 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:40.839 over the whole ground, they stayed, all of them where 129 00:07:40.879 --> 00:07:44.399 they were. But Achilles ordered his brave mrmidons to gird 130 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:47.240 on their armor and to yoke each man his horses. 131 00:07:47.879 --> 00:07:51.120 They therefore rose, girded on their armor, and mounted each 132 00:07:51.160 --> 00:07:55.519 his chariot. They and their charioteers with them. The chariots 133 00:07:55.560 --> 00:07:58.480 went before, and they that were on foot followed as 134 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:02.199 a cloud in their tens of thousand. After in the 135 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:05.560 midst of them, his comrades bore Patroclus and covered him 136 00:08:05.560 --> 00:08:07.560 with the locks of their hair, which they cut off 137 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.720 and threw upon his body. Last came Achilles, with his 138 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:14.959 head bowed for sorrow. So noble a comrade was he 139 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:18.399 taking to the house of Hades. When they came to 140 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:21.600 the place of which Achilles had told them, they laid 141 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:25.839 the body down and built up the wood. Achilles then 142 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:29.279 bethought him of another matter. He went a space away 143 00:08:29.319 --> 00:08:32.000 from the pyre and cut off the yellow lock which 144 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:35.799 he had let grow for the river Sperchius. He looked 145 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:40.960 all sorrowfully out upon the dark sea, and said, Sperchaeus 146 00:08:41.840 --> 00:08:44.240 in vain, did my father Pelias vow to you that 147 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:47.159 when I returned home to my loved native land, I 148 00:08:47.200 --> 00:08:49.480 should cut off this lock and offer you a holy 149 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:53.480 hecatomb fifty she goats. Was I to sacrifice to you 150 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:57.200 there at your springs, where is your grove and your 151 00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:01.519 altar fragrant with burnt offerings? Thus did my father vow. 152 00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:05.879 But you have not fulfilled his prayer. Now. Therefore, that 153 00:09:06.000 --> 00:09:08.679 I shall see my home no more, I give this 154 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:13.600 lock as a keepsake to the hero Patroclus. As he spoke, 155 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:16.600 he placed the lock in the hands of his dear comrade, 156 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:20.440 and all who stood by were filled with yearning and lamentation. 157 00:09:22.000 --> 00:09:24.320 The son would have gone down upon their mourning, had 158 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:29.159 not Achilles presently said to Agamemnon, son of Atreus, for 159 00:09:29.279 --> 00:09:31.399 it is to you that the people will give ear. 160 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:35.000 There is a time to mourn, and a time to 161 00:09:35.120 --> 00:09:39.240 cease from mourning. Bid the people now leave the pyre 162 00:09:39.919 --> 00:09:43.360 and set about getting their dinners. We to whom the 163 00:09:43.399 --> 00:09:46.240 dead is dearest, will see to what is wanted here, 164 00:09:46.919 --> 00:09:50.519 and let the other princes also stay by me. When 165 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:55.000 King Agamemnon heard this, he dismissed the people to their ships. 166 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:57.639 But those who were about the dead heaped up wood 167 00:09:57.840 --> 00:09:59.879 and built a pyre a hundred feet this way and that. 168 00:10:01.559 --> 00:10:03.799 Then they laid the dead, all sorrowfully, upon the top 169 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:07.039 of it. They flayed and dressed many fat sheep and 170 00:10:07.080 --> 00:10:10.519 oxen before the pyre, and Achilles took fat from all 171 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:13.200 of them, and wrapped the body therein from head to foot, 172 00:10:13.720 --> 00:10:17.840 heaping the flayed carcasses all round it. Against the bier, 173 00:10:17.919 --> 00:10:21.720 he leaned two handled jars of honey and unguents. Four 174 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:25.240 proud horses. Did he then cast upon the pyre, groaning 175 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:28.440 the While he did so, the dead hero had had 176 00:10:28.480 --> 00:10:31.679 house dogs. Two of them did Achilles slay and threw 177 00:10:31.799 --> 00:10:35.120 upon the pyre. He also put twelve brave sons of 178 00:10:35.159 --> 00:10:38.279 noble Trojans to the sword and laid them with the rest. 179 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:42.200 For he was full of bitterness and fury. Then he 180 00:10:42.200 --> 00:10:45.399 committed all to the resistless and devouring might of the fire. 181 00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:51.360 He groaned aloud and called on his dead comrade by name, Farewell, 182 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:56.200 he cried, Patroclus, even in the house of Hades, I 183 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:59.919 am now doing all that I have promised you. Twelve 184 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:04.720 brave sons of noble Trojans, shall the flames consume along 185 00:11:04.759 --> 00:11:10.279 with yourself. But dogs, not fire, shall devour the flesh 186 00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:16.879 of Hector, son of Priam. Thus did he vaunt. But 187 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:19.559 the dogs came not about the body of Hector, for 188 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:22.360 Jove's daughter Venus kept them off him night and day, 189 00:11:23.039 --> 00:11:26.279 and anointed him with ambrosial oil of roses, that his 190 00:11:26.360 --> 00:11:29.279 flesh might not be torn. When Achilles was dragging him 191 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:34.039 about Phoebus Apollo moreover sent a dark cloud from heaven 192 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:37.039 to earth, which gave shade to the whole place where 193 00:11:37.080 --> 00:11:39.960 Hector lay. That the heat of the sun might not 194 00:11:40.120 --> 00:11:45.000 parch his body. Now the pyre about dead Patroclus would 195 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:49.159 not kindle. Achilles, therefore bethought him of another matter. He 196 00:11:49.240 --> 00:11:52.799 went apart and prayed to the two winds, Boreus and Zephyrus, 197 00:11:53.080 --> 00:11:57.080 vowing them goodly offerings. He made them many drink offerings 198 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:59.279 from the golden cup, and besought them to come and 199 00:11:59.320 --> 00:12:01.840 help him, that the wood might make haste to kindle 200 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:06.240 and the dead bodies be consumed. Fleet Iris heard him 201 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:10.279 praying and started off to fetch the winds. They were 202 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:13.559 holding high feast in the house of boisterous Zephyrus when 203 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:16.039 Iris came running up to the stone threshold of the 204 00:12:16.080 --> 00:12:19.120 house and stood there. But as soon as they set 205 00:12:19.159 --> 00:12:22.200 eyes on her, they all came towards her, and each 206 00:12:22.240 --> 00:12:25.559 of them called her to him. But Iris would not 207 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:30.679 sit down. I cannot stay, she said, I must go 208 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:33.639 back to the streams of Oceanus and the land of 209 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:38.120 the Ethiopians, who are offering hecatombs to the immortals, and 210 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:42.200 I would have my share. But Achilles praised that Boreus 211 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:45.240 and shrill Zephyrus will come to him, and he vows 212 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:48.720 them goodly offerings. He would have you blow upon the 213 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:51.919 pyre of Patroclus, for whom all the Achaeans are lamenting. 214 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:57.120 With this, she left them, and the two winds rose 215 00:12:57.120 --> 00:12:59.360 with a cry that rent the air and swept the 216 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:03.519 clouds before them. They blew on and on until they 217 00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:06.919 came to the sea, and the waves rose high beneath them. 218 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:10.159 But when they reached Troy, they fell upon the pyre, 219 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:14.120 till the mighty flames roared under the blast that they blew. 220 00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:17.879 All night long did they blow hard and beat upon 221 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:21.879 the fire. And all night long did Achilles grasp his 222 00:13:21.960 --> 00:13:25.720 double cup, drawing wine from a mixing bowl of gold, 223 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:28.960 and calling upon the spirit of dead Patroclus, as he 224 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:31.919 poured it upon the ground, until the earth was drenched. 225 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:36.000 As a father mourns when he is burning the bones 226 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.679 of his bridegroom's son, whose death has wrung the hearts 227 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:42.720 of his parents, even so did Achilles morn while burning 228 00:13:42.759 --> 00:13:45.679 the body of his comrade, pacing round the bier with 229 00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:51.039 piteous groaning and lamentation. At length, as the morning star 230 00:13:51.200 --> 00:13:54.480 was beginning to herald the light which Saffron mantled, dawn 231 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:57.879 was soon to suffuse over the sea. The flames fell, 232 00:13:58.240 --> 00:14:01.919 and the fire began to die. The winds then went 233 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:05.320 home beyond the Thracian Sea, which roared and boiled as 234 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:08.759 they swept over it. The son of Pelias now turned 235 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:11.799 away from the pyre and lay down, overcome with toil, 236 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:16.159 till he fell into a sweet slumber. Presently, they who 237 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:18.639 were about the son of Atreus, drew near in a body, 238 00:14:18.960 --> 00:14:21.679 and roused him with the noise and tramp of their coming. 239 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:25.519 He sat upright, and said, son of Atreus, and all 240 00:14:25.559 --> 00:14:29.399 other princes of the Achaeans, first pour red wine everywhere 241 00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:32.559 upon the fire and quench it. Let Us then gather 242 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:36.720 the bones of Patroclus, son of Menoetius, singling them out 243 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:41.039 with care. They are easily found, for they lie in 244 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:44.960 the middle of the pyre, while all else, both men 245 00:14:44.960 --> 00:14:48.159 and horses, has been thrown in a heap and burned 246 00:14:48.159 --> 00:14:51.600 at the outer edge. We will lay the bones in 247 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:55.720 a golden urn in two layers of fat, against the 248 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:58.759 time when I shall myself go down into the House 249 00:14:58.759 --> 00:15:03.240 of Hades. As for the barrow, labour not to raise 250 00:15:03.279 --> 00:15:07.879 a great one now, but such as is reasonable afterwards. 251 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:10.360 Let those Achaeans who may be left at the ships 252 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:14.240 when I am gone, build it both broad and high. 253 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:17.120 Thus he spoke, and they obeyed the word of the 254 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:20.679 son of Pelias. First they poured red wine upon the 255 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:25.159 thick layer of ashes, and quenched the fire with many tears. 256 00:15:25.200 --> 00:15:28.159 They singled out the whitened bones of their loved comrade 257 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:31.440 and laid them within a golden urn in two layers 258 00:15:31.440 --> 00:15:35.120 of fat. They then covered the urn with a linen 259 00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:39.000 cloth and took it inside the tent. They marked off 260 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:41.799 the circle where the barrow should be, made a foundation 261 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:45.480 for it about the pyre, and forthwith heaped up the earth. 262 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:49.080 When they had thus raised a mound, they were going away, 263 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:52.440 but Achilles stayed the people and made them sit in assembly. 264 00:15:53.639 --> 00:15:58.000 He brought prizes from the ship's cauldrons, tripods, horses and mules, 265 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:03.000 noble oxen, women with fair girdles, and swart iron. The 266 00:16:03.039 --> 00:16:06.480 first prize he offered was for the chariot races, a 267 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:09.679 woman skilled in all useful arts, and a three legged 268 00:16:09.679 --> 00:16:12.799 cauldron that had ears for handles and would hold twenty 269 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:16.720 two measures. This was for the man who came in first. 270 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:19.960 For the second, there was a six year old mare, 271 00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:25.480 unbroken and in foal to a hiass. The third was 272 00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:28.159 to have a goodly cauldron that had never yet been 273 00:16:28.200 --> 00:16:31.279 on the fire. It was still bright as when it 274 00:16:31.320 --> 00:16:35.799 left the maker, and would hold four measures. The fourth 275 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:39.720 prize was two talents of gold, and the fifth a 276 00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:44.440 two handled urn, as yet unsoiled by smoke. Then he 277 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:49.639 stood up and spoke among the archives, saying, son of 278 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:53.639 Atreus and all other Achaeans, these are the prizes that 279 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:57.360 lie waiting the winners of the chariot races. At any 280 00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:59.879 other time, I should carry off the first prize and 281 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:02.559 take it to my own tent. You know how far 282 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:07.519 my steeds excel all others, for they are immortal. Neptune 283 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:10.200 gave them to my father Pelias, who in his turn 284 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:13.799 gave them to myself. But I shall hold aloof I 285 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:17.200 and my steeds that have lost their brave and kind driver, 286 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:19.839 who many a time has washed them in clear water 287 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:23.920 and anointed their manes with oil. See how they stand 288 00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:27.400 weeping here, with their manes trailing on the ground, in 289 00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:31.839 the extremity of their sorrow. But do you, others set 290 00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:35.799 yourselves in order throughout the host, whosoever has confidence in 291 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:39.519 his horses and in the strength of his chariot. Thus 292 00:17:39.640 --> 00:17:42.680 spoke the son of Pelias, and the drivers of chariots 293 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:48.640 bestirred themselves. First among them all upros Umulus, king of 294 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:54.079 men son of Admetus, a man excellent in horsemanship. Next 295 00:17:54.119 --> 00:17:58.240 to him rose Mighty Diomed's, son of Tideus. He yoked 296 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.960 the Trojan horses, which he had taken from Eneus when 297 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:04.240 Apollo bore him out of the fight. Next to him, 298 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:07.799 yellow haired Menelaeus, son of Atreus, rose and yoked his 299 00:18:07.839 --> 00:18:12.319 fleet horses, Agamemnon's mare Ethi and his own horse, Podagus. 300 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:16.119 The mayor had been given to Agamemnon by Akepelus, son 301 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:18.920 of Anchises, that he might not have to follow him 302 00:18:18.920 --> 00:18:21.559 to Ilius, but might stay at home and take his ease, 303 00:18:22.039 --> 00:18:24.720 for Jove had endowed him with great wealth, and he 304 00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:29.279 lived in spacious Sikion. This mayor, all eager for the race, 305 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:34.160 did Menelaeus put under the yoke. Fourth in order, Antilochus, 306 00:18:34.440 --> 00:18:38.400 son to noble Nestor, son of Nelius, made ready his horses. 307 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:42.160 These were bred in Pylos, and his father came up 308 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:44.279 to him to give him good advice, of which, however, 309 00:18:44.319 --> 00:18:49.839 he stood in but little need. Antilochus said, Nestor, you 310 00:18:49.960 --> 00:18:52.799 are young, but Jove and Neptune have loved you well 311 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:55.519 and have made you an excellent horseman. I need not 312 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:59.160 therefore say much by way of instruction. You are skillful 313 00:18:59.160 --> 00:19:01.960 at wheeling your horse round the post, but the horses 314 00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:04.680 themselves are very slow, and it is this that will 315 00:19:04.880 --> 00:19:08.960 I fear mar your chances. The other drivers know less 316 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:12.640 than you do, but their horses are fleeter. Therefore, my 317 00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:16.079 dear son, see if you cannot hit upon some artifice, 318 00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:18.680 whereby you may ensure that the prize shall not slip 319 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:22.559 through your fingers. The woodman does more by skill than 320 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:26.880 by brute force. By skill, the pilot guides his storm 321 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:30.240 tossed bark over the sea. And so by skill one 322 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:33.920 driver can beat another. If a man go wide in 323 00:19:34.000 --> 00:19:37.079 rounding this way and that. Whereas a man who knows 324 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:39.559 what he is doing may have worse horses, but he 325 00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:41.440 will keep them well in hand. When he sees the 326 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:44.799 doubling post, he knows the precise moment at which to 327 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:47.480 pull the rein, and keeps his eye well on the 328 00:19:47.519 --> 00:19:49.880 man in front of him. I will give you this 329 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:54.200 certain token, which cannot escape your notice. There is a 330 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:57.039 stump of a dead tree, oak or pine, as it 331 00:19:57.079 --> 00:20:00.480 may be some six feet above the ground, not yet 332 00:20:00.559 --> 00:20:04.519 rotted away by rain. It stands at the fork of 333 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:08.559 the road. It has two white stones set one on 334 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:12.720 each side, and there is a clear course all round it. 335 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.160 It may have been a monument to someone long since dead, 336 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:18.240 or it may have been used as a doubling post 337 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:22.279 in days gone by. Now, however, it has been fixed 338 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:25.240 on by Achilles as the mark round which the chariots 339 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:28.480 shall turn. Hug it as close as you can, But 340 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.880 as you stand in your chariot, lean over a little 341 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:33.640 to the left. Urge on your right hand horse with 342 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:37.359 voice and lash, and give him a loose rein. But 343 00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:40.599 let the left hand horse keep so close in that 344 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:43.200 the nave of your wheel shall almost graze the post. 345 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:46.839 But mind the stone, or you will wound your horses 346 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:50.039 and break your chariot in pieces, which would be sport 347 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:56.160 for others, but confusion for yourself. Therefore, my dear son, 348 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.640 mind well what you are about, For if you can 349 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:03.319 be first to round the post, there is no chance 350 00:21:03.359 --> 00:21:06.359 of anyone giving you the gobi later, not even though 351 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:09.160 you had addressed us his horse arian behind you, horse 352 00:21:09.359 --> 00:21:13.359 which is of divine race, or those of Laomedon which 353 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:17.160 are the noblest in this country. When Nestor had made 354 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:19.920 an end of counseling his son, he sat down in 355 00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:24.160 his place, and fifth in order, Mariones got ready his horses. 356 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:29.640 They then all mounted their chariots and cast lots. Achilles 357 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:32.599 shook the helmet, and the lot of Antilochus, son of Nestor, 358 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:36.759 fell out first. Next came that of King Eumelus, and 359 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:40.759 after his those of Menelaeus, son of Atreus, and of Meriones. 360 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:44.119 The last place fell to the lot of Diomid, son 361 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:46.319 of Tydeus, who was the best man of them all. 362 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:50.480 They took their places in line. Achilles showed them the 363 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:53.240 doubling post round which they were to turn some way 364 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:57.039 off upon the plain. Here he stationed his father's follower, 365 00:21:57.079 --> 00:22:03.839 Phoenix's umpire, to note the running and rep truly. At 366 00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:06.480 the same instant, they all of them lashed their horses, 367 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:09.240 struck them with the reins, and shouted at them with 368 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:12.279 all their might. They flew full speed over the plane, 369 00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:15.279 away from the ships. The dust rose from under them 370 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:18.240 as it were a cloud or whirlwind, and their manes 371 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:22.000 were all flying in the wind. At one moment, the 372 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:25.079 chariot seemed to touch the ground, and then again they 373 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:29.039 bounded into the air. The drivers stood erect, and their 374 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:32.079 hearts beat fast and furious in their lust of victory. 375 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:35.960 Each kept calling on his horses, and the horses scoured 376 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:38.200 the plane amid the clouds of dust that they raised. 377 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:41.359 It was when they were doing the last part of 378 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:43.720 the course, on their way back towards the sea, that 379 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:46.240 their pace was strained to the utmost, and it was 380 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:49.720 seen what each could do. The horses of the descendant 381 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:52.759 of Ferres now took the lead, and close behind them 382 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:56.839 came the trojan stallions of Diomedes. They seemed as if 383 00:22:56.880 --> 00:22:59.880 about to mount Eumulus's chariot, and he could feel the 384 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:02.680 warm breath on his back and on his broad shoulders, 385 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:05.400 for their heads were close to him as they flew 386 00:23:05.440 --> 00:23:09.920 over the course. Diomedes would have now passed him, or 387 00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:12.599 there would have been a dead heat, but Phoebus Apollo, 388 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:16.359 to spite him, made him drop his whip. Tears of 389 00:23:16.400 --> 00:23:18.880 anger fell from his eyes as he saw the mares 390 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:22.079 going on faster than ever, while his own horses lost 391 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:26.519 ground through his having no whip. Minerva saw the trick 392 00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:29.720 which Apollo had played, the son of Tydeus, so she 393 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:34.160 brought him his whip and put spirit into his horses. Moreover, 394 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:37.079 she went after the son of Admetus in a rage, 395 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:40.599 and broke his yoke for him. The mares went one 396 00:23:40.640 --> 00:23:43.359 to one side the course, and the other to the other, 397 00:23:43.920 --> 00:23:47.720 and the pole was broken against the ground. Eumelus was 398 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:51.799 thrown from his chariot close to the wheel. His elbows, mouth, 399 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:55.359 and nostrils were all torn, and his forehead was bruised 400 00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:59.240 above his eyebrows. His eyes filled with tears, and he 401 00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:03.480