FREE : BOOK VI: BOOK VI PDF

Barbara Graziosi,Johannes Haubold | 290 pages | 29 Nov 2010 | CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS | 9780521703727 | English, Greek, Modern (1453-) | Cambridge, United Kingdom Homer, Iliad, Book 6

Translated by A. This work may be freely reproduced, stored, and transmitted, electronically or otherwise, for any non-commercial purpose. Telamonian Ajaxbulwark of the , was the first to shatter a Trojan company and give his comrades hope, felling the best of the Thracian warriors, Acamastall and powerful son of Eussorus. He struck him first on the ridge of his horsehair-crested helmet, and drove Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI bronze spear-point into the bone, so darkness filled his eyes. Then Diomedesof the loud war-cry, killed Axylusson of Teuthras. He was a rich man from fine Arisbeloved for the hospitality shown at his roadside home. But none of his friends were there that day to face the enemy and save Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI from his sad fate; for killed both him Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI his charioteer Calesius Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, and they went down under the earth. And killed Dresus and Opheltius then chased down and Pedasuswhom the water- Abarbarea bore to peerless Bucolion. He was the eldest bastard son of noble Laomedonwho lay with the nymph while shepherding his flock. She bore him twins, and now Euryalus, son of Mecisteusloosed their noble limbs, they in their prime, stripping the armour from their breasts. As Phylacus fled before him, slew him there, while Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI turn Eurypylus laid Melanthius low. , son of Atreus, was soon before him, grasping a long-shadowed spear. Were these Trojans kind to you back home? Let none escape death at our hands, not even the child in the womb; let not a one survive, let all die: leave none behind as witnesses to mourn. Backward he fell and the son of Atreus, planting his foot on his chest, drew forth the ashen spear. Let us kill these men; then you may strip the corpses on the field at your ease. His words filled every man with fresh strength and courage. Then go to the city, , and speak to our mother, Hecabe. Then let her make a vow to sacrifice a dozen yearling heifers, unused to the goad, in her temple, so that she may take pity on , and the Trojan women and children, and keep that savage warrior Diomedes from Ilium, that great panic-maker, who I say has proved the mightiest of the Greeks. Not even , prince of men, is as feared, and he they say is son of a goddess. This son of Tydeus, in his merciless rage, is unrivalled in his power. Hector promptly obeyed, and fully-armed leapt down from his chariot. Brandishing two sharp spears he went everywhere among the men, urging them on, and stirring the hum of battle. They wheeled about and turned to face the Greeks, who then gave ground and stopped their slaughter, thinking some god had come from the starry heavens to assist the Trojans, they rallied now so strongly. With this, Hector of the gleaming helm, departed, and as he went the black leather rim that ran round the outermost edge of his bossed shield tapped at his ankles and his neck. Now Diomedes and Glaucusson of Hippolochusmet in the space between the armies, eager Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the fight. I have never seen Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI on the field of honour before today, yet facing my long-shadowed spear, you show greater daring than all the rest. Unhappy are those whose sons meet my fury. But if you be one of the gods from heaven, I will not fight with the immortals. Not even mighty Lycurgusson of Dryassurvived his war with the gods for long. Then the gods who take their ease were angered by Lycurgus, and blinded him. So that, hated by the immortals, he soon died. No way then would I wish to oppose the blessed gods. But if you are mortal, and eat the food men grow, come on, and meet the toils of fate the sooner. Like the generations of leaves are those of men. So a generation of men is born as another passes away. Still if you wish to know my lineage, listen well to what others know already. He had a son called Glaucusand Glaucus was father of peerless Bellerophonto whom the gods gave beauty and every manly grace. But Zeus made him subject to King Proetuswho was stronger and plotted against him, and drove him from Argive lands. He would not kill Bellerephon, as his heart shrank from murder, but he packed him off to Lyciaand scratching many deadly signs on a folded tablet, gave him that fatal token, and told him to hand it to the Lycian king, his father-in-law, so to engineer his death. Bellerephon went to Lycia escorted by peerless Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, and when he reached the streams of Xanthus the king of great Lycia welcomed him with honour, entertaining him for nine days, and sacrificing nine oxen. But when rosy-fingered Dawn lit the tenth day his host questioned him, and asked what token he brought him from his son-in-law Proetus. But Bellerephon slew her, guided by the gods. Next he was sent against the notorious Solymiand fought, he said, the mightiest battle he ever fought. Then thirdly he slaughtered the Amazonswomen the equal Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI men. The king planned a deadly ruse for his return, staging an ambush by the pick of the Lycian warriors. But not one of them returned: the peerless Bellerephon killed them all. The king then realised he was a true son of the gods, and offered him his daughter and half of his kingdom, to stay. The Lycians moreover marked out for him an estate of the first rank, with tracts of orchards and plough-land for his delight. The lady bore Bellerephon, that warlike man, three children, IsanderHippolochus and Laodameia. Zeus the Counsellor slept with Laodameia and she bore godlike Sarpedonnow a bronze-clad warrior. But the time came when Bellerephon too was loathed by the gods, and wandered off alone over the Aleian plain, eating his heart away and shunning the ways of men. Ares, unwearied by war, killed his son Isander, battling with the glorious Solymi; and Laodameia was slain in anger by Artemis of the Golden Reins. Hippolochus remained and fathered me, and from him I claim descent. He sent me here to Troy and charged me earnestly to be the best and bravest, and not bring shame on my ancestors the best men in Ephyre and all broad Lycia. Such is my lineage, from that blood am I sprung. Diomedes, of the loud war-cry rejoiced at these words. Moreover they exchanged fine friendship gifts. Oeneus gave him a bright scarlet belt, and Bellerephon Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI with a two-handled gold cup, which was there in the palace when I came away. But Tydeus my father I scarce remember, since I was a little child when he left, when the Achaean warriors died at Thebes. So I will be your good friend at home in Argos, and you will be mine in Lycia, should I come to Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI. Now when Hector reached the oak tree by the Scaean Gate, he was besieged Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the Trojan wives and daughters asking after their sons and husbands, brothers and friends. He ordered them to pray to the gods, and sorrow hung about many. There his gracious mother met him, with Laodice fairest of her daughters. Those vile Achaeans must be closing in on the city that you come to the Acropolis to pray to Zeus. Wait till I fetch you some sweet honeyed wine, first to pour a libation to Zeus and the other gods, and then for your relief if you will drink. Wine fortifies a man wearied by toil, as you must be wearied defending us. Nor should I dare to pour Zeus a libation of bright wine with unwashed hands, nor pray to the son of Cronos, lord of the thunder clouds, spattered with blood and filth. You though must gather the older women, and take burnt offerings Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the temple of Athene ever first to chase the spoils, and take her the best and largest robe in your palace, the one you love the most, and lay it on her knees. Go now, to the shrine of Athene the Warrior, while I find and rouse him, if he will listen. Better the earth swallow him now. Zeus made him a great bane to the Trojans, to great and his sons. At this, his mother went to the palace, calling for her maids, and they gathered the older women of the city. Meanwhile Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI went down to the vaulted treasure chamber where she kept her richly-worked robes, embroidered by Sidonian women, whom princely Paris had brought himself from Sidonwhen he sailed the seas on that voyage that brought him high-born Helen. From these Hecabe chose the largest and most richly embroidered that had lain beneath the rest, and now gleamed like a star. Then she set out, with the throng of older women hurrying after. At the shrine of Athene on the Acropolis, lovely flung open the doors. She, whom Troy had appointed priestess of Athene, was daughter to Cisseusand wife to Antenorthe horse-tamer. Topple him headlong before the Scaean Gate, and we will sacrifice in your shrine twelve yearling heifers, unused to the goad. Take pity on the city, the Trojan women and their little ones. There, Zeus-beloved Hector entered, his long spear in his hand, the spear-blade glittering before him, its socket made of gold. He found Paris in his rooms busy with his splendid weapons, the shield and cuirass, and handling his curved bow. Argive Helen sat there too, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI her ladies, superintending their fine handiwork. You yourself would reproach those you found shirking the field of battle, so rouse yourself, before flames consume the city! Listen and reflect. Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI but now my wife sought to change my mind with gentle words, urging me to fight: and I myself agree it might be best, since victory shifts from one man to another. I wish that on the day of my birth, some vile blast of wind had blown me to the mountains, or into the waves of the echoing sea, where the waters would have drowned me, and none of this would have come about. But since the gods ordained this fate, I wish that I Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI a better man for husband, who felt the reproaches and contempt of his fellow men. But this man of mine is fickle, and ever will be so, and will reap the harvest of it hereafter. Zeus has brought an evil fate upon us, and in days to come we shall be a song for those yet unborn. But urge your man to follow swiftly, so he overtakes me in the city. I go now to see my wife, my little boy, my people, not knowing if I shall see them again, or whether the gods have doomed me Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI die at Achaean hands. With this, Hector of the gleaming helm departed for his fine house, but failed to find white-armed at home. She had gone with her son and a fair companion, to the battlements, where she stood in tears and sorrow. At this, Hector sped from the house and retraced his path through the broad streets. When, after crossing the city, he reached the Scaean Gate by which he intended to leave, his wife came running to meet him. Hector called him Scamandriusbut the rest Astyanaxsince, to them, Hector alone protected Ilium. The Achaeans must soon join arms against you, and destroy you. If I lose you I were better dead, for should you meet your fate, there will be no more joy for me only sorrow. The Iliad: Book VI. | SparkNotes

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Table of Contents: book 1 lines Current location in this text. Enter a Perseus citation to go to another section or work. Full Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI options are on the Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI side and top of the page. Him he was first to smite upon the horn of his helmet with thick crest of horse-hair, [10] and drave the spear into his forehead so that the point of bronze pierced within the bone; and darkness enfolded his eyes. And Diomedes, good at the war-cry, slew , Teuthras' son, that dwelt in well-built Arisbe, a man rich in substance, that was beloved of all men; [15] for he dwelt in a home by the high-road and was wont to give entertainment to all. Howbeit of all these was there not one on this day to meet the foe before his face, and ward from him woeful destruction; but Diomedes robbed the twain of life, himself and his squire Calesius, that was then the driver of his car; so they two passed beneath the earth. Now Bucolion was son of lordly , his eldest born, though the mother that bare him was unwed; [25] he while shepherding his flocks lay with the nymph in love, and she conceived and bare twin sons. Of these did the son of Mecisteus loose the might and the glorious limbs and strip the armour from their shoulders. And staunch in fight slew Astyalus, [30] and with his spear of bronze laid low Pidytes of Percote, and goodly Aretaon. And , son of , slew Ablerus with his bright spear, and the king of men, , slew Elatus that dwelt in steep by the banks of fair-flowing Satnioeis. But Adrastus did Menelaus, good at the warcry, take alive; for his two horses, coursing in terror over the plain, became entangled in a tamarisk bough, and breaking the curved car at the end of the pole, [40] themselves went on toward the city whither the rest were fleeing in rout; but their master rolled from out the car beside the wheel headlong in the dust upon his face. And to his side came Menelaus, son of Atreus, bearing his far-shadowing spear. Hath then so great kindness been done thee in thy house by Trojans? Of them let not one escape sheer destruction and the might of our hands, nay, not the man-child whom his mother bears in her womb; let not even him escape, [60] but let all perish together out of Ilios, unmourned and unmarked. But when ye have aroused all our battalions, we verily will abide here and fight against the Danaans, [85] sore wearied though we be, for necessity weighs hard upon us; but do thou, Hector, go thy way to the city and speak there to her that is thy mother and mine; let her gather the aged wives to the temple of flashing-eyed Athene in the citadel, and when she has opened with the key the doors of the holy house, [90] the robe that seemeth to her the fairest and amplest in her hall, and that is far dearest to her own self, this let her lay upon the knees of fair-haired Athene, and vow to her that she will sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek heifers Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI have not felt the goad, if she will have compassion [95] on the city and the Trojan's wives and their little children; in hope she may hold back from sacred Ilios the son of Tydeus, that savage spearman, a mighty deviser of rout, who has verily, meseems, proved himself the mightiest of the Achaeans. Not even Achilles did we ever fear on this wise, that leader of men, [] who, they say, is born of a goddess; nay this man rageth beyond all measure, and no one can vie with him in might. Forthwith he leapt in his armour from his chariot to the ground, and brandishing his two sharp spears went everywhere Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI host, [] urging them to fight; and he roused the dread din of battle. So Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI rallied, and took their stand with their faces toward the Achaeans, and the Argives gave ground Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI ceased from slaying; and they deemed that one of the immortals had come down from starry heaven to bear aid to the Trojans, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI they rallied thus. But Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, and the son of Tydeus [] came together in the space between the two hosts, eager to do battle. For never have I seen thee in Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI where men win glory [] until this day, but now hast thou come Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI far in advance of all in thy hardihood, in that thou abidest my far-shadowing spear. Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI are they whose children face my might. But and if thou art one of the immortals come down from heaven, then will I not fight with the heavenly gods. Then against Lycurgus did the gods that live at ease Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI wroth, and the son of Cronos made him blind; [] and he lived not for long, seeing that he was hated of all the immortal gods. So would not I be minded to fight against the blessed gods. But if thou art of men, who eat the fruit of the field, draw nigh, that thou mayest the sooner enter the toils of destruction. Even as are the generations of leaves, such are those also of men. As for the leaves, the wind scattereth some upon the earth, but the forest, as it bourgeons, putteth forth others when the season of spring is come; even so of men one generation springeth up and another passeth away. There is a city Ephyre in the heart of Argos, pasture-land of horses, and there dwelt Sisyphus that was craftiest of men, Sisyphus, son of Aeolus; and he begat a son Glaucus; [] and Glaucus begat peerless Bellerophon. To him the gods granted beauty and lovely manliness; but Proetus in his heart devised against him evil, and drave Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, seeing he was mightier far, from the land of the Argives; for Zeus had made them subject to his sceptre. To slay him he forbare, for his soul had awe of that; but he sent him to Lycia, and gave him baneful tokens, graving in a folded tablet many signs and deadly, 3 [] and bade him show these to his own wife's father, that he might be slain. So he went his way to Lycia under the blameless escort of the gods. And when he was come to Lycia and the stream of Xanthus, then with a ready heart did the king of wide Lycia do him honour: for nine days' space he shewed him entertainment, and slew nine oxen. Howbeit when the tenth rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, [] then at length he questioned him and asked to see whatever token he bare from his daughter's husband, Proetus. But when he had received from him the evil token of his daughter's husband, first he bade him slay the raging Chimaera. And Bellerophon slew her, trusting in the signs of the gods. Next fought he with the glorious Solymi, [] and this, said he was the mightest battle of warriors that ever he entered; and thirdly he slew the Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, women the peers of men. And against him, as he journeyed back therefrom, the king wove Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI cunning wile; he chose out of wide Lycia the bravest men and set an ambush; but these returned Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI home in any wise, [] for peerless Bellerophon slew them one and all. But when the king now knew that he was the valiant offspring of a god, he kept him there, and offered him his own daughter, and gave to him the half of all his kingly honour; moreover the Lycians meted out for him a demesne pre-eminent above all, [] a fair tract of orchard and of plough-land, to possess it. And the lady bare to wise-hearted Bellerophon three children, Isander and Hippolochus and Laodameia. With Laodameia lay Zeus the counsellor, and she bare godlike Sarpedon, the warrior harnessed in bronze. But Hippolochus begat me and of him do I declare that I am sprung; and he sent me to Troy and straitly charged me ever to be bravest and pre- eminent above all, and not bring shame upon the race of my fathers, [] that were far the noblest in Ephyre and in wide Lycia. This is the lineage and the blood whereof I avow me sprung. Oeneus gave a belt bright with scarlet, [] and Bellerophon a double cup of gold which I left in my palace as I came hither. But Tydeus I remember not, seeing I was but a little child when he left, what time the host of the Achaeans perished at Thebes. Therefore now am I a dear guest-friend to thee in the midst of Argos, [] and thou to me in Lycia, whenso I journey to the land of that folk. So let us shun one another's spears even amid the throng; full many there be for me to slay, both Trojans and famed allies, whomsoever a god shall grant me and my feet overtake; [] and many Achaeans again for Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI to slay whomsoever thou canst. And let us make exchange of armour, each with the other, that these men too may Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI that we declare ourselves to be friends from our fathers' days. And then from Glaucus did Zeus, son of Cronos, take away his wit, [] seeing he made exchange of armour with Diomedes, son of Tydeus, giving golden for bronze, the worth of an hundred oxen for the worth of nine. But when Hector was come to the Scaean gate and the oak-tree, round about him came running the wives and daughters of the Trojans asking of their sons and brethren and friends [] and husbands. But he thereupon bade them make prayer to the gods, all of them in turn; yet over many were sorrows hung. But stay till I have brought thee honey-sweet wine that thou mayest pour libation to Zeus and the other immortals Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, [] and then shalt thou thyself have profit thereof, if so be thou wilt drink. When a man is spent with toil wine greatly maketh his strength to wax, even as thou art spent with defending thy fellows. Nay, do thou go to the temple of Athene, [] driver of the spoil, with burnt-offerings, when thou hast gathered together the Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI wives; and the robe that seemeth to thee the fairest and amplest in thy hall, and that is dearest far to Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI own self, this do thou lay upon the knees of fair-haired Athene and vow to her that thou wilt sacrifice in her temple twelve sleek heifers that have not felt the goad, [] if she will take pity on Troy and the Trojans' wives and their little children; in hope she may hold back the son of Tydeus from sacred Ilios, that savage spearman, a mighty deviser of rout. So go thou to the temple of Athene, driver of the spoil; [] and I will go after Paris, to summon him, if haply he will hearken to my bidding. Would that the earth might straightway gape for him! If I but saw him going down to the house of Hades, [] then might I deem that my heart had forgotten its woe. But the queen herself went down to the vaulted treasurechamber wherein were her robes, richly broidered, the handiwork of Sidonian women, [] whom godlike Alexander had himself brought from Sidon, as he sailed over the wide sea on that journey on the which he brought back high-born Helen. Of these Hecabe took one, and bare it as an offering for Athene, the one that was fairest in its broiderings and amplest, [] and shone like a star, and lay undermost of all. Then she went her way, and the throng of aged wives hastened after her. Now when they were come to the temple of Athene in the citadel, the doors were opened for them by fair-cheeked Theano, daughter of Cisseus, the wife of , tamer of horses; [] for her had the Trojans made priestess of Athene. Thus were these praying to the daughter Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI great Zeus, but Hector went his way to the palace of Alexander, the fair palace that himself had builded with the men [] that were in that day the best builders in deep-soiled Troy; these had made him a chamber and hall and court hard by the palaces of Priam and Hector in the citadel. There entered in Hector, dear to Zeus, and in his hand he held a spear of eleven cubits, and before him blazed [] the spear-point of bronze, around which ran a ring of gold. He found Paris in his chamber busied with his beauteous arms, his shield and his corselet, and handling his curved bow; and Argive Helen sat amid her serving-women and appointed to them their glorious handiwork. Thy people are perishing about the town Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the steep wall in battle, and it is because of thee Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the battle-cry and the war are ablaze about Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI city; thou wouldest thyself vent wrath on any other, [] whomso thou shouldest haply see shrinking from hateful Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI. Nay, then, rouse thee, lest soon the city blaze with consuming fire. Even now my wife sought to turn my mind with gentle words and urged me to the war: and I, mine own self, deem that it will be better so; victory shifteth from man to man. Howbeit, seeing the gods thus ordained these ills, [] would that I had been wife to a better man, that could feel the indignation of his fellows and their many revilings. But this man's understanding is not now stable, nor ever will be hereafter; thereof I deem that he will e'en reap the fruit. But come now, enter Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI, and sit thee upon this chair, [] my brother, since above all others has trouble encompassed thy heart because of shameless me, and the folly of Alexander; on whom Zeus hath brought an evil doom, that even in days to come we may be a song for men that are yet to be. Even now my heart is impatient to bear aid to the Trojans that sorely long for me that am not with them. Nay, but Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI thou this man, and let him of himself make haste, that he may overtake me while yet I am within the Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI. But he found not white-armed Andromache in his halls; she with her child and a fair-robed handmaiden had taken her stand upon the wall, weeping and wailing. Is she gone to the house of any of my sisters or my brothers' fair-robed wives, or to the temple of Athene, where the other [] fair-tressed women of Troy are seeking to propitiate he dread goddess? So is she gone in haste to the wall, like one beside herself; and with her the nurse beareth the child. She now met him, and with her came a handmaid bearing in her bosom [] the tender boy, a mere babe, the well-loved son of Hector, like to a fair star. But for me it were better to go down to the grave if I lose thee, for nevermore shall any comfort be mine, when thou hast met thy fate, but only woes. Neither father have I nor queenly mother. My father verily goodly Achilles slew, [] for utterly laid he waste the well-peopled city of the Cilicians, even Thebe of lofty gates. Nay, Hector, thou art to me father and queenly mother, [] thou art brother, and thou art my stalwart husband. Come now, have pity, and remain here on the wall, lest thou make thy child an orphan and thy wife a widow. And for thy host, stay it by the wild fig-tree, where the city may best be scaled, and the wall is open to assault. Nor doth mine own heart suffer it, seeing I have learnt to be valiant [] always and to fight amid the foremost Trojans, striving to win my father's great glory and mine own. For of a surety know I this in heart and soul: the day shall come when sacred Ilios shall be laid low, and Priam, and the people of Priam with goodly spear of ash. Then haply in Argos shalt thou ply the loom at another s bidding, or bear water from Messeis or Hypereia, sorely against thy will, and strong necessity shall be laid upon thee. But let me be dead, and let the heaped-up earth cover me, [] ere I hear thy cries as they hale thee into captivity. Aloud then laughed his dear father and queenly mother; and forthwith glorious Hector took the helm from his head and laid it all-gleaming upon the ground. The Internet Classics Archive | The Iliad by Homer

The gods having left the field, the Grecians prevail. , the chief augur of Troy, commands Hector to return to the city, in order to appoint a solemn procession of the queen and the Trojan matrons to the temple of Minerva, to entreat her to remove Diomed from the fight. The battle relaxing during the absence of Hector, Glaucus and Diomed have an interview between the two armies; where, coming to the knowledge, of the friendship and hospitality passed between their ancestors, they make exchange of their arms. Hector, having performed the orders of Helenus, prevails upon Paris to return to the battle, and, taking a tender leave of his wife Andromache, hastens Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI to the field. The scene is first in the field of battle, between the rivers Simois and Scamander, and then changes to Troy. Now heaven forsakes the fight: the immortals yield To human force and human skill the field: Dark showers of javelins fly from foes to foes; Now here, now there, the tide of combat flows; While Troy's famed streams, that bound the deathful plain On either side, run purple to the main. Great Ajax first to conquest led the way, Broke the thick ranks, and turn'd the doubtful day. The Thracian his falchion found, And hew'd the enormous giant Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI the ground; His thundering arm a deadly stroke impress'd Where the black horse-hair nodded o'er his crest; Fix'd in his front the brazen weapon lies, And seals in endless shades his swimming eyes. Next Teuthras' son distain'd the sands with blood, Axylus, hospitable, rich, and good: In fair Arisbe's walls his native place He held his seat! Fast by the road, his ever-open door Obliged the wealthy, and relieved the poor. To stern Tydides now he falls a prey, No friend to guard him in the dreadful day! Breathless the good man fell, and by his side His faithful servant, old Calesius died. By great Euryalus was Dresus slain, And Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI he laid Opheltius on the plain. Two twins were near, bold, beautiful, and young, From a fair and Bucolion sprung: Laomedon's white flocks Bucolion fed, That monarch's first-born by a foreign bed; In secret woods he won the naiad's grace, And two fair infants crown'd his strong embrace: Here dead they lay in all their youthful charms; The ruthless victor stripp'd their shining arms. Astyalus by Polypoetes fell; Ulysses' spear Pidytes sent to hell; By Teucer's shaft brave Aretaon bled, And Nestor's son laid stern Ablerus dead; Great Agamemnon, leader of the brave, The mortal wound of rich Elatus gave, Who held in Pedasus his proud abode, And till'd the banks where silver Satnio flow'd. Melanthius by Eurypylus was slain; And Phylacus from Leitus flies in vain. Unbless'd Adrastus next at mercy lies Beneath the Spartan spear, a living prize. Scared with the din and tumult of the fight, His headlong steeds, precipitate in flight, Rush'd on a tamarisk's strong trunk, and broke The shatter'd chariot from the crooked yoke; Wide o'er the field, resistless as the wind, For Troy they fly, and leave their lord behind. Prone on his face he sinks beside the wheel: Atrides o'er him shakes his vengeful steel; The fallen chief in suppliant posture press'd The victor's knees, and thus his prayer address'd:. When fame shall tell, that, not in battle slain, Thy hollow ships his captive son detain: Rich heaps of brass shall in thy tent be told, And steel well- temper'd, and persuasive gold. He said: compassion touch'd the hero's heart He stood, suspended with the lifted dart: As pity pleaded for his vanquish'd prize, Stern Agamemnon swift to vengeance flies, And, furious, thus: "Oh impotent of mind! Well hast thou known proud Troy's perfidious land, And well her natives merit at thy hand! Not one of all the race, nor sex, nor age, Shall save a Trojan from our boundless rage: Ilion shall perish whole, and bury all; Her babes, her infants at the breast, shall fall; A dreadful lesson of exampled fate, To warn the nations, and to curb the great! The monarch spoke; the words, with warmth address'd, To rigid justice steel'd his brother's breast Fierce from his knees the hapless chief he thrust; The monarch's javelin stretch'd him in the dust, Then pressing with his foot his panting heart, Forth from the slain he tugg'd the reeking dart. Old Nestor saw, and roused the warrior's rage; "Thus, heroes! Behold yon glittering host, your future spoil! First gain the conquest, then reward the toil. And now had Greece eternal fame acquired, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI frighted Troy within her walls, retired, Had not sage Helenus her state redress'd, Taught by the gods that moved his sacred breast. Here, at our gates, your brave efforts unite, Turn back the routed, and forbid the flight, Ere yet their wives' soft arms the cowards gain, The sport and insult of the hostile train. When your commands have hearten'd every band, Ourselves, here fix'd, will make the dangerous stand; Press'd as we are, and sore of former fight, These straits demand our last remains of Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI. Meanwhile thou, Hector, to the town retire, And teach our mother what the gods require: Direct the queen to lead the assembled train Of Troy's chief matrons to Minerva's fane; Unbar the sacred gates, and seek the power, With offer'd vows, in Ilion's topmost tower. The largest mantle her rich wardrobes hold, Most prized for art, and labour'd o'er with gold, Before the goddess' honour'd knees be spread, And twelve young heifers to her altars led: If so the power, atoned by fervent prayer, Our wives, our infants, and our city spare, And far avert Tydides' wasteful ire, That mows whole troops, and makes all Troy retire; Not thus Achilles taught our hosts to dread, Sprung though he was from more than mortal bed; Not thus resistless ruled the stream of fight, In rage unbounded, and unmatch'd in might. Hector obedient heard: and, with a bound, Leap'd from his trembling chariot to the ground; Through all his host inspiring force he flies, And bids the thunder of the battle rise. With rage recruited the bold Trojans glow, And turn the tide of conflict on the foe: Fierce in the front he shakes two dazzling spears; All Greece recedes, and 'midst her triumphs fears; Some god, they thought, who ruled the fate of wars, Shot down avenging from the vault of stars. Then thus aloud: "Ye dauntless Dardans, hear! And you whom distant nations send to war! Be mindful of the strength your fathers bore; Be still yourselves, and Hector asks no more. One hour demands me in the Trojan wall, To bid our altars flame, and victims fall: Nor shall, I trust, the matrons' holy train, And reverend elders, seek the gods in vain. This said, with ample strides the hero pass'd; The shield's large orb behind his shoulder cast, His neck o'ershading, to his ankle hung; And as he march'd the brazen buckler rung. Now paused the battle godlike Hector goneWhere daring Glaucus and great Tydeus' son Between both armies met: the chiefs from far Observed each other, and had mark'd for war. Near as they drew, Tydides thus began:. Our eyes till now that aspect ne'er beheld, Where fame is reap'd amid the embattled field; Yet far before the troops thou dar'st appear, And meet a lance the fiercest heroes fear. Unhappy they, and born of luckless sires, Who tempt our fury when Minerva fires! But if from heaven, celestial, thou descend, Know with immortals we no more contend. Not long Lycurgus view'd the golden light, That daring man who mix'd with gods in fight. Bacchus, and Bacchus' votaries, he drove, With brandish'd steel, from Nyssa's sacred grove: Their consecrated spears lay scatter'd round, With curling vines and twisted ivy bound; While Bacchus headlong sought the briny flood, And Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI arms received the trembling god. Nor fail'd the crime the immortals' wrath to move; The immortals bless'd with endless Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI above; Deprived of sight by their avenging doom, Cheerless he breathed, and wander'd in the gloom, Then sunk unpitied to the dire abodes, A wretch accursed, and hated by the gods! I brave not heaven: but if the fruits of earth Sustain thy life, and human be thy birth, Bold as thou art, too prodigal of breath, Approach, and enter the dark gates of death. Like leaves on trees the race of man is found, Now green in youth, now withering on the ground; Another race the following spring supplies; They fall successive, and successive rise: So generations in their course decay; So flourish these, when those are pass'd away. But if thou still persist to search my birth, Then hear a tale that fills the spacious earth. Then mighty Praetus Argos' sceptre sway'd, Whose hard commands Bellerophon obey'd. With direful jealousy the monarch raged, And the brave prince in numerous toils engaged. For him Antaea burn'd with lawless flame, And strove to tempt him from Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI paths of fame: In vain she tempted the relentless youth, Endued with wisdom, sacred fear, and truth. Fired at his scorn the queen to Praetus fled, And begg'd revenge for her insulted bed: Incensed he heard, resolving on his fate; But hospitable laws restrain'd his hate: To Lycia the Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI youth he sent, With tablets seal'd, that told his dire intent. But when the tenth bright morning orient glow'd, The faithful youth his monarch's mandate show'd: The fatal tablets, till that instant seal'd, The deathful secret to the king reveal'd. First, dire Chimaera's conquest was enjoin'd; A Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI monster of no mortal kind! Behind, a dragon's fiery tail was spread; A goat's Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI body bore a lion's head; Her pitchy nostrils flaky flames expire; Her gaping throat emits infernal fire. There long the chief his happy lot possess'd, With two brave sons and one fair daughter bless'd; Fair e'en in heavenly eyes: her fruitful love Crown'd with Sarpedon's birth the embrace of Jove; But when at last, distracted in his mind, Forsook by heaven, forsaking humankind, Wide o'er the Aleian field he chose to stray, A long, forlorn, uncomfortable way! Hippolochus survived: from him I came, The honour'd author of my birth and name; By his decree I sought the Trojan town; By his instructions learn to win renown, To stand the first in worth as in command, To add new honours to my native land, Before my eyes my mighty sires to place, And emulate the glories of our race. He spoke, and transport fill'd Tydides' heart; In earth the generous warrior fix'd his dart, Then friendly, thus the Lycian Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI address'd: "Welcome, my brave hereditary guest! Thus ever let us meet, with kind embrace, Nor stain the sacred friendship of our race. Know, chief, our grandsires have been guests of old; OEneus the strong, Bellerophon the bold: Our ancient seat his honour'd presence graced, Where twenty days in genial rites he pass'd. The parting heroes mutual presents left; A golden goblet was thy grandsire's gift; OEneus a belt of matchless work bestowed, That rich with Tyrian dye refulgent glow'd. This from his pledge I learn'd, which, safely stored Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI my treasures, still adorns my board: For Tydeus left me young, when Thebe's wall Beheld the sons of Greece untimely fall. Mindful of this, in friendship let us join; If heaven our steps to foreign lands incline, My guest in Argos thou, and I in Lycia thine. Enough of Trojans to this lance shall yield, In the full harvest of yon ample field; Enough of Greeks shall dye thy spear with gore; But thou and Diomed be foes no more. Now change we arms, and prove to either host We guard the friendship of the line we boast. Thus having said, the gallant chiefs alight, Their hands they join, their mutual faith they plight; Brave Glaucus then each narrow thought resign'd, Jove warm'd his bosom, and enlarged his mind, For Diomed's brass arms, of mean device, For which nine oxen paid, a vulgar price, He gave his own, of gold divinely wrought, A hundred beeves the shining purchase bought. Meantime the guardian of the Trojan state, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI Hector, enter'd at the Scaean gate. He bids the train in long procession go, And seek the gods, to avert the impending woe. And now to Priam's stately courts he came, Rais'd on arch'd columns of stupendous frame; O'er these a range of marble structure runs, The rich pavilions of his fifty sons, In fifty chambers lodged: and rooms of state, Opposed to those, where Priam's daughters sate. Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI domes for them and their loved spouses shone, Of equal beauty, and of polish'd stone. Hither great Hector pass'd, nor pass'd unseen Of royal , his mother-queen. With her Laodice, whose beauteous face Surpass'd the of Troy's illustrious race. Long in a strict embrace she held her son, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI press'd his hand, and tender thus begun:. Stay, till I bring the cup with Bacchus crown'd, In Jove's high name, to sprinkle on the ground, And pay due vows to all the gods around. Then with a plenteous draught refresh thy soul, And draw new spirits from the generous bowl; Spent as thou art with long laborious fight, The brave defender of thy country's right. Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI chiefs abstain, and spare the sacred juice To sprinkle to the gods, its better use. By me that holy office were profaned; Ill fits it me, with human gore distain'd, To the pure skies these horrid hands to raise, Or offer heaven's great Sire polluted praise. You, with your matrons, go! The largest mantle your full wardrobes hold, Most prized for art, and labour'd o'er with gold, Before the goddess' honour'd knees be spread, And twelve young heifers to her altar led. So may the power, atoned by fervent prayer, Our wives, our infants, and our city spare; And far avert Tydides' wasteful ire, Who mows whole troops, and makes all Troy retire. Be this, O mother, your religious Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI I go to rouse soft Paris to the war; If yet not lost to all the sense of shame, The recreant warrior hear the voice of fame. Oh, would kind earth the hateful wretch embrace, That pest of Troy, that ruin of our race! This heard, she gave command: and summon'd came Each noble matron and illustrious dame. The Phrygian queen to her rich wardrobe went, Where treasured odours breathed a costly scent. There lay the vestures of no vulgar art, Sidonian maids embroider'd every part, Whom from soft Sidon youthful Paris bore, With Helen touching on the Tyrian shore. Here, as the queen revolved with careful eyes The various textures and the various dyes, She chose a veil that shone superior far, And glow'd refulgent as the morning star. Herself with this the long procession leads; The train majestically slow proceeds. Soon as to Ilion's topmost tower they come, And awful reach the high Palladian dome, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI consort, fair Theano, waits As Pallas' priestess, and unbars the gates. With hands uplifted and imploring eyes, They fill the dome with supplicating cries. The priestess then the shining veil displays, Placed on Minerva's knees, and thus she prays:. Break thou Tydides' spear, and let him fall Prone on the dust before the Trojan wall! So twelve young heifers, guiltless of the yoke, Shall fill thy temple with a grateful smoke. But thou, atoned by penitence and prayer, Ourselves, our infants, and our city spare! While these appear before the power with prayers, Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI to Paris' lofty dome repairs. Near Priam's court and Hector's palace stands The pompous structure, and the town commands. A spear the hero bore of wondrous strength, Of full ten cubits was the lance's length, The steely point with golden ringlets join'd, Before him brandish'd, at each motion shined Thus entering, in the glittering rooms he found His brother-chief, whose Homer: Iliad Book VI: Book VI arms lay round, His eyes delighting with their splendid show, Brightening the shield, and polishing the bow. Beside him Helen with her virgins stands, Guides their rich labours, and instructs their hands.