The Iliad of Homer Part 51

"Be not kept back, nor stand, grieving in your hearts: sooner will the feet and knees grow weary to them than to you; for they are both deprived of vigour."

Thus he spoke; but they, dreading the exhortation of their master, ran more fleetly, and became very near the others. But the Greeks sitting in a.s.sembly,[754] beheld the steeds, and they flew along, raising dust over the plain. Then first Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, distinguished the horses; for he sat outside the circus, very high up, on an observatory; and hearing him, being far off, encouraging [his steeds], knew him. He also perceived a remarkable steed outstripping, which in every other part indeed was chesnut, but in its forehead was a white round spot, like the moon. And he stood erect, and delivered this speech amongst the Greeks:

[Footnote 753: "Videtur proverbii loco dictum in eos, qui non facile, non sine gravi labore ac difficultate consequi possent, quod peterent, sive qui rem valde difficilem peterent."--Ernesti.]

[Footnote 754: See note on vii. p. 129, n. 2.]

"O friends, leaders and chieftains of the Greeks, do I alone recognize the horses, or do ye also? Different steeds indeed appear to me to be foremost, and there seems a different charioteer; but those [mares]

which hitherto were successful, are probably hurt upon the plain somewhere: for surely I first saw them turning round the goal, but now I can no longer see them, although my eyes survey the Trojan plain as I gaze around. Surely the reins have fled the charioteer, and he could not rein well round the goal, and did not succeed in turning. There I imagine he fell out, and at the same time broke his chariot, whilst they (the mares) bolted, when fury seized their mind. But do ye also, standing up, look, for I cannot well distinguish; it appears to me to be an aetolian hero by birth, and [who] rules amongst the Argives, the son of horse-breaking Tydeus, gallant Diomede."

But him swift Ajax, the son of Oleus, bitterly reproached:

"Idomeneus, why dost thou prate endlessly?[755] Those high-prancing mares run over the vast plain afar. Neither art thou so much the youngest amongst the Greeks, nor do thine eyes see most sharply from thy head: but thou art always prating with words. Nor is it at all necessary for thee to be a prater, for others better than thou are present. For the mares of Eumelus are still[756] foremost, which were so before, and he himself is advancing, holding the reins."

But him the leader of the Cretans, indignant, answered in turn:

"Ajax, best at abuse, reviler, but in all other things thou art inferior to the Greeks, because thy temper is morose; come now, let us stake a tripod[757] or a goblet, and let us both appoint Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, arbiter, which horses are foremost; that paying, thou mayest learn."

[Footnote 755: "????? implies habit, as in i. 553, particularly in connection with a verb of such import, as in xviii.

425."--Kennedy.]

[Footnote 756: This is implied in pe?.]

[Footnote 757: "Ut supra, xxii. 254, erat ?p?d?s?a?, pro d?s?a?

??t??a? ?p? t??? ???at?, sic nunc t??p?d?? pe??d?e?a est d?e?a ????? pe?? t??p?d??, quem pnae loco daturus erit uter nostrum temere contenderit."--Heyne.]

Thus he spoke; but swift Ajax, son of Oleus, immediately rose to reply in harsh words. And now doubtless the strife would have proceeded farther to both, had not Achilles himself risen up, and spoke:

"No longer now, O Ajax and Idomeneus, hold altercation in evil, angry words, for it is not fitting, and ye also would blame another, whoever should do such things; but, sitting down in the circus, look towards the steeds, which themselves will soon arrive, contending for victory; and then will ye know, each of you, the horses of the Greeks, which are second, and which first."

Thus he spoke; but the son of Tydeus came very near, pursuing, and always drove on [his horses] with the lash across the shoulders; whilst the steeds were raised up aloft into the air, quickly completing their course, and the drops of dust kept always bespattering their charioteer.

The chariot, adorned with gold and tin, rolled on close to the swift-footed steeds; nor was there a deep trace of the tires behind in the fine dust, but they, hastening, flew. But he stood in the midst of the circus, and much perspiration exuded from the steeds, from their necks and chest to the ground. But he himself leaped to the ground from his all-s.h.i.+ning chariot, and rested his scourge against the yoke; nor was gallant Sthenelus dilatory, but he eagerly seized the prize, and gave the woman to his magnanimous companions to escort, and the handled tripod to bear away; whilst he himself unyoked the steeds.

Next to him Nelcian Antilochus drove his steeds, outstripping Menelaus by stratagem, not indeed by speed. Yet even thus Menelaus drove his swift horses near; but as far as a horse is distant from the wheel, which, exerting its speed with the chariot, draws its master through the plain, and the extreme hairs of its tail touch the wheel-tire, but it rolls very near, nor is there much s.p.a.ce between, while it runs over the vast plain; so far was ill.u.s.trious Menelaus left behind by Antilochus: although at first he was left behind as much as the cast of a quoit, yet he quickly overtook him; for the doughty strength of Agamemnon's mare, the beautiful-maned aethe, was increased. And if the course had been still longer to both, he would surely have pa.s.sed him by, nor left it doubtful. Meriones again, the good attendant of Idomeneus, was left behind a spear's throw by the ill.u.s.trious Menelaus, for his fair-maned steeds were the slowest, and he himself least skilful in driving a chariot in the contest. But the son of Admetus came last of others, dragging his beauteous chariot, driving his steeds before him. But him swift-footed, n.o.ble Achilles seeing, pitied, and standing amongst the Greeks, spoke [to him] winged words:

"The best man drives his solid-hoofed steeds the last. But come, let us give him, as is right, the second prize; and let the son of Tydeus bear away the first."

Thus he spoke; and all approved as he ordered. And now truly he had given the mare to him (for the Greeks approved it), had not Antilochus, the son of magnanimous Nestor, rising up, replied to Achilles, the son of Peleus, on the question of justice:[758]

[Footnote 758: Not "with justice," as the translators, following the Scholiast, have interpreted d???. That would have required s?? d???, as in Soph. Antig. 23.]

"O Achilles, I shall be very indignant with thee, if thou fulfillest this promise; for thou art about to deprive me of my reward, considering these things, that his chariot and fleet steeds were injured, he himself being skilful; but he should have prayed to the immortals, then would he by no means have come up driving the last. But if thou pitiest him, and it be agreeable to thy mind, thou hast much gold and bra.s.s in thy tent, and cattle and maidens, and solid-hoofed steeds are thine. Taking from these, give him afterwards even a greater reward, or even now forthwith, that the Greeks may applaud thee. This, however, I will not resign, but let him of the warriors strive for her, whoever wishes to contend with me in strength of hands."

Thus he spoke; and swift-footed, n.o.ble Achilles smiled, favouring Antilochus, for he was a dear companion to him; and, answering, addressed to him winged words:

"O Antilochus, since thou now biddest me give something else to Eumelus from my house, this will I indeed accomplish. I will give him the corslet which I took from Asteropaeus, brazen, around which there is entwined a rim of s.h.i.+ning tin; and it is of great value."

He spoke; and ordered his dear comrade, Automedon, to bear it from the tent: and he went and brought it to him; then he placed it in the hands of Eumelus, and he received it rejoicing. But Menelaus also arose amongst them, grieving in his mind, vehemently enraged with Antilochus.

Then a herald placed the sceptre in his hands, and ordered the Greeks to be silent; and then the G.o.dlike hero spoke:

"O Antilochus, hitherto prudent, what hast thou done? Thou hast disgraced my skill, and injured my steeds, driving thine before them, which indeed are greatly inferior. But come, ye leaders and chiefs of the Greeks, judge between us both, and not for favour; lest some one of the brazen-mailed Greeks should say: 'Menelaus having overcome Antilochus by falsehoods, came off, leading the mare [as a prize], for his steeds were very inferior, but he himself superior in skill and strength.'[759] But come, I myself will decide, and I think that no other of the Greeks will blame me, for it will be just."

"O Antilochus, nurtured of Jove, come hither, I pray, as it is just, standing before thy horses and chariot, and holding in thy hands the pliant lash with which thou didst formerly drive, touching thy steeds, swear by earth-encompa.s.sing Neptune, that thou didst not willingly impede my chariot by stratagem." [760]

[Footnote 759: Cf. vers. 571, sq]

[Footnote 760: See ver. 441.]

But him prudent Antilochus in turn answered:

"Have patience now, since I am much younger than thou, O king Menelaus, and thou art older and superior. Thou knowest of what sort are the errors of a youth; for his mind is indeed more volatile, and his counsel weak. Therefore let thy heart endure, and I myself will give thee the steed which I have received. And if indeed thou demandest anything else greater from my house, I should be willing to give it immediately rather than fall for ever, O Jove-nurtured, from thy good opinion, and be sinful towards the G.o.ds."

He spoke; and the son of magnanimous Nestor, leading the mare, placed it in the hands of Menelaus; but his[761] mind was cheered[762] as the dew [is diffused] over the ears of growing corn, when the fields are bristling. Thus indeed, O Menelaus, was thy soul in thy breast cheered; and speaking, he addressed to him winged words:

[Footnote 761: _I.e._ Menelaus.]

[Footnote 762: Or softened, melted. See Heyne.]

"Antilochus, now indeed will I cease being enraged with thee, for formerly thou wert neither foolish nor volatile; though now youth has subdued reason. Avoid a second time overreaching thy superiors; for not another man of the Greeks would have easily appeased me. But thou hast already suffered much, and accomplished many deeds, as well as thy good father and brother, for my sake: therefore will I be persuaded by thee, supplicating, and will give the mare also, although being mine; that these too may perceive that my soul is never overbearing or unrelenting."

He spoke, and gave the steed to Noemon, the comrade of Antilochus, to lead away; and then he received the s.h.i.+ning goblet [himself]. But Meriones, the fourth, took up the two talents of gold, in which order he drove; but the fifth prize was left,[763] which Achilles, bearing through the a.s.sembly of the Greeks, gave to Nestor, and standing by him, said:

"Receive now, and let this be a keepsake to thee, a memorial of the burial of Patroclus; for never more shalt thou behold him among the Greeks. I give this prize to thee even thus;[764] for thou indeed wilt not fight with the caestus, nor wrestle, nor engage in the contest of hurling the javelin, nor run on the feet, for grievous old age now oppresses thee."

[Footnote 763: Because Eumelus had received an extraordinary prize.]

[Footnote 764: _I.e._ although thou hast not shared the contests.

See Kennedy.]

Thus speaking, he placed it in his hands; but he rejoicing, accepted it, and addressing him, spoke in winged words:

"a.s.suredly, O my son, thou hast spoken all these things aright; for no longer are my limbs firm, my friend, nor my feet, nor yet do my hands move pliant on each side from my shoulders. Would that I were as young, and my strength was firm to me, as when the Epeans buried king Amarynceus at Byprasium, and his sons staked the prizes of the king.

There no man was equal to me, neither of the Epeans, nor of the Pelians themselves, nor of the magnanimous aetolians. In the caestus I conquered Clytomedes, the son of Enops; and in wrestling, Ancaeus, the Pleuronian, who rose up against me; and on foot I outstripped Iphiclus, though being excellent; and with the spear hurled beyond Phyleus and Polydorus. The two sons of Actor drove by me by their steeds only, exceeding me in number, envying me the victory, for the greatest rewards were left for that contest. But they were two; the one indeed steadily directed the reins, whilst the other urged on with the lash. Thus I formerly was, but now let younger men undertake such deeds, as it becomes me to obey sad old age, though I then excelled amongst heroes. But go, and celebrate thy comrade's obsequies with games. This, indeed, I willingly accept, and my soul rejoices that thou art ever mindful of me; nor am I forgotten by thee, with what honour it becomes me to be honoured among the Greeks. And for these things may the G.o.ds give thee a proper return."

Thus he spoke; but the son of Peleus went through the great a.s.semblage of the Greeks, when he had heard all the praise of Nestor. Then he proposed prizes for a laborious boxing-match.[765] Leading a mule, patient of toil, six years old, unbroken, which is most difficult to be tamed, he tied it in the circus; and for the conquered again he staked a two-handled cup: then he stood up, and spoke amongst the Greeks:

[Footnote 765: Cf. Virg. aen. v. 365.]

"O ye sons of Atreus, and other well-greaved Greeks, we invite two men, who are very expert, raising their hands aloft, to strike for these with the fist. But to whom Apollo indeed may give victory, and all the Greeks approve, leading away the mule, patient of labour, let him conduct it to his tent; but the vanquished shall bear away a double cup."

Thus he spoke; and immediately arose a man brave and great, skilled in the art of boxing, Epeus, son of Panopeus; and grasping the patient-toiling mule, said:

"Let him draw near, whosoever will bear away the double cup; but I think that no other of the Greeks having conquered in boxing, will lead away the mule; for I boast myself to be the best man. Is it not enough that I am inferior in battle?[766] For it is by no means possible for a man to be skilled in every work. For thus I tell you, and it shall be accomplished, I will utterly fracture his body, and also break his bones. And let his friends remain here a.s.sembled, who may carry him away vanquished by my hands."

[Footnote 766: "_I.e._ is it not enough, that, though I am inferior in battle, I am superior in boxing?"--Oxford Transl.]

Thus he spoke; but they were all mute, in silence. But Euryalus alone stood up against him, a G.o.dlike hero, son of king Mecisteus, a descendant of Talaon, who formerly came to Thebes to the funeral of the deceased dipus, and there vanquished all the Cadmeans. About him the spear-renowned son of Tydeus was busied, encouraging him with words, for he greatly wished victory to him. And first he threw around him his girdle, and then gave him the well-cut thongs [made of the hide] of a rustic ox. But they twain, having girded themselves, proceeded into the middle of the circus, and both at the same time engaged, with their strong hands opposite, raising [them up], and their heavy hands were mingled. Then a horrid cras.h.i.+ng of jaws ensued, and the sweat flowed on all sides from their limbs. Then n.o.ble Epeus rushed in, and smote him upon the cheek, while looking round, nor could he stand any longer; but his fair limbs tottered under him. And as when, from beneath the surface, rippled[767] by the north wind, a fish leaps out upon the weedy sh.o.r.e, and the dark billow covers it, so he, stricken, sprang up. But magnanimous Epeus, taking [him] in his hands, lifted him up; and his dear comrades stood around, who conducted him through the circus on tottering feet, spitting out clotted gore, [and] drooping his head on each side; and then, leading, placed him among them, insensible, while they, departing, received the double cup.

But the son of Peleus quickly staked other third prizes for laborious wrestling, exhibiting [them] to the Greeks; for the conqueror, indeed, a large tripod, ready for the fire,[768] which the Greeks estimated amongst themselves at twelve oxen; and for the conquered person he placed a female in the midst. She understood various works, and they reckoned her at four oxen. But he stood up, and spoke this speech among the Greeks: