 section 11 book the 11th of the Iliad of Homer this LibriVox recording is in the public domain recording by Stephen Carney the Iliad of Homer by Homer translated by Theodore Alois Buckley section 11 book the 11th argument Agamemnon distinguishes himself but being wounded retires from the field they are medias wounded by Paris Ulysses by Socus Ajax and Manilaus then go to the relief of Ajax and Euripolis who adjoined them is shot in the thigh by Paris who also wounds Mecheon Nestor conveys Mecheon from the field Achilles sends Patroclus to the tent of Nestor who exhorts Patroclus to engage in battle assuming the armor of Achilles but Aurora was rising from her couch from beside glorious tothonus that she might bear light to immortals and to mortals when Jove sent forth fell discord to the swift ships of the Greeks bearing in her hands the portent of war and she stood upon the huge black ship of Ulysses which was in the center to shout to both sides as well to the tents of Telemonian Ajax as to those of Achilles who had both drawn up their equal ships at the very extremities relying on their valor and strength of hands there standing the goddess shouted both loudly and terribly in Orthian strain to the Greeks and implanted mighty strength in the heart of each to war and fight incessantly and immediately war became more sweet to them than to return to the hollow ships to their dear fatherland then the son of Atreus shouted aloud and ordered the Greeks to be girded and raid himself putting on his shining armor first he put on his legs his beautiful greaves fitted with silver clasps next he place around his breast a corset which Sinaris once gave him to be a pledge of hospitality for a great rumor was heard at Cyprus that the Greeks were about to sail to Troy in ships where for he gave him this gratifying the king 10 bars indeed of the corset were of dark Sionists 12 of gold and 20 of tin and three serpents of Sionists stretched towards the neck on each side like unto rainbows which the son of Saturn had fixed in a cloud a sign to articulate speaking men then around his shoulders he hung his sword on which glittered golden studs and the silver scabbard enclosed it fitted with golden rings next he took up his shield mortal covering variously wrought strong beautiful around which were 10 brazen orbs upon it were 20 white bosses of tin and in the midst was one of dark Sionists on it a grim visaged gorgon was placed as an ornament looking horribly and around were terror and flight the belt was of silver but rounded a snake of Sionists was twisted and there were three heads entwined springing from one neck upon his head also he placed his helmet adorned with studs on all sides having four bosses crested with horse hair and dreadfully knotted the tuft from above he then took two strong spears tipped with brass sharp and the brass of them glittered afar even to heaven and the Minerva and Juno thundered above honoring the king of Mycenae rich in gold then indeed he gave orders to his own charioteer to hold their his horses in good order by the Foss whilst they themselves on foot a raid with their armor rushed forth and an inextinguishable clamor arose before mourning and they were marshalled into the foreground with the cavalry at the trench the cavalry followed at a little interval but the son of Saturn aroused a dreadful tumult and sent down dew drops moist with blood from the air above because he was about to hurl many brave souls on to Hades on the other side on the contrary the Trojans drew up on a hill in the plain around both mighty Hector the blamest polydamus and Aeneas who among the Trojans was honored by the people as a god and the three sons of Antinor Polybus noble Agenor and youthful Achimus like unto the immortals and Hector in the van carried his shield equal on all sides and as when a pernicious star makes its appearance from the clouds at one time shining and dark again hath entered the clouds so Hector giving orders appeared now among the first and now among the last and he glittered all over with brass like the lightning of ages bearing jove and they as when reapers opposite to each other form swaths of wheat or barley along the field of a rich man and the frequent handfuls falls so the Trojans and Greeks rushing against one another kept slaughtering and neither thought of pernicious flight and when they held their heads equal in combat and rushed on like wolves while still lamentable discord looking on exalted for she alone of the gods was present with them contending but the other gods were not present with them but sat quiet in their palaces where beautiful mansions were built for each along the summits of Olympus all however blamed the Saturnian collector of dark clouds because he wished to afford glory to the Trojans but the sire did not regard them but retiring by himself sat down apart from the others exulting in glory looking both upon the city of the Trojans and the ships of the Greeks and the brightness of armor and the slaying and slain whilst it was mourn and the seiko day was increasing so long the weapons reached both sides and the people fell but at the time when the woodcutter has prepared his repast and the dels of a mountain when he has wearied his hands healing down lofty trees and satiety comes upon his mind and the desire of sweet food ceases his breast then the Greeks by their valour broke the phalanxes cheering their companions along the ranks but Agamemnon first leaped forth and slew the hero Bayonor the shepherd of the people and then his companion Oelius the goader of steeds for he then leaping from his chariot stood against him but he Agamemnon smote him as he was rushing straightforward with his sharp spear in the forehead nor did the visor heavy with brass retard the weapon but it penetrated both it and the bone and all the brain within was stained with gore him then he subdued while eagerly rushing on and Agamemnon king of men left them there with their bosoms all there for he had stripped off their tunics next he went against Isis and Anthippus two sons of Priam the one illegitimate and the other legitimate being both in one chariot in order to slay them the spurious son guided the chariot whilst illustrious antiphas fought them Achilles had once bound with tenor osseers on the summits of Aida taking them while pasturing their sheep and had liberated them for a ransom then however the son of Atreus wide-ruling Agamemnon struck one upon the breast above the pap with his spear and again he smote antiphas beside the ear with his sword and hurled him from his chariot hastening up he despoiled them of their beautiful armor recognizing them where he had formerly seen them at the swift ships then when swift-footed Achilles brought them from Aida and as a lion returning to his lair easily crushes the little fawns of the fleet hind seizing them in his strong teeth and deprives them of their tender life whilst she also she happened to be very near cannot aid them for a dreadful tremor comes upon herself but hastening she immediately flies through the thick oak groves and the forest sweating through the attack of the wild beast thus no one of the Trojans was then able to avert destruction from these but they themselves were put to flight by the Greeks next he attacked Pissander and Hippolocus brave in battle the sons of war like Antimachus who having accepted gold from Paris rich gifts would not suffer them to restore Helen to yellow-haired Menelaus his two sons then Agamemnon king of men seized being in one chariot for they drove their fleet horses together for the splendid reigns had fallen from their hands and they were confounded but the son of Atreus rushed against them like a lion and they on the contrary supplicated him from the chariot take us alive oh son of Atreus and thou shalt receive worthy ransoms for many treasures lie in the houses of Antimachus brass gold and variously wrought iron from these would our father give infinite ransoms if he should hear that we were alive at the ships of the Greeks thus both weeping addressed a king with soothing words but heard an unsuiting reply if indeed ye be the sons of war like Antimachus who once in an assembly of the Trojans ordered that they should there be put to death Menelaus coming as an ambassador along with God like Ulysses and not send him back to the Greeks now surely shall ye pay the penalty of the unmerited insolence of your father he said and hurled Pizander from his horses to the ground striking him on the breast with his spear and he was stretched to pine upon the soil but Hippolocus leaped down whom next he slew upon the ground having lopped off his hands with his sword and cut off his neck and yet the head like a cylinder he hurled forward to be rolled through the crowd these then he left there and where very many phalanxes were thrown into confusion there he rushed and at the same time other well grieved Greeks infantry slew infantry flying from necessity and horse slew horse slaughtering with the brass whilst the dust was raised by them from the plane which allowed sounding feet of the horses excited but king Agamemnon constantly slaying, pursued, cheering on the Greeks and as when a destructive fire falls upon a woody forest and the wind whirling carries it on all sides whilst the branches fall with the roots overwhelmed by the violence of the flame so fell the heads of the flying Trojans at the hands of Agamemnon son of Atreus and many lofty next steeds rattled their empty chariots through the ranks of the battle longing for their faultless charioteers but they lay upon the earth far more agreeable to the vultures than to their wives but Joe withdrew Hector out to the reach of weapons of dust of slaughter blood and tumult whilst Atreides pursued loudly cheering on the deny the Trojans meanwhile rushed through the middle of the plane toward the wild fig tree near the tomb of Islas the descendant of ancient Dardanus eager to reach a city but Atreides still followed shouting and stained his invincible hands with dusty gore but when now they reached the Skaen gates and the beach tree there at length they halted and awaited each other others however still fled through the middle of the plane like oxen which a lion coming at the depth of night has put trembling lead to flight all but to some one dreadful destruction is apparent whose neck he first completely breaks seizing it in his strong teeth and then laps up both the blood and all the entrails thus did the son of Atreus king Agamemnon follow them always killing the Hindermost and they kept flying many fell prone and supine from their chariot by the hands of the son of Atreus for before all others he raged exceedingly with the spear but when now he was about soon to reach the city and the lofty wall then indeed the father both of men and gods descending from heaven seated himself upon the top of Ida of many reels and he held the lightning in his hands and aroused golden-winged iris to bear his message come swift iris deliver this message to Hector as long as he may behold Agamnon the shepherd of the people raging in the van and destroying the ranks of men so long let him retreat and let him exhort the rest of the army to fight with the enemy during the violent contest but when he Agamemnon shall have mounted his deeds either smitten by a spear or wounded by an arrow then will I supply him with strength to slay until he reach the well-benched ships and the sunset and sacred darkness come on thus he spake nor did rabbit iris swift as the wind on her feet disobey but she descended for the mountains of Ida towards sacred Ilium she found noble Hector son of warlike Priam standing in the midst of the horses and a well-joined chariot and having approached swift-footed iris addressed him Hector son of Priam equal in counsel to Jove Jove hath sent me forward to deliver to thee this message as long as thou seest Agamemnon the shepherd of the people raging amongst the van and destroying the ranks of men so long do thou abstain from combat but exhort the rest of the army to fight with the enemy during the violent contest but when he shall have mounted his deeds either smitten with a spear or wounded by an arrow then will he supply thee with strength to slay until thou reach the well-benched ships and the sunset and sacred darkness come on thus having spoken swift-footed iris departed but Hector with his armor sprang from his chariot to the ground and brandishing sharp spears ranged through the army on every side inciting them to fight and stirred up the dreadful battle they indeed rallied and stood opposite to the Greeks but the Greeks on the other hand strengthened their phalanges and the battle was renewed and they stood front to front but Agamemnon first rushed on for he wished to fight far before all tell me now he muses possessing Olympian dwellings who first either the Trojans or illustrious allies now came against Agamemnon Ifidemus son of Antonor both valiant and great who was nurtured in fertile Thrace the mother of flocks Sissius his maternal grandfather who begat fair cheeked Theano reared him in his house whilst yet a little boy but when he had attained the measure of glorious youth he there detained him and gave him his own daughter and having married her he came from the bridal chamber on the rumor of the Greeks with 12 curved vessels which followed him the equal ships indeed he afterwards left at Percoti but he proceeding on foot had arrived at Troy and he it was who then came against Agamemnon the son of Atreus when these advancing against each other were now near the son of Atreus on his part missed and his spear was turned aside but Ifidemus smote him upon the belt under the corset and he put his strength to it relying on his strong hand yet he pierced not the flexible belt but meeting with the silver long before the point was turned like lead then indeed wide ruling Agamemnon seeing it in his hand pulled it towards him exasperated like a lion and plucked it from his hand and he smote him on the neck with his sword and relaxed his limbs thus he unhappy while aiding his citizens falling there slept a brazen sleep away from his lawful virgin wife whose charms he had not yet known although he had given many presents for her first he gave a hundred oxen and then he promised a thousand goats and sheep together which were pastured for him in countless numbers him Agamemnon son of Atreus at that time stripped of his arms and went through the army of the Greeks bearing his rich armor whom one Coon the eldest born of Antinor conspicuous amongst men then beheld violent grief darkened his eyes for his brother having fallen and he stood aside with his dark spear escaping the notice of noble Agamemnon and he wounded him in the middle of the arm below the elbow and the point to the shining spear passed right through to the other side then indeed Agamemnon the king of men shuddered but not even thus did he abstain from battle or from war but he rushed upon Coon holding his wind nurtured spear he on his part was eagerly dragging by the foot Ifidemus his brother and begotten by the same father and was calling upon every brave man when Agamemnon wounded him with his polished brazen spear below the bossy shield whilst dragging him through the crowd and relaxed his limbs and standing beside him cut off his head over Ifidemus there the sons of Antinor fulfilling their destiny at the hands of the king the son of Atreus descended to the abode of Hades but he was ranging about through the ranks of the other men with his spear his sword and huge stones whilst the warm blood yet oozed from his wound when however the wound grew dry and the blood ceased to flow sharp pains possessed the strength of Atreus's son and as when the sharp pang ceases a woman in travail piercing which the Iliathia daughters of Juno who preside over childbirth send forth keeping bitter pangs in their possession so did sharp anguish enter the strength of the son of Atreus and he sprang into his chariot and ordered his charioteer to drive on to the hollow ships for he was tortured at heart and vociferating he shouted aloud to the Greeks oh friends leaders and rulers over the archives repel ye now the severe battle from the sea traversing barks since provident jove does not permit me to combat all day with atrogens thus he spoke and the charioteer lashed on the fair mained steed toward the hollow ships and they not unwilling flew they were covered with foam as to their breasts and were sprinkled beneath with dust as they bore the afflicted king apart from the battle but Hector when he observed Agamemnon going apart exhorted both atrogens and lyceans shouting aloud ye atrogens lyceans and close fighting dardanians be men my friends and be mindful of impetuous might the bravest hero has departed and Saturnian jove has given great glory to me but straightway urge your solid hooved horses against the gallant Greeks that ye may bear off higher glory thus saying he aroused the courage and spirit of each as when perchance some huntsmen should urge his white toothed dogs against a rustic wild boar or lion so Hector the son of Priam equal to manslaughtering Mars urged the magnanimous Trojans against the Greeks he himself having mighty courage advanced among the first and rushed into the battle like unto a storm blowing from above and which rushing down stirs up the purple deep then whom first and whom last did Hector son of Priam slay when jove gave him glory Aseus indeed first and Autonous and Opetis and Dallops son of Cytus and Opheltius and Agathals and Asymnus and Horus and Horus and Hipponos persevering in fight these leaders of the Greeks he then slew and afterwards the common crowd as when the west wind drives to and throw the clouds of the impetuous south lashing them with an impetuous blast and many a swollen billow is rolled along whilst the foam is scattered on high by the far-straying blast of the wind thus were many heads of the people subdued by Hector then indeed would there have been ruin an inevitable deed had been done and the flying Greeks had fallen in flight into their ships had not Ulysses encouraged Diomedes the son of Tideus son of Tideus through what cause are we forgetful of impetuous might but come hither my friend stand by me for surely it will be a disgrace if indeed Crest tossing Hector take the ships him then valiant Diomedes answering addressed I indeed will remain and be courageous although there will be little use for us since cloud compelling jove chooses to give glory to the Trojans rather than to us he said and hurled thrombus from his chariot to the ground striking him with his spear upon the left pap but Ulysses slew Moleon the godlike attendants of the king these then they left since they caused them to cease from war then both advancing through the multitude excited confusion as when two boars full of courage rush upon the hounds so they returning to the fight cut down the Trojans and the Greeks joyfully gained a respite avoiding noble Hector next they took a chariot and two warriors the bravest of the people the two sons of Prakosian Marops who above all was skilled in augury nor would permit his sons to march to the man destroying war yet did they not obey him because the destinies of black death led them on them spear-renowned Diomedi the son of Tideas depriving of life and breath the spoiled of their splendid armor and Ulysses Sue Hippodamus and Hiperochus then the son of Saturn looking down from Ida stretched for them the contest with equal tension and they slaughtered one another the son of Tideas indeed wounded on the hip with his spear the hero Agastrofus son of Payon for his horses were not at hand for him to take flight but he had aired greatly in his mind for his attendant kept them apart whilst he rushed on foot through the foremost combatants till he lost his life but Hector quickly perceived it along the ranks and hastened towards them shouting and with him followed the phalanxes of the Trojans they immediately brave in the din of battle beholding him shuttered and immediately addressed Ulysses who was near towards us is this great destruction dreadful Hector now rolled but come let us stand firm and awaiting repulse him he said and brandishing his long shadowed spear hurled it and smote him on the summit of the helmet on his head nor aiming did he miss but brass wandered from brass nor did it reach the white skin for the threefold oblong helmet stopped it which Phoebus Apollo had given him Hector hastily retired to a distance and was mingled with a crowd and he Hector falling upon his knee remained so and supported himself with his strong hand against the earth whilst dark night overshadowed his eyes but whilst the son of Tideus was following after the impulse of the spear far through the foremost combatants where it was fixed in the earth Hector in the meantime breathed again and springing again into his chariot drove into the crowd and avoided black death and valiant diamede rushing upon him with his spear addressed him dog thou has escaped indeed death at present although destruction approached near thee now again has Phoebus Apollo rescued thee to whom thou art want to offer prayers advancing into the clash of spears but i will assuredly make an end of the meeting thee again if perchance any one of the gods be an ally to me now however i will go against others whomesoever i can find he said and stood a spear-renowned son of peon but Paris the husband of fair haired Helen leaning against a pillar at the tomb of the deceased hero Dardanius Eilis the age leader of the people bent his bow against the son of Tideus the shepherd of the people whilst he was removing the variegated course lit from the breast of gallant agastrofus the shield from his shoulders and his heavy cask he Paris in the meantime was drawing back the horn of his bow and struck him on the broad part of the right foot nor did the weapon escape in vain from his hand and the arrow went entirely into the ground and he laughing very joyfully sprang from his ambuscade and boasting spoke thou art struck nor has the weapon escaped me in vain would that striking be in the lower part of the groin i had deprived thee of life thus indeed with the trojans have respired from destruction who now are thrilled with horror at thee as bleeding goats at the lion but him valiant iomedi undismayed addressed archer reviler decked out with curls woman's man if now an arms thou wouldst make trial of me hand to hand thy bow should not avail thee and numerous arrows whereas now having grazed a broad part of my foot thou boastest thus i regarded not as though a woman had wounded me or a silly boy for idle is the weapon of an unwar like good for nothing man from me indeed it is otherwise for if one be touched but slightly the weapon is piercing and forthwith renders him lifeless and the cheeks of his wife are furrowed on both sides and his children are orphans but crimsoning the earth with his blood he putrefies and the birds around him are more numerous than the women thus he spoke but spear renowned ulysses coming near stood before him and he diomedi sitting down behind him drew the swift shaft out of his foot and severe agony darted through his body then he leaped into his chariot and commanded his charioteer to drive to the hollow ships where he was grieved at heart but spear renowned ulysses was left alone nor did any of the greeks remain beside him as fear had seized upon all wherefore groaning inwardly he addressed his own mighty soul alas what will become of me great would be the disgrace if i fly alarmed at the multitude but worse would it be if i were taken alone but the son of saturn has struck the rest of the greeks with terror but wherefore does my spirit discuss these things with me for i know that cowards indeed retire from the battle but whosoever should be brave in combat it is altogether necessary that he stand firmly whether he be wounded or wound another whilst he revolved these things within his mind and soul the ranks of the shielded trojans in the meantime came upon him and enclosed him in the midst placing their bane in the midst of them as when dogs and vigorous youths rush against a bore on all sides but he comes out from a deep thicket sharpening his white tusk with his crooked jaws on all sides they rushed upon him and a gnashing of teeth arises but they remain at a distance from him terrible as he is so the trojans did rush round ulysses dear to jove but he wounded above the shoulder blameless diapetes springing upon him with his sharp spear and afterwards he slew thun and enomas with his spear he next wounded kirsidamas when leaping from his chariot in the navel below his bossed shield falling amid the dust grasp the earth with a hollow of his hand these indeed he left and next wounded with his spear cherubs son of hypassus and brother of noble socus but socus godlike hero hastened to give him aid and approaching very near he stood and addressed him in these words oh illustrious ulysses insatiable in crafts and toil today shout thou either boast over the two sons of hypassus having slain such heroes and strip them of their arms or else stricken by my spear thou shalt lose thy life thus saying he smote him upon the shield equal on all sides the rapid weapon penetrated a shining shield and was fixed through the curiously wrought corslet and tore off all the skin from his side but palace manerva suffered it not to be mingled with the entrails of the hero and ulysses perceived that the weapon had not come upon him mortally and retiring he addressed this speech to socus ah wretch very soon indeed will dreadful destruction overtake thee without doubt thou has caused me to cease from fighting with the trojans but i declare that death and black fate shall be thine this day and that subdued beneath my spear thou shalt give glory to me and thy soul to steed famed pluto he said and the other turning again to flight had begun to retreat but whilst he was turning ulysses fixed his spear in his back and between the shoulders and drove it through his breast falling he made a crash and noble ulysses boasted over him oh socus son of war like horse-breaking hypaces the end of death has anticipated thee nor has thou escaped ah wretch neither thy father nor venerable mother shall close thine eyes for the dead as thou art but ravenous birds shall tear thee flapping about thee with dense wings but when i die the noble greeks will pay me funeral honors so saying he plucked the strong spear of warlike socus out of his flesh and a bossy shield and his blood gushed forth as he drew it out and tortured his mind but the magnanimous trojans when they beheld the blood of ulysses encouraging one another through the crowd all rushed on against him whilst he kept retreating backwards and called to his companions thrice did he then shout as much as the head of mortal could contain and thrice warlike menelaus heard him exclaiming and instantly addressed ajax being near most noble ajax son of telemon chieftain of the people the cry of invincible ulysses has come upon me like to that as if the trojans were greatly pressing upon him being alone having cut him off in the sharp fight therefore let us go through the crowd as it is better to aid him i fear less being left alone amidst the trojans he sufferot although being brave and there be great want of him to the greeks thus speaking he led the way and the godlike hero followed along with him then they found ulysses dear to jove and around him followed the trojans like tawny jackals round a tiered stag when moonded in the mountains which a man hath stricken with an arrow from the boasting him indeed flying it escapes on its feet as long as the blood is warm and its knees have the power of motion but when the swift arrow hath subdued it the raw devouring jackals destroy it in a shady grove among the mountains chance however brings thither the destructive lion the jackals then fly in terror and he devours it so at that time followed the trojans numerous and brave round warlike crafty ulysses but the hero rushing on with his spear warded off the merciless day then ajax came near bearing his shield like a tower and stood beside him and the trojans fled terrified different ways in the meantime warlike menelaus taking him by the hand withdrew him from the throng till his attendant drove his horses near but ajax springing upon the trojans slewed a rickless son of pream an illegitimate son and next wounded pandocus by sander he wounded and pyresis and polarities and as when an overflowing river comes down on the plane a torrent from the mountains accompanied by the shower of jove and bears along with it many dry oaks and many pines and casts forth the swollen torrent into the sea so illustrious ajax routing them pursued them along the plane slaughtering both horses and men nor as yet had hector heard it for he was fighting on the left of the battle on the banks of the river's commander for there chiefly fell the heads of men and an indistinguishable clamor had arisen around a mighty nester and a warlike domineus among these did hector mingle performing arduous deeds with his spear and equestrian skill and he was laying waste the phalanxies of youths nevertheless the noble Greeks would have not retired from the way had not Paris the husband of fair haired helen disabled macaion the shepherd of the people performing projadies of valor wounding him on the right shoulder with a triple barbed arrow for him then the valor breathing Greeks trembled less per chance they should slay him the battle giving way and immediately a domineus addressed noble nectar oh nelly and nester great glory of the Greeks come ascended chariot and let macaion mount beside the and direct by solid hooved horses with all speed towards the ships for a medical man is equivalent to many others both to cut out arrows and to apply mild remedies thus he spoke nor did the geranium knight nester disobey forthwith he ascended his chariot and macaion the son of escalapius blameless physician mounted beside him but he lashed on the steeds and they flew not unwillingly towards the hollow ships for there it was agreeable to their inclination to go but sabrionis sitting beside hector perceived the trojans in confusion and addressed him in these words hector we two are mingling here with the Greeks in the outskirt of evil sounding battle whilst the other trojans are thrown into confusion in crowds both their horses and themselves telemonion age axis routing them for i know him well for around his shoulders he bears a broad shield but let us also direct our horses and a chariot thither where cavalry and infantry having engaged in the evil strife are slaughtering each other and inextinguishable tumult hath arisen thus then having spoken he lashed on the fair main steeds with his shrill cracking lash but they sensible of the stroke speedily bore the swift chariot through trojans and Greeks trampling on both corpses and shields with blood the whole actual tree was stained beneath and the rims around the chariot seat which the drops from the horses is whose and from the wheel tires spattered but he longed to enter the crowd of heroes and to break through springing upon them and he sent destructive tumult upon the Greeks and abstained very little from the spear among the ranks of other men indeed he ranged with his spear his sword and with huge stones but he shunned the conflict of telemonion age axis but lofty thrones jove excited fear within age axis and he stood confounded and cast behind him his shield of seven bulls's hides panic struck he retired gazing on all sides like a wild beast turning to and fro slowly moving knee after knee as when dogs and rustic men drive a ravening lion from the stall of oxen who keeping watch all night do not allow him to carry out the fat of their cattle but he eager for their flesh rushes on but prophets not for numerous javelins fly against him from daring hands and blazing torches at which he trembles although furious but in the morning he stalks away with saddened mind so Ajax sat at heart then retired much against his will from the Trojans for he feared for the ships of the Greeks and as when a stubborn ass upon whose sides many sticks have already been broken entering in browses on the tall crop but the boys still beat him with sticks although their strength is but feeble and with difficulty drive him out when he is satiated with food so then at length the magnanimous Trojans and far summoned allies continually followed Ajax the mighty son of Telemond strike in the middle of his shield with missile weapons and Ajax sometimes wheeling about was mindful of impetuous might and check the flanksies of the horse-breaking Trojans but again he would turn himself to fly but he prevented all from advancing to the swift ships while standing himself between the Trojans and Greeks he raged impetuously and spears hurled against him from daring hands stuck some indeed in his ample shield and many though eager to glut themselves with his flesh stood fixed in the ground between before they could reach his fair skin whom when Euripolis the illustrious son of Evamon perceived pressed hard with many darts advancing he stood beside him and took aim with his shining spear and smote Avacean son of Fosius shepherd of the people in the liver under the diaphragm and immediately relaxed his limbs and when god like Alexander observed him stripping off the armor of Epicean he instantly bent his bow against Euripolis and smote him with an arrow upon the right thigh and the reed was broken and pained his thigh then he fell back into the column of his companions avoiding fate and shouting he cried with a loud voice to the Greeks all friends leaders and rulers of the Greeks rallying stand firm and ward off the merciless day from Ajax who was hard pressed with darts nor do i think that he will escape from the dread resounding battle but by all means stand firm round mighty Ajax the son of Telemon so spake the wounded Euripolis and they stood very near him resting their shields upon their shoulders and lifting up their spears but Ajax came to meet them and turning about stood firm when he reached the body of his comrades thus they indeed combated like blazing fire in the meantime the Nellian steeds sweating wore nester from the battle and conveyed Macaeon the shepherd of the people and noble Achilles swift at foot looking forth beheld him for he stood upon the prow of his great ship gazing at the severe labor and lamentable route straightway he addressed patroclus his companion calling to him from the ship and he hearing him within the tent came forth like unto mars but it was the beginning of the misfortune to him him first the gallant son of Manuatius addressed why does thou call me Achilles and what need hast thou of me but him swift footed Achilles answering addressed noble son of Manuatius most dear to my soul soon i think that the Greeks will stand round my knees and treating for a necessity no longer tolerable and bates them but go now patroclus dear to jove ask nester what man this is whom he is carrying wounded from the battle behind indeed he wholly resembles Macaeon the son of Escalapius but i have not beheld the countenance of the man for the horses passed by me hastening onward thus he spoke and patroclus was obedient to his dear comrade and hastened to run to the tents and the ships of the Greeks but when they came to the tent of the son of Nelaus they themselves descended to the fertile earth and Eurimodon the attendant of the old man unyoked the mares from the chariot whilst they refreshed themselves from the sweat upon their tunics standing towards the breeze beside the shore of the sea and afterwards entering the tent they sat down upon couches but for them fair curled hecha matey prepared a mixture she whom the old man had brought from tinnitus whom when Achilles laid at waste the daughter of magnanimous arsonos whom the Greeks selected for him because he surpassed all in council first she set forward for them a handsome scienist footed well polished table then upon it a brazen tray and on it an onion a relish for the drought as well as new honey and beside it the fruit of sacred corn likewise a splendid cup near them which the old man had brought from home studded with golden nails its handles were four and around each were two golden pigeons feeding and under it were two bottoms another indeed would have removed it with difficulty from the table being full but age nester raised it without difficulty in it the woman like unto the goddesses had mixed for them pramnian wine and grated over it a goat's milk cheese with a brazen rasp and sprinkled white flour upon it then bade them drink as soon as she had prepared the potion but when drinking they had removed parching thirst they amused themselves addressing each other in conversation and patroclus stood at the doors a godlike hero but the old man perceiving him rose from his splendid seat and taking him by the hand led him in and bade him be seated but patroclus on the other side declined and uttered this reply no seat for me ojo of nurtured sage nor will thou persuade me revered and irasable is he who sent me forth to inquire who this man is whom thou leadest wounded but even i myself know for i perceive macaion the shepherd of the people now however in order to deliver my message i will return again an ambassador to achilles for well does thou know ojo of nurtured sage what a terrible man he is soon would he blame even the blameless but him the geranium knight nester then answered but why indeed does achilles thus compassionate the sons of the greeks as many as have been wounded with weapons nor knows he how great sorrow hath arisen throughout the army for the bravest lie in the ships smitten in a distant or the close fight stricken is brave diamete the son of tai deus and wounded spear renowned ulysses as well as agamemnon euripolis also has been wounded in the thigh with an arrow and this other have i lately brought from battle smitten with an arrow from the bowstring yet achilles being brave regards not the greeks nor pities them does he wait until the swift ships near the sea contrary to the will of the greeks be consumed with the hostile fire and we ourselves be slain one after the other for my strength is not as it formerly was in my active members what that i were thus young and my might was firm as when a contest took place between the ileans and us about the driving away some oxen when driving away in reprisal i slew itimuneus the valiant son of hyper rocas who dwelt in ellis for he defending his cattle was smitten among the first by a javelin for my hand and there fell and his rustic troops fled on every side and we drove from the plane a very great booty fifty droves of oxen as many flocks of sheep as many herds of swine and as many broad herds of goats one hundred and fifty yellow steeds all mares and beneath many there were coats and these we drove with nilean pythos at night towards the city but nileus was delighted in his mind because many things had fallen to my lot going as a young man to the war but with the appearing morn heralds cried aloud for those to approach to whom a debt was due in rich ellis and the leading heroes of the pyleans assembling divided the spoil because the apaians owed a debt to many for we in pyles being few were overwhelmed by evil but the herculian might coming in former years did us mischief and as many as were bravest were slain for we the son of illustrious nileus were twelve of whom i alone am left but all the rest have perished elated at these things the brazen mailed apaians insulting us devised wicked deeds but the old man chose for himself a herd of cattle and a large flock of sheep selecting three hundred and their shepherds for even to him a great debt was due in rich ellis four horses victorious in the race with their chariots which had gone for the prizes but they were about to run for a tripod but ogeus king of men detained them there and dismissed the charioteer grieved on the count of his deeds at which words and deeds the old man being wroth chose out for himself mighty numbers and gave the rest to the people to divide that no one might go away defrauded by him of his just proportion we indeed accomplished each of these things and were performing sacrifices to the gods through the city when on the third day they all came at once both the citizens themselves and their solid hoofed steeds in full force and with them were armed the tumoleans being still youths nor as yet very skilled in impetuous might there is a certain city a lofty hill three ossa far away at the alpheus the last of sandy pilus this they invested eager to overthrow it but when they had crossed the whole plain manerva hastening from olympus came to us by night as a messenger that we should be armed nor did she assemble an unwilling people at pilus but one very eager to fight still neus would not allow me to be armed but concealed my horses for he said that i was not at all acquainted with war like deeds yet even thus was i conspicuous amongst our cavalry even although being on foot for thus did manerva conduct me to battle there is a certain river mineus emptying itself into the sea near arena where we the pylean horsemen awaited divine mourn whilst the swarms of infantry poured in then in full force equipped in armor we came at midday to the sacred streams of alpheus there having offered fair victims to almighty joe a bowl to the alpheus and a bowl to neptune but an untrained heifer to blue-eyed manerva we then took supper through the army by troops and we each slept in our arms along the river's stream in the meantime the magnanimous appeans stood around desirous to lay waste the city but a mighty work of mars first appeared to them for as soon as a splendid sun was elevated above the earth we were engaged in the battle praying to joe and to manerva but when now the battle of the pyleans and aliens began i first slew a man the warrior mullion and bore away his solid hooved steeds he was the son-in-law of ogeus and possessed his eldest daughter yellow-haired agameed who well understood as many drugs as the wide earth nourishes him advancing against me i smote with my brazen spear he fell in the dust and springing into his chariot i then stood among the foremost combatants but the magnanimous appeans fled terrified in different directions when they beheld the hero fallen the leader of their cavalry he who was the best to fight but i rushed upon them like unto a black whirlwind and i took fifty chariots and in each two men bit the ground with their teeth vanquished by my spear and now indeed i should have slain the youthful mullions the sons of actor had not their sire wide ruling neptune covering them with a thick haze preserved them from war then joe delivered into the hands of the pylians great strength for so long did we follow them through the long plain both slaying them and gathering up rich armor until he had driven our horses to braprasium fertile in wheat to the rock olenia and a lesium where it is called cologne once manneva turned back the people then having killed the last man i left him but the greeks guided back their swift steeds from braprasium to pilus and all gave glory to joe of the gods and to nester of men thus was i as sure as i ever existed among men but achilles will enjoy his valor alone surely i think that he will hear after greatly lament when the people have bitterly perished oh my friend men oatius did assuredly thus command the on that day when he sent thee from pithia to agamemnon for we being both within i and noble ulysses distinctly hurt all things in the halls as he charged you but we were come to the well inhabited palace of pilius collecting an army through fertile greece there then we found the hero men oatius within as well as the and achilles besides but the aged horsemen pilius was burning the fat thighs of an ox to thunder rejoicing joe within the enclosure of his palace and held a golden cup pouring the dark wine over the blazing sacrifice both of you were then employed about the flesh of the ox whilst we stood in the vestibule but achilles astonished leaped up and led us in taking us by the hand and bade us be seated and he said in order before us the offerings of hospitality which are proper for guests but when we were satiated with eating and drinking i began discourse exhorting you to follow along with us ye were both very willing and they both commanded you many things aged pilius in the first place directed his son achilles ever to be the bravest and to be conspicuous above others but to thee again men oatius the son of actor thus gave charge my son achilles indeed is superior in birth but thou art the elder and he is much superior in strength but still do thou frequently suggest to him proper advice and admonish and direct him and he will surely be obedient in what is for his own good thus did the old man command thee but thou art forgetful but even now do thou mention these things to warlike achilles if perchance he may be obedient who knows if advising him thou mayest with the gods' assistance arouse his mind for the admonition of a friend is good but if within his mind he avoids some prophecy and his venerable mother has told him anything from jove let him at least send thee forth and with thee let the other forces of the mermidans follow if indeed thou mayest be some aid to the greeks let him likewise give his beautiful armor to thee to be born into battle if perchance the trojans assimilating thee to him may abstain from the conflict and the warlike sons of the greeks already afflicted may respire and there be a little respite from fighting but you who are fresh will with fighting easily drive back men weary towards the city from the ships and the tents thus he spake and he aroused the spirit within his breast and he hastened to run to the ships to achilles the grandson of veiacus but when now petroclus running arrived at the ships of god like Ulysses where were their forum and seat of justice and there the altars of their gods also were erected there uripolis the son of veemon wounded with an arrow in the thigh limbing from the battle met him down his back ran the copious sweat from his shoulders and head and from the grievous wound oozed the black blood nevertheless his mind was firm seeing him the gallant son of menuitius pitied him and grieving spoke winged words alas unhappy men leaders and rulers over the greeks are you then thus destined far away from your friends and native land to satiate the swift dogs at Troy with your white fat but come tell me this oh jove nurtured hero uripolis will the greeks still at all sustain mighty hector or will they now be destroyed subdued by his spear but him prudent uripolis intern addressed no longer jove nurtured petroclus will there be aid for the greeks but they will fall back upon the black ships for already all as many as were once bravest lie at the ships stricken or wounded by the hands of the trojans whose strength ever increases but do thou indeed save me leading me back to my black ship and cut out the arrow from my thigh and wash the black blood from it with warm water then sprinkle upon it mild drugs celubrius which they say thou were taught by Achilles whom chiron instructed the most just of the centaurs where the physicians polydarius and mecheon the one i think having a wound lies at the tents and himself and want of a faultless physician and the other awaits a sharp battle of the trojans upon the plane but him again the brave son of manuitis addressed how then will these things turn out what shall we do oh hero uripolis i go that i may deliver a message to warlike achilles with which venerable nester guardian of the greeks has interested me but even thus i cannot neglect the afflicted he said and having laid hold of the shepherd of the people under his breast bore him to the tent and his attendant when he saw this spread under him bulls's hides their patroclus laying him at length cut out with a knife the bitter sharp arrow from his thigh and washed the black blood from it with warm water then he applied a bitter pain a sewaging root rubbing it in his hands which checked all his pangs the wound indeed was dried up and the bleeding ceased end of book the eleventh read by steven carney section 12 book the twelfth of the iliad of homer this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by steven carney the iliad of homer by homer translated by theodore alouis buckley section 12 book the twelfth argument thus then the trojans assail the rampart and hector despite an omen which polygamous interprets and favorably attacks and forces the gate and opens away to the ships thus then at the tent the valiant son of minuitius was healing the wounded urippalus but the greeks and trojans kept fighting in masses nor was a ditch of the greeks destined to prove a barrier any longer and the wide wall from above which they had erected in defense of the ships but they had drawn a fos around nor had they given splendid hecatums to the gods that it in closing within might defend the swift ships and the great booty but it was built against the will of the immortal gods therefore it remained not perfect for any long period as long as hector was alive and achilles indignant and the city of king pream unraveled so long was the mighty wall of the greeks firm but when all the bravest of the trojans were dead and many of the greeks were subdued but others left surviving when in the 10th year the city of pream was sacked and the greeks went in their ships to their dear fatherland then at length neptune and apollo took council to demolish the wall introducing the strength of rivers as many as flow into the sea from the adaian mountains both the rhesus and the heptoporas and the carisus and the rhodius the granicus and the asepis the divine skamander and the simoas where many shields and helmets fell in the dust and the race of demigod men the mouths of all these febus apollo turned to the same spot and for nine days he directed their streams against the wall and jove in the meantime reigned continually that he might the sooner render the walls overwhelmed by the sea but the earth shaker neptune himself holding the trident in his hands led them on and then dispersed among the billows all the foundations of beams and stones which the greeks had laid with toil and he made all level along the rapid helispont and again covered the vast shore with sands having demolished the wall but then he turned the rivers to go back into their own channels in which they had formerly poured their sweet flowing water thus were neptune and apollo about to act hereafter but then the battle and clamor burned around the well-built wall and the stricken joists of the towers resounded but the greeks subdued by the scourge of joe were detained hemmed in at the hollow ships dreading hector the furious cause of flight for he fought as formerly equal to a whirlwind and as when a bore or lion is occupied amongst the dogs and huntsmen looking dreadfully with strength and they drawing themselves up in a square form stand against him and hurl frequent javelins from their hands but never is his noble heart alarmed nor is he put to flight but his courage proves his death and frequently he turns round trying the ranks of men and wheresoever he has directed his attack there the ranks of men give way so hector going through the crowd rolled along inciting his companions to cross the trench nor did the swift-footed horses dare it but they loudly made standing upon the precipitous brink for the wide ditch affrighted them nor was it easy to leap across by standing near or to pass it for overhanging brink stood rounded on both sides and beneath it was fortified with sharp palisades which the sons of the greeks had fixed close set and large as a defense against hostile men they are a horse drawing a swift rolling chariot could not readily enter but the infantry eagerly desired it if they could accomplish it then indeed polydamus standing near addressed daring hector hector and the other leaders of the trojans and allies unwisely do we drive our fleet steeds through the trench which is very difficult to pass since sharp palisades stand in it and near them is the wall of the greeks therefore it is by no means possible for the cavalry to descend or to fight for it is a narrow place where i think they would be wounded for if indeed lofty thundering jove designing evil destroys the greeks but wishes to assist the trojans certainly i would wish this to take place even immediately that the greeks perish here in glorious away from argles if indeed they rally and a repulse from the ships take place and we be entangled in the dug trench i do not suppose that then even a messenger will return back to the city from the greeks but come let us all be persuaded as i shall advise let the servants keep our horses at the trench and let us all on foot clad in armor follow hector in a close body but the greeks will not withstand us if indeed the end of destruction hang over them thus fake polydamus but the safe council pleased hector and immediately he leaped with his armor from his chariot on the ground nor did the other trojans assemble on horseback but dismounting they rushed on when they beheld noble hector then each commanded his own charioteer to rein his steeds in good order there at the trench and they separating drawing themselves up and being arranged in five columns followed along with their leaders some then went with hector and illustrious polydamus who were most numerous and brave and who are most resolutely desirous having broken down the wall to fight at the hollow ships and sebrionus followed as a third for hector left another inferior to sebrionus with his chariot others paris commanded and al-cathus and aginore the third band helenus and godlike de fovis two sons of priam but the third commander was the hero asias son of her tachas whom fiery tall steeds brought from irisba from the river soleus but the fourth anus the brave son of encaces led along with him were the two sons of antonore archelocus and a camus well skilled in every kind of fight but sarpedon commanded the illustrious allies and chose to himself glaucus and warlike estero peyas for they appeared to him next to himself decidedly the bravest of the rest for he indeed excelled among all when they then had fitted each other together with interlaced ox hide bucklers they advanced full of courage direct against the greeks nor expected that they would sustain them but that they would fall in flight into their black ships then the other trojans and far summoned allies obeyed the council of blameless polydamus but asias son of her tachas leader of heroes was unwilling to relinquish his horses and attendant charioteer but with them advanced to the swift ships foolish nor was he destined to return again born on his steeds and chariot from the ships to win swept ileum having avoided evil destiny for him unlucky fate first encircled from the spear of a dominus the illustrious son of deukalion where he rushed towards the left of the ships by the way in which the greeks were returning from the plane with their horses and chariots thither he drove his horses and his chariot nor did he find the gates closed in the portal or the long bar up but the men held them wide open that they might safely receive at the ships any of their companions flying from the battle he designedly guided his steeds right onward in that way and his troops shrilly shouting followed along with him for they supposed that the greeks could no longer sustain them but would fail in flight into the black ships fools for at the gates they found two very brave heroes the magnanimous sons of the warlike lapathia the one the son of pyrethus gallant polypoetis the other leontius equal to manslaughtering mars these two then stood before the lofty gates as tall oaks on the mountains which abide the wind and rain at all seasons remaining firmly fixed by their great and widespreading roots so they too trusting to their hands and strength awaited mighty asias coming on nor fled but the troops lifting high their well-seasoned bucklers advanced with loud shouting directly towards the well-built wall round their king asias and eomenus and orestes a camus the son of asias thune and oenomaeus hitherto indeed these remaining within were exhorting the well-armed greeks to fight for the ships but when they perceived the trojans rushing against the wall and confusion and flight to the greeks arose both darting out fought before the gates like unto wild boars which await the approaching tumult of men and dogs in the mountains and advancing obliquely to the attack break down the wood around them cutting it to the root and the gnashing of teeth arises from beneath till someone having taken aim deprived them of life so resounded the shining brass upon their breasts smitten in front for very valiantly they fought trusting to the troops above and to their own valor but they hurled stones down from the well-built towers defending themselves their tents and their swift voyaging ships and as snowflakes fall upon the earth which the violent wind having disturbed the shady clouds pours down thick upon the fertile soil thus pour the weapons from the hands as well of the greeks as of the trojans and the helmets and bossy shields spittin with large stones sounded really around then indeed asias son of hercatus groaned and smote both his thighs and indignant exclaimed father jove surely now at least thou also has to become utterly deceitful for i did not expect that the greecian heroes would abide our strength and invincible hands but they as wasps flexible in the middle and bees which make their dwellings in a rugged path nor quit their hollow mansion but awaiting the huntsmen fight for their offspring so are these unwilling to retire from the gates though being only two until they be either killed or taken thus he spake nor did he persuade the mind of jove saying these things for his soul designed to bestow glory upon hector in the meantime others were waiting the battle at the other gates but difficult would it be for me as if i were a god to enumerate all these things for around the wall in every direction a furiously raging fire of stones was aroused and the greeks although grieving fought from necessity for their ships and all the gods were sorrowful in their minds as many as were allies to the greeks in battle but lapithea began the battle and contest but lapithea began the battle and contest then the son of pyrethus brave polypoetis smote damasus with his spear through his brazen cheeked helmet nor did the brazen cask withstand but the brazen blade burst quite through the bone and all the brain within was shattered thus he subdued him rushing on and afterwards he slew pylon and ormenus and leontius a branch of mar's wounded hippomachus the son of entomachus with his spear striking him at the belt next to drawing his sharp sword from the sheath he rushing through the crowd smote entephetis first hand to hand and he was dashed on his back to the ground then menon and eomenus and orrestes all one over another he brought to the fertile earth whilst they were stripping off their glittering armor whose youths mean time who were most numerous and most brave and who were most eager to break down the wall and burn the ships with fire followed polydamus and hector and they anxiously deliberated standing at the trench for an augury had appeared on the left to them while eager to cross a high-flying eagle dividing the people bearing in his talons a monstrous bloodstained serpent alive still panting nor was it yet forgetful of fighting for while holding it writhing backwards it wounded him upon the breast near the neck but he let it drop from him to the ground afflicted with anguish and threw it into the midst of the crowd and flapping his wings he fled away with the breeze of the wind and the trojans shuddered as they beheld the spotted serpent lying in the midst a prodigy of ages bearing jove then polydamus standing near addressed gallant hector hector somehow or other thou art ever chiding me in the assemblies although proposing good councils because it is by no means becoming for a man being a citizen to harangue contrary to thee either in council or at any time in war but ever to increase thy authority yet will I again speak as appears to me to be best let us not go about to fight with the greeks for their ships for thus do I think it will end as sure as this augury has come to the trojans desiring to cross the high flying eagle upon the left dividing the army bearing in its talons a huge bloodstained serpent still living but presently it dropped it before it reached its dear home nor succeeded in carrying it to give it to its young so we even if we shall with great force break through the gates and wall of the greeks and the greeks shall give way not in order shall be returned by the same way from the ships for we shall leave many trojans whom the greeks fighting for the ships will subdue with the brass thus indeed with a diviner who truly ken's omens in his mind interpret and the people would obey him but him sternly regarding crest tossing hector thus addressed oh polygamous thou dost not say things agreeable to me besides thou knowest how to devise other council better than this if however thou really speak as this with seriousness then truly have the gods destroyed thy judgment from thee who advised me to be forgetful of the councils of lofty thundering jove which he hath himself undertaken for me and confirmed and thou exhortest me to obey the wing expanding birds which I very little regard nor do I care for them whether they fly to the right towards the morn and the sun or to the left towards a darkening west but let us obey the will of mighty jove who rules over all mortals and immortals there is one augury the best to fight for our country why does thou dread the war and conflict for although all the rest of us should perish round the ships of the greeks there is no fear that thou wilt perish for thy heart is not persevering in the fight nor warlike but a thou darest to abstain from the combat or dissuading just avert another from the battle immediately stricken by my spear shall thou lose thy life thus then having spoken he led the way but they followed him with an immense clamor then thunder delighting jove raised a storm of wind from the adaian mountains which bore the dust directly towards the ships moreover he weakened the courage of the greeks but bestowed glory upon the trojans and hector so that relying upon his prodigies and their own strength they endeavored to break through the mighty wall of the greeks they tore down the niched battlements of the towers and demolished the breastworks and with levers they appeaved to the projecting buttresses which the greeks had planted first in the earth as supporters of the towers these then they tore down and hoped to break through the wall of the greeks yet did not the greeks retire as yet from the way but fencing up the embrasures with their oxide shields they wounded from behind them the enemy coming up under the wall and both the ajacies ranged in every direction upon the towers cheering on rousing the valor of the greeks one they addressed with soothing another they rebuked with harsh expressions whomsoever they beheld totally neglectful of battle oh friends whoever of the greeks is excelling or moderate or inferior since all men are not alike in war now is their work for all and ye yourselves i wean know this let not anyone be turned back towards the ships hearing the threatened their hector but advance onwards and exhort each other if perchance olympic jove the darter of lightning may grant that having repulsed the conflict we may pursue the enemy to the city thus they shouting in front cheered on the attack of the greeks but of them as when frequent flakes of snow fall upon the winter's day when provident jove has begun to snow displaying his weapons in the sight of men and having lulled the winds pours it down incessantly till he covers the tops and highest peaks of the lofty mountains and the lotus plains and rich husbandry of men and likewise it is poured out upon the havens and shores of the hoary sea but the approaching waves restrained its progress whilst all other things are covered beneath it when the shower of jove comes down heavily so flew the frequent stones from those hurling on both sides some indeed towards atrogens and others from the trojans towards the greeks and along the whole wall a tumult arose yet never with a trojant and illustrious hector have burst open the gates of the wall and the long bolt had not provident jove urged on his son sarbaton against the greeks like a lion against crooked horned oxen but he immediately held before him his shield equal on all sides beautiful brazen plated which the brazier indeed had plated over and underneath had sewed together thick bulls as hides with successive golden wires around its orb he then holding this before him advanced brandishing two spears like a lion reared in the mountains which have been long and want to flesh and whose valiant mind impels him to go even to the well fenced fold about to make an attempt upon the sheep and although he there finds the shepherds keeping watch about their flocks with dogs and spears still he cannot bear to be driven away without having made trial of the fold but springing in he either carries one off or is himself wounded among the first by a javelin from a quick hand thus then did his mind impel godlike sarbaton to attack the wall and to burst through the barriers and instantly he addressed glaucus son of hippolocus glaucus why are we especially honored in lycea both with the first seat in banquet and with full goblets and why do all look to us as to gods why do we also possess a great and beautiful enclosure of the vine bearing and corn bearing land of the banks of xanthus now therefore it behooves us advancing among the foremost lyceans to stand firm and to bear the brunt of the raging fight so that some one of the closely armed lyceans may say by no means inglorious to our king's govern lycea and eat the fat sheep and drink the choice sweet wine but their valor likewise is excelling because they fight among the foremost lyceans oh dear friend if indeed by escaping from this war we were destined to be ever free from old age and immortal neither would i combat myself in the van nor send me into the glorious battle but now for of a truth ten thousand fates of death press upon us which it is not possible for a mortal to escape or avoid let us on either we shall give glory to someone or someone to us thus he spoke nor did glaucus turn aside or disobey but both advanced straight forward leading a numerous band of lyceans but menestheus the son of peteus beholding them shuttered for they were advancing towards his company bearing destruction he looked round along the line of the greeks if he might see any of the leaders who could ward off the fight from his companions and perceived the two ajacy's insatiable of war standing and to use her lately come from his tent near at hand yet was it not possible for him to be heard when shouting so great was the din and the crash of stricken shields and of horsehair crested helmets and of the gates reached to heaven for they had assailed all and they standing beside them endeavored to enter bursting them open by force but immediately he dispatched the herald suities to ajax go noble suities running call ajax rather indeed both for this would be by far the best of all since in a short while heavy destruction will arise here for so vigorously do the leaders of the lyceans press on who even before were impetuous in the sharp contest if however labor and contest have arisen to them here at least let brave telemonian ajax come and with him let to use her follow well skilled in archery thus he spoke nor did the herald having heard him this will be but he hastened to run along the wall of the brazen mailed greeks and proceeding he stood beside the ajacies and immediately addressed them the ages leaders of the brazen mailed greeks the beloved son of jove nourish pateus adjures you to come thither that he may participate in his toil though for a short time both indeed in preference for this would be by far the best of all things since soon will heavy destruction arise there for so vigorously do the leaders of the lyceans press on who even before were impetuous in the sharp contest but if here also war and contest have arisen at least let brave telemonian ajax come alone and with him let to use her follow well skilled in archery thus he spoke nor did mighty telemonian ajax disobey instantly he addressed to the son of oilius winged words ajax do thou and gallant like a media standing here inside the greeks to fight bravely whilst I go thither and oppose the battle but I will return again instantly after I shall have assisted them thus then having spoken telemonian ajax departed and with him went to use her his brother sprung from the same father and pandion along with them carried the bent bow of to use her as soon as they reached the tower of magnanimous menaceus going within the wall for they came to their friends being hard pressed and the brave leaders and chiefs of the lyceans were mounting upon the rest works like unto a dark whirlwind but they engaged to fight in opposition and the clamor arose telemonian ajax first slew a man the companion of sarbadan magnanimous epicles striking him with a rugged stone which mighty in size lay highest up against a pinnacle within the wall not easily would a man supported with both hands such as mortals now are not although being very youthful but he raising it aloft hurled it and burst the forecone helmet and along with it crushed all the bones of the skull but he like unto a diver fell from the lofty tower and life deserted his bones to use her likewise with a shaft wounded glaucus the brave son of hippo locus as he was rushing on against the lofty wall in a part where he perceived his arm naked and made him cease from combat but he sprang back from the wall concealing himself that none of the greeks might perceive him wounded and insult him with words then grief came upon sarbadan on account of glaucus departing as soon as he observed it though he nevertheless was not neglectful of the contest but he taking aim wounded alchemean son of fester with his spear and extracted the spear but he following the weapon fell prone and his armor variously decked with brass resounded upon him sarbadan then seizing the buttress with his sturdy hands pulled and it all followed entirely but the wall was stripped away from above and he formed the way for many then ajax and he used her aiming at him together then one smote him with an arrow and the splendid belt of his mortal girding shield around his breast but joe verded the fate from his son that he might not be slain at the sterns of the ships but ajax springing upon him struck his shield and pierced him quite through with his spear and forcibly checked him eager and then he fell back for a little from the buttress but did not altogether retreat because his spirit hoped to bear off glory and turning around he encouraged a god like lycians lycians why are you thus remiss in your impetuous force it is difficult for me although being brave having a lone burst through to form a way to the ships but follow along with me for the labor of the greater number is better thus he spake and they reverencing the exhortation of their king pressed on with more alacrity around their council giving king and the greeks on the other side strengthen their phalanxes within the wall because a great work presented itself to them for neither could the gallant lycians bursting through the wall of the greeks make their way to the ships nor could the warlike greeks repulse the lycians from the wall since first they approached it but as two men holding measures in their hands dispute in a common field concerning their boundaries who in a small space contender for their equitable right thus did the buttresses separate these warriors and for them each smote the well-rounded oxide shields around each other's breasts and the light bucklers of each other and many were wounded upon the body with the merciless brass whether the back of any combatant averted was laid bare and many right through the shield itself everywhere the towers and buttresses were sprinkled on both sides with the blood of heroes from the trojans and the greeks yet not even thus could they cause a flight of the greeks but they held themselves as a just woman who labors with her hands does the scales who poising both the weight and the wool draws them on either side to equalize them that she may procure a scanty pittance for the support of her children thus equally was their battle and war extended before the time when joe gave superior glory to hector the son of priam who first leaped within the wall of the greeks and shouted with a penetrating voice calling out to the trojans push on e-horse breaking trojans burst through the wall of the greeks and hurl the fiercely blazing fire against the ships thus he spake cheering them on but they all hurt him with their ears and rushed against the wall in great numbers and then mounted the battlements carrying their pointed spears but hector seizing it took up a stone which stood before the gates widening out at the base but sharp above which two men the strongest of the people such as mortals now are could not easily raise from the ground upon a wagon he however brandished it easily and alone because the son of wise Saturn had rendered it light to him as when a shepherd without difficulty carries the fleece of a male sheep taking it in either hand and but a small way depresses him so hector raising the stone bore it right against the beams which strengthened the closely jointed gates double and lofty but two crossbars secured them within and one key fitted them but advancing he stood very near and exerting his strength struck them in the middle standing with his legs wide asunder that the blow of the weapon might not be weak and he tore away both hinges and the stone fell within a great weight and the gates crashed around nor did the bars withstand it but the beams were rent asunder in different directions by the impulse of the stone there illustrious hector rushed in in aspect like unto the dreadful night and he glittered in terrible brass with which he was girth around his body and he held two spears in his hands nor could anyone opposing restrain him except the gods after he had leaf within the gates but his eyes gleamed with fire and turning to the crowd he cheered on the Trojans to ascend the wall and they obeyed him encouraging straightway indeed some crossed the wall and others report in through the well wrought gates but the greeks were routed towards the hollow barks and an unyielding tumult ensued end of book the twelfth read by steven carney