 Book 27 of the Iliad. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Iliad by Homework, translated by Samuel Butler. Book 17, recording by M. L. Cohen. The Light Around the Body of Petrocholus Brave Menelaus, son of Atreus, now came to know that Petrocholus had fallen and made his way through the front ranks clad in full armor to bestride him. As the cow stands, lowing over her first calf, even so did yellow-haired Menelaus bestride Petrocholus. He held his round shield and his spear in front of him, resolute to kill any who should dare face him. But the son of Pantheos also had noted the body and came up to Menelaus saying, Menelaus, son of Atreus, draw back, leave the body, and let the bloodstained spoils be. I was first of the Trojans and their brave allies to drive my spear into Petrocholus. Let me, therefore, have my full glory among the Trojans, or I will take aim and kill you. To this, Menelaus answered in great anger, By Father Joe, boasting is an ill thing. The part is not more bold, nor the lion, nor savage wild boar, which is fiercest and most stauntless of all creatures, are the proud sons of Pantheos. Yet Hyperinor did not see out the days of his youth when he made light of me and withstood me. Deem me mean the meanest soldier among the day and ends. His own feet never bore him back to gladden his wife and parents. Even so shall I make an end of you, too, if you would stand me. Get you back into the crowd and do not face me, or it shall be the worst for you. Even a fool may be wise after the event. Euphorbis would not listen and said, Now indeed, Menelaus, shall you pay for the death of my brother Omohoom you vaunted and whose wife you widowed in her bridal chamber while you bought grief unspeakable on its parents. I shall comfort these poor people if I bring your head and armor and place them in the hands of Pantheos and Noble Fronthus. The time has come when the matters shall be fought out and settled, for me or against me. As he spoke, he struck Menelaus full on the shield, but the spear did not go through, for the shield turned its point. Menelaus then took aim, praying to the father Jove as he did so. Euphorbis was drawing back and Menelaus struck him about the roots of his throat, leaving his whole weight on the spear so as to drive it home. The point when clean through his neck and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. His hair, which was like that of the graces, and his locks, so deftly bound in bands of silver and gold, were all bedrabbled with blood. As one who has grown a fine young alfaltry in a clear space where there is abundance of water, the plant is full of promise, and though the winds beat upon it from every quarter puts forth its white blossoms, till the blast of some fierce hurricane sweep down upon it and level it with the ground. Even so, did Menelaus strip the fair Euphorbis of his armor after he had slain him. Or as some fierce line upon the mountains in the pride of his strength fastens on the finest effer in a herd as it's feeding, first he breaks her neck with his strong jaws and then gorges on her blood and entrails. Dogs and shepherds raise a hue and cry against him, but they stand aloof and will not come close to him for they are pale with fear. Even so, no one had the courage to face valiant Menelaus. The son of Atreus would have then carried off the armor of the son of Panthos would ease, had not Phoebus Apollo been angry, and in the guise of Menti's chief of the Sikons incited Hector to attack him. Hector said he, you are now going after the horses of the noble son of Atreus, but you will not take them. They cannot be kept in hand and driven by mortal man save only by Achilles, who was son to an immortal mother. Meanwhile, Menelaus son of Atreus had bestridden the body of Patroclus and killed the noblest of the Trojans, Euphorbus son of Panthos, so that he can fight no more. The god then went back into the toil and turmoil, but the soul of Hector was darkened with a cloud of grief. He looked along the ranks and saw Euphorbus lying on the ground with the blood still flowing from his wound and Menelaus stripping him of his armor. On this he made his way to the front like a flame of fire, clad in his gleaming armor and crying with a loud voice. When the son of Atreus heard him, he said to himself in his dismay, Alas, what shall I do? I may not let the Trojans take the armor of Patroclus who had fallen fighting on my behalf, lest some Danean who sees me should cry shame upon me. Still, if for my honor's sake I fight Hector and the Trojans single-handed, they will prove too many for me, for Hector is bringing them up in force. Why, however, should I thus hesitate? When a man fights in the spite of heaven with one whom a god befriends, he will soon rue it. Let no Danean think ill of me if I give place to Hector, for the hand of heaven is with him. Yet, if I could find Ajax, the two of us would fight Hector in heaven too, if we might only save the body of Patroclus for Achilles' sonopelius. This of many evils would be the least. While he was thus in two minds, the Trojans came up to him with Hector at their head. He therefore drew back and left the body, turning about like some bearded lion who was being chased by dogs and men from the stockyard with spears and hue and cry, whereupon he is daunted and slinks sulkly off. Even so, did Menelaus' sonopetrius turn and leave the body of Patroclus. When among the body of his men, he looked around for mighty Ajax, son of Telemon, and presently saw him on the extreme left of the fight, cheering on his men and exhorting them to keep on fighting, for Phoebus Apollo had spread a great panic among them. He ran up to him and said, Ajax, my good friend, come with me at once to dead Patroclus. If so be that we may take the body to Achilles. As for his armor, Hector already has it. These words stirred the heart of Ajax and he made his way among the front ranks, Menelaus going with him. Hector had stripped Patroclus of his armor and was dragging him away to cut off his head and take the body to fling before the dogs of Troy. But Ajax came up with a shield like a wall before him, on which Hector withdrew under shelter of his men and sprang onto his chariot, giving the armor over to the Trojans to take to the city as a great trophy for himself. Ajax, therefore, covered the body of Patroclus with his broad shield and bestowed him as a line stands over his welps if hunters have come upon him in a forest when he is with his little ones. In the pride and fierceness of his strength, he draws his knit brows down till they cover his eyes. Even so, did Ajax bestride the body of Patroclus and by his side, submenelaus son of Atreus, nursing great sorrow in his heart. Then Glaucus, son of Hippolicus, looked fiercely at Hector and rebuked him sternly. Hector, said he, you make a brave show, but in fight you were sadly wanting. A runaway like yourself has no claim to so great a reputation. Think how you may now save your town and citadel by the hands of your own people born in Ilias, for you will get no lyceans to fight for you, seeing what thanks they have had for their incessant hardships. Are you likely sure to do anything to help a man of less note after leaving Sarpidon, who was at once your guest in Comrade and Arms to be the spoil and prey of the Danans? So long as he lived, he did good service both to your city and yourself, yet you had no stomach to save his body from the dogs. If the lyceans will listen to me, they will go home and leave Troy to its fate. If the Trojans had any of that daring fearless spirit which lays hold of men who were fighting for their country and harassing those who would attack it, we should soon bear off Patroclus into Ilias. Could we get this dead man away and bring him to the city of Priam? Ilias would readily give up the armor of Sarpidon, and we should get his body to boot. For he whose squire has now been killed is the foremost man at the ships of the Achaeans, he and his close fighting followers. Nevertheless, you dare not make a stand against Ajax, nor face him eye to eye with battle all around you, for he is a braver man than you are. Hector scowled at him and answered, Glaucus, you should know better. I have held you so far as a man of more understanding than any in all Lycea, but now I despise you for saying that I am afraid of Ajax. I fear neither battle nor gin of chariots, but Joves will is stronger than ours. Jovet one time makes even a strong man draw back and snatch his victory from his grasp, while at another he will set him on to fight. Come hither then, my friend, stand by me and see indeed whether I shall play the coward the whole day through as you say, or whether I shall not stay some, even of the boldest Danians from fighting around the body of Patroclus. As he spoke, he called loudly on the Trojans saying, Trojans, Lyceans and Dardanians, fighters in close combat, be men, my friends, and fight, might, and main, while I put on the goodly arm of Achilles, which I took when I killed Patroclus. With this Hector left the fight and ran full speed after his men who were taking the arm of Achilles to Troy, but had not yet got far. Standing for a while apart from the woeful fight, he changed his armor. His own he sent to the strong city of Ilius and to the Trojans, while he put on the immortal armor of the son of Pilius, the gods had given to Pilius, who in his age gave it to his son, but the son did not grow old in his father's armor. When Jove, lord of the storm cloud, saw Hector standing aloof and arming himself in the armor of the son of Pilius, he wagged his head and muttered to himself, ah, poor wretch, you arm in the armor of a hero, before whom many another trembles, and you wreck nothing of the doom that is already close upon you. You have killed this comrade so brave and strong, but it was not well that you should strip the armor from his head and shoulders. I do indeed endow you with a great might now, but as against this you shall not return from battle to lay the armor of the son of Pilius before Andromache. The son of Saturn bowed his pretentious brows, and Hector fitted the army to his body, while terrible Mars entered into him and filled his whole body with might and valor. With a shout he strode in among the allies and his armor flashed about him, and seemed to all them like the great son of Pilius himself. He went about among them and cheered them on, Messles, Glaucous, Medan, Theriscles, Areopius, Desenor, and Hippithus, Phosese, Chromius, and Enimus, the Augur. All these did he exhort, saying, Hear me, allies from other cities who are here in your thousands. It was not in order to have a crowd about me that I called you hither each from his several city, but that with heart and soul you might defend the wives and little ones of the Trojans from the fierce Achaeans. They are the people with your food and the presence that make you rich. Therefore turn and charge at the foe to stand or fall as is the game of war, whoever shall bring Protokolis, dead though he be, into the hands of the Trojans, and shall make Ajax give way before him. I will give him one half the spoils while I keep the other. He will thus share like honor with myself. When he had thus spoken, they charged full weight upon the Danes with their spears held out before them, and the hopes of each ran high that he should force Ajax, son of Telemante, yield up the body, fools that they were, for he was about to take the lives of many. Then Ajax said to Menelaus, my good friend Menelaus, you and I shall hardly come out this fight alive. I am less concerned for the body of Protokolis, who will shortly become meat for the dogs and vultures of Troy, than for the safety of my own head and yours. Hector has wrapped us round in a storm of battle from every quarter, and our destruction seems now certain. Call then upon the princes of the Danans if there is any who can hear us. Menelaus did as he said, and shouted to the Danes for help at the top of his voice. My friends, he cried, princes and counselors of the Argives, all you were with Agamemnon and Menelaus, drink at the public cost, and give orders each to his own people as Joe vouchsates in power and glory. The fight is so thick about me that I cannot distinguish you severally. Come on therefore, every man unbidden, and think it's shame that Protokolis should become meat and morsel for Trojan hounds. Fleet Ajax, son of Oiles, heard him, and was first to force his way through the fight and run to help him. Next came Idomenius and Mareonis, his Esquire, peer of murderous Mars. As for the others that came into the fight after theirs, who of his own self could name them? The Trojans would hector at their head charged in the body as a great wave that comes thundering in at the mouth of some heaven-born river, and the rocks that jut into the sea ring were the roar of breakers that beaten buffet them, even with such a roar did the Trojans come on. But the Achaeans in singleness of hearts stood firm about the son of Minotius and fenced him in with their bronze shields. Joe, moreover, hid the brightness of their helmets in a thick cloud, for he had borne no grudge against the son of Minotius while he was still alive and squire to the descendant of Acheus. Therefore he was loath to let him fall prey to the dogs of his foes, the Trojans, and urged his comrades on to defend him. At first the Trojans drove the Achaeans back, and they withdrew from the dead man daunted. The Trojans did not succeed in killing anyone. Nevertheless, they drew the body away. But the Achaeans did not lose it long for Ajax, foremost of all the Danans after the son of Piliis, alike in stature and prowess, quickly rallied them and made towards the front like a wild boar upon the mountain when he stands at bay in the forest glades and routes to hounds and lusty use that have attacked him. Even so, did Ajax's son of Telemond passing easily among the phalanxes of the Trojans, disperse those who had bestridden Betroclus and who were most spent on winning glory by dragging him off to their city. At this moment, hypothesis brave son of Pagalsi and Letheus in his zeal for Hector and the Trojans was dragging the body off by the foot through the press of the fight, having bound a strap around the sinews near the ankle. But a mischief soon befell him from which none of those could save him who had gladly done so, for the son of Telemond sprang forward and smote him on his brown cheeked helmet. The plumed headpiece broke about the point of the weapon, both by the spear and by the strong hand of Ajax, so that the bloody brain came oozing out through the crest socket. His strength then felled him and he let Betroclus' foot drop from his hand as he fell full length dead upon the body. Thus he died far from the fertile land of Larissa, and never repaid his parents the cost of bringing him up, for his life was cut short early by the spear of mighty Ajax. Hector then took aim at Ajax with a spear, but he saw it coming and just managed to avoid it. The spear passed on and struck Sidious, son of Noble Ithias, captain of the Foscians who dwelt in fame, Pinopias, and reigned over much people. It struck him under the middle of the collar bone. The bronze point went right through him, coming out the bottom of his shoulder blade, and his armor rang rattling round him as he fell heavily to the ground. Ajax in his turn struck Noble Forces, son of Phenops, in the middle of his belly as he was bestriding Hippothus and broke the plate of his cures, whereupon the spear tore out his entrails and watched the ground and the palm as he fell to the earth. Hector and those who were in the front rank then gave ground, while the Argives raised a loud cry of triumph and drew off the bodies of Foscians and Hippothus, which they stripped presently of their armor. The Trojans would now have been worsted by the brave Achaeans and driven back to Ilias to their own cowardice, while the Argives, so great was their courage and endurance, would have achieved a triumph even against the will of Jove, if Apollo had not Royus Deneus an attendant who had grown old in the service of Ilias's aged father and was at all times devoted to him. In his likeness then, Apollo said, Ilias, can you not manage, even though heaven be against us, to save Hi Ilias? I have known men whose numbers, courage and self-reliance have saved their people in spite of Jove, whereas in this case he would much rather give victory to us than to the Danans, if you would only fight instead of being so terribly afraid. Ilias knew Apollo when he looked straight at him and shouted to Hector saying, Hector and all other Trojans and allies, shame on us if we are beaten by the Achaeans and driven back to Ilias to our own cowardice, a goddess just come up to me and told me that Jove the supreme disposer will be with us. Therefore, let us make for the Danans that it may go hard with them ere they bear away dead paratrocholus to their ships. As he spoke, he sprang out far in front of the others who then rallied and again faced the Achaeans, a neus-spiridly-octurist son of Orisbis, a valent follower of Lycomedes and Lycomedes was moved with pity as he saw him fall. He therefore went close up in spirit apacean son of Hepaceus shepherd of his people under the liver in a midriff so that he died. He had come from fertile Peonia and was the best man of all them after Osteropias. Osteropias flew forward to avenge him and attack the Danans, but this might no longer be inasmuch as those about paratrocholus were well covered by their shields in front of them, for Ajax to give them strict orders that no man was either to give ground or to stand out before the others, for all were to hold well together about the body and fight hand to hand. Thus did huge Ajax bid them and the earth ran red with blood as the corpses fell thick on one another alike to side of the Trojans and allies and on that of the Danans. For these last two fought no bloodless fight, though many fewer of them perished through the care they took to defend and stand by one another. Thus did they fight as it were a flaming fire. It seemed as though it had gone hard even with the sun and moon, for they were hidden over all that part where the bravest heroes were fighting about the densutum and oleus, where the other Danans and Akaians fought at their ease in full daylight with bright sunshine all around them, and there was not a cloud to be seen neither on plain nor mountain. These last morrow would rest for a while and leave off fighting, for they were some distance apart and beyond the range of one another's weapons, whereas those who were in the thick of the fray suffered both from battle and darkness. All the best of them were being worn out by the great weight of their armor, but the two valiant heroes, Thrasomedes and Antillicus, had not yet heard of the death of Petrocholus and believed him still to be alive and leading the van against the Trojans. They were keeping themselves in reserve against the death or out of their own comrades, for so Nestor had ordered when he sent them from the ships into battle. Thus, through the live long day, did they wage fierce war and the sweat of their toil reigned ever on their legs under them, as they fought over the squire of the fleet's son of Pilius. It was as when a man gives a great oxide all drenched in fat to his men and bids them stretch it, whereupon they stand rounded in a ring and tugged till the moisture leaves it, and the fat soaks in for the many that pull at it, and it is well stretched. Even so, did the two sides tug the dead body hither and thither within the compass of but a little space. The Trojans steadfastly set on dragging it into Ilius, while the Achaeans were no less so and fierce was the fight between them. Not Mars himself, lord of hosts, nor yet Minerva, even in their fullest fury could make light of such a battle. Such fear for turmoil of men and horses did Jove on that day ordain round the body of Petrocholus. Meanwhile Achilles did not know that he had fallen, for the fight was under the wall of Troy a long way off from the ships. He had no idea therefore that Petrocholus was dead and deemed that he would return alive as soon as he had gone close up to the gates. He knew that he was not to sack the city neither with nor without himself, for his mother had often told him this when he sat alone with her, and she had informed him of the councils of great Jove. Now however, she had not told him how a great disaster had befallen him of the death of the one who was far dearest to him of all his comrades. The others still kept on charging one another round the body with their pointed spears and killing each other. Then one would say, my friends we can never again show our faces at the ships, better and greatly better that the earth should open and swallow here in this place that we should let the Trojans have the triumph of bearing off Petrocholus to their city. The Trojans also on their part spoke to one another saying, friends though we fall to a man beside this body let none shrink from fighting. With such words did they exhort each other. They fought and fought and an iron clank rose through the void air to the brazen vault of heaven. The horses of the descendant of Asia stood out and fight and wept when they heard that the driver had been laid low by the hand of murderous Hector. Automedon, valiant son of Diaries lashed them again and again, many a time that he speak kindly to them, and many a time that he up-braid them. But they would neither go back to the ships by the waters of the broad helispont, nor yet into battle among the Achaeans. They stood with their chariot stock still, as a pillar set over a tomb of such dead man or woman and bowed their heads to the ground. Hot tears fell from their eyes as they mourned the loss of their charioteer, and their noble mains drooped all wet from under the yoke-straps on either side of the yoke. The son of Saturn saw them and took pity upon their sorrow. He wagged his head and muttered to himself, saying, Poor things, why did we give you to King Pilius who was immortal, while you are yourselves ageless and immortal? What is that you might share the sorrows that fall mankind? For of all creatures that live and move upon the earth there is none so pityable as he is. Still Hector, son of Priam, shall drive neither you nor your chariot, I will not have it. It is enough that he should have the armor over which he vaunts so vainly. Furthermore, I will give you strength of heart and limb to bear Ultimadan safely to the ships from battle, for I shall let the Trojans try him still further and go on killing till they reach the ships, whereupon night shall fall and darkness over shadow the land. As he spoke, he breathed heart and strength into the horses so that they shook the dust from out of their mains swiftly into the fight that raged between Trojans and Achaens. Behind them fought Ultimadan full of sorrow for his comrade as a vulture amid a flake of geese. In and out, here and there, full speed he dashed amid the throng of the Trojans, but for all the fury of his pursuit he killed no man, for he could not wield his spear and keep his horses in hand. Went alone in the chariot. At last, however, a comrade, Alcimidan, son of Laercee's son of Haman, caught sight of him and came up behind his chariot. Ultimadan said he, what God has put this folly into your heart and robbed you of your right mind, that you fight the Trojans in the front rank single-handed? He was your comrade as slain, and Hector plumes himself on being armed in the armor of the descendant of Achaens. Ultimadan, son of Diary's, answered, Alcimidan, there is no one else who can control and guide the immortal steed so well as you can, save only Petroklis, while he was alive, pure of gods and council, take the whip and reigns while I go from the car Alcimidan sprung on to the chariot and caught up in the whips and reigns while Ultimadan leaped from off the car. When Hector saw him, he said to Aeneas who was near him, Aeneas, counselor of the Maligad Trojans, I see the steeds of the fleet son of Aekas coming into battle with weak hands to drive them. I am sure if you think well that we might take them, they will not dare face us if we both attack them. The valiant son of Ankaesis was of the same mind, and the pair went right on their shoulders covered under shields of tough, dry oxide, overlaid with much browns. Chromius and Aredas went along with them, and their hearts beat high with the hope that they might kill them and capture the horses, fools that they were. For they were not to return skadeless from their meeting with Ultimadan, who prayed to his father, Joven, was forthwith filled with courage and strength abounding. He turned to his trusty comrade Alcimidan and said, Alcimidan, keep your horses so close up that I may feel their breath upon my back. He shall not stay hector son of Priam till he has killed us and mounted behind the horses. He will then either spread panic among the ranks of the Achaens, or himself be killed among the foremost. On this he cried out to the two Ajaxis and Menelaus. Ajaxis, captain of the Argives and Menelaus, give the dead body over to them that are best able to defend it, and come to the rescue of us living. For hector and Anias are the two breast men among the Trojans, are pressing us hard in the full tide of war. As you lies in the lap of heaven, I will therefore hurl my spear and leave no rest to Joven. He poised and hurled as he spoke. Whereon the spear struck the round shield of Oritas, and went right through it for the shield stayed at naught, so it was driven through his belt into the lower part of his belly. As when some sturdy youth, axe in hand, deals his blow behind the horns of an ox, and severs the tendons at the back of its neck, so that it springs forward and then drops. Even so did Aritus give one bound, the spear quivering in his body, till it made an end of him. Hector then aimed a spear at Ultimadan, but he saw it coming and stooped forward to avoid it, so that it flew past him, and the point struck in the ground, while the butt end went on quivering till Mars robbed it of its force. They would then have fought hand to hand with swords, had not the two Ajax's forced their way through the crowd, when they heard their comrades calling, and parted them for all their fury. For Hector and Anias and Chromius were afraid and drew back, but they were afraid. Ultimadan, pure of fleet Mars, then stripped him of his armor, and vaunted over him, saying, I have done little to assuage my sorrow for the son of Melcius, for the man I have killed is not so good as he was. As he spoke, he took the bloodstained spoils, and laid them upon his chariot, then he mounted to car with his hands and feet all steeped in gore, as a line that has been gorging upon a bull. And now the fierce, groanful fight again raged about and caused his fury by the command of far-seeing Jove, who had changed his mind and sent her to encourage the Danans. As when Jove bends his bright bow in the heaven to token the mankind either of war or the chill storms that stay men from their labor and plague the flocks, even so, wrapped in such radiant ray-mounted Minerva go in among the host and speak man by man to each. First she took the form and voice of Phoenix, and spoke to Melaleus, son of Atreus, who was standing near her. It will be a shame to dishonor to you if the dogs tear the noble comrade of Achilles under the walls of Troy. Therefore be staunch, and urge your men to be so also. Melaleus answered, Phoenix, my good old friend, may Minerva vouchsafe me strength and keep the darts from off me, for so I'll stand by patroclus and defend him. His death has gone to my heart, but Hector is as a raging fire and deals his blow without ceasing, for Jove is now granting him a time of triumph. Minerva was pleased at his having named herself before any other of the gods. Therefore she put strength into his knees and shoulders, and made him as bold as a fly, which, though driven off the will, yet come again and bite if it can, so dearly does it love man's blood. Even so bold as this did she make him as he stood over patroclus and through his spear. Now there was among the Trojans a man named Podes, son of Aetion, who was both rich and valiant. Hector held him in the highest honor, for he was a comrade companion. The spear of Menelaus struck this man and a girdle just as he had turned in flight, and went right through him. Whereon he fell heavily forward, and Menelaus son of Aetreus drew off his body from the Trojans into the ranks of his own people. Apollo then went up to Hector and spurred him on to fight, in the likeness of Phena, son of Aetius, who had lived in Abidos and was the most favorite of all Hector'd guests. In his likeness, Apollo said, Hector, who of the Acans will fear you hence now that you have quailed before Menelaus, who has ever been raided poorly as a soldier. Yet he now has a corpse away from the Trojans single-handed and slain your own true comrade, a man brave among the foremost Podes son of Aetion. A dark cloud of grief fell upon Hector as he heard, and he made his way to the front clad in full armor. Thereon the son of Saturn seized his bright tasseled Aegis and valed Ida in the cloud. He sent forth his lightning in his thunders, and after his Aegis, he gave victory to the Trojans and routed the Achaeans. The panic was begun by Penelius the Boetian, for while keeping his face turned ever towards the foe, he had been hit with a spear on the upper part of the shoulder, a spear thrown by Polydamus, had grazed the top of his bone, for Polydamus had come up to him and struck him from close at hand. Then Hector, in close combat struck Letius, son of Noble Aetrian, in the hand by the wrist and disabled him from fighting further. Then Aetrian said he wielded spear and battled with the Trojans. While Hector was in pursuit of Letius, Ida Meneus struck him on the breastplate over his chest near the nipple, but the spear broke in the shaft, and the Trojans cheered aloud. Hector then aimed at Ida Meneus, son of Ducalion, as he was standing on his chariot, and very narrowly missed him, but the spear hit Corianus, following charioteer Morioneis, who had come with him from Lyctius. Ida Meneus had left the ships on foot, and would have fully up to him. He therefore brought life and rescue to Ida Meneus, but himself fell by the hand of murderous Hector. For Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear. The end of the spear drove out his teeth and cut his tongue in two pieces, so that he fell from his chariot and let the rains fall to the ground. Morioneis gathered them up from the ground and took them into his own hands. Then he said to Ida Meneus lay on till you get back to the ships, for you must see that today is no longer ours. On this Ida Meneus lashed the horses to the ships, for fear had taken hold upon him. Ajax and Meneleus noted how Job had turned to scale in favor of the Trojans, and Ajax was the first to speak. Alas, said he, even a fool may see that Father Job is helping the Trojans. All their weapons strike home, no matter whether it be a brave man or a coward that hurls them. Job speeds all alike, where ours fall, each one of them without effect. What then will be best, both as guards rescuing the body and our return to the joy of our friends who will be grieving as they look hitherwards? For they will make sure that nothing can now check the terrible hands of Hector, and that he will fling himself upon our ships. I wish that someone would go and tell the son of Peleus at once, for I do not think that he can yet have heard the sad news that the dearest of his friends has fallen. But I can see not a man among the Achaeans descend, for they and their chariots are all alike hidden in the clouds from over the sons of the Achaeans. May Kevin serene and let us see, if you will, that we perish. Let us fall at any rate, by daylight. Father Job heard him, and had compassion upon his tears. Forth whisked he chased away the cloud of darkness, so that the sun shone out and all the fighting was revealed. Ajax then said to Menelaus, Look Menelaus, and if until the son of Nestor be still living, send him at once to tell Achilles how far the dearest to him of all his comrades has fallen. Menelaus heeded his words and went his way as a line from a stockyard. The lion is tired of attacking the Menenhauns, who keep watch the whole night through and will not let him feast on the fat of their herd. In his lust of meat he makes straight at them but in vain, for darts from strong hands assail them, and burning brands which daunt him for all his hunger. So in the morning he slinked sulkily away. Even so did Menelaus who will leave Petrocholus. In great fear Lestia Cain should be driven back and rout and let him fall into the hands of the foe. He charged Marionis into two Ajaxes straightly saying, Ajaxes and Marionis leaders of the Argods, now indeed remember how good Petrocholus was. He was ever courteous while alive. Bear it in mind now that he is dead. With this Menelaus left them, looking round as keenly as an eagle who sight this A.S. Keener that of any other bird, however high he may be in the heavens. Not a hare that runs can escape him by crouching under the butcher's thicket, for he will swoop down upon it and make an end of it. Even so, oh Menelaus, did your keen eyes range round the mighty host of your followers to see if you could find the Son of Nestor still alive. Presently Menelaus saw him in the extreme left of the battle cheering on his men and exhorting them to fight boldly. Menelaus went up to him and said, Antillicus come here and listen to sad news which I would be keeping calamity upon the Danians and giving victory to the Trojans. Petrocholus has fallen who was the bravest of the Achaeans and surely will the Danans miss him. Run instantly to the ships and telekiles that he may come to rescue the body and bear it to the ships. As for the armor Hector already has it. Antillicus was struck with horror. For a long time he was speechless. His eyes filled with tears and he could find no utterance. But he did as Menelaus said and set off running as soon as he had given his armor to a comrade Laodicus who was wheeling his oars round close behind him. Thus then did he run weeping from the field to carry the bad news to Achilles son of Pilius. Nor were you, Omenelaus, minded to succor his harried comrades when Antillicus had left the Pylians and greatly did they miss him. But he sent them noble Thrasomedes and himself went back to Petrocholus. He came running up to the two Ajaxans and said, I have sent Antillicus to the ship to tell Achilles but rage against Hector as he may he cannot come for he cannot fight without armor. What then will be our best plan both his regards rescuing the dead and our own escape from death among the battle cry of the Trojans? Ajax answered, Menelaus you have said well do you then and Maryoni stoop down raise the body and bear it out of the fray. While we too behind you keep off Hector and the Trojans one in heart as a name and long used to fighting side by side with one another. On this Menelaus and Maryoni took the dead man in their arms and lifted him high aloft with a great effort. The Trojan host raised a hue and cry behind them when they saw the Achaeans bearing the body away and flew after them like hounds attacking a wounded bear at the lieu of a band of young unspin. For while the hounds fly at him as though they would tear him to pieces but now and again he turns on them in a fury scarring and scattering them in all directions with a charge in the body striking with sword and spears pointed at both ends but when the two Ajaxes faced them and stood at bay they would turn pale and no man dared press on to fight further about the dead. In this wise did the two heroes strain every nerve to bear the body to the ships out of the fight. The battle raged round them like fierce flames that when once kindled spread like wildfire over a city and the houses fall in the glare of its burning even such was the warren tramp of the two Ajaxes that pursued them as they bore patroclus from the field or as mules that put forth all their strength to draw some beam of a great piece of ships timber down a rough mountain track and they pant and sweat as they go even so did Menelaus and pant and sweat as they borne the body of patroclus behind them the two Ajaxes held stoutly out as some wooded mountain spur that stretches across a plain will turn water and check the flow even of a great river nor is there any stream strong enough even so did the two Ajaxes face the Trojans and stern the tide of their fighting though they kept pouring on towards them and foremost among them all was Aeneas son of Ancaisus with Valiant Hector as a flock of Dawes or Starlings fall to screaming and chattering when they see a falcon foe to all small birds come soaring near them even so did the Achean youth raise a babble of cries as they fled before Aeneas and Hector unmindful of their former prowess in the route of the Danians much goodly armor fell round about the trench and the fighting there was no end end of book 17 recording by ML Cohen www.mojoemove411.com Cleveland Ohio November 2007 Book 18 of the Iliad this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Anna Simon The Iliad by Homer translated by Samuel Butler Book 18 the grief of Achilles over Patroclus the visit of Thedas to Vulcan and the armor that he made for Achilles thus then did they fight as it were of flaming fire meanwhile the fleetrunner Antillicus who had been sent as messenger reached Achilles and found him sitting by his tall ships and boating that which was indeed too surely true alas said he to himself in the heaviness of his heart why are the Achaeans again scouring the plain and flocking towards the ships heaven grant the gods be not now bringing that sorrow upon me of which my mother Thedas spoke saying that while I was yet alive the bravest of the Mermidans should fall before the Trojans and see the light of the sun no longer I fear the brave son of Menicius has fallen through his own daring and yet I bade him return to the ships as soon as he had driven back those that were bringing fire against him and not joined battle with Hector as he was thus pondering the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale weeping bitterly the while alas he cried son of Noble Peleus I bring you bad tidings would indeed that they were untrue Patroclus has fallen and a fight is raging about his naked body for Hector holds his armor a dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles as he listened he filled both hands with dust from off the ground and poured it over his head disfiguring his comely face and letting the refuse settle over his shirt so fair and new he flung himself down all huge and hugely at full length and tore his hair with his hands the bondswomen whom Achilles and Patroclus had taken captive screamed aloud for grief beating their breasts and with their limbs failing them for sorrow Antillicus bent over him the while weeping and holding both his hands as he lay groaning for he feared that he might plunge a knife into his own throat then Achilles gave a loud cry and his mother heard him as she was sitting in a death-dota sea by the old man her father whereon she screamed and all the goddesses daughters of Nereus that dwelled off the sea came gathering round her there were Glauci, Thalia and Chimadoki Nisaya, Spio Thoei and Dark-Eyed Haley Chima Thoei Actia and Lymnorea Maliti, Aeira Amphithoei and Agave Dotto and Proto Farusa and Dinamini, D'examini Amphinomy and Kalyanera Doris, Panope and the famous Seniv Galatia Nemerthus, Apsiodes and Kalyanasa there were also Klamini Aionira and Aionasa Mira, Aurethia and Amethia of the lovely Lox with other Nirids who dwell in the depths of the sea the crystal cave was filled with their multitude and they all beat their breasts while Thedys let them in their lament listen, cryci, sisters daughters of Nirius that you may hear the burden of my sorrows alas, woe is me woe in that I've borne the most glorious of offspring I bore him fair and strong hero among heroes and he shot up as a sapling I tended him as a plant in a goodly garden and sent him with his ships to Ilius to fight the Trojans but never shall I welcome him back to the house of Peleus so long as he lives I look upon the light of the sun he is in heaviness and though I go to him I cannot help him nevertheless I will go that I may see my dearest son and learn what sorrow has befallen him though he is still holding a loop from battle she left the cave as she spoke while the others followed weeping after and the waves opened the path before them when they reached the rich plain of Troy they came up out of the sea and went on to the sands at the place where the ships of the Mermidans were drawn up in close order round the tents of Achilles his mother went up to him as he lay groaning she laid her hand upon his head and spoke pitchously saying my son, why are you this weeping what sorrow has now befallen you tell me, hide it not from me surely, Jove has granted you the prayer you made him when you lifted up your hands that the Achaeans might all of them be pent up at their ships and ruined bitterly in that you were no longer with them Achilles groaned and answered mother Olympian Jove has indeed vouchsaved me the fulfillment of my prayer but what puts it to me seeing that my dear comrade Patroclus has fallen he whom I valued more than all others and loved as dearly as my own life I have lost him and Hector when he had killed him stripped the wondrous armor so glorious to behold which the gods gave to Pellius when they laid you in the couch of a mortal man with that you were still dwelling among the immortal cenims and that Pellius had taken to himself some mortal bride for now you shall have grief infinite by reason of the death of that son whom you can never welcome home nay, I will not live nor go about among mankind unless Hector fall by my spear and thus pay me for having slain Patroclus son of Manicius Thed is wept and answered then my son is your end near at hand for your own death awaits you full soon after that of Hector then said Achilles in his great grief I would die here and now in that I could not save my comrade he has fallen far from home in his hour of need my hand was not there to help him what is there for me? return to my own land I shall not and I have brought no saving neither to Patroclus nor to my other comrade of whom so many have been slain by mighty Hector I stay here by my ships a bootless burden upon the earth I who in fight have no peer among the Achaeans though in council there are better than I therefore I wish strife both from among gods and man and anger wherein even a righteous man will harden his heart which rises up in the soul of a man like smoke and the taste thereof is sweeter than drops of honey even so as Agamemnon angered me and yet so be it for it is over I will force my soul into subjection as I need must I will go I will pursue Hector who has slain him so dearly and will then abide my doom when it may please Jove and the other gods to send it even Hercules the best beloved of Jove even he could not escape the hand of death but fate and Juno's fierce anger laid him low as I too shall lie when I am dead if a light doom awaits me till then I will win fame and will bid Trojan and Dardanian women ring tears from their tender cheeks with both their hands in the grievousness of their great sorrow thus shall they know that he who has held aloof so long will hold aloof no longer hold me not back there for in the love you bear me for you shall not move me then Silverfooted Thedys answered my son what you have said is true it is well to save your comrades from destruction but your armor is in the hands of the Trojans Hector bears it in triumph upon his own shoulders full well I know that his vaan shall not be lasting for his end is close at hand go not however into the press of battle till you see me return Hither tomorrow at break of day I shall be here and will bring you goodly armor from King Vulcan on this she left her brave son and as she turned away she said to the sea nymphs her sisters dive into the bosom of the sea and go to the house with the old he got my father tell him everything as for me I will go to the cunning workman Vulcan on high Olympus and ask him to provide my son with a suit of splendid armor once she had so said they dived forthwith beneath the waves while Silverfooted Thedys went away that she might bring the armor for her son thus then did her feet bear the goddess to Olympus and meanwhile the Achaeans were flying with loud cries before murderous Hector till they reached the ships and the helispond and they could not draw the body of Mars's servant Patroclus out of reach of the weapons that were showered upon him for Hector son of Priam with his host and horsemen had again called up to him like the flame of a fiery furnace Thrice did brave Hector seize him by the feet striving with might and main to draw him away and calling loudly on the Trojans and Thrice did the two Ajaxes clothed in valor as with a garment beat him off from off the body but all undaunted he would now charge into the thick of the fight and now again he would stand still and cry aloud but he would give no ground as upland shepherds that cannot chase some famished lion from a carcass even so could not the two Ajaxes scare Hector son of Priam from the body of Patroclus and now he would even have dragged it off and have one imperishable glory had not Iris fleet as the wind winged her way as messenger from Olympus to the son of Pelius and bid in him arm she came secretly without knowledge of Joven of the other gods Fortuno sent her and when she had got close to him she said up son of Pelius mightiest of all mankind rescue Patroclus about whom this fearful fight is now raging by the ships men are killing one another the Danans in defense of the dead body while the Trojans are trying to hale it away and take it to win the Ilius Hector is the most furious of them all he is for cutting the head from the body and fixing it on the steaks of the wall up then and bide here no longer shrink from the thought that Patroclus may become meat for the dogs of Troy shame on you should his body suffer any kind of outrage and Achilles said Iris which of the gods was it that sent you to me Iris answered it was Juno the royal spouse of Joven but the son of Saturn does not know of my coming nor yet does any other of the immortals who dwell on the snowy summits of Olympus then fleet Achilles answered her saying how can I go up into the battle they have my armor my mother forbade me to arm till I should see her come for she promised to bring me goodly armor from Vulcan I know no man whose arms I can put on save only the shield of Ajax son of Telemann and he surely must be fighting in the front rank and wielding a spear about the body of that Patroclus Iris said we know that your armor has been taken but go as you are go to the deep trench and show yourself before the Trojans that they may fear you and seize fighting until the fainting sons of the Achaeans gain some brief breathing time which in battle may hardly be Iris left him when she had so spoken but Achilles, dear to Jove arose and Minerva flung her tassled eages round his strong shoulders she crowned his head with a halo of golden cloud from which she kindled a glow of gleaming fire as the smoke that goes up into heaven from some city that is being beleaguered on an island far out at sea all day long do men sally from the city and fight their hardest and at the going down of the sun the line of beacon fires blazes forth flaring high for those that dwell near them to behold if so be that they may come with their ships and succor them even so that the light flare from the head of Achilles as he stood by the trench going beyond the wall but he did not join the Achaeans for he heeded the charge which his mother laid upon him there did he stand and shout aloud Minerva also raised her voice from afar and spread terror unspeakable among the Trojans ringing as the note of a trumpet that sounds alarm when the foe is at the gates of a city even so brazen was the voice of the son of Iacos and when the Trojans heard its clarion tones they were dismayed the horses turned back with their chariots for they bowed at mischief and the drivers were awestruck by the steady flame which the grey-eyed goddess had kindled above the head of the great son of Peleus Thrice did Achilles raise his loud cry as he stood by the trench and Thrice were the Trojans and their brave allies thrown into confusion whereon twelve of their noblest champions fell beneath the wheels of their chariots and perished by their own spears the Achaeans to their great joy then drew Patroclus out of reach of the weapons and laid him on a litter his comrades stood mourning round him and among them fleet Achilles who wept bitterly as he saw his true comrade lying dead upon his beer he had sent him out with horses and chariots into battle but his return he was not too welcome then Juno sent the busy son Loth though he was into the waters of Oceanus so he set and the Achaeans had rest from the tug of turmoil of war now the Trojans when they had come out of the fight unyoked their horses and gathered in assembly before preparing their supper they kept their feet nor would any dare to sit down for fear had fallen upon them all because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloof so long from battle Polydomus son of Pantheus was first to speak after he was comrade to Hector and they had been born upon the same night with all sincerity and good will therefore he addressed them thus look to it well my friends I would urge you to go back now to your city and not wait here by the ships till morning for we are far from our walls so long as this man was at enmity with Achaememnon the Achaeans were easier to deal with and I would have gladly camp by the ships in the hope of taking them so I go in great fear of the fleet son of Pelius he is so daring that he will never bite here on the plane where on the Trojans and Achaeans fight with equal vela but he will try to storm our city and carry off our women do then as I say and let us retreat for this is what will happen the darkness of night will for a time stay the son of Pelius but if he find us here in the morning when he sell his forth in full armour we shall have knowledge of him in good earnest glad indeed will he be who can escape and get back to Ilias and many a Trojan will become meat for dogs and vultures may I never live to hear it if we do as I say little though we may like it we shall have strengthened council during the night and the great gates with the doors that close them will protect the city at dawn we can arm and take our stand on the walls he will then ru it if he sell his from the ships to fight us he will go back when he's given his horses he will be there filled being driven all with us under our walls and will be in no mind to try and force his way into the city neither will he ever second dog shall the varum eerie do so Hector looked fiercely at him and answered Polydermis your words are not to my liking in that you bid us go back and be pent within the city have you not had enough of being cooped up behind walls in the old days the city of Priam was famous for the whole world over for its wealth of gold and bronze but our treasures are wasted out of our houses and much goods have been sold away to Fridja and Fer Meonia for the hand of Jove has been laid heavily upon us now therefore that the son of scheming Saturn has vouched saved me to win glory here and to hem the Achaeans in at their ships pray no more in this false wise among the people you will have no man with you do all of you as I now say take your suppers in your companies throughout the host and keep your watches and be wakeful every man of you if any Trojan is uneasy about his possessions let him gather them and give them out among the people better let these rather than the Achaeans have them at daybreak we will arm and fight about the ships granted that Achilles has again come forward to defend them let it be as he will I shall not shun him but will fight him to fall or conquer the god of war deals out like measure to all and the slayer may yet be slain thus spoke Hector and the Trojans fools that they were shouted in applause for Pala's Minerva had robbed them of their understanding they gave ear to Hector with his evil counsel but the wise words of politimus no man would heed they took their supper throughout the host and meanwhile through the whole night the Achaeans mourned Patrickus and the son of Pala's let them in their lament he'd laid his murderous hands upon the breast of his comrade groaning again and again as a bearded lion when a man who was chasing deer has robbed him of his young in some dense forest when the lion comes back he is furious and searches Dingle and Dell to track the hunter if he can find him for his mad would rage even so with many a sigh did Achilles speak among the mermidans saying alas vain were the words with which I cheered the hero Menicius in his own house I said that I would bring his brave son back again to Ophius after he had sacked Ilius and taken his share of the spoils but Jove does not give all men their hearts desire the same soil shall be reddened by the blood of his both for I too shall never be welcomed home by the old night Palaeus nor by my mother Thedas but even in this place shall the earth cover me nevertheless oh Patrickus now that I am left behind you I will not bury you till I have brought Hidde the head and armour of mighty Hector who has slain you twelve noble sons of Trojans while I behead before your beer to avenge you till I have done so you shall lie as you are by the ships and fair women of Troy and Dardanus whom we have taken with spear and strength of arm when we sacked men's goodly cities shall weep over you both night and day then Achilles told his man to set a large tripod upon the fire that they might wash the clotted gore from off Patrickus thereon they set a tripod full of bath water onto a clear fire they threw sticks onto it to make it blaze and the water became hot as the flame played about the belly of the tripod when the water in the cauldron was boiling they washed the body anointed it with oil and closed its wounds with ointment that had been kept nine years then they laid it on a beer and covered it with a little cloth from head to foot and over this they laid a fair wide robe thus all night long did the Mermidans gather round Achilles to mourn Patrickus then Joe said to Juno his sister wife so Queen Juno you have gained your end and have aroused fleet Achilles one would think that the Achaeans were of your own flesh and blood and Juno answered dread son of Saturn why should you say this thing may not a man though he be only mortal and knows less than we do do what he can for another person tell not I for most of all goddesses both by descent and as wife to you who reign in heaven devise evil for the Trojans if I am angry with them thus did they converse meanwhile Thedas came to the house of Vulcan imperishable, star bespangled fairest of the abodes in heaven a house of bronze wrought by the lame gods own hands she found him busy with his bellows sweating and hard at work for he was making twenty tripods that were to stand by the wall of his house and he set wheels of gold under them all that they might go of their own selves to the assemblies of the gods and come back again marvels indeed to see they were finished all but the ears of cunning workmanship which yet remained to be fixed to them these he was now fixing and he was hammering at the rivets while he was desert work silver-footed Thedas came to the house carous of graceful headdress wife to the far famed lame god came towards her as soon as she saw her and took her hand in her own saying why have you come to our house Thedas honoured and ever welcome for you do not visit as often come inside and let me set refreshment before you the goddess led the way as she spoke and bade Thedas sit on a richly decorated seat inlaid with silver there was a footstool also under her feet then she called Vulcan and said Vulcan come here Thedas wants you and the far famed lame god answered then it is indeed an august and honoured goddess who has come here she it was that took care of me when I was suffering from the heavy fall which I had through my cruel mother's anger for she would have got rid of me because I was lame it would have gone hardly with me had not your enemy daughter of the ever encircling waters of oceanus and Thedas taken me to their bosom nine years that I stay with them and many beautiful works and bronze brooches spiral armlets cups and chains that I make for them in their cave with the roaring waters of oceanus foaming as they rushed ever past it and no one knew neither of gods nor men save only Thedas and your enemy who took care of me if then Thedas has come to my house I will make her due requital for having saved me entertain her therefore with all hospitality while I put by my bellows and all my tools on this the mighty monster hobbled off from his anvil his thin legs plying lustily under him he set the bellows away from the fire and gathered his tools into a silver chest then he took a sponge and washed his face and hands his shaggy chest and brawny neck he done this shirt with his strong staff and limped towards the door there were golden handmates also who worked for him and were like real young women with sense and reason, voice also and strength and all the learning of the immortals these visit themselves as the king baited them while he drew near to Thedas seated her upon a goodly seat and took her hand in his own saying why have you come to our house Thedas, honoured and ever welcome for you do not visit as often as you want and I will do it for you at once, if I can and if it can be done at all Thedas wept and answered Vulcan, is there another goddess in Olympus whom the son of Saturn has been pleased to try with so much affliction as he has me me alone are the marine goddesses that he makes subject to a mortal husband Palaeus, son of Iacus and sorely against my will did I submit to the embraces of one who was but mortal born out with age neither is this all Heavenfouch saved me as son hero among heroes and he shot up as a sapling I tended him as a plant in a goodly garden and sent him with his ships to Ilius to fight the Trojans but never shall I welcome him back to the house of Palaeus so long as he lives to look upon the light of the sun he is in heaviness and though I go to him I cannot help him King Agamemnon has made him give up the maiden the sons of the Achaeans had awarded him and he wastes with sorrow for her sake then the Trojans hemmed the Achaeans in at their ships' sterns and would not let them come forth the elders, therefore, of the archives besought Achilles and offered him great treasure whereon he refused to bring deliverance to them himself but put his own armour on Patroclus and sent him into the fight with much people after him all day long they fought and would have taken the city there and then had not Apollo vouchsaved glory to Hector and slain the valiant son of Manitius after he'd done the Trojans much evil therefore I am suppliant at your knees if happily you may be pleased to provide my son whose end is near at hand with helmet and shield with goodly graves fitted with ankle clasps and with a breastplate for he lost his own when his true comrade fell at the hands of the Trojans and he now lies stretched on earth in the bitterness of his soul and Vulcan answered take heart and be no more disquited about this matter would that I could hide him from that sight when his hours come so surely as I can find him armour that shall amaze the eyes of all who beholded when he had so said he left her and went to his bellows turning them towards the fire and bidding them do their office 20 bellows blew upon the melting pots and they blew blasts of every kind some fierce to help him when he had need of them and others less strong as Vulcan wielded in the cause of his work he threw tough copper into the fire and tin with silver and gold he set his great anvil on its block and with one hand grasped his mighty hammer while he took the tongs in the other first he shaped the shield so great and strong adorning it all over and binding it round with a gleaming circuit in three layers and the boldrick was made of silver he made the shield in five thicknesses and with many a wonder that his cunning hand enriched it he wrought the earth, the heavens and the sea the moon also at her full and the untiring sun with all the signs that glorified the face of heaven the plaids, the hyads huge oarion which men also called the wane and which turns round ever in one place facing oarion and alone never dips into the stream of oceanus he wrought also two cities fair to sea and busy with the hum of men in the one were weddings and wedding feasts and they were going about the city with brides whom they were escorting by torchlight from their chambers loud rose the cry of hymen and the youth danced the music of flute and lyre while the women stood each at her house door to see them meanwhile the people were gathered in assembly for there was a quarrel and two men were wrangling about the blood money for a man who had been killed the one saying before the people that he had paid damages in full and the other that he had not been paid each was trying to make his own case good and the people took sides each man was backing the side that he had taken but the heralds kept him back and the elders sat on their seats of stone in a solemn circle holding the staves which the heralds had put into their hands then they rose and each in his turn gave judgment and there were two talons laid down to be given to him whose judgment should be deemed the fairest about the other city they lay encamped two hosts in gleaming armor and they were divided whether to second or to spare it and accept the half of what it contained but the man of the city would not yet consent and armed themselves for a surprise their wives and little children kept guard upon the walls and with them were the men who were past fighting through age but the others sided forth with Mars and Palos Minerva at their head both of them roared in gold and clad in golden raiment grayed and fair with their armor as befitting gods while they that followed were smaller when they reached a place where they would lay their ambush it was on a river bed to which livestock of all kinds would come from far and near to water here then they lay concealed clad in full armor some way off them there were two scouts who were on the lookout for the coming of sheep or cattle which presently came followed by two shepherds who were playing on their pipes and had not so much as a thought of danger when those who were in ambush saw this they cut off the flocks and herds and killed the shepherds meanwhile the besiegers when they heard much noise among the cattle they sprang to their horses and made with all speed towards them when they reached them they set battle in array by the banks of the river and the hosts aimed their bronze shot spears at one another with them was Trif and Riot and fell fate who was dragging three men after her one with a fresh wound and the other unwounded while the third was dead and she was dragging him along by his heel and her robe was redravelled in men's blood they went in and out with one another and fought as though they were living people hailing away one another's dead he brought also a fair fellow field large and thrice plowed already many men were working at the plow within it turning their oxen to and fro furrow after furrow each time that they turned on reaching the headland a man would come up to them and give them a cup of wine and they would go back to their furrows looking forward to the time when they should again reach the headland and the plowed was dark behind them so that the field though it was of gold still looked as it were being plowed very curious to behold he brought also a field of harvest corn and the reapers were reaping with sharp sickles in their hands swath after swath fell to the ground in a straight line behind them and the binders bound them in bands of twisted straw there were three binders and behind them there were boys who guarded the cut corn and armfuls bringing them to be bound among them all the owner of the lands took by in silence and was glad the servants were getting a meal ready under an oak for they had sacrificed a great ox and were busy cutting him up while the women were making a porridge of much white barley for the laborer's dinner he brought also a vineyard golden and fair to sea and the vines were loaded with grapes the bunches overhead were black but the vines were trained on poles of silver he ran a ditch of dark metal all around it and fenced it with a fence of tin there was only one path to it and by this the vintages went when they would gather the vintage youths and maidens all blithe and full of glee carried the luscious fruit and plated baskets and with them there went a boy who made sweet music with his lyre and sang the lino song with his clear boyish voice he brought also a herd of hornet cattle he made the cows of golden tin and they load as they came full speed out of the yards to go and feed among the waving reeds that grow by the banks of the river along with the cattle there went four shepherds all of them in gold and their nine fleet dogs went with them two terrible lions had fastened on a bellowing bull that was with the foremost cows and bellow as he might they hailed him while the dogs and men gave chase the lions tore through the bull's thick hide and were gorging on his blood and bowels but the herdsmen were afraid to do anything and only hounded on their dogs the dogs dared not fasten on the lions but stood by barking and keeping out of harm's way the god wrought also a pasture in a fair mountain dell and a large flock of sheep with a homestead and huts and sheltered sheepfolds furthermore he wrought a green that which Daedalus once made in Knossos for lovely Ariadne hereon there danced youths and maidens whom all would woo with their hands on one another's wrists the maidens were robes of light linen and the youths well woven shirts that were slightly oiled the girls were crowned with garlands while the young men had daggers of gold that hung by silver boldrics sometimes they would dance deftly in a ring with merry twinkling feet as it were a potter sitting at his work and making trial of his wheel to see whether it will run and sometimes they would go all in line with one another and much people was gathered joyously about the green there was a bard also to sing to them and play his lyre while two tumblers went about performing in the midst of them when the man struck up with his tune all around the outermost rim of the shield he set the mighty stream of the river Oceanus then when he had fashioned the shield so great and strong he made a breastplate also that shone brighter than fire he made a helmet close fitting to the brow and richly worked with a golden plume overhanging it and he made grieves also of beaten tin lastly when the famed lame god had made all the armor he took it and set it before the mother of Achilles whereon she darted like a falcon from the snowy summits of Olympus and bore away the gleaming armor from the house of Vulcan end of book 18 Achilles is reconciled with Agamemnon puts on the armor which Vulcan had made him and goes out to fight now when dawn in robe of saffron was hasting from the streams of Oceanus to bring light to mortals and immortals Thetis reached the ships with the armor that the god had given her she found her son fallen about the body of patroclus and weeping bitterly also of his followers were weeping around him but when the goddess came among them she clasped his hand in her own saying my son grieve as we may we must let this man lie for it is by heaven's will that he has fallen now therefore except from Vulcan this rich and goodly armor which no man has ever yet borne upon his shoulders as she spoke she set the armor before Achilles and it rang out bravely as she did so the murmidons were struck with awe and none dared look full at it for they were afraid but Achilles was roused to still greater fury and his eyes gleamed with a fierce light for he was glad when he handled the splendid present which the god had made him then as soon as he had satisfied himself with looking at it he said to his mother mother the god has given me armor meet handiwork for an immortal and such as no one living could have fashioned I will now arm but I much fear that flies will settle upon the son of Menowicious and breed worms about his wounds so that his body now he is dead will be disfigured and the flesh will rot silver-footed Cetus answered my son be not disquieted about this matter I will find means to protect him from the swarms of noisome flies that prey on the bodies of men who have been killed in battle he may lie for a whole year and his flesh shall still be sounder ever or even sounder call there for the Achaean heroes in assembly unsay your anger against Agamemnon arm at once and fight with might and main as she spoke she put strength and courage into his heart and she then dropped Ambrosia to the wounds of Petroclus that his body might suffer no change then Achilles went out upon the sea shore and with a loud cry called on the Achaean heroes on this even those who as yet had stayed away always at the ships the pilots and helmsmen and even the stewards who were about the ships and served out rations all came to the place of assembly because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloft so long two sons of Mars Hulises and the son of Tideos came limping for their wounds still pained them nevertheless they came and took their seats in the front row of the assembly last of all came Agamemnon king of men he too wounded for Khun son of Antonor had struck him with a spear in battle when the Achaeans were got together Achilles rose and said son of Atreus surely it would have been better alike for both you and me when we too were in such high anger about Briseus sure it would have been better had Diana's arrows slain her at the ships on the day when I took her after having sacked Lornesses for so many in Achaean the less would have bitten dust before the foe in the days of my anger it has been well for Hector and the Trojans who indeed remember our quarrel now however let it be for it is over if we have been angry necessity has schooled our anger I put it from me I dare not nest it forever therefore bid the Achaeans arm forthwith that I may go out against the Trojans and learn whether they will be in a mind to sleep by the ships or no glad I wean will he be to rest his knees who may fly my spear when I wield it thus did he speak and the Achaeans rejoiced in that he had put away his anger then Agamemnon spoke rising in his place and not going into the middle of the assembly Danean heroes said he servants of Mars it is well to listen when a man stands up to speak and it is not seemly to interrupt him or it will go hard even with a practised speaker who can either hear or speak in an uproar even the finest orator will be disconcerted by it I would expound to the son of Palaeus and do you other Achaeans heed me and mark me well often have the Achaeans spoken to me of this matter and abraded me but it was not I that did it drove and fate that walks in darkness struck me mad when we were assembled on the day that I took from Achilles the mead that had been awarded to him what could I do all things are in the hand of heaven and folly, eldest of Jove's daughters shuts men's eyes to their destruction she walks delicately not on the solid earth but hovers over the heads of men to make them stumble or to ensnare them time was when she fooled Jove himself who they say is greatest whether of gods or men for Juno, woman there she was beguiled him on the day when al-Kmina was to bring forth mighty Hercules in the fair city of Thebes he told it out among the gods saying, hear me all gods and goddesses that I may speak even as I am minded this day shall in Ilythuia helper of women who are in labour bring a man-child into the world who shall be lord over all that dwell about him who are of my blood and lineage then said Juno all crafty and full of guile you will play false and will not hold to your word swear me, O Olympian swear me a great oath that he who shall this day fall between the feet of a woman shall be lord over all that dwell about him who are of your blood and lineage thus she spoke and Jove suspected her not but swore the great oath to his much-ruined thereafter for Juno darted down from the high summit of Olympus and went in haste to Archaean Argos where she knew that the noble wife of Stenelus, son of Perseus then was she being with child and in her seventh month Juno brought the child to birth though there was a month still wanting but she stayed the offspring of Alcmina and kept back the Ilisui then she went to tell Jove the son of Saturn and said Father Jove Lord of the lightning I have a word for your ear there is a fine child born this day Heurus Theus son to Stenelus the son of Perseus he is of your lineage and well therefore that he should reign over the archives on this Jove was stung to the very quick and in his rage he caught folly by the hair and swore a great oath that never should she again invade starry heaven and Olympus for she was the bane of all then he whirled her round with a twist of his hand and flung her down from heaven so that she fell onto the fields of mortal men and he was ever angry with her drowning under the cruel labours that Heurus Theus laid upon him even so did I grieve when mighty Hector was killing the archives at their ships and all the time I kept thinking of folly who had so bane me I was blind and Jove robbed me of my reason I will now make atonement and will add much treasure by way of amends go therefore into battle you and your people with you I will give you all that Ulysses offered you yesterday in your tents or if it so please you, wait though you would feign fight at once and my squires shall bring the gifts from my ship that you may see whether what I give you is enough and Achilles answered son of Atreus king of men Agamemnon you can give such gifts as you think proper or you can withhold them it is in your own hands let us now set battle in array it is not well to tarry talking about trifles for there is a deed which is as yet to do Achilles shall again be seen fighting among the foremost and laying low the ranks of the Trojans bear this in mind each one of you when he is fighting then Ulysses said Achilles godlike and brave sent not the Achaeans thus against Ilias to fight the Trojans fasting for the battle will be no brief one when it is once begun and heaven has filled both sides with fury bid them first to take food both bread and wine by the ships for in this there is strength and stay no man can do battle the live long day to the going down of the sun if he is without food however much he may want to fight him before he knows it hunker and thirst will find him out and his limbs will grow weary under him but a man can fight all day if he is full fed with meat and wine his heart beats high and his strength will stay till he has routed all his foes therefore send people away and bid them prepare their meal King Agamemnon will bring out the gifts in presence of the assembly that all may see them satisfied moreover let him swear an oath before the Argyves that he has never gone up into the couch of Brezes nor been with her after the manner of men and women and do you too show yourself of a gracious mind let Agamemnon entertain you in his tents with a feast of reconciliation that so you may have had your dews in full as for you son of Atreus treat people more righteously in the future it is no disgrace even to a king that he should make amends if he was wrong in the first instance and King Agamemnon answered son of Liarities your words please me well for throughout you have spoken wisely I will swear as you will have me do I do so of my own free will neither shall I take the name of heaven in vain let then Achilles wait though he would feign fight at once let your others wait also till the gifts come from my tent and we ratify the oath with sacrifice thus then do I charge you take some noble young Achaeans with you and bring from my tents the gifts that I promised yesterday to Achilles and bring the women also furthermore let's tell Cebius find me a bore from those that are with a host and make it ready for sacrifice to Jove and to the son then said Achilles son of Atreus king of men Agamemnon see to these matters at some other season when there is breathing time and when I am calmer would you have men eat while the bodies of those whom Hector son of Priam slew are still lying mangled upon the plane let the sons of the Achaeans say I fight fasting and without food till we have avenged them afterwards at the going down of the sun let them eat their fill as for me Patroclus is lying dead in my tent all hacked and hewn with his feet to the door and his comrades are mourning round him therefore I can take sort of nothing save only slaughter and blood and the rattle in the throat of the dying Ulysses answered Achilles son of Palaeus mightiest of all the Achaeans in battle you are better than I and that more than a little but in council I am much before you for I am older and of greater knowledge therefore be patient under my words fighting is a thing of which men soon surfeit and when Jove who is war's steward weighs the upshot it may well prove that the straw which our sickles have reaped is far heavier than the grain it may not be that the Achaeans should mourn the dead with their bellies day by day men fall thick and threefold continually when should we have respite from our sorrow let us mourn our dead for a day and bury them out of sight and mind but let those of us who are left eat and drink that we may arm and fight our foes more fiercely in that hour let no man hold back waiting for a second summons such summons shall bode ill for him and on lagging behind at our ships let us rather sally as one man and loose the fury of war upon the Trojans when he had thus spoken he took with him the sons of Nestor with Megas son of Phileus Soas, Marionis Lycomedes son of Creontes and Milanipus and went to the tent of Agamemnon son of Atreus what Sooner said than the deed was done they brought out the seven tripods which Agamemnon has promised with the twenty metal cauldrons and the twelve horses they also brought the women skilled in useful arts seven in number with preseus which made eight Ulysses weighed out the ten talents of gold and then led the way back while the younger Keyens brought the rest of the gifts and laid them in the middle of the assembly Agamemnon then rose and tell Sibius whose voice was like that of a god came to him with a bore the son of Atreus drew the knife which he wore by the scabbard of his mighty sword and began by cutting off some bristles from the bore lifting up his hands in prayer as he did so the other Keyens sat where they were all silent and orderly to hear the king and Agamemnon looked into the vault of heaven and prayed saying I call Jove the first and mightiest of all gods to witness I call also earth and sun and the Irinias who dwell below and to take vengeance on him who shall swear falsely that I have laid no hand upon the girl Brisses neither to take her to my bed nor otherwise but that she has remained in my tense in violate if I swear falsely may heaven visit me with all the penalties which it meets out to those who purge themselves he cut the bore's throat as he spoke whereon Talcibius worlded round his head and flung it into the wide sea to feed the fishes then Achilles also rose and said to the Argives Father Jove of a truth you blind men's eyes and bane them the son of Atreus has not else stirred me to so fierce and anger nor so stubbornly taking Brisses from me against my will surely Jove must have cancelled the destruction of many an Argive go now and take your food that we may begin fighting on this he broke up the assembly and every man went back to his own ship the Mermidans attended to the presence and took them away to the ship of Achilles they placed them in his tense while the stable men drove the horses in among the others Brisses fair as Venus when she saw the mangled body of Petroclas flung herself upon it and cried aloud tearing her breast her neck and her lovely face with both her hands beautiful as a goddess she wept and said Petroclas dearest friend when I went hence I left you living I return no prince to find you dead thus do fresh sorrows multiply upon me one after the other I saw him to whom my father and mother married me cut down before our city and my three own dear brothers perished with him on the self same day but you Petroclas even when Achilles slew my husband and sacked the city of noble minis told me that I was not to weep for you said you would make Achilles marry me I should take me back with him to Psea we should have a wedding feast among the Mermidans you were always kind to me and I shall never cease to grieve for you she wept as she spoke and the women joined in her lament making as though their tears were for Petroclas but in truth each was weeping for her own sorrows the elders of the Achaeans gathered round Achilles and prayed him to take food and if he had owned it would not do so I pray you said he if any comrade will hear me bid me neither eat nor drink for I am in great heaviness and will stay fasting even to the going down of the sun on this he sent the other princes away save only for the two sons of Atreus and Ulysses Nestor and Idomeneus and the knight Phenix who stayed behind and tried to comfort him in the bitterness of sorrow but he would not be comforted till he should have flung himself into the jaws of battle and he fetched sigh on sigh thinking ever of Petroclas then he said hapless and dearest comrade you it was who would get a good dinner ready for me at once and without delay when the Achaeans were hasting to fight the Trojans now therefore though I have meat and drink in my tents yet will I fast for sorrow grief greater than this I could not know not even though I were to hear of the death of my father who is now in Psea weeping for the loss of me his son who am here fighting the Trojans in a strange land for the accursed sake of Helen nor yet though I should hear that my son is no more he who is being brought up in Skyros if indeed Neoptolamus is still living till now I made sure that I alone was to fall here at Troi away from Argos while you were to return to Psea bring back my son with you in your own ship and show him all my property my bondsmen and the greatness of my house for Palaeus must truly be either dead or what little life remains to him is oppressed alike with the infirmities of age and ever present fear lest you should hear the sad ridings of my death he wept as he spoke and the elders sighed in concert as each thought on what he had left at home behind him the son of Saturn looked down with pity upon them and said presently to Minerva my child you have quite deserted your hero is he then gone so clean out of your recollection there he sits by the ships all desolate for the loss of his dear comrade when the others are gone to their dinner he will neither eat nor drink go then and drop Nectar and Ambrosia into his breast that he may know no hunger with these words he urged Minerva who was already of the same mind she darted down from heaven into the air like some falcon sailing on his broad wings and screaming meanwhile the Achaeans were arming throughout the host and when Minerva had dropped Nectar and Ambrosia into Achilles so that no cruel hunger should cause his limbs to fail him she went back to the house of her mighty father sick as the chilled snowflakes shed from the hand of Jove and born on the keen blasts of the North Wind even so sick did the gleaming helmets the bossed shields and the strongly plated breastplates and the Achaeans spears stream from the ships the sheen pierced the sky the whole land was radiant with their flushing armour and the sound of the tramp of their treading rose from under their feet in the midst of them all Achilles put on his armour he gnashed his teeth his eyes gleamed like fire for his grief was greater than he could bear thus then full of fury against the Trojans did he don the gift of the god the armour that Vulcan had made him first he put on the goodly greaves fitted with ankle clasps and next he did on the breastplate about his chest he slung the silver studded sword of bronze about his shoulders and then took up the shield so great and strong that shone afar with the splendours of the moon and the light seen by sailors from out at sea when men have lit a fire in their homestead high up among the mountains but the sailors are carried out to sea by wind and storm far from the haven where there would be even so did the gleam of Achilles wondrous shield strike up into the heavens he lifted the redoubtable helmet and set it upon his head from whence it shone like a star and the golden plumes which Vulcan had set sick upon the ridge of the helmet waved all around it then Achilles made a trial of himself in his armour to see whether it fitted him so that his limbs could play freely under it and it seemed to boy him up as though it had been wings he also drew his father's spear out of the spear stand a spear so great and heavy and strong that none of the Achaeans save only Achilles had strength to wield it this was the spear of Peleon Ash from the topmost ridges of Mount Peleon which Chiron had once given to Peleos fraught with the death of heroes Orthomedon and Alchemus busied themselves with the harnessing of his horses they made the bands fast about them and put the bit in their mouths drawing the rain back towards the chariot Orthomedon whip in hand sprang up behind the horses and after him Achilles mounted in full armour resplendent as the sun god Hyperion then with a loud voice he chided with his father's horses saying Zanzis and Baleus famed offspring of Podagi this time when we have done fighting be sure and bring your driver safely back to the host of the Achaeans and do not leave him dead on the plane as he did Petroclus then fleet Zanzis answered under the yoke white armed Juno had endowed him with human speech and he bowed his head till his main touched the ground as it hung down from under the yoke band Dread Achilles said he we will indeed save you now but the day of your death is near and the blame will not be ours for it will be heaven and stern fate that will destroy you neither was it through any sloth or slackness on our part that the Trojans stripped Petroclus of his armour it was the mighty god whom lovely Leto bore that slew him as he fought among the foremost and vouchsafed a triumph to Hector we too can fly as swiftly as Zephyrus who they say is fleetest of all winds nevertheless it is your doom to fall by the hand of a man and of a god when he had thus said the Arrhenius stayed his speech and Achilles answered him in great sadness saying why Ozanthes do you thus foretell my death you need not do so for I well know that I am to fall here far from my dear father and mother none the more however shall I stake my hand until I have given the Trojans their fill of fighting so saying with a loud cry he drove his horses to the front in March 19 read by Gazenia in March 2007