The Iliad of Homer. Homer

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BOOK III.

       Table of Contents

      064

ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.

       Table of Contents

      The armies meet. Paris throws out a challenge to the Grecian Princes. Menelaus accepts it. The terms of the combat are adjusted solemnly by Agamemnon on the part of Greece, and by Priam on the part of Troy. The combat ensues, in which Paris is vanquished, whom yet Venus rescues. Agamemnon demands from the Trojans a performance of the covenant.

      065

BOOK III.

       Table of Contents

      [1]Now marshall'd all beneath their several chiefs, With deafening shouts, and with the clang of arms, The host of Troy advanced. Such clang is heard Along the skies, when from incessant showers Escaping, and from winter's cold, the cranes5 Take wing, and over Ocean speed away;[2] Wo to the land of dwarfs! prepared they fly For slaughter of the small Pygmæan race. Not so the Greeks; they breathing valor came, But silent all, and all with faithful hearts10 On succor mutual to the last, resolved. As when the south wind wraps the mountain top In mist the shepherd's dread, but to the thief Than night itself more welcome, and the eye Is bounded in its ken to a stone's cast,15 Such from beneath their footsteps dun and dense Uprose the dust, for swift they cross the plain.

      066 When, host to host opposed, full nigh they stood,

       Then Alexander[3] in the Trojan van Advanced was seen, all beauteous as a God;20 His leopard's skin, his falchion and his bow Hung from his shoulder; bright with heads of brass He shook two spears, and challenged to the fight The bravest Argives there, defying all. Him, striding haughtily his host before25 When Menelaus saw, such joy he felt As hunger-pinch'd the lion feels, by chance Conducted to some carcase huge, wild goat, Or antler'd stag; huntsmen and baying hounds Disturb not him, he gorges in their sight.30 So Menelaus at the view rejoiced Of lovely Alexander, for he hoped His punishment at hand. At once, all armed, Down from his chariot to the ground he leap'd

      When godlike Paris him in front beheld35

       Conspicuous, his heart smote him, and his fate

       Avoiding, far within the lines he shrank.[4] As one, who in some woodland height descrying A serpent huge, with sudden start recoils, His limbs shake under him; with cautious step40 He slow retires; fear blanches cold his cheeks; So beauteous Alexander at the sight Of Atreus' son dishearten'd sore, the ranks Of haughty Trojans enter'd deep again: Him Hector eyed, and thus rebuked severe.45

      Curst Paris! Fair deceiver! Woman-mad!

       I would to all in heaven that thou hadst died

       Unborn, at least unmated! happier far

       067 Than here to have incurr'd this public shame!

       Well may the Grecians taunt, and laughing loud,50

       Applaud the champion, slow indeed to fight

       And pusillanimous, but wondrous fair.

       Wast thou as timid, tell me, when with those

       Thy loved companions in that famed exploit,

       Thou didst consort with strangers, and convey55

       From distant lands a warrior's beauteous bride

       To be thy father's and his people's curse,

       Joy to our foes, but to thyself reproach?

       Behold her husband! Darest thou not to face

       The warlike prince? Now learn how brave a Chief60

       Thou hast defrauded of his blooming spouse.

       Thy lyre, thy locks, thy person, specious gifts

       Of partial Venus, will avail thee nought,

       Once mixt by Menelaus with the dust.

       But we are base ourselves, or long ago,65

       For all thy numerous mischiefs, thou hadst slept

       Secure beneath a coverlet[5] of stone.[6]

      Then godlike Alexander thus replied.

       Oh Hector, true in temper as the axe

       Which in the shipwright's hand the naval plank70

       Divides resistless, doubling all his force,

       Such is thy dauntless spirit whose reproach

       Perforce I own, nor causeless nor unjust.

       Yet let the gracious gifts uncensured pass

       Of golden Venus; man may not reject75

       The glorious bounty by the Gods bestow'd,

       Nor follows their beneficence our choice.

       But if thy pleasure be that I engage

       With Menelaus in decision fierce

       Of desperate combat bid the host of Troy80

       And bid the Grecians sit; then face to face

       Commit us, in the vacant field between,

       To fight for Helen and for all her wealth.

       068 Who strongest proves, and conquers, he, of her

       And hers possess'd shall bear them safe away;85

       While ye (peace sworn and firm accord) shall dwell

       At Troy, and these to Argos shall return

       And to Achaia praised for women fair.

      He ceased, whom Hector heard with joy; he moved

       Into the middle space, and with his spear90

       Advanced athwart push'd back the Trojan van,

       And all stood fast. Meantime at him the Greeks

       Discharged full volley, showering thick around

       From bow and sling;[7] when with a mighty voice Thus Agamemnon, leader of the host.95

      Argives! Be still—shoot not, ye sons of Greece!

       Hector bespeaks attention. Hear the Chief!

      He said, at once the Grecians ceased to shoot,

       And all sat silent. Hector then began.

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