The Iliad of Homer. Homer

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       [13]And if, dismounted from his own, he climb Another's chariot, let him not affect Perverse the reins, but let him stand, his spear Advancing firm, far better so employ'd.360 Such was the discipline, in ancient times, Of our forefathers; by these rules they fought Successful, and laid many a city low.

      So counsell'd them the venerable Chief

       Long time expert in arms; him also saw365

       King Agamemnon with delight, and said,

      Old Chief! ah how I wish, that thy firm heart

       Were but supported by as firm a knee!

       But time unhinges all. Oh that some youth

       Had thine old age, and thou wast young again!370

       To whom the valiant Nestor thus replied.

      Atrides, I could also ardent wish

       That I were now robust as when I struck

       Brave Ereuthalion[14] breathless to the ground! But never all their gifts the Gods confer375 On man at once; if then I had the force Of youth, I suffer now the effects of age. Yet ancient as I am, I will be seen Still mingling with the charioteers, still prompt To give them counsel; for to counsel youth380 097 Is the old warrior's province. Let the green In years, my juniors, unimpaired by time, Push with the lance, for they have strength to boast.

      So he, whom Agamemnon joyful heard,

       And passing thence, the son of Peteos found385

       Menestheus, foremost in equestrian fame,

       Among the brave Athenians; near to him

       Ulysses held his station, and at hand

       The Cephallenians stood, hardy and bold;

       For rumor none of the approaching fight390

       Them yet had reach'd, so recent had the stir

       Arisen in either host; they, therefore, watch'd

       Till the example of some other band

       Marching, should prompt them to begin the fight,

       But Agamemnon, thus, the King of men395

       Them seeing, sudden and severe reproved.

      Menestheus, son of Peteos prince renown'd,

       And thou, deviser of all evil wiles!

       Adept in artifice! why stand ye here

       Appall'd? why wait ye on this distant spot400

       'Till others move? I might expect from you

       More readiness to meet the burning war,

       Whom foremost I invite of all to share

       The banquet, when the Princes feast with me.

       There ye are prompt; ye find it pleasant there405

       To eat your savory food, and quaff your wine

       Delicious 'till satiety ensue;

       But here you could be well content to stand

       Spectators only, while ten Grecian troops

       Should wage before you the wide-wasting war.410

      To whom Ulysses, with resentful tone

       Dark-frowning, thus replied. What words are these

       Which have escaped thy lips; and for what cause,

       Atrides, hast thou call'd me slow to fight?

       When we of Greece shall in sharp contest clash415

       With you steed-tamer Trojans, mark me then;

       Then thou shalt see (if the concerns of war

       So nearly touch thee, and thou so incline)

       098 The father of Telemachus, engaged

       Among the foremost Trojans. But thy speech420

       Was light as is the wind, and rashly made.

      When him thus moved he saw, the monarch smiled

       Complacent, and in gentler terms replied.

      Laërtes' noble son, for wiles renown'd!

       Short reprimand and exhortation short425

       Suffice for thee, nor did I purpose more.

       For I have known thee long, that thou art one

       Of kindest nature, and so much my friend

       That we have both one heart. Go therefore thou,

       Lead on, and if a word have fallen amiss,430

       We will hereafter mend it, and may heaven

       Obliterate in thine heart its whole effect!

      He ceased, and ranging still along the line,

       The son of Tydeus, Diomede, perceived,

       Heroic Chief, by chariots all around435

       Environ'd, and by steeds, at side of whom

       Stood Sthenelus, the son of Capaneus.

       Him also, Agamemnon, King of men,

       In accents of asperity reproved.

      Ah, son of Tydeus, Chief of dauntless heart440

       And of equestrian fame! why standest thou

       Appall'd, and peering through the walks of war?

       So did not Tydeus. In the foremost fight

       His favorite station was, as they affirm

       Who witness'd his exploits; I never saw445

       Or met him, but by popular report

       He was the bravest warrior of his day.

       Yet came he once, but not in hostile sort,

       To fair Mycenæ, by the godlike prince

       Attended, Polynices, at what time450

       The host was called together, and the siege

       Was purposed of the sacred city Thebes.

       Earnest they sued for an auxiliar band,

       Which we had gladly granted, but that Jove

       By unpropitious tokens interfered.455

       So forth СКАЧАТЬ