The Iliad of Homer. Homer

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СКАЧАТЬ Thrice then he sprang impetuous to the deed,510

       And thrice Apollo with his radiant shield

       Repulsed him. But when ardent as a God

       The fourth time he advanced, with thundering-voice

       Him thus the Archer of the skies rebuked.

      Think, and retire, Tydides! nor affect515

       122 Equality with Gods; for not the same

       Our nature is and theirs who tread the ground.

      He spake, and Diomede a step retired,

       Not more; the anger of the Archer-God

       Declining slow, and with a sullen awe.520

       Then Phœbus, far from all the warrior throng

       To his own shrine the sacred dome beneath

       Of Pergamus, Æneas bore; there him

       Latona and shaft-arm'd Diana heal'd

       And glorified within their spacious fane.525

       Meantime the Archer of the silver bow

       A visionary form prepared; it seem'd

       Himself Æneas, and was arm'd as he.

       At once, in contest for that airy form,

       Grecians and Trojans on each other's breasts530

       The bull-hide buckler batter'd and light targe.

      Then thus Apollo to the warrior God.

       Gore-tainted homicide, town-batterer Mars!

       Wilt thou not meet and from the fight withdraw

       This man Tydides, now so fiery grown535

       That he would even cope with Jove himself?

       First Venus' hand he wounded, and assail'd

       Impetuous as a God, next, even me.

       He ceased, and on the topmost turret sat

       Of Pergamus. Then all-destroyer Mars540

       Ranging the Trojan host, rank after rank

       Exhorted loud, and in the form assumed

       Of Acamas the Thracian leader bold,

       The godlike sons of Priam thus harangued.

      Ye sons of Priam, monarch Jove-beloved!545

       How long permit ye your Achaian foes

       To slay the people?—till the battle rage

       (Push'd home to Ilium) at her solid gates?

       Behold—a Chief disabled lies, than whom

       We reverence not even Hector more,550

       Æneas; fly, save from the roaring storm

       The noble Anchisiades your friend.

      He said; then every heart for battle glow'd;

       123 And thus Sarpedon with rebuke severe

       Upbraiding generous Hector, stern began.555

      Where is thy courage, Hector? for thou once

       Hadst courage. Is it fled? In other days

       Thy boast hath been that without native troops

       Or foreign aids, thy kindred and thyself

       Alone, were guard sufficient for the town.560

       But none of all thy kindred now appears;

       I can discover none; they stand aloof

       Quaking, as dogs that hear the lion's roar.

       We bear the stress, who are but Troy's allies;

       Myself am such, and from afar I came;565

       For Lycia lies far distant on the banks

       Of the deep-eddied Xanthus. There a wife

       I left and infant son, both dear to me,

       With plenteous wealth, the wish of all who want.

       Yet urge I still my Lycians, and am prompt570

       Myself to fight, although possessing here

       Nought that the Greeks can carry or drive hence.

       But there stand'st thou, neither employed thyself,

       Nor moving others to an active part

       For all their dearest pledges. Oh beware!575

       Lest, as with meshes of an ample net,

       At one huge draught the Grecians sweep you all,

       And desolate at once your populous Troy!

       By day, by night, thoughts such as these should still

       Thy conduct influence, and from Chief to Chief580

       Of the allies should send thee, praying each

       To make firm stand, all bickerings put away.

      So spake Sarpedon, and his reprimand

       Stung Hector; instant to the ground he leap'd

       All arm'd, and shaking his bright spears his host585

       Ranged in all quarters animating loud

       His legions, and rekindling horrid war.

       Then, rolling back, the powers of Troy opposed

       Once more the Grecians, whom the Grecians dense

       Expected, unretreating, void of fear.590

      As flies the chaff wide scatter'd by the wind

       124 O'er all the consecrated floor, what time

       Ripe Ceres[13] with brisk airs her golden grain Ventilates, whitening with its husk the ground; So grew the Achaians white, a dusty cloud595 Descending on their arms, which steeds with steeds Again to battle mingling, with their hoofs Up-stamp'd into the brazen vault of heaven; For now the charioteers turn'd all to fight. Host toward host with full collected force600 They moved direct. Then Mars through all the field Took wide his range, and overhung the war With night, in aid of Troy, at the command Of Phœbus of the golden sword; for he Perceiving Pallas from the field withdrawn,605 Patroness of the Greeks, had Mars enjoin'd To rouse the spirit of the Trojan host. Meantime Apollo from his unctuous shrine Sent forth restored and with new force inspired Æneas. He amidst his warriors stood,610 Who him with joy СКАЧАТЬ