The Iliad of Homer. Homer

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СКАЧАТЬ style="font-size:15px;">       Wandering he knows not whither, far from home,710

       If chance a rapid torrent to the sea

       Borne headlong thwart his course, the foaming flood

       Obstreperous views awhile, then quick retires,

       So he, and his attendants thus bespake.

      How oft, my countrymen! have we admired715

       The noble Hector, skillful at the spear

       And unappall'd in fight? but still hath he

       Some God his guard, and even now I view

       In human form Mars moving at his side.

       Ye, then, with faces to the Trojans turn'd,720

       Ceaseless retire, and war not with the Gods.

      He ended; and the Trojans now approach'd.

       Then two bold warriors in one chariot borne,

       By valiant Hector died, Menesthes one,

       And one, Anchialus. Them fallen in fight725

       Ajax the vast, touch'd with compassion saw;

       Within small space he stood, his glittering spear

       Dismiss'd, and pierced Amphius. Son was he

       Of Selagus, and Pæsus was his home,

       Where opulent he dwelt, but by his fate730

       Was led to fight for Priam and his sons.

       Him Telamonian Ajax through his belt

       128 Wounded, and in his nether bowels deep

       Fix'd his long-shadow'd spear. Sounding he fell.

       Illustrious Ajax running to the slain735

       Prepared to strip his arms, but him a shower

       Of glittering-weapons keen from Trojan hands

       Assail'd, and numerous his broad shield received.

       He, on the body planting firm his heel,

       Forth drew the polish'd spear, but his bright arms740

       Took not, by darts thick-flying sore annoy'd,

       Nor fear'd he little lest his haughty foes,

       Spear-arm'd and bold, should compass him around;

       Him, therefore, valiant though he were and huge,

       They push'd before them. Staggering he retired.745

      Thus toil'd both hosts in that laborious field.

       And now his ruthless destiny impell'd

       Tlepolemus, Alcides' son, a Chief

       Dauntless and huge, against a godlike foe

       Sarpedon. They approaching face to face750

       Stood, son and grandson of high-thundering Jove,

       And, haughty, thus Tlepolemus began.

      Sarpedon, leader of the Lycian host,

       Thou trembler! thee what cause could hither urge

       A man unskill'd in arms? They falsely speak755

       Who call thee son of Ægis-bearing Jove,

       So far below their might thou fall'st who sprang

       From Jove in days of old. What says report

       Of Hercules (for him I boast my sire)

       All-daring hero with a lion's heart?760

       With six ships only, and with followers few,

       He for the horses of Laomedon

       Lay'd Troy in dust, and widow'd all her streets.

       But thou art base, and thy diminish'd powers

       Perish around thee; think not that thou earnest765

       For Ilium's good, but rather, whatsoe'er

       Thy force in fight, to find, subdued by me,

       A sure dismission to the gates of hell.

      To whom the leader of the Lycian band.

       Tlepolemus! he ransack'd sacred Troy,770

       129 As thou hast said, but for her monarch's fault

       Laomedon, who him with language harsh

       Requited ill for benefits received,

       Nor would the steeds surrender, seeking which

       He voyaged from afar. But thou shalt take775

       Thy bloody doom from this victorious arm,

       And, vanquish'd by my spear, shalt yield thy fame

       To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown'd.

      So spake Sarpedon, and his ashen beam

       Tlepolemus upraised. Both hurl'd at once780

       Their quivering spears. Sarpedon's through the neck

       Pass'd of Tlepolemus, and show'd beyond

       Its ruthless point; thick darkness veil'd his eyes.

       Tlepolemus with his long lance the thigh

       Pierced of Sarpedon; sheer into his bone785

       He pierced him, but Sarpedon's father, Jove,

       Him rescued even on the verge of fate.

      His noble friends conducted from the field

       The godlike Lycian, trailing as he went

       The pendent spear, none thinking to extract790

       For his relief the weapon from his thigh,

       Through eagerness of haste to bear him thence.

       On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail'd

       Bore off Tlepolemus. Ulysses fill'd

       With earnest thoughts tumultuous them observed,795

       Danger-defying Chief! Doubtful he stood

       Or to pursue at once the Thunderer's son

       Sarpedon, or to take more Lycian lives.

       But not for brave Ulysses had his fate

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