The Iliad Of Homer: Translated Into English Blank Verse: Book XII.

Argument Of The Twelfth Book.      The Trojans assail the ramparts, and Hector forces the gates.      So was Menoetius' gallant son employ'd      Healing Eurypylus. The Greeks, meantime,      And Trojans with tumultuous fury fought.      Nor was the foss ordain'd long time to exclude      The host of Troy, nor yet the rampart built      Beside it for protection of the fleet;      For hecatomb the Greeks had offer'd none,      Nor prayer to heaven, that it might keep secure      Their ships with all their spoils. The mighty work      As in defiance of the Immortal Powers      Had risen, and could not therefore long endure.      While Hector lived, and while Achilles held      His wrathful purpose; while the city yet      Of royal Priam was unsack'd, so long      The massy structure stood; but when the best      And bravest of the Trojan host were slain,      And of the Grecian heroes, some had fallen      And some survived, when Priam's towers had blazed      In the tenth year, and to their native shores      The Grecians with their ships, at length, return'd,      Then Neptune, with Apollo leagued, devised      Its ruin; every river that descends      From the Idan heights into the sea      They brought against it, gathering all their force.      Rhesus, Caresus, Rhodius, the wide-branch'd      Heptaporus, sepus, Granicus,      Scamander's sacred current, and thy stream      Simis, whose banks with helmets and with shields      Were strew'd, and Chiefs of origin divine;      All these with refluent course Apollo drove      Nine days against the rampart, and Jove rain'd      Incessant, that the Grecian wall wave-whelm'd      Through all its length might sudden disappear.      Neptune with his tridental mace, himself,      Led them, and beam and buttress to the flood      Consigning, laid by the laborious Greeks,      Swept the foundation, and the level bank      Of the swift-rolling Hellespont restored.      The structure thus effaced, the spacious beach      He spread with sand as at the first; then bade      Subside the streams, and in their channels wind      With limpid course, and pleasant as before,      Apollo thus and Neptune, from the first,      Design'd its fall; but now the battle raved      And clamors of the warriors all around      The strong-built turrets, whose assaulted planks      Rang, while the Grecians, by the scourge of Jove      Subdued, stood close within their fleet immured,      At Hector's phalanx-scattering force appall'd.      He, as before, with whirlwind fury fought.      As when the boar or lion fiery-eyed      Turns short, the hunters and the hounds among,      The close-embattled troop him firm oppose,      And ply him fast with spears; he no dismay      Conceives or terror in his noble heart,      But by his courage falls; frequent he turns      Attempting bold the ranks, and where he points      Direct his onset, there the ranks retire;      So, through the concourse on his rolling wheels      Borne rapid, Hector animated loud      His fellow-warriors to surpass the trench.      But not his own swift-footed steeds would dare      That hazard; standing on the dangerous brink      They neigh'd aloud, for by its breadth the foss      Deterr'd them; neither was the effort slight      To leap that gulf, nor easy the attempt      To pass it through; steep were the banks profound      On both sides, and with massy piles acute      Thick-planted, interdicting all assault.      No courser to the rapid chariot braced      Had enter'd there with ease; yet strong desires      Possess'd the infantry of that emprize,      And thus Polydamas the ear address'd      Of dauntless Hector, standing at his side.      Hector, and ye the leaders of our host,      Both Trojans and allies! rash the attempt      I deem, and vain, to push our horses through,      So dangerous is the pass; rough is the trench      With pointed stakes, and the Achaian wall      Meets us beyond. No chariot may descend      Or charioteer fight there; strait are the bounds,      And incommodious, and his death were sure.      If Jove, high-thundering Ruler of the skies,      Will succor Ilium, and nought less intend      Than utter devastation of the Greeks,      I am content; now perish all their host      Inglorious, from their country far remote.      But should they turn, and should ourselves be driven      Back from the fleet impeded and perplex'd      In this deep foss, I judge that not a man,      'Scaping the rallied Grecians, should survive      To bear the tidings of our fate to Troy.      Now, therefore, act we all as I advise.      Let every charioteer his coursers hold      Fast-rein'd beside the foss, while we on foot,      With order undisturb'd and arms in hand,      Shall follow Hector. If destruction borne      On wings of destiny this day approach      The Grecians, they will fly our first assault.      So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice      Pleased Hector; from his chariot to the ground      All arm'd he leap'd, nor would a Trojan there      (When once they saw the Hero on his feet)      Ride into battle, but unanimous      Descending with a leap, all trod the plain.      Each gave command that at the trench his steeds      Should stand detain'd in orderly array;      Then, suddenly, the parted host became      Five bands, each following its appointed chief.      The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts      Wish'd most to burst the barrier and to wage      The battle at the ships, with Hector march'd      And with Polydamas, whom follow'd, third,      Cebriones; for Hector had his steeds      Consign'd and chariot to inferior care.      Paris, Alcathos, and Agenor led      The second band, and, sons of Priam both,      Dephobus and Helenus, the third;      With them was seen partner of their command;      The Hero Asius; from Arisba came      Asius Hyrtacides, to battle drawn      From the Selles banks by martial steeds      Hair'd fiery-red and of the noblest size.      The fourth, Anchises' mighty son controll'd,      neas; under him Antenor's sons,      Archilochus and Acamas, advanced,      Adept in all the practice of the field.      Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy      Led by Sarpedon; he with Glaucus shared      His high control, and with the warlike Chief      Asteropus; for of all his host      Them bravest he esteem'd, himself except      Superior in heroic might to all.      And now (their shields adjusted each to each)      With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved      Against the Grecians; nor expected less      Than that beside their sable ships, the host      Should self-abandon'd fall an easy prey.      The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers,      The counsel of the accomplish'd Prince pursued,      Polydamas, one Chief alone except,      Asius Hyrtacides. He scorn'd to leave      His charioteer and coursers at the trench,      And drove toward the fleet. Ah, madly brave!      His evil hour was come; he was ordain'd      With horse and chariot and triumphant shout      To enter wind-swept Ilium never more.      Deucalion's offspring, first, into the shades      Dismiss'd him; by Idomeneus he died.      Leftward he drove furious, along the road      By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks      Return'd from battle; in that track he flew,      Nor found the portals by the massy bar      Secured, but open for reception safe      Of fugitives, and to a guard consign'd.      Thither he drove direct, and in his rear      His band shrill-shouting follow'd, for they judged      The Greeks no longer able to withstand      Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp.      Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found      Lapith-born, courageous offspring each      Of dauntless father; Polypoetes, this,      Sprung from Pirithus; that, the warrior bold      Leonteus, terrible as gore-tainted Mars.      These two, defenders of the lofty gates,      Stood firm before them. As when two tall oaks      On the high mountains day by day endure      Rough wind and rain, by deep-descending roots      Of hugest growth fast-founded in the soil;      So they, sustain'd by conscious valor, saw,      Unmoved, high towering Asius on his way,      Nor fear'd him aught, nor shrank from his approach      Right on toward the barrier, lifting high      Their season'd bucklers and with clamor loud      The band advanced, King Asius at their head,      With whom Imenus, expert in arms,      Orestes, Thon, Acamas the son      Of Asius, and Oenomus, led them on.      Till now, the warlike pair, exhorting loud      The Grecians to defend the fleet, had stood      Within the gates; but soon as they perceived      The Trojans swift advancing to the wall,      And heard a cry from all the flying Greeks,      Both sallying, before the gates they fought      Like forest-boars, which hearing in the hills      The crash of hounds and huntsmen nigh at hand,      With start oblique lay many a sapling flat      Short-broken by the root, nor cease to grind      Their sounding tusks, till by the spear they die;      So sounded on the breasts of those brave two      The smitten brass; for resolute they fought,      Embolden'd by their might who kept the wall,      And trusting in their own; they, in defence      Of camp and fleet and life, thick battery hurl'd      Of stones precipitated from the towers;      Frequent as snows they fell, which stormy winds,      Driving the gloomy clouds, shake to the ground,      Till all the fertile earth lies cover'd deep.      Such volley pour'd the Greeks, and such return'd      The Trojans; casques of hide, arid and tough,      And bossy shields rattled, by such a storm      Assail'd of millstone masses from above.      Then Asius, son of Hyrtacus, a groan      Indignant utter'd; on both thighs he smote      With disappointment furious, and exclaim'd,      Jupiter! even thou art false become,      And altogether such. Full sure I deem'd      That not a Grecian hero should abide      One moment force invincible as ours,      And lo! as wasps ring-streaked,[1] or bees that build      Their dwellings in the highway's craggy side      Leave not their hollow home, but fearless wait      The hunter's coming, in their brood's defence,      So these, although two only, from the gates      Move not, nor will, till either seized or slain.      So Asius spake, but speaking so, changed not      The mind of Jove on Hector's glory bent.      Others, as obstinate, at other gates      Such deeds perform'd, that to enumerate all      Were difficult, unless to power divine.      For fierce the hail of stones from end to end      Smote on the barrier; anguish fill'd the Greeks.      Yet, by necessity constrain'd, their ships      They guarded still; nor less the Gods themselves,      Patrons of Greece, all sorrow'd at the sight.      At once the valiant Lapith began      Terrible conflict, and Pirithous' son      Brave Polypoetes through his helmet pierced      Damasus; his resplendent point the brass      Sufficed not to withstand; entering, it crush'd      The bone within, and mingling all his brain      With his own blood, his onset fierce repress'd.      Pylon and Ormenus he next subdued.      Meantime Leonteus, branch of Mars, his spear      Hurl'd at Hippomachus, whom through his belt      He pierced; then drawing forth his falchion keen,      Through all the multitude he flew to smite      Antiphates, and with a downright stroke      Fell'd him. Imenus and Menon next      He slew, with brave Orestes, whom he heap'd,      All three together, on the fertile glebe.      While them the Lapith of their bright arms      Despoil'd, Polydamas and Hector stood      (With all the bravest youths and most resolved      To burst the barrier and to fire the fleet)      Beside the foss, pondering the event.      For, while they press'd to pass, they spied a bird      Sublime in air, an eagle. Right between      Both hosts he soar'd (the Trojan on his left)      A serpent bearing in his pounces clutch'd      Enormous, dripping blood, but lively still      And mindful of revenge; for from beneath      The eagle's breast, updarting fierce his head,      Fast by the throat he struck him; anguish-sick      The eagle cast him down into the space      Between the hosts, and, clanging loud his plumes      As the wind bore him, floated far away.      Shudder'd the Trojans viewing at their feet      The spotted serpent ominous, and thus      Polydamas to dauntless Hector spake.      Ofttimes in council, Hector, thou art wont      To censure me, although advising well;      Nor ought the private citizen, I confess,      Either in council or in war to indulge      Loquacity, but ever to employ      All his exertions in support of thine.      Yet hear my best opinion once again.      Proceed we not in our attempt against      The Grecian fleet. For if in truth the sign      Respect the host of Troy ardent to pass,      Then, as the eagle soar'd both hosts between,      With Ilium's on his left, and clutch'd a snake      Enormous, dripping blood, but still alive,      Which yet he dropp'd suddenly, ere he reach'd      His eyry, or could give it to his young,      So we, although with mighty force we burst      Both gates and barrier, and although the Greeks      Should all retire, shall never yet the way      Tread honorably back by which we came.      No. Many a Trojan shall we leave behind      Slain by the Grecians in their fleet's defence.      An augur skill'd in omens would expound      This omen thus, and faith would win from all.      To whom, dark-louring, Hector thus replied.      Polydamas! I like not thy advice;      Thou couldst have framed far better; but if this      Be thy deliberate judgment, then the Gods      Make thy deliberate judgment nothing worth,      Who bidd'st me disregard the Thunderer's[2] firm      Assurance to myself announced, and make      The wild inhabitants of air my guides,      Which I alike despise, speed they their course      With right-hand flight toward the ruddy East,      Or leftward down into the shades of eve.      Consider we the will of Jove alone,      Sovereign of heaven and earth. Omens abound,      But the best omen is our country's cause.[3]      Wherefore should fiery war thy soul alarm?      For were we slaughter'd, one and all, around      The fleet of Greece, thou need'st not fear to die,      Whose courage never will thy flight retard.      But if thou shrink thyself, or by smooth speech      Seduce one other from a soldier's part,      Pierced by this spear incontinent thou diest.      So saying he led them, who with deafening roar      Follow'd him. Then, from the Idan hills      Jove hurl'd a storm which wafted right the dust      Into the fleet; the spirits too he quell'd      Of the Achaians, and the glory gave      To Hector and his host; they, trusting firm      In signs from Jove, and in their proper force,      Assay'd the barrier; from the towers they tore      The galleries, cast the battlements to ground,      And the projecting buttresses adjoin'd      To strengthen the vast work, with bars upheaved.      All these, with expectation fierce to break      The rampart, down they drew; nor yet the Greeks      Gave back, but fencing close with shields the wall,      Smote from behind them many a foe beneath.      Meantime from tower to tower the Ajaces moved      Exhorting all; with mildness some, and some      With harsh rebuke, whom they observed through fear      Declining base the labors of the fight,      Friends! Argives! warriors of whatever rank!      Ye who excel, and ye of humbler note!      And ye the last and least! (for such there are,      All have not magnanimity alike)      Now have we work for all, as all perceive.      Turn not, retreat not to your ships, appall'd      By sounding menaces, but press the foe;      Exhort each other, and e'en now perchance      Olympian Jove, by whom the lightnings burn,      Shall grant us to repulse them, and to chase      The routed Trojans to their gates again.      So they vociferating to the Greeks,      Stirr'd them to battle. As the feathery snows      Fall frequent, on some wintry day, when Jove      Hath risen to shed them on the race of man,      And show his arrowy stores; he lulls the winds,      Then shakes them down continual, covering thick      Mountain tops, promontories, flowery meads,      And cultured valleys rich; the ports and shores      Receive it also of the hoary deep,      But there the waves bound it, while all beside      Lies whelm'd beneath Jove's fast-descending shower,      So thick, from side to side, by Trojans hurl'd      Against the Greeks, and by the Greeks return'd      The stony vollies flew; resounding loud      Through all its length the battered rampart roar'd.      Nor yet had Hector and his host prevail'd      To burst the gates, and break the massy bar,      Had not all-seeing Jove Sarpedon moved      His son, against the Greeks, furious as falls      The lion on some horned herd of beeves.      At once his polish'd buckler he advanced      With leafy brass o'erlaid; for with smooth brass      The forger of that shield its oval disk      Had plated, and with thickest hides throughout      Had lined it, stitch'd with circling wires of gold.      That shield he bore before him; firmly grasp'd      He shook two spears, and with determined strides      March'd forward. As the lion mountain-bred,      After long fast, by impulse of his heart      Undaunted urged, seeks resolute the flock      Even in the shelter of their guarded home;      He finds, perchance, the shepherds arm'd with spears,      And all their dogs awake, yet can not leave      Untried the fence, but either leaps it light,      And entering tears the prey, or in the attempt      Pierced by some dexterous peasant, bleeds himself;      So high his courage to the assault impell'd      Godlike Sarpedon, and him fired with hope      To break the barrier; when to Glaucus thus,      Son of Hippolochus, his speech he turn'd.      Why, Glaucus, is the seat of honor ours,      Why drink we brimming cups, and feast in state?      Why gaze they all on us as we were Gods      In Lycia, and why share we pleasant fields      And spacious vineyards, where the Xanthus winds?      Distinguished thus in Lycia, we are call'd      To firmness here, and to encounter bold      The burning battle, that our fair report      Among the Lycians may be blazon'd thus--      No dastards are the potentates who rule      The bright-arm'd Lycians; on the fatted flock      They banquet, and they drink the richest wines;      But they are also valiant, and the fight      Wage dauntless in the vanward of us all.      Oh Glaucus, if escaping safe the death      That threats us here, we also could escape      Old age, and to ourselves secure a life      Immortal, I would neither in the van      Myself expose, nor would encourage thee      To tempt the perils of the glorious field.      But since a thousand messengers of fate      Pursue us close, and man is born to die--      E'en let us on; the prize of glory yield,      If yield we must, or wrest it from the foe.      He said, nor cold refusal in return      Received from Glaucus, but toward the wall      Their numerous Lycian host both led direct.      Menestheus, son of Peteos, saw appall'd      Their dread approach, for to his tower they bent;      Their threatening march. An eager look he cast,      On the embodied Greeks, seeking some Chief      Whose aid might turn the battle from his van:      He saw, where never sated with exploits      Of war, each Ajax fought, near whom his eye      Kenn'd Teucer also, newly from his tent;      But vain his efforts were with loudest call      To reach their ears, such was the deafening din      Upsent to heaven, of shields and crested helms,      And of the batter'd gates; for at each gate      They thundering' stood, and urged alike at each      Their fierce attempt by force to burst the bars.      To Ajax therefore he at once dispatch'd      A herald, and Thotes thus enjoin'd.      My noble friend, Thotes! with all speed      Call either Ajax; bid them hither both;      Far better so; for havoc is at hand.      The Lycian leaders, ever in assault      Tempestuous, bend their force against this tower      My station. But if also there they find      Laborious conflict pressing them severe,      At least let Telamonian Ajax come,      And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow.      He spake, nor was Thotes slow to hear;      Beside the rampart of the mail-clad Greeks      Rapid he flew, and, at their side arrived,      To either Ajax, eager, thus began.      Ye leaders of the well-appointed Greeks,      The son of noble Peteos calls; he begs      With instant suit, that ye would share his toils,      However short your stay; the aid of both      Will serve him best, for havoc threatens there      The Lycian leaders, ever in assault      Tempestuous, bend their force toward the tower      His station. But if also here ye find      Laborious conflict pressing you severe,      At least let Telamonian Ajax come,      And Teucer with his death-dispensing bow.      He spake, nor his request the towering son      Of Telamon denied, but quick his speech      To Ajax Oliades address'd.      Ajax! abiding here, exhort ye both      (Heroic Lycomedes and thyself)      The Greeks to battle. Thither I depart      To aid our friends, which service once perform'd      Duly, I will incontinent return.      So saying, the Telamonian Chief withdrew      With whom went Teucer, son of the same sire,      Pandion also, bearing Teucer's bow.      Arriving at the turret given in charge      To the bold Chief Menestheus, and the wall      Entering, they found their friends all sharply tried.      Black as a storm the senators renown'd      And leaders of the Lycian host assail'd      Buttress and tower, while opposite the Greeks      Withstood them, and the battle-shout began.      First, Ajax, son of Telamon, a friend      And fellow-warrior of Sarpedon slew,      Epicles. With a marble fragment huge      That crown'd the battlement's interior side,      He smote him. No man of our puny race,      Although in prime of youth, had with both hands      That weight sustain'd; but he the cumberous mass      Uplifted high, and hurl'd it on his head.      It burst his helmet, and his batter'd skull      Dash'd from all form. He from the lofty tower      Dropp'd downright, with a diver's plunge, and died.      But Teucer wounded Glaucus with a shaft      Son of Hippolochus; he, climbing, bared      His arm, which Teucer, marking, from the wall      Transfix'd it, and his onset fierce repress'd;      For with a backward leap Glaucus withdrew      Sudden and silent, cautious lest the Greeks      Seeing him wounded should insult his pain.      Grief seized, at sight of his retiring friend,      Sarpedon, who forgat not yet the fight,      But piercing with his lance Alcmaon, son      Of Thestor, suddenly reversed the beam,      Which following, Alcmaon to the earth      Fell prone, with clangor of his brazen arms.      Sarpedon, then, strenuous with both hands      Tugg'd, and down fell the battlement entire;      The wall, dismantled at the summit, stood      A ruin, and wide chasm was open'd through.      Then Ajax him and Teucer at one time      Struck both; an arrow struck from Teucer's bow      The belt that cross'd his bosom, by which hung      His ample shield; yet lest his son should fall      Among the ships, Jove turn'd the death aside.      But Ajax, springing to his thrust, a spear      Drove through his shield. Sarpedon at the shock      With backward step short interval recoil'd,      But not retired, for in his bosom lived      The hope of glory still, and, looking back      On all his godlike Lycians, he exclaim'd,      Oh Lycians! where is your heroic might?      Brave as I boast myself, I feel the task      Arduous, through the breach made by myself      To win a passage to the ships, alone.      Follow me all--Most laborers, most dispatch.[4]      So he; at whose sharp reprimand abash'd      The embattled host to closer conflict moved,      Obedient to their counsellor and King.      On the other side the Greeks within the wall      Made firm the phalanx, seeing urgent need;      Nor could the valiant Lycians through the breach      Admittance to the Grecian fleet obtain,      Nor since they first approach'd it, had the Greeks      With all their efforts, thrust the Lycians back.      But as two claimants of one common field,      Each with his rod of measurement in hand,      Dispute the boundaries, litigating warm      Their right in some small portion of the soil,      So they, divided by the barrier, struck      With hostile rage the bull-hide bucklers round,      And the light targets on each other's breast.      Then many a wound the ruthless weapons made.      Pierced through the unarm'd back, if any turn'd,      He died, and numerous even through the shield.      The battlements from end to end with blood      Of Grecians and of Trojans on both sides      Were sprinkled; yet no violence could move      The stubborn Greeks, or turn their powers to flight.      So hung the war in balance, as the scales      Held by some woman scrupulously just,      A spinner; wool and weight she poises nice,      Hard-earning slender pittance for her babes,[5]      Such was the poise in which the battle hung      Till Jove himself superior fame, at length,      To Priamian Hector gave, who sprang      First through the wall. In lofty sounds that reach'd      Their utmost ranks, he call'd on all his host.      Now press them, now ye Trojans steed-renown'd      Rush on! break through the Grecian rampart, hurl      At once devouring flames into the fleet.      Such was his exhortation; they his voice      All hearing, with close-order'd ranks direct      Bore on the barrier, and up-swarming show'd      On the high battlement their glittering spears.      But Hector seized a stone; of ample base      But tapering to a point, before the gate      It stood. No two men, mightiest of a land      (Such men as now are mighty) could with ease      Have heaved it from the earth up to a wain;      He swung it easily alone; so light      The son of Saturn made it in his hand.      As in one hand with ease the shepherd bears      A ram's fleece home, nor toils beneath the weight,      So Hector, right toward the planks of those      Majestic folding-gates, close-jointed, firm      And solid, bore the stone. Two bars within      Their corresponding force combined transvere      To guard them, and one bolt secured the bars.      He stood fast by them, parting wide his feet      For 'vantage sake, and smote them in the midst.      He burst both hinges; inward fell the rock      Ponderous, and the portals roar'd; the bars      Endured not, and the planks, riven by the force      Of that huge mass, flew scatter'd on all sides.      In leap'd the godlike Hero at the breach,      Gloomy as night in aspect, but in arms      All-dazzling, and he grasp'd two quivering spears.      Him entering with a leap the gates, no force      Whate'er of opposition had repress'd,      Save of the Gods alone. Fire fill'd his eyes;      Turning, he bade the multitude without      Ascend the rampart; they his voice obey'd;      Part climb'd the wall, part pour'd into the gate;      The Grecians to their hollow galleys flew      Scatter'd, and tumult infinite arose.[6]