Book XXI

Homeric Greek

1ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πόρον ἷξον ἐϋρρεῖος ποταμοῖο

Ξάνθου δινήεντος, ὃν ἀθάνατος τέκετο Ζεύς,

ἔνθα διατμήξας τοὺς μὲν πεδίον δὲ δίωκε

πρὸς πόλιν, ᾗ περ Ἀχαιοὶ ἀτυζόμενοι φοβέοντο

5ἤματι τῷ προτέρῳ, ὅτε μαίνετο φαίδιμος Ἕκτωρ:

Transliteration

1all' hote dē poron hixon eÿrreios potamoio

Xanthou dinēentos, hon athanatos teketo Zeus,

entha diatmēxas tous men pedion de diōke

pros polin, hēi per Achaioi atyzomenoi phobeonto

5ēmati tōi proterōi, hote maineto phaidimos Hektōr:

English

Now when they came to the ford of the full-flowing river Xanthos, begotten of immortal Zeus, Achilles cut their forces in two: one half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that the Achaeans had taken when fleeing panic-stricken on the preceding day with Hektor in full triumph;

Homeric Greek

τῇ ῥ' οἵ γε προχέοντο πεφυζότες, ἠέρα δ' Ἥρη

πίτνα πρόσθε βαθεῖαν ἐρυκέμεν: ἡμίσεες δὲ

ἐς ποταμὸν εἰλεῦντο βαθύρροον ἀργυροδίνην,

ἐν δ' ἔπεσον μεγάλῳ πατάγῳ, βράχε δ' αἰπὰ ῥέεθρα,

10ὄχθαι δ' ἀμφὶ περὶ μεγάλ' ἴαχον: οἳ δ' ἀλαλητῷ

Transliteration

tēi rh' hoi ge procheonto pephyzotes, ēera d' Hērē

pitna prosthe batheian erykemen: hēmisees de

es potamon eileunto bathyrroon argyrodinēn,

en d' epeson megalōi patagōi, brache d' aipa rheethra,

10ochthai d' amphi peri megal' iachon: hoi d' alalētōi

English

this way did they flee pell-mell, and Hera sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them. The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver-eddying stream, and fell into it with a great uproar. The waters resounded, and the banks rang again, as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies.

Homeric Greek

ἔννεον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ἑλισσόμενοι περὶ δίνας.

ὡς δ' ὅθ' ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς πυρὸς ἀκρίδες ἠερέθονται

φευγέμεναι ποταμὸν δέ: τὸ δὲ φλέγει ἀκάματον πῦρ

ὄρμενον ἐξαίφνης, ταὶ δὲ πτώσσουσι καθ' ὕδωρ:

15ὣς ὑπ' Ἀχιλλῆος Ξάνθου βαθυδινήεντος

Transliteration

enneon entha kai entha helissomenoi peri dinas.

hōs d' hoth' hypo rhipēs pyros akrides ēerethontai

pheugemenai potamon de: to de phlegei akamaton pyr

ormenon exaiphnēs, tai de ptōssousi kath' hydōr:

15hōs hyp' Achillēos Xanthou bathydinēentos

English

As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire- the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they huddle into the water - even so was the eddying stream of Xanthos filled with the uproar of

Homeric Greek

πλῆτο ῥόος κελάδων ἐπιμὶξ ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν.

αὐτὰρ ὃ διογενὴς δόρυ μὲν λίπεν αὐτοῦ ἐπ' ὄχθῃ

κεκλιμένον μυρίκῃσιν, ὃ δ' ἔσθορε δαίμονι ἶσος

φάσγανον οἶον ἔχων, κακὰ δὲ φρεσὶ μήδετο ἔργα,

20τύπτε δ' ἐπιστροφάδην: τῶν δὲ στόνος ὄρνυτ' ἀεικὴς

Transliteration

plēto rhoos keladōn epimix hippōn te kai andrōn.

autar ho diogenēs dory men lipen autou ep' ochthēi

keklimenon myrikēisin, ho d' esthore daimoni isos

phasganon oion echōn, kaka de phresi mēdeto erga,

20typte d' epistrophadēn: tōn de stonos ornyt' aeikēs

English

men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles. Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank, leaning it against a tamarisk bush, and plunged into the river like a daimôn, armed with his sword only. Fell was his purpose as he hewed the Trojans down on every side.

Homeric Greek

ἄορι θεινομένων, ἐρυθαίνετο δ' αἵματι ὕδωρ.

ὡς δ' ὑπὸ δελφῖνος μεγακήτεος ἰχθύες ἄλλοι

φεύγοντες πιμπλᾶσι μυχοὺς λιμένος εὐόρμου

δειδιότες: μάλα γάρ τε κατεσθίει ὅν κε λάβῃσιν:

25ὣς Τρῶες ποταμοῖο κατὰ δεινοῖο ῥέεθρα

Transliteration

aori theinomenōn, erythaineto d' haimati hydōr.

hōs d' hypo delphinos megakēteos ichthyes alloi

pheugontes pimplasi mychous limenos euormou

deidiotes: mala gar te katesthiei hon ke labēisin:

25hōs Trōes potamoio kata deinoio rheethra

English

Their dying groans rose hideous as the sword smote them, and the river ran red with blood. As when fish flee scared before a huge dolphin, and fill every nook and corner of some fair haven - for he is sure to eat all he can catch - even so did the Trojans cower under the banks of

Homeric Greek

πτῶσσον ὑπὸ κρημνούς. ὃ δ' ἐπεὶ κάμε χεῖρας ἐναίρων,

ζωοὺς ἐκ ποταμοῖο δυώδεκα λέξατο κούρους

ποινὴν Πατρόκλοιο Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντος:

τοὺς ἐξῆγε θύραζε τεθηπότας ἠύ̈τε νεβρούς,

30δῆσε δ' ὀπίσσω χεῖρας ἐϋτμήτοισιν ἱμᾶσι,

Transliteration

ptōsson hypo krēmnous. ho d' epei kame cheiras enairōn,

zōous ek potamoio dyōdeka lexato kourous

poinēn Patrokloio Menoitiadao thanontos:

tous exēge thyraze tethēpotas ēÿte nebrous,

30dēse d' opissō cheiras eÿtmētoisin himasi,

English

the mighty river, and when Achilles' arms grew weary with killing them, he drew twelve youths alive out of the water, to sacrifice in revenge for Patroklos son of Menoitios. He drew them out like dazed fawns, bound their hands behind them with the belts of their

Homeric Greek

τοὺς αὐτοὶ φορέεσκον ἐπὶ στρεπτοῖσι χιτῶσι,

δῶκε δ' ἑταίροισιν κατάγειν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας.

αὐτὰρ ὃ ἂψ ἐπόρουσε δαϊζέμεναι μενεαίνων.

ἔνθ' υἷι Πριάμοιο συνήντετο Δαρδανίδαο

35ἐκ ποταμοῦ φεύγοντι Λυκάονι, τόν ῥά ποτ' αὐτὸς

Transliteration

tous autoi phoreeskon epi streptoisi chitōsi,

dōke d' hetairoisin katagein koilas epi nēas.

autar ho aps eporouse daïzemenai meneainōn.

enth' huii Priamoio synēnteto Dardanidao

35ek potamou pheugonti Lykaoni, ton rha pot' autos

English

own shirts, and gave them over to his men to take back to the ships. Then he sprang into the river, thirsting for still further blood. There he found Lykaon, son of Priam seed of Dardanos, as he was escaping out of the water;

Homeric Greek

ἦγε λαβὼν ἐκ πατρὸς ἀλωῆς οὐκ ἐθέλοντα

ἐννύχιος προμολών: ὃ δ' ἐρινεὸν ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ

τάμνε νέους ὄρπηκας, ἵν' ἅρματος ἄντυγες εἶεν:

τῷ δ' ἄρ' ἀνώϊστον κακὸν ἤλυθε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

40καὶ τότε μέν μιν Λῆμνον ἐϋκτιμένην ἐπέρασσε

Transliteration

ēge labōn ek patros alōēs ouk ethelonta

ennychios promolōn: ho d' erineon oxeï chalkōi

tamne neous orpēkas, hin' harmatos antyges eien:

tōi d' ar' anōïston kakon ēlythe dios Achilleus.

40kai tote men min Lēmnon eÿktimenēn eperasse

English

he it was whom he had once taken prisoner when he was in his father's vineyard, having set upon him by night, as he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig-tree to make the wicker sides of a chariot.

Homeric Greek

νηυσὶν ἄγων, ἀτὰρ υἱὸς Ἰήσονος ὦνον ἔδωκε:

κεῖθεν δὲ ξεῖνός μιν ἐλύσατο πολλὰ δ' ἔδωκεν

Ἴμβριος Ἠετίων, πέμψεν δ' ἐς δῖαν Ἀρίσβην:

ἔνθεν ὑπεκπροφυγὼν πατρώϊον ἵκετο δῶμα.

45ἕνδεκα δ' ἤματα θυμὸν ἐτέρπετο οἷσι φίλοισιν

Transliteration

nēusin agōn, atar huios Iēsonos ōnon edōke:

keithen de xeinos min elysato polla d' edōken

Imbrios Ēetiōn, pempsen d' es dian Arisbēn:

enthen hypekprophygōn patrōïon hiketo dōma.

45hendeka d' ēmata thymon eterpeto hoisi philoisin

English

Achilles then caught him to his sorrow unawares, and sent him by sea to Lemnos, where the son of Jason bought him. But a guest-friend, Eetion of Imbros, freed him with a great sum, and sent him to Arisbe, whence he had escaped and returned to his father's house.

Homeric Greek

ἐλθὼν ἐκ Λήμνοιο: δυωδεκάτῃ δέ μιν αὖτις

χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος θεὸς ἔμβαλεν, ὅς μιν ἔμελλε

πέμψειν εἰς Ἀί̈δαο καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλοντα νέεσθαι.

τὸν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

50γυμνὸν ἄτερ κόρυθός τε καὶ ἀσπίδος, οὐδ' ἔχεν ἔγχος,

Transliteration

elthōn ek Lēmnoio: dyōdekatēi de min autis

chersin Achillēos theos embalen, hos min emelle

pempsein eis Aïdao kai ouk ethelonta neesthai.

ton d' hōs oun enoēse podarkēs dios Achilleus

50gymnon ater korythos te kai aspidos, oud' echen enchos,

English

He had spent eleven days happily with his friends after he had come from Lemnos, but on the twelfth heaven again delivered him into the hands of Achilles, who was to send him to the house of Hades sorely against his will. He was unarmed when Achilles caught sight of him, and had neither helmet nor shield;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ τὰ μέν ῥ' ἀπὸ πάντα χαμαὶ βάλε: τεῖρε γὰρ ἱδρὼς

φεύγοντ' ἐκ ποταμοῦ, κάματος δ' ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἐδάμνα:

ὀχθήσας δ' ἄρα εἶπε πρὸς ὃν μεγαλήτορα θυμόν:

ὢ πόποι ἦ μέγα θαῦμα τόδ' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὁρῶμαι:

55ἦ μάλα δὴ Τρῶες μεγαλήτορες οὕς περ ἔπεφνον

Transliteration

alla ta men rh' apo panta chamai bale: teire gar hidrōs

pheugont' ek potamou, kamatos d' hypo gounat' edamna:

ochthēsas d' ara eipe pros hon megalētora thymon:

ō popoi ē mega thauma tod' ophthalmoisin horōmai:

55ē mala dē Trōes megalētores hous per epephnon

English

nor yet had he any spear, for he had thrown all his armor from him on to the bank, and was sweating with his struggles to get out of the river, so that his strength was now failing him. Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise, "What marvel do I see here?

Homeric Greek

αὖτις ἀναστήσονται ὑπὸ ζόφου ἠερόεντος,

οἷον δὴ καὶ ὅδ' ἦλθε φυγὼν ὕπο νηλεὲς ἦμαρ

Λῆμνον ἐς ἠγαθέην πεπερημένος: οὐδέ μιν ἔσχε

πόντος ἁλὸς πολιῆς, ὃ πολέας ἀέκοντας ἐρύκει.

60ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ καὶ δουρὸς ἀκωκῆς ἡμετέροιο

Transliteration

autis anastēsontai hypo zophou ēeroentos,

hoion dē kai hod' ēlthe phygōn hypo nēlees ēmar

Lēmnon es ēgatheēn peperēmenos: oude min esche

pontos halos poliēs, ho poleas aekontas erykei.

60all' age dē kai douros akōkēs hēmeteroio

English

If this man can come back alive after having been sold over into Lemnos, I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain rising from the world below. Could not even the waters of the gray sea imprison him, as they do many another whether he will or no?

Homeric Greek

γεύσεται, ὄφρα ἴδωμαι ἐνὶ φρεσὶν ἠδὲ δαείω

ἢ ἄρ' ὁμῶς καὶ κεῖθεν ἐλεύσεται, ἦ μιν ἐρύξει

γῆ φυσίζοος, ἥ τε κατὰ κρατερόν περ ἐρύκει.

ὣς ὅρμαινε μένων: ὃ δέ οἱ σχεδὸν ἦλθε τεθηπὼς

65γούνων ἅψασθαι μεμαώς, περὶ δ' ἤθελε θυμῷ

Transliteration

geusetai, ophra idōmai eni phresin ēde daeiō

ē ar' homōs kai keithen eleusetai, ē min eryxei

gē physizoos, hē te kata krateron per erykei.

hōs hormaine menōn: ho de hoi schedon ēlthe tethēpōs

65gounōn hapsasthai memaōs, peri d' ēthele thymōi

English

This time let him taste my spear, that I may know for certain whether mother earth who can keep even a strong man down, will be able to hold him, or whether thence too he will return." Thus did he pause and ponder. But Lykaon came up to him dazed and trying hard to embrace his knees, for he would fain live, not die.

Homeric Greek

ἐκφυγέειν θάνατόν τε κακὸν καὶ κῆρα μέλαιναν.

ἤτοι ὃ μὲν δόρυ μακρὸν ἀνέσχετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

οὐτάμεναι μεμαώς, ὃ δ' ὑπέδραμε καὶ λάβε γούνων

κύψας: ἐγχείη δ' ἄρ' ὑπὲρ νώτου ἐνὶ γαίῃ

70ἔστη ἱεμένη χροὸς ἄμεναι ἀνδρομέοιο.

Transliteration

ekphygeein thanaton te kakon kai kēra melainan.

ētoi ho men dory makron anescheto dios Achilleus

outamenai memaōs, ho d' hypedrame kai labe gounōn

kypsas: encheiē d' ar' hyper nōtou eni gaiēi

70estē hiemenē chroos amenai andromeoio.

English

Achilles thrust at him with his spear, meaning to kill him, but Lykaon ran crouching up to him and caught his knees, whereby the spear passed over his back, and stuck in the ground, hungering though it was for blood.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ τῇ ἑτέρῃ μὲν ἑλὼν ἐλλίσσετο γούνων,

τῇ δ' ἑτέρῃ ἔχεν ἔγχος ἀκαχμένον οὐδὲ μεθίει:

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

γουνοῦμαι σ' Ἀχιλεῦ: σὺ δέ μ' αἴδεο καί μ' ἐλέησον:

75ἀντί τοί εἰμ' ἱκέταο διοτρεφὲς αἰδοίοιο:

Transliteration

autar ho tēi heterēi men helōn ellisseto gounōn,

tēi d' heterēi echen enchos akachmenon oude methiei:

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

gounoumai s' Achileu: sy de m' aideo kai m' eleēson:

75anti toi eim' hiketao diotrephes aidoioio:

English

With one hand he caught Achilles' knees as he besought him, and with the other he clutched the spear and would not let it go. Then he said, "Achilles, have mercy upon me and spare me, for I am your suppliant.

Homeric Greek

πὰρ γὰρ σοὶ πρώτῳ πασάμην Δημήτερος ἀκτὴν

ἤματι τῷ ὅτε μ' εἷλες ἐϋκτιμένῃ ἐν ἀλωῇ,

καί μ' ἐπέρασσας ἄνευθεν ἄγων πατρός τε φίλων τε

Λῆμνον ἐς ἠγαθέην, ἑκατόμβοιον δέ τοι ἦλφον.

80νῦν δὲ λύμην τρὶς τόσσα πορών: ἠὼς δέ μοί ἐστιν

Transliteration

par gar soi prōtōi pasamēn Dēmēteros aktēn

ēmati tōi hote m' heiles eÿktimenēi en alōēi,

kai m' eperassas aneuthen agōn patros te philōn te

Lēmnon es ēgatheēn, hekatomboion de toi ēlphon.

80nyn de lymēn tris tossa porōn: ēōs de moi estin

English

It was in your tents that I first broke bread on the day when you took me prisoner in the vineyard; after which you sold away to Lemnos far from my father and my friends, and I brought you the price of a hundred oxen. I have paid three times as much to gain my freedom;

Homeric Greek

ἥδε δυωδεκάτη, ὅτ' ἐς Ἴλιον εἰλήλουθα

πολλὰ παθών: νῦν αὖ με τεῇς ἐν χερσὶν ἔθηκε

μοῖρ' ὀλοή: μέλλω που ἀπεχθέσθαι Διὶ πατρί,

ὅς με σοὶ αὖτις δῶκε: μινυνθάδιον δέ με μήτηρ

85γείνατο Λαοθόη θυγάτηρ Ἄλταο γέροντος

Transliteration

hēde dyōdekatē, hot' es Ilion eilēloutha

polla pathōn: nyn au me teēis en chersin ethēke

moir' oloē: mellō pou apechthesthai Dii patri,

hos me soi autis dōke: minynthadion de me mētēr

85geinato Laothoē thygatēr Altao gerontos

English

it is but twelve days that I have come to Ilion after much suffering, and now cruel fate has again thrown me into your hands. Surely father Zeus must hate me, that he has given me over to you a second time.

Homeric Greek

Ἄλτεω, ὃς Λελέγεσσι φιλοπτολέμοισιν ἀνάσσει

Πήδασον αἰπήεσσαν ἔχων ἐπὶ Σατνιόεντι.

τοῦ δ' ἔχε θυγατέρα Πρίαμος, πολλὰς δὲ καὶ ἄλλας:

τῆς δὲ δύω γενόμεσθα, σὺ δ' ἄμφω δειροτομήσεις,

90ἤτοι τὸν πρώτοισι μετὰ πρυλέεσσι δάμασσας

Transliteration

Alteō, hos Lelegessi philoptolemoisin anassei

Pēdason aipēessan echōn epi Satnioenti.

tou d' eche thygatera Priamos, pollas de kai allas:

tēs de dyō genomestha, sy d' amphō deirotomēseis,

90ētoi ton prōtoisi meta pryleessi damassas

English

Short of life indeed did my mother Laothoe bear me, daughter of aged Altes - of Altes who reigns over the warlike Leleges and holds steep Pedasos on the river Satnioeis. Priam married his daughter along with many other women and two sons were born of her, both of whom you will have slain.

Homeric Greek

ἀντίθεον Πολύδωρον, ἐπεὶ βάλες ὀξέϊ δουρί:

νῦν δὲ δὴ ἐνθάδ' ἐμοὶ κακὸν ἔσσεται: οὐ γὰρ ὀί̈ω

σὰς χεῖρας φεύξεσθαι, ἐπεί ῥ' ἐπέλασσέ γε δαίμων.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δ' ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσι:

95μή με κτεῖν', ἐπεὶ οὐχ ὁμογάστριος Ἕκτορός εἰμι,

Transliteration

antitheon Polydōron, epei bales oxeï douri:

nyn de dē enthad' emoi kakon essetai: ou gar oïō

sas cheiras pheuxesthai, epei rh' epelasse ge daimōn.

allo de toi ereō, sy d' eni phresi balleo sēisi:

95mē me ktein', epei ouch homogastrios Hektoros eimi,

English

Your spear slew noble Polydoros as he was fighting in the front ranks, and now evil will here befall me, for I fear that I shall not escape you since a daimôn has delivered me over to you. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, spare me, for I am not of the

Homeric Greek

ὅς τοι ἑταῖρον ἔπεφνεν ἐνηέα τε κρατερόν τε.

ὣς ἄρα μιν Πριάμοιο προσηύδα φαίδιμος υἱὸς

λισσόμενος ἐπέεσσιν, ἀμείλικτον δ' ὄπ' ἄκουσε:

νήπιε μή μοι ἄποινα πιφαύσκεο μηδ' ἀγόρευε:

100πρὶν μὲν γὰρ Πάτροκλον ἐπισπεῖν αἴσιμον ἦμαρ

Transliteration

hos toi hetairon epephnen enēea te krateron te.

hōs ara min Priamoio prosēuda phaidimos huios

lissomenos epeessin, ameilikton d' op' akouse:

nēpie mē moi apoina piphauskeo mēd' agoreue:

100prin men gar Patroklon epispein aisimon ēmar

English

same womb as Hektor who slew your brave and noble comrade." With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles; but Achilles answered him sternly. "Idiot," said he, "talk not to me of ransom. Until Patroklos fell I preferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive;

Homeric Greek

τόφρά τί μοι πεφιδέσθαι ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φίλτερον ἦεν

Τρώων, καὶ πολλοὺς ζωοὺς ἕλον ἠδ' ἐπέρασσα:

νῦν δ' οὐκ ἔσθ' ὅς τις θάνατον φύγῃ ὅν κε θεός γε

Ἰλίου προπάροιθεν ἐμῇς ἐν χερσὶ βάλῃσι

105καὶ πάντων Τρώων, περὶ δ' αὖ Πριάμοιό γε παίδων.

Transliteration

tophra ti moi pephidesthai eni phresi philteron ēen

Trōōn, kai pollous zōous helon ēd' eperassa:

nyn d' ouk esth' hos tis thanaton phygēi hon ke theos ge

Iliou proparoithen emēis en chersi balēisi

105kai pantōn Trōōn, peri d' au Priamoio ge paidōn.

English

but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilion - and of all Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore, my friend, you too shall die.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ φίλος θάνε καὶ σύ: τί ἦ ὀλοφύρεαι οὕτως;

κάτθανε καὶ Πάτροκλος, ὅ περ σέο πολλὸν ἀμείνων.

οὐχ ὁράᾳς οἷος καὶ ἐγὼ καλός τε μέγας τε;

πατρὸς δ' εἴμ' ἀγαθοῖο, θεὰ δέ με γείνατο μήτηρ:

110ἀλλ' ἔπι τοι καὶ ἐμοὶ θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιή:

Transliteration

alla philos thane kai sy: ti ē olophyreai houtōs;

katthane kai Patroklos, ho per seo pollon ameinōn.

ouch horaāis hoios kai egō kalos te megas te;

patros d' eim' agathoio, thea de me geinato mētēr:

110all' epi toi kai emoi thanatos kai moira krataiē:

English

Why should you whine in this way? Patroklos fell, and he was a better man than you are. I too - see you not how I am great and goodly? I am son to a noble father, and have a goddess for my mother, but the hands of doom and death overshadow me all as surely.

Homeric Greek

ἔσσεται ἢ ἠὼς ἢ δείλη ἢ μέσον ἦμαρ

ὁππότε τις καὶ ἐμεῖο Ἄρῃ ἐκ θυμὸν ἕληται

ἢ ὅ γε δουρὶ βαλὼν ἢ ἀπὸ νευρῆφιν ὀϊστῷ.

ὣς φάτο, τοῦ δ' αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ:

115ἔγχος μέν ῥ' ἀφέηκεν, ὃ δ' ἕζετο χεῖρε πετάσσας

Transliteration

essetai ē ēōs ē deilē ē meson ēmar

hoppote tis kai emeio Arēi ek thymon helētai

ē ho ge douri balōn ē apo neurēphin oïstōi.

hōs phato, tou d' autou lyto gounata kai philon ētor:

115enchos men rh' apheēken, ho d' hezeto cheire petassas

English

The day will come, either at dawn or dark, or at the noontide, when one shall take my life also in battle, either with his spear, or with an arrow sped from his bow." Thus did he speak, and Lykaon's heart sank within him. He loosed his hold of the spear, and held out both hands before him;

Homeric Greek

ἀμφοτέρας: Ἀχιλεὺς δὲ ἐρυσσάμενος ξίφος ὀξὺ

τύψε κατὰ κληῖ̈δα παρ' αὐχένα, πᾶν δέ οἱ εἴσω

δῦ ξίφος ἄμφηκες: ὃ δ' ἄρα πρηνὴς ἐπὶ γαίῃ

κεῖτο ταθείς, ἐκ δ' αἷμα μέλαν ῥέε, δεῦε δὲ γαῖαν.

120τὸν δ' Ἀχιλεὺς ποταμὸν δὲ λαβὼν ποδὸς ἧκε φέρεσθαι,

Transliteration

amphoteras: Achileus de eryssamenos xiphos oxy

typse kata klēïda par' auchena, pan de hoi eisō

dy xiphos amphēkes: ho d' ara prēnēs epi gaiēi

keito tatheis, ek d' haima melan rhee, deue de gaian.

120ton d' Achileus potamon de labōn podos hēke pheresthai,

English

but Achilles drew his keen blade, and struck him by the collar-bone on his neck; he plunged his two-edged sword into him to the very hilt, whereon he lay at full length on the ground, with the dark blood welling from him till the earth was soaked.

Homeric Greek

καί οἱ ἐπευχόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευεν:

ἐνταυθοῖ νῦν κεῖσο μετ' ἰχθύσιν, οἵ σ' ὠτειλὴν

αἷμ' ἀπολιχμήσονται ἀκηδέες: οὐδέ σε μήτηρ

ἐνθεμένη λεχέεσσι γοήσεται, ἀλλὰ Σκάμανδρος

125οἴσει δινήεις εἴσω ἁλὸς εὐρέα κόλπον:

Transliteration

kai hoi epeuchomenos epea pteroent' agoreuen:

entauthoi nyn keiso met' ichthysin, hoi s' ōteilēn

haim' apolichmēsontai akēdees: oude se mētēr

enthemenē lecheessi goēsetai, alla Skamandros

125oisei dinēeis eisō halos eurea kolpon:

English

Then Achilles caught him by the foot and flung him into the river to go down stream, vaunting over him the while, and saying, "Lie there among the fishes, who will lick the blood from your wound and gloat over it; your mother shall not lay you on any bier to mourn you, but the eddies of Skamandros shall bear you into the broad bosom of the sea.

Homeric Greek

θρῴσκων τις κατὰ κῦμα μέλαιναν φρῖχ' ὑπαί̈ξει

ἰχθύς, ὅς κε φάγῃσι Λυκάονος ἀργέτα δημόν.

φθείρεσθ' εἰς ὅ κεν ἄστυ κιχείομεν Ἰλίου ἱρῆς

ὑμεῖς μὲν φεύγοντες, ἐγὼ δ' ὄπιθεν κεραί̈ζων.

130οὐδ' ὑμῖν ποταμός περ ἐύ̈ρροος ἀργυροδίνης

Transliteration

thrōiskōn tis kata kyma melainan phrich' hypaïxei

ichthys, hos ke phagēisi Lykaonos argeta dēmon.

phtheiresth' eis ho ken asty kicheiomen Iliou hirēs

hymeis men pheugontes, egō d' opithen keraïzōn.

130oud' hymin potamos per eÿrroos argyrodinēs

English

There shall the fishes feed on the fat of Lykaon as they dart under the dark ripple of the waters - so perish all of you till we reach the citadel of strong Ilion - you in flight, and I following after to destroy you. The river with its broad silver stream shall serve you in no stead, for all

Homeric Greek

ἀρκέσει, ᾧ δὴ δηθὰ πολέας ἱερεύετε ταύρους,

ζωοὺς δ' ἐν δίνῃσι καθίετε μώνυχας ἵππους.

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ὀλέεσθε κακὸν μόρον, εἰς ὅ κε πάντες

τίσετε Πατρόκλοιο φόνον καὶ λοιγὸν Ἀχαιῶν,

135οὓς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ θοῇσιν ἐπέφνετε νόσφιν ἐμεῖο.

Transliteration

arkesei, hōi dē dētha poleas hiereuete taurous,

zōous d' en dinēisi kathiete mōnychas hippous.

alla kai hōs oleesthe kakon moron, eis ho ke pantes

tisete Patrokloio phonon kai loigon Achaiōn,

135hous epi nēusi thoēisin epephnete nosphin emeio.

English

the bulls you offered him and all the horses that you flung living into his waters. None the less miserably shall you perish till there is not a man of you but has paid in full for the death of Patroklos and the havoc you wrought among the Achaeans whom you have slain while I held aloof from battle."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, ποταμὸς δὲ χολώσατο κηρόθι μᾶλλον,

ὅρμηνεν δ' ἀνὰ θυμὸν ὅπως παύσειε πόνοιο

δῖον Ἀχιλλῆα, Τρώεσσι δὲ λοιγὸν ἀλάλκοι.

τόφρα δὲ Πηλέος υἱὸς ἔχων δολιχόσκιον ἔγχος

140Ἀστεροπαίῳ ἐπᾶλτο κατακτάμεναι μενεαίνων

Transliteration

hōs ar' ephē, potamos de cholōsato kērothi mallon,

hormēnen d' ana thymon hopōs pauseie ponoio

dion Achillēa, Trōessi de loigon alalkoi.

tophra de Pēleos huios echōn dolichoskion enchos

140Asteropaiōi epalto kataktamenai meneainōn

English

So spoke Achilles, but the river grew more and more angry, and pondered within himself how he should keep Achilles out of the struggle and save the Trojans from disaster. Meanwhile the son of Peleus, spear in hand, sprang upon Asteropaios son of Pelegon to kill him.

Homeric Greek

υἱέϊ Πηλεγόνος: τὸν δ' Ἀξιὸς εὐρυρέεθρος

γείνατο καὶ Περίβοια Ἀκεσσαμενοῖο θυγατρῶν

πρεσβυτάτη: τῇ γάρ ῥα μίγη ποταμὸς βαθυδίνης.

τῷ ῥ' Ἀχιλεὺς ἐπόρουσεν, ὃ δ' ἀντίος ἐκ ποταμοῖο

145ἔστη ἔχων δύο δοῦρε: μένος δέ οἱ ἐν φρεσὶ θῆκε

Transliteration

huieï Pēlegonos: ton d' Axios euryreethros

geinato kai Periboia Akessamenoio thygatrōn

presbytatē: tēi gar rha migē potamos bathydinēs.

tōi rh' Achileus eporousen, ho d' antios ek potamoio

145estē echōn dyo doure: menos de hoi en phresi thēke

English

He was son to the broad river Axios and Periboia eldest daughter of Akessamenos; for the river had lain with her. Asteropaios stood up out of the water to face him with a spear in either hand, and Xanthos filled him with courage,

Homeric Greek

Ξάνθος, ἐπεὶ κεχόλωτο δαϊκταμένων αἰζηῶν,

τοὺς Ἀχιλεὺς ἐδάϊζε κατὰ ῥόον οὐδ' ἐλέαιρεν.

οἳ δ' ὅτε δὴ σχεδὸν ἦσαν ἐπ' ἀλλήλοισιν ἰόντες,

τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:

150τίς πόθεν εἰς ἀνδρῶν ὅ μευ ἔτλης ἀντίος ἐλθεῖν;

Transliteration

Xanthos, epei kecholōto daïktamenōn aizēōn,

tous Achileus edaïze kata rhoon oud' eleairen.

hoi d' hote dē schedon ēsan ep' allēloisin iontes,

ton proteros proseeipe podarkēs dios Achilleus:

150tis pothen eis andrōn ho meu etlēs antios elthein;

English

being angry for the death of the youths whom Achilles was slaying ruthlessly within his waters. When they were close up with one another Achilles was first to speak. "Who and whence are you," said he, "who dare to face me?

Homeric Greek

δυστήνων δέ τε παῖδες ἐμῷ μένει ἀντιόωσι.

τὸν δ' αὖ Πηλεγόνος προσεφώνεε φαίδιμος υἱός:

Πηλεί̈δη μεγάθυμε τί ἦ γενεὴν ἐρεείνεις;

εἴμ' ἐκ Παιονίης ἐριβώλου τηλόθ' ἐούσης

155Παίονας ἄνδρας ἄγων δολιχεγχέας: ἥδε δέ μοι νῦν

Transliteration

dystēnōn de te paides emōi menei antioōsi.

ton d' au Pēlegonos prosephōnee phaidimos huios:

Pēleïdē megathyme ti ē geneēn ereeineis;

eim' ek Paioniēs eribōlou tēloth' eousēs

155Paionas andras agōn dolichencheas: hēde de moi nyn

English

Woe to the parents whose son stands up against me." And the son of Pelegon answered, "Great son of Peleus, why should you ask my lineage. I am from the fertile land of far Paeonia, leader of the Paeonians, and it is now eleven days that I am at Ilion.

Homeric Greek

ἠὼς ἑνδεκάτη ὅτε Ἴλιον εἰλήλουθα.

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ γενεὴ ἐξ Ἀξιοῦ εὐρὺ ῥέοντος

Ἀξιοῦ, ὃς κάλλιστον ὕδωρ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἵησιν,

ὃς τέκε Πηλεγόνα κλυτὸν ἔγχεϊ: τὸν δ' ἐμέ φασι

160γείνασθαι: νῦν αὖτε μαχώμεθα φαίδιμ' Ἀχιλλε?.

Transliteration

ēōs hendekatē hote Ilion eilēloutha.

autar emoi geneē ex Axiou eury rheontos

Axiou, hos kalliston hydōr epi gaian hiēsin,

hos teke Pēlegona klyton encheï: ton d' eme phasi

160geinasthai: nyn aute machōmetha phaidim' Achille?.

English

I am of the blood of the river Axios - of Axios that is the fairest of all rivers that run. He begot the famed warrior Pelegon, whose son men call me. Let us now fight, Achilles."

Homeric Greek

ὣς φάτ' ἀπειλήσας, ὃ δ' ἀνέσχετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

Πηλιάδα μελίην: ὃ δ' ἁμαρτῇ δούρασιν ἀμφὶς

ἥρως Ἀστεροπαῖος, ἐπεὶ περιδέξιος ἦεν.

καί ῥ' ἑτέρῳ μὲν δουρὶ σάκος βάλεν, οὐδὲ διὰ πρὸ

165ῥῆξε σάκος: χρυσὸς γὰρ ἐρύκακε δῶρα θεοῖο:

Transliteration

hōs phat' apeilēsas, ho d' anescheto dios Achilleus

Pēliada meliēn: ho d' hamartēi dourasin amphis

hērōs Asteropaios, epei peridexios ēen.

kai rh' heterōi men douri sakos balen, oude dia pro

165rhēxe sakos: chrysos gar erykake dōra theoio:

English

Thus did he defy him, and Achilles raised his spear of Pelian ash. Asteropaios failed with both his spears, for he could use both hands alike; with the one spear he struck Achilles' shield, but did not pierce it, for the layer of gold, gift of the god, stayed the point;

Homeric Greek

τῷ δ' ἑτέρῳ μιν πῆχυν ἐπιγράβδην βάλε χειρὸς

δεξιτερῆς, σύτο δ' αἷμα κελαινεφές: ἣ δ' ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ

γαίῃ ἐνεστήρικτο λιλαιομένη χροὸς ἆσαι.

δεύτερος αὖτ' Ἀχιλεὺς μελίην ἰθυπτίωνα

170Ἀστεροπαίῳ ἐφῆκε κατακτάμεναι μενεαίνων.

Transliteration

tōi d' heterōi min pēchyn epigrabdēn bale cheiros

dexiterēs, syto d' haima kelainephes: hē d' hyper autou

gaiēi enestērikto lilaiomenē chroos asai.

deuteros aut' Achileus meliēn ithyptiōna

170Asteropaiōi ephēke kataktamenai meneainōn.

English

with the other spear he grazed the elbow of Achilles! right arm drawing dark blood, but the spear itself went by him and fixed itself in the ground, foiled of its bloody banquet. Then Achilles, fain to kill him, hurled his spear at Asteropaios, but failed to hit him and struck the steep bank of the river, driving the spear half its length into the earth.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τοῦ μέν ῥ' ἀφάμαρτεν, ὃ δ' ὑψηλὴν βάλεν ὄχθην,

μεσσοπαγὲς δ' ἄρ' ἔθηκε κατ' ὄχθης μείλινον ἔγχος.

Πηλεί̈δης δ' ἄορ ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

ἆλτ' ἐπί οἱ μεμαώς: ὃ δ' ἄρα μελίην Ἀχιλῆος

175οὐ δύνατ' ἐκ κρημνοῖο ἐρύσσαι χειρὶ παχείῃ.

Transliteration

kai tou men rh' aphamarten, ho d' hypsēlēn balen ochthēn,

messopages d' ar' ethēke kat' ochthēs meilinon enchos.

Pēleïdēs d' aor oxy eryssamenos para mērou

alt' epi hoi memaōs: ho d' ara meliēn Achilēos

175ou dynat' ek krēmnoio eryssai cheiri pacheiēi.

English

The son of Peleus then drew his sword and sprang furiously upon him. Asteropaios vainly tried to draw Achilles' spear out of the bank by main force; thrice did he tug at it, trying with all his might to draw it out, and thrice he had to leave off trying;

Homeric Greek

τρὶς μέν μιν πελέμιξεν ἐρύσσασθαι μενεαίνων,

τρὶς δὲ μεθῆκε βίης: τὸ δὲ τέτρατον ἤθελε θυμῷ

ἆξαι ἐπιγνάμψας δόρυ μείλινον Αἰακίδαο,

ἀλλὰ πρὶν Ἀχιλεὺς σχεδὸν ἄορι θυμὸν ἀπηύρα.

180γαστέρα γάρ μιν τύψε παρ' ὀμφαλόν, ἐκ δ' ἄρα πᾶσαι

Transliteration

tris men min pelemixen eryssasthai meneainōn,

tris de methēke biēs: to de tetraton ēthele thymōi

axai epignampsas dory meilinon Aiakidao,

alla prin Achileus schedon aori thymon apēura.

180gastera gar min typse par' omphalon, ek d' ara pasai

English

the fourth time he tried to bend and break it, but ere he could do so Achilles smote him with his sword and killed him. He struck him in the belly near the navel, so that all his bowels came gushing out on to

Homeric Greek

χύντο χαμαὶ χολάδες: τὸν δὲ σκότος ὄσσε κάλυψεν

ἀσθμαίνοντ': Ἀχιλεὺς δ' ἄρ' ἐνὶ στήθεσσιν ὀρούσας

τεύχεά τ' ἐξενάριξε καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα:

κεῖσ' οὕτως: χαλεπόν τοι ἐρισθενέος Κρονίωνος

185παισὶν ἐριζέμεναι ποταμοῖό περ ἐκγεγαῶτι.

Transliteration

chynto chamai cholades: ton de skotos osse kalypsen

asthmainont': Achileus d' ar' eni stēthessin orousas

teuchea t' exenarixe kai euchomenos epos ēuda:

keis' houtōs: chalepon toi eristheneos Kroniōnos

185paisin erizemenai potamoio per ekgegaōti.

English

the ground, and the darkness of death came over him as he lay gasping. Then Achilles set his foot on his chest and spoiled him of his armor, vaunting over him and saying, "Lie there - begotten of a river though you be, it is hard for you to strive with the offspring of Kronos' son.

Homeric Greek

φῆσθα σὺ μὲν ποταμοῦ γένος ἔμμεναι εὐρὺ ῥέοντος,

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ γενεὴν μεγάλου Διὸς εὔχομαι εἶναι.

τίκτέ μ' ἀνὴρ πολλοῖσιν ἀνάσσων Μυρμιδόνεσσι

Πηλεὺς Αἰακίδης: ὃ δ' ἄρ' Αἰακὸς ἐκ Διὸς ἦεν.

190τὼ κρείσσων μὲν Ζεὺς ποταμῶν ἁλιμυρηέντων,

Transliteration

phēstha sy men potamou genos emmenai eury rheontos,

autar egō geneēn megalou Dios euchomai einai.

tikte m' anēr polloisin anassōn Myrmidonessi

Pēleus Aiakidēs: ho d' ar' Aiakos ek Dios ēen.

190tō kreissōn men Zeus potamōn halimyrēentōn,

English

You declare yourself sprung from the blood of a broad river, but I am of the seed of mighty Zeus. My father is Peleus, son of Aiakos ruler over the many Myrmidons, and Aiakos was the son of Zeus.

Homeric Greek

κρείσσων αὖτε Διὸς γενεὴ ποταμοῖο τέτυκται.

καὶ γὰρ σοὶ ποταμός γε πάρα μέγας, εἰ δύναταί τι

χραισμεῖν: ἀλλ' οὐκ ἔστι Διὶ Κρονίωνι μάχεσθαι,

τῷ οὐδὲ κρείων Ἀχελώϊος ἰσοφαρίζει,

195οὐδὲ βαθυρρείταο μέγα σθένος Ὠκεανοῖο,

Transliteration

kreissōn aute Dios geneē potamoio tetyktai.

kai gar soi potamos ge para megas, ei dynatai ti

chraismein: all' ouk esti Dii Kroniōni machesthai,

tōi oude kreiōn Achelōïos isopharizei,

195oude bathyrreitao mega sthenos Ōkeanoio,

English

Therefore as Zeus is mightier than any river that flows into the sea, so are his children stronger than those of any river whatsoever. Moreover you have a great river hard by if he can be of any use to you, but there is no fighting against Zeus the son of Kronos, with whom

Homeric Greek

ἐξ οὗ περ πάντες ποταμοὶ καὶ πᾶσα θάλασσα

καὶ πᾶσαι κρῆναι καὶ φρείατα μακρὰ νάουσιν:

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὃς δείδοικε Διὸς μεγάλοιο κεραυνὸν

δεινήν τε βροντήν, ὅτ' ἀπ' οὐρανόθεν σμαραγήσῃ.

200ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐκ κρημνοῖο ἐρύσσατο χάλκεον ἔγχος,

Transliteration

ex hou per pantes potamoi kai pasa thalassa

kai pasai krēnai kai phreiata makra naousin:

alla kai hos deidoike Dios megaloio keraunon

deinēn te brontēn, hot' ap' ouranothen smaragēsēi.

200ē rha, kai ek krēmnoio eryssato chalkeon enchos,

English

not even King Akheloos can compare, nor the mighty stream of deep-flowing Okeanos, from whom all rivers and seas with all springs and deep wells proceed; even Okeanos fears the lightnings of great Zeus, and his thunder that comes crashing out of heaven." With this he drew his bronze spear out of the

Homeric Greek

τὸν δὲ κατ' αὐτόθι λεῖπεν, ἐπεὶ φίλον ἦτορ ἀπηύρα,

κείμενον ἐν ψαμάθοισι, δίαινε δέ μιν μέλαν ὕδωρ.

τὸν μὲν ἄρ' ἐγχέλυές τε καὶ ἰχθύες ἀμφεπένοντο

δημὸν ἐρεπτόμενοι ἐπινεφρίδιον κείροντες:

205αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ ῥ' ἰέναι μετὰ Παίονας ἱπποκορυστάς,

Transliteration

ton de kat' autothi leipen, epei philon ētor apēura,

keimenon en psamathoisi, diaine de min melan hydōr.

ton men ar' enchelyes te kai ichthyes amphepenonto

dēmon ereptomenoi epinephridion keirontes:

205autar ho bē rh' ienai meta Paionas hippokorystas,

English

bank, and now that he had killed Asteropaios, he let him lie where he was on the sand, with the dark water flowing over him and the eels and fishes busy nibbling and gnawing the fat that was about his kidneys.

Homeric Greek

οἵ ῥ' ἔτι πὰρ ποταμὸν πεφοβήατο δινήεντα,

ὡς εἶδον τὸν ἄριστον ἐνὶ κρατερῇ ὑσμίνῃ

χέρσ' ὕπο Πηλεί̈δαο καὶ ἄορι ἶφι δαμέντα.

ἔνθ' ἕλε Θερσίλοχόν τε Μύδωνά τε Ἀστύπυλόν τε

210Μνῆσόν τε Θρασίον τε καὶ Αἴνιον ἠδ' Ὀφελέστην:

Transliteration

hoi rh' eti par potamon pephobēato dinēenta,

hōs eidon ton ariston eni kraterēi hysminēi

chers' hypo Pēleïdao kai aori iphi damenta.

enth' hele Thersilochon te Mydōna te Astypylon te

210Mnēson te Thrasion te kai Ainion ēd' Ophelestēn:

English

Then he went in chase of the Paeonians, who were fleeing along the bank of the river in panic when they saw their leader slain by the hands of the son of Peleus. Therein he slew Thersilokhos, Mydon, Astypylos, Mnesos, Thrasios, Oeneus, and Ophelestes, and he would have slain yet others, had not the river

Homeric Greek

καί νύ κ' ἔτι πλέονας κτάνε Παίονας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς,

εἰ μὴ χωσάμενος προσέφη ποταμὸς βαθυδίνης

ἀνέρι εἰσάμενος, βαθέης δ' ἐκ φθέγξατο δίνης:

ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ, περὶ μὲν κρατέεις, περὶ δ' αἴσυλα ῥέζεις

215ἀνδρῶν: αἰεὶ γάρ τοι ἀμύνουσιν θεοὶ αὐτοί.

Transliteration

kai ny k' eti pleonas ktane Paionas ōkys Achilleus,

ei mē chōsamenos prosephē potamos bathydinēs

aneri eisamenos, batheēs d' ek phthenxato dinēs:

ō Achileu, peri men krateeis, peri d' aisyla rhezeis

215andrōn: aiei gar toi amynousin theoi autoi.

English

in anger taken human form, and spoken to him from out the deep waters saying, "Achilles, if you excel all in strength, so do you also in wickedness, for the gods are ever with you to protect you: if, then, the son of Kronos has granted it to you to destroy all the Trojans, at

Homeric Greek

εἴ τοι Τρῶας ἔδωκε Κρόνου παῖς πάντας ὀλέσσαι,

ἐξ ἐμέθεν γ' ἐλάσας πεδίον κάτα μέρμερα ῥέζε:

πλήθει γὰρ δή μοι νεκύων ἐρατεινὰ ῥέεθρα,

οὐδέ τί πῃ δύναμαι προχέειν ῥόον εἰς ἅλα δῖαν

220στεινόμενος νεκύεσσι, σὺ δὲ κτείνεις ἀϊδήλως.

Transliteration

ei toi Trōas edōke Kronou pais pantas olessai,

ex emethen g' elasas pedion kata mermera rheze:

plēthei gar dē moi nekyōn erateina rheethra,

oude ti pēi dynamai procheein rhoon eis hala dian

220steinomenos nekyessi, sy de kteineis aïdēlōs.

English

any rate drive them out of my stream, and do your grim work on land. My fair waters are now filled with corpses, nor can I find any channel by which I may pour myself into the sea for I am choked with dead, and yet you go on mercilessly slaying.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ καὶ ἔασον: ἄγη μ' ἔχει ὄρχαμε λαῶν.

τὸν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

ἔσται ταῦτα Σκάμανδρε διοτρεφές, ὡς σὺ κελεύεις.

Τρῶας δ' οὐ πρὶν λήξω ὑπερφιάλους ἐναρίζων,

225πρὶν ἔλσαι κατὰ ἄστυ καὶ Ἕκτορι πειρηθῆναι

Transliteration

all' age dē kai eason: agē m' echei orchame laōn.

ton d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

estai tauta Skamandre diotrephes, hōs sy keleueis.

Trōas d' ou prin lēxō hyperphialous enarizōn,

225prin elsai kata asty kai Hektori peirēthēnai

English

I am in despair, therefore, O leader of your host, trouble me no further." Achilles answered, "So be it, Skamandros, Zeus-descended; but I will never cease dealing out death among the Trojans, till I have pent them up in their city, and made trial of Hektor face to face, that I may

Homeric Greek

ἀντιβίην, ἤ κέν με δαμάσσεται, ἦ κεν ἐγὼ τόν.

ὣς εἰπὼν Τρώεσσιν ἐπέσσυτο δαίμονι ἶσος:

καὶ τότ' Ἀπόλλωνα προσέφη ποταμὸς βαθυδίνης:

ὢ πόποι ἀργυρότοξε Διὸς τέκος οὐ σύ γε βουλὰς

230εἰρύσαο Κρονίωνος, ὅ τοι μάλα πόλλ' ἐπέτελλε

Transliteration

antibiēn, ē ken me damassetai, ē ken egō ton.

hōs eipōn Trōessin epessyto daimoni isos:

kai tot' Apollōna prosephē potamos bathydinēs:

ō popoi argyrotoxe Dios tekos ou sy ge boulas

230eirysao Kroniōnos, ho toi mala poll' epetelle

English

learn whether he is to vanquish me, or I him." As he spoke he set upon the Trojans with a fury like that of a daimôn. But the river said to Apollo, "Surely, son of Zeus, lord of the silver bow, you are not obeying the commands of Zeus who charged you

Homeric Greek

Τρωσὶ παρεστάμεναι καὶ ἀμύνειν, εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθῃ

δείελος ὀψὲ δύων, σκιάσῃ δ' ἐρίβωλον ἄρουραν.

ἦ, καὶ Ἀχιλλεὺς μὲν δουρικλυτὸς ἔνθορε μέσσῳ

κρημνοῦ ἀπαί̈ξας: ὃ δ' ἐπέσσυτο οἴδματι θύων,

235πάντα δ' ὄρινε ῥέεθρα κυκώμενος, ὦσε δὲ νεκροὺς

Transliteration

Trōsi parestamenai kai amynein, eis ho ken elthēi

deielos opse dyōn, skiasēi d' eribōlon arouran.

ē, kai Achilleus men douriklytos enthore messōi

krēmnou apaïxas: ho d' epessyto oidmati thyōn,

235panta d' orine rheethra kykōmenos, ōse de nekrous

English

straitly that you should stand by the Trojans and defend them, till twilight fades, and darkness is over an the earth." Meanwhile Achilles sprang from the bank into mid-stream, whereon the river raised a high wave and attacked him.

Homeric Greek

πολλούς, οἵ ῥα κατ' αὐτὸν ἅλις ἔσαν, οὓς κτάν' Ἀχιλλεύς

τοὺς ἔκβαλλε θύραζε μεμυκὼς ἠύ̈τε ταῦρος

χέρσον δέ: ζωοὺς δὲ σάω κατὰ καλὰ ῥέεθρα,

κρύπτων ἐν δίνῃσι βαθείῃσιν μεγάλῃσι.

240δεινὸν δ' ἀμφ' Ἀχιλῆα κυκώμενον ἵστατο κῦμα,

Transliteration

pollous, hoi rha kat' auton halis esan, hous ktan' Achilleus

tous ekballe thyraze memykōs ēÿte tauros

cherson de: zōous de saō kata kala rheethra,

kryptōn en dinēisi batheiēisin megalēisi.

240deinon d' amph' Achilēa kykōmenon histato kyma,

English

He swelled his stream into a torrent, and swept away the many dead whom Achilles had slain and left within his waters. These he cast out on to the land, bellowing like a bull the while, but the living he saved alive, hiding them in his mighty eddies.

Homeric Greek

ὤθει δ' ἐν σάκεϊ πίπτων ῥόος: οὐδὲ πόδεσσιν

εἶχε στηρίξασθαι: ὃ δὲ πτελέην ἕλε χερσὶν

εὐφυέα μεγάλην: ἣ δ' ἐκ ῥιζῶν ἐριποῦσα

κρημνὸν ἅπαντα διῶσεν, ἐπέσχε δὲ καλὰ ῥέεθρα

245ὄζοισιν πυκινοῖσι, γεφύρωσεν δέ μιν αὐτὸν

Transliteration

ōthei d' en sakeï piptōn rhoos: oude podessin

eiche stērixasthai: ho de pteleēn hele chersin

euphyea megalēn: hē d' ek rhizōn eripousa

krēmnon hapanta diōsen, epesche de kala rheethra

245ozoisin pykinoisi, gephyrōsen de min auton

English

The great and terrible wave gathered about Achilles, falling upon him and beating on his shield, so that he could not keep his feet; he caught hold of a great elm-tree, but it came up by the roots, and tore away the bank, damming the stream with its thick branches and bridging it all across;

Homeric Greek

εἴσω πᾶσ' ἐριποῦσ': ὃ δ' ἄρ' ἐκ δίνης ἀνορούσας

ἤϊξεν πεδίοιο ποσὶ κραιπνοῖσι πέτεσθαι

δείσας: οὐδέ τ' ἔληγε θεὸς μέγας, ὦρτο δ' ἐπ' αὐτῷ

ἀκροκελαινιόων, ἵνα μιν παύσειε πόνοιο

250δῖον Ἀχιλλῆα, Τρώεσσι δὲ λοιγὸν ἀλάλκοι.

Transliteration

eisō pas' eripous': ho d' ar' ek dinēs anorousas

ēïxen pedioio posi kraipnoisi petesthai

deisas: oude t' elēge theos megas, ōrto d' ep' autōi

akrokelainioōn, hina min pauseie ponoio

250dion Achillēa, Trōessi de loigon alalkoi.

English

whereby Achilles struggled out of the stream, and fled full speed over the plain, for he was afraid. But the mighty god ceased not in his pursuit, and sprang upon him with a dark-crested wave, to keep him out of the struggle and save the Trojans from destruction.

Homeric Greek

Πηλεί̈δης δ' ἀπόρουσεν ὅσον τ' ἐπὶ δουρὸς ἐρωή,

αἰετοῦ οἴματ' ἔχων μέλανος τοῦ θηρητῆρος,

ὅς θ' ἅμα κάρτιστός τε καὶ ὤκιστος πετεηνῶν:

τῷ ἐϊκὼς ἤϊξεν, ἐπὶ στήθεσσι δὲ χαλκὸς

255σμερδαλέον κονάβιζεν: ὕπαιθα δὲ τοῖο λιασθεὶς

Transliteration

Pēleïdēs d' aporousen hoson t' epi douros erōē,

aietou oimat' echōn melanos tou thērētēros,

hos th' hama kartistos te kai ōkistos peteēnōn:

tōi eïkōs ēïxen, epi stēthessi de chalkos

255smerdaleon konabizen: hypaitha de toio liastheis

English

The son of Peleus darted away a spear's throw from him; swift as the swoop of a black hunter-eagle which is the strongest and fleetest of all birds, even so did he spring forward, and the armor rang loudly about his breast. He fled on in front, but the river with a loud roar came tearing after.

Homeric Greek

φεῦγ', ὃ δ' ὄπισθε ῥέων ἕπετο μεγάλῳ ὀρυμαγδῷ.

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἀνὴρ ὀχετηγὸς ἀπὸ κρήνης μελανύδρου

ἂμ φυτὰ καὶ κήπους ὕδατι ῥόον ἡγεμονεύῃ

χερσὶ μάκελλαν ἔχων, ἀμάρης ἐξ ἔχματα βάλλων:

260τοῦ μέν τε προρέοντος ὑπὸ ψηφῖδες ἅπασαι

Transliteration

pheug', ho d' opisthe rheōn hepeto megalōi orymagdōi.

hōs d' hot' anēr ochetēgos apo krēnēs melanydrou

am phyta kai kēpous hydati rhoon hēgemoneuēi

chersi makellan echōn, amarēs ex echmata ballōn:

260tou men te proreontos hypo psēphides hapasai

English

As one who would water his garden leads a stream from some fountain over his plants, and all his ground - spade in hand he clears away the dams to free the channels, and the little stones run rolling round and round with the water as it goes merrily

Homeric Greek

ὀχλεῦνται: τὸ δέ τ' ὦκα κατειβόμενον κελαρύζει

χώρῳ ἔνι προαλεῖ, φθάνει δέ τε καὶ τὸν ἄγοντα:

ὣς αἰεὶ Ἀχιλῆα κιχήσατο κῦμα ῥόοιο

καὶ λαιψηρὸν ἐόντα: θεοὶ δέ τε φέρτεροι ἀνδρῶν.

265ὁσσάκι δ' ὁρμήσειε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

ochleuntai: to de t' ōka kateibomenon kelaryzei

chōrōi eni proalei, phthanei de te kai ton agonta:

hōs aiei Achilēa kichēsato kyma rhooio

kai laipsēron eonta: theoi de te pherteroi andrōn.

265hossaki d' hormēseie podarkēs dios Achilleus

English

down the bank faster than the man can follow- even so did the river keep catching up with Achilles albeit he was a fleet runner, for the gods are stronger than men. As often as he would strive to stand his ground, and see whether or no

Homeric Greek

στῆναι ἐναντίβιον καὶ γνώμεναι εἴ μιν ἅπαντες

ἀθάνατοι φοβέουσι, τοὶ οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἔχουσι,

τοσσάκι μιν μέγα κῦμα διιπετέος ποταμοῖο

πλάζ' ὤμους καθύπερθεν: ὃ δ' ὑψόσε ποσσὶν ἐπήδα

270θυμῷ ἀνιάζων: ποταμὸς δ' ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἐδάμνα

Transliteration

stēnai enantibion kai gnōmenai ei min hapantes

athanatoi phobeousi, toi ouranon euryn echousi,

tossaki min mega kyma diipeteos potamoio

plaz' ōmous kathyperthen: ho d' hypsose possin epēda

270thymōi aniazōn: potamos d' hypo gounat' edamna

English

all the gods in heaven were in league against him, so often would the mighty wave come beating down upon his shoulders, and he would have to keep fleeing on and on in great dismay;

Homeric Greek

λάβρος ὕπαιθα ῥέων, κονίην δ' ὑπέρεπτε ποδοῖιν.

Πηλεί̈δης δ' ᾤμωξεν ἰδὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρύν:

Ζεῦ πάτερ ὡς οὔ τίς με θεῶν ἐλεεινὸν ὑπέστη

ἐκ ποταμοῖο σαῶσαι: ἔπειτα δὲ καί τι πάθοιμι.

275ἄλλος δ' οὔ τις μοι τόσον αἴτιος Οὐρανιώνων,

Transliteration

labros hypaitha rheōn, koniēn d' hyperepte podoiin.

Pēleïdēs d' ōimōxen idōn eis ouranon euryn:

Zeu pater hōs ou tis me theōn eleeinon hypestē

ek potamoio saōsai: epeita de kai ti pathoimi.

275allos d' ou tis moi toson aitios Ouraniōnōn,

English

for the angry flood was tiring him out as it flowed past him and ate the ground from under his feet. Then the son of Peleus lifted up his voice to heaven saying, "Father Zeus, is there none of the gods who will take pity upon me, and save me from the river? I do not care what may happen to me afterwards.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ φίλη μήτηρ, ἥ με ψεύδεσσιν ἔθελγεν:

ἥ μ' ἔφατο Τρώων ὑπὸ τείχεϊ θωρηκτάων

λαιψηροῖς ὀλέεσθαι Ἀπόλλωνος βελέεσσιν.

ὥς μ' ὄφελ' Ἕκτωρ κτεῖναι ὃς ἐνθάδε γ' ἔτραφ' ἄριστος:

280τώ κ' ἀγαθὸς μὲν ἔπεφν', ἀγαθὸν δέ κεν ἐξενάριξε:

Transliteration

alla philē mētēr, hē me pseudessin ethelgen:

hē m' ephato Trōōn hypo teicheï thōrēktaōn

laipsērois oleesthai Apollōnos beleessin.

hōs m' ophel' Hektōr kteinai hos enthade g' etraph' aristos:

280tō k' agathos men epephn', agathon de ken exenarixe:

English

I blame none of the other dwellers on Olympus so severely as I do my dear mother, who has beguiled and tricked me. She told me I was to fall under the walls of Troy by the flying arrows of Apollo; would that Hektor, the best man among the Trojans, might there slay me; then should I fall a hero by the hand of a hero;

Homeric Greek

νῦν δέ με λευγαλέῳ θανάτῳ εἵμαρτο ἁλῶναι

ἐρχθέντ' ἐν μεγάλῳ ποταμῷ ὡς παῖδα συφορβόν,

ὅν ῥά τ' ἔναυλος ἀποέρσῃ χειμῶνι περῶντα.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δὲ μάλ' ὦκα Ποσειδάων καὶ Ἀθήνη

285στήτην ἐγγὺς ἰόντε, δέμας δ' ἄνδρεσσιν ἐί̈κτην,

Transliteration

nyn de me leugaleōi thanatōi heimarto halōnai

erchthent' en megalōi potamōi hōs paida syphorbon,

hon rha t' enaulos apoersēi cheimōni perōnta.

hōs phato, tōi de mal' ōka Poseidaōn kai Athēnē

285stētēn engys ionte, demas d' andressin eïktēn,

English

whereas now it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable end, trapped in this river as though I were some swineherd's boy, who gets carried down a torrent while trying to cross it during a storm." As soon as he had spoken thus, Poseidon and Athena came up to him in the likeness of two men, and took him by the hand to reassure him.

Homeric Greek

χειρὶ δὲ χεῖρα λαβόντες ἐπιστώσαντ' ἐπέεσσι.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων:

Πηλεί̈δη μήτ' ἄρ τι λίην τρέε μήτέ τι τάρβει:

τοίω γάρ τοι νῶϊ θεῶν ἐπιταρρόθω εἰμὲν

290Ζηνὸς ἐπαινήσαντος ἐγὼ καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη:

Transliteration

cheiri de cheira labontes epistōsant' epeessi.

toisi de mythōn ērche Poseidaōn enosichthōn:

Pēleïdē mēt' ar ti liēn tree mēte ti tarbei:

toiō gar toi nōï theōn epitarrothō eimen

290Zēnos epainēsantos egō kai Pallas Athēnē:

English

Poseidon spoke first. "Son of Peleus," said he, "be not so exceeding fearful; we are two gods, come with Zeus' sanction to assist you, I, and Pallas Athena. It is not your fate to perish in this river; he will abate presently as you will see;

Homeric Greek

ὡς οὔ τοι ποταμῷ γε δαμήμεναι αἴσιμόν ἐστιν,

ἀλλ' ὅδε μὲν τάχα λωφήσει, σὺ δὲ εἴσεαι αὐτός:

αὐτάρ τοι πυκινῶς ὑποθησόμεθ' αἴ κε πίθηαι:

μὴ πρὶν παύειν χεῖρας ὁμοιί̈ου πολέμοιο

295πρὶν κατὰ Ἰλιόφι κλυτὰ τείχεα λαὸν ἐέλσαι

Transliteration

hōs ou toi potamōi ge damēmenai aisimon estin,

all' hode men tacha lōphēsei, sy de eiseai autos:

autar toi pykinōs hypothēsometh' ai ke pithēai:

mē prin pauein cheiras homoiïou polemoio

295prin kata Iliophi klyta teichea laon eelsai

English

moreover we strongly advise you, if you will be guided by us, not to stay your hand from fighting till you have pent the Trojan host within the famed walls of Ilion - as many of them as may escape.

Homeric Greek

Τρωϊκόν, ὅς κε φύγῃσι: σὺ δ' Ἕκτορι θυμὸν ἀπούρας

ἂψ ἐπὶ νῆας ἴμεν: δίδομεν δέ τοι εὖχος ἀρέσθαι.

τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰπόντε μετ' ἀθανάτους ἀπεβήτην:

αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ, μέγα γάρ ῥα θεῶν ὄτρυνεν ἐφετμή,

300ἐς πεδίον: τὸ δὲ πᾶν πλῆθ' ὕδατος ἐκχυμένοιο,

Transliteration

Trōïkon, hos ke phygēisi: sy d' Hektori thymon apouras

aps epi nēas imen: didomen de toi euchos aresthai.

tō men ar' hōs eiponte met' athanatous apebētēn:

autar ho bē, mega gar rha theōn otrynen ephetmē,

300es pedion: to de pan plēth' hydatos ekchymenoio,

English

Then kill Hektor and go back to the ships, for we will grant you a triumph over him." When they had so said they went back to the other immortals, but Achilles strove onward over the plain, encouraged by the charge the gods had laid upon him.

Homeric Greek

πολλὰ δὲ τεύχεα καλὰ δαὶ κταμένων αἰζηῶν

πλῶον καὶ νέκυες: τοῦ δ' ὑψόσε γούνατ' ἐπήδα

πρὸς ῥόον ἀί̈σσοντος ἀν' ἰθύν, οὐδέ μιν ἴσχεν

εὐρὺ ῥέων ποταμός: μέγα γὰρ σθένος ἔμβαλ' Ἀθήνη.

305οὐδὲ Σκάμανδρος ἔληγε τὸ ὃν μένος, ἀλλ' ἔτι μᾶλλον

Transliteration

polla de teuchea kala dai ktamenōn aizēōn

plōon kai nekyes: tou d' hypsose gounat' epēda

pros rhoon aïssontos an' ithyn, oude min ischen

eury rheōn potamos: mega gar sthenos embal' Athēnē.

305oude Skamandros elēge to hon menos, all' eti mallon

English

All was now covered with the flood of waters, and much goodly armor of the youths that had been slain was rifting about, as also many corpses, but he forced his way against the stream, speeding right onwards, nor could the broad waters stay him, for Athena had endowed him with great strength.

Homeric Greek

χώετο Πηλεί̈ωνι, κόρυσσε δὲ κῦμα ῥόοιο

ὑψόσ' ἀειρόμενος, Σιμόεντι δὲ κέκλετ' ἀύ̈σας:

φίλε κασίγνητε σθένος ἀνέρος ἀμφότεροί περ

σχῶμεν, ἐπεὶ τάχα ἄστυ μέγα Πριάμοιο ἄνακτος

310ἐκπέρσει, Τρῶες δὲ κατὰ μόθον οὐ μενέουσιν.

Transliteration

chōeto Pēleïōni, korysse de kyma rhooio

hypsos' aeiromenos, Simoenti de keklet' aÿsas:

phile kasignēte sthenos aneros amphoteroi per

schōmen, epei tacha asty mega Priamoio anaktos

310ekpersei, Trōes de kata mothon ou meneousin.

English

Nevertheless Skamandros did not slacken in his pursuit, but was still more furious with the son of Peleus. He lifted his waters into a high crest and cried aloud to Simoeis saying, "Dear brother, let the two of us unite to save this man, or he will sack the mighty city of King Priam, and the Trojans will not hold out against him.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἐπάμυνε τάχιστα, καὶ ἐμπίπληθι ῥέεθρα

ὕδατος ἐκ πηγέων, πάντας δ' ὀρόθυνον ἐναύλους,

ἵστη δὲ μέγα κῦμα, πολὺν δ' ὀρυμαγδὸν ὄρινε

φιτρῶν καὶ λάων, ἵνα παύσομεν ἄγριον ἄνδρα

315ὃς δὴ νῦν κρατέει, μέμονεν δ' ὅ γε ἶσα θεοῖσι.

Transliteration

all' epamyne tachista, kai empiplēthi rheethra

hydatos ek pēgeōn, pantas d' orothynon enaulous,

histē de mega kyma, polyn d' orymagdon orine

phitrōn kai laōn, hina pausomen agrion andra

315hos dē nyn krateei, memonen d' ho ge isa theoisi.

English

Help me at once; fill your streams with water from their sources, rouse all your torrents to a fury; raise your wave on high, and let snags and stones come thundering down you that we may make an end of this savage creature who is now lording it as though he were a god.

Homeric Greek

φημὶ γὰρ οὔτε βίην χραισμησέμεν οὔτέ τι εἶδος

οὔτε τὰ τεύχεα καλά, τά που μάλα νειόθι λίμνης

κείσεθ' ὑπ' ἰλύος κεκαλυμμένα: κὰδ δέ μιν αὐτὸν

εἰλύσω ψαμάθοισιν ἅλις χέραδος περιχεύας

320μυρίον, οὐδέ οἱ ὀστέ' ἐπιστήσονται Ἀχαιοὶ

Transliteration

phēmi gar oute biēn chraismēsemen oute ti eidos

oute ta teuchea kala, ta pou mala neiothi limnēs

keiseth' hyp' ilyos kekalymmena: kad de min auton

eilysō psamathoisin halis cherados pericheuas

320myrion, oude hoi oste' epistēsontai Achaioi

English

Nothing shall serve him longer, not strength nor comeliness, nor his fine armor, which indeed shall soon be lying low in the deep waters covered over with mud. I will wrap him in sand, and pour tons of shingle round him, so that the Achaeans shall

Homeric Greek

ἀλλέξαι: τόσσην οἱ ἄσιν καθύπερθε καλύψω.

αὐτοῦ οἱ καὶ σῆμα τετεύξεται, οὐδέ τί μιν χρεὼ

ἔσται τυμβοχόης, ὅτε μιν θάπτωσιν Ἀχαιοί.

ἦ, καὶ ἐπῶρτ' Ἀχιλῆϊ κυκώμενος ὑψόσε θύων

325μορμύρων ἀφρῷ τε καὶ αἵματι καὶ νεκύεσσι.

Transliteration

allexai: tossēn hoi asin kathyperthe kalypsō.

autou hoi kai sēma teteuxetai, oude ti min chreō

estai tymbochoēs, hote min thaptōsin Achaioi.

ē, kai epōrt' Achilēï kykōmenos hypsose thyōn

325mormyrōn aphrōi te kai haimati kai nekyessi.

English

not know how to gather his bones for the silt in which I shall have hidden him, and when they celebrate his funeral they need build no tomb." On this he upraised his tumultuous flood high against Achilles, seething as it was with foam and blood and the bodies of the dead.

Homeric Greek

πορφύρεον δ' ἄρα κῦμα διιπετέος ποταμοῖο

ἵστατ' ἀειρόμενον, κατὰ δ' ᾕρεε Πηλεί̈ωνα:

Ἥρη δὲ μέγ' ἄϋσε περιδείσασ' Ἀχιλῆϊ

μή μιν ἀποέρσειε μέγας ποταμὸς βαθυδίνης,

330αὐτίκα δ' Ἥφαιστον προσεφώνεεν ὃν φίλον υἱόν:

Transliteration

porphyreon d' ara kyma diipeteos potamoio

histat' aeiromenon, kata d' hēiree Pēleïōna:

Hērē de meg' aÿse perideisas' Achilēï

mē min apoerseie megas potamos bathydinēs,

330autika d' Hēphaiston prosephōneen hon philon huion:

English

The dark waters of the river stood upright and would have overwhelmed the son of Peleus, but Hera, trembling lest Achilles should be swept away in the mighty torrent, lifted her voice on high and called out to Hephaistos her son.

Homeric Greek

ὄρσεο κυλλοπόδιον ἐμὸν τέκος: ἄντα σέθεν γὰρ

Ξάνθον δινήεντα μάχῃ ἠί̈σκομεν εἶναι:

ἀλλ' ἐπάμυνε τάχιστα, πιφαύσκεο δὲ φλόγα πολλήν.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Ζεφύροιο καὶ ἀργεστᾶο Νότοιο

335εἴσομαι ἐξ ἁλόθεν χαλεπὴν ὄρσουσα θύελλαν,

Transliteration

orseo kyllopodion emon tekos: anta sethen gar

Xanthon dinēenta machēi ēïskomen einai:

all' epamyne tachista, piphauskeo de phloga pollēn.

autar egō Zephyroio kai argestao Notoio

335eisomai ex halothen chalepēn orsousa thyellan,

English

"Crook-foot," she cried, "my child, be up and doing, for I deem it is with you that Xanthos is fain to fight; help us at once, kindle a fierce fire; I will then bring up the west and the white south wind in a mighty gale from the sea, that shall bear the flames against the heads and

Homeric Greek

ἥ κεν ἀπὸ Τρώων κεφαλὰς καὶ τεύχεα κήαι

φλέγμα κακὸν φορέουσα: σὺ δὲ Ξάνθοιο παρ' ὄχθας

δένδρεα καῖ', ἐν δ' αὐτὸν ἵει πυρί: μὴ δέ σε πάμπαν

μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσιν ἀποτρεπέτω καὶ ἀρειῇ:

340μὴ δὲ πρὶν ἀπόπαυε τεὸν μένος, ἀλλ' ὁπότ' ἂν δὴ

Transliteration

hē ken apo Trōōn kephalas kai teuchea kēai

phlegma kakon phoreousa: sy de Xanthoio par' ochthas

dendrea kai', en d' auton hiei pyri: mē de se pampan

meilichiois epeessin apotrepetō kai areiēi:

340mē de prin apopaue teon menos, all' hopot' an dē

English

armor of the Trojans and consume them, while you go along the banks of Xanthos burning his trees and wrapping him round with fire. Let him not turn you back neither by fair words nor foul, and slacken not till I shout and tell you.

Homeric Greek

φθέγξομ' ἐγὼν ἰάχουσα, τότε σχεῖν ἀκάματον πῦρ.

ὣς ἔφαθ', Ἥφαιστος δὲ τιτύσκετο θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ.

πρῶτα μὲν ἐν πεδίῳ πῦρ δαίετο, καῖε δὲ νεκροὺς

πολλούς, οἵ ῥα κατ' αὐτὸν ἅλις ἔσαν, οὓς κτάν' Ἀχιλλεύς:

345πᾶν δ' ἐξηράνθη πεδίον, σχέτο δ' ἀγλαὸν ὕδωρ.

Transliteration

phthenxom' egōn iachousa, tote schein akamaton pyr.

hōs ephath', Hēphaistos de titysketo thespidaes pyr.

prōta men en pediōi pyr daieto, kaie de nekrous

pollous, hoi rha kat' auton halis esan, hous ktan' Achilleus:

345pan d' exēranthē pedion, scheto d' aglaon hydōr.

English

Then you may stay your flames." On this Hephaistos kindled a fierce fire, which broke out first upon the plain and burned the many dead whom Achilles had killed and whose bodies were lying about in great numbers; by this means the plain was dried and the flood stayed.

Homeric Greek

ὡς δ' ὅτ' ὀπωρινὸς Βορέης νεοαρδέ' ἀλωὴν

αἶψ' ἀγξηράνῃ: χαίρει δέ μιν ὅς τις ἐθείρῃ:

ὣς ἐξηράνθη πεδίον πᾶν, κὰδ δ' ἄρα νεκροὺς

κῆεν: ὃ δ' ἐς ποταμὸν τρέψε φλόγα παμφανόωσαν.

350καίοντο πτελέαι τε καὶ ἰτέαι ἠδὲ μυρῖκαι,

Transliteration

hōs d' hot' opōrinos Boreēs neoarde' alōēn

aips' anxēranēi: chairei de min hos tis etheirēi:

hōs exēranthē pedion pan, kad d' ara nekrous

kēen: ho d' es potamon trepse phloga pamphanoōsan.

350kaionto pteleai te kai iteai ēde myrikai,

English

As the north wind, blowing on an orchard that has been sodden with autumn rain, soon dries it, and the heart of the owner is glad - even so the whole plan was dried and the dead bodies were consumed. Then he turned tongues of fire on to the river.

Homeric Greek

καίετο δὲ λωτός τε ἰδὲ θρύον ἠδὲ κύπειρον,

τὰ περὶ καλὰ ῥέεθρα ἅλις ποταμοῖο πεφύκει:

τείροντ' ἐγχέλυές τε καὶ ἰχθύες οἳ κατὰ δίνας,

οἳ κατὰ καλὰ ῥέεθρα κυβίστων ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα

355πνοιῇ τειρόμενοι πολυμήτιος Ἡφαίστοιο.

Transliteration

kaieto de lōtos te ide thryon ēde kypeiron,

ta peri kala rheethra halis potamoio pephykei:

teiront' enchelyes te kai ichthyes hoi kata dinas,

hoi kata kala rheethra kybistōn entha kai entha

355pnoiēi teiromenoi polymētios Hēphaistoio.

English

He burned the elms the willows and the tamarisks, the lotus also, with the rushes and marshy herbage that grew abundantly by the banks of the river. The eels and fishes that go darting about everywhere in the water, these, too, were sorely harassed by the flames that cunning Hephaistos had kindled, and the river himself

Homeric Greek

καίετο δ' ἲς ποταμοῖο ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζεν:

Ἥφαιστ', οὔ τις σοί γε θεῶν δύνατ' ἀντιφερίζειν,

οὐδ' ἂν ἐγὼ σοί γ' ὧδε πυρὶ φλεγέθοντι μαχοίμην.

λῆγ' ἔριδος, Τρῶας δὲ καὶ αὐτίκα δῖος Ἀχιλλεὺς

360ἄστεος ἐξελάσειε: τί μοι ἔριδος καὶ ἀρωγῆς;

Transliteration

kaieto d' is potamoio epos t' ephat' ek t' onomazen:

Hēphaist', ou tis soi ge theōn dynat' antipherizein,

oud' an egō soi g' hōde pyri phlegethonti machoimēn.

lēg' eridos, Trōas de kai autika dios Achilleus

360asteos exelaseie: ti moi eridos kai arōgēs;

English

was scalded, so that he spoke saying, "Hephaistos, there is no god can hold his own against you. I cannot fight you when you flare out your flames in this way; strive with me no longer. Let Achilles drive the Trojans out of city immediately. What have I to do with quarreling and helping people?"

Homeric Greek

φῆ πυρὶ καιόμενος, ἀνὰ δ' ἔφλυε καλὰ ῥέεθρα.

ὡς δὲ λέβης ζεῖ ἔνδον ἐπειγόμενος πυρὶ πολλῷ

κνίσην μελδόμενος ἁπαλοτρεφέος σιάλοιο

πάντοθεν ἀμβολάδην, ὑπὸ δὲ ξύλα κάγκανα κεῖται,

365ὣς τοῦ καλὰ ῥέεθρα πυρὶ φλέγετο, ζέε δ' ὕδωρ:

Transliteration

phē pyri kaiomenos, ana d' ephlye kala rheethra.

hōs de lebēs zei endon epeigomenos pyri pollōi

knisēn meldomenos hapalotrepheos sialoio

pantothen amboladēn, hypo de xyla kankana keitai,

365hōs tou kala rheethra pyri phlegeto, zee d' hydōr:

English

He was boiling as he spoke, and all his waters were seething. As a cauldron upon ‘a large fire boils when it is melting the lard of some fatted hog, and the lard keeps bubbling up all over when the dry faggots blaze under it - even so were the goodly waters of Xanthos heated with the fire till they were boiling.

Homeric Greek

οὐδ' ἔθελε προρέειν, ἀλλ' ἴσχετο: τεῖρε δ' ἀϋτμὴ

Ἡφαίστοιο βίηφι πολύφρονος. αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' Ἥρην

πολλὰ λισσόμενος ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

Ἥρη τίπτε σὸς υἱὸς ἐμὸν ῥόον ἔχραε κήδειν

370ἐξ ἄλλων; οὐ μέν τοι ἐγὼ τόσον αἴτιός εἰμι

Transliteration

oud' ethele proreein, all' ischeto: teire d' aÿtmē

Hēphaistoio biēphi polyphronos. autar ho g' Hērēn

polla lissomenos epea pteroenta prosēuda:

Hērē tipte sos huios emon rhoon echrae kēdein

370ex allōn; ou men toi egō toson aitios eimi

English

He could flow no longer but stayed his stream, so afflicted was he by the blasts of fire which cunning Hephaistos had raised. Then he prayed to Hera and besought her saying, "Hera, why should your son vex my stream with such especial fury? I am not so much responsible as all the others are who have been helping the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ὅσσον οἱ ἄλλοι πάντες, ὅσοι Τρώεσσιν ἀρωγοί.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι μὲν ἐγὼν ἀποπαύσομαι εἰ σὺ κελεύεις,

παυέσθω δὲ καὶ οὗτος: ἐγὼ δ' ἐπὶ καὶ τόδ' ὀμοῦμαι,

μή ποτ' ἐπὶ Τρώεσσιν ἀλεξήσειν κακὸν ἦμαρ,

375μὴ δ' ὁπότ' ἂν Τροίη μαλερῷ πυρὶ πᾶσα δάηται

Transliteration

hosson hoi alloi pantes, hosoi Trōessin arōgoi.

all' ētoi men egōn apopausomai ei sy keleueis,

pauesthō de kai houtos: egō d' epi kai tod' omoumai,

mē pot' epi Trōessin alexēsein kakon ēmar,

375mē d' hopot' an Troiē malerōi pyri pasa daētai

English

I will leave off, since you so desire it, and let son leave off also. Furthermore I swear never again will I do anything to save the Trojans from destruction, not even when all Troy is burning in

Homeric Greek

καιομένη, καίωσι δ' ἀρήϊοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τό γ' ἄκουσε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

αὐτίκ' ἄρ' Ἥφαιστον προσεφώνεεν ὃν φίλον υἱόν:

Ἥφαιστε σχέο τέκνον ἀγακλεές: οὐ γὰρ ἔοικεν

380ἀθάνατον θεὸν ὧδε βροτῶν ἕνεκα στυφελίζειν.

Transliteration

kaiomenē, kaiōsi d' arēïoi huies Achaiōn.

autar epei to g' akouse thea leukōlenos Hērē,

autik' ar' Hēphaiston prosephōneen hon philon huion:

Hēphaiste scheo teknon agaklees: ou gar eoiken

380athanaton theon hōde brotōn heneka styphelizein.

English

the flames which the Achaeans will kindle." As soon as Hera heard this she said to her son Hephaistos, "Son Hephaistos, hold now your flames; we ought not to use such violence against a god for the sake of mortals."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφαθ', Ἥφαιστος δὲ κατέσβεσε θεσπιδαὲς πῦρ,

ἄψορρον δ' ἄρα κῦμα κατέσσυτο καλὰ ῥέεθρα.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ Ξάνθοιο δάμη μένος, οἳ μὲν ἔπειτα

παυσάσθην, Ἥρη γὰρ ἐρύκακε χωομένη περ:

385ἐν δ' ἄλλοισι θεοῖσιν ἔρις πέσε βεβριθυῖα

Transliteration

hōs ephath', Hēphaistos de katesbese thespidaes pyr,

apsorron d' ara kyma katessyto kala rheethra.

autar epei Xanthoio damē menos, hoi men epeita

pausasthēn, Hērē gar erykake chōomenē per:

385en d' alloisi theoisin eris pese bebrithuia

English

When she had thus spoken Hephaistos quenched his flames, and the river went back once more into his own fair bed. Xanthos was now beaten, so these two left off fighting, for Hera stayed them though she was still angry; but a furious quarrel broke out among the other gods, for they were of divided counsels.

Homeric Greek

ἀργαλέη, δίχα δέ σφιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἄητο:

σὺν δ' ἔπεσον μεγάλῳ πατάγῳ, βράχε δ' εὐρεῖα χθών,

ἀμφὶ δὲ σάλπιγξεν μέγας οὐρανός. ἄϊε δὲ Ζεὺς

ἥμενος Οὐλύμπῳ: ἐγέλασσε δέ οἱ φίλον ἦτορ

390γηθοσύνῃ, ὅθ' ὁρᾶτο θεοὺς ἔριδι ξυνιόντας.

Transliteration

argaleē, dicha de sphin eni phresi thymos aēto:

syn d' epeson megalōi patagōi, brache d' eureia chthōn,

amphi de salpinxen megas ouranos. aïe de Zeus

hēmenos Oulympōi: egelasse de hoi philon ētor

390gēthosynēi, hoth' horato theous eridi xyniontas.

English

They fell on one another with a mighty uproar - earth groaned, and the spacious firmament rang out as with a blare of trumpets. Zeus heard as he was sitting on Olympus, and laughed for joy when he saw the gods coming to blows among themselves.

Homeric Greek

ἔνθ' οἵ γ' οὐκέτι δηρὸν ἀφέστασαν: ἦρχε γὰρ Ἄρης

ῥινοτόρος, καὶ πρῶτος Ἀθηναίῃ ἐπόρουσε

χάλκεον ἔγχος ἔχων, καὶ ὀνείδειον φάτο μῦθον:

τίπτ' αὖτ' ὦ κυνάμυια θεοὺς ἔριδι ξυνελαύνεις

395θάρσος ἄητον ἔχουσα, μέγας δέ σε θυμὸς ἀνῆκεν;

Transliteration

enth' hoi g' ouketi dēron aphestasan: ērche gar Arēs

rhinotoros, kai prōtos Athēnaiēi eporouse

chalkeon enchos echōn, kai oneideion phato mython:

tipt' aut' ō kynamuia theous eridi xynelauneis

395tharsos aēton echousa, megas de se thymos anēken;

English

They were not long about beginning, and Ares piercer of shields opened the battle. Sword in hand he sprang at once upon Athena and reviled her. "Why, vixen," said he, "have you again set the gods by the ears in the pride and haughtiness of your heart?

Homeric Greek

ἦ οὐ μέμνῃ ὅτε Τυδεί̈δην Διομήδε' ἀνῆκας

οὐτάμεναι, αὐτὴ δὲ πανόψιον ἔγχος ἑλοῦσα

ἰθὺς ἐμεῦ ὦσας, διὰ δὲ χρόα καλὸν ἔδαψας;

τώ σ' αὖ νῦν ὀί̈ω ἀποτισέμεν ὅσσα ἔοργας.

400ὣς εἰπὼν οὔτησε κατ' αἰγίδα θυσσανόεσσαν

Transliteration

ē ou memnēi hote Tydeïdēn Diomēde' anēkas

outamenai, autē de panopsion enchos helousa

ithys emeu ōsas, dia de chroa kalon edapsas;

tō s' au nyn oïō apotisemen hossa eorgas.

400hōs eipōn outēse kat' aigida thyssanoessan

English

Have you forgotten how you set Diomedes son of Tydeus on to wound me, and yourself took visible spear and drove it into me to the hurt of my fair body? You shall now suffer for what you then did to me." As he spoke he struck her on the terrible tasseled aegis - so terrible that not even can Zeus' lightning pierce it.

Homeric Greek

σμερδαλέην, ἣν οὐδὲ Διὸς δάμνησι κεραυνός:

τῇ μιν Ἄρης οὔτησε μιαιφόνος ἔγχεϊ μακρῷ.

ἣ δ' ἀναχασσαμένη λίθον εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ

κείμενον ἐν πεδίῳ μέλανα τρηχύν τε μέγαν τε,

405τόν ῥ' ἄνδρες πρότεροι θέσαν ἔμμεναι οὖρον ἀρούρης:

Transliteration

smerdaleēn, hēn oude Dios damnēsi keraunos:

tēi min Arēs outēse miaiphonos encheï makrōi.

hē d' anachassamenē lithon heileto cheiri pacheiēi

keimenon en pediōi melana trēchyn te megan te,

405ton rh' andres proteroi thesan emmenai ouron arourēs:

English

Here did murderous Ares strike her with his great spear. She drew back and with her strong hand seized a stone that was lying on the plain - great and rugged and black - which men of old had set for the boundary of a field. With this she struck Ares on the neck, and brought him down.

Homeric Greek

τῷ βάλε θοῦρον Ἄρηα κατ' αὐχένα, λῦσε δὲ γυῖα.

ἑπτὰ δ' ἐπέσχε πέλεθρα πεσών, ἐκόνισε δὲ χαίτας,

τεύχεά τ' ἀμφαράβησε: γέλασσε δὲ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη,

καί οἱ ἐπευχομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

410νηπύτι' οὐδέ νύ πώ περ ἐπεφράσω ὅσσον ἀρείων

Transliteration

tōi bale thouron Arēa kat' auchena, lyse de guia.

hepta d' epesche pelethra pesōn, ekonise de chaitas,

teuchea t' ampharabēse: gelasse de Pallas Athēnē,

kai hoi epeuchomenē epea pteroenta prosēuda:

410nēpyti' oude ny pō per epephrasō hosson areiōn

English

Nine roods did he cover in his fall, and his hair was all soiled in the dust, while his armor rang rattling round him. But Athena laughed and vaunted over him saying, "Idiot, have you not learned how far stronger I am than you, but you must still match yourself against me?

Homeric Greek

εὔχομ' ἐγὼν ἔμεναι, ὅτι μοι μένος ἰσοφαρίζεις.

οὕτω κεν τῆς μητρὸς ἐρινύας ἐξαποτίνοις,

ἥ τοι χωομένη κακὰ μήδεται οὕνεκ' Ἀχαιοὺς

κάλλιπες, αὐτὰρ Τρωσὶν ὑπερφιάλοισιν ἀμύνεις.

415ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα πάλιν τρέπεν ὄσσε φαεινώ:

Transliteration

euchom' egōn emenai, hoti moi menos isopharizeis.

houtō ken tēs mētros erinyas exapotinois,

hē toi chōomenē kaka mēdetai hounek' Achaious

kallipes, autar Trōsin hyperphialoisin amyneis.

415hōs ara phōnēsasa palin trepen osse phaeinō:

English

Thus do your mother's curses now roost upon you, for she is angry and would do you mischief because you have deserted the Achaeans and are helping the Trojans." She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere,

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἄγε χειρὸς ἑλοῦσα Διὸς θυγάτηρ Ἀφροδίτη

πυκνὰ μάλα στενάχοντα: μόγις δ' ἐσαγείρετο θυμόν.

τὴν δ' ὡς οὖν ἐνόησε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

αὐτίκ' Ἀθηναίην ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

420ὢ πόποι αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος Ἀτρυτώνη

Transliteration

ton d' age cheiros helousa Dios thygatēr Aphroditē

pykna mala stenachonta: mogis d' esageireto thymon.

tēn d' hōs oun enoēse thea leukōlenos Hērē,

autik' Athēnaiēn epea pteroenta prosēuda:

420ō popoi aigiochoio Dios tekos Atrytōnē

English

whereon Zeus' daughter Aphrodite took Ares by the hand and led him away groaning all the time, for it was only with great difficulty that he had come to himself again.

Homeric Greek

καὶ δ' αὖθ' ἡ κυνάμυια ἄγει βροτολοιγὸν Ἄρηα

δηί̈ου ἐκ πολέμοιο κατὰ κλόνον: ἀλλὰ μέτελθε.

ὣς φάτ', Ἀθηναίη δὲ μετέσσυτο, χαῖρε δὲ θυμῷ,

καί ῥ' ἐπιεισαμένη πρὸς στήθεα χειρὶ παχείῃ

425ἤλασε: τῆς δ' αὐτοῦ λύτο γούνατα καὶ φίλον ἦτορ.

Transliteration

kai d' auth' hē kynamuia agei brotoloigon Arēa

dēïou ek polemoio kata klonon: alla metelthe.

hōs phat', Athēnaiē de metessyto, chaire de thymōi,

kai rh' epieisamenē pros stēthea cheiri pacheiēi

425ēlase: tēs d' autou lyto gounata kai philon ētor.

English

When Queen Hera saw her, she said to Athena, "Look, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus, unweariable, that vixen Aphrodite is again taking Ares through the crowd out of the battle; go after her at once." Thus she spoke. Athena sped after Aphrodite with a will, and made at her, striking her on the bosom

Homeric Greek

τὼ μὲν ἄρ' ἄμφω κεῖντο ἐπὶ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ,

ἣ δ' ἄρ' ἐπευχομένη ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευε:

τοιοῦτοι νῦν πάντες ὅσοι Τρώεσσιν ἀρωγοὶ

εἶεν, ὅτ' Ἀργείοισι μαχοίατο θωρηκτῇσιν,

430ὧδέ τε θαρσαλέοι καὶ τλήμονες, ὡς Ἀφροδίτη

Transliteration

tō men ar' amphō keinto epi chthoni poulyboteirēi,

hē d' ar' epeuchomenē epea pteroent' agoreue:

toioutoi nyn pantes hosoi Trōessin arōgoi

eien, hot' Argeioisi machoiato thōrēktēisin,

430hōde te tharsaleoi kai tlēmones, hōs Aphroditē

English

with her strong hand so that she fell fainting to the ground, and there they both lay stretched at full length. Then Athena vaunted over her saying, "May all who help the Trojans against the Argives prove just as redoubtable and stalwart as Aphrodite did when she came across me while she was helping Ares.

Homeric Greek

ἦλθεν Ἄρῃ ἐπίκουρος ἐμῷ μένει ἀντιόωσα:

τώ κεν δὴ πάλαι ἄμμες ἐπαυσάμεθα πτολέμοιο

Ἰλίου ἐκπέρσαντες ἐϋκτίμενον πτολίεθρον.

ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη.

435αὐτὰρ Ἀπόλλωνα προσέφη κρείων ἐνοσίχθων:

Transliteration

ēlthen Arēi epikouros emōi menei antioōsa:

tō ken dē palai ammes epausametha ptolemoio

Iliou ekpersantes eÿktimenon ptoliethron.

hōs phato, meidēsen de thea leukōlenos Hērē.

435autar Apollōna prosephē kreiōn enosichthōn:

English

Had this been so, we should long since have ended the war by sacking the strong city of Ilion." Hera smiled as she listened. Meanwhile King Poseidon turned to Apollo saying, "Phoebus, why should we keep each other at arm's length?

Homeric Greek

Φοῖβε τί ἢ δὴ νῶϊ διέσταμεν; οὐδὲ ἔοικεν

ἀρξάντων ἑτέρων: τὸ μὲν αἴσχιον αἴ κ' ἀμαχητὶ

ἴομεν Οὔλυμπον δὲ Διὸς ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ.

ἄρχε: σὺ γὰρ γενεῆφι νεώτερος: οὐ γὰρ ἔμοιγε

440καλόν, ἐπεὶ πρότερος γενόμην καὶ πλείονα οἶδα.

Transliteration

Phoibe ti ē dē nōï diestamen; oude eoiken

arxantōn heterōn: to men aischion ai k' amachēti

iomen Oulympon de Dios poti chalkobates dō.

arche: sy gar geneēphi neōteros: ou gar emoige

440kalon, epei proteros genomēn kai pleiona oida.

English

it is not well, now that the others have begun fighting; it will be disgraceful to us if we return to Zeus' bronze-floored mansion on Olympus without having fought each other; therefore come on, you are the younger of the two, and I ought not to attack you, for I am older and have had more experience.

Homeric Greek

νηπύτι' ὡς ἄνοον κραδίην ἔχες: οὐδέ νυ τῶν περ

μέμνηαι ὅσα δὴ πάθομεν κακὰ Ἴλιον ἀμφὶ

μοῦνοι νῶϊ θεῶν, ὅτ' ἀγήνορι Λαομέδοντι

πὰρ Διὸς ἐλθόντες θητεύσαμεν εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν

445μισθῷ ἔπι ῥητῷ: ὃ δὲ σημαίνων ἐπέτελλεν.

Transliteration

nēpyti' hōs anoon kradiēn eches: oude ny tōn per

memnēai hosa dē pathomen kaka Ilion amphi

mounoi nōï theōn, hot' agēnori Laomedonti

par Dios elthontes thēteusamen eis eniauton

445misthōi epi rhētōi: ho de sēmainōn epetellen.

English

Idiot, you have no sense, and forget how we two alone of all the gods fared hardly round about Ilion when we came from Zeus' house and worked for Laomedon a whole year at a stated wage and he gave us his orders.

Homeric Greek

ἤτοι ἐγὼ Τρώεσσι πόλιν πέρι τεῖχος ἔδειμα

εὐρύ τε καὶ μάλα καλόν, ἵν' ἄρρηκτος πόλις εἴη:

Φοῖβε σὺ δ' εἰλίποδας ἕλικας βοῦς βουκολέεσκες

Ἴδης ἐν κνημοῖσι πολυπτύχου ὑληέσσης.

450ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ μισθοῖο τέλος πολυγηθέες ὧραι

Transliteration

ētoi egō Trōessi polin peri teichos edeima

eury te kai mala kalon, hin' arrēktos polis eiē:

Phoibe sy d' eilipodas helikas bous boukoleeskes

Idēs en knēmoisi polyptychou hylēessēs.

450all' hote dē misthoio telos polygēthees hōrai

English

I built the Trojans the wall about their city, so wide and fair that it might be impregnable, while you, Phoebus, herded cattle for him in the dales of many valleyed Ida. When, however, the glad hours brought round the time-limit for payment, mighty Laomedon robbed us of all our hire and sent us off with nothing but abuse.

Homeric Greek

ἐξέφερον, τότε νῶϊ βιήσατο μισθὸν ἅπαντα

Λαομέδων ἔκπαγλος, ἀπειλήσας δ' ἀπέπεμπε.

σὺν μὲν ὅ γ' ἠπείλησε πόδας καὶ χεῖρας ὕπερθε

δήσειν, καὶ περάαν νήσων ἔπι τηλεδαπάων:

455στεῦτο δ' ὅ γ' ἀμφοτέρων ἀπολεψέμεν οὔατα χαλκῷ.

Transliteration

exepheron, tote nōï biēsato misthon hapanta

Laomedōn ekpaglos, apeilēsas d' apepempe.

syn men ho g' ēpeilēse podas kai cheiras hyperthe

dēsein, kai peraan nēsōn epi tēledapaōn:

455steuto d' ho g' amphoterōn apolepsemen ouata chalkōi.

English

He threatened to bind us hand and foot and sell us over into some distant island. He tried, moreover, to cut off the ears of both of us, so we went away in a rage, furious about the payment he had promised us, and yet withheld;

Homeric Greek

νῶϊ δὲ ἄψορροι κίομεν κεκοτηότι θυμῷ

μισθοῦ χωόμενοι, τὸν ὑποστὰς οὐκ ἐτέλεσσε.

τοῦ δὴ νῦν λαοῖσι φέρεις χάριν, οὐδὲ μεθ' ἡμέων

πειρᾷ ὥς κε Τρῶες ὑπερφίαλοι ἀπόλωνται

460πρόχνυ κακῶς σὺν παισὶ καὶ αἰδοίῃς ἀλόχοισι

Transliteration

nōï de apsorroi kiomen kekotēoti thymōi

misthou chōomenoi, ton hypostas ouk etelesse.

tou dē nyn laoisi phereis charin, oude meth' hēmeōn

peirāi hōs ke Trōes hyperphialoi apolōntai

460prochny kakōs syn paisi kai aidoiēis alochoisi

English

in spite of all this, you are now showing favor to his people, and will not join us in compassing the utter ruin of the proud Trojans

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων:

ἐννοσίγαι' οὐκ ἄν με σαόφρονα μυθήσαιο

ἔμμεναι, εἰ δὴ σοί γε βροτῶν ἕνεκα πτολεμίξω

δειλῶν, οἳ φύλλοισιν ἐοικότες ἄλλοτε μέν τε

465ζαφλεγέες τελέθουσιν ἀρούρης καρπὸν ἔδοντες,

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipen anax hekaergos Apollōn:

ennosigai' ouk an me saophrona mythēsaio

emmenai, ei dē soi ge brotōn heneka ptolemixō

deilōn, hoi phylloisin eoikotes allote men te

465zaphlegees telethousin arourēs karpon edontes,

English

with their wives and children." And King Apollo answered, "Lord of the earthquake, you would not think me moderate if I were to fight you about a pack of miserable mortals, who come out like leaves in summer and eat the fruit of the field, and presently fall lifeless to the ground.

Homeric Greek

ἄλλοτε δὲ φθινύθουσιν ἀκήριοι. ἀλλὰ τάχιστα

παυώμεσθα μάχης: οἳ δ' αὐτοὶ δηριαάσθων.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας πάλιν ἐτράπετ': αἴδετο γάρ ῥα

πατροκασιγνήτοιο μιγήμεναι ἐν παλάμῃσι.

470τὸν δὲ κασιγνήτη μάλα νείκεσε πότνια θηρῶν

Transliteration

allote de phthinythousin akērioi. alla tachista

pauōmestha machēs: hoi d' autoi dēriaasthōn.

hōs ara phōnēsas palin etrapet': aideto gar rha

patrokasignētoio migēmenai en palamēisi.

470ton de kasignētē mala neikese potnia thērōn

English

Let us stay this fighting at once and let them settle it among themselves." He turned away as he spoke, for he would lay no hand on the brother of his own father.

Homeric Greek

Ἄρτεμις ἀγροτέρη, καὶ ὀνείδειον φάτο μῦθον:

φεύγεις δὴ ἑκάεργε, Ποσειδάωνι δὲ νίκην

πᾶσαν ἐπέτρεψας, μέλεον δέ οἱ εὖχος ἔδωκας:

νηπύτιε τί νυ τόξον ἔχεις ἀνεμώλιον αὔτως;

475μή σευ νῦν ἔτι πατρὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἀκούσω

Transliteration

Artemis agroterē, kai oneideion phato mython:

pheugeis dē hekaerge, Poseidaōni de nikēn

pasan epetrepsas, meleon de hoi euchos edōkas:

nēpytie ti ny toxon echeis anemōlion autōs;

475mē seu nyn eti patros eni megaroisin akousō

English

But his sister the huntress Artemis, patroness of wild beasts, was very angry with him and said, "So you would flee, Far-Darter, and hand victory over to Poseidon with a cheap vaunt to boot. Baby, why keep your bow thus idle?

Homeric Greek

εὐχομένου, ὡς τὸ πρὶν ἐν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν,

ἄντα Ποσειδάωνος ἐναντίβιον πολεμίζειν.

ὣς φάτο, τὴν δ' οὔ τι προσέφη ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων,

ἀλλὰ χολωσαμένη Διὸς αἰδοίη παράκοιτις

480νείκεσεν ἰοχέαιραν ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσι:

Transliteration

euchomenou, hōs to prin en athanatoisi theoisin,

anta Poseidaōnos enantibion polemizein.

hōs phato, tēn d' ou ti prosephē hekaergos Apollōn,

alla cholōsamenē Dios aidoiē parakoitis

480neikesen iocheairan oneideiois epeessi:

English

Never let me again hear you bragging in my father's house, as you have often done in the presence of the immortals, that you would stand up and fight with Poseidon." Apollo made her no answer, but Zeus' august queen was angry and upbraided her bitterly. "Bold vixen," she cried, "how dare you cross me thus?

Homeric Greek

πῶς δὲ σὺ νῦν μέμονας κύον ἀδεὲς ἀντί' ἐμεῖο

στήσεσθαι; χαλεπή τοι ἐγὼ μένος ἀντιφέρεσθαι

τοξοφόρῳ περ ἐούσῃ, ἐπεὶ σὲ λέοντα γυναιξὶ

Ζεὺς θῆκεν, καὶ ἔδωκε κατακτάμεν ἥν κ' ἐθέλῃσθα.

485ἤτοι βέλτερόν ἐστι κατ' οὔρεα θῆρας ἐναίρειν

Transliteration

pōs de sy nyn memonas kyon adees anti' emeio

stēsesthai; chalepē toi egō menos antipheresthai

toxophorōi per eousēi, epei se leonta gynaixi

Zeus thēken, kai edōke kataktamen hēn k' ethelēistha.

485ētoi belteron esti kat' ourea thēras enairein

English

For all your bow you will find it hard to hold your own against me. Zeus made you as a lion among women, and lets you kill them whenever you choose. You will And it better to chase wild beasts and deer upon the mountains than to fight those who are stronger than you are.

Homeric Greek

ἀγροτέρας τ' ἐλάφους ἢ κρείσσοσιν ἶφι μάχεσθαι.

εἰ δ' ἐθέλεις πολέμοιο δαήμεναι, ὄφρ' ἐὺ̈ εἰδῇς

ὅσσον φερτέρη εἴμ', ὅτι μοι μένος ἀντιφερίζεις.

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἀμφοτέρας ἐπὶ καρπῷ χεῖρας ἔμαρπτε

490σκαιῇ, δεξιτερῇ δ' ἄρ' ἀπ' ὤμων αἴνυτο τόξα,

Transliteration

agroteras t' elaphous ē kreissosin iphi machesthai.

ei d' etheleis polemoio daēmenai, ophr' eÿ eidēis

hosson pherterē eim', hoti moi menos antipherizeis.

ē rha, kai amphoteras epi karpōi cheiras emarpte

490skaiēi, dexiterēi d' ar' ap' ōmōn ainyto toxa,

English

If you would try war, do so, and find out by pitting yourself against me, how far stronger I am than you are." She caught both Artemis' wrists with her left hand as she spoke, and with her right she took the bow from her shoulders, and

Homeric Greek

αὐτοῖσιν δ' ἄρ' ἔθεινε παρ' οὔατα μειδιόωσα

ἐντροπαλιζομένην: ταχέες δ' ἔκπιπτον ὀϊστοί.

δακρυόεσσα δ' ὕπαιθα θεὰ φύγεν ὥς τε πέλεια,

ἥ ῥά θ' ὑπ' ἴρηκος κοίλην εἰσέπτατο πέτρην

495χηραμόν: οὐδ' ἄρα τῇ γε ἁλώμεναι αἴσιμον ἦεν:

Transliteration

autoisin d' ar' etheine par' ouata meidioōsa

entropalizomenēn: tachees d' ekpipton oïstoi.

dakryoessa d' hypaitha thea phygen hōs te peleia,

hē rha th' hyp' irēkos koilēn eiseptato petrēn

495chēramon: oud' ara tēi ge halōmenai aisimon ēen:

English

laughed as she beat her with it about the ears while Artemis wriggled and writhed under her blows. Her swift arrows were shed upon the ground, and she fled weeping from under Hera's hand as a dove that flies before a falcon to the cleft of some hollow rock, when it is her good fortune to escape.

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἣ δακρυόεσσα φύγεν, λίπε δ' αὐτόθι τόξα.

Λητὼ δὲ προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

Λητοῖ ἐγὼ δέ τοι οὔ τι μαχήσομαι: ἀργαλέον δὲ

πληκτίζεσθ' ἀλόχοισι Διὸς νεφεληγερέταο:

500ἀλλὰ μάλα πρόφρασσα μετ' ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν

Transliteration

hōs hē dakryoessa phygen, lipe d' autothi toxa.

Lētō de proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:

Lētoi egō de toi ou ti machēsomai: argaleon de

plēktizesth' alochoisi Dios nephelēgeretao:

500alla mala prophrassa met' athanatoisi theoisin

English

Even so did she flee weeping away, leaving her bow and arrows behind her. Then the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, said to Leto, "Leto, I shall not fight you; it is ill to come to blows with any of Zeus' wives.

Homeric Greek

εὔχεσθαι ἐμὲ νικῆσαι κρατερῆφι βίηφιν.

ὣς ἄρ' ἔφη, Λητὼ δὲ συναίνυτο καμπύλα τόξα

πεπτεῶτ' ἄλλυδις ἄλλα μετὰ στροφάλιγγι κονίης.

ἣ μὲν τόξα λαβοῦσα πάλιν κίε θυγατέρος ἧς:

505ἣ δ' ἄρ' Ὄλυμπον ἵκανε Διὸς ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ,

Transliteration

euchesthai eme nikēsai kraterēphi biēphin.

hōs ar' ephē, Lētō de synainyto kampyla toxa

pepteōt' allydis alla meta strophalingi koniēs.

hē men toxa labousa palin kie thygateros hēs:

505hē d' ar' Olympon hikane Dios poti chalkobates dō,

English

Therefore boast as you will among the immortals that you worsted me in fair fight." Leto then gathered up Artemis' bow and arrows that had fallen about amid the whirling dust, and when she had got them she made all haste after her daughter. Artemis had now reached Zeus' bronze-floored mansion on Olympus, and sat herself down with many tears on

Homeric Greek

δακρυόεσσα δὲ πατρὸς ἐφέζετο γούνασι κούρη,

ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ἀμβρόσιος ἑανὸς τρέμε: τὴν δὲ προτὶ οἷ

εἷλε πατὴρ Κρονίδης, καὶ ἀνείρετο ἡδὺ γελάσσας:

τίς νύ σε τοιάδ' ἔρεξε φίλον τέκος Οὐρανιώνων

510μαψιδίως, ὡς εἴ τι κακὸν ῥέζουσαν ἐνωπῇ;

Transliteration

dakryoessa de patros ephezeto gounasi kourē,

amphi d' ar' ambrosios heanos treme: tēn de proti hoi

heile patēr Kronidēs, kai aneireto hēdy gelassas:

tis ny se toiad' erexe philon tekos Ouraniōnōn

510mapsidiōs, hōs ei ti kakon rhezousan enōpēi;

English

the knees of her father, while her ambrosial raiment was quivering all about her. The son of Kronos drew her towards him, and laughing pleasantly the while began to question her saying, "Which of the heavenly beings, my dear child, has been treating you in this cruel manner, as though you had been misconducting yourself in the face of everybody?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπεν ἐϋστέφανος κελαδεινή:

σή μ' ἄλοχος στυφέλιξε πάτερ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

ἐξ ἧς ἀθανάτοισιν ἔρις καὶ νεῖκος ἐφῆπται.

ὣς οἳ μὲν τοιαῦτα πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἀγόρευον:

515αὐτὰρ Ἀπόλλων Φοῖβος ἐδύσετο Ἴλιον ἱρήν:

Transliteration

ton d' aute proseeipen eÿstephanos keladeinē:

sē m' alochos styphelixe pater leukōlenos Hērē,

ex hēs athanatoisin eris kai neikos ephēptai.

hōs hoi men toiauta pros allēlous agoreuon:

515autar Apollōn Phoibos edyseto Ilion hirēn:

English

and the fair-crowned goddess of the chase answered, "It was your wife Hera, father, who has been beating me; it is always her doing when there is any quarreling among the immortals." Thus did they converse, and meanwhile Phoebus Apollo entered the strong city of Ilion, for he was uneasy lest the wall

Homeric Greek

μέμβλετο γάρ οἱ τεῖχος ἐϋδμήτοιο πόληος

μὴ Δαναοὶ πέρσειαν ὑπὲρ μόρον ἤματι κείνῳ.

οἳ δ' ἄλλοι πρὸς Ὄλυμπον ἴσαν θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες,

οἳ μὲν χωόμενοι, οἳ δὲ μέγα κυδιόωντες:

520κὰδ δ' ἷζον παρὰ πατρὶ κελαινεφεῖ: αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

membleto gar hoi teichos eÿdmētoio polēos

mē Danaoi perseian hyper moron ēmati keinōi.

hoi d' alloi pros Olympon isan theoi aien eontes,

hoi men chōomenoi, hoi de mega kydioōntes:

520kad d' hizon para patri kelainephei: autar Achilleus

English

should not hold out and the Danaans should take the city then and there, before its hour had come; but the rest of the ever-living gods went back, some angry and some triumphant to Olympus, where they took their seats beside Zeus lord of the storm cloud, while Achilles still kept on dealing out

Homeric Greek

Τρῶας ὁμῶς αὐτούς τ' ὄλεκεν καὶ μώνυχας ἵππους.

ὡς δ' ὅτε καπνὸς ἰὼν εἰς οὐρανὸν εὐρὺν ἵκηται

ἄστεος αἰθομένοιο, θεῶν δέ ἑ μῆνις ἀνῆκε,

πᾶσι δ' ἔθηκε πόνον, πολλοῖσι δὲ κήδε' ἐφῆκεν,

525ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς Τρώεσσι πόνον καὶ κήδε' ἔθηκεν.

Transliteration

Trōas homōs autous t' oleken kai mōnychas hippous.

hōs d' hote kapnos iōn eis ouranon euryn hikētai

asteos aithomenoio, theōn de he mēnis anēke,

pasi d' ethēke ponon, polloisi de kēde' ephēken,

525hōs Achileus Trōessi ponon kai kēde' ethēken.

English

death alike on the Trojans and on their As when the smoke from some burning city ascends to heaven when the anger of the gods has kindled it - there is then toil for all, and sorrow for not a few - even so did Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans.

Homeric Greek

ἑστήκει δ' ὃ γέρων Πρίαμος θείου ἐπὶ πύργου,

ἐς δ' ἐνόησ' Ἀχιλῆα πελώριον: αὐτὰρ ὑπ' αὐτοῦ

Τρῶες ἄφαρ κλονέοντο πεφυζότες, οὐδέ τις ἀλκὴ

γίγνεθ': ὃ δ' οἰμώξας ἀπὸ πύργου βαῖνε χαμᾶζε

530ὀτρύνων παρὰ τεῖχος ἀγακλειτοὺς πυλαωρούς:

Transliteration

hestēkei d' ho gerōn Priamos theiou epi pyrgou,

es d' enoēs' Achilēa pelōrion: autar hyp' autou

Trōes aphar kloneonto pephyzotes, oude tis alkē

gigneth': ho d' oimōxas apo pyrgou baine chamaze

530otrynōn para teichos agakleitous pylaōrous:

English

Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall looking down on huge Achilles as the Trojans fled panic-stricken before him, and there was none to help them. Presently he came down from off the tower and with many a groan went along the wall to give orders to the brave warders of the gate.

Homeric Greek

πεπταμένας ἐν χερσὶ πύλας ἔχετ' εἰς ὅ κε λαοὶ

ἔλθωσι προτὶ ἄστυ πεφυζότες: ἦ γὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἐγγὺς ὅδε κλονέων: νῦν οἴω λοίγι' ἔσεσθαι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κ' ἐς τεῖχος ἀναπνεύσωσιν ἀλέντες,

535αὖτις ἐπανθέμεναι σανίδας πυκινῶς ἀραρυίας:

Transliteration

peptamenas en chersi pylas echet' eis ho ke laoi

elthōsi proti asty pephyzotes: ē gar Achilleus

engys hode kloneōn: nyn oiō loigi' esesthai.

autar epei k' es teichos anapneusōsin alentes,

535autis epanthemenai sanidas pykinōs araruias:

English

"Keep the gates," said he, "wide open till the people come fleeing into the city, for Achilles is hard by and is driving them in rout before him. I see we are in great peril. As soon as our people are inside and in safety, close the strong gates for I fear lest

Homeric Greek

δείδια γὰρ μὴ οὖλος ἀνὴρ ἐς τεῖχος ἅληται.

vὣς εἰπὼν Ἀχιλῆα ἀλεὶς μένεν, ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ

ἄλκιμον ὁρμᾶτο πτολεμίζειν ἠδὲ μάχεσθαι.

ἠύ̈τε πάρδαλις εἶσι βαθείης ἐκ ξυλόχοιο

540ἀνδρὸς θηρητῆρος ἐναντίον, οὐδέ τι θυμῷ

Transliteration

deidia gar mē oulos anēr es teichos halētai.

vhōs eipōn Achilēa aleis menen, en de hoi ētor

alkimon hormato ptolemizein ēde machesthai.

ēÿte pardalis eisi batheiēs ek xylochoio

540andros thērētēros enantion, oude ti thymōi

English

that terrible man should come bounding inside along with the others." As he spoke they drew back the bolts and opened the gates, and when these were opened there was a haven of refuge for the Trojans. Apollo then came full speed out of the city to meet them and protect them.

Homeric Greek

ταρβεῖ οὐδὲ φοβεῖται, ἐπεί κεν ὑλαγμὸν ἀκούσῃ:

εἴ περ γὰρ φθάμενός μιν ἢ οὐτάσῃ ἠὲ βάλῃσιν,

ἀλλά τε καὶ περὶ δουρὶ πεπαρμένη οὐκ ἀπολήγει

ἀλκῆς, πρίν γ' ἠὲ ξυμβλήμεναι ἠὲ δαμῆναι:

545ὣς Ἀντήνορος υἱὸς ἀγαυοῦ δῖος Ἀγήνωρ

Transliteration

tarbei oude phobeitai, epei ken hylagmon akousēi:

ei per gar phthamenos min ē outasēi ēe balēisin,

alla te kai peri douri peparmenē ouk apolēgei

alkēs, prin g' ēe xymblēmenai ēe damēnai:

545hōs Antēnoros huios agauou dios Agēnōr

English

Right for the city and the high wall, parched with thirst and grimy with dust, still they hurried on, with Achilles wielding his spear furiously behind them. For he was as one possessed, and was thirsting after glory. Then had the sons of the Achaeans taken the lofty gates of Troy if Apollo had not spurred on Agenor, valiant and noble son to Antenor.

Homeric Greek

οὐκ ἔθελεν φεύγειν, πρὶν πειρήσαιτ' Ἀχιλῆος.

ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἄρ' ἀσπίδα μὲν πρόσθ' ἔσχετο πάντοσ' ἐί̈σην,

ἐγχείῃ δ' αὐτοῖο τιτύσκετο, καὶ μέγ' ἀύ̈τει:

ἦ δή που μάλ' ἔολπας ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φαίδιμ' Ἀχιλλεῦ

550ἤματι τῷδε πόλιν πέρσειν Τρώων ἀγερώχων

Transliteration

ouk ethelen pheugein, prin peirēsait' Achilēos.

all' ho g' ar' aspida men prosth' escheto pantos' eïsēn,

encheiēi d' autoio titysketo, kai meg' aÿtei:

ē dē pou mal' eolpas eni phresi phaidim' Achilleu

550ēmati tōide polin persein Trōōn agerōchōn

English

He put courage into his heart, and stood by his side to guard him, leaning against a beech tree and shrouded in thick darkness. When Agenor saw Achilles he stood still and his heart was clouded with care.

Homeric Greek

νηπύτι': ἦ τ' ἔτι πολλὰ τετεύξεται ἄλγε' ἐπ' αὐτῇ.

ἐν γάρ οἱ πολέες τε καὶ ἄλκιμοι ἀνέρες εἰμέν,

οἳ καὶ πρόσθε φίλων τοκέων ἀλόχων τε καὶ υἱῶν

Ἴλιον εἰρυόμεσθα: σὺ δ' ἐνθάδε πότμον ἐφέψεις

555ὧδ' ἔκπαγλος ἐὼν καὶ θαρσαλέος πολεμιστής.

Transliteration

nēpyti': ē t' eti polla teteuxetai alge' ep' autēi.

en gar hoi polees te kai alkimoi aneres eimen,

hoi kai prosthe philōn tokeōn alochōn te kai huiōn

Ilion eiryomestha: sy d' enthade potmon ephepseis

555hōd' ekpaglos eōn kai tharsaleos polemistēs.

English

"Alas," said he to himself in his dismay, "if I flee before mighty Achilles, and go where all the others are being driven in rout, he will none the less catch me and kill me for a coward.

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ὀξὺν ἄκοντα βαρείης χειρὸς ἀφῆκε,

καί ῥ' ἔβαλε κνήμην ὑπὸ γούνατος οὐδ' ἀφάμαρτεν.

ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κνημὶς νεοτεύκτου κασσιτέροιο

σμερδαλέον κονάβησε: πάλιν δ' ἀπὸ χαλκὸς ὄρουσε

560βλημένου, οὐδ' ἐπέρησε, θεοῦ δ' ἠρύκακε δῶρα.

Transliteration

ē rha, kai oxyn akonta bareiēs cheiros aphēke,

kai rh' ebale knēmēn hypo gounatos oud' aphamarten.

amphi de hoi knēmis neoteuktou kassiteroio

smerdaleon konabēse: palin d' apo chalkos orouse

560blēmenou, oud' eperēse, theou d' ērykake dōra.

English

How would it be were I to let Achilles drive the others before him, and then flee from the wall to the plain that is behind Ilion till I reach the spurs of Ida and can hide in the underwood that is thereon? I could then wash the sweat from off me in the river and in the evening return to Ilion.

Homeric Greek

Πηλεί̈δης δ' ὁρμήσατ' Ἀγήνορος ἀντιθέοιο

δεύτερος: οὐδ' ἔτ' ἔασεν Ἀπόλλων κῦδος ἀρέσθαι,

ἀλλά μιν ἐξήρπαξε, κάλυψε δ' ἄρ' ἠέρι πολλῇ,

ἡσύχιον δ' ἄρα μιν πολέμου ἔκπεμπε νέεσθαι.

565αὐτὰρ ὃ Πηλεί̈ωνα δόλῳ ἀποέργαθε λαοῦ:

Transliteration

Pēleïdēs d' hormēsat' Agēnoros antitheoio

deuteros: oud' et' easen Apollōn kydos aresthai,

alla min exērpaxe, kalypse d' ar' ēeri pollēi,

hēsychion d' ara min polemou ekpempe neesthai.

565autar ho Pēleïōna dolōi apoergathe laou:

English

But why commune with myself in this way? Like enough he would see me as I am hurrying from the city over the plain, and would speed after me till he had caught me - I should stand no chance against him, for he is mightiest of all humankind.

Homeric Greek

αὐτῷ γὰρ ἑκάεργος Ἀγήνορι πάντα ἐοικὼς

ἔστη πρόσθε ποδῶν, ὃ δ' ἐπέσσυτο ποσσὶ διώκειν:

εἷος ὃ τὸν πεδίοιο διώκετο πυροφόροιο

τρέψας πὰρ ποταμὸν βαθυδινήεντα Σκάμανδρον

570τυτθὸν ὑπεκπροθέοντα: δόλῳ δ' ἄρ' ἔθελγεν Ἀπόλλων

Transliteration

autōi gar hekaergos Agēnori panta eoikōs

estē prosthe podōn, ho d' epessyto possi diōkein:

heios ho ton pedioio diōketo pyrophoroio

trepsas par potamon bathydinēenta Skamandron

570tytthon hypekprotheonta: dolōi d' ar' ethelgen Apollōn

English

What, then, if I go out and meet him in front of the city? His flesh too, I take it, can be pierced by pointed bronze. Life is the same in one and all, and men say that he is but mortal despite the triumph that Zeus son of Kronos grants him."

Homeric Greek

ὡς αἰεὶ ἔλποιτο κιχήσεσθαι ποσὶν οἷσι:

τόφρ' ἄλλοι Τρῶες πεφοβημένοι ἦλθον ὁμίλῳ

ἀσπάσιοι προτὶ ἄστυ, πόλις δ' ἔμπλητο ἀλέντων.

οὐδ' ἄρα τοί γ' ἔτλαν πόλιος καὶ τείχεος ἐκτὸς

575μεῖναι ἔτ' ἀλλήλους, καὶ γνώμεναι ὅς τε πεφεύγοι

Transliteration

hōs aiei elpoito kichēsesthai posin hoisi:

tophr' alloi Trōes pephobēmenoi ēlthon homilōi

aspasioi proti asty, polis d' emplēto alentōn.

oud' ara toi g' etlan polios kai teicheos ektos

575meinai et' allēlous, kai gnōmenai hos te pepheugoi

English

So saying he stood on his guard and awaited Achilles, for he was now fain to fight him. As a leopardess that bounds from out a thick covert to attack a hunter - she knows no fear and is not dismayed by the baying of the hounds; even though the man be too quick for her and wound her either with thrust or spear, still, though the spear has pierced her she will not give in till she has either caught him in her grip or been killed outright - even so did noble Agenor son of Antenor refuse to

Homeric Greek

ὅς τ' ἔθαν' ἐν πολέμῳ: ἀλλ' ἐσσυμένως ἐσέχυντο

ἐς πόλιν, ὅν τινα τῶν γε πόδες καὶ γοῦνα σαώσαι.

Transliteration

hos t' ethan' en polemōi: all' essymenōs esechynto

es polin, hon tina tōn ge podes kai gouna saōsai.

English

flee till he had made trial of Achilles, and took aim at him with his spear, holding his round shield before him and crying with a loud voice. "Of a truth," said he, "noble Achilles, you deem that you shall this day sack the city of the proud Trojans. Fool, there will be trouble enough yet before it, for there is many a brave man of us still inside who will stand in front of our dear parents with our wives and children, to defend Ilion. Here therefore, huge and mighty warrior though you be, here shall you cue.