The Iliad of Homer Part 28

[Footnote 416: See the learned remarks of Duport, p. 76, sq. To quote parallel pa.s.sages would be endless.]

[Footnote 417: Literally, "from the roots." So ???eta?--p???e???a, Tryphiodor. 388. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t.

ii. p. 1029; Apoll. Lex. p. 676.]

[Footnote 418: See b.u.t.tm. Lexil. p. 523. The f???? formed a socket for the plume.]

[Footnote 419: Lit. "tower-wise," forming a solid square.]

So saying, he aroused the might and courage of each. But Dephobus, the son of Priam, walked amongst them, high-minded, and he held his s.h.i.+eld equal on all sides before him, proceeding with light step, and advancing under protection of his s.h.i.+eld. Then Meriones took aim with his s.h.i.+ning spear, and struck him (nor did he miss) upon the bull's-hide s.h.i.+eld, equal on all sides, which he did not pierce; for the long spear, far before was broken at the socket. But Dephobus held his bull's-hide s.h.i.+eld far from him, for he dreaded in his mind the spear of warlike Meriones; but that hero fell back into the column of his companions, for he was grievously enraged on both accounts, both for [the loss] of the victory, and of the spear which he had broken. Accordingly he proceeded to pa.s.s by the tents and s.h.i.+ps of the Greeks, to bring a long spear which had been left in his tent; whilst the others fought, and a mighty tumult arose.

Then Telamonian Teucer first slew a hero, the warrior Imbrius, son of Mentor, rich in steeds; and he dwelt at Pedaeum before the sons of the Greeks arrived, and had married Medesicaste, the illegitimate daughter of Priam. But when the equally-plied s.h.i.+ps of the Greeks arrived, he came back to Ilium, and excelled among the Trojans; and dwelt with Priam, who honoured him equally with his sons. Him the son of Telamon smote under the ear with his long javelin, and plucked out the spear; but he indeed fell, like an ash, which, on the summit of a mountain conspicuous from afar, cut down with a brazen axe, strews its tender foliage on the earth. Thus he fell, and his armour, variegated with bra.s.s, rang about him. Then Teucer rushed on, eager to strip him of his armour; but Hector hurled his s.h.i.+ning spear at him, hastening. He, however, seeing it from the opposite side, avoided, by a small s.p.a.ce, the brazen spear; and [Hector] wounded with his javelin, on the breast, Amphimachus, son of Cteas, the son of Actor, advancing to the battle; and, falling, he gave a crash, and his arms rang upon him. Then Hector rushed to tear from the head of magnanimous Amphimachus the helmet fitted to his temples, but Ajax hurled with his s.h.i.+ning spear at Hector, rus.h.i.+ng on. Yet it never reached his body, for he was protected all over with terrible bra.s.s; but he smote him upon the boss of the s.h.i.+eld, and repulsed him with great violence; and he retired from both bodies, and the Greeks drew them away. Then Stichius and n.o.ble Menestheus, the leaders of the Athenians, carried Amphimachus to the army of the Greeks, but the two Ajaces, eager for impetuous combat, [carried] Imbrius. As two lions bear a goat through the thick copse-wood, s.n.a.t.c.hing it from the sharp-toothed dogs, holding it high above the earth in their jaws; so the two warriors, the Ajaces, holding him [Imbrius] aloft, stripped off his armour; but the son of Oleus, enraged on account of Amphimachus, severed his head from his tender neck, and sent it rolling like a ball through the crowd; but it fell before the feet of Hector in the dust.

Then indeed was Neptune grieved at heart for his grandson, slain in the grievous fight; and he proceeded to go along the tents and s.h.i.+ps of the Greeks, exhorting the Greeks, and prepared disasters for the Trojans.

But spear-renowned Idomeneus then met him, returning from a companion who had lately come to him from the battle, wounded in the ham with the sharp bra.s.s, whom his comrades had carried in, and he, having given directions to the surgeons, was returning from his tent; for he still desired to partic.i.p.ate in the fight. Him king Neptune addressed, a.s.similating himself, as to his voice, to Thoas, son of Andraemon, who governed the aetolians throughout all Pleuron and lofty Calydon, and who was honoured by the people as a G.o.d:

"Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the Cretans, where indeed are the threats gone, with which the sons of the Greeks threatened the Trojans?" Whom again in return, Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, addressed: "No man, O Thoas, as far as I know, is at present to blame; for we are all skilled in warring. Neither does disheartening fear detain any one, nor does any one, yielding to sloth, s.h.i.+rk evil strife; but thus, doubtless, it will be agreeable to the all-powerful son of Saturn, that here, far away from Argos, the Greeks shall perish inglorious. But, Thoas--for formerly thou wast warlike, and urged on others when thou didst behold them negligent--so now desist not thyself, but exhort each man."

But him earth-shaking Neptune then answered: "Never may that man, O Idomeneus, return from Troy, but let him here be the sport of the dogs, whosoever voluntarily this day shall relax from fighting. But come, taking up arms, advance hither; for it behoves us to hasten these things, if we may be of any service, although but two; for useful is the valour of men, even the very pusillanimous, if combined, whereas we both understand how to fight even with the brave."

So saying, the G.o.d departed again to the toil of heroes. But Idomeneus, when now he had reached his well-made tent, put on his rich armour around his body, and seized two spears, and hastened to go, like unto the lightning, which the son of Saturn, seizing in his hand, brandishes from glittering Olympus, showing a sign to mortals; and brilliant are its rays: so shone the bra.s.s around the breast of him running. Then Meriones, his good attendant, met him yet near the tent,--for he was going to fetch a brazen spear; and the strength of Idomeneus addressed him:

"Meriones, son of Molus, swift of foot, dearest of my companions, why comest thou thus, quitting the war and the contest? Art thou at all wounded, and does the point of a spear afflict thee? Or comest thou to me on any message? For I myself am not desirous to sit within my tent, but to fight."

But him prudent Meriones in turn answered: "Idomeneus, thou counsellor of the brazen-mailed Cretans, I come, if there be any spear left within thy tents, to take it: because I indeed have broken that which I formerly had, having struck the s.h.i.+eld of ferocious Dephobus." Whom again in turn Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, addressed: "Thou wilt find, if thou desirest [to select from them], one-and-twenty spears standing in my tent against the s.h.i.+ning walls, which I have taken from the slain Trojans; for I affirm that I do not fight with hostile men, standing at a distance from them. Hence I have both spears, and bossy s.h.i.+elds, and helmets, and corslets, brightly polished."

But him again prudent Meriones addressed in turn: "At my tent also and black s.h.i.+p are there many spoils of the Trojans; but they are not near, so that I might take them. For neither do I conceive that I am forgetful of valour, but I stand among the foremost in glory-giving battle, whenever the contest of war has arisen. I am rather un.o.bserved perhaps, when fighting by some other of the brazen-mailed Greeks; but I think that thou knowest me."

Whom again Idomeneus, leader of the Cretans, addressed in turn: "I know what thou art as to valour: what necessity is there for thee to enumerate these things? For if now all we the bravest at the s.h.i.+ps should be selected for an ambuscade, where the courage of men is especially distinguished, where both the coward as well as the brave man is made apparent--for the complexion of the coward on the one hand is changed from this to that, nor is his heart calm within his bosom, so that he can rest without trembling, but he s.h.i.+fts his position, and sits upon both his feet, whilst his heart greatly palpitates within his breast, as he is expecting death; and a chattering of his teeth arises.

But neither is the complexion of the brave man changed, nor is he at all disturbed, after he first sits down in the ambush of heroes; but he burns to be mingled with all haste in direful fight--[no one], in that case, would find fault with thy courage and might. For if, labouring [in the battle], thou wert wounded from a distance, or smitten in close fight, the weapon would not fall upon thy neck behind, nor upon thy back; but it would pierce through either thy breast, or thy stomach, as thou wast rus.h.i.+ng forward amid the conflict[420] of foremost combatants.

But come, no longer let us speak of these things, standing like infatuated persons, lest perhaps some one chide us inordinately; but do thou, going to the tent, take a strong spear."

[Footnote 420: Hesych. ?a??st?? ????. Etym. ?. fol. 131, ?. 2.

'??t? t?? ev t? t?? t??ta????st?? o???? (which is its proper meaning, as derived from oa?) ?a? s??a?ast?of?.]

Thus be spake, and Meriones, equal to swift Mars, quickly took from the tent a brazen spear; and he went along with Idomeneus, very eager for war. But as man-destroying Mars enters the battle--with whom Terror, his dear son, at the same time powerful and undismayed, follows, who strikes fear into the warrior even of resolute soul: these indeed are armed from Thrace, along with the Ephyri or with the magnanimous Phlegyans; neither do they hear both, but they give glory to one or the other--so Meriones and Idomeneus, leaders of heroes, advanced to battle equipped with helmets of glittering bra.s.s; and Meriones first addressed him in these words:

"Son of Deucalion, where dost thou meditate to enter the throng? To the right of all the army, or at the centre, or upon the left? Since nowhere [else][421] in the battle do I conceive that the long-haired Greeks so much require support."

[Footnote 421: _I.e._ nowhere so much as on the left.]

But him Idomeneus, the leader of the Cretans, in turn addressed: "Among the centre s.h.i.+ps indeed there are others to aid them, both the Ajaces and Teucer, who is the most skilful of the Greeks in archery, and brave also in standing fight; who will sufficiently hara.s.s, even to satiety, Hector, the son of Priam, although most urgent of battle, and although being very gallant. Hard will it be for him, although very desirous of fighting, having overpowered their strength and invincible hands, to fire the s.h.i.+ps, unless the son of Saturn himself cast a flaming torch upon the swift s.h.i.+ps. Nor indeed will mighty Telamonian Ajax yield to any man who may be a mortal, and who may eat the fruit of Ceres, who is vulnerable by bra.s.s and by large stones. Not even to warlike Achilles would he give way, at least in standing fight; but in speed he is by no means able to contend with him. Guide us, therefore, to the left of the army that we may quickly know whether we shall afford glory to any one, or any one to us."

Thus he spoke. But Meriones, equal to rapid Mars, began to proceed, until he came to [that part of] the army whither he had ordered him. But they, when they beheld Idomeneus, like unto a flame in might, both him and his attendant, in variously-wrought armour, they all, exhorting one another along the crowd, advanced against him, and an equal contest arose at the sterns of their s.h.i.+ps. And as when storms sweep along, [driven] by the shrill winds, on a day when the dust around the roads [is] very abundant, and they at the same time raise up a large cloud of dust; so came on the battle of these together, and they were eager in their minds to slaughter one another throughout the throng with the sharp bra.s.s. And the mortal-destroying combat bristles with the long spears which they held, flesh-rending; and the brazen splendour from the gleaming helmets, the newly-burnished corslets, and the s.h.i.+ning s.h.i.+elds, coming together, dazzled their eyes. Very brave-hearted would he be who, when beholding their toil, could have rejoiced, and would not be disturbed.

But the two powerful sons of Saturn, favouring different sides, planned grievous toils for the heroes. On the one hand, Jove willed victory to the Trojans and to Hector, glorifying swift-footed Achilles; yet he desired not entirely to destroy the Grecian people before Ilium, but was honouring Thetis and her magnanimous son. On the other hand, Neptune, coming amongst them, encouraged the Greeks, having secretly emerged from the h.o.a.ry deep; for he grieved that they should be subdued by the Trojans, and he was greatly indignant with Jove. The same race indeed was to both, and the same lineage, but Jove was born first,[422] and knew more. For this reason [Neptune] avoided aiding them openly, but always kept privately inciting them through the army, a.s.similated to a man. They indeed alternately stretched over both the cord of vehement contest and equally destructive war, irrefragable and indissoluble, which relaxed the knees of many. Then, although half-h.o.a.ry Idomeneus, encouraging the Greeks, rus.h.i.+ng upon the Trojans, created night; for he slew Othryoneus, who had come from Cabesus, staying within [Priam's house].[423] He had lately come after the rumour of the war, and demanded Ca.s.sandra, the most beautiful in form of the daughters of Priam, without a dowry; and he had promised a mighty deed, to repulse in spite of themselves the sons of the Greeks from Troy. But to him aged Priam had promised her, and pledged himself[424] to give her; therefore he fought, trusting in these promises. But Idomeneus took aim at him with his s.h.i.+ning spear, and hurling it, struck him, strutting proudly; nor did the brazen corslet which he wore resist it, but he fixed it in the middle of his stomach. And falling, he gave a crash, and [the other] boasted and said:

"Othryoneus! above all men indeed do I praise thee, if thou wilt now in truth accomplish all which thou hast undertaken for Dardanian Priam: but he also promised thee his daughter. We likewise, promising these things, will accomplish them to thee. We will give thee the most beautiful in form of the daughters of the son of Atreus to wed, bringing her from Argos, if along with us thou wilt destroy the well-inhabited city of Ilium. But follow, that we may treat with thee respecting the marriage of the sea-traversing s.h.i.+ps; since we are by no means bad brothers-in-law."

[Footnote 422: Heyne compares xiv. 204. The Erinnys were supposed to avenge any disrespect offered to an elder brother by a younger.]

[Footnote 423: Literally, "being within from Cabesus."]

[Footnote 424: Lit. "bowed a.s.sent."]

So saying, the hero Idomeneus dragged him by the foot through the brisk battle. But to him Asius came as an avenger, on foot, before his steeds; which his attendant charioteer always kept breathing over his shoulders;[425] and in his mind he longed to strike Idomeneus, but he (Idomeneus) antic.i.p.ating him, smote him with his spear in the throat, below the chin, and drove the bra.s.s quite through. And he fell, as when some oak falls, or white poplar,[426] or towering[427] pine, which timber-workers have cut down upon the mountains with lately-whetted axes, to become s.h.i.+p timber. So he lay, stretched out before his horses and chariot, gnas.h.i.+ng his teeth, grasping the b.l.o.o.d.y dust. But the charioteer was deprived of the senses which he previously had, nor dared he turn back the horses that he might escape from the hands of the enemy: but him warlike Antilochus, striking, transfixed in the middle with his spear; nor did the brazen corslet which he wore resist, but he fixed it in the centre of his stomach. Then, panting, he fell from the well-made chariot-seat, and Antilochus, the son of magnanimous Nestor, drove away the horses from the Trojans to the well-armed Greeks. But Dephobus, enraged on account of Asius, drew very near to Idomeneus, and hurled with his s.h.i.+ning spear. Idomeneus, however, having perceived it opposite, avoided the brazen spear, for he was concealed behind his s.h.i.+eld equal on all sides, which he bore, constructed of the hides of bulls, and glittering bra.s.s, fitted with two handles. Behind this he collected himself entirely, and the brazen spear flew over him. But the s.h.i.+eld returned a dry[428] sound, the spear grazing it obliquely. Yet he (Dephobus) sent it not in vain from his heavy hand, but he struck Hypsenor, son of Hippasus. the shepherd of the people, upon the liver, below the breast, and straightway relaxed his knees under him. But Dephobus vainly boasted over him, loudly exclaiming:

[Footnote 425: _I.e._ close by Asius (?at' ???), he having descended for the purpose of rescuing the body of Othryoneus.--Kennedy.]

[Footnote 426: "? ?e???, populus alba."--Heyne.]

[Footnote 427: ??????? is connected with ??s??, as ?????? with ??tt?. See b.u.t.tm. Lexil. p. 194. Hesych.: ??????' e?a????, ?

p???a????sa ?a? ??? ???s???sa. Schol. on Apoll. Rhod. i. 322: ??t?? ?????? ?????, t?? ???? t?? a?????? ???s???sa?.]

[Footnote 428: So v. 441: a??? ??se?. So "aridus sonus," in Lucret. vi, 113; "aridus fragor," Virg. Georg. I. 357, noticed by Quintil. I.O. viii. 3. A dry, grating, half-crackling sound is meant.]

"Surely not unavenged lies Asius; I rather think that he will rejoice in his mind, though going into the strong-gated, ma.s.sy [dwelling] of Hades, since I have given him a guide."

Thus he spoke; but grief came upon the Greeks at his boasting, and it particularly agitated the mind of warlike Antilochus. Yet, grieved as he was, he neglected not his companion, but running, he protected him, and covered him over with his s.h.i.+eld. Him then his two dear companions, Mecisteus, son of Echius, and n.o.ble Alastor, supporting, bore to the hollow s.h.i.+ps, deeply groaning. In the meantime Idomeneus ceased not his mighty valour; but always burned either to cover some of the Trojans with pitchy night,[429] or himself to fall with a crash, repelling destruction from the Greeks. Then the hero Alcathous, the beloved son of aesyetas (and he was the son-in-law of Anchises, for he had married Hippodamia, the eldest of his daughters, whom her father and venerable mother loved from their hearts, whilst in their home, because she excelled all of her age in beauty, in accomplishments, and prudence, for which reason also the most distinguished man in wide Troy had wedded her), him Neptune subdued under Idomeneus, having dimmed his s.h.i.+ning eyes, and fettered his fair limbs. For he was able neither to fly back nor to turn aside, but him, standing motionless, like a pillar or lofty-branching tree, the hero Idomeneus wounded with his spear in the middle of the breast, and burst the brazen coat around him, which formerly warded off destruction from his body: but then it sent forth a dry sound, severed by the spear. Falling, he gave a crash, and the spear was fixed in his heart, which, palpitating, shook even the extremity of the spear; and there at length the impetuous Mars[430] spent its force.

But Idomeneus boasted prodigiously over him, loudly exclaiming:

[Footnote 429: _I.e._ death.]

[Footnote 430: Here put for the weapon.]

"Dephobus! do we judge rightly that it is a fair return, that three should be slain for one, since thus thou boastest? But do thou thyself also, wretch, stand against me, that thou mayest know of what nature I am, who have come hither the offspring of Jove, who first begat Minos, the guardian of Crete. Minos again begat Deucalion, his blameless son, and Deucalion begat me, king over many men in wide Crete. But now the s.h.i.+ps have brought me hither, an evil both to thee and to thy father, and the other Trojans."

Thus he spoke, but Dephobus hesitated between two opinions, whether, falling back, he should join to himself some one of the magnanimous Trojans, or make trial although alone. But to him, thus deliberating, it appeared preferable to go in search of aeneas; whom he found standing at the rear of the army, for he was ever indignant with n.o.ble Priam, because he by no means honoured him, though being valiant among heroes.

And, standing near, he addressed to him winged words:

"aeneas, thou counsellor of the Trojans, now does it greatly behove thee to aid thy brother-in-law, if indeed any regard reaches thee. But follow, let us bring aid to Alcathous, who, being thy brother-in-law, nourished thee whilst very young, in his palace, and whom spear-famed Idomeneus hath slain."

Thus he spoke, and roused the courage in his breast, and he, greatly desirous of battle, went to meet Idomeneus. Yet fear seized not Idomeneus like a tender boy, but he stood still, like a boar in the mountains, confident in his prowess, and who abides the mighty din of men advancing against him, in a desert place,[431] and bristles up his back; his eyes, too, gleam with fire, and he whets his teeth, eager to keep at bay both dogs and men. So spear-renowned Idomeneus awaited aeneas, swift in the battle-din, coming against him, nor retired; but he shouted to his companions, looking to Ascalaphus, and Aphareus, and Depyrus, and Meriones, and Antilochus, skilful in fight. Exhorting these, he addressed to them winged words:

[Footnote 431: Or, "in the sheep-pasture."]

"Hither, my friends, and aid me alone, for I greatly dread swift-footed aeneas, rus.h.i.+ng on, who is coming upon me; who is very powerful to slay men in battle, and possesses the bloom of youth, which is the greatest strength. For if we were of the same age, with the spirit that I now possess, quickly would either he bear off great glory, or I would."

Thus he spoke; but they all, having one determination in their minds, stood near him, inclining their s.h.i.+elds upon their shoulders. aeneas, on the other hand, animated his companions, looking towards Dephobus, Paris, and n.o.ble Agenor, who, together with himself, were leaders of the Trojans. These also the people followed, as sheep follow from their pasture after the ram in order to drink; and the shepherd then is rejoiced in his mind. So was the soul of aeneas gladdened in his breast, when he beheld a body of troops following himself. These therefore engaged in close fight round Alcathous with long spears, whilst the bra.s.s resounded horribly on the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of them, aiming at each other through the crowd. But two warlike men, conspicuous among the rest, aeneas and Idomeneus, equal to Mars, longed to lacerate each other's flesh with the ruthless bra.s.s. But aeneas first hurled his javelin at Idomeneus; but he, perceiving it opposite, avoided the brazen spear; and the spear of aeneas sank quivering into the earth; for it fled in vain from his st.u.r.dy hand. Idomeneus next smote nomaus in the middle of the stomach, and the spear burst the cavity of his corslet, and penetrating, drank his entrails through; but falling amid the dust, he grasped the earth with the hollow of his hand. Then Idomeneus plucked out the long spear from his body, but was unable to tear off the other rich armour from his shoulders, for he was pressed hard by weapons. For no longer were the sinews of his feet firm as he rushed, either to hasten on after his own dart,[432] or avoid [that of another]. Wherefore also in standing fight, he warded off the fatal day, nor did his feet any longer bear him with ease in retreating from the battle. But against him, gradually retiring, Dephobus took aim with his glittering spear, for he ever had a rooted hatred towards him. But then too he missed, and struck with his javelin Ascalaphus, the son of Mars, and drove the stout spear through his shoulder; and tailing amid the dust, he grasped the earth with his hand.

[Footnote 432: So as to recover it.]

Not yet, however, had loudly-roaring,[433] impetuous Mars heard that his son had fallen in the violent fight; but he sat upon the summit of Olympus, beneath golden clouds, excluded [from the battle] by the will of Jove, where also the other immortal G.o.ds were restrained from the war. In the meantime they engaged in close fight round Ascalaphus.

Dephobus indeed tore the s.h.i.+ning helmet from Ascalaphus; and Meriones, equal to swift Mars, springing [upon him], smote [him] with his spear in the arm, and the crested[434] casque, falling from his hand, rang upon the earth. Immediately Meriones, leaping upon him like a vulture, plucked out the tough spear from the lower part of his arm, and retired back again into the crowd of his comrades. But him Polites, his own brother, throwing his hands round his waist, carried out of the dread-sounding battle, till he reached his fleet steeds, which awaited him in the rear of the combat and the war, having both a charioteer and a variegated car; which then carried him towards the city, groaning heavily [and] afflicted; and the blood flowed from his recently-wounded hand: but the others kept fighting, and an unquenchable clamour arose.

Then aeneas rus.h.i.+ng upon Aphareus, the son of Caletor, smote him with his sharp spear upon the throat, when turned towards him. And his head was bent to one side, then his s.h.i.+eld clung to him, and his helmet; and around him life-destroying death was spread. Antilochus, however, observing Thoas turning around, attacking, wounded him; and cut away all the vein, which, running quite along the back, reaches to the neck. All this he cut off; but he fell on his back in the dust, stretching out both hands to his beloved companions. Then Antilochus sprang upon him, and stripped the armour from his shoulders, looking around; for the Trojans surrounding him, struck his wide and ornamented s.h.i.+eld with their darts, nor were they able to graze with the dire bra.s.s the tender body of Antilochus within it; because earth-shaking Neptune protected the son of Nestor all round, even amongst many weapons. For never indeed was he apart from the enemy, but he turned himself about among them: nor did he hold his spear without motion, but continually moving, it was whirled about; and he prepared within his mind, either to hurl it at some one afar off, or to rush upon some one close at hand. But meditating these things amid the throng, he escaped not the notice of Adamas, the son of Asias, who smote him in the middle of his s.h.i.+eld with the sharp bra.s.s, attacking him in close combat; but azure-haired Neptune weakened the spear, grudging[435] him the life [of Antilochus]. Part of it remained there, like a stake burned in the fire,[436] in the s.h.i.+eld of Antilochus, and the other half lay upon the ground; whilst he gave backwards into the crowd of his companions, shunning death. Meriones, however, following him departing, smote him with his spear between the private parts and the navel, where a wound[437] is particularly painful to miserable mortals. There he fixed the spear in him; and he falling, struggled panting around the spear, as an ox, when cowherds in the mountains, forcibly binding him with twisted cords, lead [him] away unwilling. So he, wounded, throbbed, though but for a short time, and not very long, until the hero Meriones coming near, plucked the spear from his body; and darkness veiled his eyes. But Helenas, close at hand, struck Depyrus upon the temple with his huge Thracian sword, and cut away the three-coned helmet; which, being dashed off, fell upon the ground; and some one of the combating Greeks lifted it up, having rolled between his feet; whilst dim night enveloped his eyes. Then grief seized the son of Atreus, Menelaus, brave in the din of battle, and he advanced, threatening the hero, king Helenus; brandis.h.i.+ng his sharp spear, whilst the other drew the horn of his bow. Together then they darted, the one eager to launch his fir-tree spear, and the other an arrow from the string. Then indeed the son of Priam smote him in the breast with an arrow, on the cavity of the corslet, but the bitter shaft rebounded. As when from the broad winnowing-fan in a large thres.h.i.+ng-floor, the black-coated beans or vetches leap at the shrill blast, and the force of the winnower; so, strongly repulsed by the corslet of glorious Menelaus, the bitter arrow flew afar. But Menelaus, the son of Atreus, brave in the din of battle, smote him upon the hand which held his well-polished bow; and in the bow the brazen spear was fixed from the opposite side, through his hand. Then he retired back into the crowd of his companions, avoiding death, hanging down his hand at his side, but the ashen spear was trailed along with him. And then magnanimous Agenor extracted it from his hand, and bound [the hand]

itself sling-ways in well-twisted sheep's wool, which his attendant carried for the shepherd of the people.

[Footnote 433: ????p???=????d??p??. The Schol. on Apoll. Rh. iii.

860, observes: ???, ?p?t?se?? ?st??, ?? t? ????p???.]