按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
fast as his limbs could take him。 As country peasants set their hounds
on to a homed stag or wild goat… he has taken shelter under rock or
thicket； and they cannot find him； but； lo； a bearded lion whom
their shouts have roused stands in their path； and they are in no
further humour for the chase… even so the Achaeans were still charging
on in a body； using their swords and spears pointed at both ends；
but when they saw Hector going about among his men they were afraid；
and their hearts fell down into their feet。
Then spoke Thoas son of Andraemon； leader of the Aetolians； a man
who could throw a good throw； and who was staunch also in close fight；
while few could surpass him in debate when opinions were divided。 He
then with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus： 〃What； in
heaven's name； do I now see？ Is it not Hector come to life again？
Every one made sure he had been killed by Ajax son of Telamon； but
it seems that one of the gods has again rescued him。 He has killed
many of us Danaans already； and I take it will yet do so； for the hand
of Jove must be with him or he would never dare show himself so
masterful in the forefront of the battle。 Now； therefore； let us all
do as I say； let us order the main body of our forces to fall back
upon the ships； but let those of us who profess to be the flower of
the army stand firm； and see whether we cannot hold Hector back at the
point of our spears as soon as he comes near us； I conceive that he
will then think better of it before he tries to charge into the
press of the Danaans。〃
Thus did he speak； and they did even as he had said。 Those who
were about Ajax and King Idomeneus； the followers moreover of
Teucer； Meriones； and Meges peer of Mars called all their best men
about them and sustained the fight against Hector and the Trojans； but
the main body fell back upon the ships of the Achaeans。
The Trojans pressed forward in a dense body； with Hector striding on
at their head。 Before him went Phoebus Apollo shrouded in cloud
about his shoulders。 He bore aloft the terrible aegis with its
shaggy fringe； which Vulcan the smith had given Jove to strike
terror into the hearts of men。 With this in his hand he led on the
Trojans。
The Argives held together and stood their ground。 The cry of
battle rose high from either side； and the arrows flew from the
bowstrings。 Many a spear sped from strong hands and fastened in the
bodies of many a valiant warrior； while others fell to earth midway；
before they could taste of man's fair flesh and glut themselves with
blood。 So long as Phoebus Apollo held his aegis quietly and without
shaking it； the weapons on either side took effect and the people
fell； but when he shook it straight in the face of the Danaans and
raised his mighty battle…cry their hearts fainted within them and they
forgot their former prowess。 As when two wild beasts spring in the
dead of night on a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep when the
herdsman is not there… even so were the Danaans struck helpless； for
Apollo filled them with panic and gave victory to Hector and the
Trojans。
The fight then became more scattered and they killed one another
where they best could。 Hector killed Stichius and Arcesilaus； the one；
leader of the Boeotians； and the other； friend and comrade of
Menestheus。 Aeneas killed Medon and Iasus。 The first was bastard son
to Oileus； and brother to Ajax； but he lived in Phylace away from
his own country； for he had killed a man； a kinsman of his
stepmother Eriopis whom Oileus had married。 Iasus had become a
leader of the Athenians； and was son of Sphelus the son of Boucolos。
Polydamas killed Mecisteus； and Polites Echius； in the front of the
battle； while Agenor slew Clonius。 Paris struck Deiochus from behind
in the lower part of the shoulder； as he was flying among the
foremost； and the point of the spear went clean through him。
While they were spoiling these heroes of their armour； the
Achaeans were flying pellmell to the trench and the set stakes； and
were forced back within their wall。 Hector then cried out to the
Trojans； 〃Forward to the ships； and let the spoils be。 If I see any
man keeping back on the other side the wall away from the ships I will
have him killed： his kinsmen and kinswomen shall not give him his dues
of fire； but dogs shall tear him in pieces in front of our city。〃
As he spoke he laid his whip about his horses' shoulders and
called to the Trojans throughout their ranks； the Trojans shouted with
a cry that rent the air； and kept their horses neck and neck with
his own。 Phoebus Apollo went before； and kicked down the banks of
the deep trench into its middle so as to make a great broad bridge； as
broad as the throw of a spear when a man is trying his strength。 The
Trojan battalions poured over the bridge； and Apollo with his
redoubtable aegis led the way。 He kicked down the wall of the Achaeans
as easily as a child who playing on the sea…shore has built a house of
sand and then kicks it down again and destroys it… even so did you；
O Apollo； shed toil and trouble upon the Argives； filling them with
panic and confusion。
Thus then were the Achaeans hemmed in at their ships； calling out to
one another and raising their hands with loud cries every man to
heaven。 Nestor of Gerene； tower of strength to the Achaeans； lifted up
his hands to the starry firmament of heaven； and prayed more fervently
than any of them。 〃Father Jove；〃 said he； 〃if ever any one in
wheat…growing Argos burned you fat thigh…bones of sheep or heifer
and prayed that he might return safely home； whereon you bowed your
head to him in assent； bear it in mind now； and suffer not the Trojans
to triumph thus over the Achaeans。〃
All counselling Jove thundered loudly in answer to die prayer of the
aged son of Neleus。 When the heard Jove thunder they flung
themselves yet more fiercely on the Achaeans。 As a wave breaking
over the bulwarks of a ship when the sea runs high before a gale…
for it is the force of the wind that makes the waves so great… even so
did the Trojans spring over the wall with a shout； and drive their
chariots onwards。 The two sides fought with their double…pointed
spears in hand…to…hand encounter…the Trojans from their chariots；
and the Achaeans climbing up into their ships and wielding the long
pikes that were lying on the decks ready for use in a sea…fight；
jointed and shod with bronze。
Now Patroclus； so long as the Achaeans and Trojans were fighting
about the wall； but were not yet within it and at the ships；
remained sitting in the tent of good Eurypylus； entertaining him
with his conversation and spreading herbs over his wound to ease his
pain。 When； however； he saw the Trojans swarming through the breach in
the wall； while the Achaeans were clamouring and struck with panic； he
cried aloud； and smote his two thighs with the flat of his hands。
〃Eurypylus；〃 said he in his dismay； 〃I know you want me badly； but I
cannot stay with you any longer； for there is hard fighting going
on； a servant shall take care of you now； for I must make all speed to
Achilles； and induce him to fight if I can； who knows but with
heaven's help I may