Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
“Most terrible son of Saturn, what hast thou said? Well do we know that
thy might is invincible: yet do we lament the warlike Greeks, who will
now perish, fulfilling their evil destiny. But nevertheless, we will
desist from war, if thou desirest it. But we will suggest counsel to
the Greeks, which will avail them, that they may not all perish, thou
being wrathful.”
But her cloud-compelling Jove answering, addressed: “To-morrow, if thou
wilt, O venerable, large-eyed Juno, thou shalt behold the very powerful
son of Saturn even with greater havoc destroying the mighty army of the
warlike Greeks. For warlike Hector will not cease from battle before
that he arouse the swift-footed son of Peleus at the ships. On that
day, when they indeed are fighting at the ships, in a very narrow pass,
for Patroclus fallen. For thus is it fated. But I do not make account
of thee enraged, not if thou shouldst go to the furthest limits of land
and ocean, where Iapetus and Saturn sitting, are delighted neither with
the splendour of the sun that journeys on high, nor with the winds; but
profound Tartarus [is] all around—not even if wandering, thou shouldst
go there, have I regard for thee enraged, since there is nothing more
impudent than thou.”
Thus he said: but white-armed Juno answered nought. And the bright
light of the sun fell into the ocean, drawing dark night over the
fruitful earth. 286 The light set to the Trojans indeed unwilling; but
gloomy and much-desired light came on, grateful to the Greeks.
Footnote 286: (return) Beautifully expressed by Ennius apud Macrob.
Sat. vi. 4: “Interea fax Occidit, Oceanumque rubra tractim obruit
æthra.” See Columna on Εnn. p. 113, ed. Hessel.
But illustrious Hector then formed a council of the Trojans, having led
them apart from the ships, at the eddying river, in a clear space,
where the place appeared free from dead bodies. But alighting to the
ground from their horses, they listened to the speech which Hector,
beloved of Jove, uttered. In his hand he held a spear of eleven cubits:
and before him shone the golden point of the spear, and a golden ring
surrounded it. Leaning on this, he spoke winged words:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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