Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
He fell in the dust, and springing into his chariot, I
then stood among the foremost combatants; but the magnanimous Epeans
fled terrified in different directions when they beheld the hero
fallen, the leader of their cavalry, he who was the best to fight. But
I rushed upon them like unto a black whirlwind; and I took fifty
chariots, and in each two men bit the ground with their teeth,
vanquished by my spear. And now indeed I should have slain the youthful
Molions, the sons 385 of Actor, had not their sire, wide-ruling
Neptune, covering them with a thick haze, preserved them from the war.
Then Jove delivered into the hands of the Pylians great strength, for
so long did we follow them through the long 386 plain, both slaying
them, and gathering up rich armour, until he had driven our horses to
Buprasium, fertile in wheat, to the rock Olenia and Alesium, where it
is called Colone: whence Minerva turned back the people. Then having
killed the last man, I left him; but the Greeks guided back their swift
steeds from Buprasium to Pylus; and all gave glory to Jove, of the
gods, and to Nestor, of men. Thus was I, as sure as ever I existed,
among men: but Achilles will enjoy his valour alone: surely I think
that he will hereafter greatly lament, when the people have bitterly
perished. O my friend, Menœtius did assuredly thus command thee on that
day when he sent thee from Phthia to Agamemnon. For we being both
within, I and noble Ulysses, distinctly heard all things in the halls,
as he charged you: but we were come to the well-inhabited palace of
Peleus, collecting an army through fertile Greece. There then we found
the hero Menœtius within, as well as thee, and Achilles besides; but
the aged horseman, Peleus, was burning the fat thighs of an ox to
thunder-rejoicing Jove, within the enclosure 387 of his palace, and
held a golden cup, pouring the dark wine over the blazing sacrifice.
Both of you were then employed about the flesh of the ox, whilst we
stood in the vestibule; but Achilles, astonished, leaped up, and led us
in, taking us by the hand, and bade us be seated: and he set in order
before us the offerings of hospitality which are proper for guests. But
when we were satiated with eating and drinking, I began discourse,
exhorting you to follow along with us. Ye were both very willing, and
they both commanded you many things. Aged Peleus in the first place
directed his son Achilles ever to be the bravest, and to be conspicuous
above others; but to thee again Menœtius, the son of Actor, thus gave
charge: ‘My son, Achilles indeed is superior in birth; but thou art the
elder. And he is much superior in strength: but still do thou
frequently suggest to him proper advice, and admonish and direct him,
and he will surely be obedient in what is for [his own] good.’ Thus did
the old man command thee; but thou art forgetful: but even now do thou
mention these things to warlike Achilles, if perchance he may be
obedient.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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