Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
But Idomeneus struck Erymas in the mouth with the pitiless brass; and
the brazen weapon passed right through from the opposite side down
under the brain, and then cleft the white bones. And his teeth were
dashed out, and both eyes were filled with gore, which, gaping, he
forced 522 out from his mouth and from his nostrils; and the black
cloud of death enveloped him. Thus these leaders of the Greeks slew
each a man. And as destructive wolves impetuously rush on lambs or
kids, snatching them from the flocks, which are dispersed upon the
mountains by the negligence of the shepherd; but they, perceiving them,
immediately tear in pieces them, having an unwarlike heart: so did the
Greeks rush upon the Trojans, but they were mindful of dire-sounding
flight, and forgot resolute valour. But mighty Ajax ever longed to aim
his javelin at brazen-armed Hector; but he, from his skill in war,
covering himself as to his broad shoulders with a bull’s-hide shield,
watched the hissing of the arrows and the whizzing of the javelins.
Already indeed he knew the victory of battle was inclining to the other
side; yet even thus he remained, and saved his beloved companions.
Footnote 522: (return) Made to rush with a bubbling noise, the verb
here “expressing the _violent streaming_ of a liquid.” See Buttm.
Lexil. p. 484; and compare my note on Æsch. Ag. p. 137, n. 2, ed. Bohn.
And as when from Olympus comes a cloud into heaven, 523 after a clear
sky, when Jove stretches forth a whirlwind, thus was the clamour and
rout of those [flying] from the ships. Nor did they repass [the trench]
in seemly plight, but his fleet-footed steeds bore away Hector with his
arms; and he deserted the Trojan people, whom against their will the
deep trench detained. And many fleet car-drawing steeds left in the
foss the chariots of their masters, broken at the extremity of the
pole. But Patroclus pursued, vehemently cheering on 524 the Greeks, and
devising destruction for the Trojans; but they, with clamour and rout,
filled all the ways after they were dispersed. A storm [of dust] was
tossed up beneath the clouds, and the solid-hoofed horses pressed back
towards the city, from the ships and tents. But Patroclus, wherever he
perceived the army in greatest confusion, thither directed [his
steeds], exclaiming in a threatening manner; whilst beneath his axles
men fell prone from their chariots, and the chariots were overturned.
Then, from the opposite side, the fleet immortal steeds, which the gods
had given as splendid presents to Peleus, eagerly pressing on, bounded
quite across the trench; for his mind urged him against Hector, for he
longed to strike him, but his swift horses kept bearing him away.
Footnote 523: (return) Heaven is here distinguished from Olympus, as
in i. 597, and Tibull. iv. i. 131:—
“Jupiter ipse levi vectus per inania curru
Adfuit, et cœlo vicinum liquit Olympum.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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