Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Footnote 146: (return) Δὑς here denotes the evils which fatally
resulted to Paris and his friends (so δυσελένας, “baleful Helen,” Eur.
Or. 1388. Cf. Æsch. Ag. 689, sqq.) in consequence of his having been
preserved, despite the omens attending his birth. See Hygin. Fab. xci.
Hence the Schol. on Il. x. i. 96, derive his name of Paris, ὅτι τὸν
μόνον παοῆλθεν.
Footnote 147: (return) Cf. Hor. Od. i. 15, 13:—
“Nequicquam, Veneris præsidio ferox,
Pectes cæsariem, grataque feminis
Imbelli cithara carmina divides: . . .
. . . tamen, heu! sorus adulteros
Crines pulvere collines.”
Footnote 148: (return) _I. e._ thou wouldst have been stoned to death.
Thus he spoke, but Hector on the other hand rejoiced greatly, having
heard his speech; and having advanced into the centre, holding his
spear by the middle, he restrained the phalanxes of the Trojans, and
they all sat down. Against him the waving-haired Achæans were directing
their bows, and taking aim, were going to hurl with shafts and with
stones. But Agamemnon, he, 149 the king of men, exclaimed aloud:
Footnote 149: (return) Mark the force of the pronoun.
“Withhold, Argives! cast not, ye sons of the Aenæans; for helm-nodding
Hector stands as if intending to propose something.”
Thus he spoke; but they abstained from battle, and instantly became
silent. But Hector between both [armies] spoke thus:
“Hear from me, ye Trojans, and well-greaved Greeks, the proposal of
Alexander, on whose account this strife has arisen. He advises that the
other Trojans and all the Greeks should lay down their beauteous arms
upon the bounteous earth; but that he and Mars-beloved Menelaus alone
should fight in the midst for Helen and all the treasures; and
whichever shall conquer, and shall be superior, having received all the
treasures without reserve, and the woman, let him conduct them home:
but let the rest of us strike a friendship and faithful league.”
Thus he said, and all became mute in silence. But amidst them Menelaus,
valiant in the din of war, thus spoke:
“Now hear me also; for anguish has invaded my soul most: but I purpose
that the Greeks and Trojans should now be separated, since ye have
suffered many evils on account of my quarrel and the beginning of [this
strife through] Alexander. And to whichever of us death and fate has
been ordained, let him die; but do the rest of you be very speedily
separated. And bring lambs—one white, the other black—to the Earth and
to the Sun; and we will bring another to Jove. Moreover ye shall bring
the might of Priam, that he may strike the league himself, for his sons
are overbearing and faithless; lest any one, by transgression, violate
the covenant of Jove. For the minds of younger men are ever
fluctuating; but for those among whom a senior is present, he looks at
the same time both backward and forward, in order that the best results
may accrue to both parties.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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