Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Thus on her part having spoken, azure-eyed Minerva departed: but the
son of Tydeus, returning again, was mixed with the van; and ardent as
he before was in spirit to fight against the Trojans, then, indeed,
thrice as much courage possessed him. Like as a lion, whom the shepherd
in the country, by his fleecy sheep, has grazed indeed, while
overleaping the court-yard, but has not killed; he [the shepherd] has
merely roused his ardour; but afterwards he ventures no farther aid,
but on the contrary retires within the fold, while the sheep, deserted,
fly in consternation. These, indeed, are huddled in masses one upon
another, but he [the lion] leaps joyfully from the lofty fold. 201 So
was brave Diomede joyfully mixed with the Trojans.
Then he slew Astynoüs, and Hypenor the shepherd of the people: having
smote the one above the pap with the brazen lance, but the other he
smote with his huge sword on the collar-bone at the shoulder, and
separated the shoulder from the neck and back. These, indeed, he left,
but rushed on Abas and Polyïdus, the sons of Eurydamas, the aged
interpreter of dreams; to whom going to the war, the old man did not
interpret their dreams; but brave Diomede spoiled them when slain. Then
he went against Xanthus and Thoon, the sons of Phænops, both dearly
cherished; 202 but he was worn by sad old age, and did not beget
another son to leave over his possessions. These, then, Diomede slew,
and took their life from both, but to their father left grief and
mournful cares, since he did not receive them returning alive from
battle; but his next of kin 203 divided the inheritance amongst them.
Footnote 201: (return) A very doubtful line.
Footnote 202: (return) Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 511.
Footnote 203: (return) Schol.: Χηρωσταὶ, οὶ τὸν χῆρον οῖκον
διανεμόμενοι κληρονόμοι. Apoll. Lex. p. 854: Οὶ μακρόθεν προσήκοντες
κατὰ γένος, καὶ χῆρα ὄντα τῶν σύνεγγυς τὰ χρήματα κληρονομοῦντες.
Then he seized Echemon and Chromius, two sons of Dardanian Priam, being
in one chariot. As when a lion, leaping amidst the herd, has broken the
neck of a heifer or of an ox pasturing in a thicket; so did the son of
Tydeus forcibly dislodge them both from the chariot against their
wills, and then spoiled them of their arms. But the steeds he gave to
his companions, to drive to the ships.
But him Æneas beheld devastating the ranks of men, and he hastened to
go both through the battle and the din of spears, seeking godlike
Pandarus, if anywhere he might find him. He found the blameless and
valiant son of Lycaon, and stood before him, and spoke [this] word to
him:
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