Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
So spake he, and Glaukos turned not apart, nor disobeyed him, and they
twain went straight forward, leading the great host of the Lykians.
Then Menestheus son of Peteos shuddered when he beheld them, for
against his tower they went, bringing with them ruin; and he looked
along the tower of the Achaians if perchance he might see any of the
leaders, that would ward off destruction from his comrades, and he
beheld the two Aiantes, insatiate of war, standing there, and Teukros
hard by, newly come from his hut; but he could not cry to be heard of
them, so great was the din, and the noise went up unto heaven of
smitten shields and helms with horse-hair crests, and of the gates, for
they had all been shut, and the Trojans stood beside them, and strove
by force to break them, and enter in. Swiftly then to Aias he sent the
herald Thoötes: “Go, noble Thoötes, and run, and call Aias: or rather
the twain, for that will be far the best of all, since quickly here
will there be wrought utter ruin. For hereby press the leaders of the
Lykians, who of old are fierce in strong battle. But if beside them too
war and toil arise, yet at least let the strong Telamonian Aias come
alone, and let Teukros the skilled bowman follow with him.”
So spake he, and the herald listened and disobeyed him not, but started
and ran by the wall of the mail-clad Achaians, and came, and stood by
the Aiantes, and straightway spake: “Ye twain Aiantes, leaders of the
mail-clad Achaians, the dear son of Peteos, fosterling of Zeus, biddeth
you go thither, that, if it be but for a little while, ye may take your
part in battle: both of you he more desireth, for that will be far the
best of all, since quickly there will there be wrought utter ruin. For
thereby press the leaders of the Lykians, who of old are fierce in
strong battle. But if beside you too war and toil arise, yet at least
let the strong Telamonian Aias come alone, and let Teukros the skilled
bowman follow with him.”
So spake he, nor did the strong Telamonian Aias disobey, but instantly
spake winged words to the son of Oileus: “Aias, do ye twain stand here,
thyself and strong Lykomedes, and urge the Danaans to war with all
their might; but I go thither, to take my part in battle, and quickly
will I come again, when I have well aided them.”
So spake Telamonian Aias and departed, and Teukros went with him, his
brother by the same father, and with them Pandion bare the bended bow
of Teukros.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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