Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
And thirdly the old man say Aias, and asked: “Who then is this other
Achaian warrior, goodly and great, preeminent among the Archives by the
measure of his head and broad shoulders?”
And long-robed Helen, fair among women, answered: “This is huge Aias,
bulwark of the Achaians. And on the other side amid the Cretans
standeth Idomeneus like a god, and about him are gathered the captains
of the Cretans. Oft did Menelaos dear to Ares entertain him in our
house whene’er he came from Crete. And now behold I all the other
glancing-eyed Achaians, whom well I could discern and tell their names;
but two captains of the host can I not see, even Kastor tamer of horses
and Polydeukes the skilful boxer, mine own brethren, whom the same
mother bare. Either they came not in the company from lovely
Lakedaimon; or they came hither indeed in their seafaring ships, but
now will not enter into the battle of the warriors, for fear of the
many scornings and revilings that are mine.”
So said she; but them the life-giving earth held fast there in
Lakedaimon, in their dear native land.
Meanwhile were the heralds bearing through the city the holy
oath-offerings, two lambs and strong-hearted wine, the fruit of the
earth, in a goat-skin bottle. And the herald Idaios bare the shining
bowl and golden cups; and came to the old man and summoned him and
said: “Rise, thou son of Laomedon. The chieftains of the horse-taming
Trojans and mail-clad Achaians call on thee to go down into the plain,
that ye may pledge a trusty oath. But Alexandros and Menelaos dear to
Ares will fight with their long spears for the lady’s sake; and let
lady and treasure go with him that shall conquer. And may we that are
left pledge friendship and trusty oaths and dwell in deep-soiled Troy,
and they shall depart to Argos pasture-land of horses and Achaia home
of fair women.”
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