The Iliad: Book 15 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

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But when their flight had taken them past the trench and the set	A
stakes and many had fallen by the hands of the Danaans the Trojans	B
made a halt on reaching their chariots routed and pale with fear	C
Jove now woke on the crests of Ida where he was lying with	D
golden throned Juno by his side and starting to his feet he saw the	E
Trojans and Achaeans the one thrown into confusion and the others	F
driving them pell mell before them with King Neptune in their midst	G
He saw Hector lying on the ground with his comrades gathered round	H
him gasping for breath wandering in mind and vomiting blood for	I
it was not the feeblest of the Achaeans who struck him	J
The sire of gods and men had pity on him and looked fiercely on	K
Juno I see Juno said he you mischief making trickster that	L
your cunning has stayed Hector from fighting and has caused the rout	M
of his host I am in half a mind to thrash you in which case you will	N
be the first to reap the fruits of your scurvy knavery Do you not	O
remember how once upon a time I had you hanged I fastened two	P
anvils on to your feet and bound your hands in a chain of gold	Q
which none might break and you hung in mid air among the clouds	R
All the gods in Olympus were in a fury but they could not reach you	P
to set you free when I caught any one of them I gripped him and	S
hurled him from the heavenly threshold till he came fainting down to	P
earth yet even this did not relieve my mind from the incessant	T
anxiety which I felt about noble Hercules whom you and Boreas had	U
spitefully conveyed beyond the seas to Cos after suborning the	E
tempests but I rescued him and notwithstanding all his mighty	V
labours I brought him back again to Argos I would remind you of	W
this that you may learn to leave off being so deceitful and	S
discover how much you are likely to gain by the embraces out of	W
which you have come here to trick me	V
Juno trembled as he spoke and said May heaven above and earth	X
below be my witnesses with the waters of the river Styx and this	Y
is the most solemn oath that a blessed god can take nay I swear also	Z
by your own almighty head and by our bridal bed things over which I	A2
could never possibly perjure myself that Neptune is not punishing	B2
Hector and the Trojans and helping the Achaeans through any doing of	W
mine it is all of his own mere motion because he was sorry to see the	E
Achaeans hard pressed at their ships if I were advising him I should	C2
tell him to do as you bid him	J
The sire of gods and men smiled and answered If you Juno were	D2
always to support me when we sit in council of the gods Neptune like	E2
it or no would soon come round to your and my way of thinking If	F2
then you are speaking the truth and mean what you say go among the	E
rank and file of the gods and tell Iris and Apollo lord of the bow	G2
that I want them Iris that she may go to the Achaean host and tell	H2
Neptune to leave off fighting and go home and Apollo that he may	I2
send Hector again into battle and give him fresh strength he will	N
thus forget his present sufferings and drive the Achaeans back in	J2
confusion till they fall among the ships of Achilles son of Peleus	Z
Achilles will then send his comrade Patroclus into battle and	S
Hector will kill him in front of Ilius after he has slain many	V
warriors and among them my own noble son Sarpedon Achilles will kill	N
Hector to avenge Patroclus and from that time I will bring it about	M
that the Achaeans shall persistently drive the Trojans back till	N
they fulfil the counsels of Minerva and take Ilius But I will not	O
stay my anger nor permit any god to help the Danaans till I have	K2
accomplished the desire of the son of Peleus according to the promise	Z
I made by bowing my head on the day when Thetis touched my knees and	S
besought me to give him honour	D2
Juno heeded his words and went from the heights of Ida to great	L2
Olympus Swift as the thought of one whose fancy carries him over vast	M2
continents and he says to himself Now I will be here or there	D2
and he would have all manner of things even so swiftly did Juno	Z
wing her way till she came to high Olympus and went in among the	E
gods who were gathered in the house of Jove When they saw her they	I2
all of them came up to her and held out their cups to her by way of	W
greeting She let the others be but took the cup offered her by	A2
lovely Themis who was first to come running up to her Juno said	N2
she why are you here And you seem troubled has your husband the	E
son of Saturn been frightening you	P
And Juno answered Themis do not ask me about it You know what	O2
a proud and cruel disposition my husband has Lead the gods to	P
table where you and all the immortals can hear the wicked designs	Z
which he has avowed Many a one mortal and immortal will be	V
angered by them however peaceably he may be feasting now	G2
On this Juno sat down and the gods were troubled throughout the	E
house of Jove Laughter sat on her lips but her brow was furrowed with	D
care and she spoke up in a rage Fools that we are she cried	P2
to be thus madly angry with Jove we keep on wanting to go up to	P
him and stay him by force or by persuasion but he sits aloof and	S
cares for nobody for he knows that he is much stronger than any other	D2
of the immortals Make the best therefore of whatever ills he may	I2
choose to send each one of you Mars I take it has had a taste of	W
them already for his son Ascalaphus has fallen in battle the man	Q2
whom of all others he loved most dearly and whose father he owns	Z
himself to be	V
When he heard this Mars smote his two sturdy thighs with the flat of	W
his hands and said in anger Do not blame me you gods that dwell in	J2
heaven if I go to the ships of the Achaeans and avenge the death of	W
my son even though it end in my being struck by Jove's lightning	B2
and lying in blood and dust among the corpses	Z
As he spoke he gave orders to yoke his horses Panic and Rout	M
while he put on his armour On this Jove would have been roused to	P
still more fierce and implacable enmity against the other immortals	Z
had not Minerva ararmed for the safety of the gods sprung from her	D2
seat and hurried outside She tore the helmet from his head and the	E
shield from his shoulders and she took the bronze spear from his	Z
strong hand and set it on one side then she said to Mars Madman	Q2
you are undone you have ears that hear not or you have lost all	R2
judgement and understanding have you not heard what Juno has said	N2
on coming straight from the presence of Olympian Jove Do you wish	S2
to go through all kinds of suffering before you are brought back	T2
sick and sorry to Olympus after having caused infinite mischief to	P
all us others Jove would instantly leave the Trojans and Achaeans	Z
to themselves he would come to Olympus to punish us and would grip	U2
us up one after another guilty or not guilty Therefore lay aside	P2
your anger for the death of your son better men than he have either	D2
been killed already or will fall hereafter and one cannot protect	V2
every one's whole family	V
With these words she took Mars back to his seat Meanwhile Juno	Z
called Apollo outside with Iris the messenger of the gods Jove	W
she said to them desires you to go to him at once on Mt Ida when	W2
you have seen him you are to do as he may then bid you	P
Thereon Juno left them and resumed her seat inside while Iris and	S
Apollo made all haste on their way When they reached	X2
many fountained Ida mother of wild beasts they found Jove seated	Y2
on topmost Gargarus with a fragrant cloud encircling his head as	Z
with a diadem They stood before his presence and he was pleased with	D
them for having been so quick in obeying the orders his wife had given	Z2
them	A3
He spoke to Iris first Go said he fleet Iris tell King	B2
Neptune what I now bid you and tell him true Bid him leave off	W
fighting and either join the company of the gods or go down into the	E
sea If he takes no heed and disobeys me let him consider well	H2
whether he is strong enough to hold his own against me if I attack	T2
him I am older and much stronger than he is yet he is not afraid	B3
to set himself up as on a level with myself of whom all the other	D2
gods stand in awe	C3
Iris fleet as the wind obeyed him and as the cold hail or	D2
snowflakes that fly from out the clouds before the blast of Boreas	Z
even so did she wing her way till she came close up to the great	L2
shaker of the earth Then she said I have come O dark haired king	B2
that holds the world in his embrace to bring you a message from Jove	W
He bids you leave off fighting and either join the company of the	E
gods or go down into the sea if however you take no heed and	S
disobey him he says he will come down here and fight you He would	C2
have you keep out of his reach for he is older and much stronger than	Q2
you are and yet you are not afraid to set yourself up as on a level	D3
with himself of whom all the other gods stand in awe	C3
Neptune was very angry and said Great heavens strong as Jove	W
may be he has said more than he can do if he has threatened	S
violence against me who am of like honour with himself We were three	V
brothers whom Rhea bore to Saturn Jove myself and Hades who rules	Z
the world below Heaven and earth were divided into three parts and	S
each of us was to have an equal share When we cast lots it fell to	P
me to have my dwelling in the sea for evermore Hades took the	E
darkness of the realms under the earth while air and sky and clouds	Z
were the portion that fell to Jove but earth and great Olympus are	D2
the common property of all Therefore I will not walk as Jove would	C2
have me For all his strength let him keep to his own third share and	S
be contented without threatening to lay hands upon me as though I were	D2
nobody Let him keep his bragging talk for his own sons and daughters	Z
who must perforce obey him	J
Iris fleet as the wind then answered Am I really Neptune to take	E3
this daring and unyielding message to Jove or will you reconsider	D2
your answer Sensible people are open to argument and you know that	L
the Erinyes always range themselves on the side of the older person	Z2
Neptune answered Goddess Iris your words have been spoken in	J2
season It is well when a messenger shows so much discretion	Z2
Nevertheless it cuts me to the very heart that any one should rebuke	F3
so angrily another who is his own peer and of like empire with	D
himself Now however I will give way in spite of my displeasure	D2
furthermore let me tell you and I mean what I say if contrary to the	E
desire of myself Minerva driver of the spoil Juno Mercury and King	B2
Vulcan Jove spares steep Ilius and will not let the Achaeans have	W
the great triumph of sacking it let him understand that he will incur	D2
our implacable resentment	T
Neptune now left the field to go down under the sea and sorely	V
did the Achaeans miss him Then Jove said to Apollo Go dear	D2
Phoebus to Hector for Neptune who holds the earth in his embrace has	Z
now gone down under the sea to avoid the severity of my displeasure	D2
Had he not done so those gods who are below with Saturn would have	W
come to hear of the fight between us It is better for both of us that	L
he should have curbed his anger and kept out of my reach for I should	C2
have had much trouble with him Take then your tasselled aegis	Z
and shake it furiously so as to set the Achaean heroes in a panic	G3
take moreover brave Hector O Far Darter into your own care and	S
rouse him to deeds of daring till the Achaeans are sent flying back	T2
to their ships and to the Hellespont From that point I will think	H3
it well over how the Achaeans may have a respite from their	D2
troubles	Z
Apollo obeyed his father's saying and left the crests of Ida	E
flying like a falcon bane of doves and swiftest of all birds He	V
found Hector no longer lying upon the ground but sitting up for he	V
had just come to himself again He knew those who were about him	J
and the sweat and hard breathing had left him from the moment when the	E
will of aegis bearing Jove had revived him Apollo stood beside him	J
and said Hector son of Priam why are you so faint and why are you	P
here away from the others Has any mishap befallen you	P
Hector in a weak voice answered And which kind sir of the gods	Z
are you who now ask me thus Do you not know that Ajax struck me on	K
the chest with a stone as I was killing his comrades at the ships of	W
the Achaeans and compelled me to leave off fighting I made sure that	L
this very day I should breathe my last and go down into the house of	W
Hades	Z
Then King Apollo said to him Take heart the son of Saturn has	Z
sent you a mighty helper from Ida to stand by you and defend you even	J2
me Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword who have been guardian	Z2
hitherto not only of yourself but of your city Now therefore	D2
order your horsemen to drive their chariots to the ships in great	L2
multitudes I will go before your horses to smooth the way for them	A3
and will turn the Achaeans in flight	I3
As he spoke he infused great strength into the shepherd of his	Z
people And as a horse stabled and full fed breaks loose and gallops	Z
gloriously over the plain to the place where he is wont to take his	Z
bath in the river he tosses his head and his mane streams over his	Z
shoulders as in all the pride of his strength he flies full speed to	P
the pastures where the mares are feeding even so Hector when he	V
heard what the god said urged his horsemen on and sped forward as	Z
fast as his limbs could take him As country peasants set their hounds	Z
on to a homed stag or wild goat he has taken shelter under rock or	D2
thicket and they cannot find him but lo a bearded lion whom	J3
their shouts have roused stands in their path and they are in no	Z
further humour for the chase even so the Achaeans were still charging	B2
on in a body using their swords and spears pointed at both ends	Z
but when they saw Hector going about among his men they were afraid	B3
and their hearts fell down into their feet	K3
Then spoke Thoas son of Andraemon leader of the Aetolians a man	Q2
who could throw a good throw and who was staunch also in close fight	I3
while few could surpass him in debate when opinions were divided He	V
then with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus What in	J2
heaven's name do I now see Is it not Hector come to life again	W2
Every one made sure he had been killed by Ajax son of Telamon but	O2
it seems that one of the gods has again rescued him He has killed	L3
many of us Danaans already and I take it will yet do so for the hand	M3
of Jove must be with him or he would never dare show himself so	Z
masterful in the forefront of the battle Now therefore let us all	R2
do as I say let us order the main body of our forces to fall back	T2
upon the ships but let those of us who profess to be the flower of	W
the army stand firm and see whether we cannot hold Hector back at the	E
point of our spears as soon as he comes near us I conceive that he	V
will then think better of it before he tries to charge into the	E
press of the Danaans	Z
Thus did he speak and they did even as he had said Those who	P
were about Ajax and King Idomeneus the followers moreover of	W
Teucer Meriones and Meges peer of Mars called all their best men	W2
about them and sustained the fight against Hector and the Trojans but	O2
the main body fell back upon the ships of the Achaeans	Z
The Trojans pressed forward in a dense body with Hector striding on	K
at their head Before him went Phoebus Apollo shrouded in cloud	N3
about his shoulders He bore aloft the terrible aegis with its	Z
shaggy fringe which Vulcan the smith had given Jove to strike	E2
terror into the hearts of men With this in his hand he led on the	E
Trojans	Z
The Argives held together and stood their ground The cry of	W
battle rose high from either side and the arrows flew from the	E
bowstrings Many a spear sped from strong hands and fastened in the	E
bodies of many a valiant warrior while others fell to earth midway	I2
before they could taste of man's fair flesh and glut themselves with	D
blood So long as Phoebus Apollo held his aegis quietly and without	M
shaking it the weapons on either side took effect and the people	D3
fell but when he shook it straight in the face of the Danaans and	S
raised his mighty battle cry their hearts fainted within them and they	I2
forgot their former prowess As when two wild beasts spring in the	E
dead of night on a herd of cattle or a large flock of sheep when the	E
herdsman is not there even so were the Danaans struck helpless for	D2
Apollo filled them with panic and gave victory to Hector and the	E
Trojans	Z
The fight then became more scattered and they killed one another	D2
where they best could Hector killed Stichius and Arcesilaus the one	Z2
leader of the Boeotians and the other friend and comrade of	W
Menestheus Aeneas killed Medon and Iasus The first was bastard son	Z2
to Oileus and brother to Ajax but he lived in Phylace away from	O3
his own country for he had killed a man a kinsman of his	Z
stepmother Eriopis whom Oileus had married Iasus had become a	E
leader of the Athenians and was son of Sphelus the son of Boucolos	Z
Polydamas killed Mecisteus and Polites Echius in the front of the	E
battle while Agenor slew Clonius Paris struck Deiochus from behind	P3
in the lower part of the shoulder as he was flying among the	E
foremost and the point of the spear went clean through him	J
While they were spoiling these heroes of their armour the	E
Achaeans were flying pellmell to the trench and the set stakes and	S
were forced back within their wall Hector then cried out to the	E
Trojans Forward to the ships and let the spoils be If I see any	V
man keeping back on the other side the wall away from the ships I will	N
have him killed his kinsmen and kinswomen shall not give him his dues	Z
of fire but dogs shall tear him in pieces in front of our city	V
As he spoke he laid his whip about his horses' shoulders and	S
called to the Trojans throughout their ranks the Trojans shouted with	D
a cry that rent the air and kept their horses neck and neck with	D
his own Phoebus Apollo went before and kicked down the banks of	W
the deep trench into its middle so as to make a great broad bridge as	Z
broad as the throw of a spear when a man is trying his strength The	E
Trojan battalions poured over the bridge and Apollo with his	Z
redoubtable aegis led the way He kicked down the wall of the Achaeans	Z
as easily as a child who playing on the sea shore has built a house of	W
sand and then kicks it down again and destroys it even so did you	P
O Apollo shed toil and trouble upon the Argives filling them with	D
panic and confusion	Z2
Thus then were the Achaeans hemmed in at their ships calling out to	P
one another and raising their hands with loud cries every man to	P
heaven Nestor of Gerene tower of strength to the Achaeans lifted up	Q3
his hands to the starry firmament of heaven and prayed more fervently	V
than any of them Father Jove said he if ever any one in	J2
wheat growing Argos burned you fat thigh bones of sheep or heifer	D2
and prayed that he might return safely home whereon you bowed your	D2
head to him in assent bear it in mind now and suffer not the Trojans	Z
to triumph thus over the Achaeans	Z
All counselling Jove thundered loudly in answer to die prayer of the	E
aged son of Neleus When the heard Jove thunder they flung	R3
themselves yet more fiercely on the Achaeans As a wave breaking	B2
over the bulwarks of a ship when the sea runs high before a gale	S3
for it is the force of the wind that makes the waves so great even so	Z
did the Trojans spring over the wall with a shout and drive their	D2
chariots onwards The two sides fought with their double pointed	Y2
spears in hand to hand encounter the Trojans from their chariots	Z
and the Achaeans climbing up into their ships and wielding the long	T3
pikes that were lying on the decks ready for use in a sea fight	I3
jointed and shod with bronze	Z
Now Patroclus so long as the Achaeans and Trojans were fighting	B2
about the wall but were not yet within it and at the ships	Z
remained sitting in the tent of good Eurypylus entertaining him	J
with his conversation and spreading herbs over his wound to ease his	Z
pain When however he saw the Trojans swarming through the breach in	J2
the wall while the Achaeans were clamouring and struck with panic he	V
cried aloud and smote his two thighs with the flat of his hands	Z
Eurypylus said he in his dismay I know you want me badly but I	A2
cannot stay with you any longer for there is hard fighting going	B2
on a servant shall take care of you now for I must make all speed to	P
Achilles and induce him to fight if I can who knows but with	D
heaven's help I may persuade him A man does well to listen to the	E
advice of a friend	U3
When he had thus spoken he went his way The Achaeans stood firm and	S
resisted the attack of the Trojans yet though these were fewer in	J2
number they could not drive them back from the ships neither could	C2
the Trojans break the Achaean ranks and make their way in among the	E
tents and ships As a carpenter's line gives a true edge to a piece of	W
ship's timber in the hand of some skilled workman whom Minerva has	Z
instructed in all kinds of useful arts even so level was the issue of	W
the fight between the two sides as they fought some round one and	S
some round another	D2
Hector made straight for Ajax and the two fought fiercely about the	E
same ship Hector could not force Ajax back and fire the ship nor yet	A
could Ajax drive Hector from the spot to which heaven had brought him	J
Then Ajax struck Caletor son of Clytius in the chest with a spear as	Z
he was bringing fire towards the ship He fell heavily to the ground	H
and the torch dropped from his hand When Hector saw his cousin fallen	Z2
in front of the ship he shouted to the Trojans and Lycians saying	B2
Trojans Lycians and Dardanians good in close fight bate not a jot	O
but rescue the son of Clytius lest the Achaeans strip him of his	Z
armour now that he has fallen	Z2
He then aimed a spear at Ajax and missed him but he hit	V3
Lycophron a follower of Ajax who came from Cythera but was living	B2
with Ajax inasmuch as he had killed a man among the Cythereans	Z
Hector's spear struck him on the head below the ear and he fell	H2
headlong from the ship's prow on to the ground with no life left in	J2
him Ajax shook with rage and said to his brother Teucer my good	C2
fellow our trusty comrade the son of Mastor has fallen he came to	P
live with us from Cythera and whom we honoured as much as our own	W3
parents Hector has just killed him fetch your deadly arrows at	L
once and the bow which Phoebus Apollo gave you	P
Teucer heard him and hastened towards him with his bow and quiver in	J2
his hands Forthwith he showered his arrows on the Trojans and hit	V3
Cleitus the son of Pisenor comrade of Polydamas the noble son of	W
Panthous with the reins in his hands as he was attending to his	Z
horses he was in the middle of the very thickest part of the fight	I3
doing good service to Hector and the Trojans but evil had now come	O3
upon him and not one of those who were fain to do so could avert	X3
it for the arrow struck him on the back of the neck He fell from his	Z
chariot and his horses shook the empty car as they swerved aside King	B2
Polydamas saw what had happened and was the first to come up to the	E
horses he gave them in charge to Astynous son of Protiaon and	S
ordered him to look on and to keep the horses near at hand He then	W2
went back and took his place in the front ranks	Z
Teucer then aimed another arrow at Hector and there would have been	J2
no more fighting at the ships if he had hit him and killed him then	W2
and there Jove however who kept watch over Hector had his eyes	Z
on Teucer and deprived him of his triumph by breaking his	Z
bowstring for him just as he was drawing it and about to take his aim	Y3
on this the arrow went astray and the bow fell from his hands	Z
Teucer shook with anger and said to his brother Alas see how heaven	Z2
thwarts us in all we do it has broken my bowstring and snatched the	E
bow from my hand though I strung it this selfsame morning that it	V3
might serve me for many an arrow	Z
Ajax son of Telamon answered My good fellow let your bow and your	D2
arrows be for Jove has made them useless in order to spite the	E
Danaans Take your spear lay your shield upon your shoulder and both	Z3
fight the Trojans yourself and urge others to do so They may be	V
successful for the moment but if we fight as we ought they will find	P3
it a hard matter to take the ships	Z
Teucer then took his bow and put it by in his tent He hung a shield	A4
four hides thick about his shoulders and on his comely head he set	A
his helmet well wrought with a crest of horse hair that nodded	Y2
menacingly above it he grasped his redoubtable bronze shod spear and	S
forthwith he was by the side of Ajax	Z
When Hector saw that Teucer's bow was of no more use to him he	V
shouted out to the Trojans and Lycians Trojans Lycians and	S
Dardanians good in close fight be men my friends and show your	D2
mettle here at the ships for I see the weapon of one of their	D2
chieftains made useless by the hand of Jove It is easy to see when	W2
Jove is helping people and means to help them still further or	D2
again when he is bringing them down and will do nothing for them he	V
is now on our side and is going against the Argives Therefore	D2
swarm round the ships and fight If any of you is struck by spear or	D2
sword and loses his life let him die he dies with honour who dies	Z
fighting for his country and he will leave his wife and children safe	W
behind him with his house and allotment unplundered if only the	E
Achaeans can be driven back to their own land they and their ships	Z
With these words he put heart and soul into them all Ajax on the	E
other side exhorted his comrades saying Shame on you Argives we are	D2
now utterly undone unless we can save ourselves by driving the	E
enemy from our ships Do you think if Hector takes them that you	P
will be able to get home by land Can you not hear him cheering on his	Z
whole host to fire our fleet and bidding them remember that they	I2
are not at a dance but in battle Our only course is to fight them	A3
with might and main we had better chance it life or death once	Z
for all than fight long and without issue hemmed in at our ships by	A2
worse men than ourselves	Z
With these words he put life and soul into them all Hector then	W2
killed Schedius son of Perimedes leader of the Phoceans and Ajax	Z
killed Laodamas captain of foot soldiers and son to Antenor Polydamas	Z
killed Otus of Cyllene a comrade of the son of Phyleus and chief of	W
the proud Epeans When Meges saw this he sprang upon him but	O2
Polydamas crouched down and he missed him for Apollo would not	O
suffer the son of Panthous to fall in battle but the spear hit	V3
Croesmus in the middle of his chest whereon he fell heavily to the	E
ground and Meges stripped him of his armour At that moment the	E
valiant soldier Dolops son of Lampus sprang upon Lampus was son of	W
Laomedon and for his valour while his son Dolops was versed in all	R2
the ways of war He then struck the middle of the son of Phyleus'	Z
shield with his spear setting on him at close quarters but his	Z
good corslet made with plates of metal saved him Phyleus had	U
brought it from Ephyra and the river Selleis where his host King	B2
Euphetes had given it him to wear in battle and protect him It now	G2
served to save the life of his son Then Meges struck the topmost	U
crest of Dolops's bronze helmet with his spear and tore away its plume	J3
of horse hair so that all newly dyed with scarlet as it was it	U
tumbled down into the dust While he was still fighting and	U
confident of victory Menelaus came up to help Meges and got by the	E
side of Dolops unperceived he then speared him in the shoulder	D2
from behind and the point driven so furiously went through into his	Z
chest whereon he fell headlong The two then made towards him to	U
strip him of his armour but Hector called on all his brothers for	D2
help and he especially upbraided brave Melanippus son of Hiketaon	G2
who erewhile used to pasture his herds of cattle in Percote before the	E
war broke out but when the ships of the Danaans came he went back to	U
Ilius where he was eminent among the Trojans and lived near Priam	B4
who treated him as one of his own sons Hector now rebuked him and	U
said Why Melanippus are we thus remiss do you take no note of the	E
death of your kinsman and do you not see how they are trying to	U
take Dolops's armour Follow me there must be no fighting the Argives	Z
from a distance now but we must do so in close combat till either	D2
we kill them or they take the high wall of Ilius and slay her people	D3
He led on as he spoke and the hero Melanippus followed after	D2
Meanwhile Ajax son of Telamon was cheering on the Argives My	A2
friends he cried be men and fear dishonour quit yourselves in	G2
battle so as to win respect from one another Men who respect each	C4
other's good opinion are less likely to be killed than those who do	U
not but in flight there is neither gain nor glory	V
Thus did he exhort men who were already bent upon driving back the	E
Trojans They laid his words to heart and hedged the ships as with a	E
wall of bronze while Jove urged on the Trojans Menelaus of the	E
loud battle cry urged Antilochus on Antilochus said he you are	D2
young and there is none of the Achaeans more fleet of foot or more	D2
valiant than you are See if you cannot spring upon some Trojan and	U
kill him	J
He hurried away when he had thus spurred Antilochus who at once	Z
darted out from the front ranks and aimed a spear after looking	B2
carefully round him The Trojans fell back as he threw and the dart	U
did not speed from his hand without effect for it struck Melanippus	Z
the proud son of Hiketaon in the breast by the nipple as he was coming	B2
forward and his armour rang rattling round him as he fell heavily	V
to the ground Antilochus sprang upon him as a dog springs on a fawn	G2
which a hunter has hit as it was breaking away from its covert and	U
killed it Even so O Melanippus did stalwart Antilochus spring	B2
upon you to strip you of your armour but noble Hector marked him and	U
came running up to him through the thick of the battle Antilochus	Z
brave soldier though he was would not stay to face him but fled like	E2
some savage creature which knows it has done wrong and flies when it	U
has killed a dog or a man who is herding his cattle before a body	V
of men can be gathered to attack it Even so did the son of Nestor	D2
fly and the Trojans and Hector with a cry that rent the air	D2
showered their weapons after him nor did he turn round and stay his	Z
flight till he had reached his comrades	Z
The Trojans fierce as lions were still rushing on towards the	E
ships in fulfilment of the behests of Jove who kept spurring them on	G2
to new deeds of daring while he deadened the courage of the Argives	Z
and defeated them by encouraging the Trojans For he meant giving	B2
glory to Hector son of Priam and letting him throw fire upon the	E
ships till he had fulfilled the unrighteous prayer that Thetis had	U
made him Jove therefore bided his time till he should see the glare	D2
of a blazing ship From that hour he was about so to order that the	E
Trojans should be driven back from the ships and to vouchsafe glory to	U
the Achaeans With this purpose he inspired Hector son of Priam who	U
was cager enough already to assail the ships His fury was as that of	W
Mars or as when a fire is raging in the glades of some dense forest	U
upon the mountains he foamed at the mouth his eyes glared under	D2
his terrible eye brows and his helmet quivered on his temples by	A2
reason of the fury with which he fought Jove from heaven was with	D
him and though he was but one against many vouchsafed him victory	V
and glory for he was doomed to an early death and already Pallas	Z
Minerva was hurrying on the hour of his destruction at the hands of	W
the son of Peleus Now however he kept trying to break the ranks	Z
of the enemy wherever he could see them thickest and in the goodliest	U
armour but do what he might he could not break through them for they	I2
stood as a tower foursquare or as some high cliff rising from the	E
grey sea that braves the anger of the gale and of the waves that	U
thunder up against it He fell upon them like flames of fire from	O3
every quarter As when a wave raised mountain high by wind and storm	D4
breaks over a ship and covers it deep in foam the fierce winds roar	D2
against the mast the hearts of the sailors fail them for fear and	U
they are saved but by a very little from destruction even so were the	E
hearts of the Achaeans fainting within them Or as a savage lion	G2
attacking a herd of cows while they are feeding by thousands in the	E
low lying meadows by some wide watered shore the herdsman is at his	Z
wit's end how to protect his herd and keeps going about now in the van	G2
and now in the rear of his cattle while the lion springs into the	E
thick of them and fastens on a cow so that they all tremble for	D2
fear even so were the Achaeans utterly panic stricken by Hector and	U
father Jove Nevertheless Hector only killed Periphetes of Mycenae he	V
was son of Copreus who was wont to take the orders of King	B2
Eurystheus to mighty Hercules but the son was a far better man than	G2
the father in every way he was fleet of foot a valiant warrior	D2
and in understanding ranked among the foremost men of Mycenae He it	U
was who then afforded Hector a triumph for as he was turning back	T2
he stumbled against the rim of his shield which reached his feet	U
and served to keep the javelins off him He tripped against this and	U
fell face upward his helmet ringing loudly about his head as he did	U
so Hector saw him fall and ran up to him he then thrust a spear into	U
his chest and killed him close to his own comrades These for all	R2
their sorrow could not help him for they were themselves terribly	V
afraid of Hector	D2
They had now reached the ships and the prows of those that had	U
been drawn up first were on every side of them but the Trojans came	Y3
pouring after them The Argives were driven back from the first row of	W
ships but they made a stand by their tents without being broken up	Q3
and scattered shame and fear restrained them They kept shouting	B2
incessantly to one another and Nestor of Gerene tower of strength to	U
the Achaeans was loudest in imploring every man by his parents and	U
beseeching him to stand firm	E4
Be men my friends he cried and respect one another's good	U
opinion Think all of you on your children your wives your	D2
property and your parents whether these be alive or dead On their	D2
behalf though they are not here I implore you to stand firm and	U
not to turn in flight	U
With these words he put heart and soul into them all Minerva lifted	U
the thick veil of darkness from their eyes and much light fell upon	G2
them alike on the side of the ships and on that where the fight was	Z
raging They could see Hector and all his men both those in the	E
rear who were taking no part in the battle and those who were	D2
fighting by the ships	Z
Ajax could not bring himself to retreat along with the rest but	U
strode from deck to deck with a great sea pike in his hands twelve	W
cubits long and jointed with rings As a man skilled in feats of	W
horsemanship couples four horses together and comes tearing full speed	U
along the public way from the country into some large town many	V
both men and women marvel as they see him for he keeps all the time	F4
changing his horse springing from one to another without ever missing	B2
his feet while the horses are at a gallop even so did Ajax go	Z
striding from one ship's deck to another and his voice went up into	U
the heavens He kept on shouting his orders to the Danaans and	U
exhorting them to defend their ships and tents neither did Hector	D2
remain within the main body of the Trojan warriors but as a dun eagle	D3
swoops down upon a flock of wild fowl feeding near a river geese it	U
may be or cranes or long necked swans even so did Hector make	E3
straight for a dark prowed ship rushing right towards it for Jove	W
with his mighty hand impelled him forward and roused his people to	U
follow him	J
And now the battle again raged furiously at the ships You would	U
have thought the men were coming on fresh and unwearied so fiercely	V
did they fight and this was the mind in which they were the Achaeans	Z
did not believe they should escape destruction but thought	U
themselves doomed while there was not a Trojan but his heart beat	U
high with the hope of firing the ships and putting the Achaean	G2
heroes to the sword	U
Thus were the two sides minded Then Hector seized the stern of	W
the good ship that had brought Protesilaus to Troy but never bore him	J
back to his native land Round this ship there raged a close	Z
hand to hand fight between Danaans and Trojans They did not fight	U
at a distance with bows and javelins but with one mind hacked at	U
one another in close combat with their mighty swords and spears	Z
pointed at both ends they fought moreover with keen battle axes and	U
with hatchets Many a good stout blade hilted and scabbarded with	D
iron fell from hand or shoulder as they fought and the earth ran red	U
with blood Hector when he had seized the ship would not loose his	Z
hold but held on to its curved stern and shouted to the Trojans	Z
Bring fire and raise the battle cry all of you with a single	D3
voice Now has Jove vouchsafed us a day that will pay us for all the	E
rest this day we shall take the ships which came hither against	U
heaven's will and which have caused us such infinite suffering	B2
through the cowardice of our councillors who when I would have done	G2
battle at the ships held me back and forbade the host to follow me if	W
Jove did then indeed warp our judgements himself now commands me	V
and cheers me on	G2
As he spoke thus the Trojans sprang yet more fiercely on the	E
Achaeans and Ajax no longer held his ground for he was overcome by	A2
the darts that were flung at him and made sure that he was doomed	U
Therefore he left the raised deck at the stern and stepped back on to	U
the seven foot bench of the oarsmen Here he stood on the look out	U
and with his spear held back Trojan whom he saw bringing fire to the	E
ships All the time he kept on shouting at the top of his voice and	U
exhorting the Danaans My friends he cried Danaan heroes	Z
servants of Mars be men my friends and fight with might and with	D
main Can we hope to find helpers hereafter or a wall to shield us	Z
more surely than the one we have There is no strong city within	G2
reach whence we may draw fresh forces to turn the scales in our	D2
favour We are on the plain of the armed Trojans with the sea behind	U
us and far from our own country Our salvation therefore is in	G2
the might of our hands and in hard fighting	B2
As he spoke he wielded his spear with still greater fury and when	G2
any Trojan made towards the ships with fire at Hector's bidding he	V
would be on the look out for him and drive at him with his long	T3
spear Twelve men did he thus kill in hand to hand fight before the	E
ships	Z

Homer

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