The Iliad: Book 23 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

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Thus did they make their moan throughout the city while the	A
Achaeans when they reached the Hellespont went back every man to his	B
own ship But Achilles would not let the Myrmidons go and spoke to	C
his brave comrades saying Myrmidons famed horsemen and my own	D
trusted friends not yet forsooth let us unyoke but with horse	E
and chariot draw near to the body and mourn Patroclus in due honour	F
to the dead When we have had full comfort of lamentation we will	G
unyoke our horses and take supper all of us here	F
On this they all joined in a cry of wailing and Achilles led them in	H
their lament Thrice did they drive their chariots all sorrowing round	I
the body and Thetis stirred within them a still deeper yearning	J
The sands of the seashore and the men's armour were wet with their	F
weeping so great a minister of fear was he whom they had lost	K
Chief in all their mourning was the son of Peleus he laid his	B
bloodstained hand on the breast of his friend Fare well he	L
cried Patroclus even in the house of Hades I will now do all	M
that I erewhile promised you I will drag Hector hither and let dogs	N
devour him raw twelve noble sons of Trojans will I also slay before	F
your pyre to avenge you	C
As he spoke he treated the body of noble Hector with contumely	M
laying it at full length in the dust beside the bier of Patroclus The	A
others then put off every man his armour took the horses from their	F
chariots and seated themselves in great multitude by the ship of	O
the fleet descendant of Aeacus who thereon feasted them with an	P
abundant funeral banquet Many a goodly ox with many a sheep and	Q
bleating goat did they butcher and cut up many a tusked boar	F
moreover fat and well fed did they singe and set to roast in the	A
flames of Vulcan and rivulets of blood flowed all round the place	R
where the body was lying	J
Then the princes of the Achaeans took the son of Peleus to	C
Agamemnon but hardly could they persuade him to come with them so	S
wroth was he for the death of his comrade As soon as they reached	T
Agamemnon's tent they told the serving men to set a large tripod	U
over the fire in case they might persuade the son of Peleus 'to wash	V
the clotted gore from this body but he denied them sternly and swore	F
it with a solemn oath saying Nay by King Jove first and mightiest	W
of all gods it is not meet that water should touch my body till I	X
have laid Patroclus on the flames have built him a barrow and shaved	Y
my head for so long as I live no such second sorrow shall ever draw	F
nigh me Now therefore let us do all that this sad festival demands	Z
but at break of day King Agamemnon bid your men bring wood and	Q
provide all else that the dead may duly take into the realm of	O
darkness the fire shall thus burn him out of our sight the sooner	F
and the people shall turn again to their own labours	Z
Thus did he speak and they did even as he had said They made haste	A2
to prepare the meal they ate and every man had his full share so	Z
that all were satisfied As soon as they had had had enough to eat and	Q
drink the others went to their rest each in his own tent but the son	B2
of Peleus lay grieving among his Myrmidons by the shore of the	A
sounding sea in an open place where the waves came surging in one	B2
after another Here a very deep slumber took hold upon him and eased	C2
the burden of his sorrows for his limbs were weary with chasing	J
Hector round windy Ilius Presently the sad spirit of Patroclus drew	C
near him like what he had been in stature voice and the light of	O
his beaming eyes clad too as he had been clad in life The spirit	D2
hovered over his head and said	E2
You sleep Achilles and have forgotten me you loved me living	J
but now that I am dead you think for me no further Bury me with all	M
speed that I may pass the gates of Hades the ghosts vain shadows	Z
of men that can labour no more drive me away from them they will not	F2
yet suffer me to join those that are beyond the river and I wander	F
all desolate by the wide gates of the house of Hades Give me now your	F
hand I pray you for when you have once given me my dues of fire	F
never shall I again come forth out of the house of Hades Nevermore	F
shall we sit apart and take sweet counsel among the living the	A
cruel fate which was my birth right has yawned its wide jaws around	I
me nay you too Achilles peer of gods are doomed to die beneath the	A
wall of the noble Trojans	Z
One prayer more will I make you if you will grant it let not my	X
bones be laid apart from yours Achilles but with them even as we	L
were brought up together in your own home what time Menoetius brought	G2
me to you as a child from Opoeis because by a sad spite I had killed	H2
the son of Amphidamas not of set purpose but in childish quarrel	M
over the dice The knight Peleus took me into his house entreated	H2
me kindly and named me to be your squire therefore let our bones lie	X
in but a single urn the two handled golden vase given to you by	X
your mother	F
And Achilles answered Why true heart are you come hither to	H2
lay these charges upon me will of my own self do all as you have	I2
bidden me Draw closer to me let us once more throw our arms around	H2
one another and find sad comfort in the sharing of our sorrows	Z
He opened his arms towards him as he spoke and would have clasped	H2
him in them but there was nothing and the spirit vanished as a	A
vapour gibbering and whining into the earth Achilles sprang to his	Z
feet smote his two hands and made lamentation saying Of a truth	J2
even in the house of Hades there are ghosts and phantoms that have	I2
no life in them all night long the sad spirit of Patroclus has	Z
hovered over head making piteous moan telling me what I am to do	H2
for him and looking wondrously like himself	K2
Thus did he speak and his words set them all weeping and mourning	J
about the poor dumb dead till rosy fingered morn appeared Then	L2
King Agamemnon sent men and mules from all parts of the camp to bring	J
wood and Meriones squire to Idomeneus was in charge over them They	M2
went out with woodmen's axes and strong ropes in their hands and	H2
before them went the mules Up hill and down dale did they go by	X
straight ways and crooked and when they reached the heights of	O
many fountained Ida they laid their axes to the roots of many a	A
tall branching oak that came thundering down as they felled it They	M2
split the trees and bound them behind the mules which then wended	H2
their way as they best could through the thick brushwood on to the	A
plain All who had been cutting wood bore logs for so Meriones squire	F
to Idomeneus had bidden them and they threw them down in a line	N2
upon the seashore at the place where Achilles would make a mighty	H2
monument for Patroclus and for himself	K2
When they had thrown down their great logs of wood over the whole	M
ground they stayed all of them where they were but Achilles	Z
ordered his brave Myrmidons to gird on their armour and to yoke	O2
each man his horses they therefore rose girded on their armour and	H2
mounted each his chariot they and their charioteers with them The	A
chariots went before and they that were on foot followed as a cloud	H2
in their tens of thousands after In the midst of them his comrades	Z
bore Patroclus and covered him with the locks of their hair which they	M2
cut off and threw upon his body Last came Achilles with his head	H2
bowed for sorrow so noble a comrade was he taking to the house of	O
Hades	Z
When they came to the place of which Achilles had told them they	M2
laid the body down and built up the wood Achilles then bethought	H2
him of another matter He went a space away from the pyre and cut off	P2
the yellow lock which he had let grow for the river Spercheius He	H2
looked all sorrowfully out upon the dark sea and said Spercheius	Z
in vain did my father Peleus vow to you that when I returned home to	H2
my loved native land I should cut off this lock and offer you a holy	H2
hecatomb fifty she goats was I to sacrifice to you there at your	F
springs where is your grove and your altar fragrant with	Q2
burnt offerings Thus did my father vow but you have not fulfilled	H2
his prayer now therefore that I shall see my home no more I give	R2
this lock as a keepsake to the hero Patroclus	Z
As he spoke he placed the lock in the hands of his dear comrade and	H2
all who stood by were filled with yearning and lamentation The sun	B2
would have gone down upon their mourning had not Achilles presently	H2
said to Agamemnon Son of Atreus for it is to you that the people	M
will give ear there is a time to mourn and a time to cease from	S2
mourning bid the people now leave the pyre and set about getting	J
their dinners we to whom the dead is dearest will see to what is	Z
wanted here and let the other princes also stay by me	H2
When King Agamemnon heard this he dismissed the people to their	F
ships but those who were about the dead heaped up wood and built a	A
pyre a hundred feet this way and that then they laid the dead all	M
sorrowfully upon the top of it They flayed and dressed many fat sheep	T2
and oxen before the pyre and Achilles took fat from all of them and	H2
wrapped the body therein from head to foot heaping the flayed	H2
carcases all round it Against the bier he leaned two handled jars	Z
of honey and unguents four proud horses did he then cast upon the	A
pyre groaning the while he did so The dead hero had had	H2
house dogs two of them did Achilles slay and threw upon the pyre	F
he also put twelve brave sons of noble Trojans to the sword and laid	H2
them with the rest for he was full of bitterness and fury Then he	H2
committed all to the resistless and devouring might of the fire he	H2
groaned aloud and callid on his dead comrade by name Fare well	M
he cried Patroclus even in the house of Hades I am now doing all	M
that I have promised you Twelve brave sons of noble Trojans shall the	A
flames consume along with yourself but dogs not fire shall devour	F
the flesh of Hector son of Priam	U2
Thus did he vaunt but the dogs came not about the body of Hector	F
for Jove's daughter Venus kept them off him night and day and	H2
anointed him with ambrosial oil of roses that his flesh might not be	H2
torn when Achilles was dragging him about Phoebus Apollo moreover	F
sent a dark cloud from heaven to earth which gave shade to the	A
whole place where Hector lay that the heat of the sun might not parch	V2
his body	H2
Now the pyre about dead Patroclus would not kindle Achilles	Z
therefore bethought him of another matter he went apart and prayed to	H2
the two winds Boreas and Zephyrus vowing them goodly offerings He	H2
made them many drink offerings from the golden cup and besought them	W2
to come and help him that the wood might make haste to kindle and	H2
the dead bodies be consumed Fleet Iris heard him praying and	H2
started off to fetch the winds They were holding high feast in the	A
house of boisterous Zephyrus when Iris came running up to the stone	D
threshold of the house and stood there but as soon as they set eyes	Z
on her they all came towards her and each of them called her to him	X2
but Iris would not sit down I cannot stay she said I must go	Z
back to the streams of Oceanus and the land of the Ethiopians who	H2
are offering hecatombs to the immortals and I would have my share	F
but Achilles prays that Boreas and shrill Zephyrus will come to him	X2
and he vows them goodly offerings he would have you blow upon the	A
pyre of Patroclus for whom all the Achaeans are lamenting	J
With this she left them and the two winds rose with a cry that rent	H2
the air and swept the clouds before them They blew on and on until	M
they came to the sea and the waves rose high beneath them but when	L2
they reached Troy they fell upon the pyre till the mighty flames	Z
roared under the blast that they blew All night long did they blow	Z
hard and beat upon the fire and all night long did Achilles grasp his	Z
double cup drawing wine from a mixing bowl of gold and calling	J
upon the spirit of dead Patroclus as he poured it upon the ground	H2
until the earth was drenched As a father mourns when he is burning	J
the bones of his bridegroom son whose death has wrung the hearts of	O
his parents even so did Achilles mourn while burning the body of	O
his comrade pacing round the bier with piteous groaning and	H2
lamentation	L2
At length as the Morning Star was beginning to herald the light	H2
which saffron mantled Dawn was soon to suffuse over the sea the	A
flames fell and the fire began to die The winds then went home beyond	H2
the Thracian sea which roared and boiled as they swept over it The	A
son of Peleus now turned away from the pyre and lay down overcome	S2
with toil till he fell into a sweet slumber Presently they who	H2
were about the son of Atreus drew near in a body and roused him	X2
with the noise and tramp of their coming He sat upright and said	H2
Son of Atreus and all other princes of the Achaeans first pour	F
red wine everywhere upon the fire and quench it let us then gather	F
the bones of Patroclus son of Menoetius singling them out with	Q2
care they are easily found for they lie in the middle of the pyre	F
while all else both men and horses has been thrown in a heap and	H2
burned at the outer edge We will lay the bones in a golden urn in	L2
two layers of fat against the time when I shall myself go down into	H2
the house of Hades As for the barrow labour not to raise a great one	L2
now but such as is reasonable Afterwards let those Achaeans who may	M2
be left at the ships when I am gone build it both broad and high	X
Thus he spoke and they obeyed the word of the son of Peleus First	H2
they poured red wine upon the thick layer of ashes and quenched the	A
fire With many tears they singled out the whitened bones of their	F
loved comrade and laid them within a golden urn in two layers of	O
fat they then covered the urn with a linen cloth and took it inside	H2
the tent They marked off the circle where the barrow should be	H2
made a foundation for it about the pyre and forthwith heaped up the	A
earth When they had thus raised a mound they were going away but	H2
Achilles stayed the people and made them sit in assembly He brought	H2
prizes from the ships cauldrons tripods horses and mules noble	M
oxen women with fair girdles and swart iron	L2
The first prize he offered was for the chariot races a woman	L2
skilled in all useful arts and a three legged cauldron that had	H2
ears for handles and would hold twenty two measures This was for the	A
man who came in first For the second there was a six year old mare	F
unbroken and in foal to a he ass the third was to have a goodly	H2
cauldron that had never yet been on the fire it was still bright as	Z
when it left the maker and would hold four measures The fourth prize	Z
was two talents of gold and the fifth a two handled urn as yet	H2
unsoiled by smoke Then he stood up and spoke among the Argives	Z
saying	J
Son of Atreus and all other Achaeans these are the prizes that	H2
lie waiting the winners of the chariot races At any other time I	X
should carry off the first prize and take it to my own tent you	H2
know how far my steeds excel all others for they are immortal	M
Neptune gave them to my father Peleus who in his turn gave them to	H2
myself but I shall hold aloof I and my steeds that have lost their	F
brave and kind driver who many a time has washed them in clear	F
water and anointed their manes with oil See how they stand weeping	J
here with their manes trailing on the ground in the extremity of	O
their sorrow But do you others set yourselves in order throughout the	A
host whosoever has confidence in his horses and in the strength of	O
his chariot	H2
Thus spoke the son of Peleus and the drivers of chariots bestirred	H2
themselves First among them all uprose Eumelus king of men son of	O
Admetus a man excellent in horsemanship Next to him rose mighty	H2
Diomed son of Tydeus he yoked the Trojan horses which he had taken	L2
from Aeneas when Apollo bore him out of the fight Next to him	X2
yellow haired Menelaus son of Atreus rose and yoked his fleet	H2
horses Agamemnon's mare Aethe and his own horse Podargus The mare	F
had been given to Agamemnon by echepolus son of Anchises that he	H2
might not have to follow him to Ilius but might stay at home and take	Y2
his ease for Jove had endowed him with great wealth and he lived in	L2
spacious Sicyon This mare all eager for the race did Menelaus put	H2
under the yoke	O2
Fourth in order Antilochus son to noble Nestor son of Neleus	Z
made ready his horses These were bred in Pylos and his father came	Z2
up to him to give him good advice of which however he stood in but	H2
little need Antilochus said Nestor you are young but Jove and	H2
Neptune have loved you well and have made you an excellent	H2
horseman I need not therefore say much by way of instruction You are	F
skilful at wheeling your horses round the post but the horses	Z
themselves are very slow and it is this that will I fear mar your	F
chances The other drivers know less than you do but their horses are	F
fleeter therefore my dear son see if you cannot hit upon some	S2
artifice whereby you may insure that the prize shall not slip	A3
through your fingers The woodman does more by skill than by brute	H2
force by skill the pilot guides his storm tossed barque over the sea	Z
and so by skill one driver can beat another If a man go wide in	L2
rounding this way and that whereas a man who knows what he is doing	J
may have worse horses but he will keep them well in hand when he sees	Z
the doubling post he knows the precise moment at which to pull the	A
rein and keeps his eye well on the man in front of him I will give	R2
you this certain token which cannot escape your notice There is a	A
stump of a dead tree oak or pine as it may be some six feet above the	A
ground and not yet rotted away by rain it stands at the fork of	O
the road it has two white stones set one on each side and there is a	A
clear course all round it It may have been a monument to some one	L2
long since dead or it may have been used as a doubling post in days	Z
gone by now however it has been fixed on by Achilles as the mark	B3
round which the chariots shall turn hug it as close as you can but	H2
as you stand in your chariot lean over a little to the left urge on	L2
your right hand horse with voice and lash and give him a loose	Z
rein but let the left hand horse keep so close in that the nave of	O
your wheel shall almost graze the post but mind the stone or you	H2
will wound your horses and break your chariot in pieces which would	H2
be sport for others but confusion for yourself Therefore my dear	F
son mind well what you are about for if you can be first to round	H2
the post there is no chance of any one giving you the goby later	F
not even though you had Adrestus's horse Arion behind you horse	Z
which is of divine race or those of Laomedon which are the noblest	H2
in this country	Z
When Nestor had made an end of counselling his son he sat down in	L2
his place and fifth in order Meriones got ready his horses They then	L2
all mounted their chariots and cast lots Achilles shook the	A
helmet and the lot of Antilochus son of Nestor fell out first next	H2
came that of King Eumelus and after his those of Menelaus son of	O
Atreus and of Meriones The last place fell to the lot of Diomed son	L2
of Tydeus who was the best man of them all They took their places in	L2
line Achilles showed them the doubling post round which they were	F
to turn some way off upon the plain here he stationed his father's	Z
follower Phoenix as umpire to note the running and report truly	Z
At the same instant they all of them lashed their horses struck	C3
them with the reins and shouted at them with all their might They	M2
flew full speed over the plain away from the ships the dust rose from	S2
under them as it were a cloud or whirlwind and their manes were all	M
flying in the wind At one moment the chariots seemed to touch the	A
ground and then again they bounded into the air the drivers stood	H2
erect and their hearts beat fast and furious in their lust of	O
victory Each kept calling on his horses and the horses scoured the	A
plain amid the clouds of dust that they raised	H2
It was when they were doing the last part of the course on their way	M2
back towards the sea that their pace was strained to the utmost and it	H2
was seen what each could do The horses of the descendant of Pheres	Z
now took the lead and close behind them came the Trojan stallions	Z
of Diomed They seemed as if about to mount Eumelus's chariot and	H2
he could feel their warm breath on his back and on his broad	H2
shoulders for their heads were close to him as they flew over the	A
course Diomed would have now passed him or there would have been a	A
dead heat but Phoebus Apollo to spite him made him drop his whip	A3
Tears of anger fell from his eyes as he saw the mares going on	L2
faster than ever while his own horses lost ground through his	Z
having no whip Minerva saw the trick which Apollo had played the	A
son of Tydeus so she brought him his whip and put spirit into his	Z
horses moreover she went after the son of Admetus in a rage and broke	O2
his yoke for him the mares went one to one side the course and the	A
other to the other and the pole was broken against the ground	H2
Eumelus was thrown from his chariot close to the wheel his elbows	Z
mouth and nostrils were all torn and his forehead was bruised	H2
above his eyebrows his eyes filled with tears and he could find no	L2
utterance But the son of Tydeus turned his horses aside and shot	H2
far ahead for Minerva put fresh strength into them and covered Diomed	H2
himself with glory	Z
Menelaus son of Atreus came next behind him but Antilochus called	H2
to his father's horses On with you both he cried and do your	F
very utmost I do not bid you try to beat the steeds of the son of	O
Tydeus for Minerva has put running into them and has covered	H2
Diomed with glory but you must overtake the horses of the son of	O
Atreus and not be left behind or Aethe who is so fleet will taunt	H2
you Why my good fellows are you lagging I tell you and it shall	M
surely be Nestor will keep neither of you but will put both of you	H2
to the sword if we win any the worse a prize through your	F
carelessness fly after them at your utmost speed I will hit on a	A
plan for passing them in a narrow part of the way and it shall not	H2
fail me	Z
They feared the rebuke of their master and for a short space went	H2
quicker Presently Antilochus saw a narrow place where the road had	H2
sunk The ground was broken for the winter's rain had gathered and	H2
had worn the road so that the whole place was deepened Menelaus was	Z
making towards it so as to get there first for fear of a foul but	H2
Antilochus turned his horses out of the way and followed him a little	M
on one side The son of Atreus was afraid and shouted out	H2
Antilochus you are driving recklessly rein in your horses the road	H2
is too narrow here it will be wider soon and you can pass me then	L2
if you foul my chariot you may bring both of us to a mischief	D3
But Antilochus plied his whip and drove faster as though he had	H2
not heard him They went side by side for about as far as a young	E3
man can hurl a disc from his shoulder when he is trying his	Z
strength and then Menelaus's mares drew behind for he left off	P2
driving for fear the horses should foul one another and upset the	A
chariots thus while pressing on in quest of victory they might both	F3
come headlong to the ground Menelaus then upbraided Antilochus and	H2
said There is no greater trickster living than you are go and	H2
bad luck go with you the Achaeans say not well that you have	I2
understanding and come what may you shall not bear away the prize	Z
without sworn protest on my part	H2
Then he called on his horses and said to them Keep your pace	Z
and slacken not the limbs of the other horses will weary sooner	F
than yours for they are neither of them young	E3
The horses feared the rebuke of their master and went faster so	L2
that they were soon nearly up with the others	Z
Meanwhile the Achaeans from their seats were watching how the horses	Z
went as they scoured the plain amid clouds of their own dust	H2
Idomeneus captain of the Cretans was first to make out the running	J
for he was not in the thick of the crowd but stood on the most	H2
commanding part of the ground The driver was a long way off but	H2
Idomeneus could hear him shouting and could see the foremost horse	Z
quite plainly a chestnut with a round white star like the moon on	L2
its forehead He stood up and said among the Argives My friends	Z
princes and counsellors of the Argives can you see the running as	Z
well as I can There seems to be another pair in front now and	H2
another driver those that led off at the start must have been	L2
disabled out on the plain I saw them at first making their way	M2
round the doubling post but now though I search the plain of Troy I	X
cannot find them Perhaps the reins fell from the driver's hand so	L2
that he lost command of his horses at the doubling post and could not	H2
turn it I suppose he must have been thrown out there and broken	L2
his chariot while his mares have left the course and gone off	P2
wildly in a panic Come up and see for yourselves I cannot make out	H2
for certain but the driver seems an Aetolian by descent ruler over	F
the Argives brave Diomed the son of Tydeus	L2
Ajax the son of Oileus took him up rudely and said Idomeneus	L2
why should you be in such a hurry to tell us all about it when the	A
mares are still so far out upon the plain You are none of the	A
youngest nor your eyes none of the sharpest but you are always	L2
laying down the law You have no right to do so for there are	F
better men here than you are Eumelus's horses are in front now as	L2
they always have been and he is on the chariot holding the reins	L2
The captain of the Cretans was angry and answered Ajax you are an	L2
excellent railer but you have no judgement and are wanting in much	G3
else as well for you have a vile temper I will wager you a tripod or	F
cauldron and Agamemnon son of Atreus shall decide whose horses are	F
first You will then know to your cost	H2
Ajax son of Oileus was for making him an angry answer and there	F
would have been yet further brawling between them had not Achilles	L2
risen in his place and said Cease your railing Ajax and Idomeneus	L2
it is not you would be scandalised if you saw any one else do the	A
like sit down and keep your eyes on the horses they are speeding	J
towards the winning post and will be bere directly You will then both	F3
of you know whose horses are first and whose come after	F
As he was speaking the son of Tydeus came driving in plying his	L2
whip lustily from his shoulder and his horses stepping high as they	M2
flew over the course The sand and grit rained thick on the driver	F
and the chariot inlaid with gold and tin ran close behind his fleet	H2
horses There was little trace of wheel marks in the fine dust and	H2
the horses came flying in at their utmost speed Diomed stayed them in	L2
the middle of the crowd and the sweat from their manes and chests	L2
fell in streams on to the ground Forthwith he sprang from his	L2
goodly chariot and leaned his whip against his horses' yoke brave	H3
Sthenelus now lost no time but at once brought on the prize and gave	H3
the woman and the ear handled cauldron to his comrades to take away	M2
Then he unyoked the horses	L2
Next after him came in Antilochus of the race of Neleus who had	H2
passed Menelaus by a trick and not by the fleetness of his horses but	H2
even so Menelaus came in as close behind him as the wheel is to the	A
horse that draws both the chariot and its master The end hairs of a	A
horse's tail touch the tyre of the wheel and there is never much	G3
space between wheel and horse when the chariot is going Menelaus	L2
was no further than this behind Antilochus though at first he had	H2
been a full disc's throw behind him He had soon caught him up	I3
again for Agamemnon's mare Aethe kept pulling stronger and	H2
stronger so that if the course had been longer he would have passed	H2
him and there would not even have been a dead heat Idomeneus's brave	H3
squire Meriones was about a spear's cast behind Menelaus His horses	L2
were slowest of all and he was the worst driver Last of them all	M
came the son of Admetus dragging his chariot and driving his horses	L2
on in front When Achilles saw him he was sorry and stood up among	E3
the Argives saying The best man is coming in last Let us give him a	A
prize for it is reasonable He shall have the second but the first	H2
must go to the son of Tydeus	L2
Thus did he speak and the others all of them applauded his saying	J
and were for doing as he had said but Nestor's son Antilochus stood	H2
up and claimed his rights from the son of Peleus Achilles said he	Z
I shall take it much amiss if you do this thing you would rob me	Z
of my prize because you think Eumelus's chariot and horses were	F
thrown out and himself too good man that he is He should have	I2
prayed duly to the immortals he would not have come in fast if he had	H2
done so If you are sorry for him and so choose you have much gold in	L2
your tents with bronze sheep cattle and horses Take something from	S2
this store if you would have the Achaeans speak well of you and	H2
give him a better prize even than that which you have now offered but	H2
I will not give up the mare and he that will fight me for her let	H2
him come on	L2
Achilles smiled as he heard this and was pleased with Antilochus	L2
who was one of his dearest comrades So he said	H2
Antilochus if you would have me find Eumelus another prize I will	M
give him the bronze breastplate with a rim of tin running all round it	H2
which I took from Asteropaeus It will be worth much money to him	X2
He bade his comrade Automedon bring the breastplate from his tent	H2
and he did so Achilles then gave it over to Eumelus who received	H2
it gladly	Z
But Menelaus got up in a rage furiously angry with Antilochus An	L2
attendant placed his staff in his hands and bade the Argives keep	T2
silence the hero then addressed them Antilochus said he what is	L2
this from you who have been so far blameless You have made me cut a	A
poor figure and baulked my horses by flinging your own in front of	O
them though yours are much worse than mine are therefore O	L2
princes and counsellors of the Argives judge between us and show no	L2
favour lest one of the Achaeans say 'Menelaus has got the mare	F
through lying and corruption his horses were far inferior to	H2
Antilochus's but he has greater weight and influence ' Nay I will	M
determine the matter myself and no man will blame me for I shall	M
do what is just Come here Antilochus and stand as our custom is	L2
whip in hand before your chariot and horses lay your hand on your	F
steeds and swear by earth encircling Neptune that you did not	H2
purposely and guilefully get in the way of my horses	L2
And Antilochus answered Forgive me I am much younger King	J
Menelaus than you are you stand higher than I do and are the	A
better man of the two you know how easily young men are betrayed into	H2
indiscretion their tempers are more hasty and they have less	L2
judgement make due allowances therefore and bear with me I will	M
of my own accord give up the mare that I have won and if you claim	Z2
any further chattel from my own possessions I would rather yield it	H2
to you at once than fall from your good graces henceforth and do	H2
wrong in the sight of heaven	L2
The son of Nestor then took the mare and gave her over to	H2
Menelaus whose anger was thus appeased as when dew falls upon a	A
field of ripening corn and the lands are bristling with the	A
harvest even so O Menelaus was your heart made glad within you	H2
He turned to Antilochus and said Now Antilochus angry though I	X
have been I can give way to you of my own free will you have never	F
been headstrong nor ill disposed hitherto but this time your youth	J2
has got the better of your judgement be careful how you outwit your	F
betters in future no one else could have brought me round so	L2
easily but your good father your brother and yourself have all of	O
you had infinite trouble on my behalf I therefore yield to your	F
entreaty and will give up the mare to you mine though it indeed	H2
be the people will thus see that I am neither harsh nor vindictive	R2
With this he gave the mare over to Antilochus's comrade Noemon	L2
and then took the cauldron Meriones who had come in fourth	J3
carried off the two talents of gold and the fifth prize the	A
two handled urn being unawarded Achilles gave it to Nestor going up	I3
to him among the assembled Argives and saying Take this my good old	H2
friend as an heirloom and memorial of the funeral of Patroclus for	F
you shall see him no more among the Argives I give you this prize	L2
though you cannot win one you can now neither wrestle nor fight	H2
and cannot enter for the javelin match nor foot races for the hand of	O
age has been laid heavily upon you	H2
So saying he gave the urn over to Nestor who received it gladly and	H2
answered My son all that you have said is true there is no	L2
strength now in my legs and feet nor can I hit out with my hands from	S2
either shoulder Would that I were still young and strong as when	L2
the Epeans were burying King Amarynceus in Buprasium and his sons	L2
offered prizes in his honour There was then none that could vie	X
with me neither of the Epeans nor the Pylians themselves nor the	A
Aetolians In boxing I overcame Clytomedes son of Enops and in	L2
wrestling Ancaeus of Pleuron who had come forward against me	Z
Iphiclus was a good runner but I beat him and threw farther with	Q2
my spear than either Phyleus or Polydorus In chariot racing alone did	H2
the two sons of Actor surpass me by crowding their horses in front	H2
of me for they were angry at the way victory had gone and at the	A
greater part of the prizes remaining in the place in which they had	H2
been offered They were twins and the one kept on holding the	A
reins and holding the reins while the other plied the whip Such was	L2
I then but now I must leave these matters to younger men I must	H2
bow before the weight of years but in those days I was eminent	H2
among heroes And now sir go on with the funeral contests in	L2
honour of your comrade gladly do I accept this urn and my heart	H2
rejoices that you do not forget me but are ever mindful of my goodwill	M
towards you and of the respect due to me from the Achaeans For all	M
which may the grace of heaven be vouchsafed you in great abundance	L2
Thereon the son of Peleus when he had listened to all the thanks of	O
Nestor went about among the concourse of the Achaeans and	H2
presently offered prizes for skill in the painful art of boxing He	Z
brought out a strong mule and made it fast in the middle of the	A
crowd a she mule never yet broken but six years old when it is	L2
hardest of all to break them this was for the victor and for the	A
vanquished he offered a double cup Then he stood up and said among	E3
the Argives Son of Atreus and all other Achaeans I invite our	F
two champion boxers to lay about them lustily and compete for these	L2
prizes He to whom Apollo vouchsafes the greater endurance and whom	K3
the Achaeans acknowledge as victor shall take the mule back with	Q2
him to his own tent while he that is vanquished shall have the double	M
cup	I3
As he spoke there stood up a champion both brave and great	H2
stature a skilful boxer Epeus son of Panopeus He laid his hand	H2
on the mule and said Let the man who is to have the cup come hither	F
for none but myself will take the mule I am the best boxer of all	M
here present and none can beat me Is it not enough that I should	H2
fall short of you in actual fighting Still no man can be good at	H2
everything I tell you plainly and it shall come true if any man	L2
will box with me I will bruise his body and break his bones therefore	F
let his friends stay here in a body and be at hand to take him away	M2
when I have done with him	X2
They all held their peace and no man rose save Euryalus son of	O
Mecisteus who was son of Talaus Mecisteus went once to Thebes	L2
after the fall of Oedipus to attend his funeral and he beat all	M
the people of Cadmus The son of Tydeus was Euryalus's second	H2
cheering him on and hoping heartily that he would win First he put	H2
a waistband round him and then he gave him some well cut thongs of	O
ox hide the two men being now girt went into the middle of the	A
ring and immediately fell to heavily indeed did they punish one	L2
another and lay about them with their brawny fists One could hear the	A
horrid crashing of their jaws and they sweated from every pore of	O
their skin Presently Epeus came on and gave Euryalus a blow on the	A
jaw as he was looking round Euryalus could not keep his legs they	M2
gave way under him in a moment and he sprang up with a bound as a	A
fish leaps into the air near some shore that is all bestrewn with	Q2
sea wrack when Boreas furs the top of the waves and then falls	L2
back into deep water But noble Epeus caught hold of him and raised	H2
him up his comrades also came round him and led him from the ring	J
unsteady in his gait his head hanging on one side and spitting great	H2
clots of gore They set him down in a swoon and then went to fetch the	A
double cup	I3
The son of Peleus now brought out the prizes for the third contest	H2
and showed them to the Argives These were for the painful art of	O
wrestling For the winner there was a great tripod ready for setting	J
upon the fire and the Achaeans valued it among themselves at twelve	L3
oxen For the loser he brought out a woman skilled in all manner of	O
arts and they valued her at four oxen He rose and said among the	A
Argives Stand forward you who will essay this contest	H2
Forthwith uprose great Ajax the son of Telamon and crafty	Z
Ulysses full of wiles rose also The two girded themselves and went	H2
into the middle of the ring They gripped each other in their strong	M3
hands like the rafters which some master builder frames for the roof	N3
of a high house to keep the wind out Their backbones cracked as	L2
they tugged at one another with their mighty arms and sweat rained	H2
from them in torrents Many a bloody weal sprang up on their sides and	H2
shoulders but they kept on striving with might and main for victory	Z
and to win the tripod Ulysses could not throw Ajax nor Ajax him	X2
Ulysses was too strong for him but when the Achaeans began to tire of	O
watching them Ajax said to ulysses Ulysses noble son of Laertes	L2
you shall either lift me or I you and let Jove settle it between	L2
us	L2
He lifted him from the ground as he spoke but Ulysses did not	H2
forget his cunning He hit Ajax in the hollow at back of his knee	Z
so that he could not keep his feet but fell on his back with	Q2
Ulysses lying upon his chest and all who saw it marvelled Then	L2
Ulysses in turn lifted Ajax and stirred him a little from the ground	H2
but could not lift him right off it his knee sank under him and	H2
the two fell side by side on the ground and were all begrimed with	Q2
dust They now sprang towards one another and were for wrestling yet a	A
third time but Achilles rose and stayed them Put not each other	F
further said he to such cruel suffering the victory is with	Q2
both alike take each of you an equal prize and let the other	F
Achaeans now compete	H2
Thus did he speak and they did even as he had said and put on their	F
shirts again after wiping the dust from off their bodies	L2
The son of Peleus then offered prizes for speed in running a	A
mixing bowl beautifully wrought of pure silver It would hold six	L2
measures and far exceeded all others in the whole world for beauty	Z
it was the work of cunning artificers in Sidon and had been brought	H2
into port by Phoenicians from beyond the sea who had made a present	H2
of it to Thoas Eueneus son of jason had given it to Patroclus in	L2
ransom of Priam's son Lycaon and Achilles now offered it as a prize	L2
in honour of his comrade to him who should be the swiftest runner For	F
the second prize he offered a large ox well fattened while for the	A
last there was to be half a talent of gold He then rose and said	H2
among the Argives Stand forward you who will essay this contest	H2
Forthwith uprose fleet Ajax son of Oileus with cunning Ulysses and	H2
Nestor's son Antilochus the fastest runner among all the youth of his	L2
time They stood side by side and Achilles showed them the goal The	A
course was set out for them from the starting post and the son of	O
Oileus took the lead at once with Ulysses as close behind him as	L2
the shuttle is to a woman's bosom when she throws the woof across	L2
the warp and holds it close up to her even so close behind him was	L2
Ulysses treading in his footprints before the dust could settle	M
there and Ajax could feel his breath on the back of his head as he	Z
ran swiftly on The Achaeans all shouted applause as they saw him	X2
straining his utmost and cheered him as he shot past them but when	L2
they were now nearing the end of the course Ulysses prayed inwardly to	H2
Minerva Hear me he cried and help my feet O goddess Thus	L2
did he pray and Pallas Minerva heard his prayer she made his hands	L2
and his feet feel light and when the runners were at the point of	O
pouncing upon the prize Ajax through Minerva's spite slipped upon	L2
some offal that was lying there from the cattle which Achilles had	H2
slaughtered in honour of Patroclus and his mouth and nostrils were	F
all filled with cow dung Ulysses therefore carried off the	A
mixing bowl for he got before Ajax and came in first But Ajax took	O3
the ox and stood with his hand on one of its horns spitting the	A
dung out of his mouth Then he said to the Argives Alas the goddess	L2
has spoiled my running she watches over Ulysses and stands by him	X2
as though she were his own mother Thus did he speak and they all	M
of them laughed heartily	Z
Antilochus carried off the last prize and smiled as he said to the	A
bystanders You all see my friends that now too the gods have shown	L2
their respect for seniority Ajax is somewhat older than I am and	H2
as for Ulysses he belongs to an earlier generation but he is hale in	L2
spite of his years and no man of the Achaeans can run against him	X2
save only Achilles	L2
He said this to pay a compliment to the son of Peleus and	H2
Achilles answered Antilochus you shall not have praised me to no	L2
purpose I shall give you an additional half talent of gold He	Z
then gave the half talent to Antilochus who received it gladly	Z
Then the son of Peleus brought out the spear helmet and shield that	H2
had been borne by Sarpedon and were taken from him by Patroclus He	Z
stood up and said among the Argives We bid two champions put on	L2
their armour take their keen blades and make trial of one another in	L2
the presence of the multitude whichever of them can first wound the	A
flesh of the other cut through his armour and draw blood to him	X2
will I give this goodly Thracian sword inlaid with silver which I	X
took from Asteropaeus but the armour let both hold in partnership	A3
and I will give each of them a hearty meal in my own tent	H2
Forthwith uprose great Ajax the son of Telamon as also mighty	Z
Diomed son of Tydeus When they had put on their armour each on his	L2
own side of the ring they both went into the middle eager to	H2
engage and with fire flashing from their eyes The Achaeans marvelled	H2
as they beheld them and when the two were now close up with one	L2
another thrice did they spring forward and thrice try to strike	P3
each other in close combat Ajax pierced Diomed's round shield but	H2
did not draw blood for the cuirass beneath the shield protected	H2
him thereon the son of Tydeus from over his huge shield kept aiming	J
continually at Ajax's neck with the point of his spear and the	A
Achaeans alarmed for his safety bade them leave off fighting and	H2
divide the prize between them Achilles then gave the great sword to	H2
the son of Tydeus with its scabbard and the leathern belt with which	Q3
to hang it	H2
Achilles next offered the massive iron quoit which mighty Eetion had	H2
erewhile been used to hurl until Achilles had slain him and carried	H2
it off in his ships along with other spoils He stood up and said	H2
among the Argives Stand forward you who would essay this contest	H2
He who wins it will have a store of iron that will last him five years	L2
as they go rolling round and if his fair fields lie far from a town	L2
his shepherd or ploughman will not have to make a journey to buy iron	L2
for he will have a stock of it on his own premises	L2
Then uprose the two mighty men Polypoetes and Leonteus with Ajax	L2
son of Telamon and noble Epeus They stood up one after the other	F
and Epeus took the quoit whirled it and flung it from him which set	H2
all the Achaeans laughing After him threw Leonteus of the race of	O
Mars Ajax son of Telamon threw third and sent the quoit beyond any	Z
mark that had been made yet but when mighty Polypoetes took the quoit	H2
he hurled it as though it had been a stockman's stick which he sends	L2
flying about among his cattle when he is driving them so far did	H2
his throw out distance those of the others All who saw it roared	H2
applause and his comrades carried the prize for him and set it on	L2
board his ship	A3
Achilles next offered a prize of iron for archery ten	L2
double edged axes and ten with single eddies he set up a ship's mast	H2
some way off upon the sands and with a fine string tied a pigeon to	H2
it by the foot this was what they were to aim at Whoever he said	H2
can hit the pigeon shall have all the axes and take them away with	Q2
him he who hits the string without hitting the bird will have taken a	A
worse aim and shall have the single edged axes	L2
Then uprose King Teucer and Meriones the stalwart squire of	O
Idomeneus rose also They cast lots in a bronze helmet and the lot	H2
of Teucer fell first He let fly with his arrow forthwith but he	Z
did not promise hecatombs of firstling lambs to King Apollo and	H2
missed his bird for Apollo foiled his aim but he hit the string with	Q2
which the bird was tied near its foot the arrow cut the string clean	L2
through so that it hung down towards the ground while the bird flew	H2
up into the sky and the Achaeans shouted applause Meriones who	H2
had his arrow ready while Teucer was aiming snatched the bow out of	O
his hand and at once promised that he would sacrifice a hecatomb of	O
firstling lambs to Apollo lord of the bow then espying the pigeon	L2
high up under the clouds he hit her in the middle of the wing as	L2
she was circling upwards the arrow went clean through the wing and	H2
fixed itself in the ground at Meriones' feet but the bird perched	H2
on the ship's mast hanging her head and with all her feathers	L2
drooping the life went out of her and she fell heavily from the	A
mast Meriones therefore took all ten double edged axes while	M
Teucer bore off the single edged ones to his ships	L2
Then the son of Peleus brought in a spear and a cauldron that had	H2
never been on the fire it was worth an ox and was chased with a	A
pattern of flowers and those that throw the javelin stood up to	H2
wit the son of Atreus king of men Agamemnon and Meriones stalwart	H2
squire of Idomeneus But Achilles spoke saying Son of Atreus we	Z
know how far you excel all others both in power and in throwing the	A
javelin take the cauldron back with you to your ships but if it so	L2
please you let us give the spear to Meriones this at least is what I	X
should myself wish	R3
King Agamemnon assented So he gave the bronze spear to Meriones	L2
and handed the goodly cauldron to Talthybius his esquire	F

Homer

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