HOMER 
 
 
 
 FLAXMAN.
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER 
 
 BY THE 
 1 
 
 REV. ALFRED J. CHURCH, M.A., 
 
 Head Master of King Edward's School, Retford; 
 AUTHOR OF "STORIES FROM VIRGIL." 
 
 WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS 
 FROM FLAXMAN'S DESIGNS. 
 
 EIGHTH THOUSAND 
 
 SEELEY, JACKSON & HALLIDAY, FLEET STREET, 
 LONDON. MDCCCLXXVIII. 
 
 All Rights Reserved.
 
 UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS, CHILWORTH AND LONDON.
 
 WITHOUT WHOSE ENCOURAGEMENT 
 
 IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN WRITTEN, 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 THESE " Stories " will, I hope, represent Homer 
 not unfaithfully to readers, old and young ; 
 who do not know him in the original ; may, 
 perhaps, commend him to some of the younger 
 sort who, having made acquaintance with him y 
 do not find this acquaintance tend to love. 
 
 We have given by way of illustration some 
 of Flaxman's famous designs. These we 
 have ventured to colour, hoping that by so 
 doing we should render them more attractive, 
 without transgressing any rule of art. The 
 style of the outlines was suggested by the 
 Etruscan vase painting, and Flaxman himself 
 did some work of a similar kind for Wedg- 
 wood. Most of the vase paintings are in 
 black and red, but there is authority for the 
 employment of the buff tint.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 THE ILIAD. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 I. THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS I 
 
 II. THE BROKEN COVENANT ... ... ... 17 
 
 III. THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN ... ... ... 2J 
 
 IV. HECTOR AND ANDROMACH& 46 
 
 V. THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX 54 
 
 VI. THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES AND DIOMED 64 
 
 VII. THE WOUNDING OF THE CHIEFS ... ... 76 
 
 VIII. THE BATTLE AT THE WALL ... ... 83 
 
 IX. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS ... ... ... 92 
 
 X. THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS (continued) ... IOO 
 
 XI. THE DEEDS AND DEATH OF PATROCLUS ... 1 09 
 
 XII. THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES 119 
 
 XIII. THE BATTLE AT THE RIVER 129 
 
 XIV. THE DEATH OF HECTOR ... ... ... 141 
 
 XV. THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR 156
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 THE ODYSSEY. 
 
 CHAP. PAGE 
 
 I. THE CYCLOPS 177 
 
 II. THE ISLAND OF AEOLUS THE LjESTRYGONS 
 
 CIRC6 193 
 
 III. THE REGIONS OF THE DEAD SCYLLA THE 
 
 OXEN OF THE SUN CALYPSO ... 205 
 
 IV. TELEMACHUS AND PENELOP6 214 
 
 V. NESTOR AND MENELAUS 222 
 
 VI. ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT 236 
 
 VII. NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS ... ... ... 245 
 
 VIII. ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD 261 
 
 IX. THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS 271 
 
 X. ULYSSES IN HIS HOME 279 
 
 XI. THE TRIAL OF THE BOW ... ... ... 292 
 
 Xll. THE SLAYING OF THE SUITORS ?GO
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 MORNING Frontispiece 
 
 ATHENA SUPPRESSING THE FURY OF ACHILLES ... 8 
 
 DIOMED CASTING HIS SPEAR AGAINST ARES ... ... 42 
 
 THE MEETING OF HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE ... 50 
 
 HECTOR AND AJAX SEPARATED BY THE HERALDS ... 62 
 DIOMED AND ULYSSES RETURNING WITH THE SPOILS 
 
 OF RHESUS 74 
 
 AJAX DEFENDING THE GREEK SHIPS AGAINST THE 
 
 TROJANS 106 
 
 SLEEP AND DEATH 'CONVEYING THE BODY OF SAR- 
 
 PEDON TO LYCIA ,. 116 
 
 THETIS BRINGING THE ARMOUR TO ACHILLES ... 132 
 
 ANDROMACH6 FAINTING ON THE WALL 154 
 
 ULYSSES GIVING WINE TO POLYPHEMUS 1 86 
 
 ULYSSES AT THE TABLE OF CIRC& 2OO
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PENELOPE SURPRISED BY THE SUITORS ... ... 2l8 
 
 PENELOPE'S DREAM 234 
 
 ULYSSES FOLLOWING THE CAR OF NAUSICAA ... 250 
 
 ULYSSES WEEPS AT THE SONG OF DEMODOCUS ... 256 
 ULYSSES, ASLEEP, LAID ON HIS OWN COAST BY THE 
 
 PH^EACIAN SAILORS 262 
 
 ULYSSES CONVERSING WITH EUALEUS 266 
 
 ULYSSES AND HIS DOG 280 
 
 ULYSSES PREPARING TO FIGHT WITH IRUS ... 284 
 
 EURYCLEA DISCOVERS ULYSSES 2 90 
 
 PENELOPE CARRYING THE BOW OF ULYSSES TO THE 
 
 SUITORS 294 
 
 ULYSSES KILLING THE SUITORS 302 
 
 THE MEETING OF ULYSSES AND PENELOPE ... ... 306
 
 THE ILIAD 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE SIEGE OF TROY.
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 
 
 FOR nine years and more the Greeks had be- 
 sieged the city of Troy, and being many in num- 
 ber and better ordered, and having very strong 
 and valiant chiefs, they had pressed the men of 
 the city very hard, so that these durst not go 
 outside the walls. And, indeed, they might 
 have taken it without further loss, but that 
 there arose a deadly strife between two of the 
 chiefs, even between Agamemnon, King of 
 Mycenae, who was sovereign lord of all the 
 host ; and Achilles, who was the bravest and 
 most valiant man therein. Now the strife 
 chanced in this wise. 
 
 The Greeks, having been away from home 
 now many years, were in great want of things 
 needful. Wherefore it was their custom to leave 
 a part of their army to watch the city, and to 
 send a part to spoil such towns in the country 
 round about as they knew to be friendly to the
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 men of Troy, or as they thought to contain 
 good store of provision or treasure. " Are 
 not all these," they were wont to say, " towns of 
 the barbarians, and therefore lawful prey to men 
 that are Greeks ? " Now among the towns 
 with which they dealt in this fashion was Chrysa, 
 which was sacred to Apollo, who had a great 
 temple therein and a priest. The temple and 
 the priest the Greeks, fearing the anger of the 
 god, had not harmed ; but they had carried off 
 with other prisoners the priest's daughter, 
 Chrysei's by name. These and the rest of 
 the spoil they divided among the kings, of whom 
 there were n?any in the army, ruling each his 
 own people. Now King Agamemnon, as being 
 sovereign lord, went not commonly with the 
 army at such times, but rather stayed behind, 
 having charge of the siege that it should not 
 be neglected. Yet did he always receive, as 
 indeed was fitting, a share of the spoil. This 
 time the Greeks gave him, with other things, 
 the maiden Chrysei's. But there came to the 
 camp next day the priest Chryses, wishing to 
 ransom his daughter. Much gold he brought 
 with him, and he had on his head the priest's
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 3 
 
 crown, that men might reverence him the more. 
 He went to all the chiefs, making his prayer 
 that they would take the gold and give him 
 back his daughter. And they all spake him 
 fair, and would have done what he wished. 
 Only Agamemnon would not have it so. 
 
 "Get thee out, greybeard!" he cried in great 
 wrath. " Let me not find thee lingering now 
 by the ships, neither coming hither again, or it 
 shall be the worse for thee, for all thy priest- 
 hood. And as for thy daughter, I shall carry 
 her away to Argos, when I shall have taken this 
 city of Troy." 
 
 Then the old man went out hastily in great 
 fear and trouble. And he walked in his sorrow 
 by the shore of the sounding sea, and prayed to 
 his god Apollo. 
 
 " Hear me, God of the silver bow. If I have 
 built thee a temple, and offered thee the fat of 
 many bullocks and rams, hear me, and avenge 
 me on these Greeks ! " 
 
 And Apollo heard him. Wroth he was that 
 men had so dishonoured his priest, and he came 
 down from the top of Olympus, where he dwelt. 
 Dreadful was the rattle of his arrows as he
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 went, and his presence was as the night coming 
 over the sky. Then he shot the arrows of death, 
 first on the dogs and the mules, and then on 
 the men ; and soon all along the shore rolled the 
 black smoke from the piles of wood on which 
 they burnt the bodies of the dead. 
 
 On the tenth day Achilles, who was the 
 bravest and strongest of all the Greeks, called 
 the people to an assembly. When they were 
 gatnered together he stood up among them and 
 spake to Agamemnon. 
 
 " Surely it were better to return home, than 
 that we should all perish here by the plague. 
 But come, let us ask some prophet, or priest, or 
 dreamer of dreams, why it is that Apollo is so 
 wroth with cs." 
 
 Then stood up Calchas, best of seers, who 
 knew what had been, and what was, and what 
 was to come, and spake. 
 
 " Achilles, thou biddest me tell the people 
 why Apollo is wroth with them. Lo ! I tell 
 thee, but thou must first swear to stand by me, 
 for I know that what I shall say will anger 
 King Agamemnon, and it goes ill with common 
 men when kings are angry."
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 5 
 
 " Speak out, thou wise man!" cried Achilles ; 
 " for I swear by Apollo that while I live no one 
 shall lay hands on thee, no, not Agamemnon's 
 self, though he be sovereign lord of the Greeks." 
 
 Then the prophet took heart and spake. 
 "It is on behalf of his priest that Apollo is 
 wroth, for he came to ransom his daughter, but 
 Agamemnon would not let the maiden go. 
 Now, then, ye must send her back to Chrysa 
 without ransom, and with her a hundred beasts 
 for sacrifice, so that the plague may be stayed." 
 
 Then Agamemnon stood up in a fury, his 
 eyes blazing like fire. 
 
 " Never," he cried, " hast thou spoken good 
 concerning me, ill prophet that thou art, and 
 now thou tellest me to give up this maiden! I 
 will do it, for I would not that the people should 
 perish. Only take care, ye Greeks, that there 
 be a share of the spoil for me, for it would ill 
 beseem the lord of all the host that he alone 
 should be without his share." 
 
 " Nay, my lord Agamemnon," cried Achilles, 
 "thou art too eager for gain. We have no 
 .treasures out of which we may make up thy 
 loss, for what we got out of the towns we have
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 either sold or divided ; nor would it be fitting 
 that the people should give back what has been 
 given to them. Give up the maiden, then, with- 
 out conditions, and when we shall have taken 
 this city of Troy, we will repay thee three and 
 four fold." 
 
 " Nay, great Achilles," said Agamemnon, 
 " thou shalt not cheat me thus. If the Greeks 
 will give me such a share as I should have, well 
 and good. But if not, I will take one for my- 
 self, whether it be from thee, or from Ajax, or 
 from Ulysses ; for my share I will have. But 
 of this hereafter. Now let us see that this 
 maiden be sent back. Let them get ready 
 a ship, and put her therein, and with her a 
 hundred victims, and let some chief go with the 
 ship, and see that all things be rightly done." 
 
 Then cried Achilles, and his face was black 
 as a thunder-storm, " Surely thou art altogether 
 shameless and greedy, and, in truth, an ill ruler 
 of men. No quarrel have I with the Trojans. 
 They never harried oxen or sheep of mine. 
 But I have been fighting in thy cause, and that 
 of thy brother Menelaiis. Naught carest thou 
 for that Thou leavest me to fight, and sittest
 
 THE BARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 7 
 
 in thy tent at ease. But when the spoil is 
 divided, thine is always the lion's share. Small 
 indeed is my part 'a little thing, but dear/ 
 And this, forsooth, thou .wilt take away ! Now 
 am I resolved to go home. Small booty wilt 
 thou get then, methinks ! " 
 
 And King Agamemnon answered, " Go, and 
 thy Myrmidons with thee ! I have other chief- 
 tains as good as thou art, and ready, as thou art 
 not, to pay me due respect. I hate thee, with 
 thy savage, bloodthirsty ways. And as for the 
 matter of the spoil, know that I will take thy 
 share, the girl Brise'is, and fetch her myself, if 
 need be, that all may know that I am sovereign 
 lord here in the host of the Greeks." 
 
 Then Achilles was mad with anger, and he 
 thought in his heart, " Shall I arise and slay 
 this caitiff, or shall I keep down the wrath in 
 my breast ? " And as he thought he laid his 
 hand on his sword-hilt, and had half drawn his 
 sword from the scabbard, when lo ! the goddess 
 Athene stood behind him (for Herd, who loved 
 both this chieftain and that, had sent her), and 
 caught him by the long locks of his yellow hair. 
 But Achilles marvelled much to feel the
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 mighty grasp, and turned, and looked, and knew 
 the goddess, but no one else in the assembly 
 might see her. Then his eyes flashed with fire, 
 and he cried, " Art thou come, child of Zeus, to 
 see the insolence of Agamemnon ? Of a truth, 
 I think that he will perish for his folly." 
 
 But Athene" said, " Nay, but I am come to 
 stay thy wrath. Use bitter words, if thou wilt, 
 but put up thy sword in its sheath, and strike 
 him not. Of a truth, I tell thee that for this 
 insolence of to-day he will bring thee hereafter 
 splendid gifts, threefold and fourfold for all that 
 he may take away." 
 
 Then Achilles answered, " I shall abide by 
 thy command, for it is ever better for a man to 
 obey the immortal gods." And as he spake he 
 laid his heavy hand upon the hilt, and thrust 
 back the sword into the scabbard, and Athene" 
 went her way to Olympus. 
 
 Then he turned him to King Agamemnon, 
 and spake again. " Drunkard, with the eyes 
 of a dog and the heart of a deer ! never fight- 
 ing in the front of the battle, nor daring to lie 
 in the ambush ! 'Tis a puny race thou rulest, 
 or this had been thy last wrong. And as for
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 9 
 
 me, here is this sceptre : once it was the branch 
 of a tree, but a cunning craftsman bound it with 
 bronze to be the sign of the lordship which Zeus 
 gives to kings ; as surely as it shall never again 
 have bark or leaves or shoot, so surely shall 
 the Greeks one day miss Achilles, when they 
 fall in heaps before the dreadful Hector, and 
 thou shalt eat thy heart to think that thou hast 
 wronged the bravest of thy host." 
 
 And as he spake he dashed his sceptre on 
 the ground and sat down. And on the other 
 side Agamemnon sat in furious anger. Then 
 Nestor rose, an old man of a hundred years 
 and more, and counselled peace. Let them 
 listen, he said, to his counsel. Great chiefs 
 in the old days, with whom no man now alive 
 would dare to fight, had listened. Let not 
 Agamemnon take away from the bravest of the 
 Greeks the prize of war ; let not Achilles, though 
 he was mightier in battle than all other men, 
 contend with Agamemnon, who was sovereign 
 lord of all the hosts of Greece. But he spake in 
 vain. For Agamemnon answered 
 
 " Nestor, thou speakest well, and peace is 
 good. But this fellow would lord it over all,
 
 io STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and he must be taught that there is one here, at 
 least, who is better than he." 
 
 And Achilles said, " I were a slave and a 
 coward if I owned thee as my lord. Not so : 
 play the master over others, but think not to 
 master me. As for the prize which the Greeks 
 gave me, let them do as they will. They gave 
 it ; let them take it away. But if thou darest 
 to touch aught that is mine own, that hour thy 
 life-blood shall redden on my spear." 
 
 Then the assembly was dismissed. Chryseis 
 was sent to her home with due offerings to the 
 god, the wise Ulysses going with her. And all 
 the people purified themselves, and the plague 
 was stayed. 
 
 But King Agamemnon would not go back 
 from his purpose. So he called to him the 
 heralds, Talthybius and Eurybates, and said, 
 
 " Heralds, go to the tents of Achilles and fetch 
 the maiden Brisei's. But if he will not let her go, 
 say that I will come myself with many others 
 to fetch her ; so will it be the worse for him." 
 
 Sorely against their will the heralds went. 
 Along the sea shore they walked, till they came 
 to where, amidst the Myrmidons, were the tents
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. n 
 
 of Achilles. There they found him sitting, but 
 stood silent in awe and fear. But Achilles spied 
 them, and cried aloud, " Come near, ye heralds, 
 messengers of gods and men. 'Tis no fault of 
 yours that ye are come on such an errand." 
 
 Then he turned to Patroclus (now Patroclus 
 was his dearest friend) and said, " Bring the 
 maiden from her tent, and let the heralds lead 
 her away. But let them be witnesses, before 
 gods and men, and before this evil-minded king, 
 against the day when he shall have sore need 
 of me to save his host from destruction. Fool 
 that he is, who thinks not of the past nor of the 
 future, that his people may be safe ! " 
 
 Then Patroclus brought forth the maiden 
 from her tent and gave her to the heralds. 
 And they led her away, but it was sorely 
 against her will that she went But Achilles 
 went apart from his comrades and sat upon the 
 sea shore, falling into a great passion of tears, 
 and stretching out his hands with loud prayer 
 to his mother, who indeed was a goddess of the 
 sea, Thetis by name. She heard him where 
 she sat in the depths by her father, the old god 
 of the sea, and rose you would have thought
 
 12 STORIES FRO M HOMER. 
 
 it a mist rising from the waves, and came to 
 where he sat weeping, and stroked him with her 
 hand, and called him by his name. 
 
 " What ails thee, my son ? " she said. 
 
 Then he told her the story of his wrong, and 
 when he had ended he said 
 
 " Go, I pray thee, to the top of Olympus, to 
 the palace of Zeus. Often have I heard thee 
 boast how, long ago, thou didst help him when 
 the other gods would have bound him, fetching 
 Briareus of the hundred hands, who sat by him 
 in his strength, so that the gods feared to touch 
 him. Go now and call these things to his mind, 
 and pray him that he help the sons of Troy 
 and give them victory in the battle, so that the 
 Greeks, as they flee before them, may have joy 
 of this king of theirs, who has done such wrong 
 to the bravest of his host." 
 
 And his mother answered him, "Surely thine 
 is an evil lot, my son ! Thy life is short, and 
 it should of right be without tears and full of 
 joy ; but now it seems to me to be both short 
 and sad. But I will go as thou sayest to 
 Olympus, to the palace of Zeus, but not now, 
 for he has gone, and the other gods with
 
 1 'HE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 13 
 
 him, to a twelve days' feast with the pious 
 Ethiopians. But when he comes back I will 
 entreat and persuade him. And do thou sit 
 still, nor go forth to battle." 
 
 When the twelve days were past, Thetis 
 went to the top of Olympus, to the palace of 
 Zeus, and made her prayer to him. He was 
 loath to grant it, for he knew that it would 
 anger his wife, Herd, who loved the Greeks 
 and hated the sons of Troy. Yet he could not 
 refuse her, but promised that it should be as she 
 wished. And to make his word the surer, he 
 nodded his awful head, and with the nod all 
 Olympus was shaken. 
 
 That night Zeus took counsel with himself 
 how he might best work his will. And he 
 called to him a dream, and said, " Dream, go 
 to the tent of Agamemnon, and tell him to set 
 his army in array against Troy, for that the 
 gods are now of one mind, and the day of doom 
 is come for the city, so that he shall take it, and 
 gain eternal glory for himself." 
 
 So the dream went to the tent of Agamemnon, 
 and it took the shape of Nestor, the old chief, 
 whom the king honoured more than all beside.
 
 14 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then the false Nestor spake : " Sleepest 
 thou, Agamemnon ? It is not for kings to 
 sleep all through the night, for they must take 
 thought for many, and have many cares. Listen 
 now to the words of Zeus : ' Set the battle in 
 array against Troy, for the gods are now of one 
 mind, and the day of doom is come for the city, 
 and thou shalt take it, and gain eternal glory for 
 thyself/" 
 
 And Agamemnon believed the dream, and 
 knew not the purpose of Zeus in bidding him 
 go forth to battle, how that the Trojans should 
 win the day, and great shame should come to 
 himself, but great honour to Achilles, when all 
 the Greeks should pray him to deliver them 
 from death. So he rose from his bed and 
 donned his tunic, and over it a great cloak, and 
 fastened the sandals on his feet, and hung from 
 his shoulders his mighty silver-studded sword, 
 and took in his right hand the great sceptre of his 
 house, which was the token of his sovereignty 
 over all the Greeks. Then he went forth, and 
 first took counsel with the chiefs, and afterwards 
 called the people to the assembly. And after 
 the assembly the shrill-voiced heralds called the
 
 THE QUARREL OF THE CHIEFS. 15 
 
 host to the battle. As is the flare of a great 
 fire when a wood is burning on a hill-top, so 
 was the flash of their arms and their armour 
 as they thronged to the field. And as the 
 countless flocks of wild geese or cranes or swans 
 now wheel and now settle in the great Asian 
 fen by the stream of Cayster, or as the bees 
 swarm in the spring, when the milk-pails are 
 full, so thick the Greeks thronged to the battle in 
 the great plain by the banks of the Scamander. 
 Many nations were there, and many chiefs. But 
 the most famous among them wer^ v these: Aga- 
 memnon, King of Mycense, and his brother, the 
 yellow-haired Menelaus, King of Sparta, and 
 husband of the beautiful Helen ; Ajax Oileus, 
 or, as men called him, the lesser Ajax, King of 
 the Locri, swiftest of foot among the Greeks after 
 the great Achilles; Ajax Telamon, from Sa- 
 lamis ; Diomed, son of Tydeus, King of Argos, 
 and with him Sthenelus; Nestor, King of Pylos, 
 oldest and wisest among the Greeks ; Ulysses, 
 King of Ithaca, than whom there was no one 
 more crafty in counsel ; Idomeneus, grandson of 
 the great judge Minos, King of Crete, and with 
 him Meriones; Tlepolemus, son of Hercules,
 
 :6 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 from Rhodes ; Eurnelus from Pherae, son of that 
 Alcestis who died for her husband and was 
 brought back from death by Hercules. All 
 these were there that day, and many more ; and 
 the bravest and strongest of all was Ajax, son 
 of Telamon, and the best horses were the 
 horses of Eumelus ; but there was none that 
 could compare with Achilles and the horses of 
 Achilles, bravest man and swiftest steeds. Only 
 Achilles sat apart, and would not go to the 
 battle. 
 
 And on the other side the sons of Troy and 
 their allies came forth from the gates of the 
 city and set themselves in array. The most 
 famous of their chiefs were these : Hector, son 
 of King Priam, bravest and best of all ; yEneas, 
 son of Anchises and the goddess Aphrodite; 
 Pandarus, from Mount Ida, with the bow which 
 Apollo gave him ; Asius, the son of Hyrtacus, 
 who came from the broad salt river, the Helles- 
 pont ; Pylsemenes, King of Paphlagonia ; and 
 Sarpedon from Lycia, whom men affirmed to be 
 the son of Zeus himself, and with him Glaucus. 
 
 So the battle was set in array, and the two 
 hosts stood over against each other.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE BROKEN COVENANT. 
 
 THEY were now about to fight, when from the 
 ranks of the Trojans Paris rushed forth. He 
 had a panther's skin over his shoulders, and a 
 bow and a sword, and in either hand a spear, 
 and he called aloud to the Greeks that they 
 should send forth their bravest to fight with 
 him. But when Menelaiis saw him he was 
 glad, for he said that now he should avenge 
 himself on the man who had done him such 
 wrong. So a lion is glad when, being sorely 
 hungered, he finds a stag or a wild goat ; he de- 
 vours it, and will not be driven from it by dogs 
 or hunters. He leapt from his chariot and 
 rushed to meet his enemy ; but Paris, having 
 done evil, and being therefore a coward in his 
 heart, was afraid when he saw Menelaiis, and 
 fled back into the ranks of his comrades, just as 
 a man steps back in haste when unawares in a 
 
 3
 
 1 8 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 mountain glen he comes upon a snake. But 
 Hector saw him and rebuked him. " Fair art 
 thou to look upon, Paris, but nothing worth. 
 Surely the Greeks will scorn us if they think 
 that thou art our bravest warrior, because thou 
 art of stately presence. But thou art a coward ; 
 and yet thou daredst to go across the sea and 
 carry off the fair Helen. Why dost thou not 
 stand and abide the onset of her husband, and 
 see what manner of man he is ? Little, I ween, 
 would thy harp and thy long locks and thy fair 
 face avail when thou wert lying in the dust ! A 
 craven race are the sons of Troy, or they would 
 have stoned thee ere this." 
 
 Then Paris answered, "Thou speakest well, 
 Hector, and thy rebuke is just. As for thee, 
 thy heart is like iron, ever set on battle ; yet 
 are beauty and love also the gifts of the gods, 
 and not to be despised. But now set Menelaiis 
 and me in the midst, and let us fight, man to 
 man, for the fair Helen and for all her posses- 
 sions. And if he prevail over me, let him take 
 her and them and depart, and the Greeks with 
 him, but ye shall dwell in peace ; but if I pre- 
 vail they shall depart without her."
 
 THE BROKEN COVENANT. 19 
 
 Then Hector was glad, and going before the 
 Trojan ranks, holding his spear by the middle, 
 he kept them back. But the Greeks would 
 have thrown spears and stones at him, only 
 Agamemnon cried aloud and said, " Hold : 
 Hector has somewhat to say to us." 
 
 Then Hector said, " Hear, Trojans and 
 Greeks, what Paris saith : Let all besides lay 
 their arms upon the ground, and let Menelaiis 
 and me fight for the fair Helen and all her 
 wealth. And let him that is the better keep 
 her and them, but the rest shall dwell in 
 peace/' 
 
 Then Menelaiis said, " The word pleaseth 
 me well ; let us fight together, and let us make 
 agreement with oath and sacrifice. And be- 
 cause the sons of Priam are men of fraud and 
 violence, let Priam himself come." 
 
 So they sent a herald to King Priam, but he 
 sat on the wall with the old men. And as they 
 talked, the fair Helen came near, and they said, 
 " What wonder that men should suffer much for 
 such a woman, for indeed she is divinely fair. 
 Yet let her depart in the ships, nor bring a 
 curse on us and our children."
 
 20 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 But Priam called to her, " Come near, my 
 daughter ; tell me about these old friends of 
 thine. For 'tis not thou, 'tis the gods who have 
 brought about all this trouble. But tell me, 
 who is this warrior that I see, so fair and strong ? 
 There are others even a head taller than he, 
 but none of such majesty." 
 
 And Helen answered, "Ah, my father! would 
 that I had died before I left husband and child 
 to follow thy son. But as for this warrior, he is 
 Agamemnon, a good king and brave soldier, and 
 my brother-in-law in the old days." 
 
 " Happy Agamemnon," said Priam, " to rule 
 over so many ! Never saw I such an army 
 gathered together, not even when I went to 
 help the Phrygians when they were assembled 
 on the banks of the Sangarus against the 
 Amazons. But who is this that I see, not so 
 tall as Agamemnon, but of broader shoulders ? 
 His arms lie upon the ground, and he is walk- 
 ing through the ranks of his men just as some 
 great ram walks through a flock of sheep." 
 
 " This," said Helen, " is Ulysses of Ithaca, 
 who is better in craft and counsel than all other 
 men."
 
 THE BROKEN COVENANT. 21 
 
 " 'Tis well spoken, lady," said Antenor. 
 "Well I remember Ulysses when he came 
 hither on an embassy about thee with the brave 
 Menelalis. My guests they were, and I knew 
 them well. And I remember how, in the as- 
 sembly of the Trojans, when both were standing, 
 Menelatis was the taller, but when they sat, 
 Ulysses was the more majestic to behold. 
 And when they rose to speak, Menelaiis said 
 few words, but said them wisely and well ; and 
 Ulysse? you had thought him a fool, so stiffly 
 he held his sceptre and so downcast were his 
 eyes ; but as soon as he began, oh ! the mighty 
 voice, and the words thick as the falling snow ! " 
 
 Then Priam said, " Who is that stalwart 
 hero, so tall and strong, overtopping all by 
 head and shoulders ? " 
 
 " That," said Helen, " is mighty Ajax, the 
 bulwark of the Greeks. And next to him is 
 Idomeneus. Often has Menelaiis had him as 
 his guest in the old days, when he came from 
 Crete. As for the other chiefs, I see and could 
 name them all. But I miss my own dear 
 brothers, Castor, tamer of horses, and Pollux, 
 the mighty boxer. Either they came not from
 
 22 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Sparta, or, having come, shun the meeting of 
 men for shame of me." 
 
 So she spake, and knew not that they were 
 sleeping their last sleep far away in their dear 
 fatherland. And when they had ended talking, 
 the heralds came and told King Priam how that 
 the armies called for him. So he went, and 
 Antenor with him. And he on the one side, for 
 the Trojans, and King Agamemnon for the 
 Greeks, made a covenant with sacrifice that 
 Paris and Menelaiis should fight together, and 
 that the fair Helen, with all her treasures, should 
 go with him who should prevail. And after- 
 wards Hector and Ulysses marked out a 
 space for the fight, and Hector shook two 
 pebbles in a helmet, looking away as he shook 
 them, that he whose pebble leapt forth the first 
 should be the first to throw his spear. And it 
 so befell that the lot of Paris leapt forth first. 
 Then the two warriors armed themselves and 
 came forth into the space, and stood over against 
 each other, brandishing their spears, with hate 
 in their eyes. Then Paris threw his spear. It 
 struck the shield of Menelaiis, but pierced it 
 not, for the spear point was bent back. Then
 
 THE BROKEN COVENANT. 23 
 
 Menelatis prayed to Zeus, " Grant, father Zeus, 
 that I may avenge myself on Paris, who has 
 done me this wrong : so shall men in after time 
 fear to do wrong to their host." So speaking, 
 he cast his long-shafted spear. It struck the 
 shield of Paris and pierced it through, and 
 passed through the corslet, and through the 
 tunic, close to the loin ; but Paris shrank aside, 
 and the spear wounded him not. Then Mene- 
 latis drew his silver-studded sword and struck a 
 mighty blow on the top of the helmet of Paris, 
 but the sword broke in four pieces in his hand. 
 Then he cried in his wrath, " O Zeus, most 
 mischief- loving of the gods, my spear I cast 
 in vain, and now my sword is broken." Then 
 he rushed forward and seized Paris by the 
 helmet, and dragged him towards the host of 
 the Greeks. And truly he had taken him, but 
 Aphrodite loosed the strap that was beneath 
 the chin, and the helmet came off in his hand. 
 And Menelalis whirled it among the Greeks 
 and charged with another spear in his hand. 
 But Aphrodite snatched Paris away, covering him 
 with a mist, and put him down in his chamber 
 in Troy. Then Menelaiis looked for him every-
 
 24 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 where, but no one could tell him where he 
 might be. No son of Troy would have hidden 
 him out of kindness, for all hated him as 
 death. 
 
 Then King Agamemnon said, " Now, ye 
 sons of Troy, it is for you to give back the 
 fair Helen and her wealth, and to pay me be- 
 sides so much as may be fitting for all my cost 
 and trouble." 
 
 But it was not the will of the gods that the 
 sons of Troy should do this thing, but rather 
 that their city should perish. So Athene took 
 upon herself the shape of Laodocus, son of 
 Antenor, and went to Pandarus, son of Lycaon, 
 where he stood among his men. Then the false 
 Laodocus said, " Pandarus, darest thou aim an- 
 arrow at Menelatis ? Truly the Trojans would 
 love thee well, and Paris best of all, if they could 
 see Menelaiis slain by an arrow from thy bow. 
 Aim then, but first pray to Apollo, and vow that 
 thou wilt offer a hundred beasts when thou re- 
 turnest to thy city, Zeleia." Now Pandarus had 
 a bow made of the horns of a wild goat which 
 he had slain ; sixteen palms long they were, and 
 a cunning workman had made them smooth, and
 
 THE BROKEN COVENANT. 25 
 
 put a tip of gold whereon to fasten the bow- 
 string. And Pandarus strung his bow, his com- 
 rades hiding him with their shields. Then he 
 took an arrow from his quiver, and laid it on 
 the bow-string, and drew the string to his breast, 
 till the arrow-head touched the bow, and let fly. 
 Right well aimed was the dart, but it was not 
 the will of heaven that it should slay Menelaiis. 
 It struck him, indeed, and passed through the 
 belt and through the corslet and through the 
 girdle, and pierced the skin. Then the red blood 
 rushed out and stained the white skin, even as 
 some Lycian or Carian woman stains the white 
 ivory with red to adorn the war-horse of a king. 
 
 Sore dismayed was King Agamemnon to see 
 the blood ; sore dismayed also was the brave 
 Menelaiis, till he spied the barb of the arrow, 
 and knew that the wound was not deep. But 
 Agamemnon cried 
 
 " It was in an evil hour for thee, my brother, 
 that I made a covenant with these false sons of 
 Troy. Right well, indeed, I know that oath 
 and sacrifice are not in vain, but will have 
 vengeance at the last. Troy shall fall ; but woe 
 is me if thou shouldst die, Menelaiis. For the
 
 26 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Greeks will straight go back to their father-land, 
 and the fair Helen will be left a boast to the 
 sons of Troy, and I shall have great shame 
 when one of them shall say, as he leaps on the 
 tomb of the brave Menelatis, ' Surely the great 
 Agamemnon has avenged himself well ; for he 
 brought an army hither, but now is gone back to 
 his home, but left Menelatis here.' May the 
 earth swallow me up before that day ! " 
 
 " Nay," said Menelaiis, " fear not, for the arrow 
 has but grazed the skin." 
 
 Then King Agamemnon bade fetch the phy- 
 sician. So the herald fetched Machaon, the 
 physician. And Machaon came, and drew forth 
 the arrow, and when he had wiped away the 
 blood he put healing drugs upon the wound, 
 which Chiron, the wise healer, had given to his 
 father.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 
 
 BUT while this was doing, King Agamemnon 
 went throughout the host, and if he saw any- 
 one stirring himself to get ready for the battle 
 he praised him and gave him good encourage- 
 ment; but whomsoever he saw halting and lin- 
 gering and slothful, him he blamed and rebuked 
 whether he were common man or chief. The 
 last that he came to was Diomed, son of Tydeus 
 with Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, standing by 
 his side. And Agamemnon spake, " How is 
 this, son of Tydeus ? Shrinkest thou from the 
 battle ? This was not thy father's wont. I never 
 saw him indeed, but I have heard that he was 
 braver than all other men. Once he came to 
 Mycenae with great Polynices to gather allies 
 against Thebes. And the men of Mycenae 
 would have sent them, only Zeus showed evil
 
 28 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 signs from heaven and forbade them. Then 
 the Greeks sent Tydeus on an embassy to 
 Thebes, where he found many of the sons of 
 Cadmus feasting in the palace of Eteocles ; but 
 Tydeus was not afraid, though he was but one 
 among many. He challenged them to contend 
 with him in sport, and in everything he prevailed. 
 But the sons of Cadmus bare it ill, and they laid 
 an ambush for Tydeus as he went back, fifty 
 men with two leaders Mseon and Lycophon. 
 But Tydeus slew them all, leaving only Maeon 
 alive, that he might carry back the tidings to 
 Thebes. Such was thy father; but his son is 
 worse in battle, but better, it may be, in speech." 
 Nothing said Diomed, for he reverenced the 
 king ; but Sthenelus cried out, " Why speakest 
 thou false, King Agamemnon, knowing the truth ? 
 We are not worse but better than our fathers. 
 Did not we take Thebes, though we had fewer 
 men than they, who indeed took it not?" But 
 Diomed frowned and said, " Be silent, friend. I 
 blame not King Agamemnon, that he rouses the 
 Greeks to battle. Great glory will it be to him 
 if they take the city, and great loss if they be 
 worsted. But it is for us to be valiant."
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 29 
 
 So he passed through all the host. And the 
 Greeks went forward to the battle, as the waves 
 that curl themselves and then dash upon the 
 shore, throwing high the foam. In order they 
 went after their chiefs; you had thought them 
 dumb, so silent were they. But the Trojans 
 were like a flock of ewes which wait to be 
 milked, and bleat hearing the voice of their 
 lambs, so confused a cry went out from their 
 army, for there were men of many tongues 
 gathered together. And on either side the gods 
 urged them on, but chiefly Athene the Greeks 
 and Ares the sons of Troy. Then, as two streams 
 in flood meet in some chasm, so the armies 
 dashed together, shield on shield and spear on 
 spear. 
 
 Antilochus, son of Nestor, was the first to 
 slay a man of Troy, Echepolus by name, smiting 
 him through the helmet into the forehead. Like 
 a tower he fell, and Elphenor the Eubcean 
 sought to drag him away that he might strip 
 him of his arms. But Agenor smote him with 
 his spear as he stooped, so baring his side to a 
 wound. Dreadful was the fight around his body. 
 Like wolves the Trojans and the Greeks rushed
 
 30 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 upon each other. And Ajax Telamon slew 
 Simoisius (so they called him, because he was 
 born on the banks of Simois). He fell as 
 a poplar falls, and Antiphon, son of King 
 Priam, aimed at Ajax, but, missing him, slew 
 Leucus, the valiant comrade of Ulysses. And 
 Ulysses, in great anger, stalked through the 
 foremost fighters, brandishing his spear, and the 
 sons of Troy gave, way, and when he hurled it 
 he slew Democoon, a son of Priam. Then 
 Hector and the foremost ranks of Troy were 
 borne backward, till Apollo cried from the 
 heights of Pergamos, " On, Trojans ! The flesh of 
 these Greeks is not stone or iron, that ye cannot 
 pierce it. Know, too, that the mighty Achilles 
 does not fight to-day." But on the other side 
 Athene urged on the Greeks to battle. Then 
 Peiros the Thracian slew Diores, first striking 
 him to the ground with a huge stone, and then 
 piercing him with his spear; and him in turn 
 Thoas of ^Etolia slew, but could not spoil of his 
 arms, so strongly did the men of Thrace defend 
 the body. Then Athene roused Diomed to 
 battle, making a fire shine from his helmet, bright 
 as Orion shines in the vintage time. First there
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 31 
 
 met him two warriors, sons of Dares, priest of 
 Hephaestus, Phegeus and Idaeus, the one fight- 
 ing on foot and the other from his chariot. 
 First Phegeus threw his spear and missed his 
 aim ; but Diomed missed not, smiting him 
 through the breast. And Idaeus, when he saw 
 his brother fall, fled, Hephaestus saving him, 
 lest the old man should be altogether bereaved. 
 And each of the chiefs slew a foe ; but there was 
 none like Diomed, who raged through the battle 
 so furiously that you could not tell with which 
 host he was, whether with the Greeks or with 
 the sons of Troy. Then Pandarus aimed an 
 arrow at him, and smote him in the right 
 shoulder as he was rushing forward, and cried 
 aloud, "On, great-hearted sons of Troy, the 
 bravest of the Greeks is wounded ! Soon, 
 methinks, will his strength fail him, unless 
 Apollo has deceived me." 
 
 But Diomed cared not for the arrow. Only 
 he leapt down from the chariot and spake to 
 Sthenelus, his charioteer, "Come down and draw 
 this arrow from my shoulder." Then Sthenelus 
 drew it, and the blood spirted out from the 
 wound. And Diomed prayed to Athene, " O
 
 32 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 goddess, if ever thou hast helped me, be with 
 me now, and grant me to slay this boaster 
 whose arrow has wounded me!" So speaking, he 
 rushed into the ranks of the Trojans, slaying a 
 man at every stroke. ^Eneas saw him, and 
 thought how he might stay him in his course. 
 So he passed through the host till he found Pan- 
 darus. " Pandarus," he said, " where are thy 
 bow and arrows ? See how this man deals death 
 through the ranks. Send a shaft at him, first 
 making thy prayer to Zeus." 
 
 Then Pandarus answered 
 
 " This man, methinks, is Diomed. The 
 shield and the helmet and the horses are his. 
 And yet I know not whether he is not a god. 
 Some god, at least, stands by him and guards 
 him. But now I sent an arrow at him and 
 smote him on the shoulder, right through the 
 corslet, and thought that I had slain him ; but 
 lo ! I have harmed him not at all. And now I 
 know not what to do, for here I have no chariof. 
 Eleven, indeed, there are at home, in the house 
 of my father Lycaon, and the old man was ear- 
 nest with me that I should bring one of them ; 
 but I would not, fearing for my horses, lest they
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 33 
 
 should not have provender enough. So I came, 
 trusting in my bow, and lo ! it has failed me 
 these two times. Two of the chiefs I have hit, 
 Menelaiis and Diomed, and from each have 
 seen the red blood flow, yet have I not harmed 
 them. Surely, if ever I return safe to my 
 home, I will break this useless bow." 
 
 " Nay," said ^Eneas, " talk not thus. Climb 
 into my chariot, and see what horses we have in 
 Troy. They will carry us safe to the city, even 
 should Diomed prevail against us. But take 
 the rein and the whip, and I will fight ; or, if 
 thou wilt, fight thou, and I will drive." 
 
 " Nay," said Pandarus, " let the horses have 
 the driver whom they know. It might lose us 
 both, should we turn to flee, and they linger or 
 start aside, missing their master's voice." 
 
 So Pandarus mounted the chariot and they 
 drove together against Diomed. And Sthene- 
 lus saw them coming, and said to his comrades 
 " I see two mighty warriors, Lycaon and 
 ^Eneas. It would be well that we should go 
 back to our chariot." 
 
 But Diomed frowned and said, " Talk not of 
 going back, Thou wilt talk in vain to me. As 
 
 4
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 for my chariot, I care not for it. As I am will 
 I go against these men. Both shall not return 
 safe, even if one should escape. But do thou 
 stay my chariot where it is, tying the reins to 
 the rail ; and if I slay these men, mount the 
 chariot of yEneas and drive into the host of 
 the Greeks. There are no horses under the 
 sun such as these, for they are of the breed 
 which Zeus himself gave to King Tros." 
 
 Meanwhile Pandarus and yEneas were coming 
 near, and Pandarus cast his spear. Right 
 through the shield of Diomed it passed, and 
 reached the corslet, and Pandarus cried 
 
 " Thou art hit in the loin. This, methinks, 
 will lay thee low." 
 
 " Nay," said Diomed, " thou hast missed and 
 not hit at all." 
 
 And as he spake he threw his spear. Through 
 nose and teeth and tongue it passed, and stood 
 out below the chin. Headlong from the chariot 
 he fell, and his armour clashed about him. 
 Straightway ./Eneas leapt off with spear and 
 shield to guard the body of his friend, and stood 
 as a lion stands over a carcase. But Diomed 
 lifted a great stone, such as two men of our day
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 35 
 
 could scarcely carry, and cast it. It struck 
 -/Eneas on the hip, crushing the bone. The hero 
 stooped on his knee, clutching the ground with 
 his hand, and darkness covered his eyes. That 
 hour he had perished, but his mother Aphrodite 
 caught him in her white arms and threw her 
 veil about him. But even so Diomed was 
 loath to let his foe escape, and knowing that 
 the goddess was not of those who mingle in the 
 battle, he rushed on her and wounded her on 
 the wrist, and the blood gushed out such blood 
 (they call it ichor) as flows in the veins of the 
 immortal gods, who eat not the meat and drink 
 not the drink of men. With a loud shriek she 
 dropped her son, but Apollo caught him up and 
 covered him with a dark mist, lest perchance 
 one of the Greeks should spy him and slay him. 
 And still Diomed pursued. Thrice he rushed 
 on, and thrice Apollo pushed back his shining 
 shield ; but the fourth time the god cried to 
 him 
 
 " Be wise, son of Tydeus, and give way, nor 
 think to match the gods." 
 
 And Diomed gave way, fearing the wrath of 
 the far-shooting bow. But Apollo carried
 
 36 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 out of the battle, and laid him down 
 in his own temple in the citadel of Troy, and 
 there Artemis and Latona healed him of his 
 wound. And all the while the Trojans and 
 the Greeks were fighting, as they thought, 
 about his body, for Apollo had made a likeness 
 of the hero and thrown it down in their midst. 
 Then Sarpedon the Lycian spake to Hector 
 with bitter words 
 
 " Where are thy boasts, Hector ? Thou 
 saidst that thou couldst guard thy city, without 
 thy people or thy allies, thou alone, with thy 
 brothers and thy brothers-in-law. But I can- 
 not see even one of them. They go and hide 
 themselves, as dogs before a lion. It is we, 
 your allies, who maintain the battle. I have 
 come from far to help thy people from Lycia, 
 where I left wife and child and wealth nor 
 do I shrink from the fight, but thou shouldst do 
 thy part." 
 
 And the words stung Hector to the heart. 
 He leapt from his chariot and went through 
 the host, urging them to the battle. And on 
 the other side the Greeks strengthened them- 
 selves. But Ares brought back yEneas whole
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 37 
 
 from his wound, and gave him courage and 
 might. Right glad were his comrades to see 
 him, nor did they ask him any question ; scant 
 leisure was there for questions that day. Then 
 were done many valiant deeds, nor did any 
 bear himself more bravely than /Eneas. Two 
 chieftains of the Greeks he slew, Crethon and 
 Orsilochus, who came from the banks of 
 Alpheiis. Sore vexed was Menelaiis to see 
 them fall, and he rushed to avenge them, Ares 
 urging him on, for he hoped that ./Eneas would 
 slay him. But Antilochus, Nestor's son, saw 
 him go, and hasted to his side that he might 
 help him. So they went and slew Pylsemenes, 
 King of the Paphlagonians, and Medon, his 
 charioteer. Then Hector rushed to the front, 
 and Ares was by his side. Diomed saw him, and 
 the god also, for his eyes were opened that day, 
 and he fell back a space and cried 
 
 " O my friends ! here Hector comes ; nor he 
 alone, but Ares is with him in the shape of a 
 mortal man. Let us give place, still keeping 
 our faces to the foe, for men must not fight with 
 gods." 
 
 Then drew near to each other Sarpedon the
 
 38 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Lycian and Tlepolemus, the son of Hercules, 
 the one a son and the other a grandson of Zeus. 
 First Tlepolemus spake 
 
 " What art thou doing here, Sarpedon ? 
 Surely 'tis a false report that thou art a son of 
 Zeus. The sons of Zeus in the old days were 
 better men than thou art, such as my father 
 Hercules, who came to this city when Lao- 
 medon would not give him the horses which 
 he had promised, and brake down the walls 
 and wasted the streets. No help, methinks, wilt 
 thou be to the sons of Troy, slain here by my 
 hands." 
 
 But Sarpedon answered, "He indeed spoiled 
 Troy, for Laomedon did him grievous wrong. 
 But thou shalt not fare so, but rather meet with 
 thy death." 
 
 Then they both hurled their spears, aiming 
 truly, both of them. For Sarpedon smote 
 Tlepolemus in the neck, piercing it through so 
 that he fell dead, and Tlepolemus smote Sar- 
 pedon in the left thigh, driving the spear close 
 to the bone, but slaying him not, his father Zeus 
 warding off the doom of death. And his com- 
 rades carried him out of the battle, sorely bur-
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 39 
 
 dened with the spear, which no one had thought 
 to take out of the wound. And as he was 
 borne along, Hector passed by, and Sarpedon 
 rejoiced to see him, and cried 
 
 " Son of Priam, suffer me not to become a 
 prey to the Greeks ; let me at least die in your 
 city, for Lycia I may see no more, nor wife, nor 
 child." 
 
 But Hector heeded him not, so eager was he 
 for the battle. So his comrades carried him to 
 the great beech -tree and laid him down, and 
 one of them drew the spear out of his thigh. 
 When it was drawn out he fainted, but the 
 cool north wind blew and revived him, and 
 he breathed again. 
 
 But all the while Hector, with Ares at his 
 side, dealt death and destruction through the 
 ranks of the Greeks. Here and Athen6 saw 
 him where they sat on the top of Olympus, and 
 were wroth. So they went to Father Zeus, and 
 prayed that it might be lawful to them to stop 
 him in his fury. And Zeus said, " Be it as you 
 will." So they yoked the horses to the chariot 
 of Here and passed down to earth, the horses 
 flying at every stride over so much space as a
 
 40 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 man sees who sits upon a cliff and looks across 
 the sea to where it meets the sky. They alighted 
 on the spot where the two rivers Simoi's and 
 Scamander join their streams. There they 
 loosed the horses from the yoke, and then 
 sped like doves to where the bravest of the 
 Greeks stood round King Diomed. There 
 Here took the shape of Stentor with the lungs 
 of bronze, whose voice was as the voice of fifty 
 men, and cried, " Shame, men of Greece ! When 
 Achilles went to the battle, the men of Troy 
 came not beyond the gates, but now they fight 
 far from the city, even by the ships." But 
 Athene went to Diomed where he stood wiping 
 away the blood from the wound where Pandarus 
 had struck him with the arrow. And she 
 spake, " Surely the son of Tydeus is little like 
 to his sire. Small of stature was he, but a keen 
 fighter. But thou whether it be weariness or 
 fear that keeps thee back I know not canst 
 scarcely be a true son of Tydeus." 
 
 But Diomed answered, " Nay, great goddess, 
 for I know thee who thou art, daughter of Zeus, 
 it is not weariness or fear that keeps me back. 
 'Tis thy own command that I heed. Thou
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 41 
 
 didst bid me fight with none other of the im- 
 mortal gods but only with Aphrodite, should 
 she come to the battle. Therefore I give place, 
 for I see Ares lording it through the ranks of 
 war." 
 
 " Heed not Ares ; drive thy chariot at him, 
 and smite him with the spear. This very 
 morning he promised that he would help the 
 Greeks, and now he hath changed his purpose." 
 
 And as she spake she pushed Sthenelus, who 
 drove the chariot, so that he leapt out upon the 
 ground, and she mounted herself and caught 
 the reins and lashed the horses. So the two 
 went together, and they found Ares where he 
 had just slain Periphas the ^Etolian. But 
 Athene had donned the helmet of Hades, which 
 whosoever puts on straightway becomes invisible, 
 for she would not that Ares should see her who 
 she was. The god saw Diomed come near, 
 and left Periphas, and cast his spear over the 
 yoke of the chariot, eager to slay the hero. But 
 Athene caught the spear in her hand, and 
 turned it aside, so that it flew vainly through the 
 air. Then Diomed in turn thrust forward his 
 spear, and Athene leant upon it, so that it
 
 42 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 pierced the loin of Ares, where his girdlewas 
 clasped. And Ares shouted with the pain, 
 loud as a host of men, thousands nine or ten, 
 shouts when it joins in battle. And the Greeks 
 and Trojans trembled as they heard. And 
 Diomed saw the god go up to Olympus as a 
 thunder-cloud goes up when the wind of the 
 south blows hot. 
 
 But when Ares had departed the Greeks 
 prevailed again, slaying many of the sons of 
 Troy and of their allies. But at last Helenus, 
 the wise seer, spake to Hector and ./Eneas 
 
 " Cause the army to draw back to the walls, 
 and go through the ranks and give them such 
 strength and courage as ye may. And do thou, 
 Hector, when thou hast so done, pass into the 
 city, and bid thy mother go with the daughters 
 of Troy, and take the costliest robe that she 
 hath, and lay it on the knees of Athene in her 
 temple, vowing therewith to sacrifice twelve 
 heifers, if perchance she may have pity upon 
 us, and keep this Diomed from our walls. Surely 
 there is no Greek so strong as he ; we did not 
 fear even Achilles' self so much as we fear this 
 man to-day, so dreadful is he and fierce. Go,
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 43 
 
 and we will make such stand meanwhile as we 
 can." 
 
 Then Hector passed through the ranks, 
 bidding them be of good heart, and so de- 
 parted to the city. 
 
 But when he was go'ne, Glaucus the Lycian 
 and Diomed met in the space between the two 
 hosts. And Diomed said 
 
 " Who art thou that meetest me thus ? for 
 never have I seen thee before. If thou art a 
 man, know that luckless are the fathers whose 
 sons meet my spear. But if thou art a god, I 
 will not fight with thee. It fares ill with them 
 that fight with gods." 
 
 Then Glaucus answered, " Diomed, why 
 askest thou of my race ? The races of men 
 are as the leaves of the forest which the wind 
 blows to the earth, and lo ! in the spring they 
 shoot forth again. Yet if thou wouldst know it, 
 hearken to my words. There is a city Ephyra 
 in the land of Argos, where Sisyphus dwelt, 
 who was the craftiest of men ; and Sisyphus 
 begat Glaucus, and Glaucus Bellerophon. Now 
 Bellerophon was the fairest and most valiant 
 of men. And Queen Antea accused him falsely
 
 44 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 to her husband, King Prcetus. Whereupon the 
 king sent him to his father-in-law, who was 
 King of Lycia, and gave him a tablet, whereon 
 were written letters of death, so that the king 
 having read them should cause him to be slain. 
 So Bellerophon came to Lycia. And for nine 
 days the king feasted him, but on the tenth he 
 asked for the tablet. And when he had read it, 
 he sought how he might slay him. For first he 
 sent him to subdue the Chimsera. Now the 
 Chimaera was a marvellous thing, having the 
 forepart of a lion, and the body of a goat, and 
 the tail of a snake. And afterwards he sent 
 him against the Solymi, who are the fiercest 
 warriors of all that dwell on the earth. And his 
 third labour was that he slew the Amazons. 
 And as he was returning the king set an am- 
 bush for him, yet harmed him not, for Bellero- 
 phon slew all the men that lay in wait for him. 
 Then the king knew him to be a good man and 
 of the race of the gods. Wherefore he kept 
 him, and gave him his daughter to wife, and 
 with her the half of his kingdom ; and the 
 Lycians gave him a fair domain of orchard and 
 plough-land. Now Bellerophon had three
 
 THE BATTLE IN THE PLAIN. 45 
 
 children Laodamia, who bare Sarpedon to 
 Zeus ; and Isander, whom Ares slew in battle 
 against the Solymi ; and Hippolochus, my 
 father, who sent me hither, bidding me ever 
 bear myself bravely, nor shame the race of my 
 fathers." 
 
 This Diomed was right glad to hear, and 
 cried, " Nay, but thou art a friend by inherit- 
 ance. For in former times CEneus, my grand- 
 father, feasted Bellerophon for twenty days, and 
 gave him a belt broidered with purple, and 
 Bellerophon gave him a great cup with two 
 mouths, which indeed I left behind me when I 
 came hither. And now let us two make agree- 
 ment that we fight not with each other, for 
 there are Trojans enough whom I may slay, 
 and there are Greeks enough for thee. And 
 let us also exchange our armour, that these 
 men may know us to be friends by inheritance." 
 
 So they leapt down from their chariots and 
 exchanged their armour. And Zeus took away 
 all wise counsel from the heart of Glaucus, so 
 that he gave golden armour for armour of 
 bronze, the worth of a hundred oxen for the 
 worth of nine.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE". 
 
 HECTOR came into the city by the Scsean gates, 
 and as he went wives and mothers crowded 
 about him, asking how it had fared with their 
 husbands and sons. But he said nought, save to 
 bid them pray ; and indeed there was sore news 
 for many, if he had told that which he knew. 
 Then he came to the palace of King Priam, and 
 there he saw Hecuba, his mother, and with her 
 Laodice, fairest of her daughters. She caught 
 him by the hand and said 
 
 "Why hast thou come from the battle, my 
 son ? Do the Greeks press thee hard, and art 
 thou minded to pray to Father Zeus from 
 the citadel ? Let me bring thee honey-sweet 
 wine, that thou mayest pour out before him, aye, 
 and that thou mayest drink thyself, and gladden 
 thy heart."
 
 HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE. 47 
 
 But Hector said, " Give me not wine, my 
 mother, lest thou weaken my knees and make 
 me forget my courage. Nor must I pour out 
 an offering with Zeus thus, with unwashed 
 hands. But do thou gather the mothers of 
 Troy together, and go to the temple of Athene, 
 and take a robe, the one that is the most pre- 
 cious and beautiful in thy stores, and lay it on 
 the knees of the goddess, and pray her to keep 
 this dreadful Diomed from the walls of Troy; 
 and forget not to vow therewith twelve heifers 
 as a sacrifice. As for me, I will go and seek 
 Paris, if perchance he will come with me to the 
 war. Would that the earth might open and 
 swallow him up, for of a truth he is a curse to 
 King Priam and to Troy." 
 
 So Queen Hecuba and the mothers of Troy 
 did as Hector had bidden them. But when 
 they laid the robe on the knees of the god- 
 dess, she would not hear them. 
 
 And Hector went to the house of Paris, 
 where it stood on the citadel, near to his own 
 dwelling and the dwelling of Priam. He found 
 him busy with his arms, and the fair Helen sat 
 near him and gave their tasks to her maidens.
 
 48 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 But Hector spake : " Be not wroth, my 
 brother. The people perish about the wall, 
 and the war burns hot round the city, and all 
 for thy sake. Rouse thee, lest it be consumed." 
 
 And Paris answered, " Brother, thou hast 
 spoken well. It was not in wrath that I sat 
 here. I was vexed at my sore defeat. But 
 now my wife has urged me to join the battle, 
 and truly it is well, for victory comes now to 
 one and now to another. Wait thou, then, till 
 I don my arms, or if thou wouldst depart, I 
 will overtake thee." 
 
 So Hector departed and went to his own 
 home, seeking his wife Andromache, but found 
 her not, for she was on a tower of the wall 
 with her child and her child's nurse, weeping 
 sore for fear. And Hector spake to the 
 maids 
 
 "Tell me, whither went the white -armed 
 Andromache ; to see some sister-in-law, or to 
 the temple of Athene with the mothers of 
 Troy ? " 
 
 " Nay," said an aged woman, keeper of the 
 house. "She went to one of the towers of 
 the wall, for she had heard that the Greeks
 
 HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE. 49 
 
 were pressing our people hard. She hasted 
 like as she were mad, and the nurse carried 
 the child." 
 
 So Hector ran through the city to the Scsean 
 gates, and there Andromache spied him, and 
 hasted to meet him Andromache, daughter of 
 King Eetion, of Thebe" -under- Placus. And 
 with her was the nurse, bearing the young 
 child on her bosom Hector's only child, beauti- 
 ful, headed as a star. His father called him 
 Scamandrius, after the river, but the sons of 
 Troy called him Astyanax, the " City- King," 
 because it was his father who saved the city. 
 Silently he smiled when he saw the child, but 
 Andromache" clasped his hand and wept, and 
 said 
 
 " O Hector, thy courage will bring thee to 
 death. Thou hast no pity on thy wife and 
 child, but sparest not thyself, and all the 
 Greeks will rush on thee and slay thee. It 
 were better for me, losing thee, to die ; for I 
 have no comfort but thee. My father is dead, 
 for Achilles slew him in Thebe slew him but 
 spoiled him not, so much he reverenced him. 
 With his arms he burnt him, and the mountain- 
 
 5
 
 50 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 nymphs planted poplars about his grave. Seven 
 brethren I had, and lo ! they all fell in one day 
 by the hand of the great Achilles. And my 
 mother, she is dead, for when she had been 
 ransomed, Artemis smote her with an arrow in 
 her father's house. But thou art father to me, 
 and mother and brother and husband also. 
 Have pity, then, and stay here upon the wall, 
 lest thou leave me a widow and thy child an 
 orphan. And set the people here in array by 
 this fig-tree, where the city is easiest to be 
 taken ; for there come the bravest of the Greeks, 
 Ajax the Greater, and Ajax the Less, and 
 Idomeneus, and the two sons of Atreus, and 
 the son of Tydeus." 
 
 But Hector said, " Nay, let these things be 
 my care. I would not that any son or daughter 
 of Troy should see me skulking from the war. 
 And my own heart loathes the thought, and bids 
 me fight in the front. Well I know, indeed, 
 that Priam, and the people of Priam, and holy 
 Troy, will perish. Yet it is not for Troy, or 
 for the people, or even for my father or my 
 mother that I care so much, as for thee in the 
 day when some Greek shall carry thee away
 
 HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE. 51 
 
 captive, and thou shalt ply the loom or carry 
 the pitcher in the land of Greece. And some 
 one shall say when he sees thee, ' This was 
 Hector's wife, who was the bravest of the sons 
 of Troy.' May the earth cover me before that 
 day!" 
 
 Then Hector stretched out his arms to his 
 child. But the child drew back into the bosom 
 of his nurse with a loud cry, fearing the shin- 
 ing bronze and the horse-hair plume which 
 nodded awfully from his helmet top. Then 
 father and mother laughed aloud. And Hector 
 took the helmet from his head and laid it on 
 the ground, and caught his child in his hands, 
 and kissed him and dandled him, praying aloud 
 to Father Zeus and all the gods. 
 
 " Grant, Father Zeus and all ye gods, that 
 this child may be as I am, great among the 
 sons of Troy ; and may they say some day, 
 when they see him carrying home the bloody 
 spoils from the war, ' A better man than his 
 father, this,' and his mother shall be glad at 
 heart." 
 
 Then he gave the child to his mother, and 
 she clasped him to her breast and smiled a
 
 52 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 tearful smile. And her husband had pity on 
 her, and stroked her with his hand, and spake 
 
 " Be not troubled over much. No man shall 
 slay me against the ordering of fate ; but as for 
 fate, that, I trow, no man may escape, be he 
 coward or brave. But go, ply thy tasks, the 
 shuttle and the loom, and give their tasks to 
 thy maidens, and let men take thought for the 
 battle." 
 
 Then Hector took up his helmet from the 
 ground, and Andromache went her way to her 
 home, oft turning back her eyes. And when 
 she was come, she and all her maidens wailed 
 for the living Hector as though he were dead, 
 for she thought that she should never see him 
 any more returning safe from the battle. 
 
 And as Hector went his way, Paris came 
 running, clad in shining arms, like to some 
 proud steed which has been fed high in his 
 stall, and now scours the plain with head aloft 
 and mane streaming over his shoulders. And 
 he spake to Hector 
 
 " I have kept thee, I fear, when thou wast in 
 haste, nor came at thy bidding." 
 
 But Hector answered, "No man can blame
 
 HECTOR AND ANDROMACHE. 53 
 
 thy courage, only thou wilfully heldest back 
 from the battle. Therefore do the sons of 
 Troy speak shame of thee. But now let us go 
 to the war." 
 
 So they went together out of the gates, and 
 fell upon the host of the Greeks and slew many 
 chiefs of fame, and Glaucus the Lycian went 
 with them.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 
 
 Now when Athene saw that the Greeks were 
 perishing by the hand of Hector and his com- 
 panions, it grieved her sore. So she came down 
 from the heights of Olympus, if haply she might 
 help them. And Apollo met her and said 
 
 " Art thou come, Athene, to help the Greeks 
 whom thou lovest ? Well, let us stay the battle 
 for this day ; hereafter they shall fight till the 
 doom of Troy be accomplished." 
 
 But Athene answered, " How shall we stay it ?" 
 
 And Apollo said, " We will set on Hector to 
 challenge the bravest of the Greeks to fight 
 with him, man to man." 
 
 So they two put the matter into the mind of 
 Helenus the seer. Then Helenus went near to 
 Hector 
 
 " Listen to me, for I am thy brother. Cause 
 the rest of the sons of Troy and of the Greeks
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 55 
 
 to sit down, and do thou challenge the bravest 
 of the Greeks to fight with thee, man to man. 
 And be sure thou shalt not fall in the battle, for 
 the will of the immortal gods is so." 
 
 Then Hector greatly rejoiced, and passed to 
 the front of the army, holding his spear by the 
 middle, and kept back the sons of Troy ; and 
 King Agamemnon did likewise with his own 
 people. Then Hector spake 
 
 " Hear me, sons of Troy, and ye men of 
 Greece. The covenant that we made one with 
 another hath been broken, for Zeus would have 
 it so, purposing evil to both, till either you shall 
 take our high-walled city or we shall conquer 
 you by your ships. But let one of you who call 
 yourselves champions of the Greeks come forth 
 and fight with me, man to man. And let it be 
 so that if he vanquish me he shall spoil me of 
 my arms but give my body to my people, that 
 they may burn it with fire; and if I vanquish him, 
 I will spoil him of his arms but give his body 
 to the Greeks, that they may bury him and 
 raise a great mound above him by the broad 
 salt river of Hellespont. And so men of after 
 days shall see it, sailing by, and say, ' This is
 
 56 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 the tomb of the bravest of the Greeks, whom 
 Hector slew.' So shall my name live for ever." 
 
 But all the Greeks kept silence, fearing to 
 meet him in battle, but shamed to hold back. 
 Then at last Menelatis leapt forward and spake 
 
 " Surely now ye are women and not men. 
 Foul shame it were should there be no man to 
 stand up against this Hector. Lo ! I will fight 
 with him my own self, for the issues of battle 
 are with the immortal gods." 
 
 So he spake in his rage rashly, courting 
 death, for Hector was much stronger than he. 
 Then King Agamemnon answered 
 
 " Nay, but this is folly, my brother. Seek 
 not in thy anger to fight with one that is stronger 
 than thou ; for as for this Hector, even Achilles 
 was loth to meet him. Sit thou down among 
 thy comrades, and the Greeks will find some 
 champion who shall fight with him." 
 
 And Menelaus hearkened to his brother's 
 words, and sat down. Then Nestor rose in the 
 midst and spake 
 
 " Woe is me to-day for Greece ! How would 
 the old Peleus grieve to hear such a tale ! Well 
 I remember how he rejoiced when I told him of
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 57 
 
 the house and lineage of all the chieftains of the 
 Greeks, and now he would hear that they cower 
 before Hector, and are sore afraid when he calls 
 them to the battle. Surely he would pray this 
 day that he might die ! Oh that I were such 
 as I was in the old days, when the men of 
 Pylos fought with the Arcadians by the stream 
 of lardanus ! Now the leader of the Arcadians 
 was Ereuthalion, and he wore the arms of 
 Areithous, whom men called ' Areithous of the 
 club,' because he fought not with bow or spear, 
 but with a club of iron. Him Lycurgus slew, 
 not by might but by craft, taking him in a 
 narrow place where his club of iron availed him 
 not, and smiting him with his spear. He slew 
 him, and took his arms. And when Lycurgus 
 grew old he gave the arms to Ereuthalion to 
 wear. So Ereuthalion wore them, and chal- 
 lenged the men of Pylos to fight with him. But 
 they feared him. Only I, who was the youngest 
 of all, stood forth, and Athen6 gave me glory 
 that day, for I slew him, though he was the 
 strongest and tallest among the sons of men. 
 Would that I were such to-day ! Right soon 
 would I meet this mighty Hector."
 
 58 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then rose up nine chiefs of fame. First of 
 all. King Agamemnon, lord of many nations, 
 and next to him Diomed, son of Tydeus, and 
 Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Less, and then 
 Idomeneus and Meriones, who was his com- 
 panion in arms, and Eurypylus, and Thoas, son 
 of Andraemon, and the wise Ulysses. 
 
 Then Nestor said, " Let us cast lots who 
 shall do battle with the mighty Hector." 
 
 So they threw the lots into the helmet of 
 King Agamemnon, a lot for each. And the 
 people prayed, " Grant, ye gods, that the lot of 
 Ajax the Greater may leap forth, or the lot of 
 Diomed, or the lot of King Agamemnon." 
 Then Nestor shook the lots in the helmet, and 
 the one which they most wished leapt forth. 
 For the herald took it through the ranks and 
 showed it to the chiefs, but none knew it for 
 his own till he came to where Ajax the Greater 
 stood among his comrades. But Ajax had 
 marked it with his mark, and put forth his 
 hand for it, and claimed it, right glad at heart. 
 On the ground by his feet he threw it, and said 
 
 " Mine is the lot, my friends, and right glad 
 I am, for I think that I shall prevail over
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 59 
 
 the mighty Hector. But come, let me don my 
 arms; and pray ye to Zeus, but silently, lest the 
 Trojans hear, or aloud, if ye will, for no fear 
 have we. Not by force or craft shall any one 
 vanquish me, for not such are the men whom 
 Salamis breeds." 
 
 So he armed himself and moved forwards, 
 dreadful as Ares, smiling with grim face. With 
 mighty strides he came, brandishing his long- 
 shafted spear. And all the Greeks were glad 
 to behold him, but the knees of the Trojans 
 were loosened with fear, and great Hector's 
 heart beat fast ; but he trembled not, nor gave 
 place, seeing that he had himself called him to 
 battle. So Ajax came near, holding before the 
 great shield, like a wall, which Tychius, best of 
 craftsmen, had made for him. Seven folds of 
 bull's hide it had, and an eighth of bronze. 
 Threateningly he spake 
 
 " Now shalt thou know, Hector, what manner 
 of men there are yet among our chiefs, though 
 Achilles the lion-hearted is far away, sitting 
 idly in his tent, in great wrath with King Aga- 
 memnon. Do thou, then, begin the battle." 
 
 "Speak not to me, Zeus-descended Ajax," said
 
 6o STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Hector, " as though I were a woman or a child, 
 knowing nothing of war. Well I know all the 
 arts of battle, to ply my shield this way and 
 that, to guide my car through the tumult of 
 steeds, and to stand fighting hand to hand. 
 But I would not smite so stout a foe by stealth, 
 but openly, if it so befall." 
 
 And as he spake he hurled his long shafted 
 spear, and smote the great shield on the rim of 
 the eighth fold, that was of bronze. Through six 
 folds it passed, but in the seventh it was stayed. 
 Then Ajax hurled his spear, striking Hector's 
 shield. Through shield it passed and corslet, 
 and cut the tunic close against the loin ; but 
 Hector shrank away and escaped the doom of 
 death. Then, each with a fresh spear, they 
 rushed together like lions or wild boars of the 
 wood. First Hector smote the middle of the 
 shield of Ajax, but pierced it not, for the spear- 
 point was bent back ; then Ajax, with a great 
 bound, drove his spear at Hector's shield and 
 pierced it, forcing him back, and grazing his 
 neck so that the black blood welled out. Yet 
 did not Hector cease from the combat. A 
 great stone and rough he caught up from the
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 61 
 
 ground, and hurled it at the boss of the seven- 
 fold shield. Loud rang the bronze, but the 
 shield brake not. Then Ajax took a stone 
 heavier by far, and threw it with all his might. 
 It brake the shield of Hector, and bore him 
 backwards, so that he fell at length with his 
 shield above him. But Apollo raised him up. 
 Then did both draw their swords; but ere they 
 could join in close battle came the heralds, 
 and held their sceptres between them, and 
 Idseus, the herald of Troy, spake 
 
 " Fight no more, my sons ; Zeus loves you 
 both ; and ye are both mighty warriors. That 
 we all know right well. But now the night 
 bids you cease, and it is well to heed its 
 bidding." 
 
 Then said Ajax, " Nay, Idseus, but it is for 
 Hector to speak, for he called the bravest of the 
 Greeks to battle. And as he wills it, so will I." 
 
 And Hector said, " O Ajax, the gods have 
 given thee stature and strength and skill, nor is 
 there any better warrior among the Greeks. 
 Let us cease then from the battle ; we may yet 
 meet again, till the gods give the victory to me 
 '.r thee. And now let us give gifts the one to
 
 62 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 the other, so that Trojans and Greeks may say 
 Hector and Ajax met in fierce fight and 
 parted in friendship." 
 
 So Hector gave to Ajax a silver-studded sword 
 with the scabbard and the sword - belt, and 
 Ajax gave to Hector a buckler splendid with 
 purple. So they parted. Right glad were the 
 sons of Troy when they saw Hector returning 
 safe. Glad also were the Greeks, as they led 
 Ajax rejoicing in his victory to King Agamem- 
 non. Whereupon the king called the chiefs to 
 banquet together, and bade slay an ox of five 
 years old, and Ajax he honoured most of all, 
 giving him the chine. And when the feast was 
 ended Nestor said 
 
 "It were well that we should cease awhile 
 from war and burn the dead, for many, in truth, 
 are fallen. And we will build a great wall and 
 dig a trench about it, and we will make gates, 
 wide that a chariot may pass through, so that 
 our ships may be safe, if the sons of Troy 
 should press us hard." 
 
 But the next morning came a herald from 
 Troy to the chiefs as they sat in council by the 
 ship of King Agamemnon, and said
 
 THE DUEL OF HECTOR AND AJAX. 63 
 
 " This is the word of Priam and the men of 
 Troy : Paris will give back all the treasures of 
 the fair Helen, and many more besides ; but 
 the fair Helen herself he will not give. But if 
 this please you not, grant us a truce, that we 
 may bury our dead." 
 
 Then Diomed spake, " Nay, we will not take 
 the fair Helen's self, for a man may know, even 
 though he be a fool, that the doom of Troy is 
 come." 
 
 And King Agamemnon said, " Herald, thou 
 hast heard the word of the Greeks, but as for 
 the truce, be it as you will." 
 
 So the next day they burnt their dead, and 
 the Greeks made a wall with gates and dug 
 a trench about it. And when it was finished, 
 even at sunset, they made ready a meal, and 
 lo ! there came ships from Lemnos bringing 
 wine, and Greeks bought thereof, some with 
 bronze, and some with iron, and some with 
 shields of ox hide. All night they feasted right 
 joyously. The sons of Troy also feasted in 
 their city. But the dreadful thunder rolled 
 through the night, for Zeus was counselling 
 evil against them.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES AND DIOMED. 
 
 ON the morrow they set the battle in array against 
 each other, and many valiant deeds were done 
 that day which it were long to tell. Till mid- 
 day, indeed, neither this side prevailed nor that. 
 But at noon Father Zeus sent his terror on the 
 Greeks, and they fled. Then old Nestor came 
 near to be taken by the Trojans, for Paris had 
 slain one of the horses of his chariot with an 
 arrow. Only Diomed came near and helped 
 him, making him mount his own chariot, and 
 slaying with his spear the charioteer of Hector. 
 And more he would have done, but Zeus sent 
 down great lightning from heaven, striking the 
 ground in front of the chariot. 
 
 Then Nestor said, "Let us flee, King Diomed, 
 for Zeus denies us victory, and a man may not 
 fight with Zeus." 
 
 And he constrained him so that he turned
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES &? DIOMED. 65 
 
 his horses and fled. But Hector cried after 
 him, "Art thou the man to whom the Greeks 
 give high place in the feast, and plenteous cups of 
 wine ? Not so will they honour thee hereafter. 
 Run, girl ! run, coward ! . Shalt thou climb our 
 walls and carry away our daughters in thy ships ?" 
 
 Then Diomed was very wroth, doubting 
 whether to flee or to turn ; but when he 
 turned Zeus thundered from on high, making 
 him afraid. And Hector bade the hosts of Troy 
 be of good courage, for that Zeus was with 
 them, and called to his horses 
 
 " Come now, Bayard, and Whitefoot, and 
 Flame of Fire, and Brilliant ; forget not how the 
 fair Andromache has cared for you; aye, even 
 before me, who am her husband. Carry me fast, 
 that I may win old Nestor's shield,* which men 
 say is all of gold, and strip from the shoulders 
 of Diomed the breastplate which Hephaestus 
 wrought." 
 
 And Hector that hour would have stormed 
 the wall and burnt the ships, but King Aga- 
 memnon prayed aloud to Zeus, and Zeus 
 heard him and sent a sign, an eagle which 
 dropped a kid out of his claws. Then the 
 
 6
 
 66 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Greeks took heart again, and among them 
 Teucer wrought great deeds, shooting his 
 arrows from under the shield of Ajax, his 
 brother. Many Trojans he slew, and twice he 
 sent a shaft at Hector : with the first he slew 
 Gorgythion, Hector's brother, and with the 
 second Cebriones, his charioteer. Then Hector 
 in great anger rushed at Teucer, and Teucer 
 fitted an arrow to the string to shoot at him ; 
 but ere he could loose it, Hector smote him with 
 a great stone and brake the string, and numbed 
 the hand at the wrist Then he dropped the 
 bow, and his comrades carried him away groan- 
 ing to the ships. Nor after that did the Greeks 
 hold up at all in the battle. Glad were they to 
 see the darkness come ; but the Trojans liked it 
 not, for they had thought to make a full end that 
 day of their enemies. Then Hector gathered 
 his people together on the river bank, where 
 there was a space clear of dead bodies, and 
 bade them be of good cheer and make merry, 
 for that on the morrow they would utterly de- 
 stroy the Greeks. So all that night they lay 
 encamped on the plain, a thousand watch-fires, 
 and round each watch-fire fifty men ; and the
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES & DIOMED. 67 
 
 horses, standing by the chariots, and eating white 
 barley and spelt, waited for the dawn. 
 
 Meanwhile King Agamemnon held a coun- 
 cil of the chiefs. And first he would have had 
 them flee to their homes, for Troy, he said, 
 they would never take. 
 
 Then out spake King Diomed : " Be not 
 angry, great king, if I speak plainly, as befits him 
 who would give good counsel. Thou didst call 
 me coward once, nor did ever man so before ; 
 but I see that Zeus, who gave thee a great 
 throne among men, did not give thee courage. 
 Go, if it be thy wish, and thy ships with thee, 
 but the other men of Greece will stay ; nay, 
 though all depart, yet will I and Sthenelus 
 abide till the doom of Troy be come, for of a 
 surety it was by the bidding of the gods that 
 we came hither." 
 
 And all the chiefs said that it was well. Then, 
 at the bidding of Nestor, they made captains of 
 the watch who should guard the wall. And after 
 that King Agamemnon made a feast, and, the 
 feast ended, Nestor counselled that he should 
 make peace with Achilles, which Agamemnon 
 himself was minded to do. So they chose
 
 68 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Phoenix, who had been the teacher of Achilles 
 in the old days, and Ajax the Greater, and 
 Ulysses ; and these three went to Achilles and 
 told him all that King Agamemnon would give 
 if he would only cease from his wrath : seven 
 kettles of brass, three-footed, that had never 
 felt the fire; and ten talents of gold, and twenty 
 caldrons, and twelve horses which should win 
 great riches for their master by their running; 
 and seven women of Lesbos, skilled in all the 
 works of the loom ; and, chief of all, Briseis, 
 for whom all this trouble had been ; and when 
 Troy should be taken, much spoil besides, and 
 when they should have returned home, one of his 
 daughters to wife, and with her seven cities by 
 the sea. But Achilles would have none of these 
 things, but kept his anger still ; for the gods 
 would have it so, till all the doom should be 
 accomplished. So the three returned to King 
 Agamemnon, and told him how they had fared ; 
 and he was sorely troubled, and the same night 
 he called together again all the wisest of the 
 chiefs. First they went round to the guards, 
 and found them all watchful, and then they took 
 counsel in an open space beyond the trench.
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES fr DIOMED. 69 
 
 And Nestor rose and said, "Is there now a 
 man who will go among the sons of Troy and 
 see what they are minded to do ? Great honour 
 will he win, and gifts withal." 
 
 Then Diomed said, " I am ready to go, but 
 I would fain have some one with me. To have 
 a companion gives comfort and courage, and, 
 indeed, two wits are better than one to take 
 counsel and to foresee." 
 
 And many were willing to go : Ajax the 
 Greater, and Ajax the Less, and Meriones, and 
 Antilochus, old Nestor's son (and no one in- 
 deed wished it more than he), and Menelaiis 
 and Ulysses. 
 
 But Agamemnon said, " Choose the best 
 man, O Diomed, and regard not the birth or 
 rank of any." This he said, fearing for his 
 brother Menelatis. 
 
 And Diomed answered, " Nay, but if I may 
 choose, whom should I choose rather than the 
 wise Ulysses ? Brave is he, and prudent, and 
 Athene loves him well." 
 
 But Ulysses said, " Praise me not overmuch, 
 nor blame me. Only let us go, for the night is 
 far spent."
 
 70 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 So these two armed themselves. Diomed 
 took a two-edged sword and a shield, and a 
 helmet without a crest, and Ulysses a bow and a 
 quiver and a sword, and a helmet of hide with 
 the white teeth of a wild boar about it. Then 
 both prayed to Athene that she would help 
 them, and after that they went through the 
 darkness like to two lions, trampling over dead 
 bodies and arms and blood. 
 
 But Hector meanwhile was thinking on the 
 same things, for he called the chiefs to a council 
 and said, " Who now will go and spy among 
 the Greeks, and see what they purpose to do 
 on the morrow, and whether they are keeping 
 watch through the night. A goodly reward 
 shall he have, even a chariot and horses, the 
 best that there are in the camp of the Greeks." 
 
 Then stood up a certain Dolon, the son of 
 the herald Eumedes. Ill-favoured was he, but a 
 swift runner. He said 
 
 " I will go, Hector ; but come, lift up thy 
 sceptre, and swear to me that thou wilt give me 
 the chariot and the horses of Achilles." 
 
 So Hector sware to him. And Dolon took 
 his bow, and a helmet of grisly wolf-skin, and
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES fr DIOMED. 71 
 
 a sharp spear, and went his way in haste. But 
 Ulysses saw him, and said 
 
 " Here cometh a man, Diomed, but whether 
 he be a spy or a spoiler of the dead I know not. 
 Let him pass by a space, that we may take 
 him. Only let him not turn back to the city." 
 
 So they lay down among the dead, a little 
 out of the way, and Dolon passed by them un- 
 knowing ; but when he had gone a little space 
 they ran upon him. For a while he stood hearken- 
 ing to their steps, for he thought that Hector 
 had sent comrades to call him back. But when 
 they were a spear's throw from him, or less, he 
 knew them for foes, and fled. And just as two 
 dogs follow a fawn or a hare, so they two ran, 
 pursuing Dolon. And when he had well-nigh 
 reached the trench, for they kept him that he 
 should not turn back to the city, Diomed rushed 
 forward and cried 
 
 " Stay, or I will slay thee with my spear." 
 
 And he threw the spear, and smote not the 
 man indeed, for that he wished not, but made it 
 pass over his shoulder, so that it stood in the 
 ground before him. Then Dolon stood trem- 
 bling and pale, and with teeth chattering with
 
 72 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 fear. And the two heroes, breathing hard, 
 came up and laid hands on him. And he said, 
 weeping 
 
 " Hold me to ransom; much gold and bronze 
 and iron will my father give, if he hear that I 
 am a prisoner at the ships." 
 
 Then said the wise Ulysses, " Be of good 
 cheer, and think not of death. But tell us 
 truly, why wast thou coming hither through 
 the darkness ? To spoil the dead, or, at 
 Hector's bidding, to spy out our affairs at the 
 ships, or on some errand of thine own ? " 
 
 And Dolon answered, " Hector persuaded 
 me, promising to give me the horses and 
 chariot of Achilles, and he bade me go and spy 
 out what ye purposed to do on the morrow, and 
 whether ye were keeping watch in the night." 
 
 And Ulysses smiled and said, " Surely it was 
 a great reward that thy soul desired. The 
 horses of Achilles are grievous for any man to 
 drive, save for him that is born of a goddess. 
 But tell me, where is Hector, and where are the 
 watches of the sons of Troy ? " 
 
 Then Dolon answered, " Hector holds council 
 with the chiefs by the tomb of Ilus. But as for
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES & DfOMED. 73 
 
 the army, there are no watches set, save only 
 where be the Trojans themselves. But as for 
 the allies, they sleep secure, and trust to the 
 Trojans to watch for them, seeing that they have 
 not wives or children near." 
 
 Then Ulysses asked, " Do they sleep, then, 
 among the Trojans, or apart ? " 
 
 " Next to the sea," said Dolon, "are the men 
 of Caria and Paeonia, and close to these the men 
 of Lycia and Mysiaand Phrygia. But if ye wish 
 to enter the camp, lo ! apart from all are some 
 new-comers, Thracians, with Rhesus, their king. 
 Never have I seen horses so fair and tall as his. 
 Whiter are they than snow, and swifter than the 
 winds. But do ye now send me to the ships, 
 or, if ye will, bind me and leave me here." 
 
 But Diomed said, " Think not to escape, 
 Dolon, though thy news is good ; for then 
 wouldst thou come again to spy out our camp 
 or to fight. But if I slay thee, thou wilt trouble 
 the Greeks no more." 
 
 So he slew him, and took from him his arms, 
 hanging them on a tamarisk tree, and made a 
 mark with reeds and tamarisk boughs, that they 
 might know the place as they came back. So they
 
 74 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 went on across the plain and came to where the 
 men of Thrace lay sleeping, and by each man 
 were his arms in fair array, and his horses ; but 
 in the midst lay King Rhesus, with his horses 
 tethered to the chariot - rail. Then Diomed 
 began to slay. As a lion rushes on a flock, so 
 rushed he on the men of Thrace. Twelve he 
 slew, and as he slew them Ulysses dragged 
 them out of the way, that there might be a clear 
 road for the horses, lest they should start back, 
 fearing the dead bodies, for they were not used 
 to war. And the thirteenth was King Rhesus 
 himself, who panted in his sleep, for an evil 
 dream was on him. And meanwhile Ulysses 
 drove the horses out of the encampment, smiting 
 them with his bow, for he had not thought to 
 take the whip out of the chariot. Then he 
 whistled, making a sign to Diomed that he 
 should come, for Diomed lingered, doubting 
 whether he might not slay yet more. But 
 Athene whispered in his ear 
 
 "Think of thy return, lest haply some god 
 rouse the Trojans against thee." 
 
 And, indeed, Apollo was even then rousing 
 them. For Hippocoon, cousin to King Rhesus,
 
 THE ADVENTURE OF ULYSSES fr DIOMED. 75 
 
 awoke, and seeing the place of the horses empty 
 and his comrades slain, groaned aloud, and called 
 to the king, and the Trojans were roused, and 
 flocked together with tumult and shouting. But 
 Diomed and Ulysses meanwhile had mounted 
 the horses, and were riding to the ships. Glad 
 were their comrades to see them safe returned, 
 and praised them much for all that they had 
 done.
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE WOUNDING OF THE CHIEFS. 
 
 THE next day the battle was set in array as 
 before. And all the morning the armies fought 
 without advantage to the one or the other ; but 
 at noon, at the hour when one who cuts wood 
 upon the hills sits down to his meal, the Greeks 
 prevailed and drove back the sons of Troy. 
 Nor was there one of all the chiefs who fought 
 so bravely as King Agamemnon. Many valiant 
 men he slew, and among them the two sons of 
 Antimachus. These, indeed, he took alive in 
 their chariot, for they had dropped the reins 
 and stood helpless before him, crying out that 
 he should spare them and take ransom, for that 
 Antimachus their father had much gold and 
 bronze and iron in his house, and would gladly 
 buy them back alive. Now Antimachus had 
 taken a bribe from Prince Paris, and had given
 
 THE WOUNDING OF THE CHIEFS. 77 
 
 counsel to the Trojans that they should not give 
 back the fair Helen. So when King Agamemnon 
 heard them, he said, " Nay, but if ye be sons of 
 Antimachus, who counselled the men of Troy 
 that they should slay Menelatis when he came 
 an ambassador to their city, ye shall die for 
 your father's sin." So he slew them both, and 
 leaving them, he still rushed on, driving back 
 the Trojans even to the walls of their city. Nor 
 did Hector himself dare to meet him, for 
 Zeus had sent him a message, saying that he 
 should hold himself back till King Agamemnon 
 should chance to be wounded. And, indeed, this 
 chance happened presently, for the king had 
 slain Iphidamas, son to Antenor, and Coon, his 
 brother, the eldest born, was very wroth to see 
 it. So standing sideways he aimed with his 
 spear, Agamemnon not knowing, and smote the 
 king in the hand near the wrist. Then he seized 
 the body of his brother, and shouted to his com- 
 rades that they should help him ; but Agamem- 
 non dealt him a deadly blow underneath his 
 shield. So he fell ; and for a while, while the 
 wound was warm, the king fought as before ; 
 but when it grew cold and stiff, great pain came
 
 78 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 upon him, and he leapt into his chariot and bade 
 the charioteer drive him to the ships, for that he 
 could fight no more. 
 
 Then again the battle went for the Trojans, 
 though Diomed and Ulysses, who fought very 
 valiantly, stayed it awhile, Diomed coming very 
 near to slay Hector. But Paris, who was in 
 hiding behind the pillar on the tomb of Ilus, 
 drew his bow, and smote him with an arrow 
 through the ankle of the right foot. Loud he 
 boasted of his aim. " Only," he said, " I would 
 that I had pierced thee in the loin ; then hadst 
 thou troubled the sons of Troy no more." 
 
 But Diomed answered, " Small good were 
 thy bow to thee, cowardly archer, if thou shouldst 
 dare to meet me face to face. And as for this 
 graze on my foot, I care no more than if a 
 woman or child had smitten me. Not such the 
 wounds I deal ; as for those that meet my spear 
 in the battle, I trow that they are dearer to the 
 fowls of the air than to women in the chamber." 
 
 Then Ulysses stood before him while he drew 
 the arrow out of his foot. Grievous was the 
 smart of the wound, for all his brave words. 
 Wherefore he leapt into his chariot, and bade
 
 THE WOUNDING OF THE CHIEFS. 79 
 
 drive in haste to the ships. So Ulysses was 
 left alone, and the Trojans came about him 
 as men with dogs come about a wild boar 
 who stands at bay gnashing his white teeth. 
 Fiercely he stood at bay, and slew five chiefs 
 of fame. But one of them, Socus by name, 
 before he fell, wounded him on the side, scraping 
 the flesh from the ribs. High spurted the blood 
 from the wound, and the Trojans shouted to see 
 it. Then Ulysses shouted for help; three times 
 he shouted, and Menelaiis heard him, and called 
 to Ajax that it was the voice of Ulysses, and 
 that they should help him. So they went 
 together and made head awhile against the 
 Trojans. But soon Paris wounded with an arrow 
 another brave chieftain, even the physician 
 Machaon. Then Ajax himself was affrighted and 
 gave way, but slowly, and sore against his will. 
 Just so a lion is driven off from a herd of oxen 
 by dogs and men. Loath he is to go, so hungry 
 is he, but the spears and the burning torches 
 affright him. So Ajax gave way. Now he 
 would turn and face the sons of Troy, and now 
 he would flee, and they sought how to slay him, 
 but harmed him not. Then once more Paris
 
 80 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 loosed his bow and wounded a chief, Eurypy- 
 lus, striking him on the right thigh. So the 
 battle went sorely against the Greeks. 
 
 Now Achilles was standing on the stern of 
 his ship, looking at the war, and he saw Nestor 
 carrying Machaon in his chariot to the ships. 
 Then he called to Patroclus, and Patroclus, 
 who was in the tent, came forth ; but it was an 
 evil hour for him. Then said Achilles 
 
 " Now will the Greeks soon come, methinks, 
 praying for help, for their need is sore. But go 
 and see who is this whom Nestor is taking to 
 the ships. His shoulders are the shoulders of 
 Machaon, but I saw not his face, so swift the 
 horses passed me by." 
 
 Then Patroclus ran. And as he stood in the 
 tent door old Nestor saw him, and went and took 
 him by the hand, and would have had him sit 
 down. But Patroclus would not, saying 
 
 " Stay me not. I came but to see who is this 
 that thou hast brought wounded from the battle. 
 And now I see that it is Machaon. Therefore 
 I will return, for thou knowest what manner of 
 man is Achilles, that he is hasty and swift to 
 blame."
 
 THE WOUNDING OF THE CHIEFS. Si 
 
 Then said Nestor, " But what cares Achilles 
 for the Greeks ? or \vhy does he ask who are 
 wounded ? But, O Patroclus, dost thou mind 
 the day when I and Ulysses came to the house 
 of Peleus, and how that thy father Mensetius 
 was there, and how we feasted in the hall ; and 
 when the feast was finished told our errand, for 
 we were gathering the heroes for the war against 
 the sons of Troy ? Right willing were ye two 
 to come, and many counsels did the old men 
 give you. Then to Achilles Peleus said that he 
 should always be foremost in the host, but to 
 thee thy father Mensetius spake, ' Achilles is 
 nobler born than thou, and stronger far; but 
 thou art older. Do thou therefore counsel him 
 well, when there is need.' But this thou for- 
 gettest, Patroclus. Hear, then, what I say. It 
 may be that Achilles will not go forth to the 
 battle. But let him send thee forth, and the 
 Myrmidons with thee, and let him put his arms 
 upon thee, so that the sons of Troy be affrighted, 
 thinking that he is in the battle, and we shall 
 have breathing space." 
 
 Then Patroclus turned to run to Achilles, but 
 as he ran he met Eurypylus, who spake to him
 
 82 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 " Small hope is there now for the Greeks, 
 seeing that all their bravest chiefs lie wounded 
 at the ships. But do thou help me, for thou 
 knowest all the secrets of healing, seeing that 
 the wise Chiron himself taught thee." 
 
 Then Patroclus answered, " I am even now 
 on my way to tell these things to Achilles, but 
 thee I may not leave in thy trouble." 
 
 So he took him to his tent, and cut out the 
 arrow from his thigh, washing the wound with 
 water, and putting on it a bitter healing root, 
 so that the pain was stayed and the blood 
 stanched,
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE WALL. 
 
 Now by this time the Trojans were close upon 
 the trench. But the horses stood on the brink, 
 fearing to leap it, for it was broad and deep, 
 and the Greeks had put great stakes therein. 
 Thus said Polydamas 
 
 " Surely, Hector, this is madness that we 
 strive to cross the trench in our chariots, for it 
 is broad and deep, and there are great stakes 
 therein. Look, too, at this : even if we should 
 be able to cross it, how will the matter stand ? 
 If indeed it be the pleasure of Zeus that the 
 Greeks should perish utterly it will be well. 
 But if they turn upon us and pursue us, driving 
 us back from the ships, then shall we not be 
 able to return. Wherefore let us leave our 
 chariots here upon the brink, and go on foot 
 against the wall."
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 So they went in five companies, of whom 
 Hector led that which was bravest and largest, 
 and with him were Polydamas and Cebriones. 
 And the next Paris commanded. And of the 
 third Helenus and Dei'phobus were leaders, 
 and with them was Asius, the son of Hyr- 
 tacus, from Arisbe. And the fourth followed 
 -/Eneas, the valiant son of Anchises. But of 
 the allies Sarpedon was the leader, and with 
 him were Glaucus and Asteropseus. And in 
 each company they joined shield to shield, and 
 so went against the Greeks. Nor was there 
 one of them but hearkened to the counsel 
 of Polydamas when he bade them leave their 
 chariots by the trench, save Asius only. But 
 Asius drove his chariot right up to that gate 
 which was on the left hand in the wall. Now 
 the gates chanced to be open, for the warders 
 had opened them, if so any of the Greeks that 
 fled might save themselves within them. Now 
 the warders were two mighty heroes of the race 
 of the Lapithae, Polypcetes and Leonteus ; and 
 these, when they saw Asius and his company 
 coming, went without and stood in front of the 
 gates, just as two wild boars stand at bay
 
 THE BA TTLE A T THE WALL. 85 
 
 against a crowd of men and dogs. And all the 
 while they that stood on the wall threw heavy 
 stones which fell, thick as the snow-flakes fall 
 in the winter, on the men of Troy, and loud 
 rang the helmets and the shields. And many 
 fell wounded to the death, nor could Asius, for 
 all his fury, win his way into the walls. But 
 where, at another of the gates, Hector led the 
 way, there appeared a strange marvel in the skies, 
 for an eagle was bearing in his claws a great 
 snake, which it had taken as a prey. But the 
 snake fought fiercely for its life, and writhed itself 
 about, even till it bit the eagle on the breast. 
 \Vhereupon the eagle dropped it into the midst 
 of the host, and fled with a loud cry. Then 
 Polydamas, the wise counsellor, came near to 
 Hector and said 
 
 " Now it will be well that we should not 
 follow these Greeks to their ships. For I take 
 that this marvel that we have seen is a sign to 
 us. For as this eagle had caught in his claws 
 a snake, but held it not, dropping it before it 
 could bear it to her young, so shall it fare with 
 us. For we shall drive the Greeks to their 
 ships, but shall not subdue them but shall re-
 
 86 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 turn in disorder by the way that we came, 
 leaving full many of our comrades behind us." 
 
 But Hector frowned and answered, " Nay, 
 but this is ill counsel, Polydamas. For if thou 
 sayest this from thy heart, surely the gods have 
 changed thy wisdom into foolishness. Dost 
 thou bid me forget the command of Zeus the 
 Thunderer, and take heed to birds, how they 
 fly ? Little care I whether they go to the east 
 or to the west, to the right or to the left. 
 Surely there is but one sign for a brave man, 
 that he be fighting for his fatherland. Where- 
 fore take thou heed ; for if thou holdest back 
 from the war, or holdest back any other, lo ! I 
 will smite thee with my spear." 
 
 Then he sprang forward, and the men of 
 Troy followed him with a shout. And Zeus 
 sent down from Ida a great blast of wind which 
 bore the dust of the plain straight to the ships, 
 troubling the hearts of the Greeks. Then the 
 Trojans sought to drag down the battlements 
 from the wall, and to wrench up the posts 
 which had been set to strengthen it. Nor did 
 the Greeks give way, but they joined shield to 
 shield and fought for the wall. And foremost
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE WALL. 87 
 
 among them were Ajax the Greater and Ajax 
 the Less. Just as the snow falls in mid -winter, 
 when the winds are hushed, and the mountain- 
 tops are covered, and the plains and the dwell- 
 ings of men and the very shores of the sea, up 
 to the waves' edge, so thickly fell the stones 
 which the Greeks showered from the wall against 
 the men of Troy, and which these again threw 
 upon the Greeks. But still Hector and his men 
 availed not to break through the gate. But at 
 the last Zeus stirred up the heart of his own son, 
 Sarpedon. Holding his shield before him he 
 went, and he shook in either hand a spear. As 
 goes a lion, when hungerpresses him sore, against 
 a stall of oxen or a sheepfold, and cares not 
 though he find men and dogs keeping watch 
 against him, so Sarpedon went against the 
 wall. And first he spake to stout Glaucus, his 
 comrade 
 
 " Tell me, Glaucus, why is it that men honour 
 us at home with the chief rooms at feasts, and 
 with fat portions of flesh and with sweet wine, 
 and that we have a great domain of orchard 
 and plough land by the banks of Xanthus ? 
 Surely it is that we may fight in the front rank.
 
 83 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then shall some one who may behold us say, ' Of 
 a truth these are honourable men, these princes 
 of Lycia, and not without good right do they 
 eat the fat and drink the sweet, for they fight 
 ever in the front.' Now, indeed, if we might live 
 for ever, nor know old age nor death, neither 
 would I fight among the first, nor would I bid 
 thee arm thyself for the battle. But seeing that 
 there are ten thousand fates about us which no 
 man may avoid, let us see whether we shall win. 
 glory from another, or another shall take it from 
 us." 
 
 And Glaucus listened to his words and charged 
 at his side, and the great host of the Lycians 
 followed them. Sore dismayed was Menestheus 
 the Athenian when he saw them. All along 
 the wall of the Greeks he looked, spying out 
 for help ; and he saw Ajax the Greater and 
 Ajax the Less, and with them Teucer, who had 
 just come forth from his tent. Close to him 
 they were, but it was of no avail to shout, so 
 loud was the clash and din of arms, of shield and 
 helmets, and the thundering at the gates, for 
 each one of these did the men of Troy assail. 
 
 Wherefore he called to him Thoas, the herald,
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE WALL. 89 
 
 and said, " Run, Thoas, and call Ajax hither 
 both of the name if that may be for the end is 
 close upon us in this place, so mightily press on 
 the chiefs of the Lycians, who were ever fiery 
 fighters. But if there is trouble there also, let 
 at the least Ajax the Greater come, and with 
 him Teucer of the bow." 
 
 Then the herald ran, and said as he had been 
 bidden. 
 
 And Ajax Telamon spake to the son of 
 Oileus: " Stand thou here with Lycomedes and 
 stay the enemy. But I will go thither, and come 
 again when I have finished my work." 
 
 So he went, and Teucer his brother went 
 with him, with Pandion carrying his bow. 
 And even as they went the Lycians came up 
 like a tempest on the wall. But Ajax slew 
 Epicles, a comrade of Sarpedon, smiting him 
 on the head with a mighty stone, and crushing 
 all the bones of his head. And Teucer smote 
 Glaucus on the shoulder and wounded him sore. 
 Silently did Glaucus leap down from the wall, 
 for he would not that any of the Greeks should 
 see that he was wounded. But Sarpedon saw 
 that he had departed, and it grieved him.
 
 90 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Nevertheless, he ceased not from the battle, but 
 first slew Alcmaon, the son of Mestor, and next 
 caught one of the battlements in his hands and 
 dragged it down. So the wall was laid open, 
 and a way was made for the Trojans to enter. 
 Then did both Ajax and Teucer aim at him 
 together. And Teucer smote the strap of the 
 shield, but harmed him not, and Ajax drove his 
 spear through his shield and stayed him, so that 
 he fell back a space from the battlement, yet 
 would not cease from the fight. Loud he 
 shouted to the Lycians that they should follow 
 him, and they came crowding about their king. 
 Then fierce and longwas the fight, forthe Lycians 
 could not break down the wall of the Greeks 
 and make a way to the ships, and the Greeks 
 could not drive away the Lycians from the wall 
 where they stood. Just so two men contend for 
 the boundary in some common field. Small is 
 the space, and they stand close together. So 
 close stood the Lycians and the Greeks, on this 
 side of the battlement, and on that, and all the 
 wall was red with blood. But not to Sarpedon 
 and the men of Lycia, but to Hector, did Zeus 
 give the glory that day. Now, in front of the
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE WALL. 91 
 
 gate there lay a great stone, broad at the base and 
 sharp at the top. Scarce could two men of the 
 strongest, such as are men in these days, move 
 it with levers on to a waggon ; but Hector lifted 
 it easily, easily as a shepherd carries in one hand 
 the fleece of a sheep. Two folding doors there 
 were in the gates, held by bolts and a key, and 
 at these he hurled the great stone, planting his 
 feet apart, that his aim might be the surer and 
 stronger. With a mighty crash it came against 
 the gates, and the bolts held not against it, and 
 the hinges were broken, so that the folding doors 
 flew back. Then Hector leapt into the space, 
 holding a spear in either hand, and his eyes 
 flashed as fire. And the men of Troy came 
 after him, some mounting the wall, and some 
 pouring through the gates.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS. 
 
 Now Poseidon was watching the battle from the 
 wooded height of Samothrace, whence he could 
 see Ida and Troy and the ships. And he 
 pitied the Greeks when he saw how they fled 
 before Hector, and purposed in his heart to 
 help them. So he left the height of Samo- 
 thrace, and came with four strides to ^Egse, 
 where his palace was in the depths of the sea. 
 There he harnessed the horses to his chariot 
 and rode, passing over the waves, and the great 
 beasts of the sea gambolled about him as he 
 went, knowing their king. But when he came 
 to the camp of the Greeks, he took upon him 
 the shape of Calchas, the herald, and went 
 through the host strengthening the heroes for 
 the battle Ajax the Greater, and Ajax the Less, 
 and others also so that they turned their faces
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS. 93 
 
 again to the enemy. But not the less did the 
 men of Troy press on, Hector leading the way. 
 
 Then first of all Teucer slew a Trojan, 
 Imbrius by name, wounding him under the ear. 
 He fell as some tall poplar falls which a wood- 
 man fells with axe of bronze. Then Teucer 
 rushed to seize his arms, but Hector cast his 
 spear. Teucer it struck not, missing him by a 
 little, but Amphimachus it smote on the breast 
 so that he fell dead. Then Hector seized the 
 dead man's helmet, seeking to drag the body 
 among the sons of Troy. But Ajax stretched 
 forth his great spear against him, and struck the 
 boss of his shield mightily, driving him back- 
 wards, so that he loosed hold of the helmet of 
 Amphimachus. And him his comrades bore to 
 the rear of the host, and the body of Imbrius 
 also they carried off. Then did Idomeneus 
 the Cretan, son of Minos, the wise judge, per- 
 form many valiant deeds, going to the left-hand 
 of the battle-line, for he said 
 
 " The Greeks have stay enough where the 
 great Ajax is. No man that eats bread is 
 better than he ; no, not Achilles' self, were the 
 two to stand man toman, but Achilles indeed is 
 swifter of foot."
 
 94 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 And first of all he slew Othryoneus, who had 
 but newly come, hearing the fame of the war. 
 For Cassandra's sake he had come, that he 
 might have her to wife, vowing that he would 
 drive the Greeks from Troy, and Priam had 
 promised him the maiden. But now Idomeneus 
 slew him, and cried over him 
 
 " This was a great thing that thou didst pro- 
 mise to Priam, for which he was to give thee his 
 daughter. Thou shouldst have come to us, and 
 we would have given thee the fairest of the 
 daughters of Agamemnon, bringing her from 
 Argos, if thou wouldst have engaged to help us 
 to take this city of Troy. But come now with 
 me to the ships, that we may treat about this 
 marriage : thou wilt find that we have open 
 hands." 
 
 So he spake, mocking the dead. Then King 
 Asius charged, coming on foot with his chariot 
 behind him. But ere he could throw his spear, 
 Idomeneus smote him that he fell, as falls an 
 oak, or an alder, or a pine, which men fell upon 
 the hills. And the driver of his chariot stood 
 dismayed, nor thought to turn his horses and 
 flee, so that Antilochus, the son of Nestor,
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS. 95 
 
 struck him down, and took the chariot and 
 horses for his own. Then Dei'phobus in great 
 wrath came near to Idomeneus, and would have 
 slain him with a spear, but could not, for he 
 covered himself with his shield, and the spear 
 passed over his head. Yet did it not fly in 
 vain, for it lighted on Hypsenor, striking him 
 on the right side. And as he fell, Dei'phobus 
 cried aloud 
 
 "Now is Asius avenged; and though he go 
 down to that strong porter who keeps the gates 
 of hell, yet will he be glad, for I have sent him 
 a companion." 
 
 But scarce had he spoken when Idomeneus 
 the Cretan slew another of the chiefs of Troy, 
 Alcathoiis, son-in-law of old Anchises. And 
 having slain him he cried 
 
 " Small reason hast thou to boast, Deiphobus 
 for we have slain three for one. But come 
 thou and meet me in battle, that thou mayest 
 know me who I am, son of Deucalion, who was 
 the son of Minos, who was the son of Zeus." 
 
 Then Dei'phobus thought within himself, 
 should he meet this man alone, or should he 
 take some brave comrade with him ? And it
 
 96 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 seemed to him better that he should take a 
 brave comrade with him. Wherefore he went for 
 ^neas, and found him in the rear of the battle, 
 vexed at heart because King Priam did not 
 honour him among the princes of Troy. Then 
 said he 
 
 " Come hither, ^Eneas, to fight for Alcathoiis, 
 who was wont to care for thee when thou wast 
 young, and now he lies dead under the spear of 
 Idome.neus." 
 
 So they two went together ; and Idomeneus 
 saw them, but yielded not from his place, only 
 called to his comrades that they should gather 
 themselves together and help him. And on the 
 other side yEneas called to Dei'phobus, and 
 Paris, and Agenor. So they fought about the 
 body of Alcathoiis. Then did ^neas cast his 
 spear at Idomeneus, but struck him not ; but 
 Idomeneus slew CEnomaiis, only when he would 
 have spoiled him of his arms he could not, for 
 the men of Troy pressed him hard, so that per- 
 force he gave way. And as he turned, Dei'- 
 phobus sought to slay him with his spear, but 
 smote in his stead Ascalaphus, son of Ares. 
 But when he would have spoiled him of his
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS. 97 
 
 arms, Meriones struck him through the wrist 
 with a spear. Straightway he dropped the 
 helmet which he had seized, and Polites, his 
 brother, led him out of the battle. And he 
 climbed into his chariot and went back to the 
 city. But the rest stayed not their hands from 
 fighting, and many valiant heroes fell, both on 
 this side and on that. For on the left the sons 
 of Greece prevailed, so fiercely fought I do- 
 meneus the Cretan, and Meriones, his comrade, 
 and Antilochus, the son of Nestor, and Mene- 
 latis ; but on the right the Locrians and the 
 Boeotians and the men of Athens could scarce 
 keep Hector from the ships. Yet here for a 
 while the battle went with them, for the 
 Locrians, who were mighty archers, bent their 
 bows against the men of Troy, and dismayed 
 them, so thick flew the arrows, dealing wounds- 
 and death. Then said Polydamas to Hector 
 " O Hector, thou art ever loath to hear 
 lounsel from others. Yet think not that because 
 thou art stronger than other men, therefore Zeus 
 hath also made thee wiser. For truly he gives 
 diverse gifts to diverse men strength to one 
 and counsel to another. Hear, then, my words. 
 
 8
 
 98 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Thou seest that the Trojans keep not all to- 
 gether, for some stand aloof, while some fight, 
 being few against many. Do thou therefore call 
 the bravest together. Then shall we see 
 whether we shall burn the ships, or, it may be, 
 win our way back without harm to Troy ; for 
 indeed I forget not that there is a warrior here 
 whom no man may match, nor will he, I trow, 
 always keep aloof from the battle." 
 
 And the saying pleased Hector. So he went 
 through the host looking for the chiefs for De'i- 
 phobus, and Helenus, and Asius, and Acamas, 
 son of Asius, and others, who were the bravest 
 among the Trojans and allies. And some he 
 found, and some he found not, for they had 
 fallen in the battle, or had gone sorely wounded 
 to the city. But at last he spied Paris, where 
 he stood strengthening the hearts of his 
 comrades. 
 
 "O Paris, fair of face, cheater of the hearts of 
 women, where is Dei'phobus, and Helenus, and 
 Asius, and Acamas, son of Asius ? " 
 
 But Paris answered him, " Some of these are 
 dead, and some are sorely wounded. But we 
 who are left fight on. Only do thou lead us
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHIPS. 99 
 
 against the Greeks, nor wilt thou say that we 
 are slow to follow." 
 
 So Hector went along the front of the battle, 
 leading the men of Troy. Nor did the Greeks 
 give way when they saw him, but Ajax the 
 Greater cried 
 
 " Friend, come near, nor fear the men of 
 Greece. Thou thinkest in thine heart to spoil 
 the ships, but we have hands to keep them, 
 and ere they perish Troy itself shall fall before 
 us. Soon, I trow, wilt thou wish that thy 
 horses were swifter than hawks, when they 
 bear thee fleeing before us across the plain to 
 the city." 
 
 But Hector answered, " Nay, thou braggart 
 Ajax, what words are these ? I would that I 
 were as surely one of the Immortals as this day 
 shall surely bring woe to the Greeks. And 
 thou, if thou darest to meet my spear, shalt be 
 slain among the rest, and feed with thy flesh the 
 beasts of the h'eld and the fowls of the air." 
 
 So he spake, and from this side and from 
 that there went up a great cry of battle.
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE CATTLE AT THE SHIPS (CONTINUED). 
 
 So loud was the cry, that it roused old Nestor 
 where he sat in his tent, tending the wounded 
 Machaon. Whereupon he said, " Sit thou here 
 and drink the red wine till the fair Hecamede 
 shall have got ready the bath to wash the blood 
 from thy wound, but I will ask how things fare 
 in the battle." 
 
 So he went forth from the tent, seeking King 
 Agamemnon. And lo ! as he went the king 
 met him, and with him were Diomed and 
 Ulysses, who also had been wounded that day. 
 So they held counsel together. And Agamem- 
 non for it troubled him sore that the people 
 were slain would that they should draw down 
 the ships into the sea, and should flee home- 
 wards, as soon as the darkness should cover
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE SHlfS. 101 
 
 them and the Trojans should cease from the 
 battle. 
 
 But Ulysses would have none of such coun- 
 sel, saying, " Now surely, son of Atreus, thou 
 art not. worthy to rule over us, who have been 
 men of war from our youth. Wilt thou leave 
 this city, for the taking of which we have suffered 
 so much ? That may not be ; let not any one 
 of the Greeks hear the say such words. And 
 what is this, that thou wouldst have us launch 
 our ships now, whilst the hosts are fighting ? 
 Surely, so doing, we should perish altogether, for 
 the Greeks would not fight any more, seeing 
 that the ships were being launched, and the men 
 of Troy would slay us altogether. 
 
 Then King Agamemnon said, "Thou speakest 
 well." And he went through the host, bidding 
 the men bear themselves bravely, and all the 
 while Poseidon put courage and strength into 
 their hearts. Then Hector cast his spear 
 against Ajax Telamon. The shield kept it not 
 off, for it passed beneath, but the two belts, of 
 the shield and of the sword, stayed it, so that it 
 wounded not his body. Then Hector in wrath 
 and fear went back into the ranks of his comrades;
 
 102 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 but as he went Ajax took a great stone now 
 were there many such which they had as props 
 for the ships and smote him above the rim of his 
 shield, on the neck. As an oak falls, stricken by 
 the thunder of Zeus, so he fell, and the Greeks 
 rushed with a great cry to drag him to them, but 
 could not, for all the bravest of the sons of 
 Troy held their shields before him Polydamas, 
 and ./Eneas, and Sarpedon, and Glaucus. Then 
 they carried him to the Xanthus, and poured 
 water upon him. And after a while he sat up, and 
 then again his spirit left him, for the blow had 
 been very grievous. But when the Greeks saw 
 that Hector had been carried out of the battle, 
 they pressed on the more, slaying the men of 
 Troy, and driving them back even out of the 
 camp and across the trench. But when they 
 came to their chariots, where they had left them 
 on the other side of the trench, there they stood 
 trembling and pale with fear. But Apollo, at 
 the bidding of Zeus, went to Hector where he 
 lay, and healed him of his wound, pouring 
 strength and courage into his heart, so that 
 he went back to the battle whole and sound. 
 Then great fear came upon the Greeks when
 
 THE BATTLE -AT THE SHIPS. 103 
 
 they saw him, and Thoas the ^Etolian spake, 
 saying 
 
 " Surely this is a great marvel that I see with 
 mine eyes. For we thought that Hector had 
 been slain by the hand of Ajax, son of Telamon, 
 and now, behold ! he is come back to the battle. 
 Many Greeks have fallen before him, and many, 
 I trow, will fall, for of a truth some god has 
 raised him up and helps him. But come, let all 
 the bravest stand together. So, mighty though 
 he be, he shall fear to enter our array." 
 
 And all the bravest gathered together and 
 stood in the front, but the multitude made for 
 the ships. But Hector came on, and Apollo 
 before him, with his shoulders wrapped in 
 cloud and the aegis shield in his hand. And 
 many of the Greeks fell slain before the sons of 
 Troy, as lasus of Athens, and Arcesilaiis the 
 Boeotian, and Medon, who was brother to Ajax the 
 Less, and many more. Thus the battle turned 
 again, and came near to the trench ; and now 
 Apollo made it easy for the men of Troy 
 to pass, so that they left not their chariots, as 
 before, upon the brink, but drave them across. 
 
 Meanwhile Patroclus sat in the tent of Eury-
 
 104 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 pylus, dressing his wound and talking with him. 
 But when he saw what had chanced, he struck 
 his thigh with his hand and cried 
 
 " Now must I leave thee, Eurypylus, for I 
 must haste to Achilles, so dreadful is now the 
 battle. Perchance I may persuade him that he 
 go forth to the fight." 
 
 So he ran to the tent of Achilles. And now 
 the men of Troy were at the ships. And Hector 
 and Ajax were fighting for one of them, and 
 Ajax could not drive him back, and Hector could 
 not burn the ship with fire. Then sprang for- 
 ward Caletor with a torch in his hand, and Ajax 
 smote him on the heart with a sword, so that he 
 fell close by the ship. Then Hector cried 
 
 " Come now, Trojans and allies, and fight for 
 Caletor, that the Greeks spoil him not of his 
 arms." 
 
 So saying he cast his spear at Ajax. Him he 
 struck not, but Cytherius, his comrade, he slew. 
 Then was Ajax sore dismayed, and spake to 
 Teucer his brother 
 
 " See now, Cytherius, our dear comrade, is 
 dead, slain by Hector. But where are thy 
 arrows and thy bow ? "
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE S1I11S. 105 
 
 So Teucer took his bow and laid an arrow on 
 the string, and smote Clitus, who was charioteer 
 to Polydamas. And then he aimed an arrow at 
 Hector's self; but ere he could loose it, the bow- 
 string was broken in his hands, and the arrow 
 went far astray, for Zeus would not that Hector 
 should so fall. Then Teucer cried aloud to his 
 brother 
 
 " Surely some god confounds our counsels, 
 breaking my bow-string, which this very day I 
 tied new upon my bow." 
 
 But Ajax said, " Let be thy bow, if it please 
 not the gods, but take spear and shield and fight 
 with the men of Troy. For though they master 
 us to-day, they shall not take our ships for 
 nought." 
 
 So Teucer armed himself afresh for the battle. 
 But Hector, when he saw the broken bow, cried 
 out 
 
 " Come on, ye men of Troy, for Zeus is with 
 us. Even now he broke the bow of Teucer, 
 the great archer. And they whom Zeus helps 
 prevail, and they whom he favours not grow 
 weak. Come on ; for even though a man fall, 
 it is well that he fall fighting for his fatherland ;
 
 io6 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and his wife and his children are safe, nor shall 
 his glory cease, if so be that we drive the 
 Greeks in their ships across the sea." 
 
 And on the other side Ajax, the son of Tela- 
 mon, called to the Greeks, and bade them quit 
 themselves like men. Then the battle grew yet 
 fiercer, for Hector slew Schedius, who led the 
 men of Phocis, and Ajax slew Laodamas, son of 
 Antenor, and Polydamas Otus of Cyllene. Then 
 Meges thought to slay Polydamas; but his spear 
 went astray, smiting down Crsesmus ; and 
 Dolops, who was grandson to Laomedon, cast 
 his spear at Meges, but the corslet stayed the 
 point, though it pierced the shield. But Dolops' 
 self Menelatis smote through the shoulder, but 
 could not spoil him of his arms, for Hector and 
 his brothers hindered him. So they fought, 
 slaying one another; but Hector still waxed 
 greater and greater in the battle, and still the 
 men of Troy came on, and still the Greeks gave 
 way. So they came again, these pushing for- 
 ward and these yielding ground, to the ships. 
 And Hector caught hold of one of them, even 
 the ship of Protesilails : him indeed it had 
 brought from Troy, but it took him not back,
 
 THE BATTLE A 7 THE SHIPS. 107 
 
 for he had fallen, slain by the hand of Hector, 
 as he leapt, first of all the Greeks, upon the shore 
 of Troy. This Hector caught, and the battle 
 raged like fire about it ; for the men of Troy 
 and the Greeks were gathered round, and none 
 fought with arrows or javelins from afar, but 
 man to man, with battle - axe and sword and 
 great spears pointed at either end. And many 
 a fair weapon lay shattered on the ground, and 
 the earth flowed with blood as with a river. 
 But still Hector held the stem of the ship 
 with his hand, and called to the men of Troy 
 that they should bring fire, for that Zeus had 
 given them the victory that day. Then even 
 Ajax himself gave way, so did the spears of the 
 Trojans press him ; for now he stood no longer 
 upon the stern deck, but on the rowers' bench, 
 thrusting thence with his spear at any one who 
 sought to set fire to the ship. And ever he 
 cried to the Greeks with a terrible voice 
 
 " O ye Greeks, now must ye quit yourselves 
 like men. For have ye any helpers behind ? or 
 have ye any walls to shelter you ? No city is 
 here, with well-built battlements, wherein ye 
 might be safe, while the people should fight for
 
 io8 STORIES FROM HO ML A. 
 
 you. For we are here in the plain of Troy, and 
 the sea is close behind us, and we are far from 
 our country. Wherefore all our hope is in 
 valour, and not in shrinking back from the 
 battle." 
 
 And still he thrust with his spear, if any of 
 the men of Troy, at Hector's bidding, sought to 
 bring fire against the ship. Full twelve he 
 wounded where he stood.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE DEEDS AND DEATH OF PATROCLUS. 
 
 AND Patroclus stood by Achilles, weeping 
 bitterly. Then said Achilles, " What ails thee, 
 Patroclus, that thou weepest like a girl-child 
 that runs along by her mother's side and would 
 be taken up, holding her gown, and looking at 
 her with tearful eyes till she lift her in her 
 arms ? Hast thou heard evil news from Phthia? 
 Mencetius yet lives, they say, and Peleus. Or 
 art thou weeping for the Greeks, because they 
 perish for their folly ? " 
 
 Then said Patroclus, " Be not wroth with 
 me, great Achilles, for indeed the Greeks are 
 in grievous straits, and all their bravest are 
 wounded, and still thou cherishest thy wrath. 
 Surely Peleus was not thy father, nor Thetis thy 
 mother ; but the rocks begat thee, and the sea 
 brought thee forth. Or if thou goest not to the 
 battle, fearing some warning from the gods, yet
 
 1 10 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 let me go, and thy Myrmidons with me. And 
 let me put thy armour on me ; so shall the 
 Greeks have breathing space from the war." 
 
 So he spake, entreating, nor knew that for his 
 own doom he entreated. And Achilles made 
 reply 
 
 " It is no warning that I heed, that I keep back 
 from the war. But these men took from me my 
 prize, which I won with my own hands. But let 
 the past be past. I said that I would not rise 
 up till the battle should come nigh to my own 
 ships. But thou mayest put my armour upon 
 thee, and lead my Myrmidons to the fight. 
 For in truth the men of Troy are gathered as a 
 dark cloud about the ships, and the Greeks 
 have scarce standing-ground between them and 
 the sea. For they see not the gleam of my 
 helmet. And Diomed is not there with his 
 spear ; nor do I hear the voice of Agamemnon, 
 but only the voice of Hector, as he calls the 
 men of Troy to the battle. Go, therefore, 
 Patroclus, and drive the fire from the ships. 
 And then come thou back, nor fight any more 
 with the Trojans, lest thou take my glory from 
 *ne. And go not near, in the delight of battle,
 
 DEEDS AND DEA TH OF PA TROCL US. \ 1 1 
 
 to the walls of Troy, lest one of the gods meet 
 thee to thy hurt; and, of a truth, the keen archer 
 Apollo loves them well." 
 
 But as they talked the one to the other, Ajax 
 could hold out no longer. For swords and 
 javelins came thick upon him, and clattered on 
 his helmet, and his shoulder was weary with 
 the great shield which he held; and he breathed 
 heavily and hard, and the great drops of sweat 
 fell upon the ground. Then at the last Hector 
 came near and smote his spear with a great 
 sword, so that the head fell off. Then was 
 Ajax sore afraid, and gave way, and the men of 
 Troy set torches to the ship's stem, and a great 
 flame shot up to the sky. And Achilles saw it, 
 and smote his thigh and spake 
 
 " Haste thee, Patroclus, for I see the fire 
 rising up from the ships. Put thou on the 
 armour, and I will call my people to the war." 
 
 So Patroclus put on the armour corslet and 
 shield and helmet and bound upon his shoulder 
 the silver- studded sword, and took a mighty 
 spear in his hand. But the great Pelian spear 
 he took not, for that no man but Achilles might 
 wield. Then Automedon yoked the horses to
 
 ii2 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 the chariot, Bayard and Piebald, and with them 
 in the side harness, Pedasus; and they two 
 were deathless steeds, but he was mortal. 
 
 Meanwhile Achilles had called the Myrmidons 
 to battle. Fifty ships had he brought to Troy, 
 and in each there were fifty men. Five leaders 
 they had, and the bravest of the five was Pisander. 
 
 Then Achilles said, " Forget not, ye Myrmi- 
 dons, the bold words that ye spake against the 
 men of Troy during the days of my wrath, 
 making complaint that I kept you from the 
 battle against your will. Now, therefore, ye 
 have that which you desired." 
 
 So the Myrmidons went to the battle in close 
 array, helmet to helmet and shield to shield, close 
 as the stones with which a builder builds a wall. 
 And in front went Patroclus, and Automedon in 
 the chariot beside him. Then Achilles went to 
 his tent and took a great cup from the chest 
 which Thetis his mother had given him. Now 
 no man drank of that cup but he only, nor did 
 he pour out of it libations to any of the gods 
 but only to Zeus. This first he cleansed with 
 sulphur, and then with water from the spring. 
 And after this he washed his hands, and stood in
 
 DEEDS AND DEA TH OF PA TROCL US. 113 
 
 the midst of the space before his tent, and poured 
 out of it to Zeus, saying 
 
 " O Zeus, I send my comrade to this battle ; 
 make him strong and bold, and give him glory, 
 and bring him home safe to the ships, and my 
 people with him." 
 
 So he prayed, and Father Zeus heard him, 
 and part he granted and part denied. 
 
 But now Patroclus with the Myrmidons had 
 come to where the battle was raging about the 
 ship of Protesilalis, and when the men of Troy 
 beheld him, they thought that Achilles had for- 
 gotten his wrath, and was come forth to the war. 
 And first Patroclus slew Pyrsechmes, who was 
 the chief of the Pseonians who live on the banks 
 of the broad Axius. Then the men of Troy 
 turned to flee, and many chiefs of fame fell by 
 the spears of the Greeks. So the battle rolled 
 back to the trench, and in the trench many 
 chariots of the Trojans were broken, but the 
 horses of Achilles went across it at a stride, 
 so nimble were they and strong. And the 
 heart of Patroclus was set to slay Hector ; but he 
 could not overtake him, so swift were his horses. 
 Then did Patroclus turn his chariot, and keep 
 
 Q
 
 114 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 back those that fled, that they should not go to 
 the city, and rushed hither and thither, still 
 slaying as he went. 
 
 But Sarpedon, when he saw the Lycians dis- 
 mayed and scattered, called to them that they 
 should be of good courage, saying that he would 
 himself make trial of this great warrior. So he 
 leapt down from his chariot, and Patroclus also 
 leapt down, and they rushed at each other as 
 two eagles rush together. Then first Patroclus 
 struck down Thrasymelus, who was the comrade 
 of Sarpedon ; and Sarpedon, who had a spear 
 in either hand, with the one struck the horse 
 Pedasus, which was of mortal breed, on the right 
 shoulder, and with the other missed his aim, 
 sending it over the left shoulder of Patroclus. 
 But Patroclus missed not his aim, driving his 
 spear into Sarpedon's heart. Then fell the great 
 Lycian chief, as an oak, or a poplar, or a pine 
 falls upon the hills before the axe. But he 
 called to Glaucus, his companion, saying 
 
 " Now must thou show thyself a good warrior, 
 Glaucus. First call the men of Lycia to fight 
 for me, and do thou fight thyself, for it would be 
 foul shame to thee, all thy days, if the Greeks 
 should spoil me of my arms."
 
 DEEDS AND DEA TH OF PA TROCL US. 1 1 5 
 
 Then he died. But Glaucus was sore 
 troubled, for he could not help him, so grievous 
 was the wound where Teucer had wounded 
 him. Therefore he prayed to Apollo, and Apollo 
 helped him and made him whole. Then he 
 went first to the Lycians, bidding them fight for 
 their king, and then to the chiefs of the Trojans, 
 that they should save the body of Sarpedon. 
 And to Hector he said 
 
 " Little carest thou for thy allies. Lo! Sar- 
 pedon is dead, slain by Patroclus. Suffer not 
 the Myrmidons to carry him off and do dis- 
 honour to his body." 
 
 But Hector was troubled to hear such news, 
 and so were all the sons of Troy, for Sarpedon 
 was the bravest of the allies, and led most 
 people to the battle. So with a great shout 
 they charged and drove the Greeks back a space 
 from the body ; and then again the Greeks did 
 the like. And so the battle raged, till no one 
 would have known the great Sarpedon, so 
 covered was he with spears and blood and 
 dust. But at the last the Greeks drave back 
 the men of Troy from the body, and stripped 
 the arms, but the body itself they harmed not.
 
 ii6 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 For Apollo came down at the bidding of Zeus 
 and carried it out of the midst of the battle, 
 and washed it with water, and anointed it with 
 ambrosia, and wrapped it in garments of the 
 gods. And then he gave it to Sleep and Death, 
 and these two carried it to Lycia, his fatherland. 
 
 Then did Patroclus forget the word which 
 Achilles had spoken to him, that he should not 
 go near to Troy, for he pursued the men of the 
 city even to the wall. Thrice he mounted on 
 the angle of the wall, and thrice Apollo himself 
 drove him back, pushing his shining shield. 
 But the fourth time the god said, " Go thou 
 back, Patroclus. It is not for thee to take the 
 city of Troy ; no, nor for Achilles, who is far 
 better than thou art." 
 
 So Patroclus went back, fearing the wrath of 
 the archer-god. Then Apollo stirred up the spirit 
 of Hector, that he should go against Patroclus. 
 Therefore he went, with his brother Cebriones 
 for driver of his chariot. But when they came 
 near, Patroclus cast a great stone which he had in 
 his hand, and smote Cebriones on the forehead, 
 crushing it in, so that he fell headlong from the 
 chariot. And Patroclus mocked him, saying
 
 DEEDS AND DEA TH OF PA TROCL US. 1 17 
 
 " How nimble is this man ! how lightly he 
 dives ! What spoil he would take of oysters, 
 diving from a ship, even in a stormy sea ! Who 
 would have thought that there were such 
 skilful divers in Troy ! " 
 
 Then again the battle waxed hot about the 
 body of Cebriones, and this too, at the last, the 
 Greeks drew unto themselves, and spoiled it of 
 the arms. And this being accomplished, Patro- 
 clus rushed against the men of Troy. Thrice 
 he rushed, and each time he slew nine chiefs of 
 fame. But the fourth time Apollo stood behind 
 him and struck him on the head and shoulders, 
 so that his eyes were darkened. And the helmet 
 fell from off his head, so that the horsehair 
 plumes were soiled with dust. Never before 
 had it touched the ground, for it was the helmet 
 of Achilles. And also the god brake the spear 
 in his hand, and struck the shield from his arms,, 
 and loosed his corslet. All amazed he stood, 
 and then Euphorbus, son of Pantholis, smote 
 him on the back with his spear, but slew him 
 not. Then Patroclus sought to flee to the ranks, 
 of his comrades. But Hector saw him, and 
 thrust at him with his spear, smiting him in the
 
 Ii8 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 groin, so that he fell. And when the Greeks saw 
 him fall, they sent up a terrible cry. Then Hector 
 stood over him and cried 
 
 " Didst thou think to spoil our city, Patroclus, 
 and to carry away our wives and daughters in 
 the ships ? But, lo ! I have slain thee, and the 
 fowls of the air shall eat thy flesh ; nor shall the 
 great Achilles help thee at all Achilles, who 
 bade thee, I trow, strip the tunic from my breast, 
 and thou though test in thy folly to do it." 
 
 But Patroclus answered, "Thou boasteth 
 much, Hector. Yet thou didst not slay me, 
 but Apollo, who took from me my arms, for 
 had twenty such as thou met me, I had slain 
 them all. And mark thou this : death and 
 fate are close to thee by the hand of the great 
 Achilles." 
 
 And Hector answered, but Patroclus was 
 dead already 
 
 " Why dost thou prophesy death to me ? 
 May be the great Achilles himself shall fall by 
 my hand." 
 
 Then he drew his spear from the wound, and 
 went after Automedon, to slay him, but the 
 swift horses of Achilles carried him away.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES. 
 
 FIERCE was the fight about the body of Patro- 
 clus, and many heroes fell, both on this side 
 and on that, and first of them all Euphorbus, 
 who, indeed, had wounded him. For as he 
 came near to strip the dead man of his arms, 
 Menelaiis slew him with his spear. He slew 
 him, but took not his arms, for Hector came 
 through the battle ; nor did Menelaiis dare to 
 abide his coming, but went back into the ranks 
 of his own people. Then did Hector strip off 
 the arms of Patroclus, the arms which the great 
 Achilles had given him to wear. Then he laid 
 hold of the body, and would have dragged it 
 into the host of the Trojans, but Ajax Telamon 
 came forth, and put his broad shield before it, 
 as a lion stands before its cubs when the 
 hunters meet it in the woods, drawing down
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 over its eyes its shaggy brows. Then Hector 
 gave place, but Glaucus saw him and said 
 
 " Now is this a shame to thee, that thou 
 darest not to stand against Ajax. How wilt 
 thou and thy countrymen save the city of Troy ? 
 For surely no more will thy allies fight for it. 
 Small profit have they of thee. Did not 
 Sarpedon fall, and didst thou not leave him 
 to be a prey to the dogs ? And now, if thou 
 hadst stood firm and carried off Patroclus, we 
 might have made exchange, and gained from 
 the Greeks Sarpedon and his arms. But it 
 may not be, for thou fearest Ajax, and fleest 
 before him." 
 
 But Hector said, " I fear him not, nor any 
 man. Only Zeus gives victory now to one 
 man and now to another. But wait thou here, 
 and see whether I be a coward, as thou sayest" 
 
 Now he had sent the armour of Patroclus to 
 the city. But now he ran after those that 
 were carrying it, and overtook them, and put 
 on the armour himself (but Zeus saw him doing 
 it, and liked it not), and came back to the 
 battle; and all who saw him thought that it 
 had been the great Achilles himself. Then
 
 THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES. 121 
 
 they all charged together, and fiercer grew the 
 battle and fiercer as the day went on. For 
 the Greeks said one to another, " Now had the 
 earth better yawn and swallow us up alive, 
 than we should let the men of Troy carry off 
 Patroclus to their city ; " and the Trojans said, 
 " Now if we must all fall by the body of this 
 man, be it so, but we will not yield." But the 
 horses of Achilles stood apart from the battle, 
 when they knew that Patroclus was dead, and 
 wept. Nor could Automedon move them with 
 the lash, nor with gentle words, -nor with 
 threats. They would not return to the ships, 
 nor would they go into the battle ; but as a 
 pillar stands on the tomb of some dead man, 
 so they stood, with their heads drooped to the 
 ground, with the big tears dropping to the 
 earth, and their long manes trailing in the 
 dust. 
 
 But Father Zeus beheld them, and pitied 
 them, and said 
 
 "It was not well that we gave you, immortal 
 as ye are, to a mortal man ; for of all things 
 that move on earth, mortal man is the fullest 
 of sorrow. But Hector shall not possess you.
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 It is enough for him, yea, and too much, that 
 he has the arms of Achilles." 
 
 Then did the horses move from their place 
 and obey their charioteer as before. Nor could 
 Hector take them, though he desired them 
 very much. And all the while the battle raged 
 about the dead Patroclus. And at last Ajax 
 said to Menelalis (now these two had borne 
 themselves more bravely in the fight than all 
 others) 
 
 " See if thou canst find Antilochus, Nestor's 
 son, that he may carry the tidings to Achilles, 
 how that Patroclus is dead." 
 
 So Menelaiis went and found Antilochus on 
 the left of the battle, and said to him, " I have 
 ill news for thee. Thou seest, I trow, that 
 the men of Troy have the victory to-day. And 
 also Patroclus lies dead. Run, therefore, to 
 Achilles, and tell him, if haply he may save the 
 body ; but as for the arms, Hector has them 
 already." 
 
 Sore dismayed was Antilochus to hear such 
 tidings, and his eyes were filled with tears and 
 his voice was choked. Yet did he give heed 
 to the words of Menelatis, and ran to tell
 
 THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES. 123 
 
 Achilles of what had chanced. But Menelalis 
 went back to Ajax, where he had left him by 
 Patroclus, and said 
 
 "Antilochus, indeed, bears the tidings to 
 Achilles. Yet I doubt whether he will come, 
 for all his wrath against Hector, seeing that he 
 has no armour to cover him. Let us think, 
 then, how we may best carry Patroclus away 
 from the men of Troy." 
 
 Then said Ajax, " Do thou and Meriones run 
 forward and raise the body in your arms, and 
 I and the son of Oileus will keep off meanwhile 
 the men of Troy." 
 
 So Menelaiis and Meriones ran forward and 
 lifted up the body. And the Trojans ran for- 
 ward with a great shout when they saw them, 
 as dogs run barking before the hunters when 
 they chase a wild boar; but when the beast 
 turns to bay, lo ! they flee this way and that. 
 So did the men of Troy flee when Ajax the 
 Greater and Ajax the Less turned to give 
 battle. But still the Greeks gave way, and still 
 the Trojans came on, and ever in the front 
 were Hector, the son of Priam, and ^neas, the 
 son of Anchises. But in the mean time Anti-
 
 124 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 lochus came near to Achilles, who, indeed, 
 seeing that the Greeks fled and the men of 
 Troy pursued, was already sore afraid. And 
 he said, weeping as he spake 
 
 " I bring ill news Patroclus lies low. The 
 Greeks fight for his body, but Hector has his 
 arms." 
 
 Then Achilles took of the dust of the plain 
 in his hands, and poured it on his head, and lay 
 at his length upon the ground, and tare his hair. 
 And all the women wailed. And Antilochus 
 sat weeping; but ever he held the hands of 
 Achilles, lest he should slay himself in his great 
 grief. 
 
 Then came his mother, hearing his cry, from 
 where she sat in the depths of the sea, and laid 
 her hand on him and said 
 
 "Why weepest thou, my son? Hide not the 
 matter from me, but tell me." 
 
 And Achilles answered, " All that Zeus pro- 
 mised thee for me he hath fulfilled. But what 
 profit have I, for lo ! my friend Patroclus is 
 dead, and Hector has the arms which I gave 
 him to wear. And as for me, I care not to live, 
 except I can avenge me upon him."
 
 THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES. 125 
 
 Then said Thetis, "Nay, my son, speak not 
 thus. For when Hector dieth, thy doom also is 
 near." 
 
 And Achilles spake in great wrath : " Would 
 that I might die this hour, seeing that I could 
 not help my friend, but am a burden on the 
 earth I, who am better in battle than all the 
 Greeks besides. Cursed be the wrath that sets 
 men to strive the one with the other, even as it 
 set me to strive with King Agamemnon ! But let 
 the past be past. And as for my fate let it 
 come when it may, so that I first avenge myself 
 on Hector. Wherefore seek 'not to keep me 
 back from the battle." 
 
 Then Thetis said, " Be it so ; only thou canst 
 not go without thy arms, which Hector hath. 
 But to-morrow will I go to Hephaestus, that he 
 may furnish thee anew." 
 
 But while they talked the men of Troy 
 pressed the Greeks more and more, and the 
 two heroes, Ajax the Greater and Ajax the 
 Less, could no longer keep Hector back, but that 
 he should lay hold of the body of Patroclus. 
 And indeed he would have taken it, but that 
 Zeus sent Iris to Achilles, who said
 
 126 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 " Rouse thee, son of Peleus, or Patroclus will 
 be a prey for the dogs of Troy ! " 
 
 But Achilles said, " How shall I go ? for 
 arms have I none, nor know I whose I might 
 wear. Haply I could shift with the shield of 
 Ajax, son of Telamon, but he, I know, is carry- 
 ing it in the front of the battle." 
 
 Then answered Iris, " Go only to the trench 
 and show thyself; so shall the men of Troy 
 tremble and cease from the battle, and the 
 Greeks shall have breathing space." 
 
 So he went, and Athene put her aegis about 
 his mighty shoulders, and a golden halo about 
 his head, making it shine as a flame of fire, 
 even as the watch - fires shine at night from 
 some city that is besieged. Then went he to 
 the trench ; with the battle he mingled not, 
 heeding his mother's commands, but he shouted 
 aloud, and his voice was as the sound of a 
 trumpet. And when the men of Troy heard, 
 they were stricken with fear, and the horses 
 backed with the chariots, and the drivers were 
 astonished when they saw the flaming fire 
 above his head which Athene had kindled. 
 Thrice across the trench the great Achilles
 
 THE ROUSING OF ACHILLES. 127 
 
 shouted, and thrice the men of Troy fell back. 
 And that hour there perished twelve chiefs of 
 fame, wounded by their own spears or trampled 
 by their own steeds, so great was the terror 
 among the men of Troy. 
 
 Right gladly did the Greeks take Patroclus 
 out of the press. Then they laid him on a bier 
 and carried him to the tent, Achilles walking 
 with many tears by his side. 
 
 But on the other side the men of Troy held 
 an assembly. Standing they held it, for none 
 dared to sit, lest Achilles should be upon them. 
 
 Then spake Polydamas : " Let us not wait 
 here for the morning. It was well for us to 
 fight at the ships while Achilles yet kept his 
 wrath against Agamemnon. But now it is not 
 so. For to-morrow he will come against us in 
 his anger, and many will fall before him. 
 Wherefore let us go back to the city, for high 
 are the walls and strong the gates, and he will 
 perish before he pass them." 
 
 Then said Hector, "This is ill counsel, Poly- 
 damas. Shall we shut ourselves up in the city, 
 where all our goods are wasted already, buying 
 meat for the people ? Nay, let us watch to-night,
 
 128 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and to-morrow will we fight with the Greeks. 
 And if Achilles be indeed come forth from his 
 tent, be it so. I will not shun to meet him, for 
 Ares gives the victory now to one man and now 
 to another." 
 
 So he spake, and all the people applauded, 
 foolish, not knowing what the morrow should 
 bring forth.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE RIVER. 
 
 MEANWHILE in the camp of the Greeks they 
 mourned for Patroclus. And Achilles stood 
 among his Myrmidons and said 
 
 "Vain was the promise that I made to 
 Menoetius that I would bring back his son with 
 his portion of the spoils of Troy. But Zeus 
 fulfils not the thoughts of man. For he lies, 
 dead, nor shall I return to the house of Peleus,. 
 my father, for I, too, must die in this land. But 
 thee, O Patroclus, I will not bury till I bring 
 hither the head and the arms of Hector, and, 
 twelve men of Troy to slay at thy funeral, 
 pile." 
 
 So they washed the body of Patroclus and 
 anointed it, putting ointment into the wounds,, 
 and laid it on a bed, and covered it with a veil 
 from the head to the feet. 
 
 10
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then went Thetis to the palace of He- 
 phsestus, to pray him that he would make arms 
 for her son. And the lady his wife, whose 
 name was Grace, bade her welcome, and said 
 
 " Why comest thou. Thetis ? for thou art not 
 wont to come hither, though thou art dear to 
 us." 
 
 Then she called to her husband that Thetis 
 sought him, and he answered from his forge 
 where he wrought 
 
 " Dear is Thetis to me, for she saved me in 
 the old time, when my mother would have put 
 me away because that I was lame. Greet her 
 therefore for me ; right willingly will I pay her 
 what she deserves at my hands." Then he 
 came from his forge and sat down by the 
 goddess, and asked her, "What wantest thou ?" 
 
 Then did Thetis tell him of her son Achilles, 
 and of the wrong that had been done to him, 
 and of his wrath, and of how Patroclus was 
 dead, and the arms that he had had were lost. 
 
 Then said Hephaestus, " Be of good cheer : 
 I will make what thou askest. Would that I 
 could as easily keep from him the doom of 
 death."
 
 7 HE BATTLE AT THE RIVER. 131 
 
 Then Hephaestus wrought at his forge. And 
 first of all he made a mighty shield. On it he 
 wrought the earth, and the sky, and the sea, and 
 the sun, and the moon, and all the stars. He 
 wrought also two cities. In the one there was 
 peace, and about the other there was war. For 
 in the first they led a bride to her home with 
 music and dancing, and the women stood in the 
 doors to see the show, and in the market-place 
 the judges judged about one that had been slain, 
 and one man said that he had paid the price of 
 blood, and the other denied. But about the 
 other city there sat an army besieging it, and 
 the men of the city stood upon the wall, de- 
 fending it. These had also set an ambush by 
 a river where the herds were wont to drink. 
 And when the herds came down, they rose up 
 and took them, and slew the herdsmen. But the 
 army of the besiegers heard the cry, and came 
 swiftly on horses, and fought by the bank of the 
 river. Also he wrought one field where many 
 men drove the plough, and another where reapers 
 reaped the corn, and boys gathered it in their 
 arms to bind into sheaves, while the lord stood 
 glad at heart beholding them. Also he wrought
 
 132 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 a vineyard, wherein was a path, and youths and 
 maidens bearing baskets of grapes, and in the 
 midst a boy played on a harp of gold and sang 
 a pleasant song. Also he made a herd of oxen 
 going from the stables to the pastures, and 
 herdsmen and dogs, and in the front two lions 
 had caught a mighty bull and were devouring 
 it, while the dogs stood far off and barked. 
 Also he made a sheepfold ; also a marvellous 
 dance of men and maidens, and these had 
 coronets of gold, and those daggers of gold 
 hanging from belts of silver. And round about 
 the shield he wrought the great river of ocean. 
 Besides the shield, he also made a corslet 
 brighter than fire, and a great helmet with a 
 crest of gold, and greaves of tin. 
 
 But all the while Achilles sat mourning for 
 Patroclus, and his comrades wept about him. 
 And at dawn Thetis brought him the arms and 
 laid them before him. Loud they rattled on 
 the ground, and all the Myrmidons trembled 
 to hear ; but when Achilles saw them his eyes 
 blazed with fire, and he rejoiced in his heart. 
 Only he said to his mother that he feared lest 
 the body should decay, but she answered
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE RIVER. 133 
 
 " Be not troubled about this, for I will see to 
 it. Make thy peace with Agamemnon, and go 
 to the battle." 
 
 Then Achilles went along the shore and 
 called the Greeks to an assembly, shouting 
 mightily ; and all, even those who were wont to 
 abide in the ships, listened to his voice and 
 came. So the assembly was gathered, and 
 Achilles stood up in the midst, saying that he 
 had put away his wrath; and King Agamemnon, 
 sitting on his throne (for his wound hindered 
 him from standing), said that he repented him 
 of the wrong which he had done, only that 
 Zeus had turned his thoughts to folly ; but now 
 he would give to Achilles all that Ulysses had 
 promised on his behalf. And Achilles would 
 have led the Greeks straightway to battle, but 
 the wise Ulysses hindered him, saying that it 
 was not well that he should send them to the 
 fight fasting. Then did Agamemnon send to 
 the tents of Achilles all the gifts that he had 
 promised, and with them the maiden Brisei's. 
 But she, when she came and saw Patroclus, 
 beat her breast and her fair neck and face, and 
 wailed aloud, for he had been gentle and good,
 
 134 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 she said. And all the women wailed with her, 
 thinking each of her own sorrows. 
 
 Then the chiefs would have Achilles feast 
 with them ; but he hearkened not, for he would 
 neither eat nor drink till he had had vengeance 
 for the dead. And he spake, saying 
 
 " Often, Patroclus, hast thou ordered the feast 
 when we were hastening to the war. And now 
 thou liest slain, and for grief for thee I cannot 
 eat nor drink. For greater sorrow could not 
 have come to me, not though Peleus himself 
 were dead, or my young son Neoptolemus. 
 Often did I think that I only should perish here, 
 but that thou shouldest return and show him all 
 that was mine goods and servants and palace." 
 
 And as he wept the old men wept with him, 
 thinking each of what he had left at home. 
 
 But after this the Greeks were gathered to 
 the battle, and Achilles shone in the midst with 
 the arms of Hephaestus upon him, and he 
 flashed like fire. Then he spake to his horses 
 
 " Take heed, Bayard and Piebald, that you 
 save your driver to-day, nor leave him dead on 
 the field, as you left Patroclus." 
 
 Then Here gave to the horse Bayard a voice,
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE RIVER. 135 
 
 so that he spake : " Sufely we will save thee, 
 great Achilles; yet, for all that, doom is near 
 to thee, nor are we the cause, but the gods and 
 mastering Fate. Nor was it of us that Patro- 
 clus died, but Apollo slew him, and gave the 
 glory to Hector. So shalt thou, too, die by the 
 hands of a god and of a mortal man." 
 
 And Achilles said, " What need to tell me of 
 my doom ? Right well I know it. Yet will I 
 not cease till I have made the Trojans weary 
 of battle." 
 
 Then with a shout he rushed to the battle. 
 And first there met him .^Eneas. Now Achilles 
 cared not to fight with him, but bade him go 
 back to his comrades. But .^Eneas would not, 
 but told him of his race, how that he came from 
 Zeus on his father's side, and how that his 
 mother was Aphrodite, and that he held him- 
 self a match for any mortal man. Then he 
 cast his spear, which struck the shield of Achilles 
 with so dreadful a sound that the hero feared 
 lest it should pierce it through, knowing not 
 that the gifts of the gods are not easy for 
 mortal man to vanquish. Two folds indeed it 
 pierced that were of bronze, but in the gold it
 
 136 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 was stayed, and there were yet two of tin 
 within. Then Achilles cast his spear. Through 
 the shield of ^Eneas it passed, and though it 
 wounded him not, yet was he sore dismayed, so 
 near it came. Then Achilles drew his sword and 
 rushed on ./Eneas, and ./Eneas caught up a 
 great stone to cast at him. But it was not the 
 will of the gods that ./Eneas should perish, 
 seeing that he and his sons after him should 
 rule over the men of Troy in the ages to come. 
 Therefore Poseidon lifted him up and bore him 
 over the ranks of men to the left of the battle, 
 but first he drew the spear out of the shield and 
 laid it at the feet of Achilles. Much the hero 
 marvelled to see it, crying 
 
 " This is a great wonder that I see with mine 
 eyes. For, lo ! the spear is before me, but the 
 man whom I sought to slay I see not. Of a 
 truth ./Eneas spake truth, saying that he was 
 dear to the immortal gods." 
 
 Then he rushed into the battle, slaying as he 
 went. And Hector would have met him, but 
 Apollo stood by him and said, " Fight not with 
 Achilles, lest he slay thee." Therefore he went 
 back among the men of Troy. Many did
 
 THE BATTLE AT. THE RIVER. 137 
 
 Achilles slay, and among them Polydorus, son 
 of Priam, who, because he was the youngest 
 and very dear, his father suffered not to go to 
 the battle. Yet he went, in his folly, and being 
 very swift of foot, he trusted in his speed, 
 running through the foremost or the fighters. 
 But as he ran Achilles smote him and wounded 
 him to the death. But when Hector saw it he 
 could not bear any more to stand apart. There- 
 fore he rushed at Achilles, and Achilles rejoiced 
 to see him, saying, " This is the man who slew 
 my comrade." But they fought not then, for 
 when Hector cast his spear Athene turned it 
 aside, and when Achilles charged, Apollo bore 
 Hector away. 
 
 Then Achilles turned to the others, and slew 
 multitudes of them, so that they fled, part 
 across the plain, and part to the river, the 
 eddying Xanthus. And these leapt into the 
 water as locusts leap into a river when the 
 fire which men light drives them from the fields. 
 And all the river was full of horses and men. 
 Then Achilles leapt into the stream, leaving his 
 spear on the bank, resting on the tamarisk trees. 
 Only his sword had he, and with this he slew
 
 138 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 many ; and they were as fishes which fly from 
 some great dolphin in the sea. In all the bays 
 of a harbour they hide themselves, for the great 
 beast devours them apace. So did the Trojans 
 hide themselves under the banks of the river. 
 And when Achilles was weary of slaying he 
 took twelve alive, whom he would slay on the 
 tomb of Patroclus. Nor was there but one who 
 dared to stand up against him, and this was 
 Asteropseus, who- was the grandson of the river 
 god Axius, and led the men of Paeonia. And 
 Achilles wondered to see him, and said 
 " Who art thou, that standest against me ? " 
 And he said, " I am the grandson of the river 
 god Axius, fairest of all the streams on the 
 earth, and I lead the men of Pseonia." 
 
 And as he spake he cast two spears, one 
 with each hand, for he could use either alike ; 
 and the one struck the shield, nor pierced it 
 through, for the gold stayed it, and the other 
 grazed the right hand so that the blood spurted 
 forth. Then did Achilles cast his spear, but 
 missed his aim, and the great spear stood fast 
 in the bank. And thrice Asteropaeus strove 
 to draw it forth. Thrice he strove in vain, and
 
 THE BATTLE AT THE RIVER. 139 
 
 the fourth time he strove to break the spear. 
 But as he strove Achilles smote him that he 
 died. Yet had he some glory, for that he 
 wounded the great Achilles. 
 
 But Priam stood on a tower of the wall and 
 saw the people. Sore troubled was he, and he 
 hastened down to the gates and said to the 
 keepers, " Keep the wicket - gates in your 
 hands open, that the people may enter in, for 
 they fly before Achilles." So the keepers held 
 the wicket-gates in their hands, and the people 
 hastened in, weaned with toil and thirst, and 
 covered with dust, and Achilles followed close 
 upon them. And that hour would the Greeks 
 have taken the city of Troy, but that Apollo 
 saved it. For he put courage into the heart 
 of An tenor's son Agenor, standing also by him, 
 that he should not be slain. Therefore Agenor 
 stood, thinking within himself 
 
 " Shall I now flee with these others ? Nay, 
 for not the less will Achilles take me and slay 
 me, and I shall die as a coward dies. Or shall 
 I flee across the plain to Ida, and hide me in 
 the thickets, and come back at nightfall to the 
 city ? Yet should he see me he will overtake
 
 140 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 me and smite me, so swift of foot is he and 
 strong. But what if I stand to meet him be- 
 fore the gates? Well, he, too, is a mortal man, 
 and his flesh may be pierced by the spear." 
 
 Therefore he stood till Achilles should come 
 near. And when he came he cast his spear, 
 striking the leg below the knee, but the greave 
 turned off the spear, so strong was it. But 
 when Achilles would have slain him, lo! Apollo 
 lifted him up and set him within the city. And 
 that the men of Troy might have space to enter, 
 he took upon him Agenor's shape. And the 
 false Agenor fled, and Achilles pursued. But 
 meanwhile the men of Troy flocked into the 
 city, nor did they stay to ask who was safe and 
 who was dead, in such haste and fear did they 
 flee.
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 
 
 THE Trojans were now safe in the city, refresh- 
 ing themselves after all their grievous toil. 
 Only Hector remained outside the walls, stand- 
 ing in front of the great Scsean gates. But all 
 the while Achilles was fiercely pursuing the 
 false Agenor, till at last Apollo turned and spake 
 to him 
 
 " Why dost thou pursue me, swift - footed 
 Achilles? Hast thou not yet found out that. I 
 am a god, and that all thy fury is in vain ? 
 And now all the sons of Troy are safe in their 
 city, and thou art here, far out of the way, 
 seeking to slay me, who cannot die." 
 
 In great wrath Achilles answered him, " Thou 
 hast done me wrong in so drawing me away 
 from the wall, great archer, most mischief- 
 loving of all the gods that are. Had it not been
 
 142 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 for this, many a Trojan more had bitten the 
 ground. Thou hast robbed me of great glory, 
 and saved thy favourites. O that I had the 
 power to take vengeance on thee ! Thou hadst 
 paid dearly for thy cheat ! " 
 
 Then he turned and rushed towards the city, 
 swift as a racehorse whirls a chariot across the 
 plain. Old Priam spied him from the walls, with 
 his glittering armour, bright as that brightest 
 of the stars men call it Orion's dog which 
 shines at vintage-time, a baleful light, bringing 
 the fevers of autumn to men. And the old man 
 groaned aloud when he saw him, and stretching 
 out his hands, cried to his son Hector, where he 
 stood before the gates, eager to do battle with 
 this dread warrior 
 
 . " Wait not for this man, dear son, wait not 
 for him, lest thou die beneath his hand, for 
 indeed he is stronger than thou. Wretch that 
 he is ! I would that the gods bare such love to 
 him as I bear ! Right soon would the dogs 
 and vultures eat him. Of many brave sons has 
 he bereaved me. Two I miss to-day Poly- 
 dorus and Lycaon. May be they are yet alive 
 in the host of the Greeks, and I shall buy them
 
 THE DEA TH OF HECTOR. 143 
 
 back with gold, of which I have yet great store 
 in my house. And if they are dead, sore grief 
 will it be to me and to the mother who bare 
 them ; but little will care the other sons of Troy, 
 so that thou fall not beneath the hand of Achilles 
 Come within the walls, dear child ; come to save 
 the sons and daughters of Troy ; come in pity 
 for me, thy father, for whom, in my old age, an 
 evil fate is in store, to see sons slain with the 
 sword, and daughters carried into captivity, and 
 babes dashed upon the ground. Ay, and last 
 of all, the dogs which I have reared in my 
 palace will devour me, lapping my blood and 
 tearing my flesh as I lie on the threshold of my 
 home. That a young man should fall in battle 
 and suffer such lot as happens to the slain, this is 
 to be borne ; but that such dishonour should be 
 done to the white hair and white beard of the old, 
 mortal eyes can see no fouler sight than this." 
 
 Thus old Priam spake, but could not turn the 
 heart of his son. And from the wall on the 
 other side of the gate his mother called to him, 
 weeping sore, and if perchance she might thus 
 move his pity, she bared her bosom in his sight, 
 and said
 
 144 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 " Pity me, my son ; think of the breast which 
 I gave thee in the old days, and stilled thy cries. 
 Come within the walls ; wait not for this man, 
 nor stand in battle against him. If he slay 
 thee, nor I, nor thy wife, shall pay thee the last 
 honours of the dead, but far away by the ships 
 of the Greeks the dogs and vultures will devour 
 thee." 
 
 So father and mother besought their son, but 
 all in vain. He was still minded to abide the 
 coming of Achilles. Just as in the mountains a 
 great snake at its hole abides the coming of a 
 man : fierce glare its eyes, and it coils its tail 
 about its hole : so Hector waited for Achilles; 
 and as he waited he thought thus within him- 
 self 
 
 " Woe is me if I go within the walls ! Poly- 
 damas will be the first to reproach me, for he 
 advised me to bring back the sons of Troy 
 to the city before the night when Achilles 
 roused himself to war. But I would not listen 
 to him. Would that I had ! it had been much 
 better for us; but now I have destroyed the 
 people by my folly. I fear the sons and 
 daughters of Troy, what they may say ; I fear
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 145 
 
 lest some coward reproach me : ' Hector trusted 
 in his strength, and lo ! he has destroyed the 
 people/ Better were it for me either to slay 
 Achilles or to fall by his hand with honour here 
 before the walls. Or, stay: shall I put down my 
 shield, and lay aside my helmet, and lean my 
 spear against the wall and go to meet the great 
 Achilles, and promise that we will give back the 
 fair Helen, and all the wealth that Paris carried 
 off with her ; ay, and render up all the wealth 
 that there is in the city, that the Greeks may 
 divide it among themselves, binding the sons of 
 Troy with an oath that they keep nothing back? 
 But this is idle talk : he will have no shame or 
 pity, but will slay me while I stand without 
 arms or armour before him. It is not for us tc 
 talk as a youth and a maiden talk together. It 
 is better to meet in arms, and see whether the 
 ruler of Olympus will give victory to him or to 
 me." 
 
 Thus he thought in his heart; and Achilles 
 came near, brandishing over his right shoulder 
 the great Pelian spear, and the flash of his arms 
 was as the flame of fire, or as the rising sun. 
 And Hector trembled when he saw him, nor 
 
 ii
 
 146 STORIES FAOM HOMER. 
 
 dared to abide his coming. Fast he fled from 
 the gates, and fast Achilles pursued him, as a 
 hawk, fastest of all the birds of air, pursues a 
 dove upon the mountains. Past the watch- 
 tower they ran, past the wind-blown fig-tree, 
 along the waggon-road which went about the 
 walls, and they came to the fair-flowing fountain 
 where from two springs rises the stream of 
 eddying Scamander. Hot is one spring, and a 
 steam ever goes up from it, as from a burning 
 fire ; and cold is the other, cold, even in the 
 summer heats, as hail or snow or ice. There 
 are fair basins of stone, where the wives and fair 
 daughters of Troy were wont to wash their 
 garments, but that was in the old days of peace, 
 or ever the Greeks came to the land. Past the 
 springs they ran, one flying, the other pursuing: 
 brave was he that fled, braver he that pursued ; 
 it was no sheep for sacrifice or shield of ox-hide 
 for which they ran, but for the life of Hector, 
 the tamer of horses. Thrice they ran round 
 the city, and all the gods looked on. 
 
 And Zeus said, " This is a piteous sight that 
 I behold. My heart is grieved for Hector 
 Hector, who has ever worshipped me with sacri-
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 147 
 
 fice, now on the heights of Ida, and now in the 
 citadel of Troy ; and now the great Achilles is 
 pursuing him round the city of Priam. Come, 
 ye gods, let us take counsel together. Shall we 
 save him from death, or let him fall beneath the 
 hand of Achilles?" 
 
 Then Athen6 said, " What is this that thou 
 sayest, great sire ? to rescue a man whom fate 
 has appointed to die ? Do it, if it be thy will ; 
 but we, the other gods, approve it not." 
 
 Zeus answered her, " My heart is loath ; yet 
 I would do thee pleasure. Be it as thou wilt." 
 
 Then Athene came down in haste from the 
 top of Olympus, and still Hector fled and 
 Achilles pursued, just as a dog pursues a fawn 
 upon the hills. And ever Hector made for the 
 gates, or to get shelter beneath the towers, if 
 haply those that stood upon them might defend 
 him with their spears ; and ever Achilles would 
 get before him, and drive him towards the plain. 
 So they ran, one making for the city, and the 
 other driving him to the plain. Just as in a 
 dream, when one seems to fly and another seems 
 to pursue, and the one cannot escape and the 
 other cannot overtake, so these two ran to-
 
 148 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 gether. But as for Hector, Apollo even yet 
 helped him, and gave him strength and nimble 
 knees, else could he not have held out against 
 Achilles, who was swiftest of foot among the 
 sons of men. 
 
 Now Achilles had beckoned to the Greeks 
 that no man should throw his spear at Hector, 
 lest, perchance, he should be robbed of his 
 glory. And when the two came in their run- 
 ning for the fourth time to the springs of 
 Scamander, Zeus held out the great balance of 
 doom, and in one scale he put the fate of 
 Achilles, and in the other the fate of Hector ; 
 and lo ! the scale of Hector sank down to the 
 realms of death, and Apollo left him. 
 
 Then Athene lighted down from the air close 
 to Achilles and said, " This, great Achilles, is 
 our day of glory, for we shall slay Hector, 
 mighty warrior though he be. For it is his 
 doom to die, and not Apollo's self shall save him. 
 But stand thou still and take breath, and I will 
 give this man heart to meet thee in battle." 
 
 So Achilles stood, leaning upon his spear. 
 And Athene took the shape of Dei'phobus, and 
 came near to Hector and said
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 149 
 
 "Achilles presses thee hard, my brother, 
 pursuing thee thus round the city of Priam. 
 Come, let us make a stand and encounter 
 him." 
 
 Then Hector answered him, " Dei'phobus, I 
 always loved thee best of all my brothers ; but 
 now I love thee yet more, for that thou alone, 
 while all others remained within, hast ventured 
 forth to stand by my side." 
 
 But the false Dei'phobus said, " Much did 
 father and mother and all my comrades be- 
 seech me to remain. But my heart was sore 
 troubled for thee, and I could not stay. But 
 let us stand and fight this man, not stinting our 
 spears, and see whether he shall carry our spoil 
 to the ships or we shall slay him here." 
 
 Then the two chiefs came near to each other, 
 and Hector with the waving plume spake first 
 and said, " Thrice, great Achilles, hast thou 
 pursued me round the walls of Troy, and I 
 dared not stand up against thee ; but now I 
 fear thee no more. Only let us make this 
 covenant between us : if Zeus give me the 
 victory, I will do no dishonour to thy body ; 
 thy arms and armour will I take, and give
 
 ISO STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 back thy body to the Greeks ; and do thou pro- 
 mise to do likewise." 
 
 But Achilles scowled at him and said, 
 " Hector, talk not of covenants to me. Men 
 and lions make no oaths between each other, 
 neither is there any agreement between wolves 
 and sheep. So there shall be no covenant 
 between me and thee. One of us two shall 
 fall ; and now is the time for thee to show thy- 
 self a warrior, for of a truth Athene will slay 
 thee by my spear, and thou shalt pay the penalty 
 for all my comrades whom thou hast slain." 
 
 Then he threw the mighty spear, but Hector 
 saw it coming and avoided it, crouching on the 
 ground, so that the mighty spear flew above his 
 head and fixed itself in the earth. But Athene 
 snatched it from the ground and gave it back 
 to Achilles, Hector not perceiving. 
 
 Then Hector spake to Achilles: " Thou hast 
 missed thy aim, great Achilles. It was no word 
 of Zeus that thou spakest, prophesying my 
 doom, but thou soughtest to cheat me, terrify- 
 ing me by thy words. Thou shalt not drive 
 thy steel into my back, but here into my breast, 
 if the gods will it so. But now look out for my
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 151 
 
 spear. Would it might bury itself in thy flesh; 
 The battle would be easier for the men of Troy 
 were thou only out of the way." 
 
 And as he spake he threw his long-shafted 
 spear. True aim he took, for the spear struck 
 the very middle of Achilles' shield. It struck, 
 but pierced it not, but bounded far away, for the 
 shield was not of mortal make. Arid Hector 
 stood dismayed, for he had not another spear, 
 and when he called to Dei'phobus that he should 
 give him another, lo ! Dei'phobus was gone. 
 Then Hector knew that his end was come, and 
 he said to himself, " Now have the gods called 
 me to my doom. I thought that Dei'phobus 
 was near ; but he is within the walls, and the 
 help which he promised me was but a cheat 
 with which Athene cheated me. Zeus and 
 Apollo are with me no more ; but, if I must die, 
 let me at least die in such a deed as men of after 
 time may hear of." 
 
 So he spake, and drew the mighty sword that 
 hung by his side : then, as an eagle rushes through 
 the clouds to pounce on a leveret or a lamb, 
 rushed on the great Achilles. But he dealt never 
 a blow ; for Achilles charged to meet him, his
 
 152 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 shield before his breast, his helmet bent forward 
 as he ran, with the long plumes streaming be- 
 hind, and the gleam of his spear-point was as 
 the gleam of the evening star, which is the 
 fairest of all the stars in heaven. One moment 
 he thought where he should drive it home, for 
 the armour which Hector had won from Patro- 
 clus guarded him well ; but one spot there was, 
 where by the collar-bone the neck joins the 
 shoulder (and nowhere is the stroke of sword 
 or spear more deadly). There he drave in the 
 spear, and the point stood out behind the neck, 
 and Hector fell in the dust. 
 
 Then Achilles cried aloud, " Hector, thou 
 thoughtest in the day when thou didst spoil 
 Patroclus of his arms that thou wouldst be safe 
 from vengeance, taking, forsooth, no account of 
 me. And lo! thou art fallen before me, and 
 now the dogs and vultures shall devour thee, 
 but to him all the Greeks shall give due 
 burial." 
 
 But Hector, growing faint, spake to him. 
 " Nay, great Achilles, by thy life, and by thy 
 knees, and by thy parents dear, I pray thee, let 
 not the dogs of the Greeks devour me. Take
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 153 
 
 rather the ransom, gold and bronze, that my 
 father and mother shall pay thee, and let the 
 sons and daughters of Troy give me burial 
 rites." 
 
 But Achilles scowled at him, and cried, 
 " Dog, seek not to entreat me ! I could mince 
 that flesh of thine and devour it raw, such grief 
 hast thou wrought me. Surely the dogs shall 
 devour thee, nor shall any man hinder. No 
 ransom, though it were ten times told, should 
 buy thee back; no, not though Priam should 
 offer thy weight in gold." 
 
 Then Hector, who was now at the point to die, 
 spake to him. " I know thee well, what manner 
 of man thou art, that the heart in thy breast is 
 iron only. Only beware lest some vengeance 
 from the gods come upon thee in the day when 
 Paris and Apollo shall slay thee, for all thy 
 valour, by the Scaean gates." 
 
 So speaking, he died. But Achilles said, 
 "Die, hound; but my fate I meet when Zeus 
 and the other gods decree." 
 
 Then he drew his spear out of the corpse and 
 stripped off the arms ; and all the Greeks came 
 about the dead man, marvelling at his stature
 
 154 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and beauty, and no man came but wounded the 
 dead corpse. And one would say to another, 
 " Surely this Hector is less dreadful now than in 
 the day when he would burn our ships with fire." 
 Then Achilles devised a ruthless thing in his 
 heart. He pierced the ankle-bones of Hector, 
 and so bound the body with thongs of ox-hide 
 to the chariot, letting the head drag behind, 
 the head that once was so fair, and now was so 
 disfigured in the dust. So he dragged Hector 
 to the ships. And Priam saw him from the 
 walls, and scarce could his sons keep him back, 
 but that he should go forth and beg the body of 
 his dear son from him who had slain him. And 
 Hecuba his mother also bewailed him, but 
 Andromache knew not as yet of what had be- 
 fallen. For she sat in her dwelling, wearing 
 a great purple mantle broidered with flowers. 
 And she bade her maidens make ready a bath 
 for Hector, when he should come back from the 
 battle, nor knew that he should never need it 
 more. But the voice of wailing from the town 
 came to her, and she rose up hastily in great 
 fear, and dropped the shuttle from her hand and 
 called to her maidens
 
 THE DEATH OF HECTOR. 155 
 
 " Come with me, ye maidens, that I may see 
 what has befallen, for I heard the voice of Queen 
 Hecuba, and I fear me much that some evil has 
 come to the children of Priam. For it may be 
 that Achilles has run between Hector and the 
 city, and is pursuing him to the plain, for never 
 will Hector abide with the army, but will fight 
 in the front, so bold is he." 
 
 Then she hasted through the city like as 
 she were mad. And when she came to the 
 wall she stood and looked ; and lo ! the horses 
 of Achilles were dragging Hector to the ships. 
 Then did darkness come on her, and she fell 
 back fainting, and from her fair head dropped 
 the net and the wreath and the diadem which 
 golden Aphrodite gave her on the day when 
 Hector of the waving plume took her from the 
 house of Eetion to be his wife.
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 
 
 AND after a while, at the bidding of Zeus, Thetis 
 went to Achilles and found him weeping softly 
 for his dead friend, for the strength of his 
 sorrow was now spent, and she said to him, " It 
 is the will of the gods that thou give up the 
 body of Hector, and take in exchange the 
 ransom of gold and precious things which his 
 father will give thee for him." 
 
 And her son answered, " Be it so, if the gods 
 will have it" 
 
 Then Zeus sent Iris, who was his messenger, 
 to King Priam, where he sat with his face 
 wrapped in his mantle, and his sons weeping 
 about him, and his daughters wailing through 
 the chambers of his palace. 
 
 Then Iris spake. " Be of good cheer, Priam, 
 son of Dardanus ; Zeus has sent me to thee.
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 157 
 
 Go, taking with thee such gifts as may best 
 please the heart of Achilles, and bring back the 
 body of thy dear son Hector. Go without fear 
 of death or harm, and go alone. Only let an 
 aged herald be with thee, to help thee when 
 thou bringest back the body of the dead." 
 
 Then Priam rose with joy, and bade his sons 
 bring forth his chariot ; but first he went to 
 his chamber, and called to Hecuba, his wife, 
 and told her of his purpose, nor heeded when 
 she sought to turn him from it, but said, " Seek 
 not to hold me back, nor be a bird of evil 
 omen in my house. If any prophet or seer had 
 bidden me do this thing, I should have held it 
 a deceit ; but now have I heard the very voice of 
 the messenger of Zeus. Wherefore, I shall go. 
 And if I die, what care I ? Let Achilles slay 
 me, so that I embrace once more the body of 
 my son." 
 
 Then he bade put into a waggon shawls 
 and mantles that had never been washed, and 
 rugs and cloaks and tunics, twelve of each, and 
 ten talents of gold, and two bright three-footed 
 caldrons, and four basins, and a cup of passing 
 beauty which the Thracians had given him.
 
 1 58 STOR/ES FROM HOMER. 
 
 The old man spared nothing that he had, if only 
 he might buy back his son. None of the 
 Trojans would he suffer to come near him. 
 " Begone," he cried, " ye cowards ! Have ye 
 nothing to wail for at home, that ye come to 
 wail with me ? Surely, an easy prey will ye 
 be to the Greeks, now that Hector is dead." 
 
 Then he cried with like angry words to his 
 sons, Paris, and Agathon, and Dei'phobus, 
 and the others there were nine of them in 
 all 
 
 " Make haste, ye evil brood. Would that ye 
 all had died in the room of Hector. Surely an 
 ill-fated father am I. Many a brave son I 
 had, as Mestor, and Troilus, and Hector, who 
 was fairer than any of the sons of men. But all 
 these are gone, and only the cowards are left, 
 masters of lying words, and skilful in the dance, 
 and mighty to drink wine. But go, yoke the 
 mules to the waggon." 
 
 So they yoked the mules to the waggon. But 
 the horses for his chariot Priam, with the herald, 
 yoked himself. 
 
 Then Hecuba came near, and bade a wo- 
 man-servant come and pour water on his hands.
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HLCTOR. 159 
 
 And when she had poured, King Priam took a 
 great cup from the hands of his wife, and made 
 a libation to Zeus, and prayed 
 
 " Hear me, Father Zeus, and grant that 
 Achilles may pity me. And do thou send me 
 now a lucky sign, that I may go with a good 
 heart to the ships of the Greeks." 
 
 And Zeus heard him, and sent an eagle, a 
 mighty bird, whose wings spread out on either 
 side as wide as is the door of some spacious 
 chamber in a rich man's house. On his rio-ht 
 
 o 
 
 hand it flew high above the city, and all rejoiced 
 when they saw the sign. 
 
 Then the old man mounted his chariot in 
 haste, and drove forth from the palace. Before 
 him the mules drew the four-wheeled waggon, 
 and these the herald Idaeus guided. But his 
 chariot the old king drove himself. And all his 
 kinsfolk went with him, weeping as for one who 
 was going to his death. But when they came 
 down from the city to the plain, Priam and the 
 herald went towards the ships of the Greeks, 
 but all the others returned to Troy. 
 
 But Zeus saw him depart, and said to Hermes, 
 " Hermes, go, guide King Priam to the ships
 
 i6o STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 of the Greeks, so that no man see him before he 
 comes to the tents of Achilles." 
 
 Then Hermes fastened on his feet the fair 
 sandals of gold with which he flies, fast as the 
 wind, over sea and land, and in his hand he 
 took the rod with which he opens and closes, as 
 he wills, the eyes of men. And he flew down 
 and lighted on the plain of Troy, taking on him 
 the likeness of a fair youth. 
 
 But when they had driven past the great 
 tomb of Ilus, they stopped the horses and the 
 mules, to let them drink of the river. And dark- 
 ness came over the land; and then the herald 
 spied Hermes, and said 
 
 " Consider, my lord, what we shall do. I see 
 a man, and I am sore afraid lest he slay us. 
 Shall we flee on the chariot, or shall we go 
 near and entreat him, that he may have pity 
 upon us ? " 
 
 Then the old man was sore troubled, and his 
 hair stood up with fear. But Hermes came 
 near and took him by the hand and said 
 
 "Whither goest thou, old man, with thy horses 
 and mules through the darkness ? Hast thou 
 no fear of these fierce Greeks, who are close at
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 161 
 
 hand ? If any one should see thee with all this 
 wealth, what then ? And thou art not young, 
 nor is thy attendant young, that ye should de- 
 fend yourselves against an enemy. But I will 
 not harm thee, nor suffer any other, for thou art 
 like my own dear father. " 
 
 "It is well, .my son," said the old man. 
 " Surely one of the blessed gods is with me, in 
 causing me to meet such an one as thou, so fair 
 and so wise. Happy the parents of such a 
 son!" 
 
 And Hermes said, " Come, tell me true, old 
 man. Are you sending away all these treasures 
 that they may be kept safe for you far away ? or 
 are all the men of Troy leaving the city, seeing 
 now that Hector, who was their bravest warrior, 
 is dead?" 
 
 Then Priam answered, "Who art thou, my 
 son, and what thy race, that thou speakest so 
 truly about my hapless son ? " 
 
 " Often," said Hermes, " have I seen Hector 
 in the battle, both at other times, and when he 
 drove the Greeks before him at the ships. We, 
 indeed, stood and watched and marvelled at 
 him, for Achilles would not suffer us to fight, 
 
 12
 
 162 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 being wroth with King Agamemnon. Now, I 
 am a follower of Achilles, coming from Greece 
 in the same ship with him. One of the 
 Myrmidons I am, son of Polyctor, an old man 
 such as thou art. Six other sons he has, and 
 when we drew lots who should come to the 
 war, it fell to me. But know that with the 
 morning the Greeks will set their battle in 
 array against the city, for they are weary of 
 their sojourn, and the kings cannot keep them 
 back." ' 
 
 Then said Priam, "If thou art an attendant 
 of Achilles, tell me true, is my son yet by the 
 ships, or have the dogs devoured him ? " 
 
 And Hermes answered, " Nor dogs nor 
 vultures have devoured him. Still he lies by 
 the ships of Achilles; and though this is the 
 twelfth day since he was slain, no decay has 
 touched him. Nay, though Achilles drags him 
 round the tomb of his dear Patroclus, yet even 
 so does no unseemliness come to him. All 
 fresh he lies, and the blood is washed from him, 
 and all his wounds are closed and many spear- 
 points pierced him. The blessed gods love 
 him well, dead man though he be."
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 163 
 
 This King Priam was well pleased to hear. "It 
 is well," he said, " for a man to honour the gods ; 
 for, indeed, as my son never forgot the dwellers 
 on Olympus, so have they not forgotten him, 
 even in death. But do thou take this fair cup, 
 and do kindness to him, and lead me to the tent 
 of Achilles." 
 
 " Nay," answered Hermes; "thou speakest this 
 in vain. No gift would I take from thy hand 
 unknown to Achilles ; for I honour him much, 
 and fear to rob him, lest some evil happen to 
 me afterwards. But thee I will guide to Argos 
 itself, if thou wilt, whether by land or sea, and 
 no one shall blame my guiding." 
 
 Then he leapt into the chariot of the king 
 and caught the reins in his hand, and gave the 
 horses and the mules a strength that was not 
 their own. And when they came to the ditch 
 and the trench that guarded the ships, lo ! the 
 guards were busy with their meal; but Hermes, 
 made sleep descend upon them, and opened the 
 gates, and brought in Priam with his treasures. 
 And when they came to the tent of Achilles, 
 Hermes lighted down from the chariot and 
 said
 
 164 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 " Lo ! I am Hermes, whom my father, Zeus, 
 hath sent to be thy guide. And now I shall 
 depart, for I would not that Achilles should see 
 me. But go thou in, and clasp his knees, and 
 beseech him by his father and his mother and 
 his child. So shalt thou move his heart with 
 pity." 
 
 So Hermes departed to Olympus, and King 
 Priam leapt down from the chariot, leaving the 
 herald to care for the horses and the mules, and 
 went to the tent. There he found Achilles 
 sitting ; his comrades sat apart, but two waited 
 on him, for he had but newly ended his meal, 
 and the table was yet at his hand. But no man 
 saw King Priam till he was close to Achilles, 
 and caught his knees and kissed his hands, 
 the dreadful, murderous hands that had slain so 
 many of his sons. As a man who slays another 
 by mishap flies to some stranger land, to some 
 rich man's home, and all wonder to see him, so 
 Achilles wondered to see King Priam, and his 
 comrades wondered, looking one at another. 
 Then King Priam spake 
 
 "Think of thy father, godlike Achilles, and 
 pity me. He is old, as I am, and, it may be, his
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 165 
 
 neighbours trouble him, seeing that he has nc 
 defender ; yet so long as he knows that thou art 
 alive, it is well with him, for every day he hopes 
 to see his dear son returned from Troy. But 
 as for me, I am altogether wretched. Many a 
 valiant son I had nineteen born to me of one 
 mother and most of them are dead, and he that 
 was the best of all, who kept our city safe, he has 
 been slain by thee. He it is whom I have come 
 to ransom. Have pity on him and on me, 
 thinking of thy father. Never, surely, was lot so 
 sad as this, to kiss the hands that slew a son." 
 
 But the words so stirred the heart of Achilles 
 that he wept, thinking now of Patroclus, and 
 now of his old father at home ; and Priam wept, 
 thinking of his dead Hector. But at last 
 Achilles stood up from his seat and raised King 
 Priam, having pity on his white hair and his 
 white beard, and spake 
 
 " How didst thou dare to come to the ships 
 of the Greeks, to the man who slew thy sons ? 
 Surely thou must have a heart of iron. But 
 sit thou down : let our sorrows rest in our hearts, 
 for there is no profit in lamentation. It is the 
 will of the gods that men should suffer woe, but
 
 1 66 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 they are themselves free from care. Two chests 
 are set by the side of Father Zeus, one of good 
 and one of evil gifts, and he mixes the lot of 
 men, taking out of both. Many noble gifts did 
 the gods give to King Peleus : wealth and bliss 
 beyond that of other men, and kingship over 
 the Myrmidons. Ay ! and they gave him a 
 goddess to be his wife. But they gave also this 
 evil, that he had no stock of stalwart children 
 in his house, but one son only, and I cannot help 
 him at all in his old age, for I tarry here far 
 away in Troy. Thou, too, old man, hadst wealth 
 and power of old, and lordship over all that lies 
 between Lesbos and Phrygia and the stream of 
 Hellespont. And to thee the gods have given 
 this ill, that there is ever battle and slaughter 
 about thy city walls. But as for thy son, wail 
 not for him, for thou canst not raise him up." 
 
 But Priam answered, " Make me not to sit, 
 great Achilles, while Hector lies unhonoured. 
 Let me ransom him, and look upon him with 
 my eyes, and do thou take the gifts. And the 
 gods grant thee to return safe to thy father- 
 land." 
 
 But Achilles frowned and said, " Vex me
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 167 
 
 not ; I am minded myself to give thee back thy 
 Hector. For my mother came from the sea, 
 bearing the bidding of Zeus, and thou, methinks, 
 hast not come hither without some guidance 
 from the gods. But trouble me no more, lest I 
 do thee some hurt." 
 
 And King Priam feared and held his peace. 
 Then Achilles hastened from his tent, and 
 two comrades with him. First they loosed the 
 horses from the chariot and the mules from the 
 waggon ; then they brought in the herald Idaeus, 
 and took the gifts. Only they left of them two 
 cloaks and a tunic, wherein they might wrap 
 the dead. And Achilles bade the women wash 
 and anoint the body, but apart from the tent, 
 lest, perchance, Priam should see his son and cry 
 aloud, and so awaken the fury in his heart. But 
 when it was washed and anointed, Achilles him- 
 self lifted it in his arms and put it on the litter, 
 and his comrades lifted the litter on the waggon. 
 
 And when all was finished, Achilles groaned 
 and cried to his dead friend, saying 
 
 " Be not wroth, Patroclus, if thou shouldst 
 hear in the unknown land that I have ransomed 
 Hector to his father: a noble ransom hath he paid
 
 1 68 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 me, and of this, too, thou shalt have thy share, 
 as is meet." 
 
 Then he went back to his tent, and set himself 
 down over against Priam, and spake : " Thy son 
 is ransomed, old man, and to-morrow shalt thou 
 see him and take him back to Troy. But now 
 let us eat. Did not Niobe eat when she lost 
 her twelve children, six daughters and six 
 blooming sons, whom Apollo and Artemis slew 
 Apollo these and Artemis those because 
 she likened herself to the fair Latona ? So let 
 us eat, old man. To-morrow shalt thou weep for 
 Hector ; many tears, I trow, shall be shed for 
 him." 
 
 So they ate and drank. And when the meal 
 was ended, Achilles sat and marvelled at King 
 Priam's noble look, and King Priam marvelled 
 at Achilles, so strong he was and fair. 
 
 Then Priam said, " Let me sleep, great 
 Achilles. I have not slept since my son fell by 
 thy hand. Now I have eaten and drunk, and 
 my eyes are heavy." 
 
 So the comrades of Achilles made him a bed 
 outside, where no one might see him, should it 
 chance that any of the chiefs should come to
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 169 
 
 the tent of Achilles to take counsel, and should 
 espy him, and tell it to King Agamemnon. 
 
 But before he slept King Priam said, " If 
 thou art minded to let me bury Hector, let there 
 be a truce between my people and the Greeks. 
 For nine days let us mourn for Hector, and on 
 the tenth will we bury him and feast the people, 
 and on the eleventh raise a great tomb above 
 him, and on the twelfth we will fight again, if 
 fight we must." 
 
 And Achilles answered, " Be it so : I will stay 
 the war for so long." 
 
 But while Priam slept there came to him 
 Hermes, the messenger of Zeus, and said : 
 "Sleepest thou, Priam, among thy foes ? Achilles 
 has taken ransom for thy Hector ; but thy sons 
 that are left would pay thrice as much for thee 
 should Agamemnon hear that thou wert among 
 the ships." 
 
 The old man heard and trembled, and roused 
 the herald, and the two yoked the horses and 
 the mules. So they passed through the army, 
 and no man knew. And when they came to 
 the river, Hermes departed to Olympus, and the 
 morning shone over all the earth. Wailing
 
 i;o STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and weeping, they carried the body to the 
 city. 
 
 It was Cassandra who first espied them as they 
 came. Her father she saw, and the herald, 
 and then the dead body on the litter, and she 
 cried, " Sons and daughters of Troy, go to meet 
 Hector, if ever ye have met him with joy as he 
 came back from the battle." 
 
 And straightway there was not man or woman 
 left in the city. They met the waggon when it 
 was close to the gates: his wife led the way, 
 and his mother and all the multitude followed. 
 And in truth they would have kept it thus till 
 evening, weeping and wailing, but King Priam 
 spake 
 
 " Let us pass ; ye shall have enough of wail- 
 ing when we have taken him to his home." 
 
 So they took him to his home and laid him 
 on his bed. And the minstrels lamented, and 
 the women wailed. 
 
 Then first of all came Andromache, his wife, 
 and cried 
 
 " O my husband, thou hast perished in thy 
 youth, and I am left in widowhood, and our 
 child, thy child and mine, is but an infant ! I
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 171 
 
 fear me he will not grow to manhood. Ere 
 that day this city will fall, for thou art gone 
 who wast its defender. Soon will they carry us 
 away, mothers and children, in the ships, and 
 thou, my son, perchance wilt be with us, and 
 serve the stranger in unseemly bondage ; or, it 
 may be, some Greek will slay thee, seizing thee 
 and dashing thee from the wall : some Greek 
 whose brother, or father, or son, Hector has slain 
 in the battle. Many a Greek did Hector slay ; 
 no gentle hand was his in the fray. Therefore 
 do the people wail for him to-day. Sore is 
 thy parents' grief, O Hector, but sorest mine. 
 Thou didst stretch no hands of farewell to me 
 from thy bed, nor speak any word of comfort 
 for me to muse on while I weep night and 
 day." 
 
 Next spake Hecuba, his mother. " Dear 
 wast thou, my son, in life to the immortal gods, 
 and dear in death. Achilles dragged thee about 
 the tomb of his dear Patroclus, but could not 
 bring him back, I ween, and now thou liest fresh 
 and fair as one whom the god of the silver bow 
 has slain with sudden stroke." 
 
 And last of all came Helen, and cried, "Many
 
 172 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 a year has passed since I came to Troy would 
 that I had died before ! And never have I 
 heard from thy lips one bitter word, and if ever 
 husband's sister, or sister-in-law, or mother-in- 
 law for Priam was ever gentle as a father 
 spake harshly to me, thou wouldst check them 
 with thy grace and gracious words. Therefore 
 I weep for thee ; no one is left to be my friend 
 in all the broad streets of Troy. All shun and 
 hate me now." 
 
 And all the people wailed reply. 
 
 Then Priam spake. " Go, my people, gather 
 wood for the burial, and fear not any ambush 
 of the Greeks, for Achilles promised that he 
 would stay the war until the twelfth day should 
 come." 
 
 So for nine days the people gathered much 
 wood, and on the tenth they laid Hector upon 
 the pile, and lit fire beneath it. And when it 
 was burnt they quenched the embers with wine. 
 Then his brethren and comrades gathered 
 together the white bones, and laid them in a 
 chest of gold ; and this they covered with purple 
 robes and put in a great coffin, and laid upon it 
 stones many and great. And over all they raised
 
 THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR. 173 
 
 a mighty mound ; and all the while the watchers 
 watched, lest the Greeks should arise and slay 
 them. Last of all was a great feast held in 
 the palace of King Priam. 
 So they buried Hector, the tamer of horses.
 
 THE ODYSSEY; 
 
 OR, 
 
 THE ADVENTURES OF ULYSSES,
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 
 
 WHEN the great city of Troy was taken, all the 
 chiefs who had fought against it set sail for their 
 homes. But there was wrath in heaven against 
 them, for indeed they had borne themselves 
 haughtily and cruelly in the day of their victory. 
 Therefore they did not all find a safe and 
 happy return. For one was shipwrecked, and 
 another was shamefully slain by his false wife in 
 his palace, and others found all things at home 
 troubled and changed, and were driven to seek 
 new dwellings elsewhere. And some, whose 
 wives and friends and people had been still true 
 to them through those ten long years of absence, 
 were driven far and wide about the world before 
 they saw their native land again. And of all, 
 the wise Ulysses was he who wandered 
 farthest and suffered most. 
 
 13
 
 i;8 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 He was well-nigh the last to sail, for he had 
 tarried many days to do pleasure to Agamem- 
 non, lord of all the Greeks. Twelve ships he 
 had with him twelve he had brought to Troy 
 and in each there were some fifty men, being 
 scarce half of those that had sailed in them 
 in the old days, so many valiant heroes slept the 
 last sleep by Simoi's and Scamander, and in the 
 plain and on the sea-shore, slain in battle or by 
 the shafts of Apollo. 
 
 First they sailed north-west to the Thracian 
 coast, where the Ciconians dwelt, who had 
 helped the men of Troy. Their city they took, 
 and in it much plunder, slaves and oxen, and 
 jars of fragrant wine, and might have escaped 
 unhurt, but that they stayed to hold revel on 
 the shore. For the Ciconians gathered their 
 neighbours, being men of the same blood, and 
 did battle with the invaders, and drove them 
 to their ship. And when Ulysses numbered 
 his men, he found that he had lost six out ol 
 each ship. 
 
 Scarce had he set out again when the wind 
 began to blow fiercely ; so, seeing a smooth 
 sandy beach, they drave the ships ashore and
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 179 
 
 dragged them out of reach of the waves, and 
 waited till the storm should abate. And the 
 third morning being fair, they sailed again, 
 and journeyed prosperously till they came to 
 the very end of the great Peloponnesian land, 
 where Cape Malea looks out upon the southern 
 sea. But contrary currents baffled them, so 
 that they could not round it, and the north 
 wind blew so strongly that they must fain 
 drive before it. And on the tenth day they 
 came to the land where the lotus grows a 
 wondrous fruit, of which whosoever eats cares 
 not to see country or wife or children again. 
 Now the Lotus-eaters, for so they called the 
 people of the land, were a kindly folk, and 
 gave of the fruit to some of the sailors, not 
 meaning them any harm, but thinking it to be 
 the best that they had to give. These, when 
 they had eaten, said that they would not sail 
 any more over the sea ; which, when the wise 
 Ulysses heard, he bade their comrades bind 
 them and carry them, sadly complaining, to the 
 ships. 
 
 Then, the wind having abated, they took 
 to their oars, and rowed for many days till
 
 iSo STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 they came to the country where the Cyclopes 
 dwell. Now, a mile or so from the shore there 
 was an island, very fair and fertile, but no man' 
 dwells there or tills the soil, and in the island a 
 harbour where a ship may be safe from all winds, 
 and at the head of the harbour a stream falling 
 from a rock, and whispering alders all about it. 
 Into this the ships passed safely, and were 
 hauled up on the beach, and the crews slept by 
 them, waiting for the morning. And the next 
 day they hunted the wild goats, of which there 
 was great store on the island, and feasted right 
 merrily on what they caught, with draughts of 
 red wine which they had carried off from the 
 town of the Ciconians. 
 
 But on the morrow, Ulysses, for he was 
 ever fond of adventure, and would know of 
 every land to which he came what manner 
 of men they were that dwelt there, took one 
 of his twelve ships and bade row to the land. 
 There was a great hill sloping to the shore, 
 and there rose up here and there a smoke 
 from the caves where the Cyclopes dwelt apart, 
 holding no converse with each other, for they 
 were a rude and savage folk, but ruled each his
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 181 
 
 own household, not caring for others. Now 
 very close to the shore was one of these caves, 
 very huge and deep, with laurels round about 
 the mouth, and in front a fold with walls 
 built of rough stone, and shaded by tall oaks 
 and pines. So Ulysses chose out of the crew 
 the twelve bravest, and bade the rest guard the 
 ship, and went to see what manner of dwelling 
 this was, and who abode there. He had his 
 sword by his side, and on his shoulder a mighty 
 skin of wine, sweet-smelling and strong, with 
 which he might win the heart of some fierce 
 savage,should he chance to meet with such, as 
 indeed his prudent heart forecasted that he 
 might. 
 
 So they entered the cave, and judged that it 
 was the dwelling of some rich and skilful shep- 
 herd. For within there were pens for the young 
 of the sheep and of the goats, divided all ac- 
 cording to their age, and there were baskets full 
 of cheeses, and full milkpails ranged along the 
 wall. But the Cyclops himself was away in the 
 pastures. Then the companions of Ulysses 
 besought him that he would depart, taking with 
 him, if he would, a store of cheeses and sundry
 
 1 82 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 of the lambs and of the kids. But he would 
 not, for he wished to see, after his wont, what 
 manner of host this strange shepherd might 
 be. And truly he saw it to his cost ! 
 
 It was evening when the Cyclops came home, 
 a mighty giant, twenty feet in height, or more. 
 On his shoulder he bore a vast bundle of pine 
 logs for his fire, and threw them down outside 
 the cave with a great crash, and drove the flocks 
 within, and closed the entrance with a huge rock, 
 which twenty waggons and more could not bear. 
 Then he milked the ewes and all the she-goats, 
 and half of the milk he curdled for cheese, and 
 half he set ready for himself, when he should 
 sup. Next he kindled a fire with the pine logs, 
 and the flame lighted up all the cave, showing 
 him Ulysses and his comrades. 
 
 " Who are ye ? " cried Polyphemus, for that 
 was the giant's name. " Are ye traders, or, 
 haply, pirates ? " 
 
 For in those days it was not counted shame 
 to be called a pirate. 
 
 Ulysses shuddered at the dreadful voice and 
 shape, but bore him bravely, and answered, "We 
 are no pirates, mighty sir, but Greeks, sailing
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 183 
 
 back from Troy, and subjects of the great King 
 Agamemnon, whose fame is spread from one 
 end of heaven to the other. And we are come 
 to beg hospitality of thee in the name of Zeus, 
 who rewards or punishes hosts and guests 
 according as they be faithful the one to the 
 other, or no." 
 
 " Nay," said the giant, " it is but idle talk to 
 tell me of Zeus and the other gods. We 
 Cyclopes take no account of gods, holding our- 
 selves to be much better and stronger than they. 
 But come, tell me where have you left your 
 ship ? " 
 
 But Ulysses saw his thought when he asked 
 about the ship, how he was minded to break it,, 
 and take from them all hope of flight. There- 
 fore he answered him craftily 
 
 " Ship have we none, for that which was ours 
 King Poseidon brake, driving it on a jutting 
 rock on this coast, and we whom thou seest are 
 all that are escaped from the waves." 
 
 Polyphemus answered nothing, but without 
 more ado caught up two of the men, as a man 
 might catch up the whelps of a dog, and 
 dashed them on the ground, and tore them
 
 1 84 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 limb from limb, and devoured them, with 
 huge draughts of milk between, leaving not 
 a morsel, not even the very bones. But the 
 others, when they saw the dreadful deed, could 
 only weep and pray to Zeus for help. And when 
 the giant had ended his foul meal, he lay down 
 among his sheep and slept. 
 
 Then Ulysses questioned much in his heart 
 whether he should slay the monster as he slept, 
 for he doubted not that his good sword would 
 pierce to the giant's heart, mighty as he was. 
 But, being very wise, he remembered that, should 
 he slay him, he and his comrades would yet 
 perish miserably. For who should move away 
 the great rock that lay against the door of the 
 cave ? So they waited till the morning. And 
 the monster woke, and milked his flocks, and 
 afterwards, seizing two men, devoured them for 
 his meal. Then he went to the pastures, but put 
 the great rock on the mouth of the cave, just 
 as a man puts down the lid upon his quiver. 
 
 All that day the wise Ulysses was thinking 
 what he might best do to save himself and 
 his companions, and the end of his thinking 
 was this : there was a mighty pole in the cave,
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 185 
 
 green wood of an olive tree, big as a ship's 
 mast, which Polyphemus purposed to use, when 
 the smoke should have dried it, as a walking 
 staff. Of this he cut off a fathom's length, and 
 his comrades sharpened it and hardened it in 
 the fire, and then hid it away. At evening the 
 giant came back, and drove his sheep into the 
 cave, nor left the rams outside, as he had been 
 wont to do before, but shut them in. And having 
 duly done his shepherd's work, he made his 
 cruel feast as before. Then Ulysses came 
 forward with the wine-skin in his hand, and 
 said 
 
 " Drink, Cyclops, now that thou hast feasted. 
 Drink, and see what precious things we had 
 in our ship. But no one hereafter will come to 
 thee with such like, if thou dealest with strangers 
 as cruelly as thou hast dealt with us." 
 
 Then the Cyclops drank, and was mightily 
 pleased, and said, " Give me again to drink, and 
 tell me thy name, stranger, and I will give thee 
 a gift such as a host should give. In good 
 truth this is a rare liquor. We, too, have vines, 
 but they bear not wine like this, which indeed 
 must be such as the gods drink in heaven."
 
 1 86 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then Ulysses gave him the cup again, and 
 he drank. Thrice he gave it to him, and thrice 
 he drank, not knowing what it was, and how it 
 would work within his brain. 
 
 Then Ulysses spake to him. " Thou didst 
 ask my name, Cyclops. Lo ! my name is No 
 Man. And now that thou knowest my name, 
 thou shouldst give me thy gift." 
 
 And he said, " My gift shall be that I will 
 eat thee last of all thy company." 
 
 And as he spoke he fell back in a drunken 
 sleep. Then Ulysses bade his comrades be 
 of good courage, for the time was come when 
 they should be delivered. And they thrust the 
 stake of olive wood into the fire till it was 
 ready, green as it was, to burst into flame, and 
 they thrust it into the monster's eye ; for he had 
 but one eye, and that in the midst of his fore- 
 head, with the eyebrow below it. And Ulysses 
 leant with all his force upon the stake, and 
 thrust it in with might and main. And the 
 burning wood hissed in the eye, just as the red- 
 hot iron hisses in the water when a man seeks 
 to temper steel for a sword. 
 
 Then the giant leapt up, and tore away the
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 187 
 
 stake, and cried aloud, so that all the Cyclopes 
 who dwelt on the mountain side heard him and 
 came about his cave, asking him, u What aileth 
 thee, Polyphemus, that thou makest this uproar 
 in the peaceful night, driving away sleep ? Is 
 any one robbing thee of thy sheep, or seeking 
 to slay thee by craft or force ? " 
 
 And the giant answered, " No Man slays me 
 by craft." 
 
 " Nay, but," they said, " if no man does thee 
 wrong, we cannot help thee. The sickness 
 which great Zeus may send, who can avoid ? 
 Pray to our father, Poseidon, for help." 
 
 Then they departed ; and Ulysses was glad 
 at heart for the good success of his device, 
 when he said that he was No Man. 
 
 But the Cyclops rolled away the great stone 
 from the door of the cave, and sat in the midst, 
 stretching out his hands, to feel whether per- 
 chance the men within the cave would seek to 
 go out among the sheep. 
 
 Long did Ulysses think how he and his 
 comrades should best escape. At last he 
 lighted upon a good device, and much he 
 thanked Zeus for that this once the giant had
 
 1 83 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 driven the rams with the other sheep into the 
 cave. For, these being great and strong, he 
 fastened his comrades under the bellies of the 
 beasts, tying them with osier twigs, of which 
 the giant made his bed. One ram he took, and 
 fastened a man beneath it, and two others he 
 set, one on either side. So he did with the six, 
 for but six were left out of the twelve who had 
 ventured with him from the ship. And there 
 was one mighty ram, far larger than all the 
 others, and to this Ulysses clung, grasping 
 the fleece tight with both his hands. So they 
 waited for the morning. And when the morn- 
 ing came, the rams rushed forth to the pasture ; 
 but the giant sat in the door and felt the back 
 of each as it went by, nor thought to try what 
 might be underneath. Last of all went the 
 great ram. And the Cyclops knew him as he 
 passed, and said 
 
 " How is this, thou, who art the leader of the 
 flock ? Thou art not wont thus to lag behind. 
 Thou hast always been the first to run to the 
 pastures and streams in the morning, and the 
 first to come back to the fold when evening fell; 
 and now thou art last of all. Perhaps thou art
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 189 
 
 troubled about thy master's eye, which some 
 wretch No Man, they call him has destroyed, 
 having first mastered me with wine. He has 
 not escaped, I ween. I would that thou couldst 
 speak, and tell me where he is lurking. Of a 
 truth I would dash out his brains upon the 
 ground, and avenge me of this No Man." 
 
 So speaking, he let him pass out of the cave. 
 But when they were out of reach of the giant, 
 Ulysses loosed his hold of the ram, and then 
 unbound his comrades. And they hastened to 
 their ship, not forgetting to drive before them a 
 good store of the Cyclops' fat sheep. Right 
 glad were those that had abode by the ship to 
 see them. Nor did they lament for those that 
 had died, though they were fain to do so, for 
 Ulysses forbade, fearing lest the noise of their 
 weeping should betray them to the giant, where 
 they were. Then they all climbed into the 
 ship, and sitting well in order on the benches, 
 smote the sea with their oars, laying -to right 
 lustily, that they might the sooner get away 
 from the accursed land. And when they had 
 rowed a hundred yards or so, so that a man's 
 voice could yet be heard by one who stood
 
 igo STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 upon the shore, Ulysses stood up in the ship 
 and shouted 
 
 " He was no coward, O Cyclops, whose com- 
 rades thou didst so foully slay in thy den. 
 Justly art thou punished, monster, that de- 
 vourest thy guests in thy dwelling. May the 
 gods make thee suffer yet worse things than 
 these ! " 
 
 Then the Cyclops, in his wrath, broke off the 
 top of a great hill, a mighty rock, and hurled it 
 where he had heard the voice. Right in front 
 of the ship's bow it fell, and a great wave rose 
 as it sank, and washed the ship back to the 
 shore. But Ulysses seized a long pole with 
 both hands and pushed the ship from the land, 
 and bade his comrades ply their oars, nodding 
 with his head, for he was too wise to speak, lest 
 the Cyclops should know where they were. 
 Then they rowed with all their might and main. 
 
 And when they had gotten twice as far as 
 before, Ulysses made as if he would speak 
 again ; but his comrades sought to hinder him, 
 saying, " Nay, my lord, anger not the giant any 
 more. Surely we thought before we were lost, 
 when he threw the great rock, and washed our
 
 THE CYCLOPS. 191 
 
 ship back to the shore. And if he hear thee 
 now, he may crush our ship and us, for the man 
 throws a mighty bolt, and throws it far." 
 
 But Ulysses would not be persuaded, but 
 stood up and said, " Hear, Cyclops ! If any 
 man ask who blinded thee, say that it was the 
 warrior Ulysses, son of Laertes, dwelling in 
 Ithaca." 
 
 And the Cyclops answered with a groan, "Of 
 a truth, the old oracles are fulfilled, for long ago 
 there came to this land one Telemus, a prophet, 
 and dwelt among us even to old age. This 
 man foretold to me that one Ulysses would 
 rob me of my sight. But I looked for a great 
 man and a strong, who should subdue me by 
 force, and now a weakling has done the deed, 
 having cheated me with wine. But come thou 
 hither, Ulysses, and I will be a host indeed to 
 thee. Or, at least, may Poseidon give thee such 
 a voyage to thy home as I would wish thee to 
 have. For know that Poseidon is my sire. 
 May be that he may heal me of my grievous 
 wound." 
 
 And Ulysses said, "Would to God I could 
 send thee down to the abode of the dead, where
 
 192 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 thou wouldst be past all healing, even from 
 Poseidon's self." 
 
 Then Cyclops lifted up his hands to Poseidon 
 and prayed 
 
 " Hear me, Poseidon, if I am indeed thy son 
 and thou my father. May this Ulysses never 
 reach his home ! or, if the Fates have ordered 
 that he should reach it, may he come alone, all 
 his comrades lost, and come to find sore trouble 
 in his house ! " 
 
 And as he ended he hurled another mighty 
 rock, which almost lighted on the rudder's end, 
 yet missed it as by a hair's breadth. So Ulysses 
 and his comrades escaped, and came to the 
 island of the wild goats, where they found their 
 comrades, who indeed had waited long for 
 them, in sore fear lest they had perished. Then 
 Ulysses divided amongst his company all the 
 sheep which they had taken from the Cyclops. 
 And all, with one consent, gave him for his share 
 the great ram which had carried him out of the 
 cave, and he sacrificed it to Zeus. And all that 
 day they feasted right merrily on the flesh of 
 sheep and on sweet wine, and when the night was 
 come, they lay down upon the shore and slept.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE ISLAND OF /EOLUS THE UESTRYGONS 
 CIRCE". 
 
 AFTER sailing awhile, they came to the island 
 of ^Eolus, who is the king of the winds, and 
 who dwelt there with his children, six sons and 
 six daughters. Right well did ^Eolus entertain 
 them, feasting them royally for a whole month, 
 while he heard from Ulysses the story of all 
 that had been done at Troy. And when 
 Ulysses prayed him that he would help him on 
 his way homewards, ^Eolus hearkened to him, 
 and gave him the skin of an ox in which he 
 had bound all contrary winds, so that they 
 should not hinder him. But he let a gentle 
 west wind blow, that it might carry him and his 
 comrades to their home. For nine days it blew 
 and now they were near to Ithaca, their country, 
 so that they saw lights burning in it, it being 
 
 14
 
 194 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 night-time. But now, by an ill chance, Ulysses 
 fell asleep, being wholly wearied out, for he had 
 held the helm for nine days, nor trusted it to 
 any of his comrades. And while he slept his 
 comrades, who had cast eyes of envy on the 
 great ox-hide, said one to another 
 
 " Strange it is how men love and honour this 
 Ulysses whithersoever he goes. And now he 
 comes back from Troy with much spoil, but we 
 with empty hands. Let us see what it is that 
 ^Eolus hath given, for doubtless in this ox-hide 
 is much silver and gold." 
 
 So they loosed the great bag of ox-hide, and 
 lo ! all the winds rushed out, and carried them 
 far away from their country. But Ulysses, 
 waking with the tumult, doubted much whether 
 he should not throw himself into the sea and so 
 die. But he endured, thinking it better to live. 
 Only he veiled his face and so sat, while the 
 ships drave before the winds, till they came 
 once more to the island of ^olus. Then 
 Ulysses went to the palace of the king, and 
 found him feasting with his wife and children, 
 and sat him down on the threshold. Much did 
 they wonder to see him, saying, " What evil
 
 THE LJSSTRYGONS. 195 
 
 power has hindered thee, that thou didst not 
 reach thy country and home ? " 
 
 Then he answered, " Blame not me, but the 
 evil counsels of my comrades, and sleep, which 
 mastered me to my hurt. But do ye help me 
 again." 
 
 But they said, " Begone : we may not help 
 him whom the gods hate; and hated of them 
 thou surely art." 
 
 So ALolus sent him away. Then again they 
 launched their ships and set forth, toiling 
 wearily at the oars, and sad at heart. 
 
 Six days they rowed, nor rested at night, and 
 on the seventh they came to Lamos, which 
 was a city of the Lsestrygons, in whose land 
 the night is as the day, so that a man might 
 eajrn double wage, if only he wanted not sleep 
 shepherd by day and herdsman by night. 
 There was a fair haven with cliffs about it, and 
 a narrow mouth with great rocks on either 
 side. And within are no waves, but always 
 calm. 
 
 Now Ulysses made fast his ship to the rocks, 
 but the others entered the haven. Then he sent 
 two men and a herald with them, and these came
 
 196 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 upon a smooth road by which waggons brought 
 down wood from the mountain to the city. 
 Here they met a maiden, the stalwart daughter 
 of Antiphates, king of the land, and asked of 
 her who was lord of that country. Whereupon 
 she showed them her father's lofty palace. And 
 they, entering this, saw the maiden's mother, big 
 as a mountain, horrible to behold, who straight- 
 way called to Antiphates, her husband. The 
 messengers, indeed, fled to the ships ; but he 
 made a great shout, and the Lsestrygons came 
 flocking about him, giants, not men. And these 
 broke off great stones from the cliffs, each stone 
 as much as a man could carry, and cast them at 
 the ships, so that they were broken. And the 
 men they speared, as if they were fishes, and 
 devoured them. So it happened to all the ships 
 in the haven. Ulysses only escaped, for he cut 
 the hawser with his sword, and bade his men ply 
 their oars, which indeed they did right willingly. 
 After a while they came to the island of 
 fiL&a, where Circe dwelt, who was the daughter 
 of the Sun. Two days and nights they lay upon 
 the shore in great trouble and sorrow. On the 
 third, Ulysses took his spear and sword and
 
 CIRC&. 197 
 
 climbed a hill that there was, for he wished to 
 see to what manner of land they had come. 
 And having climbed it, he saw the smoke rising 
 from the palace of Circe, where it stood in the 
 midst of a wood. Then he thought awhile : 
 should he go straightway to the palace that he 
 saw, or first return to his comrades on the 
 shore ? And this last seemed better ; and it 
 chanced that as he went he saw a great stag 
 which was going down to the river to drink, for 
 indeed the sun was now hot, and casting his 
 spear at it he pierced it through. Then he 
 fastened together the feet with green withes and 
 a fathom's length of rope, and slinging the beast 
 round his neck, so carried it to the ship, leaning 
 on his spear; for indeed it was heavy to bear, 
 nor could any man have carried it on the 
 shoulder with one hand. And when he was 
 come to the ship, he cast down his burden. 
 Now the men were sitting with their faces 
 muffled, so sad were they. But when he bade 
 them be of good cheer, they looked up and mar- 
 velled at the great stag. And all that day they 
 feasted on deer's flesh and sweet wine, and at 
 night lay down to sleep on the shore. But
 
 198 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 when morning was come, Ulysses called them 
 all together and spake 
 
 " I know not, friends, where v/e are. Only 
 I know, having seen smoke yesterday from the 
 hill, that there is a dwelling in this island." 
 
 It troubled the men much to hear this, for 
 they thought of the Cyclops and of the Laes- 
 trygons ; and they wailed aloud, but there 
 was no counsel in them. Wherefore Ulysses 
 divided them into two companies, setting Eury- 
 lochus over the one and himself over the other, 
 and shook lots in a helmet who should go and 
 search out the island, and the lot of Eurylochus 
 leapt out. So he went, and comrades twenty 
 and two with him. And in an open space in the 
 wood they found the palace of Circe. All about 
 were wolves and lions; yet these harmed not 
 the men, but stood up on their hind legs, fawn- 
 ing upon them, as dogs fawn upon their master 
 when he comes from his meal. And the men 
 were afraid. And they stood in the porch and 
 heard the voice of Circe as she sang with a 
 lovely voice and plied the loom. Then said 
 Polites, who was dearest of all his comrades to 
 Ulysses
 
 CIRC&. 199 
 
 "Some one within plies a great loom, and 
 sings with a loud voice. Some goddess is she, 
 or woman. Let us make haste and call." 
 
 So they called to her, and she came out and 
 beckoned to them that they should follow. So 
 they went, in their folly. And she bade them 
 sit, and mixed for them a mess, red wine, and 
 in it barley-meal and cheese and honey, and 
 mighty drugs withal, of which, if a man drank, 
 he forgot all that he loved. And when they 
 had drunk she smote them with her wand. 
 And lo ! they had of a sudden the heads and 
 the voices and the bristles of swine, but the 
 heart of a man was in them still. And Circe 
 shut them in sties, and gave them mast and 
 acorns and cornel to eat. 
 
 But Eurylochus fled back to the ship. And 
 for a while he could not speak, so full was his 
 heart of grief, but at the last he told the tale of 
 what had befallen. Then Ulysses took his 
 silver-studded sword and his bow, and bade 
 Eurylochus guide him by the way that he had 
 gone. 
 
 Nor would he hearken when Eurylochus 
 would have hindered him, but said, " Stay here
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 by the ship, eating and drinking, if it be thy 
 will, but I must go, for necessity constrains 
 
 me." 
 
 And when he had come to the house, there 
 
 met him Hermes of the golden wand, in the 
 shape of a fair youth, who said to him 
 
 " Art thou come to rescue thy comrades that 
 are now swine in Circe's house ? Nay, but 
 thou shalt never go back thyself. Yet, stay ; 
 I will give thee such a drug as shall give thee 
 power to resist all her charms. For when she 
 shall have mixed thee a mess, and smitten thee 
 with her wand, then do thou rush upon her with 
 thy sword, making as if thou wouldst slay her. 
 And when she shall pray for peace, do thou 
 make her swear by the great oath that binds the 
 gods that she will not harm thee." 
 
 Then Hermes showed Ulysses a certain herb, 
 whose root was black, but the flower white as 
 milk. " Moly," the gods call it, and very hard 
 it is for mortal man to find. Then Ulysses went 
 into the house, and all befell as Hermes had 
 told him. For Circe would have changed him 
 as she had changed his comrades. Then he 
 rushed at her with his sword, and made her
 
 CIRC&. coi 
 
 swear the great oath which binds the gods that 
 she would not harm him. 
 
 But afterwards, when they sat at meat to- 
 gether, the goddess perceived that he was silent 
 and ate not. Wherefore she said, " Why dost 
 thou sit, Ulysses, as though thou wert dumb ? 
 Fearest thou any craft of mine ? Nay, but that 
 may not be, for have I not sworn the great 
 oath that binds the gods ? " 
 
 And Ulysses said, "Nay, but who could think 
 of meat and drink when such things had be- 
 fallen his companions ? " 
 
 Then Circe led the way, holding her wand in 
 her hand, and opened the doors of the sties, and 
 drove out the swine that had been men. Then 
 she rubbed on each another mighty drug, and 
 the bristles fell from their bodies and they 
 became men, only younger and fairer than 
 before. And when they saw Ulysses they 
 clung to him and wept for joy, and Circd her- 
 self was moved with pity. 
 
 Then said she, "Go, Ulysses, to thy ship, and 
 put away all the goods and tackling in the caves 
 that are on the shore, but come again hither thy- 
 self, and bring thy comrades with thee."
 
 STOXSES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Then Ulysses went. Right glad were they 
 who had stayed to see him, glad as are the 
 calves who have been penned in the fold-yard 
 when their mothers come back in the evening. 
 And when he told them what had been, and 
 would have them follow him, they were all will- 
 ing, save only Eurylochus, who said 
 
 " O ye fools, whither are we going ? To the 
 dwelling of Circe, who will change us all into 
 swine, or v/olves, or lions, and keep us in prison, 
 even as the Cyclops did ! For was it not this 
 same foolhardy Ulysses that lost our comrades 
 there ? " 
 
 Then was Ulysses very wroth, and would 
 have slain Eurylochus, though near of kin to 
 him. But his comrades hindered him, saying, 
 " Let him abide here and keep the ship, if he 
 will. But we will go with thee to the dwelling 
 of Circe." 
 
 Then Ulysses forbore. Nor did Eurylochus 
 stay behind, but followed with the rest. So 
 they went to the dwelling of Circe, who feasted 
 them royally, so that they remained with her 
 for a whole year, well content. 
 
 But when the year was out they said to
 
 CIRC&. 203 
 
 Ulysses, "It were well to remember thy country, 
 if it is indeed the will of the gods that thou 
 shouldst return thither." 
 
 Then Ulysses besought Circe that she would 
 send him on his way homewards, as indeed 
 she had promised to do. And she answered 
 
 " I would not have you abide in my house 
 unwillingly. Yet must thou first go another 
 journey, even to the dwellings of the dead, 
 there to speak with the seer Tiresias." 
 
 But Ulysses was sore troubled to hear such 
 things, and wept aloud, saying, "Who shall 
 guide us in this journey ? for never yet did 
 ship make such a voyage as this." 
 
 Then said Circe, " Seek no guide ; only raise 
 the mast of thy ship and spread the white sails, 
 and sit in peace. So shall the north wind bear 
 thee to the place on the ocean shore where are 
 the groves of Persephone, tall poplars and 
 willows. There must thou beach thy ship. 
 And after that thou must go alone." 
 
 Then she told him all that he must do if 
 he would hold converse with the dead seer 
 Tiresias, and hear what should befall him. So 
 the next morning he roused his companions,
 
 204 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 telling them that they should now return, But 
 it chanced that one of them, Elpenor by name, 
 was sleeping on the roof, for the coolness, 
 being heavy with wine. And when he heard 
 the stir of his comrades, he rose up, nor thought 
 of the ladder, but fell from the roof and brake 
 his neck. And the rest being assembled, Ulysses 
 told them how they must take another journey 
 first, even to the dwellings of the dead. This 
 they were much troubled to hear, yet they 
 made ready the ship and departed.
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE REGIONS OF THE DEAD SCYLLA THE OXEN 
 OF THE SUN CALYPSO. 
 
 So they came to the place of which Circe had 
 told them. And when all things had been 
 rightly done, Ulysses saw spirits of the dead. 
 First of all came Elpenor, and he marvelled 
 much to see him, saying 
 
 "How earnest thou hither? on foot, or in the 
 ship?" 
 
 Then he answered, telling how he had died, 
 and he said, "Now, as thou wilt go back, I know, 
 to the island of Circe, suffer me not to remain 
 unburied, but make above me a mound of earth, 
 for men in aftertimes to see, and put upon it my 
 oar, with which I was wont to row while I yet 
 lived." 
 
 These things Ulysses promised that he would 
 do. Afterwards came the spirit of Tiresias,
 
 206 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 holding a sceptre of gold in his hand. And 
 when Ulysses asked him of his return, he said 
 
 " Thy return shall be difficult, because of the 
 anger of Poseidon, whose son thou madest blind. 
 Yet, when thou comest to the island of the Three 
 Capes, where feed the oxen of the Sun, if thou 
 leave these unhurt, thou and thy comrades 
 shall return to Ithaca. But otherwise they 
 shall perish, and thou shalt return, after long 
 time, in a ship not thine own, and shalt find 
 in thy palace, devouring thy goods, men of 
 violence, suitors of thy wife. These shalt thou 
 slay, openly or by craft. Nor yet shalt thou 
 rest, but shalt go to a land where men know 
 not the sea, nor eat their meat with salt ; and 
 thou shalt carry thy oar on thy shoulder. And 
 this shall be a sign to thee, when another 
 wayfarer, meeting thee, shall ask whether it 
 be a winnowing fan that thou bearest on thy 
 shoulder ; then shalt thou fix thy oar in the 
 earth, and make a sacrifice to Poseidon, and so 
 return. So shalt thou die at last in peace." 
 
 Then Tiresias departed. After this he saw 
 his mother, and asked how it fared with his 
 home in Ithaca, and she told him all. And
 
 THE REGIONS OF THE DEAD. 207 
 
 many others he saw, wives and daughters of 
 the heroes of old time. Also there came King 
 Agamemnon, who told him how yEgisthus, with 
 Clytemnestra, his wicked wife, had slain him 
 in his own palace, being newly returned from 
 Troy. Fain would the king have heard how it 
 fared with Orestes, his son, but of this Ulysses 
 could tell him nothing. Then came the spirit 
 of Achilles, and him Ulysses comforted, telling 
 him how bravely and wisely his son Neopto- 
 lemus had borne himself in Troy. 
 
 Also he saw the spirit of Ajax, son of 
 Telamon ; but Ajax spake not to him, having 
 great wrath in his heart, because of the arms of 
 Achilles. For the two, Ajax and Ulysses, had 
 contended for them, Achilles being dead, before 
 the assembly of the Greeks, and the Greeks 
 had given them to Ulysses, whereupon Ajax, 
 being very wroth, had laid hands upon himself. 
 
 And having seen many other things, Ulysses 
 went back to his ship, and returned with his 
 companions to the island of Circe. And being 
 arrived there, first they buried Elpenor, making 
 a mound over him, and setting up on it his oar, 
 and afterwards Circe made them a feast. But
 
 208 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 while the others slept she told to Ulysses all 
 that should befall him, saying 
 
 "First thou wilt come to the island of the 
 Sirens, who sing so sweetly, that whosoever 
 hears them straightway forgets wife and child 
 and home. In a meadow they sit, singing 
 sweetly, but about them are bones of men. Do 
 thou, then, close with wax the ears of thy com- 
 panions, and make them bind thee to the 
 mast, so that thou mayest hear the song and 
 yet take no hurt. And do thou bid them, 
 when thou shalt pray to be loosed, not to 
 hearken, but rather to bind thee the more. 
 And this peril being past, there lie others in 
 thy path, of which thou must take thy choice. 
 For either thou must pass between the rocks 
 which the gods call the Wanderers and these 
 close upon all that passes between them, even 
 the very doves in their flight, nor has any ship 
 escaped them, save only the ship Argo, which 
 Here loved or thou must go through the 
 strait, where there is a rock on either hand. In 
 the one rock dwells Scylla, in a cave so high 
 above the sea that an archer could not reach it 
 with his arrow. A horrible monster is she.
 
 SCYLLA. 209 
 
 Twelve unshapely feet she hath, and six long 
 necks, and on each a head with three rows of 
 teeth. In the cave she lies, but her heads are 
 without, fishing for sea-dogs and dolphins, or 
 even a great whale, if such should chance to go 
 by. Think not to escape her, Ulysses, for, of a 
 truth, with each head will she take one of thy 
 companions. But the other rock is lower and 
 more flat, with a wild fig-tree on the top. There 
 Charybdis thrice a day draws in the dark 
 water, and thrice a day sends it forth. Be not 
 thou near when she draws it in ; not even 
 Poseidon's self could save thee. Choose rather 
 to pass near to Scylla, for it is better to lose six 
 of thy companions than that all should perish .' v 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " Can I not fight with 
 this Scylla, and so save my companions ? " 
 
 But Circe answered, " Nay, for she is not ot 
 mortal race. And if thou linger to arm thy- 
 self, thou wilt but lose six others of thy com- 
 panions. Pass them with all the speed that 
 may be, and call on Crata'is, who is the mother 
 of Scylla, that she may keep her from coming 
 the second time. Then wilt thou come to the 
 island of the Three Capes, where feed the oxen
 
 210 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 of the Sun. Beware that thy companions harm 
 them not." 
 
 The next day they departed. Then Ulysses 
 told his companions of the Sirens, and how 
 they should deal with him. And after a while, 
 the following wind that had blown ceased, and 
 there was a great calm ; so they took down 
 the sails and laid them in the ship, and put 
 forth the oars to row. Then Ulysses made 
 great cakes of wax, kneading them (for the sun 
 was now hot), and put into the ears of his com- 
 panions. And they bound him to the mast 
 and so rowed on. Then the Sirens sang 
 
 " Hither, Ulysses, great Achaian name, 
 Turn thy swift keel, and listen to our lay ; 
 Since never pilgrim near these regions came, 
 In black ship on the azure fields astray, 
 But heard our sweet voice ere he sailed away, 
 And in his joy passed on with ampler mind. 
 We know what labours were in ancient day 
 Wrought in wide Troia, as the gods assigned; 
 We know from land to land all toils of all mankind" * 
 
 Then Ulysses prayed that they would loose 
 him, nodding his head, for their ears were 
 stopped; but they plied their oars, and Eury- 
 lochus and Perimedes put new bonds upon him. 
 
 * Worsley.
 
 SCYLLA. 211 
 
 After this they saw a smoke and surf, and 
 heard a mighty roar, and their oars dropped out 
 of their hands for fear ; but Ulysses bade them 
 be of good heart, for that by his counsel they 
 had escaped other dangers in past time. And 
 the rowers he bade row as hard as they might. 
 But to the helmsman he said, "Steer the ship 
 outside the smoke and the surf, and steer close 
 to the cliffs, lest the ship shoot off unawares 
 and lose us." But of Scylla he said nothing, 
 fearing lest they should lose heart and cease 
 rowing altogether. Then he armed himself, 
 and stood in the prow waiting till Scylla should 
 appear. 
 
 But on the other side Charybdis was sucking 
 in the water with a horrible noise, and with 
 eddies so deep that a man might see the sand 
 at the bottom. But while they looked trem- 
 bling at this, Scylla caught six of the men from 
 the ship, and Ulysses heard them call him by his 
 name as the monster carried them away. And 
 never, he said in after days, did he see with his 
 eyes so piteous a sight. 
 
 But after this they came to the land where fed 
 the oxen of the Sun. And Ulysses said, " Let
 
 212 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 us pass by this island, for there shall we find the 
 greatest evil that we have yet suffered." But 
 they would not hearken ; only they said that 
 the next day they would sail again. 
 
 Then spake Ulysses, " Ye constrain me, being 
 many to one. Yet promise" me this, that ye will 
 not take any of the sheep or oxen, for if ye do 
 ereat trouble will come to us." 
 
 o 
 
 So they promised. But for a whole month 
 the south wind blew and ceased not. And their 
 store of meat and drink being spent, they caught 
 fishes and birds, as they could, being sore pinched 
 with hunger. And at the last it chanced that 
 Ulysses, being weary, fell asleep. And while 
 he slept, his companions, Eurylochus persuad- 
 ing them, took of the oxen of the Sun, and 
 slew them, for they said that their need was great, 
 and that when they came to their own land they 
 would build a temple to the Sun to make amends. 
 But the Sun was very wroth with them. And 
 a great and dreadful thing happened, for the 
 hides crept, and the meat on the spits bellowed. 
 Six days they feasted on the oxen, and on the 
 seventh they set sail. But when they were now 
 out of sight of land, Zeus brought up a great
 
 CALYPSO. 213 
 
 storm over the sea, and a mighty west wind 
 blew, breaking both the forestay and the back- 
 stay of the mast, so that it fell. And after this 
 a thunderbolt struck the ship, and all the men 
 that were in it fell overboard and died. But 
 Ulysses lashed the^ keel to the mast with the 
 backstay, and on these he sat, borne by the 
 winds across the sea. 
 
 All night was he borne along, and in the 
 morning he came to Charybdis. And it chanced 
 that Charybdis was then sucking in the water ; 
 but Ulysses, springing up, clung to a wild fig-tree 
 that grew from the rock, but could find no rest 
 for his feet, nor yet could climb into the tree. 
 All day long he clung, waiting till the raft should 
 come forth again ; and at evening, at the time 
 when a judge rises from his seat after judging 
 many causes, the raft came forth. Then he 
 loosed his hands and fell, so that he sat astride 
 upon the raft. 
 
 After this he was borne for nine days upon 
 the sea, till he came to the island Ogygia, where 
 dwelt the goddess Calypso.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 TELEMACHUS AND PENELOP& 
 
 IN this island of Ogygia Ulysses abode seven 
 years, much against his will, thinking always 
 of his home and his wife and his young son. 
 And when the seven years were ended, Athene, 
 who had ever loved him much, spake to Zeus, 
 complaining much that one so wise had been so 
 long balked of his return. 
 
 Then said Zeus that it should not be so any 
 longer, for that Poseidon must give up his wrath 
 against the man, if all the other gods were of 
 one mind. 
 
 Then said Athene to Zeus, " Do thou send 
 Hermes, thy messenger, to Calypso, that she 
 let Ulysses depart, and I will go to Ithaca to 
 Telemachus, to bid him go search for his father; 
 for indeed it is but seemly that he should do so, 
 now that he is come to man's estate."
 
 TELEMACHUS AND PENELOPE. 215 
 
 So she went to Ithaca, and there she took 
 upon her the form of Mentor, who was chief of 
 the Taphians. 
 
 Now there were gathered in the house of 
 Ulysses many princes from the islands, suitors 
 of the Queen Penelope, for they said that 
 Ulysses was dead, and that she should choose 
 another husband. These were gathered to- 
 gether, and were sitting playing draughts and 
 feasting. And Telemachus sat among them, 
 vexed at heart, for they wasted his substance, 
 neither was he master in his house. But when 
 he saw the guest at the door, he rose from his 
 place and welcomed him, and made him sit 
 down, and commanded that they should give 
 him food and wine. And when he had ended 
 his meal, Telemachus asked him of his busi- 
 ness. 
 
 Thereupon the false Mentor said, " My name 
 is Mentor, and I am King of the Taphians, and I 
 am sailing to Cyprus for copper, taking iron in 
 exchange. Now I have been long time the friend 
 of this house, of thy father and thy father's father, 
 and I came trusting to see thy father, for they 
 told me that he was here. But now I see that
 
 216 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 some god has hindered his return, for that he 
 lives I know full well." 
 
 And after this the two had much talk together, 
 and Athene gave good counsel to Telemachus, 
 and chiefly that he should go to Pylos, to old 
 Nestor, and to Sparta, where Menelaiis dwelt, 
 if haply he might hear aught of his father in 
 this place or in that. And after this she de- 
 parted; and as she went, Telemachus knew her 
 who she was. 
 
 The next day the people of Ithaca were called 
 to an assembly. And Telemachus stood up 
 among them and said 
 
 " I have great trouble in my heart, men of 
 Ithaca, for first my father is not, whom ye all 
 iloved ; and next, the princes of the islands come 
 hither, making suit to my mother, but she 
 waits ever for her husband, when he shall 
 .return. And they devour all our substance, 
 .nor is Ulysses here to defend it, and I, in truth, 
 am not able. And this is a grievous wrong, 
 and not to be borne." 
 
 Then he dashed his sceptre on the ground, 
 and sat down weeping. And Antinoiis, who 
 was one of the suitors, rose up and said
 
 TELEMA CHUS A ND PENELOPE. 2 1 7 
 
 " Nay, Telemachus, blame not us, but blame 
 thy mother, who indeed is crafty above all 
 women. For now this is the fourth year that 
 we have come suing for her hand, and she has 
 cheated us with hopes. Hear now this that she 
 did. She set up a great warp for weaving, and 
 said to us, ' Listen, ye that are my suitors. 
 Hasten not my marriage till I finish this web to 
 be a burial cloth for Laertes, for indeed it would 
 be foul shame if he who has won great posses- 
 sions should lack this honour.' So she spake, and 
 for three years she cheated us, for what she 
 wove in the day she undid at night. But when 
 the fourth year was come, one of her maidens 
 told us of the matter, and we came upon her by 
 night and found her undoing the web, even 
 what she had woven in the day. Then did she 
 finish it, much against her will. Send away, 
 therefore, thy mother, and bid her marry whom 
 she will. But till this be done we will not 
 depart." 
 
 Then answered Telemachus, " How can I 
 send her away against her will, who bare me 
 and brought me up ? Much forfeit must I pay 
 to Icarus, her father ; ay, and the curses of my
 
 2 1 8 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 mother would abide on me. Wherefore I can- 
 not do this thing." 
 
 So he spake ; and there came two eagles, which 
 flew abreast till they came over the assembly. 
 Then did they wheel in the air, and shook out 
 from each many feathers, and tare each other, 
 and so departed. 
 
 Then cried Alitherses, the soothsayer, " Be- 
 ware, ye suitors, for great trouble is coming to 
 you, and to others also. And as for Ulysses, I 
 said when he went to Troy that he should re- 
 turn after twenty years ; and so it shall be." 
 
 And when the suitors would not listen, Tele- 
 machus said, " Yet give me a ship and twenty 
 rowers, that I may go to Pylos and to Sparta, 
 if haply I may hear news of my father." 
 
 But this also they would not, and the as- 
 sembly was dismissed. 
 
 But Telemachus went out to the sea-shore, 
 and prayed to Athene that she would help him. 
 And while he prayed, lo ! she stood by him, 
 having the shape of a certain Mentes, who in- 
 deed had spoken on his behalf in the assembly. 
 And she said 
 
 " Thou art not, I trow, without spirit and
 
 TELEMACHVS AKD PENELOPE. 219 
 
 wit, and art like to be a true son of Ulysses and 
 Penelope. Wherefore I have good hopes that 
 this journey of which thou speakest will not be 
 in vain. But as for the suitors, think not of 
 them, for they lack wisdom, nor know the doom 
 that is even now close upon them. Go, there- 
 fore, and talk with the suitors as before, and get 
 ready meat for a journey, wine and meal. And 
 I will gather men who will offer themselves 
 freely for the journey, and find a ship also, the 
 best in Ithaca." 
 
 Then Telemachus returned to the house. 
 And Antinotis caught him by the hand and 
 said, " Eat and drink, Telemachus, and we will 
 find a ship and rowers for thee, that thou 
 mayest go where thou wilt, to inquire for thy 
 father." 
 
 But Telemachus answered, " Think ye that 
 I will eat and drink with you, who so shame- 
 fully waste my substance ? Be sure of this, that 
 I will seek vengeance against you, and if ye 
 deny me a ship, I will even go with another 
 man's." 
 
 So he spake, and dragged his hand from the 
 hand of Antinotis.
 
 220 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 And another of the suitors said, " Now will 
 Telemachus go and seek help against us from 
 Pylos or from Sparta, or may be he will put 
 poison in our cups, and so destroy us." 
 
 And another said, " Perchance he also will 
 perish, as his father has perished. Then should 
 we have much labour, even dividing all his sub- 
 stance, but the house should we give to his 
 mother and to her husband." 
 
 So they spake, mocking him. But he went 
 to the chamber of his father, in which were 
 ranged many casks of old wine, and store of 
 gold and bronze, and clothing and olive oil ; 
 and of these things the prudent Euryclea, 
 who was the keeper of the house, had care. 
 To her he spake, " Mother, make ready for 
 me twelve jars of wine, not of the best, but of 
 that which is next to it, and twenty measures of 
 barley-meal. At even will I take them, when 
 my mother sleeps, for I go to Pylos and Sparta, 
 if perchance I may hear news of my father." 
 
 But the old woman said, weeping, " What 
 meanest thou, being an only son, thus to travel 
 abroad ? Wilt thou perish, as thy father has 
 perished ? For this evil brood of suitors will
 
 TELEMACJWS AND PENELOPE. 221 
 
 devise means to slay thee and divide thy 
 goods. Thou hadst better sit peaceably at 
 home." 
 
 Then Telemachus said, "'Tis at the bidding 
 of the gods I go. Only swear that thou wilt 
 say nought to my mother till eleven or twelve 
 days be past, unless perchance she should ask 
 concerning me." 
 
 And the old woman sware that it should be 
 so. And Telemachus went again among the 
 suitors. But Athene, meanwhile, taking his 
 shape, had gathered together a crew, and also 
 had borrowed a ship for the voyage. And lest 
 the suitors should hinder the thing, she caused 
 a deep sleep to fall upon them, that they slept 
 where they sat. Then she came in the shape of 
 Mentor to the palace, and called Telemachus 
 forth, saying, " The rowers are ready; let us go." 
 
 So they two went together and came to the 
 ship. And they sat on the stern together, and 
 the rowers sat upon the benches. Then Athene 
 caused a west wind to blow, and they raised the 
 mast and set the sail, and all night long the 
 ship ran before the wind.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAtfS. 
 
 IN the morning they came to Pylos. And lo ! 
 there was a great sacrifice to Poseidon on the 
 shore, nine companies of men, and five hundred 
 men in each company, and to each nine oxen. 
 And Nestor was there with his sons ; and when 
 he saw the two travellers he bade them wel- 
 come, arid caused them to sit down and to eat 
 and drink, not forgetting to pour out of the wine 
 to King Poseidon. And this they did, praying 
 that he would help them in the matter whereon 
 they had come from their home. 
 
 And when the feast was ended, Nestor asked 
 them of their name and business. So Tele- 
 machus told him that he was come seeking news 
 of his father Ulysses. And Nestor praised him 
 much that he spake so wisely, but of his father 
 he could tell him nothing, only that he had
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 223 
 
 stayed a while at Troy to do pleasure to King 
 Agamemnon. Diomed, he said, had returned 
 safe, and he himself to Pylos, and the Myrmi- 
 dons, with the son of Achilles, and Philoctetes 
 also, and Idomeneus. And Menelaus also had 
 come back to his home, after wanderings many 
 and great. But of Ulysses no one knew any- 
 thing at all. Then they talked of many things, 
 and specially of King Agamemnon, how he had 
 been slain and also avenged. 
 
 And when evening was come, Athene indeed 
 departed (and they knew her as she went for 
 a goddess), but Telemachus remained, for he 
 would go (for so Nestor advised) to Sparta, to 
 inquire of King Menelaus, being the latest 
 returned of all the kings. 
 
 On the morrow Nestor held a sacrifice to 
 Athene, and on the morrow after that Nestor 
 bade his men yoke horses to a chariot, and 
 Pisistratus, who was the youngest of his sons, 
 took the reins, and Telemachus rode with him. 
 And all that day they journeyed ; and when 
 the land grew dark they came to the city of 
 Pherse, where Diocles, son of Orsilochus, was 
 king, and there they rested ; and the next day,
 
 224 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 travelling again, came to Lacedsemon, to the 
 palace of King Menelaiis. 
 
 And it chanced that Menelaiis had made a 
 great feast that day, for his daughter Hermione, 
 the child of the fair Helen, was married to 
 Neoptolemus, the son of Achilles, to whom she 
 had been promised at Troy ; and he had also 
 taken a wife for his son Megapenthes. And 
 the two stayed their chariot at the door, and 
 one spied them, and said to Menelatis 
 
 " Lo ! here are two strangers who are like 
 the children of kings. Shall we keep them 
 here, or send them to another ?" 
 
 But Menelaiis was wroth, and said, " Shall 
 we, who have eaten so often of the bread of 
 hospitality, send these strangers to another ? 
 Nay, but unyoke their horses and bid them 
 sit down to meat." 
 
 So the two lighted from the chariot, and after 
 the bath they sat down to meat. And when 
 they had ended the meal, Telemachus, looking 
 round at the hall, said to his companion 
 
 " See the gold and the amber, and the silver 
 and the ivory. This is as the hall of Olympian 
 Zeus."
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 225 
 
 This he spake with his face close to his 
 comrade's ear, but Menelaus heard him and 
 said 
 
 " With the halls of the gods nothing mortal 
 may compare. And among men also there may 
 be the match of these things. Yet I have wan- 
 dered far, and got many possessions in many 
 lands. But woe is me ! while I gathered these 
 things my brother was foully slain in his house. 
 Would that I had but the third part of this 
 wealth of mine, so that they who perished at 
 Troy were alive again ! And most of all I 
 mourn for the great Ulysses, for whether he be 
 alive or dead no man knows." 
 
 But Telemachus wept to hear mention of his 
 father, holding up his purple cloak before his 
 eyes. This Menelaus saw, and knew him who 
 he was, and pondered whether he should wait 
 till he should himself speak of his father, or 
 should rather ask him of his errand. But while 
 he pondered there came in the fair Helen, and 
 three maidens with her, of whom one set a 
 couch for her to sit, and one spread a carpet for 
 her feet, and one bare a basket of purple wool, 
 but she herself had a distaff of gold in her 
 
 16
 
 226 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 hand. And when she saw the strangers she 
 said 
 
 "Who are these, Menelaiis? Never have I 
 seen such likeness in man or woman as this 
 one bears to Ulysses. Surely 'tis his son 
 Telemachus, whom he left an infant at home 
 when ye went to Troy for my sake ! " 
 
 Then said Menelaiis, " It must indeed be so, 
 lady. For these are the hands and feet of 
 Ulysses, and the look of his eyes and his hair. 
 And but now, when I made mention of his 
 name, he wept." 
 
 Then said Pisistratus, " King Menelaiis, thou 
 speakest truth. This is indeed the son of 
 Ulysses, who is come to thee, if haply thou 
 canst help him by word or deed." 
 
 And Menelatis answered, " Then is he the 
 son of a man whom I loved right well. I 
 thought to give him a city in this land, bring- 
 ing him from Ithaca with all his goods. Then 
 might we often have companied together, nor 
 should aught have divided us but death itself. 
 But these things the gods have ordered other- 
 wise." 
 
 At these words they all wept the fair Helen
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 227 
 
 and Telemachus and Menelatis ; nor could 
 Pisistratus refrain himself, for he thought of his 
 dear brother Antilochus, whom Memnon, son 
 of the Morning, slew at Troy. But the fair 
 Helen put a mighty medicine in the wine 
 whereof they drank nepenthe men call it. So 
 mighty is it that whosoever drinks of it, that day 
 he weeps not, though father and mother die, and 
 though men slay brother or son before his 
 eyes. Polydamna, wife of King Thoas, had 
 given it to her in Egypt, where indeed many 
 medicines grow that are mighty both for good 
 and ill. 
 
 And after this she said, " It were long to tell 
 all the wise and valiant deeds of Ulysses. One 
 thing, however, ye shall hear, and it is this : 
 while the Greeks were before Troy he came 
 into the city, having disguised himself as a 
 beggar-man, yea, and he had laid many blows 
 upon himself, so that he seemed to have 
 been shamefully entreated. I only knew him 
 who he was, and questioned him, but he 
 answered craftily. And afterwards, when I 
 had bathed him and anointed him with oil, I 
 swore that I would not tell the thing till he had
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 gone back to the camp. So he slew many 
 Trojans with the sword, and learnt many things. 
 And while other women in Troy lamented, I 
 was glad, for my heart was turned again to my 
 home." 
 
 Then Menelaiis said, " Thou speakest truly, 
 lady. Many men have I seen, and travelled 
 over many lands, but never have I seen one 
 who might be matched with Ulysses. Well 
 do I remember how, when I and other chiefs 
 of the Greeks sat in the horse of wood, thou 
 didst come, Dei'phobus following thee. Some 
 god who loved the sons of Troy put the thing 
 into thy heart. Thrice didst thou walk round 
 our hiding-place and call by name to each 
 one of the chiefs, likening thy voice in mar- 
 vellous fashion to the voice of his wife. Then 
 would Diomed and I have either risen from 
 our place or answered thee straightway. But 
 Ulysses hindered us, so saving all the Greeks." 
 
 But Telemachus said, " Yet all these things 
 have not kept him, but that he has perished." 
 
 And now it was the hour of sleep. And the 
 next day Menelaiis asked Telemachus of his 
 business.
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 229 
 
 Then Telemachus said, " I have come, if 
 haply thou canst tell me aught of my father. 
 For certain suitors of my mother devour my 
 goods, nor do I see any help. Tell me therefore 
 true, sparing me not at all, but saying if thou 
 knowest anything of thyself, or hast heard it 
 from another." 
 
 And Menelatis answered, "It angers me to 
 hear of these cowards who would lie in a brave 
 man's bed. So a hind lays its young in a lion's 
 den, but when he comes he slays both her and 
 them. So shall it be with these in the day when. 
 Ulysses shall come back. But as to what thou. 
 askest me, I will answer clearly and without 
 turning aside. I was in Egypt, the gods hinder- 
 ing my voyage because I had not offered due- 
 sacrifice. Now there is an island, Pharos men; 
 call it, a day's journey from the shore for a swift 
 ship with a fair wind blowing. And in this I 
 tarried against my will, the wind being contrary, 
 ay, and should have died, but that Idothea, 
 daughter of old Proteus, had pity on me. For 
 she found me sitting alone while my companions 
 fished with hooks, for hunger pressed them sore. 
 And she said, 'Art thou altogether a fool,
 
 230 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 stranger, and without spirit, that them sittest 
 thus helpless, and seekest no deliverance, while 
 the hearts of thy companions faint within them ? ' 
 And I said, ' I tarry here against my will, for 
 some god hinders my voyage, and thou, if thou 
 be of the immortals, canst tell me whom I have 
 offended.' Then she made answer, ' There is an 
 old man of the sea who knows all things : his 
 name is Proteus, and he is my father. And if 
 thou couldstlie in ambush and take him, he would 
 tell thee how thou mayest return to thy home, 
 ay, and tell thee all, be it good or evil, that has 
 befallen thee there.' And when I would fain 
 know how I might lie in ambush and take him, 
 seeing that it was hard for a mortal to master a 
 god, she said, ' At noonday he comes to sleep in 
 his caves, and his herd of seals comes with him. 
 Thou must take three of thy companions whom 
 thou judgest to be bravest, and I will hide you. 
 Now the old man counts the seals, and when he 
 has told the number he lies down in the midst. 
 Then take heart and rush upon him, thou and 
 thy companions. Much will he try to escape, 
 making himself into all kinds of moving things, 
 and into water and into fire. But when he shall
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 231 
 
 ask of thy errand, being such in shape as thou 
 sawest him lie down, then may ye loose him, and 
 he will tell thee what thou wouldst know.' The 
 next day came Idothea, bringing with her the 
 skins of four seals which she had newly slain. 
 Holes she made in the sand of the sea, and bade 
 us sit in them, putting upon us the skins. It 
 would have been a dreadful ambush for us, so 
 evil was the smell of the seals, but the goddess 
 gave us ambrosia, that we might hold under our 
 nostrils, and the sweet savour prevailed against 
 the smell. And at noon the old man came and 
 counted the seals, and lay down to sleep. Then 
 we rushed upon him; and the old man made 
 himself now a lion, and now a snake and a leo- 
 pard and a boar, and after this water, and then 
 a tree in leaf. But still we held him. And at 
 the last he asked me what I would. So I told him. 
 And he said that I must first return over the sea 
 to Egypt, and make due offerings to the gods. 
 And when he had said this, I asked him of the 
 chiefs, my friends, whether they had come back 
 safe from Troy. And he said, ' Two only of 
 the chiefs have perished ; but those that fell in 
 battle thou knowest thyself. Ajax, son of Oileus,
 
 232 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 was shipwrecked, and yet might have lived, but 
 he spake blasphemously, so that Poseidon smote 
 the rock whereon he sat, and he drank the salt 
 water and perished. And thy brother Agamem- 
 non was slain at a feast by the false y*gisthus/ 
 T hen I said, ' There is yet another of whom I 
 would hear.' And he answered, ' I saw the son 
 of Laertes weeping in the island of Calypso, 
 who keeps him against his will, nor can he 
 depart, having neither ship nor rowers.' And 
 after this the old man departed, and I, when I 
 had done that which was commanded, and had 
 made a great tomb for Agamemnon, my brother, 
 came back hither. And now I would that thou 
 shouldest stay here awhile, and I will give thee 
 horses and a chariot, and a cup from which 
 thou mayest pour out wine to the gods." 
 
 Then Telemachus answered, " I thank thee 
 for the horses, but we may not keep such beasts 
 in Ithaca, for it is rocky, and fit only for pas- 
 turing of goats." 
 
 And Menelaiis said, smiling, "Thou speakest 
 well and wisely; but at least I will give thee other 
 things, many and seemly, instead of the horses." 
 
 Now it had been made known meanwhile to
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS. 233 
 
 the suitors in Ithaca that Telemachus was gone 
 upon this journey seeking his father, and the thing 
 displeased them much. And after that they had 
 held counsel about the matter, it seemed best that 
 they should lay an ambush against him, which 
 should slay him as he came back to his home. 
 So Antinoiis took twenty men and departed, 
 purposing to lie in wait in the strait between 
 Ithaca and Samos. 
 
 Nor was this counsel unknown to Penelope, 
 for the herald Medon had heard it, and he 
 told her how that Telemachus had gone seek- 
 ing news of his father, and how the suitors pur- 
 posed to slay him as he returned. And she 
 called her women, old and young, and rebuked 
 them, saying, " Wicked that ye were, that knew 
 that he was about to go, and did not rouse me 
 from my bed. Surely I had kept him, eager 
 though he was, from his journey, or he had left 
 me dead behind him ! " 
 
 Then said Euryclea, " Slay me, if thou wilt, 
 but I will hide nothing from thee. I knew his 
 purpose, and I furnished him with such things 
 as he needed. But he made me swear that I 
 would not tell thee till the eleventh or the
 
 234 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 twelfth day was come. But go with thy 
 maidens and make thy prayer to Athene that 
 she will save him from death ; and indeed I 
 think that this house is not altogether hated 
 by the gods." 
 
 Then Penelop6, having duly prepared herself, 
 went with her maidens to the upper chamber, 
 and prayed aloud to Athene that she would save 
 her son. And the suitors heard her praying, 
 and said, "Surely the queen prays, thinking 
 of her marriage, nor knows that death is near 
 to her son." 
 
 Then she lay down to sleep, and had neither 
 eaten nor drunk. And while she slept Athene 
 sent her a dream in the likeness of her sister 
 Iphthime, who was the wife of Eumelus, son of 
 Alcestis. And the vision stood over her head 
 and spake, " Sleepest thou, Penelope ? The 
 gods would not have thee grieve, for thy son 
 shall surely return." 
 
 And Penelope said, " How earnest thou here, 
 my sister ? For thy dwelling is far away. And 
 how can I cease to weep when my husband is 
 lost ? And now my son is gone, and I am soro 
 afraid for him, lest his enemies slay him.''
 
 NESTOR AND MENELAUS- 235 
 
 But the vision answered, " Fear not at all ; 
 for there is a mighty helper with him, even 
 Athene, who has bid me tell thee these things." 
 
 Then Penelope said, " If thou art a goddess, 
 tell me this. Is my husband yet alive ? " 
 
 But the vision answered, "That I cannot say, 
 whether he be alive or dead." And so saying, 
 it vanished into air. 
 
 And Penelope woke from her sleep, and her 
 heart was comforted.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT. 
 
 WHILE Telemachus was yet sojourning in 
 Sparta, Zeus sent Hermes to Calypso, to bid 
 her that she should let Ulysses go. So Hermes 
 donned his golden sandals, and took his wand 
 in his hand, and came to the island of Ogygia, 
 and to the cave where Calypso dwelt. A fair 
 place it was. In the cave was burning a fire of 
 sweet-smelling wood, and Calypso sat at her 
 loom and sang with a lovely voice. And round 
 about the cave was a grove of alders and 
 poplars and cypresses, wherein many birds, 
 falcons and owls and sea-crows, were wont to 
 roost ; and all about the mouth of the cave was 
 a vine with purple clusters of grapes; and there 
 were four fountains which streamed four ways 
 through meadows of parsley and violet. But 
 Ulysses was not there, for he sat, as was his 
 wont, on the sea-shore, weeping and groaning
 
 ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT. 237 
 
 because he might not see wife and home and 
 country. 
 
 And Calypso spied Hermes, and bade him 
 come within, and gave him meat and drink, 
 ambrosia and nectar, which are the food of the 
 gods. And when he had ended his meal, she 
 asked him of his errand. So he told her that 
 he was come, at the bidding of Zeus, in the 
 matter of Ulysses, for that it was the pleasure 
 of the gods that he should return to his native, 
 country, and that she should not hinder him 
 any more. It vexed Calypso much to hear 
 this, for she would fain have kept Ulysses with 
 her always, and she said 
 
 " Ye gods are always jealous when a goddess 
 loves a mortal man. And as for Ulysses, did 
 not I save him when Zeus had smitten his ship 
 with a thunderbolt, and all his comrades had 
 perished ? And now let him go if it pleases 
 Zeus. Only I cannot send him, for I have 
 neither ship nor rowers. Yet will I willingly 
 teach him how he may safely return." 
 
 And Hermes said, " Do this thing speedily, 
 lest Zeus be wroth with thee." 
 
 So he departed. And Calypso went seeking
 
 238 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Ulysses, and found him on the shore of the sea, 
 looking out over the waters, as was his wont, 
 and weeping, for he was weary of his life, so 
 much did he desire to see Ithaca again. She 
 stood by him and said 
 
 " Weary not for thy native country, nor waste 
 thyself with tears. If thou wilt go, I will speed 
 thee on thy way. Take therefore thine axe 
 and cut thee beams, and join them together, 
 and make a deck upon them, and I will give 
 thee bread and water and wine, and clothe thee 
 also, so that thou mayest return safe to thy 
 native country, for the gods will have it so." 
 
 " Nay," said Ulysses, " what is this that thou 
 sayest ? Shall I pass in a raft over the dread- 
 ful sea, over which even ships go not without 
 harm ? I will not go against thy will; but thou 
 must swear the great oath of the gods that thou 
 plannest no evil against me." 
 
 Then Calypso smiled and said, " These are 
 strange words. By the Styx I swear that I plan 
 no harm against thee, but only such good as I 
 would ask myself, did I need it ; for indeed my 
 heart is not of iron, but rather full of compas- 
 sion."
 
 ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT. 239 
 
 Then they two went to the cave and sat 
 down to meat, and she set before him food 
 such as mortal men eat, but she herself ate 
 ambrosia and drank nectar, as the gods are 
 wont. And afterwards she said 
 
 " Why art thou so eager for thy home ? 
 Surely if thou knewest all the trouble that awaits 
 thee, thou wouldst not go, but wouldst rather 
 dwell with me. And though thou desirest all 
 the day long to see thy wife, surely I am not 
 less fair than she." 
 
 " Be not angry," Ulysses made reply. " The 
 wise Penelope cannot indeed be compared to 
 thee, for she is a mortal woman and thou art a 
 goddess. Yet is my home dear to me, and I 
 would fain see it again." 
 
 The next day Calypso gave him an axe with 
 a handle of olive wood, and an adze, and took 
 him to the end of the island, where there were 
 great trees, long ago sapless and dry, alder and 
 poplar and pine. Of these he felled twenty, 
 and lopped them, and worked them by the line. 
 Then the goddess brought him a gimlet, and he 
 made holes in the logs and joined them with 
 pegs. And he made decks and side-planking
 
 240 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 also; also a mast and a yard, and a rudder 
 wherewith to turn the raft. And he fenced it 
 about with a bulwark of osier against the waves. 
 The sails, indeed, Calypso wove, and Ulysses 
 fitted them with braces and halyards and sheets. 
 And afterwards, with ropes, he moored the raft 
 to the shore. 
 
 On the fourth day all was finished, and on 
 the fifth day he departed. And Calypso gave 
 him goodly garments, and a skin of wine, and a 
 skin of water, and rich provender in a wallet of 
 leather. She sent also a fair wind blowing be- 
 hind, and Ulysses set his sails and proceeded 
 joyfully on his way; nor did he sleep, but watched 
 the sun and the stars, still steering, as indeed 
 Calypso had bidden, to the left. So he sailed 
 for seventeen days, and on the eighteenth he 
 saw the hills of Phseacia and the land, which 
 had the shape of a shield. 
 
 But Poseidon spied him as he sailed, and was 
 wroth to see him so near to the end of his 
 troubles. Wherefore he sent all the winds of 
 heaven down upon him. Sore troubled was 
 Ulysses, and said to himself, "It was truth that 
 Calypso spake when she said how that I should
 
 ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT. 241 
 
 suffer many troubles returning to my home. 
 Would that I had died that day when many a 
 spear was cast by the men of Troy over the 
 dead Achilles. Then would the Greeks have 
 buried me ; but now shall I perish miserably." 
 
 And as he spake a great wave struck the raft 
 and tossed him far away, so that he dropped 
 the rudder from his hand. Nor for a long time 
 could he rise, so deep was he sunk, and so 
 heavy was the goodly clothing which Calypso 
 had given him. Yet at the last he rose, and 
 spat the salt water out of his mouth, and, so- 
 brave was he, sprang at the raft and caught it 
 and sat thereon, and was borne hither and 
 thither by the waves. But I no saw him and 
 pitied him a woman she had been, and was 
 now a goddess of the sea and came and sat 
 upon the waves, saying 
 
 " Luckless mortal, why doth Poseidon hate 
 thee so ? He shall not slay thee, though he 
 fain would do it. Put off these garments and 
 swim to the land of Phseacia, putting this veil 
 under thy breast. And when thou art come to 
 ^the land, loose it from thee, and cast it into the 
 sea ; but when thou castest it, look away." 
 
 17
 
 24* STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 But Ulysses doubted what this might be, 
 and thought that he would yet stay on the raft 
 while the timbers held together, for that the 
 land was far away. But as he thought, yet 
 another great wave struck it, and scattered the 
 timbers. And he sat upon one of them, as a 
 man sits upon a horse ; and then he stripped 
 off the garments which Calypso had given him, 
 and so, leaping into the sea, made to swim to 
 the land. 
 
 And Poseidon saw him, and said, " Get to the 
 shore if thou canst, but even so thou art not 
 come to the end of thy troubles." 
 
 So for two days and two nights he swam, 
 Athene helping him, for otherwise he had 
 perished. But on the third day there was a 
 calm, and he saw the land from the top of a 
 great wave, for the waves were yet high, close 
 at hand. Dear as a father to his son, rising up 
 from grievous sickness, so dear was the land 
 to Ulysses. But when he came near he heard 
 the waves breaking along the shore, for there 
 was no harbour there, but only cliffs and rugged 
 rocks. And while he doubted what he should 
 do, a great wave bore him to the shore. Then
 
 ULYSSES ON HIS RAFT. 243 
 
 would he have perished, all his bones being 
 broken ; but Athene put it in his heart to lay 
 hold of a great rock till the wave had spent 
 itself. And even then had he died, for the ebb 
 caught him and bore him far out to sea ; but 
 he bethought him that he would swim along, if 
 haply he might see some landing-place. And 
 at last he came to the mouth of a river, where 
 there were no rocks. Then at last he won his 
 way to the land. His knees were bent under 
 him and his hands dropped at his side, and 
 the salt water ran out of his mouth and nostrils. 
 Breathless was he, and speechless ; but when 
 he came to himself, he loosed the veil from 
 under his breast and cast it into the sea. 
 
 Then he lay down on the rushes by the 
 bank of the river and kissed the earth, thinking 
 within himself, " What now shall I do ? for if 
 I sleep here by the river, I fear that the dew 
 and the frost may slay me : for indeed in the 
 morning-time the wind from the river blows cold. 
 And if I go up to the wood, to lay me down 
 to sleep in the thicket, I fear that some evil 
 beast may devour me." 
 
 But it seemed better to go to the wood. So
 
 244 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 he went. Now this was close to the river, and he 
 found two bushes, of wild olive one, and of fruit- 
 ful olive the other. So thickly grown together 
 were they, that the winds blew not through 
 them, nor did the sun pierce them, nor yet the 
 rain. Thereunder crept Ulysses, and found 
 great store of leaves, shelter enough for two 
 or three, even in a great storm. Then, even as 
 a man who dwells apart from others cherishes 
 his fire, hiding it under the ashes, so Ulysses 
 cherished his life under the leaves. And Athene 
 sent down upon his eyelids deep sleep, that 
 might ease him of his toil. 
 
 o
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS. 
 
 Now the king of Phaeacia was Alcinoiis, and 
 he had five sons and one daughter, Nausicaa. 
 To her, where she slept with her two maidens 
 by her, Athene went, taking the shape of her 
 friend, the daughter of Dymas, and said 
 
 " Why hath thy mother so idle a daughter, 
 Nausicaa ? Lo ! thy garments lie unwashed, 
 .and thy wedding must be near, seeing that 
 many nobles in the land are suitors to thee. 
 Ask then thy father that he give thee the 
 waggon with the mules, for the laundries are 
 far from the city, and I will go with thee." 
 
 And when the morning was come, Nausicaa 
 awoke, marvelling at the dream, and went seek- 
 ing her parents. Her mother she found busy 
 with her maidens at the loom, and her father 
 she met as he was going to the council with
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 the chiefs of the land. Then she said, " Give 
 me, father, the waggon with the mules, that 
 I may take the garments to the river to wash 
 them. Thou shouldest always have clean robes 
 when thou goest to the council ; and there are 
 my five brothers also, who love to have newly 
 washed garments at the dance." 
 
 But of her own marriage she said nothing. 
 And her father, knowing her thoughts, said, 
 " It is well. The men shall harness the waggon 
 for thee." 
 
 So they put the clothing into the waggon. 
 And her mother put also food and wine, and 
 olive oil also, wherewith she and her maidens 
 might anoint themselves after the bath. So 
 they climbed into the waggon and went to the 
 river. And then they washed the clothing, 
 and spread it out to dry on the rocks by the 
 sea. And after that they had bathed and 
 anointed themselves, they sat down to eat and 
 drink by the river side ; and after the meal 
 they played at ball, singing as they played, 
 and Nausicaa, fair as Artemis when she hunts 
 on Taygetus or Erymanthus wild goats and 
 stags, led the song. But when they had nearly
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS. 247 
 
 ended their play, the princess, throwing the 
 ball to one of her maidens, cast it so wide thai- 
 it fell into the river. Whereupon they all cried 
 aloud, and Ulysses awoke. And he said to him- 
 self," What is this land to which I have come ? 
 Are they that dwell therein fierce or kind to 
 strangers ? Just now I seemed to hear the voice 
 of nymphs, or am I near the dwellings of men ? " 
 
 Then he twisted leaves about his loins, and 
 rose up and went towards the maidens, who 
 indeed were frighted to see him (for he was 
 wild of aspect), and fled hither and thither. 
 But Nausicaa stood and fled not. Then Ulysses 
 thought within himself, should he go near and 
 clasp her knees, or, lest haply this should anger 
 her, should he stand and speak ? And this he 
 did, saying 
 
 " I am thy suppliant, O queen. Whether 
 thou art a goddess, I know not. But if thou 
 art a mortal, happy thy father and mother, and 
 happy thy brothers, and happiest of all he who 
 shall win thee in marriage. Never have I seen 
 man or woman so fair. Thou art like a young 
 palm-tree that but lately I saw in Delos, spring- 
 ing by the temple of the god. But as for me,
 
 248 SJOR1ES FROM HOMER. 
 
 I have been cast on this shore, having come 
 from the island Ogygia. Pity me, then, and 
 lead me to the city, and give me something, 
 a wrapper of this linen, maybe, to put about 
 me. So may the gods give thee all blessings !" 
 
 And Nausicaa made answer, " Thou seemest, 
 stranger, to be neither evil nor foolish ; and as 
 for thy plight, the gods give good fortune or 
 bad, as they will. Thou shalt not lack clothing 
 or food, or anything that a suppliant should 
 have. And I will take thee to the city. Know 
 also that this land is Phaeacia, and that I am 
 daughter to Alcinoiis, who is king thereof." 
 
 Then she called to her maidens, " What 
 mean ye, to flee when ye see a man? No 
 enemy comes hither to harm us, for we are dear 
 to the gods, and also we live in an island of the 
 sea, so that men may not approach to work us 
 wrong ; but if one cometh here overborne by 
 trouble, it is well to succour him. Give this 
 man, therefore, food and drink, and wash him 
 in the river, where there is shelter from the 
 wind." 
 
 So they brought him down to the river, 
 and gave him a tunic and a cloak to clothe
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS. 249 
 
 himself withal, and also oil-olive in a flask of 
 gold. Then, at his bidding, they departed a 
 little space, and he washed the salt from his 
 skin and out of his hair, and anointed himself, 
 and put on the clothing. And Athene made 
 him taller and fairer to see, and caused the hair 
 to be thick on his head, in colour as a hyacinth. 
 Then he sat down on the sea-shore, right beau- 
 tiful to behold, and the maiden said 
 
 " Not without some bidding of the gods comes 
 this man to our land. Before, indeed, I deemed 
 him uncomely, but now he seems like to the 
 gods. I should be well content to have such a 
 man for a husband, and maybe he might will to 
 abide in this land. But give him, ye maidens, 
 food and drink." 
 
 So they gave him, and he ate ravenously, 
 having fasted long. Then Nausicaa bade yoke 
 the mules, and said to Ulysses 
 
 " Follow thou with the maidens, and I will 
 lead the way in the waggon. For I would not 
 that the people should speak lightly of me. 
 And I doubt not that were thou with me some 
 one of the baser sort would say, ' Who is this 
 stranger, tall and fair, that cometh with
 
 250 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Nausicaa ? Will he be her husband ? Per- 
 chance it is some god who has come down at 
 her prayer, or a man from far away ; for of us 
 men of Phseacia she thinks scorn.' It would be 
 shame that such words should be spoken. And 
 indeed it is ill-done of a maiden who, father 
 and mother unknowing, companies with men. 
 Do thou, then, follow behind, and when we are 
 come to the city, tarry in a poplar grove that 
 thou shalt see ('tis the grove of Athene) till I 
 shall have come to my father's house. Then 
 follow ; and for the house, that any one, even a 
 child, can show thee, for the other Phseacians 
 dwell not in such. And when thou art come 
 within the doors, pass quickly throu ghthe hall 
 to where my mother sits. Close to the hearth 
 is her seat, and my father's hard by, where he 
 sits with the wine cup in his hand, as a god. 
 Pass him by and lay hold of her knees, and 
 pray her that she give thee safe return to thy 
 country." 
 
 It was evening when they came to the city. 
 And Nausicaa drove the waggon to the palace. 
 Then her brothers came out to her, and loosed 
 the mules and carried in the clothing. Then
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCJNOUS. 251 
 
 she went to her chamber, where Eurymedusa, 
 who was her nurse, lighted a fire and prepared 
 a meal. Meanwhile Ulysses came from the 
 grove, and lest any one should see him, Athen6 
 spread a mist about him, and when he had now 
 reached the city, she took the shape of a young 
 maiden carrying a pitcher, and met him. 
 
 Then Ulysses asked her, " My child, canst 
 thou tell me where dwells Alcinoiis ? for I am 
 a stranger in this place." 
 
 And she answered, " I will show thee, for 
 indeed he dwells nigh to my own father. But 
 be thou silent, for we Phseacians love not 
 strangers over much." Then she led him to 
 the palace. A wondrous place it was, with 
 walls of brass and doors of gold, hanging on 
 posts of silver ; and on either side of the door 
 were dogs of gold and silver, the work of 
 Hephaestus, and against the wall, all along 
 from the threshold to the inner chamber, were 
 set seats, on which sat the chiefs of the 
 Phseacians, feasting; and youths wrought in 
 gold stood holding torches in their hands, to 
 give light in the darkness. Fifty women were 
 in the house grinding corn and weaving robes,
 
 2 5 2 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 for the women of the land are no less skilled to 
 weave than are the men to sail the sea. And 
 round about the house were gardens beautiful 
 exceedingly, with orchards of fig, and apple, 
 and pear, and pomegranate, and olive. Drought 
 hurts them not, nor frost, and harvest comes 
 after harvest without ceasing. Also there was a 
 vineyard ; and some of the grapes were parching 
 in the sun, and some were being gathered, and 
 some again were but just turning red. And 
 there were beds of all manner of flowers ; and 
 in the midst of all were two fountains which 
 never failed. 
 
 These things Ulysses regarded for a space, 
 and then passed into the hall. And there the 
 chiefs of Phseacia were drinking their last cup 
 to Hermes. Quickly he passed through them, 
 and put his hands on the knees of Arete and 
 said and as he spake the mist cleared from 
 about him, and all that were in the hall beheld 
 him 
 
 " I am a suppliant to thee, and to thy 
 husband, and to thy guests. The gods bless thee 
 and them, and grant you to live in peace, and 
 that your children should come peacefully after
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS. 253 
 
 you. Only, do you send me home to my native 
 country." 
 
 And he sat down in the ashes of the hearth. 
 Then for a space all were silent, but at the last 
 spake Echeneiis, who was the oldest man in the 
 land 
 
 " King Alcinoiis, this ill becomes you that 
 this man should sit in the ashes of the hearth. 
 Raise him and bid him sit upon a seat, and let 
 us pour out to Father Zeus, who is the friend of 
 suppliants, and let the keeper of the house 
 give him meat and drink." 
 
 And Alcinoiis did so, bidding his eldest born, 
 Laodamas, rise from his seat. And an attendant 
 poured water on his hands, and the keeper of 
 the house gave him meat and drink. Then, 
 when all had poured out to Father Zeus, King 
 Alcinotis said that they would take counsel on 
 the morrow about sending this stranger to his 
 home. And they answered that it should be so, 
 and went each to his home. Only Ulysses was 
 left in the hall, and Alcinous and Arete with 
 him. And Arete saw his cloak and tunic, that 
 she and her maidens had made them, and 
 said
 
 254 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 " Whence art thou, stranger ? and who gave 
 thee these garments ? " 
 
 So Ulysses told her how he had come from 
 the island of Calypso, and what he had suffered, 
 and how Nausicaa had found him on the shore, 
 and had guided him to the city. 
 
 But Alcinolis blamed the maiden that she 
 had not herself brought him to the house. 
 " For thou wast her suppliant," he said. 
 
 " Nay," said Ulysses ; " she would have 
 brought me, but I would not, fearing thy 
 wrath." For he would not have the maiden 
 blamed. 
 
 Then said AlcinoUs, " I am not one to be 
 angered for such cause. Gladly would I have 
 such a one as thou art to be my son-in-law, and 
 I would give him house and wealth. But no 
 one would I stay against his will. And as for 
 sending thee to thy home, that is easy ; for 
 thou shalt sleep, and they shall take thee mean- 
 while." 
 
 And after this they slept. And the next day 
 the king called the chiefs to an assembly, and 
 told them of his purpose, that he would send 
 this stranger to his home, for that it was their
 
 NAUSICAA AND A LCI NOUS. 
 
 wont to show such kindness to such as needed 
 it. And he bade fifty and two of the younger 
 men make ready a ship, and that the elders 
 should come to his house, and bring Demo- 
 docus, the minstrel, with them, for that he was 
 minded to make a great feast for this stranger 
 before he departed. So the youths made ready 
 the ship. And afterwards there were gathered 
 together a great multitude,- so that the palace 
 was filled from the one end to the other. And 
 Alcinotis slew for them twelve sheep and eight 
 swine and two oxen. And when they had 
 feasted to the full, the minstrel sang to them of 
 how Achilles and Ulysses had striven together 
 with fierce words at a feast, and how King Aga- 
 memnon was glad, seeing that so the prophecy of 
 Apollo was fulfilled, saying that when valour 
 and counsel should fall out, the end of Troy 
 should come. But when Ulysses heard the 
 song, he wept, holding his mantle before his face. 
 This Alcinotis perceived, and said to the 
 chiefs, " Now that we have feasted and delighted 
 ourselves with song, let us go forth, that this 
 stranger may see that we are skilful in boxing 
 and wrestling and running."
 
 256 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 So they went forth, a herald leading Demo- 
 docus by the hand, for the minstrel was blind. 
 Then stood up many Phaeacian youths, and the 
 fairest and strongest of them all was Laodamas, 
 eldest son to the king, and after him Euryalus. 
 And next they ran a race, and Clytoneus was 
 the swiftest. And among the wrestlers Eury- 
 alus was the best, and of the boxers, Laodamas. 
 And in throwing the quoit Elatrius excelled, 
 and in leaping at the bar, Amphialus. 
 
 Then Laodamas, Euryalus urging him, said 
 to Ulysses, " Father, wilt thou not try thy skill 
 in some game, and put away the trouble from 
 thy heart ?" 
 
 But Ulysses answered, "Why askest thou 
 this ? I think of my troubles rather than of sport, 
 and sit among you, caring only that I may see 
 again my home." 
 
 Then said Euryalus, "And in very truth, 
 stranger, thou hast not the look of a wrestler or 
 boxer. Rather would one judge thee to be some 
 trader, who sails over the sea for gain." 
 
 " Nay," answered Ulysses, " this is ill said. 
 So true is it that the gods give not all gifts to 
 all men, beauty to one and sweet speech to
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOUS. 257 
 
 another. Fair of form art thou, no god could 
 better thee ; but thou speakest idle words. I 
 am not unskilled in these things, but stood 
 among the first in the old days ; but since have 
 I suffered much in battle and shipwreck. Yet 
 will I make trial oi my strength, for thy words 
 have angered me." 
 
 Whereupon he took a quoit, heavier far than 
 such as the Phceacians were wont to throw, 
 and sent it with a whirl. It hurtled through 
 the air, so that the brave Phaeacians crouched 
 to the ground in fear, and fell far beyond all 
 the rest. 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " Come now, I will con- 
 tend in wrestling or boxing, or even in the race, 
 with any man in Phaeacia, save Laodamas 
 only, for he is my friend. I can shoot with the 
 bow, and only Philoctetes could surpass me ; and 
 I can cast a spear as far as other men can shoot 
 an arrow. But as for the race, it may be that 
 some one might outrun me, for I have suffered 
 much on the sea." 
 
 But they all were silent, till the king stood 
 up and said, " Thou hast spoken well. But we 
 men of Phseacia are not mighty to wrestle or to 
 
 18
 
 258 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 box ; only we are swift of foot, and skilful to 
 sail upon the sea. And we love feasts, and 
 dances, and the harp, and gay clothing, and the 
 bath. In these things no man may surpass us." 
 
 Then the king bade Demodocus the minstrel 
 sing again. And when he had done so, the 
 king's two sons, Alius and Laodamas, danced 
 together ; and afterwards they played with the 
 ball, throwing it into the air, cloud high, and 
 catching it right skilfully. 
 
 And afterwards the king said, " Let us each 
 give this stranger a mantle and a tunic and a 
 talent of gold, and let Euryalus make his peace 
 with words and with a gift." 
 
 And they all (now there were twelve princes, 
 and Alcinotis the thirteenth) said that it should 
 be so; also Euryalus gave Ulysses a sword with 
 a hilt of silver and a scabbard of ivory. And 
 after this Ulysses went to the bath, and then 
 they all sat down to the feast. But as he went 
 to the hall, Nausicaa, fair as a goddess, met him 
 and said 
 
 " Hail, stranger ; thou wilt remember me in 
 thy native country, for thou owest me thanks 
 for thy life."
 
 NAUSICAA AND ALCINOVS. 259 
 
 And he answered, " Every day in my native 
 country will I remember thee, for indeed, fair 
 maiden, thou didst save my life." 
 
 And when they were set down to the feast, 
 Ulysses sent a portion of the chine which the 
 king had caused to be set before him to the 
 minstrel Demodocus, with a message that he 
 should sing to them of the horse of wood which 
 Epeius made, Athene helping him, and how 
 Ulysses brought it into Troy, full of men of 
 war who should destroy the city. 
 
 Then the minstrel sang how that some of the 
 Greeks sailed away, having set fire to their 
 tents, and some hid themselves in the horse 
 with Ulysses, and how the men of Troy sat 
 around, taking counsel what they should do with 
 it, and some judged that they should rip it open, 
 and some that they should throw it from the 
 hill-top, and others again that they should leave 
 it to be a peace-offering to the gods ; and how the 
 Greeks issued forth from their lurking-place 
 and spoiled the city, and how Ulysses and 
 Menelails went to the house of Dei'phobus. 
 
 So he sang, and Ulysses wept to hear the 
 tale. And when Alcinoiis perceived that he
 
 260 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 wept, he bade Demodocus cease from his song, 
 for that some that were there liked it not. 
 And to Ulysses he said that he should tell them 
 who was his father and his mother, and from 
 what land he came, and what was his name. 
 All these things Ulysses told them, and all that 
 he had done and suffered, down to the time when 
 the Princess Nausicaa found him on the river 
 shore. And when he had ended, King Alcinolis 
 bade that the princes should give Ulysses yet 
 other gifts ; and after that they went each man 
 to his house to sleep. 
 
 The next day King Alcinous put all the gifts 
 into the ship. And when the evening was come 
 Ulysses bade farewell to the king and to the 
 queen, and departed.
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD. 
 
 Now Ulysses slept while the ship was sailing to 
 Ithaca. And when it was come to the shore he 
 yet slept. Wherefore the men lifted him out, 
 and put him on the shore with all his goods 
 that the princes of the Phseacians had given 
 him, and so left him. After a while he awoke, 
 and knew not the land, for there was a great 
 mist about him, Athene having contrived that it 
 should be so, for good ends, as will be seen. 
 Very wroth was he with the men of Phaeacia, 
 thinking that they had cheated him ; nor did it 
 comfort him when he counted his goods to find 
 that of these he had lost nothing. 
 
 But as he walked by the sea, lamenting his 
 fate, Athen met him, having the shape of a 
 young shepherd, fair to look upon, such as are 
 the sons of kings ; and Ulysses, when he saw
 
 262 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 him, was glad, and asked him how men called 
 the country wherein he was. 
 
 And the false shepherd said, " Thou art 
 foolish, or, may be, hast come from very far, not 
 to know this country. Many men know it, both in 
 the east and in the west. Rocky it is, not fit for 
 horses, nor is it very broad ; but it is fertile land, 
 and full of wine ; nor does it want for rain, and 
 a good pasture it is for oxen and goats ; and men 
 call it Ithaca. Even in Troy, which is very far, 
 they say, from this land of Greece, men have 
 heard of Ithaca." 
 
 This Ulysses was right glad to hear. Yet he 
 was not minded to say who he was, but rather 
 to feign a tale. 
 
 So he said, " Yes, of a truth, I heard of this 
 Ithaca in Crete, from which I am newly come 
 with all this wealth, leaving also as much behind 
 for my children. For I slew Orsilochus, son of 
 Idomeneus the king, because he would have 
 taken from me my spoil. Wherefore I slew him, 
 lying in wait for him by the way. Then made 
 I covenant with certain Phoenicians that they 
 should take me to Pylos or to Elis ; which thing 
 indeed they were minded to do, only the wind
 
 ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD. 263 
 
 drave them hither, and while I slept they put 
 me upon the shore, and my possessions with me, 
 and departed to Sidon." 
 
 This pleased Athene much, and she changed 
 her shape, becoming like a woman, tall and fair, 
 and said to Ulysses 
 
 " Right cunning would he be who could cheat 
 thee. Even now in thy native country ceasest 
 thou not from cunning words and deceits ! But 
 let these things be; for thou, I trow, art the wisest 
 of mortal men, and I excel among the gods in 
 counsel. For I am Athene^ daughter of Zeus, 
 who am ever wont to stand by thee and help 
 thee. And now we will hide these possessions 
 of thine ; and thou must be silent, nor tell to 
 any one who thou art, and endure many things, 
 so that thou mayest come to thine own again." 
 
 But still Ulysses doubted, and would have the 
 goddess tell him whether of a truth he had come 
 back to his native land. And she, commending 
 his prudence, scattered the mist that was about 
 him. 
 
 Then Ulysses knew the land, and kissed the 
 ground, and prayed to the Nymphs that they 
 would be favourable to him. And after this,
 
 264 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 Athene guiding him, he hid away his possessions 
 in a cave, and put a great stone on the mouth. 
 Then the two took counsel together. 
 
 And Athene said, " Think, man of many 
 devices, how thou wilt lay hands on thess men, 
 suitors of thy wife, who for three years have sat 
 in thy house devouring thy substance. And she 
 hath answered them craftily, making many pro- 
 mises, but still waiting for thy coming." 
 
 Then Ulysses said, " Truly I had perished, 
 even as Agamemnon perished, but for thee. 
 But do thou help me, as of old in Troy, for with 
 thee at my side I would fight with three hundred 
 men." 
 
 Then said Athene", " Lo ! I will cause that no 
 man shall know thee, for I will wither the fair 
 flesh on thy limbs, and take the bright hair from 
 thy head, and make thine eyes dull. And the 
 suitors shall take no account of thee, neither 
 shall thy wife nor thy son know thee. But go 
 to the swineherd Eumseus, where he dwells by the 
 fountain of Arethusa, for he is faithful to thee 
 and to thy house. And I will hasten to Sparta, 
 to the house of Menelaus, to fetch Telemachus,. 
 for he went thither, seeking news of thee."
 
 ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD. 265 
 
 Then Athene changed him into the shape of 
 a beggar-man. She caused his skin to wither, 
 and his hair to fall off, and his eyes to grow dim, 
 and put on him filthy rags, with a great stag's 
 hide about his shoulders, and in his hand a staff, 
 and a wallet on his shoulder, fastened by a rope. 
 
 Then she departed, and Ulysses went to the 
 house of Eumseus, the swineherd. A great court- 
 yard there was, and twelve sties for the sows, and 
 four watchdogs, big as wild beasts, for such did 
 the swineherd breed. He himself was shaping 
 sandals, and of his men three were with the swine 
 in the fields, and one was driving a fat beast to 
 the city, to be meat for the suitors. But when 
 Ulysses came near, the dogs ran upon him, and 
 he dropped his staff and sat down, and yet would 
 have suffered harm, even on his own threshold; 
 but the swineherd ran forth and drave away 
 the dogs, and brought the old man in, and gave 
 him a seat of brushwood, with a great goat-skin 
 over it. 
 
 And Ulysses said, " Zeus and the other gods 
 requite thee for this kindness." 
 
 Then the two talked of matters in Ithaca, and 
 Eumaeus told how the suitors of the queen were
 
 266 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 devouring the substance of Ulysses. Then the 
 false beggar asked him of the king, saying that 
 perchance, having travelled far, he might know 
 such an one. 
 
 But Eumseus said, " Nay, old man, thus do 
 all wayfarers talk, yet we hear no truth from 
 them. Not a vagabond fellow comes to this 
 island but our queen must see him, and ask 
 him many things, weeping the while. And 
 thou, I doubt not, for a cloak or a tunic, would 
 tell a wondrous tale. But Ulysses, I know, is 
 dead, and either the fowls of the air devour him 
 or the fishes of the sea." 
 
 And when the false beggar would have com- 
 forted him, saying he knew of a truth that 
 Ulysses would yet return, he hearkened not. 
 Moreover, he prophesied evil for Telemachus 
 also, who had gone to seek news of his father, 
 but would surely be slain by the suitors, who 
 were even now lying in wait for him as he should 
 return. And after this he asked the stranger 
 who he was and whence he had come. Then 
 Ulysses answered him craftily 
 
 " I am a Cretan, the son of one Castor, by a 
 slave woman. Now my father, while he lived, did
 
 ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD. 267 
 
 by me as by his other sons. But when he died 
 they divided his goods, and gave me but a 
 small portion, and took my dwelling from me. 
 Yet I won a rich wife for myself, for I was 
 brave and of good repute. No man would 
 sooner go to battle or to ambush than I, and 
 I loved ships and spears and arrows, which 
 some men hate, I trow. Nine times did I lead 
 my followers in ships against strangers, and 
 the tenth time I went with King Idomeneus 
 to Troy. And when the city of Priam had 
 perished, I went back to my native country, and 
 there for the space of one month I tarried with 
 my wife, and afterwards I sailed with nine ships 
 to Egypt. On the fifth day for the gods gave 
 us a prosperous voyage we came to the river 
 of Egypt. There did my comrades work much 
 wrong to the people of the land, spoiling their 
 fields, and leading into captivity their wives and 
 children ; nor would they hearken to me when I 
 would have stayed them. Then the Egyptians 
 gathered an army, and came upon them, and 
 slew some and took others. And I, throwing 
 down helmet and spear and shield, hasted to 
 the king of the land where he sat in his chariot,
 
 268 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and prayed that he would have mercy on me, 
 which thing he did. And with him I dwelt for 
 seven years, gathering much wealth. But in 
 the eighth year there came a trader of Phoenicia, 
 who beguiled me, that I went with him to his 
 country. And there I tarried for a year; and 
 afterwards he carried me in his ship to Libya, 
 meaning to sell me as a slave, but Zeus brake 
 the ship, so that I only was left alive. Nine 
 days did I float, keeping hold of the mast, and 
 on the tenth a wave cast me on the land of 
 Thresprotia, where King Pheidon kindly en- 
 treated me, giving me food and raiment. There 
 did I hear tell of Ulysses ; yea, and saw the 
 riches which he had gathered together, which 
 King Pheidon was keeping till he himself should 
 come back from Dodona, from the oracle of Zeus. 
 Thence I sailed in a ship for Dulichium, pur- 
 posing to go to King Acastus, but the sailors 
 were minded to sell me for a slave. Therefore 
 they left me bound in the ship, but themselves 
 took their supper on the shore. But in the 
 meanwhile I brake my bonds, the gods helping 
 me, and leaping into the sea, swam to the land, 
 and hid myself in a wood that was near."
 
 ULYSSES AND THE SWINEHERD. 269 
 
 All this tale did Ulysses tell ; but Eumaeus 
 doubted whether these things were so, thinking 
 rather that the beggar-man said these things to 
 please him. After this they talked much, and 
 when the swineherd's men were returned they 
 all teasted together. And the night being cold, 
 and there being much rain, Ulysses was minded 
 to see whether one would lend him a cloak ; 
 wherefore he told this tale 
 
 " Once upon a time there was laid an ambush 
 near to the city of Troy. And Menelaiis and 
 Ulysses and I were the leaders of it. In the 
 reeds we sat, and the night was cold, and the 
 snow lay upon our shields. Now all the others 
 had cloaks, but I had left mine behind at the 
 ships. So when the night was three parts 
 spent I spake to Ulysses, ' Here am I without 
 a cloak ; soon, methinks, shall I perish with the 
 cold.' Soon did he bethink him of a remedy, for 
 he was ever ready with counsel. Therefore to 
 me he said, ' Hush, lest some one hear thee,' 
 and to the others, ' I have been warned in a 
 dream. We are very far from the ships, and in 
 peril. Wherefore let some one run to the 
 ships to King Agamemnon, that he send more
 
 270 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 men to help.' Then Thoas, son of Andrsemon, 
 rose up and ran, casting off his cloak, and this 
 I took, and slept warmly therein. Were I this 
 night such as then I was, I should not lack 
 such kindness even now." 
 
 Then said Eumseus, "This is well spoken, old 
 man. Thou shalt have a cloak to cover thee. 
 But in the morning thou must put on thy own 
 rags again. Yet perchance, when the son of 
 Ulysses shall come, he will give thee new 
 garments." 
 
 After this they slept, but Eumseus tarried 
 without, keeping watch over the swine.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS. 
 
 Now all this time Telemachus tarried in Sparta 
 with King Menelaiis. To him went Athene, and 
 warned him that he should return to his home, 
 for that the suitors were devouring his sub- 
 stance, and that Penelope, his mother, was much 
 pressed by her father and her brothers to marry 
 Eurymachus, who indeed of all the suitors 
 promised the largest. Also she warned him 
 that the suitors had laid an ambush to slay him 
 in the strait between Samos and Ithaca, and that 
 he should keep clear of the island ; and as soon 
 as ever he came near to Ithaca he should land 
 and go to the swineherd Eumseus, and send 
 him to his mother, with tidings of his being 
 safely arrived. 
 
 Then Telemachus woke Pisistratus, and 
 would have departed forthwith, only Pisistratus
 
 272 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 urged him that he should stay till the morning. 
 So when the morning was come he would take 
 leave of Menelaiis and Helen. 
 
 And first Menelaiis said that he would go 
 with him through all the land of Greece, whither- 
 soever he would ; but seeing that his heart was 
 steadfastly set to return to his home, he gave 
 him gifts that he might take with him, and 
 Helen also gave him a gift, the fairest robe 
 that she had. 
 
 Then they departed; and that night they 
 came to Pherae, and lodged with Diocles, the 
 son of Orsilochus, and the next night to Pylos, 
 where old Nestor dwelt. And the next day, 
 while they were doing sacrifice to Athene, 
 behold ! there came one Theoclymenus, a seer, 
 who dwelt in Argos, and there had slain a man, 
 wherefore he had fled; and now, seeing Tele- 
 machus, and hearing who he was, he prayed 
 that he would receive him into his ship. Which 
 thing Telemachus was willing to do. So the 
 two departed together. And when they were 
 come to Ithaca, Telemachus bade the men take 
 the ship to the city, saying that he was minded 
 to see his farms, but that in the evening he
 
 THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS. 273 
 
 would come to the city, and would feast them 
 with flesh and wine. And Theoclymenus he 
 bade join himself to Eurymachus, who, he said, 
 was the best of those that were suitors to his 
 mother. And as he spake there appeared a 
 hawk on his right hand, and it struck a dove, 
 even between him and the ship. 
 
 Then the seer called him aside and said, 
 "This is a sign from the gods. There is no 
 house in Ithaca more to be feared than thine." 
 
 Then Telemachus was glad, and commended 
 the seer to Piraeus, who was the most faithful 
 of his followers. After this the ship sailed to 
 the city, but Telemachus went to the dwelling 
 of the swineherd Eumaeus. And Ulysses 
 heard the steps of a man, and, as the dogs 
 barked not, said to Eumseus, " Lo! there comes 
 some comrade or friend, for the dogs bark 
 not." 
 
 And as he spake, Telemachus stood in the 
 doorway, and the swineherd let fall from his hand 
 the bowl in which he was mixing wine, and ran 
 to him and kissed his head and his eyes and his 
 hands. As a father kisses his only son coming 
 back to him from a far country after ten years, 
 
 IQ
 
 274 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 so did the swineherd kiss Telemachus. And 
 when Telemachus came in, the false beggar, 
 though indeed he was his father, rose, and 
 would have given place to him ; but Telemachus 
 suffered him not. And when they had eaten 
 and drunk, Telemachus asked of the swineherd 
 who this stranger might be. 
 
 Then the swineherd told him as he had heard, 
 and afterwards said, " I hand him to thee : he is 
 thy suppliant ; do as thou wilt." 
 
 But Telemachus answered, " Nay, Eumaeus. 
 For am I master in my house ? Do not the 
 suitors devour it ? And does not my mother 
 doubt whether she will abide with me, remem- 
 bering the great Ulysses, who was her husband, 
 or will follow some one of those who are suitors 
 to her ? I will give this stranger, indeed, food 
 and clothing and a sword, and will send him 
 whithersoever he will, but I would not that he 
 should go among the suitors, so haughty are 
 they and violent." 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " But why dost thou bear 
 with these men ? Do the people hate thee, that 
 thou canst not avenge thyself on them ? and 
 hast thou not kinsmen to help thee ? As for
 
 THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS. 275 
 
 me, I would rather die than see such shameful 
 things done in house of mine." 
 
 And Telemachus answered, " My people hate 
 me not ; but as for kinsmen, I have none, for 
 Acrisius had but one son, Laertes, and he again 
 but one, Ulysses, and Ulysses had none other 
 but me. Therefore do these men spoil my 
 substance without let, and, it may be, will take- 
 my life also. These things, however, the gods 
 will order. But do thou, Eumaeus, go to Pene- 
 lope, and tell her that I am returned, but let no 
 man know thereof, for there are that counsel 
 evil against me; but I will stay here mean- 
 while." 
 
 So Eumaeus departed. But when he had gone 
 Athen6 came, like a woman tall and fair ; but 
 Telemachus saw her not, for it is not given to 
 all to see the immortal gods ; but Ulysses saw 
 her, and the dogs saw her, and whimpered for 
 fear. She signed to Ulysses, and he went 
 forth, and she said 
 
 " Hide not the matter from thy son, but plan 
 with him how ye may slay the suitors, and lo ! 
 I am with you." 
 
 Then she made his garments white and fair
 
 276 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and his body lusty and strong, and his face 
 swarthy, and his cheeks full, and his beard black. 
 And when he was returned to the house, Tele- 
 machus marvelled to see him, and said 
 
 " Thou art not what thou wast. Surely thou 
 art some god from heaven." 
 
 But Ulysses made reply, "No god am I, only 
 thy father, whom thou hast so desired to see." 
 
 And when Telemachus yet doubted, Ulysses 
 told him how that Athene had so changed him. 
 Then Telemachus threw his arms about him, 
 weeping, and both wept together for a while. 
 And afterwards Telemachus asked him of his 
 coming back. And Ulysses, when he had told 
 him of this, asked him how many were the 
 suitors, and whether they two could fight with 
 them alone. 
 
 Then said Telemachus, " Thou art, I know, a 
 great warrior, my father, and a wise, but this thing 
 we cannot do; for these men are not ten, no, nor 
 twice ten, but from Dulichium come fifty and 
 two, and from Samos four and twenty, and from 
 Zacynthus twenty, and from Ithaca twelve ; and 
 they have Medon the herald, and a minstrel also, 
 and attendants."
 
 THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS. 277 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " Go them home in the 
 morning and mingle with the suitors, and I will 
 come as an old beggar ; and if they entreat me 
 shamefully, endure to see it, yea, if they drag 
 me to the door. Only, if thcu wilt, speak to 
 them prudent words ; but they will not heed 
 thee, for indeed their doom is near. Heed this 
 also : when I give thee the token, take all the 
 arms from the dwelling and hide them in thy 
 chamber. And when they shall ask thee why 
 thou doest thus, say that thou takest them out of 
 the smoke, for that they are not such as Ulysses 
 left behind him when he went to Troy, but that 
 the smoke has soiled them. Say, also, that haply 
 they might stir up strife sitting at their cups, 
 and that it is not well that arms should be at 
 hand, for that the very steel draws on a man to 
 fight. But keep two swords and two spears 
 and two shields these shall be for thee and me. 
 Only let no one know of my coming back not 
 Laertes, nor the swineherd, no, nor Penelope 
 herself." 
 
 But after a while the swineherd came back 
 from the city, having carried his tidings to the 
 queen. And this she also had heard from the
 
 278 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 sailors of the ships. Also the ship of the suitors 
 which they had sent to lie in wait for the young 
 man was returned. And the suitors were in 
 great wrath and fear, because their purpose had 
 failed, and also because Penelope the queen 1 
 knew what they had been minded to do, and 
 hated them because of it
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE next day Telemachus went to the city. 
 But before he went he said to Eumaeus that he 
 should bring the beggar-man to the city, for 
 that it was better to beg in the city than in the 
 country. And the false beggar also said that he 
 wished this. And Telemachus, when he was 
 arrived, went to the palace and greeted the 
 nurse Euryclea and his mother Penelope, who 
 was right glad to see him, but to whom he 
 told nought of what had happened. And after 
 this he went to Piraeus, and bade him keep 
 the gifts which King Menelatis had given him 
 till he should be in peace in his own house, and 
 if things should fall out otherwise, that he should 
 keep them for himself. And then he went to 
 fetch the seer Theoclymenus, that he might 
 bring him to the palace. And the seer, when
 
 28o STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 he was come thither, prophesied good concern- 
 ing Ulysses, how that he would certainly return 
 and take vengeance for all the wrong that had 
 been done to him. 
 
 Now in the meanwhile Eumaeus and the false 
 beggar were coming to the city. And when 
 they were now near to it, by the fountain which 
 Ithacus and his brethren had made, where was 
 also an altar of the Nymphs, Melanthius the 
 goatherd met them, and spake evil to Eumseus, 
 rebuking him that he brought this beggar to 
 the city. And he came near and smote Ulysses 
 with his foot on the thigh, but moved him not 
 from the path. And Ulysses thought a while, 
 should he smite him with his club and slay him, 
 or dash him on the ground. But it seemed to 
 him better to endure. 
 
 But Eumaeus lifted up his hands and said, 
 "Oh, now may the Nymphs of the fountain 
 fulfil this hope, that Ulysses may come back 
 to his home, and tear from thee this finery of 
 thine, wherein thou comest to the city, leaving 
 thy flock for evil shepherds to devour ! " 
 
 So they went on to the palace. And at the 
 door of the court there lay the dog Argus, whom
 
 UL YSSES IN HIS HOME. 28 1 
 
 in the old days Ulysses had reared with his own 
 hand. But ere the dog grew to his full, 
 Ulysses had sailed to Troy. And, while he 
 was strong, men used him in the chase, 
 hunting wild goats and roe -deer and hares. 
 But now he lay on a dunghill, and the lice 
 swarmed upon him. Well he knew his master, 
 and, for that he could not come near to him, 
 wagged his tail and drooped his ears. 
 
 And Ulysses, when he saw him, wiped 
 away a tear, and said, " Surely this is strange, 
 Eumsus, that such a dog, being of so fine a 
 breed, should lie here upon a dunghill." 
 
 And Eumceus made reply, " He belongeth 
 to a master who died far away. For indeed, 
 when Ulysses had him of old, he was the 
 strongest and swiftest of dogs ; but now my 
 dear lord has perished far away, and the care- 
 less women tend him not. For when the 
 master is away the slaves are careless of their 
 duty. Surely a man, when he is made a slave, 
 loses half the virtue of a man." 
 
 And as he spake the dog Argus died. 
 Twenty years had he waited, and saw his 
 master at the last.
 
 282 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 After this the two entered the hall. And 
 Telemachus, when he saw them, took from the 
 basket bread and meat, as much as his hands 
 could hold, and bade carry them to the beggar, 
 and also to tell him that he might go round 
 among the suitors, asking alms. So he went, 
 stretching out his hand, as though he were wont 
 to beg ; and some gave, having compassion upon 
 him and marvelling at him, and some asked 
 who he was. But, of all, Antinolis was the 
 most shameless. For when Ulysses came to 
 him and told him how he had had much riches 
 and power in former days, and how he had gone 
 to Egypt, and had been sold a slave into Cyprus, 
 Antinoiis mocked him, saying 
 
 " Get thee from my table, or thou shalt find 
 a worse Egypt and a harder Cyprus than be- 
 fore." 
 
 Then Ulysses said, "Surely thy soul is evil 
 though thy body is fair ; for though thou sittest 
 at another man's feast, yet wilt thou give me 
 nothing." 
 
 But Antinoiis, in great wrath, took the stool 
 on which he sat and cast it at him, smiting his 
 right shoulder. But Ulysses stirred not, but
 
 ULYSSES IN HIS HOME. 
 
 stood as a rock. But in his heart he thought 
 on revenge. So he went and sat down at the 
 door. And being there, he said 
 
 " Hear me, suitors of the queen ! There is 
 no wrath if a man be smitten fighting for that 
 which is his own, but Antinoiis has smitten me 
 because that I am poor. May the curse of the 
 hungry light on him therefor, ere he come to 
 his marriage day." 
 
 Also the other suitors blamed him that he 
 had dealt so cruelly with this stranger. Also 
 the queen was wroth when she heard it, as she 
 sat in the upper chamber with her maidens 
 about her. 
 
 But as the day passed on there came a beg- 
 gar from the city, huge of bulk, mighty to eat 
 and drink, but his strength was not according 
 to his size. Arnseus was his name, but the 
 young men called him Irus, because he was 
 their messenger, after Iris, the messenger of 
 Zeus. He spake to Ulysses 
 
 " Give place, old man, lest I drag thee forth ; 
 the young men even now would have it so, but 
 I think it shame to strike such an one as thee." 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " There is room for thee
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 and for me ; get what thou canst, for I do not 
 grudge thee aught, but beware Jest thou anger 
 me, lest I harm thee, old though I am." 
 
 But Irus would not hear words of peace, but 
 still challenged him to fight. 
 
 And when Antinoiis saw this he was glad, 
 and said, " This is the goodliest sport that I 
 have seen in this house. These two beggars 
 would fight ; let us haste and match them." 
 
 And the saying pleased them ; and Antinoiis 
 spake again : " Hear me, ye suitors of the 
 queen ! We have put aside these paunches of 
 the goats for our supper. Let us agree then 
 that whosoever of these two shall prevail, shall 
 have choice of these, that which pleaseth him 
 best, and shall hereafter eat with us, and that 
 no one else shall sit in his place." 
 
 Then said Ulysses, " It is hard for an old 
 man to fight with a young. Yet will I do it. 
 Only do ye swear to me that no one shall strike 
 me a foul blow while I fight with this man." 
 
 Then Telemachus said that this should be so, 
 and they all consented to his words. And after 
 this Ulysses girded himself for the fight. And 
 all that were there saw his thighs, how great
 
 ULYSSES IN HIS HOME. 285 
 
 and strong they were, and his shoulders, how 
 broad, and his arms, how mighty. And they 
 said one to another, "There will be little of 
 Irus left, so stalwart seems this beggar-man." 
 But as for Irus himself, he would have slunk 
 out of sight, but they that were set to gird him 
 compelled him to come forth. 
 
 Then said the Prince Antinoiis, " How is 
 this, thou braggart, that thou fearest this old 
 man, all woe-begone as he is ? Hearken thou 
 to this. If this man prevails against thee, thou 
 shalt be cast into a ship and taken to the land 
 of King Echetus, who will cut off thy ears and 
 thy nose for his dogs to eat." 
 
 So the two came together. And Ulysses 
 thought whether he should strike the fellow 
 and slay him out of hand, or fell him to the 
 ground. And this last seemed the better of 
 the two. So when Irus had dealt his blow, he 
 smote him on the jaw, and brake in the bone, 
 so that he fell howling on the ground, and the 
 blood poured amain from his mouth. 
 
 Then all the suitors laughed aloud. But 
 Ulysses dragged him out of the hall, and 
 propped him by the wall of the courtyard,
 
 286 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 putting a staff in his hand, and saying, "Sit 
 there, and keep dogs and swine from the 
 door, but dare not hereafter to lord it over men, 
 lest some worse thing befall thee." 
 
 Then Antinolis gave him a great paunch, 
 and Amphinomus gave two loaves, and pledged 
 him in a cup, saying, " Good luck to thee, father, 
 hereafter, though now thou seemest to have 
 evil fortune." 
 
 And Ulysses made reply, " O Amphinomus, 
 thou hast much wisdom, methinks, and thy father, 
 I know, is wise. Take heed, therefore. There 
 is nought feebler upon earth than man. For in 
 the days of his prosperity he thinketh nothing 
 of trouble, but when the gods send evil to him, 
 there is no help in him. I also trusted once in 
 myself and my kinsmen, and now behold me 
 what I am ! Let no man, therefore, do violence 
 and wrong, for Zeus shall requite such deeds at 
 the last. And now these suitors of the queen are 
 working evil to him who is absent. Yet will he 
 return some day and slay his enemies. Fly 
 thou, therefore, while yet there is time, nor meet 
 him when he comes." 
 
 So he spake, with kindly thought.
 
 ULYSSES IN HIS HOME. 287 
 
 But his doom was on Amphinomus that he 
 should die. 
 
 And that evening, the suitors having departed 
 to their own dwellings, Ulysses and Telemachus 
 took the arms from the hall, as they had also 
 planned to do. And. while they did so Tele- 
 machus said, " See, my father, this marvellous 
 brightness that is on the pillars and the ceiling. 
 Surely some god is with us." 
 
 And Ulysses made reply, " I know it : be 
 silent. And now go to thy chamber and sleep, 
 and leave me here, for I have somewhat to say 
 to thy mother and her maidens." 
 
 And when the queen and her maidens came 
 into the hall (for it was their work to cleanse it 
 and make it ready for the morrow) Penelopd 
 asked him of his family and his country. And 
 at first he made as though he would not answer, 
 fearing, he said, lest he should trouble her with 
 the story of that which he had suffered. But 
 afterwards, for she urged him, telling him what 
 she herself had suffered, her husband being lost 
 and her suitors troubling her without ceasing, 
 he feigned a tale that should satisfy her. For 
 he told her how that he was a man of Crete, a
 
 288 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 brother of King Idomeneus, and how he had 
 given hospitality to Ulysses, what time he was 
 sailing to Troy with the sons of Atreus. 
 
 And when the queen, seeking to know whether 
 he spake the truth, asked him of Ulysses what 
 manner of man he was, .and with what clothing 
 he was clothed, he answered her rightly, saying, 
 *' I remember me that he had a mantle, twofold, 
 woollen, of sea-purple, clasped with a brooch of 
 gold, whereon was a dog that held a fawn by the 
 throat ; marvellously wrought they were, so hard 
 held the one, so strove the other to be free. 
 Also he had a tunic, white and smooth, which 
 the women much admired to see. But whether 
 some one had given him these things I know not, 
 for indeed many gave him gifts, and I also, even 
 a sword and a tunic. Also he had a herald with 
 him, one Eurybates, older than him, dark- 
 skinned, round in the shoulders, with curly 
 hair." 
 
 And Penelope, knowing these things to be 
 true, wept aloud, crying that she should see her 
 husband no more. " But the false beggar com- 
 forted her, saying that Ulysses was in the land 
 of the Thresprotians, having much wealth with
 
 ULYSSES IN HIS HOME. 289 
 
 him, only that he had lost his ships and his com- 
 rades, yet nevertheless would speedily return. 
 
 Then Penelope bade her servants make ready 
 a bed for the stranger of soft mats and blankets, 
 and also that one of them should bathe him. 
 But the mats and blankets he would not have, 
 saying that he would sleep as before ; and for 
 the bathing, he would only that some old woman, 
 wise and prudent, should do this. Wherefore 
 the queen bade Euryclea, the keeper of the 
 house, do this thing for him, for that he had been 
 the comrade of her lord, and indeed was mar- 
 vellously like to him in feet and hands. 
 
 And this the old woman was right willing to 
 
 o o 
 
 do, for love for her master, " for never," she said, 
 " of all strangers that had come to the land, had 
 come one so like to him." But when she had 
 prepared the bath for his feet, Ulysses sat by the 
 fire, but as far in the shadow as he might, lest the 
 old woman should see a great scar that was upon 
 his leg, and know him thereby. 
 
 Now the scar had chanced in this wise. He 
 had come to see his grandfather Autolycus. 
 who was the most cunning of men, claiming cer- 
 tain gifts which he had promised to him in the 
 
 20
 
 290 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 old days when, being then newly born, he was 
 set on his Grandfather's knees in the halls of 
 
 o 
 
 Laertes, and his grandfather had given him this 
 name. And on the day of his coming there was 
 a great feast, and on the day after a hunting on 
 Mount Parnassus. In this hunting, therefore, 
 Ulysses came in the heart of a wood upon a 
 place where lay a great wild boar, and the beast, 
 being stirred by the noise, rose up, and Ulysses 
 charged him with his spear, but before he could 
 slay the beast it ripped a great wound just above 
 the knee. And afterwards Ulysses slew it, and 
 the young men bound up the wound, singing 
 a charm to stanch the blood. 
 
 By this scar, then, the old nurse knew that 
 it was Ulysses himself, and said, " O Ulysses, 
 O my child, to think that I knew thee not ! " 
 
 And she looked towards the queen, as mean- 
 ing to tell the thing to her. But Ulysses laid 
 his hand on her throat, " Mother, wouldst thou 
 kill me ? I am returned after twenty years ; 
 and none must know till I shall be ready to 
 take vengeance." 
 
 And the old woman held her peace. And after 
 this Penelope talked with him again, telling
 
 ULYSSES IN HIS HOME. 291 
 
 him her dreams, how she had seen a flock of 
 geese in her palace, and how that an eagle had 
 slain them, and when she mourned for the 
 geese, lo ! a voice that said, " These geese are 
 thy suitors, and the eagle thy husband." 
 
 And Ulysses said that the dream was well. 
 And then she said that on the morrow she must 
 make her choice, for that she had promised to 
 bring forth the great bow that was Ulysses', and 
 whosoever should draw it most easily, and shoot 
 an arrow best at a mark, he should be her 
 husband. 
 
 And Ulysses made answer to her, " It is well, 
 lady. Put not off this trial of the bow, for 
 before one of them shall draw the string the 
 great Ulysses shall come and duly shoot at the 
 mark that shall be set." 
 
 After this Penelope slept, but 
 watched.
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 THE TRIAL OF THE BOW. 
 
 THE next clay many things cheered Ulysses for 
 that which he had to do ; for first Athene had 
 told him that she would stand at his side, and 
 next he heard the thunder of Zeus in a clear 
 sky, and last it chanced that a woman who sat 
 at the mill grinding corn, being sore weary of 
 her task, and hating the suitors, said, " Grant, 
 Father Zeus, that this be the last meal which 
 these men shall eat in the house of Ulysses ! " 
 
 And after a while the suitors came and sat 
 down, as was their wont, to the feast. And the 
 servants bare to Ulysses, as Telemachus had 
 bidden, a full share with the others. And when 
 Ctesippus, a prince of Samos, saw this (he was 
 a man heedless of right and of the gods), he 
 said, " I sit well that this fellow should fare even 
 as we ? Look now at the gift that I shall give
 
 THE TRIAL OF THE BOW. 293 
 
 him." Whereupon he took a bullock's foot out 
 of a basket wherein it lay, and cast it at Ulysses. 
 
 But he moved his head to the left and 
 shunned it, and it flew on, marking the wall. 
 And Telemachus cried in great wrath 
 
 "It is well for thee, Ctesippus, that thou 
 didst not strike this stranger. For surely, hadst 
 thou done this thing, my spear had pierced thee 
 through, and thy father had made good cheer, 
 not for thy marriage, but for thy burial." 
 
 Then said Agelatis, " This is well said. 
 Telemachus should not be wronged, no, nor 
 this stranger. But, on the other hand, he must 
 bid his mother choose out of the suitors whom 
 she will, and marry him, nor waste our time any 
 more." 
 
 And Telemachus said, " It is well. She shall 
 marry whom she will. But from my house I 
 will never send her against her will." 
 
 And the suitors laughed ; but their laughter 
 was not of mirth, and the flesh which they ate 
 dripped with blood, and their eyes were full of 
 tears. And the eyes of the seer Theoclymenus 
 were opened, and he cried 
 
 " What ails you, miserable ones ? For your
 
 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 heads and your faces and your knees are 
 covered with darkness, and the voice of groan- 
 ing comes from you, and your cheeks are wet 
 with tears. Also the walls and the pillars are 
 sprinkled with blood, and the porch and the 
 hall are full of shadows that move towards hell, 
 and the sun has perished from the heaven, and 
 an evil mist is over all." 
 
 But they laughed to hear him ; and Eury- 
 machus said, " This stranger is mad ; let UP 
 send him out of doors into the market-place, 
 for it seems that here it is dark." 
 
 Also they scoffed at Telemachus, but he 
 heeded them not, but sat waiting till his father 
 should give the sign. 
 
 After this Penelope went to fetch the great 
 bow of Ulysses, which Iphitus had given to 
 him. From the peg on which it hung she took 
 it with its sheath, and sitting down, she laid it 
 on her knees and wept over it, and after this 
 rose up and went to where the suitors sat feast- 
 ing in the hall. The bow she brought, and also 
 the quiver full of arrows, and standing by the 
 pillar of the dome, spake thus 
 
 " Ye suitors who devour this house, making
 
 THE TRIAL OF THE BOW. 295 
 
 pretence that ye wish to wed me, lo ! here is a 
 proof of your skill. Here is the bow of the 
 great Ulysses. Whoso shall bend it easiest 
 in his hands, and shoot an arrow most easily 
 through the helve-holes of the twelve axes that 
 Telemachus shall set up, him will I follow, 
 leaving this house, which I shall remember 
 only in my dreams." 
 
 Then she bade Eumaeus bear the bow and 
 the arrows to the suitors. And the good swine- 
 herd wept to see his master's bow, and Philae- 
 tius, the herdsman of the kine, wept also, for he 
 was a good man, and loved the house of Ulysses. 
 
 Then Telemachus planted in due order the 
 axes wherein were the helve-holes, and was 
 minded himself to draw the bow ; and indeed 
 would have done the thing, but Ulysses signed 
 to him that he should not. Wherefore he said, 
 " Methinks I am too weak and young; ye that 
 are elder should try the first." 
 
 Then first Leiodes, the priest, who alone 
 among the suitors hated their evil ways, made 
 trial of the bow. But he moved it not, but 
 wearied his hands with it, for they were tender, 
 and unwont to toil. And he said, "I cannot
 
 296 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 bend this bow; let some other try; but il 
 shall be grief and pain to many this day, I 
 trow." 
 
 And Antinoiis was wroth to hear such words, 
 and bade Melanthius bring- forth from the stores 
 a roll of fat, that they might anoint the string 
 and soften it withal. So they softened the string 
 with fat, but not for that the more could they bend 
 it, for they tried all of them in vain, till only 
 Antinotis and Eurymachus were left, who in- 
 deed were the bravest and the strongest of 
 them all. 
 
 Now the swineherd and the herdsman of the 
 kine had gone forth out of the yard, and Ulysses 
 came behind them and said, " What would ye 
 do if Ulysses were to come back to his home ? 
 Would ye fight for him, or for the suitors ? " 
 
 And both said that they would fight for him. 
 
 And Ulysses said, "It is even I who am 
 come back in the twentieth year, and ye, I 
 know, are glad at heart that I am come ; nor 
 know I of any one besides. And if ye will 
 help me as brave men to-day, wives shall ye 
 have, and possessions and houses near to mine 
 own. And ye shall be brothers and comrades
 
 THE TRIAL OF THE BOW. 297 
 
 to Telemachus, And for a sign, behold this 
 scar, which the wild boar made when I hunted 
 with Autolycus." 
 
 Then they wept for joy and kissed Ulysses, 
 and he also kissed them. And he said to 
 Eumacus that he should bring the bow to him 
 when the suitors had tried their fortune there- 
 with ; also that he should bid the women keep 
 within doors, nor stir out if they should hear 
 the noise of battle. And Philaetius he bade 
 lock the doors of the hall, % and fasten them with 
 a rope. 
 
 After this he came back to the hall, and 
 Eurymachus had the bow in his hands, and 
 sought to warm it at the fire. Then he essayed 
 to draw it, but could not. And he groaned 
 aloud, saying, " Woe is me ! not for loss of this 
 marriage only, for there are other women to be 
 wooed in Greece, but that we are so much 
 weaker than the great Ulysses. This is indeed 
 shame to tell." 
 
 Then said Antinoiis, " Not so ; to-day is a 
 holy day of the God of Archers ; therefore we 
 could not draw the bow. But to-morrow will 
 we try once more, after due sacrifice to Apollo."
 
 298 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 And this say-ing pleased them all; but Ulysses 
 said, " Let me try this bow, for I would fain 
 know whether I have such strength as I had in 
 former days." 
 
 At this all the suitors were wroth, and chiefly 
 Antinoiis, but Penelope said that it should be 
 so, and promised the man great gifts if he could 
 draw this bow. 
 
 But Telemachus spake thus, " Mother, the 
 bow is mine to give or to refuse. And no man 
 shall say me nay, if I will that this stranger 
 make trial of it. But do thou go to thy chamber 
 with thy maidens, and let men take thought for 
 these things." 
 
 And this he said, for that he would have her 
 depart from the hall forthwith, knowing what 
 should happen therein. But she marvelled to 
 hear him speak with such authority, and an- 
 swered not, but departed. And when Eumseus 
 would have carried the bow to Ulysses, the 
 suitors spake roughly to him, but Telemachus 
 constrained him to go. Therefore he took 
 the bow and gave it to his master. Then 
 went he to Euryclea, and bade her shut the door 
 of the women's chambers and keep them within,
 
 THE TRIAL OF THE BOW. 299 
 
 whatsoever they might hear. Also Philsetius 
 shut the doors of the hall, and fastened them 
 with a rope. 
 
 Then Ulysses handled the great bow, trying 
 it, whether it had taken any hurt, but the suitors 
 thought scorn of him. Then, when he had 
 found it to be without flaw, just as a minstrel 
 fastens a string upon his harp and strains it 
 to the pitch, so he strung the bow without toil ; 
 and holding the string in his right hand, he tried 
 its tone, and the tone was sweet as the voice of 
 a swallow. Then he took an arrow from the 
 quiver, and laid the notch upon the string and 
 drew it, sitting as he was, and the arrow passed 
 through every ring, and stood in the wall be- 
 yond. Then he said to Telemachus 
 
 " There is yet a feast to be held before the 
 sun go down." 
 
 And he nodded the sign to Telemachus. 
 And forthwith the young man stood by him, 
 armed with spear and helmet and shield.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE SLAYING OF THE SUITORS. 
 
 THEN spake he among the suitors, " This labour 
 has been accomplished. Let me try at yet 
 another mark." 
 
 And he aimed his arrow at Antinoiis. But 
 the man was just raising a cup to his lips, think- 
 ing not of death, for who had thought that 
 any man, though mightiest of mortals, would 
 venture on such a deed, being one among 
 many ? Right through the neck passed the 
 arrow-head, and the blood gushed from his 
 nostrils, and he dropped the cup and spurned 
 the table from him. 
 
 And all the suitors, when they saw him fall, 
 leapt from their seats ; but when they looked, 
 there was neither spear nor shield upon the 
 wall. And they knew not whether it was by 
 chance or of set purpose that the stranger had
 
 THE SLA YING OF THE SUITORS. 301 
 
 smitten him. But Ulysses then declared who 
 he was, saying 
 
 " Dogs, ye thought that I should never come 
 back. Therefore have ye devoured my house, 
 and made suit to my wife while I yet lived, and 
 feared not the gods nor regarded men. There- 
 fore a sudden destruction is come upon you 
 all." 
 
 Then, when all the others trembled for fear, 
 Eurymachus said, " If thou be indeed Ulysses 
 of Ithaca, thou hast said well. Foul wrong has 
 been done to thee in the house and in the field. 
 But lo ! he who was the mover of it all lies 
 here, even Antinoiis. Nor was it so much this 
 marriage that he sought, as to be king of this 
 land, having destroyed thy house. But we will 
 pay thee back for all that we have devoured, 
 even twenty times as much." 
 
 But Ulysses said, " Speak not of paying 
 back. My hands shall not cease from slaying 
 till I have taken vengeance on you all." 
 
 Then said Eurymachus to his comrades, 
 " This man will not stay his hands. He will 
 smite us all with his arrows where he stands. 
 But let us win the door, and raise a cry in the
 
 302 o TORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 city ; soon then will this archer have shot his 
 last." 
 
 And he rushed on, with his two-edged knife 
 in his hand. But as he rushed, Ulysses smote 
 him on the breast \vith an arrow, and he fell 
 forwards. And when Amphinomus came on, 
 Telemachus slew him with his spear, but drew 
 not the spear from the body, lest some one 
 should smite him unawares. 
 
 Then he ran to his father and said, " Shall I 
 fetch arms for us and our helpers ? " 
 
 " Yea," said he, " and tarry not, lest my 
 arrows be spent." 
 
 So he fetched from the armoury four 
 shields and four helmets and eight spears. And 
 he and the servants, Eumseus and Philsetius, 
 armed themselves. Also Ulysses, when his 
 arrows were spent, donned helmet and shield, 
 and took a mighty spear in each hand. But 
 Melanthius, the goatherd, crept up to the 
 armoury and brought down therefrom twelve 
 helmets and shields, and spears as many. And 
 when Ulysses saw that the suitors were arming 
 themselves, he feared greatly, and said to his 
 son
 
 THE SLA YING OF THE SUITORS. 303 
 
 " There is treachery here. It is one of the 
 women, or, it may be, Melanthius, the goat- 
 herd." 
 
 And Telemachus said, " This fault is mine, 
 my father, for I left the door of the chamber 
 unfastened." 
 
 And soon Eumseus spied Melanthius steal- 
 ing up to the chamber again, and followed him, 
 and Philstius with him. There they caught 
 him, even as he took a helmet in one hand and 
 a shield in the other, and bound his feet and 
 hands, and fastened him aloft by a rope to the 
 beams of the ceiling. 
 
 Then these two went back to the hall, and 
 there also came Athene, having the shape of 
 Mentor. Still, for she would yet further try 
 the courage of Ulysses and his son, she helped 
 them not as yet, but changing her shape, sat on 
 the roof-beam like unto a swallow. 
 
 And then cried Agelatis, " Friends, Mentor 
 is gone, and helps them not. Let us not cast 
 our spears at random, but let six come on 
 together, if perchance we may prevail against 
 them." 
 
 Then they cast their spears, but Athene
 
 304 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 turned them aside, one to the pillar and another 
 to the door and another to the wall. But 
 Ulysses and Telemachus and the two herds- 
 men slew each his man ; and yet again they did 
 so, and again. Only Amphimedon wounded 
 Telemachus, and Ctesippus grazed the shoulder 
 of Eumseus. But Telemachus struck down 
 Amphimedon, and the herdsman of the kine 
 slew Ctesippus, saying, " Take this, for the ox 
 foot which thou gavest to our guest." And all 
 the while Athene waved her flaming segis- 
 shield from above, and the suitors fell as birds 
 are scattered and torn by eagles. 
 
 Then Leiodes, the priest, made supplication 
 to Ulysses) saying, "I never wrought evil in this 
 house, and would have kept others from it, but 
 they would not. Nought have I done save 
 serve at the altar ; wherefore slay me not." 
 
 And Ulysses made reply, " That thou hast 
 served at the altar of these men is enough, and 
 also that thou wouldest wed my wife." 
 
 So he slew him ; but Phemius, the minstrel, 
 he spared, for he had sung among the suitors in 
 the hall, of compulsion, and not of good will; 
 and also Medon, the herald, bidding them go
 
 THE SLA YING OF THE SUITORS. 305 
 
 into the yard without. There they sat, holding 
 by the altar and looking fearfully every way, for 
 yet they feared that they should die. 
 
 So the slaughtering of the suitors was ended ; 
 and now Ulysses bade cleanse the hall and 
 wash the benches and the tables with water, 
 and purify them with sulphur. And when this 
 was done, that Euryclea, the nurse, should go to 
 Penelope and tell her that her husband was 
 indeed returned. So Euryclea went to her 
 chamber and found the queen newly woke 
 from slumber, and told her that her husband 
 was returned, and how that he had slain the 
 suitors, and how that she had known him by 
 the scar where the wild boar had wounded him. 
 
 And yet the queen doubted, and said, " Let 
 me go down and see my son, and these men 
 that are slain, and the man who slew them." 
 
 So she went, and sat in the twilight by the other 
 wall, and Ulysses sat by a pillar, with eyes cast 
 down, waiting till his wife should speak to him. 
 But she was sore perplexed ; for now she seemed 
 to know him, and now she knew him not, being 
 in such evil case, for he had not suffered that 
 the women should put new robes upon him. 
 
 21
 
 306 STORIES FROM HOMER. 
 
 And Telemachus said, "Mother, evil mother, 
 sittest thou apart from my father, and speakest 
 not to him ? Surely thy heart is harder than a 
 stone." 
 
 But Ulysses said, " Let be, Telemachus. 
 Thy mother will know that which is true in 
 good time. But now let us hide this slaughter 
 for a while, lest the friends of these men seek 
 vengeance against us. Wherefore let there be 
 music and dancing in the hall, so that men shall 
 say, 'This is the wedding of the queen, and 
 there is joy in the palace/ and know not of the 
 truth." 
 
 So the minstrel played and the women danced. 
 And meanwhile Ulysses went to the bath, and 
 clothed himself in bright apparel, and came 
 back to the hall, and Athene made him fair and 
 young to see. Then he sat him down as before, 
 over against his wife, and said 
 
 " Surely, O lady, the gods have made thee 
 harder of heart than all women besides. Would 
 other wife have kept away from her husband, 
 coming back now after twenty years ?" 
 
 And when she doubted yet, he spake again, 
 " Hear thou this, Penelope, and know that it is
 
 THE SLA YING OF THE SUITORS. 307 
 
 I myself, and not another. Dost thou remem- 
 ber how I built up the bed in our chamber? In 
 the court there grew an olive tree, stout as a 
 pillar, and round it I built a chamber of stone, 
 and spanned the chamber with a roof; and I 
 hung also a door, and then I cut off the leaves 
 of the olive, and planed the trunk, to be smooth 
 and round ; and the bed I inlaid with ivory and 
 silver and gold, and stretched upon it an ox- 
 hide that was ornamented with silver." 
 
 Then Penelop6 knew him that he was her 
 husband indeed, and ran to him, and threw her 
 arms about him and kissed him, saying, " Pardon 
 me, my lord, if I was slow to know thee; for 
 ever I feared, so many wiles have men, that 
 some one should deceive me, saying that he 
 was my husband. But now I know this, that 
 thou art he and not another." 
 
 And they wept over each other and kissed 
 each other. So did Ulysses come back to his 
 home after twenty years. 
 
 THE END.
 
 V 
 
 / .t 
 
 BY THE SAME AUTHOR. 
 
 STORIES FROM VIRGIL'. 
 
 WITH TWENTY ILLUSTRATIONS FROM DESIGNS BY PINELLT. 
 Crown 8vo., 55. Cloth. 
 
 UNWIN BROTHERS, PRINTERS, CHILWORTH AND LONDON.