Section 16 of the junior classics volume 3, Tales from Greece and Rome edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recording by Gillian Hendry. The Duel Between Hector and Ajax by Alfred J. Church. 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 ews which wait to be milked, and bleed hearing the voice of their lambs. So confused a cry went out from their army, for there were men of many tongues gathered there. And on either side the gods urged them on, but chiefly Minerva, the Greeks, and Mars, the sons of Troi. Then as two streams in flood meet in some chasm, so the armies dashed together, shield on shield, and spear on spear. Now when Minerva saw that the Greeks were perishing by the hand of Hector and his companions, it grieved her sore. So she came down from the heights of Olympus, if happily she might help them. And Apollo met her and said, art thou come, Minerva, to help the Greeks whom thou lovest? Well, let us stay the battle for this day. Hereafter they shall fight till the doom of Troi be accomplished. But Minerva 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 too put the matter into the mind of Hellenus this year. Then Hellenus went near to Hector. Listen to me, for I am thy brother. Cause the rest of the sons of Troi and of the Greeks 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 Troi. And King Agamemnon did likewise with his own people. Then Hector spake, hear me, sons of Troi and ye men of Greece, the covenant that we made one with another hath been broken, for Jupiter would have it so, proposing 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 Hell's Pond. And so men of after-days shall see it sailing by and say, this is the tomb of the bravest of the Greeks, whom Hector slew. So shall my name live forever. But all the Greeks kept silence, fearing to meet him in battle, but shamed to hold back. Then at last Menelaus 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, No, but this is folly, my brother. Seek not in thy anger to fight with one that is stronger than now, for as for this Hector, even Achilles was loath to meet him. Sit thou down among thy comrades, and the Greeks will find some champion who shall fight with him. And Menelaus harkened to his brother's words, and sat down. Then Nestor rose in the midst and spake. Oh, is me today for Greece. How would the old pilius grieve to hear such a tale? Well, I remember how he rejoiced when I told him of the house and lineage of all chieftains of the Greeks. And now he would hear that they cower before Hector, and are so 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 Pilius fought with the Arcadians. I, who was the youngest of all stood forth, and whenever gave me glory that day, for I slew their leader, though he was the strongest and tallest among the sons of men. Would that I were such today, right soon would I meet this mighty Hector. Then rose up nine chiefs of fame. First of all, King Agamemnon, Lord of many nations, and next to him, Diomed, and Ajax the greater and Ajax the less, and then Edomeneus, and Merionis, and Eurypilus, and Thoas, son of Andrimon, 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 I shall prevail over the mighty Hector. But come, let me don my arms, and pray ye to Jupiter, but silently, lest the Trojans hear. Or aloud, if you will, for no fear have we. Not by force or craft shall anyone vanquish me, for not such are the men whom Salamis breeds. So he armed himself and moved forward, smiling with grim face. With mighty strides he came, brandishing his long shafted spear. 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 Ticcius, best of craftsmen, had made for him. Seven folds of bulls hide it had, and an eighth of bronze. Threateningly he spake. Now shout thou no, 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 Agamemnon, do thou then begin the battle? Speak not to me, Jupiter descended Ajax, said 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 foal by stealth, but openly. As he spake, he hurled his long shafted spear, and smoked 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 coarselyt, 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 blood welled out. Yet did not Hector cease from the combat. He caught up a great stone from the ground, and hurled it at the boss of the seven-fold shield. Loud rang the bronze, but the shield broke not. Then Ajax took a stone heavier by far, and threw it with all his might. It broke 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 earlier they could join in close battle. The heralds came and held their sceptres between them. And Ideas, the herald of Troy, speak. Thou know more, my sons! Jupiter loves you both, and you 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, Ideas, 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, Oh 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 or thee. And now let us give gifts, the one to the other, so that Trojans and Greeks may say, Hector and Ajax met in fierce bite and parted in friendship. So Hector gave to Ajax a silver-studied 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 Agamemnon, whereupon the king called the chiefs to banquet together, and bad slay an ox of five years old, and Ajax he honoured most of all. When the feast was ended, Nestor said, It were well that we should cease a while 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 wide gates 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, 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 Diamond spoke, 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 their off, some with bronze and some with iron and some with shields of oxhide. All night they feasted right joyously. The sons of Troy also feasted in their city. But the dreadful thunder rolled through the night for Jupiter was counselling evil against them. End of section 16. Section 17 of the junior classics, volume three, Tales from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton 1868 to 1936. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Gillian Henry. The Deeds and Death of Patroclus by Alfred J. Church. Patroclus stood by Achilles weeping bitterly. Then said Achilles, what feels the 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. Has thou heard evil news from Thea? Minetius lives there, they say, and Pilius. 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 cherishesst thy wrath. If thou ghost not to the battle, fearing some warning from the gods, let me go, and thy mermidons with me, and let me put thy armour on me, so shall the Greeks have breathing space from the war. So he spake in treating, 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 mayst put my armour upon thee, and lead my mermidons 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 there for 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 me, and go not near, in the delight of battle, 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 last Hector came near, and smote his spear with a great sword, so that the head fell off. Then was Ajax so afraid, and gave way, and the men of Troy set torches to the ship's stern, 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 from the ships. Put thou on the armour, and I will call my people to the war. So Patroclus put on the armour, coarselet, and shield, and helmet, and bound upon his shoulder the silver-studied sword, and took a mighty spear in his hand. But the great pelion spear he took not, for that no man but Achilles might wield. Then automadon yoked the horses to the chariot, Beard, and Piebold, and with them in the side harness, Bedassus, and they too were deathless states, but he was mortal. Meanwhile Achilles had called the murmudons 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 Pissender. Then Achilles said, Forget not ye murmudons, the bold words that she 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 you have that which you desired. So the murmudons 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 Potroclus, and automadon 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 Jupiter. This first he cleansed with sulphur, and then with water from the spring. And after this he washed his hands, and stood in the midst of the space before his tent, and poured out of it to Jupiter, saying, Oh Jupiter, 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 Jupiter heard him, and part he granted, and part denied. But now Potroclus with the murmudons had come to where the battle was raging about the ship of Prothesolus, and when the men of Troy beheld him, they thought that Achilles had forgotten his wrath, and was come forth to the war. And first Potroclus slew Perechmes, who was the chief of the Peonians, who live on the banks of the broad Axios. 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 worthy and strong. And the heart of Potroclus was set to slay Hector, but he could not overtake him, so swift were his horses. Then did Potroclus turn his chariot, and keep back those that fled, that they should not go to the city, and rushed hither and thither, still slaying as he went. Then did Potroclus 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 Potroclus, it is not for thee to take the city of Troy, no, nor for Achilles, who is far better than thou art. So Potroclus went back, fearing the wrath of the archer god. Then Apollo stirred up the spirit of Hector, that he should go against Potroclus. Therefore he went with his brother Sebreonis, for driver of his chariot. But when they came near, Potroclus cast a great stone which he had in his hand, and smote Sebreonis on the forehead, crushing it in, so that he fell headlong from the chariot, and Potroclus mocked him, saying, How nimble is this man! How lightly he dives! What spoil he would take of oysters, diving from a ship, even in a starry sea? Who would have thought that there were such skillful divers in Troy? Then again the battle waxed hot about the body of Sebreonis, and this too at the last the Greeks drew unto themselves, and spoiled it off the arms. And, this being accomplished, Potroclus rushed against the men of Troy. Thrice he rushed, and each time he slew nine chiefs of fame. But the fourth time Apollo stood before 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 break the spear in his hand, and struck the shield from his arms, and loosed his corset. All amazed he stood. And then Euphorbus, son of Panthos, smote him on the back with his spear, but slew him not. Then Potroclus sought to flee to the ranks of his comrades, but Hector saw him, and thrust at him with his spear, smiting him in the 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, Did thou think to spoil our city, Potroclus, 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 healthy at all. Achilles, who bad thee, I try, strip the tunic from my breast, and thou thoughtest in thy folly to do it. But Potroclus 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 Potroclus was dead already. Why dost thou prophesy death to me? Maybe the great Achilles himself shall fall by my hand. Then he drew his spear from the wound, and went after Automadan to slay him. But the swift horses of Achilles carried him away. Fear was the fight about the body of Potroclus, 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, Menelaus slew him with his spear. He slew him, but took not his arms, for Hector came through the battle. Nor did Menelaus dare to abide his coming, but went back into the ranks of his own people. Then did Hector strip off the arms of Potroclus, the arms which the great Achilles had given him to wear. He laid hold of the body, and would have dragged it into the host of the Trojans. But Ajax Telemon 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 over its eyes its shaggy brows. And all the while the battle raged about the dead Potroclus. At last Ajax said to Menelaus, now these two had born themselves more bravely in the fight than all others. See if thou canst find Antillechus, Nestor's son, that he may carry the tidings to Achilles, how that Potroclus is dead. So Menelaus went and found Antillechus on the left of the battle, and said to him, I have ill news for thee, thou seest that the men of Troy have the victory today, and also Potroclus lies dead. Run therefore to Achilles, and tell him, if happily he may save the body, but as for the arms, Hector has them already.  Yet did he give heed to the words of Menelaus, and ran to tell Achilles of what had chanced. Antillechus came near to Achilles, who indeed, seeing that the Greeks fled and the men of Troy pursued, was already so afraid.  The Greeks fight for his body, but Hector has his arms. Then Achilles took off the dust of the plain in his hands, and poured it on his head, and laid his length upon the ground, and tore his hair. And all the women wailed, and Antillechus 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 Jupiter promised thee for me he hath fulfilled, but what profit have I? For lo, my friend Potroclus 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. End of section 17. Section 18 Of the junior classics, volume 3, Tales from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Jillian Hendry. The Death of Hector by Alfred J. Church Primes stood on a tower of the wall and saw the people flying before the attacks of Achilles, so he hastened down to the gates and said to the keepers, Keep the wicked gates open, that the people may enter in. So the keepers held the gates open and the people hastened in, weighed with toil and thirst, and covered with dust, and Achilles followed close upon them. At that hour the Greeks would have taken the city of Troy, but that Apollo saved it, by putting courage into the heart of Antonor's son, Aginor, and by standing by him that he should not be slain. Aginor stood thinking within himself, Shall I flee with these others? Achilles will take me and slay me, and I shall die as a coward dies. What if I stand to meet him before the gates? He too is a mortal man, and his flesh may be pierced by the spear. When Achilles came near, he cast his spear, striking the leg below the knee. But the armour was so strong, it turned off the spear. But when Achilles would have slain him, though 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 Aginor's shape. The false Aginor fled, and Achilles pursued him. In the meanwhile the men of Troy flocked into the city without stopping to ask who was safe and who was dead. Only Hector remained outside the walls, standing in front of the great Scyon gates. But all the while Achilles was fiercely pursuing the false Aginor, till at last Apollo turned and spoke 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? 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. Had it not been for this, many a Trojan Moor had bitten the ground. Thou hast dropped 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 shined 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. Rich that he is, I would that the gods bear 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 today, Polydorus and Lycaon. Maybe they are yet alive in the host of the Greeks, and I shall buy them back with gold, of which I have yet great store in my house. And if they are dead, so grief will it be to me, and to the mother who bear 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. I and last of all the dogs which I have reared in my palace will devour me 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 fowler sight than this. Thus old Priam spoke, 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 said, Pity me, my son, think of how in the old days I still thy cries. Come within the walls, wait not for this man, nor stand in battle against him. If he slay thee, neither I nor thy wife shall pay thee the least 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. So Hector waited for Achilles, and as he waited he thought thus within himself, Woe is me if I go within the walls. Polydamus 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 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. First day 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. I 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 he'll slay me while I stand without arms or armour before him. It is not for us to 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. Achilles came near, brandishing over his right shoulder the great Pellian 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 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 watchtower they ran, past the wind-blown fig tree, along the wagon 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 want to wash their garments, but that was in the old days of peace before 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 oxide 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 Jupiter said, This is a piteous sight that I behold. My heart is grieved for Hector, Hector who has ever worshipped me with sacrifice, sometimes on the heights of Ida, and sometimes 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 Minerva 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. Jupiter answered her, My heart is unwilling, yet I would do thee pleasure, be it as thou wilt. Then Minerva came down and 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 to get shelter beneath the towers, if happily 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 together. 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 fruit among the sons of men.  And when the two came in their running for the fourth time to the springs of Scamander, Jupiter 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 Minerva 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 Apollo shall not 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 Minerva took the shape of Deophobus, and came near to Hector, and said, 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, Deophobus, 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 Deophobus said, Much did father and mother and all my comrades beseech me to remain, but my heart was sore troubled for thee, and I could not stay. 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 a 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 Jupiter give me the victory, I will do no dishonour to thy body. Thy arms and armour will I take, and give back thy body to the Greeks, and do thou promise 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, too, shall fall, and now is the time for thee to show thyself a warrior. For, of a truth, Minerva 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 Minerva 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 Jupiter that thou spakest, prophesying my doom. But thou soughtest to cheat me, terrify 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 spear. Would it might bury itself in thy flesh? The battle would be easier for the men of Troy, where 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. And Hector stood dismayed, for he had not another spear. And when he called to Diaphobus, that he should give him another, though Diaphobus 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 Diaphobus was near, but he is within the walls, and the help which he promised me was but a cheat, with which Minerva cheated me. Jupiter 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 hare or a lamb, rushed on the great Achilles. But he dealt never a blow, for Achilles charged to meet him. His shield before his breast, his helmet bent forward as he ran, with the long plumes streaming behind, 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 Patroclus guarded him well. But one spot there was, whereby the collarbone the neck joins the shoulder, and nowhere is the stroke of sword or spear more deadly. There he drove 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 did spoil Patroclus of his arms, that thou wouldst be safe from vengeance, taking for sooth no account of me, and lo, thou art fallen before me. But Hector, growing faint, spoke to him, take 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. 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 is now at the point to die, spoke 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 valor by the skin gates. So speaking he died. But Achilles said, Die hound, but my fate I meet when Jupiter and the other gods decree. The Greeks came about the dead man, marveling at his stature and beauty, 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 bound the body with thongs of oxide to the chariot, letting the head drag behind, and thus he dragged Hector to the ships. Priam saw him from the walls, and scourged 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 his wife Andromache knew not as yet of what had befallen him, for she sat in her dwelling wearing a great purple mantle broodered 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, Come with me, you 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 as he. Then she hasted through the city as if 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 Venus gave her on the day when Hector of the Waving Plume took her from the house of Aetion to be his wife. End of Section 18. Section 19 of the junior classics, Volume 3, Tales from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Gillian Hendry. The Ransoming of Hector, by Alfred J. Church. After a while, at the bidding of Jupiter, 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 Iris spake, Be of good cheer, Priam, Jupiter has sent me to thee, 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 bad 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 he did, 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 Jupiter, 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 bad them put into a wagon shawls and mantles that had never been washed, and rugs and cloaks and tunics, twelve of each, and ten talons of gold, and two bright three-footed cauldrons, and four basins, and a cup of great beauty which the Thracians had given him. The old man spared nothing that he had, if only he might buy back his son. None of the Thracians would he suffer to come near him. Be gone, he cried, he cowards. Have he 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 Iphibus, and the others. There were nine of them in all. Make haste, ye evil brood, wood that ye all had died instead of Hector. Surely an ill-fated father am I, many a brave son I had, as Mester and Toilus, 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 skillful in the dance, and mighty to drink wine. But go, yoke the mules to the wagon. So they yoked the mules to the wagon, but the horses for his chariot, Prim, with the herald, yoked himself. Then Hecuba came near, and bade a woman-servant come and pour water on his hands, and when she had poured, King Prim took a great cup from the hands of his wife, and made a libation to Jupiter, and prayed, Hear me, Father Jupiter, 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 Jupiter 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 right 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 wagon, and these the herald ideas guided. But his chariot, the old king, drove himself, and all his king's folk went with him, weeping as for one who was going to his death. But when they came down from the city to the plain, Prim and the herald went towards the ships of the Greeks, but all the others returned to Troy. Jupiter saw him depart, and said to Mercury, Mercury, go, guide King Priam to the ships of the Greeks, so that no man see him before he comes to the tents of Achilles. Then Mercury 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. 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 darkness came over the land. And then the herald spied Mercury and said, Consider, my lord, what we shall do? I see a man, and I am so 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 so troubled, and his hair stood up with fear. But Mercury 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 hand? If anyone should see thee with all this wealth, what then? And thou art not young, nor is thy attendant young, that she should defend 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 a one as thou, so fair and so wise, happy the parents of such a son. And Mercury 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, saying 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 Mercury, 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, being angry 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 Pollector, 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 Mercury 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. 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 Mercury, 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 meals. But Mercury made sleep to send upon them, and opened the gates, and brought in Priam with his treasures. And when they came to the tent of Achilles, Mercury lighted down from the chariot, and said, Lo, I am Mercury, whom my father Jupiter 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 shall thou move his heart with pity. So Mercury 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 too 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 he 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, God like Achilles, and pity me. He is old as I am, and it may be his neighbours trouble him, seeing that he has no 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, 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. 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 did 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 they are themselves free from care. Two chests are set by the side of Father Jupiter, 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 Pelius, my father, wealth and bliss beyond that of other men, and kingship over the myrmidons. Aye, 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 Frigia, 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, will 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 fatherland. But Achilles frowned and said, Bex me not, I am minded myself to give thee back thy Hector. My mother came from the sea, bearing the bidding of Jupiter, and thou, me thinks, has 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 wagon. Then they brought in the herald Ideas, and took the gifts. Only they left of them two cloaks and a tunic, wherein they might wrap the dead. And Achilles, bad the women, washed and anointed the body. But away from the tent, Lest Prachan's Priam should see his son and cry aloud, and so awaken the fury in his heart. But when it was washed and anointed, Achilles himself lifted it in his arms, and put it on the litter. And his comrades lifted the litter on the wagon. 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 me, and of this too thou shalt have thy share. Then he went back to his tent, and set himself down opposite Priam and Spake. Thy son is ransomed, old man, and tomorrow shalt thou see him and take him back to Troy. But now let us eat. Did not Naiobi eat when she lost her twelve children, six daughters, and six sons, whom Apollo and Diana slew, because she likened herself to the fair Latona? So let us eat, old man, tomorrow 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 tent of Achilles to take counsel and should spy 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 Mercury, the messenger of Jupiter, 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, Mercury departed to Olympus, and the morning shone over all the earth. Wailing and weeping, they carried the body to the city. It was Cassandra who first despised 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 every you 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 wagon 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 wailing 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 fear me he will not grow to manhood. ere that day this city will fall, for thou art gone who lost its defender. Soon will they carry as a way mothers and children in the ships, and thou my son perchance wilt be with us, and serve the stranger in unseemly bondage. For 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 today. Sore is thy parent's grief, O Hector, but sore is mine. Thou didst stretch no hands of fair well to me from thy bed, nor speak any word of comfort for me to muse on, while I weep night and day. Next, speak Hecuba, his mother. Tear was thou my son in life to the immortal gods, and dear in death. Achilles dragged thee about the tomb of his dear protoclus, but could not bring him back. And now thou liest fresh and fair, as one whom the god of the silver bowl has slain with sudden stroke. And last of all came Helen, and cried, Many a year has passed since I came to Troy, with 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, spoke harshly to me, Thou wouldst check them with thy grace and gracious words. Therefore I weep for thee, for 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 spoke, 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 its stones many and great. And over all they raised 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 the buried hector, the tamer of horses. Section 20 of the junior classics, volume 3, tells from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Gillian Henry. The Wooden Horse by Grace Bigelow Patton For nine long years the Greeks besieged Troy, but for all their plans and maneuvers the city held out against them. They pillaged and overran the neighbouring towns, but Troy stood fast. Never were brave men pitted against a braver enemy. The lives of many heroes were sacrificed, hectares the greatest of the Trojan champions, and the valiant Achilles among them. At whose loss the Greeks almost despaired. Force had failed. Their leader had fallen. They must outwit their enemy. With the aid of Ulysses they worked out an admirable plan. Down came the tents of the main body of the army. There was clatter and jangle of departure, and the Greeks swept down the slope to the sea and their ships as though homeward bound. A float they soon sailed out of sight behind a neighbouring island and came to anchor. The remainder of the army set to work with a will to build a gigantic wooden horse. His sides planked with pine. A huge hollow horse, as full of peak holes as a colander, and with ample room for a band of men to lie hidden within. When it was finished, Ulysses, Menelaus, Pyrrhus, and a company of armed warriors entered the horse by means of a secret door, and the remainder of the Grecian army sailed away. On seeing them depart, the Trojans believed the Greeks had at last lost heart, and with victorious headlong delight, they burst through the gates and swarmed over the plane into the abandoned camp. Looming down on them stood the great horse. Approaching it first with caution, they soon grew bolder, and youths and maidens joined hands and danced around it. Many urged that it be drawn into the city. Others were afraid and said, burn it, sink it into the sea. The priest Laocon begged them to have nothing to do with it. Are you mad? Have you not learned enough of Grecian fraud to be on your guard against it? For my part, I fear the Greeks even when they offer gifts. With that, he threw his great spear at the horse's side, which gave forth a hollow sound. At that moment there was an outcry, as some herdsman brought before the chiefs a miserable, sullen-looking man whose hands were bound behind his back. He seemed to be the sole survivor of the Grecian army. With the assurance that his life would be spared if he spoke the truth, he tremblingly told them of his sufferings, that he was sign on a Greek who, because of some grudge of Ulysses, had been condemned to die as a sacrifice to the gods, of his escape, and of his having hidden all night in a woody lake and until his people were well at sea. All hearts warmed to him. The king ordered his hands unbound, and let him forget the Greeks and be one of us. But tell me, said the king, why did you build this great horse? The treacherous sign on replied, that is an offering to Minerva, and made so huge to prevent its being carried into the city. For Calthus, the prophet, told us that if the Trojans took possession of it, they would surely triumph over the Greeks. Hearing this, the people were overjoyed, and in spite of Laocon's pleading, began to plan how they might drag the horse into the city. Suddenly a shudder went through the crowd. Out from the surf, tumbling along the beach, appeared two immense serpents. Breast to breast, on they came, with heads reared high, hissing jaws and blazing blood-red eyes. Many fled in terror. Some were transfixed and stood with haggard faces, as the great creatures swept up to Laocon and his two young sons, enfolded them in their hideous coils, crushed them to death, devoured them, then glided on to the citadel of Minerva, and slipped beneath the feet of the goddess. Here was their omen. The priest Laocon has been judged according to his deeds, they said, for he cast his spear against this holy thing, and now the gods have slain him. They at once began making a great opening in the wall. Hoisting levers were adjusted, wheels fastened to the great feet, and after reeling the horse with green branches and flowers, they began tugging and pushing it over the plain and into the city. The day was given over to merry-making and feasting. So secure did they feel that the great gates were left unguarded, and that night while they slept deeply, carefree for the first time in ten years, sign on the spy, unlocked the hidden door of the great horse. Cautiously, Ulysses, Menelaus and their men crept out, opened the gates of the city, and gave the signal to their army. Silently, the ships drew up and anchored, and an armed multitude poured out into the night. Spears clashed, torches flared, as the Greeks went plunging through the city in a hot frenzy of triumph. King Priam and many of his followers fell by the sword. Houses were ransacked of their jewels, golden bowls taken from the altars. The city was stripped of its treasures and then burned to its foundations. Sign on, with his tale of suffering and false tears, had touched the hearts of the Trojans, and accomplished by strategy what a thousand ships and ten years siege had failed to do. End of section 20. Section 21 of the Junior Classics, volume 3, Tales from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recording by Gillian Henry. The Lotus Eaters, by Sir George W. Cox. Among the chiefs of the Greeks who fought before the walls of Troy, there was none who gained for himself a greater glory than Ulysses, the son of Laertes. Brave he was in battle and steadfast in danger, but most of all did the Greeks seek his aid and counsel, when great things must be weighed and fixed. In every peril where there was need of the wise heart and the ready tongue, all hastened to Ulysses, and men felt that he did more to throw down the kingdom of Priam than the mightiest chieftains who fought only with sword and spear. Yet in the midst of all his toil and all his great exploits, the heart of Ulysses was far away in rocky Ithaca, where his wife Penelope dwelt with his young son Telemachus. Many a time, as the weary years of the war rolled on, he said within himself, when will this strife be ended, and when shall we spread our sails to the breeze and speed on our way homewards? At last the doom of Paris was accomplished, and the hosts of Agamemnon gave the city of Troy to fire and sword. Then Ulysses hastened to gather his men together that they might go to their home in Ithaca. And they dragged the ships down to the sea from the trenches where they had so long lain idle. But before they sat down to row the ship out to the deep water, Ulysses spoke to them and said, Oh friends, think now each one of you, of his home, of his wife, and of his children. Ten times have summer and winter passed over us since we left them with cheerful hearts, thinking that in but a little time we should come back to them laden with glory and booty. Ten years have they mourned for us at home, and we who set out for Troy in the vigor of our manhood, go back now with gray hairs or bow down with weary labour. Yet fend not, oh friends, neither bead is made. Think how they wait and long for you still at home, as we go from land to land in our voyage to rocky Ithaca. Let not weariness weigh down your hearts, or things fair and beautiful lead you to seek for rest, till our ships are moored in the haven which we left ten years ago. With shouts of joy, they sat down to their long oars, and when they had rowed the ships out into the open sea, they spread the white sails to the breeze, and watched the alien land as it faded away from their sight in the far distance. For many a day they went towards the land of the setting sun, until a mighty wind from the north drove them to a strange country far out of their course to Ithaca. Fair it was, and peaceful beyond all lands which they had seen. The sun looked down out of the cloudless heaven on fruits and flowers, which covered the laughing earth, far away beyond the lotus plains, the blue hills glimmered in a dreamy haze. The trees bowed their heads in a peaceful slumber, and the lagging waves sank lazily to sleep upon the seashore. The summer breeze breathed its gentle whisper through the air, and the birds sang listlessly of their loves from the waving groves. Then said the men of Ulysses to one another, Would that our wives and our children were here! Truly Ithaca is but a rough and barren land, and a sore grief it is to leave this happy shore to go home, and there find, if may be, that our children remember us no more. And Ulysses said within himself, Surely some strange spell is on this fair land, almost might I long to sit down and sleep on the shore forever. But Penelope waits for me in my home, and I cannot rest till I see her face once more. Then he bade three of his men go forth and ask the name of the land and of the men who lived in it. So they went slowly from the beach where the waves sang their lulling song to the sleepy flowers, and they wandered along the winding stream which came from the glimmering hills far away, till deep down in a glen where the sun shed but half its light, they saw men and maidens under the shade of pleasant palm trees. Before them was spread a banquet of rich and rosy fruit, and some were eating, and others lay asleep. The men of Ulysses went up to them and sat down by their side, for they feared them not, as men are want to fear the people of the strange land. They asked not their name, for they remembered not the bidding of Ulysses, but they drank the dark wine and ate of the rosy fruit which the fair maidens held out to them. Eat, they said, both strangers, of the fruit which kills all pain. Surely ye are weary, and your hearts are faint with sorrow, and your eyes are dim as with many tears. Eat of our fruit and forget your labours, for all who eat of it remember no more weary toil and strife and war. So they ate of the fruit, and then over their senses stole softly a strange and wondrous sleep, so that they saw and heard and spake even while they slumbered. On their ears fell the echo of a dreamy music, and forms of maidens, fair as Venus when she rose from the seafoam, passed before their eyes, and they said one to another, here let us sit and feast and dream forever. Long time Ulysses waited on the seashore, and less and less he marveled that they came not back, for he felt that over his own heart the strange spell was falling, and he said, Ah, Penelope, dearer to me than ought else on the wide earth, the gods envy me my love, else they would not seek to beguile me thus in this strange land of dreams and slumber. He rose up as one rises to go forth to battle, and went quickly on the path by which his men had gone before him. Presently he saw them in the deep dell, and the rich fruit of the lotus was in their hand. They called to Ulysses and said, We have come to the land of the lotus-eaters, sit thou down with us and eat of their fruit, and forget all thy cares forever. But Ulysses answered not, and hastening back he bade the others come with him, and bind the three men, and carry them to the ship. He'd not the people of the land, he said, nor touch their rosy fruit. It were a shame for men who have fought at Troy to slumber here like swine fattening for the slaughter. So they hastened, and bound the three men who sat at the banquet of the lotus-eaters, and they heeded not their words, as they besought them to taste of the fruit, and forget all their misery and trouble. Ulysses hurried them back to the shore, and made them drag down the ships into the sea, and sit down to their long oars. Hasten, friends, hasten, he said, from this land of dreams, hither come the lotus-eaters, and their soft voices will beguile our hearts if we tarry longer.  The dash of their oars broke the cam of the still air, and roused the waters from their slumber, as they toiled on their weary way. End of section 21. Section 22 of the Junior Classics, volume 3, Tales from Greece and Rome, edited by William Patton, 1868 to 1936. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain, recording by Gillian Hendry. Ulysses and The Cyclops by Sir George W. Cox. When the blue hills of the lotus land had faded away in the far distance, the ships of Ulysses went on merrily with a fresh breeze, and the men thought that they would soon come to Rocky Ithaca, where their homes were. But Minerva was angry with Ulysses, and she asked Neptune, the Lord of the Sea, to send a great storm and scatter his ships. So the wind arose, and the waters of the sea began to heave and swell, and the sky was black with clouds and rain. Many days and many nights the storm raged fiercely, and when it was over, Ulysses could only see four or five of all the ships which had sailed with him from Troy. The ships were drenched with the waves which had broken over them, and the men were wet and cold and tired, and they were glad indeed when they saw an island far away. So they sat down on the benches and took the great oars and rode the ships towards the shore, and as they came near they saw that the island was very beautiful with cliffs and rocks and bays for ships to take shelter from the sea. They rode into one of these quiet bays where the water was always calm and where there was no need to let down an anchor or to tie the ship by ropes to the seashore, for the ship lay there quite still of itself. At the head of the bay a stream of fresh water trickled down from the cliffs and ran close to the opening of a large cave, and near the cave some willow trees drooped their branches over the stream which ran down towards the sea. So they made haste to go on shore, and when they had landed they saw fine large plains on which corn might grow but no one had taken the trouble to sow the seed, and sloping hills for the grapes to ripen on the vines but none were planted on them. Ulysses marveled at the people who lived there because they had no corn and no vines, and he could see no houses but only sheep and goats feeding on the hillsides. So he took his bows and arrows and shot many of the goats, and he and his men lay down on the ground and had a merry meal. When they had finished they fell asleep and did not wake up till the morning showed its rosy light in the eastern sky. Then Ulysses said that he would take some of his men and go to see who lived on the island while the others remained in the ship close to the seashore. So they set out and at last they came to the mouth of a great cave where many sheep and goats were penned up in large folds. They could see no one in the cave or anywhere near it and they waited a long while but no one came. They lit a fire and made themselves merry as they ate the cheese and drank the milk which was stored up round the sides of the cave. Suddenly they heard a great noise of heavy feet stamping on the ground. They were so frightened that they ran inside the cave and crouched down at the end of it. Nearer and nearer came the Cyclops and his tread almost made the earth shake. In he came with many dry logs of wood on his back and in came all the sheep which he milked every evening but the rams and the goats stayed outside. But if Ulysses and his men were afraid when they saw Polyphemus the Cyclops come in they were much more afraid when he took up a great stone which was almost as big as the mouth of the cave and set it up against it for a door. Then the men whispered to Ulysses and said did we not beg and pray you not to come into the cave but you would not listen to us and now how are we to get out again? Why two and twenty wagons would not be able to take away that huge stone from the mouth of the cave. They were shut in now and there was no use in thinking of their folly for coming in. So there they lay crouching in the corner of the cave and trembling with fear lest Polyphemus should see them. But the Cyclops went on milking the sheep then he put the milk into the bowls round the sides of the cave and lit the fire to cook his meal. As the flames shot up from the burning wood to the roof of the cave it showed him the forms of Ulysses and his companions where they lay huddled together in the corner. He cried out to them with a loud voice who are you that dare to come into the cave of Polyphemus are you come to rob me of my sheep or my cheese and milk that I keep here? Then Ulysses said no we are not come to do you any harm we are Greeks who have been fighting at Troy to bring back Helen whom Paris stole away from Sparta and we went there with the great king Agamemnon whom everybody knows. We are on our way home to Ithaca but Neptune sent a great storm because Minerva was angry with me and almost all our ships have been sunk in the sea or broken to pieces on the rocks. When he had finished speaking Polyphemus frowned savagely and said I know nothing of Agamemnon or Paris or Helen and he seized two of the men and broke their heads against the stones and cooked them for his dinner. That day Polyphemus ate a huge meal and drank several bowls full of milk and after that he fell fast asleep. As he lay there snoring in his heavy sleep Ulysses thought how easy it would be to plunge the sword into his breast and kill him. He was just going to do it when he thought of the great stone which Polyphemus had placed at the mouth of the cave and he knew that if Polyphemus were killed no one else could move away the stone and so they would all die shut up in that dismal place. So the hours of the night went weirdly on. Neither Ulysses nor his friends could sleep for they thought of the men whom Polyphemus had eaten and how they would very likely be eaten up themselves. At last they could tell from the dim light which came in between the top of the stone and the roof of the cave that the mourning was come. Soon Polyphemus awoke and milked all the sheep again. When he had done this he went to the end of the cave and took up two more men and killed and ate them. Then he took down the great stone from the mouth of the cave and drove all the cattle out to graze on the soft grass on the hills and Ulysses began to hope that they might be able to get away before Polyphemus came back. But the Cyclops was not so silly as to let them go.  Then Ulysses began to think more and more how they were to get away for if they stayed there they would soon be all killed if Polyphemus went on eating four of them every day. At last near the sheepfold he saw a club which Polyphemus was going to use as a walking stick. It was the whole trunk of an olive tree fresh and green for he had only just cut it and left it to dry that he might carry it about when it was fit for use. There it lay like the mast of a ship which 20 men could hardly have lifted. Ulysses cut off a bit from the end as much as a man could carry and told the men to bring it to a very sharp point and when they had done this he hardened it in the fire and then hid it away till Polyphemus should come home. By and by when the sun was sinking they heard the terrible tramp of his feet and felt the earth shake beneath his tread. The great stone was taken away from the mouth of the cave and in he came driving the sheep and goats and the rams also before him for this time he let nothing stay outside. He milked the sheep and the goats as he had done the day before and then killed two more men and began to eat them for his supper.   So the cyclops stretched out his hand to take the wine and he drank it off greedily and asked for more. Give me more of this honey sweet wine he said. Surely no grapes on this earth could ever give such wine as this. Tell me your name for I should like to do you a kindness for giving me such wine as this. Then Ulysses said oh cyclops I hope you will not forget to give me what you have promised my name is nobody and Polyphemus said very well I shall eat up nobody last of all when I have eaten up all his companions and this is the kindness which I mean to do for him.  Then Ulysses cried to his friends now is the time come and help me and we will punish this cyclops for all that he has done. So he took the piece of the olive tree which had been made sharp and put it into the fire till it almost burst into a flame and he and two of his men went and stood over Polyphemus and pushed the burning wood into his great eye as hard and as far down as they could.  Presently he gave a great groan so that Ulysses and his people started back in a fright and crouched down at the end of the cave and then the cyclops put out his hand drew the burning wood from his eye and threw it from him in our rage and roared out for help to his friends who lived on the hills round about. His roar was as deep and loud as the roar of 20 lions and the other cyclops wondered when they heard him shouting out so loud and they said what can be the matter with Polyphemus we never heard him make such a noise before let us go and see if he wants any help. So they went to the cave and stood outside the great stone which shut it in listening to his terrible bellowings and when they did not stop they shouted to him and asked him what was the matter why have you waked us up in the middle of the night with all this noise when we were sleeping comfortably is anyone taking away your sheep and goats or killing you by craft and force and Polyphemus said nobody my friends is killing me by craft and force when the others heard this they were angry and said well then if nobody is killing you why do you roar so if you are ill you must bear it as best you can and ask our father Neptune to make you well again and then they walked off to their beds and left Polyphemus to make as much noise as he pleased it was of no use that he went on shouting no one came to him anymore and Ulysses laughed because he had tricked him so cunningly by calling himself nobody Polyphemus got up at last moaning and groaning with the dreadful pain and groped his way with his hands against the sides of the cave until he came to the door then he took down the great stone and sat with his arms stretched out wide and he said to himself no I shall be sure to catch them for no one can get out without passing me but Ulysses was too clever for him yet for he went quietly and fastened the great rams of Polyphemus together with long bands of willow he tied them together by threes and under the stomach of the middle one he tied one of his men until he had fastened them all up safely then he went and caught hold of the largest ram of all and clung on with his hands to the thick wool underneath his stomach and so they waited in a great fright lest after all the giant might catch and kill them at last the pale light of the morning came into the eastern sky and very soon the sheep and the goats began to go out of the cave Polyphemus passed his hands over the backs of all the sheep as they went by but he did not feel the willow bands because their will was long and thick and he never thought that anyone would be tied up underneath their stomachs last of all came the great ram to which Ulysses was clinging when Polyphemus passed his hand over his back he stroked him gently and said is there something the matter with you too as there is with your master you were always the first to go out of the cave and now today for the first time you are the last i am sure that that horrible nobody is at the bottom of all this old ram perhaps it is that you are sorry for your master whose eye nobody has put out i wish you could speak like a man and tell me where he is if i could but catch him i would take care that he never got away again and then i should have some comfort for all the evil which nobody has done me so he sent the ram on and when he had gone a little away from the cave Ulysses got up from under the ram and went and untied all his friends and very glad they were to be free once more although they could not help grieving when they thought of the men whom Polyphemus had killed but Ulysses told them to make haste and drive as many of the sheep and goats as they could to the ships so they drove them down to the shore and hurried them into the ships and began to row away and soon they would have been out of the reach of the Cyclops if Ulysses could only have held his tongue he was so angry himself that he thought he would like to make Polyphemus still more angry so he shouted to him Cruel Cyclops did you think that you would not be punished for eating up my friends is this the way in which you receive strangers who have been tossed about by many storms upon the sea then Polyphemus was more furious than ever and he broke off a great rock from the mountain and hurled it at Ulysses on it came whizzing through the air and fell just in front of his ship and the water was dashed up all over it and there was a great heaving off the sea which almost carried them back to the land they began to row again with all their might but still when they had got about twice as far as they were before Ulysses could not help shouting out a few more words to Polyphemus so he said if anyone asks you how you lost your eye remember mighty Cyclops to say that you were made blind by Ulysses the plunderer of cities the son of Lerites who lives in Ithaca terrible indeed was the fury of Polyphemus when he heard this and he said no I remember how the wise Talimus used to tell me that a man would come here named Ulysses who would put my eye out but I thought he would have been some great strong man almost as big as myself and this is a miserable little wretch whom I could almost hold in my hand if I caught him but stay and I will show you how I thank you for your kindness and I will ask my father Neptune to send you a pleasant storm to toss you about upon the dark sea then Polyphemus took up a bigger rock than ever and hurled it high into the air with all his might but this time it fell just behind the ship of Ulysses up rose the water and drenched Ulysses and all his people and almost sank the ship under the sea but it only sent them further out of the reach of the Cyclops and though he hurled more rocks after them they now fell far behind in the sea and did them no harm even when they had rode a long way they could still see Polyphemus standing on the high cliff and shaking his hands at them in rage and pain but no one came to help him for all his shouting because he had told his friends that nobody was doing him harm.