Book 20 of the Iliad. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Iliad by Homer, translated by Samuel Butler. Book 20, Achilles Fights Aeneas. The gods hold a council and determined to watch the fight from the hill at Cala Coloni and the Barrow of Hercules. A fight between Achilles and Aeneas is interrupted by Neptune who saves Aeneas. Achilles kills many Trojans. Thus then did the Keyans armed by their ships round you, O son of Palaeus, who were hungering for battle, while the Trojans over against them armed upon the rise of the plain. Meanwhile, Jo, from the top of many Del Dalympus, bade Themis gathered the gods in council. Whereon she went about and called them to the house of Jove. There was not a river absent except Oceanus, nor single one of the nymphs that haunt fair groves or springs of rivers and meadows of green grass. When they reached the house of cloud-compelling Jove, they took their seats in the arcades of polished marble, which Vulcan, with his consummate skill, had made for Father Jove. In such wise, therefore, did they gather in the house of Jove. Neptune also, Lord of the earthquake, obeyed the call of the goddess and came up out of the sea to join them. There, sitting in the midst of them, he asked what Jove's purpose might be. Why, said he, wielder of the lightning, have you called the gods in council? Are you considering some matter that concerns the Trojans and the Keyans, for the blaze of battle is on the point of being kindled between them? And Jove answered, You know my purpose, shaker of earth, and wherefore I have called you hither. I take thought for them even in their destruction. For my own part I shall stay here seated on Mount Olympus and look on in peace. But do you others go about among Trojans and the Keyans, and help either side as you may be severally disposed? If Achilles fights the Trojans without hindrance, they will make no stand against him. They have ever trembled at the sight of him, and now that he is roused to such fury about his comrade, he will override fate itself and storm their city. Thus spoke Jove, and gave the word for war, whereon the gods took their several sides, and went into battle. Juno, Palis Minerva, earth encircling Neptune, Mercury, bringer of good luck, and excellent in all cunning. All these joined the host that came from the ships. With them also came Vulcan in all his glory, limping, but yet with his thin legs plying lustily under him. Mars, of gleaming helmet, joined the Trojans, and with him a palo of locks unshorn, and the archer goddess Diana, Leto, Xanthus, and laughter-loving Venus. So long as the gods held themselves aloof from mortal warriors, the Keyans were triumphant, for Achilles, who had long refused to fight, was now with them. There was not a Trojan, but his limbs failed him for fear, as he beheld this fleet's son of Palis, all glorious in his armor, and looking like Mars himself. When, however, the Olympians came to take their part among men, forthwith upro's strong strife, rouser of hosts, and Minerva raised her loud voice, now standing by the deep trench that ran outside the wall, and now shouting with all her might upon the shore of the sounding sea. Mars also bellowed out upon the other side, dark as some black thunder cloud, and called on the Trojans at the top of his voice, now from the Acropolis, and now speeding up the side of the river Samoas, till he came to the hill Calicoloni. Thus did the gods spur on both hosts to fight, and rouse fierce contention among themselves. The sire of gods and men thundered from heaven above, while from beneath Neptune shook the vast earth, and bade the high hills tremble. The spurs and crests of many-fountained Ida quaked, also the city of the Trojans and the ship of the Achaeans. Hades, king of the realms below, was struck with fear. He sprang panic-stricken from his throne, and cried aloud in terror, lest Neptune, lord of the earthquake, should crack the ground over his head, and lay bare his moldy mansions to the sight of mortals and immortals, mansions so ghastly grim that even the gods shudder to think of them. Such was the uproar as the gods came together in battle. Apollo, with his arrows, took his stand to face King Neptune, while Minerva took hers against the god of war. The archer goddess Diana, with her golden arrows, sister of far-darting Apollo, stood to face Juno. Mercury, the lusty bringer of good luck, faced Leto, while the mighty Eddying River, whom men call Scamander, but god Xanthus, matched himself against Vulcan. The gods, then, were thus ranged against one another. But the heart of Achilles was set on meeting Hector, son of Priam, for it was with his blood that he longed above all things else to glut the stubborn lord of battle. Meanwhile, Apollo set Aeneas on to attack the son of Palaeus, and put courage into his heart, speaking with the voice of Lycaeon, son of Priam. In his likeness, therefore, he said to Aeneas, Aeneas, counselor of the Trojans, where are now the brave words with which you've vaunted over your wine before the Trojan princes, saying that you would fight Achilles, son of Palaeus, in single combat? Aeneas answered, Why do you thus bid me to fight the proud son of Palaeus, when I am in no mind to do so? Were I to face him now, it would not be for the first time. His spear has already put me to write from Ida, when he attacked our cattle and sacked Lournesus and Pettisus. Jove indeed saved me, and that he vouchsafed me strength to fly. Else had the fallen by the hands of Achilles in Minerva, who went before him to protect him and urged him to fall upon Lelige and Trojans. No man may fight Achilles, for one of the gods is always with him as his guardian angel. An even word not so, his weapon flies ever straight, and fails not to pierce the flesh of him who is against him. If heaven would let me fight him on even terms, he should not soon overcome me, though he boasts that he is made of bronze. Then said King Apollo, son to Jove. Nay, hero, pray to the ever-living gods, for men say that you were born of Jove's daughter Venus, whereas Achilles is son to a goddess of inferior rank. Venus is child to Jove, while Phaetus is but daughter to the old man of the sea. Bring therefore your spear to bear upon him, and let him not scare you with his taunts and menaces. As he spoke, he put courage into the heart of the shepherd of his people, and he strode in full armor among the ranks of the foremost fighters. Nor did the son of Ankaesus escape the notice of white-armed Juno, as he went forth into the throng to meet Achilles. She called the gods about her and said, Look to it, you two, Neptune in Minerva, and consider how this shall be. Phoebus Apollo has been sending Aeneas clad in full armor to fight Achilles. Shall we turn him back at once, or shall one of us stand by Achilles and endow him with strength, so that his heart fail not, and he may learn that the chiefs of immortals are on his side, while the others, who have all along been defending the Trojans, are but vain helpers. Let us all come down from Olympus and join in the fight, that this day he may take no hurt at the hands of the Trojans. Hereafter let him suffer whatever fate may have spun out for him, when he was begotten and his mother bore him. If Achilles be not thus assured by the voice of a god, he may come to Phoea presently, when one of us meets him in battle, for the gods are terrible if they are seen face to face. Neptune, lord of the earthquake, answered her, saying, Juno, restrain your fury. It is not well. I am not in favour of forcing the other gods to fight us, for the advantage is too greatly on our own side. Let us take our places on some hill out of the beaten track, and let mortals fight it out amongst themselves. If Mars or Phoebus Apollo begin fighting, or keep Achilles in check so that he cannot fight, we too will at once raise the cry of battle, and in that case they will soon leave the field and go back vanquish to Olympus among the other gods. With these words the dark-haired god led the way to the high earth-barrow of Hercules, built round solid masonry and made by the Trojans and palace Minerva, for him to fly when the sea-monster was chasing him from the shore onto the plain. Here Neptune and those that were with him took their seats, wrapped in a thick cloud of darkness, but the other gods seated themselves in the brow of Cal Coloni round you, O Phoebus and Mars, the waster of cities. Thus did the gods sit apart and form their plans, but neither side was willing to begin battle with the other, and Joe from his seat on high was in command over them all. Meanwhile the whole plain was alive with men and horses and blazing with the gleam of armor. The earth rang again under the tramp of their feet as they rushed towards each other, and two champions by far the foremost of them all met between the hosts of fight, to it Aeneas, son of Ancaisus, and noble Achilles. Aeneas was first to stride forward in the attack, his dowdy helmet tossing defiance as he came on. He held his strong shield before his breast and brandished his bronze spear. The son of Palaeus from the other side sprang forth to meet him, like some fierce lion that the whole countryside has met to hunt and kill. At first he bodes no ill, but when some daring youth has struck him with a spear, he crouches open-mouthed. His jaws foam, he roars with fury, he lashes his tail from side to side about his ribs and loins, and glares as he springs straight before him, to find out whatever he is to slay, or be slain among the foremost of his foes, even what such fury did Achilles burn to spring upon Aeneas. When they were now close up with one another, Achilles was first to speak. Aeneas, he said, why do you stand thus out before the host to fight me? Is it that you hope to reign over the Trojans in the seat of Priam?  He is a man of sound judgment, and he has sons of his own. Or have the Trojans been allotting you a demesnia passing richness, fair with orchard lawns and corn lands, if you should slay me? This you shall hardly do. I have discomforted you once already.  You did not turn round to look behind you. You took refuge in Lournesus, but I attacked the city, and with the help of Minerva and Father Jove I sacked it, and carried its women into captivity, though Jove and the other gods rescued you. You think they will protect you now, but they will not do so, therefore I say go back into the host, and do not face me, or you will rue it. Even a fool may be wise after the event. Then Nias answered, Son of Palaeus, think not that your words can scare me as though I were a child. I too, if I will, can brag and talk unseemly. We know one another's race and parentage as matters of common fame, though neither have you ever seen my parents, nor I yours. Men say that you are son to noble Palaeus, and that your mother is Thetis, fair-haired daughter of the sea. I have noble Ancaisis for my father, and Venus for my mother. The parents of one or other of us shall this day mourn a son, for it will be more than silly talk that shall part us when this fight is over. Learn then my lineage, if you will, and it is known to many. In the beginning Dardanus was the son of Jove, and founded Dardania, for Ilius was not yet established on the plain for men to dwell in, and her people still abode on the spurs of many fountain Dida. Dardanus had a son, King Erykthonius, who was the wealthiest of all men living. He had three thousand mares that fed by the water meadows, they in their foals with them. Boreus was enamored of them, as they were feeding, and covered them in the semblance of a dark main stallion. Twelve philly foals did they conceive and bear him, and these, as they sped over the rich plain, would go bounding on over the ripe years of corn, and not break them, or again when they would desport themselves on the broad back of ocean, they could gallop on the crest of a breaker. Erykthonius beget Tross, King of the Trojans, and Tross had three noble sons, Ilius, Asaricus, and Ganymede, who was the cumblius of mortal men, wherefore the gods carried him off to the Job's coverer, for his beauty's sake, that he might dwell among the immortals. Ilius beget Leomedan, and Leomedan beget Tithonius, Priam, Lampthos, Clydeus, and Hycateon of the stock of Mars, but Asaricus was father to Cappies, and Cappies to Encaices, who is my father, while Hector is son to Priam. So I declare my blood in lineage, but as for Valor, Job gives it or takes it as he will, for he is Lord of all, and now let there be no more of this prating and mid-battle, as though we were children. We could flink taunts without end at one another. A hundred-ord galley would not hold them. The tongue can run all withers and talk all wise. It can go here and there, and as a man says, so shall he be gained, said. What is the use of our bandying hard-like women, who when they fall foul of one another go out and wrangle in the streets, one half true in the other lies, as rage inspires them? No words of yours shall turn me now that I am feigned to fight. Therefore let us make trial of one another with our spears. As he spoke he drove his spear at the great and terrible shield of Achilles, which rang out as the point struck it. The son of Palaeus held the shield before him with his strong hand, and he was afraid, for he deemed Aeneas's spear would go through it quite easily, not reflecting that the God's glorious gifts were little likely to yield before the blows of mortal men. And indeed Aeneas's spear did not pierce the shield, for the layer of gold gift of the God stayed the point. It went through two layers, but the God had made the shield in five, two of bronze, the two innermost ones of tin, and one of gold. It was in this that the spear was stayed. Achilles in his turn threw, and struck the round shield of Aeneas at the very edge, where the bronze was thinnest. The spear of Palaean ash went clean through, and the shield rang under the blow. Aeneas was afraid and crouched backwards, holding the shield away from him. The spear, however, flew over his back, and struck quivering in the ground, after having gone through both circles of the sheltering shield. Aeneas, though he had avoided the spear, stood still, blinded with fear and grief, because the weapon had gone so near him. Then Achilles sprang furiously upon him, with a cry as of death, and with his keen blade drawn, and Aeneas seized a great stone, so huge that two men, as men now are, would be unable to lift it. But Aeneas wielded it quite easily. Aeneas would have then struck Achilles as he was springing towards him, either on the helmet, or on the shield that covered him, and Achilles would have closed with him, and dispatched him with his sword. Had not Neptune, lord of the earthquake, been quick to mark, and said forthwith to the immortals, Alas, I am sorry for great Aeneas, for who will now go down to the house of Hades, vanquished by the son of Palaeus, fool that he was to give ear to the council of Apollo. Apollo will never save him from destruction. Why should this man suffer when he is guiltless, to no purpose in another's quarrel? Has he not at all times offered acceptable sacrifice to the gods that dwell in heaven? Let us then snatch him from death's jaws, lest the son of Saturn be angry should Achilles slay him. It is fated, moreover, that he should escape, and that the race of darkness whom Jove loved, above all the sons born to him of mortal women, shall not perish utterly without seed or sign. For now indeed has Jove hated the blood of Priam, while Aeneas shall reign over the Trojans, he and his children's children that shall be born hereafter. Then answered Juno. Earthshaker, look to this matter yourself, and consider concerning Aeneas, whether you will save him or suffer him, brave though he be, to fall by the hand of Achilles, son of Palaeus. For over truth we too, I and Palaeus Minerva, have sworn full many a time before all the immortals, that never would we shield Trojans from destruction, not even when all Troy is burning in the flames that the Achaeans shall kindle. When earth encircling Neptune heard this, he went into the battle amid the clash of spears, and came to the place where Achilles and Aeneas were. Fourth with he shed a darkness before the eyes of the son of Palaeus, drew the bronze-headed Ashen spear from the shield of Aeneas, and laid it at the feet of Achilles. Then he lifted Aeneas on high from off the earth, and hurried him away. Over the heads of many a band of warriors, both horse and foot, did he soar as the gods hand sped him, till he came to the very fringe of the battle where the Corkonians were arming themselves for fight. Neptune, shaker of earth, then came near him and said, Aeneas, what god has egged you on to this folly in fighting the son of Palaeus, who is both a mightier man of valor and more beloved of heaven than you are? Give way before him, whensoever you meet him, lest you go down to the house of Hades, even though fate would have it otherwise. When Achilles is dead you may then fight among the foremost undaunted, for none other of the Achaeans shall slay you. The god left him when he had given him these instructions, and at once removed the darkness from before the eyes of Achilles, who opened them wide indeed and said in great anger, Alas, what marvel am I now beholding? Here is my spear upon the ground, but I see not him who I meant to kill when I hurled it. Of a truth Aeneas also must be under heaven's protection, although I had thought his boasting was idle. Let him go hang. He will be in no mood to fight me further, seeing how narrowly his misbeing killed. I will now give my orders to the Aeneans and attack some other of the Trojans. He sprang forward along the line and cheered his men on as he did so. Let not the Trojans, he cries, keep you at arm's length, the Achaeans, but go for them and fight them man for man. However valiant I may be, I cannot give chase to so many and fight all of them. Even Mars, who is an immortal, or Minerva would shrink from flinging himself into the jaws of such a fight, and laying about him, nevertheless, so far as in me lies, I will show no slackness of hand nor foot, nor want of endurance, nor even for a moment, I will utterly break their ranks and woe to the Trojans who shall venture within reach of my spear. Thus did he exhort them. Meanwhile Hector called upon the Trojans and declared that he would fight Achilles. Be not afraid, proud Trojans said he, to face the son of Palaeus. I could fight gods myself if the battle were one of words only, but there would be more than a match from me if we had to use our spears. Even so the deed of Achilles will fall somewhere short of his word. He will do in part, and the other part he will clip short. I will go up against him though his hands be as fire, though his hands be as fire and his strength of iron. Thus urged the Trojans lifted up their spears against the Achaeans, and raised the cry of battle as they flung themselves into the midst of their ranks. But Phoebus Apollo came up to Hector and said, Hector, on no account must you challenge Achilles to single combat. Keep a lookout for him when you are under cover of the others, and away from the thick of the fight, otherwise he will either hit you with a spear or cut you down at close quarters. Thus he spoke, and Hector drew back within the crowd, for he was afraid when he heard what the god had said to him. Achilles then sprang upon the Trojans with a terrible cry, clothed in valor as with a garment. First Achilde Phidian, son of Atryntius, a leader of much people whom an Aeid Nymph had borne to Atryntius, waster of cities, in the land of Hyde under the snowy heights of Mount Tmolus.  Thus did he vaunt, but darkness closed the eyes of the other.  He struck him on the temple through his bronze-cheeked helmet. The helmet did not stay the spear, but it went right on, crushing the bone, so that the brain inside was shed in all directions, and his lust of fighting was ended. Then he struck Hippodamus in the midriff as he was springing down from his chariot in front of him, and trying to escape. He breathed his last, bellowing like a bull bellows when young men are dragging him to offer him in sacrifice to the king of Helike, and the heart of the earthshaker is glad. Even so did he bellow as he lay dying. Achilles then went in pursuit of Pallidorus, son of Priam, whom his father had always forbidden to fight because he was the youngest of his sons, the one he loved best, and the fastest runner. He and his fellow in showing off the fleetness of his feet was rushing about among front ranks until he lost his life, for Achilles struck him in the middle of the back as he was darting past him. He struck him just at the golden fastenings of his belt, and where the two pieces of the double breastplate overlapped. The point of the spear pierced him through and came out by the naval, whereon he fell groaning onto his knees in a cloud of darkness overshadowed him, as he sank holding his entrails in his hands. When Hector saw his brother Pallidorus with his entrails in his hands and sinking down upon the ground, a mist came over his eyes, and he could not bear to keep longer at a distance. He therefore poised his spear and darted toward Achilles like a flame of fire. When Achilles saw him, he bounded forward and vaunted, saying, This is he that has wounded my heart most deeply, and has slain my beloved comrade. Not for long shall we too quail before one another on the highways of war. He looked fiercely on Hector and said, Draw near that you may meet your doom the sooner. Hector feared him not and answered, Son of Pallius, Think not that your words can scare me as though I were a child. I too, if I will, can brag and talk unseemly. I know that you are a mighty warrior, mightier by far than I. Nevertheless, the issue lies in the lap of heaven, whether I, Worse man though I be, may not slay you with my spear, For this too has been found keen ere now. He hurled his spear as he spoke, but Minerva breathed upon it, and though she breathed but very lightly, she turned it back from going towards Achilles, so that it returned to Hector, and lay at his feet in front of him.  Thrice did Achilles spring towards him spear in hand, and Thrice did he waste his blow upon the air. When he rushed forward for the fourth time, as though he were a God, he shouted aloud, saying, Hound, this time too you have escaped death, but of a truth that came exceedingly near you.  But if I too have any friends among the Gods, I will surely make an end of you when I come across you at some other time. Now, however, I will pursue and overtake other Trojans. On this he struck dry up to the spear about the middle of his neck, and he fell headlong at his feet. There he let him lie and stayed to Malchus, son of Phylior, a man both brave and of great stature, by hitting him on the knee with a spear.  After this he sprang on Leogonus and Dardanus, son of Bias, and threw them from their chariot, the one with a blow from a thrown spear, while the other he cut down in hand-to-hand fight. There was also Trost, the son of Alastor. He came up to Achilles and clasped his knees in the hope that he would spare him and not kill him, but let him go, because they were both of the same age. Fool, he might have known that he should not prevail with him. For the man was in no mood for pity or forbearance, but was in grim earnest. Therefore, when Trost laid hold of his knees and sought a hearing for his prayers, Achilles drove his sword into his liver, and the liver came rolling out, while his bosom was all covered with the black blood that welled from the wound.  Achilles then went up to Muleus and struck him on the ear with a spear, and the bronze spear-head came right out through the other ear.  Next, in order, the bronze point of his spear wounded Eucalian in the forearm, where the sinews of the elbow are united.   He then went in pursuit of Rigmus, noble son of Peres, who had come from Fertile Thrace, and struck him through the middle with a spear which fixed itself in his belly, so that he fell headlong from his chariot. He also speared Areithus, squire to Rigmus in the back, as he was turning with horses in flight, and thrust him from his chariot while the horses were struck with panic. As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought, and the dense forest is in a blaze, while the wind carries great tongues of fire in every direction, even so furiously did Achilles rage, wielding his spear as though he were a god, and giving chase to those whom he would slay, till the dark earth ran with blood. Or as one who yokes broad-browed oxen, that they may tread barley in a threshing floor. And it is soon bruised small under the feet of the lowing cattle, even so did the horses of Achilles trample on the shields in the bodies of the slain. The axle underneath and the railing that ran round the car were bespattered with clots of blood thrown up by the horses hooves, and from the tires of the wheels. But the son of Palaeus pressed on to win still further glory, and his hands were bedrabbled with gore. End of book 20. Recording by Entrepete. Visit me at myspace.com forward slash side door. Book 21 of The Iliad. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Leon Meyer. The Iliad. By Homer. Translated by Samuel Butler. Book 21. The fight between Achilles and the river's commander. The gods fight among themselves. Achilles drives the Trojans within their gates. Now when they came to the ford of the full flowing river Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove, Achilles cut their forces in two. One half he chased over the plain towards the city, by the same way that the Achaeans had taken when flying panic-stricken on the preceding day with Hector in full triumph. This way did they fly palmel, and Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them. The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver eddying stream, and fell into it with a great uproar. The waters resounded, and the banks rang again, as they swim hither and thither, with loud cries amid the whirling eddies. As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass-fire, the flame comes on and on, till at last it overtakes them and they huddle into the water. Even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles. Fourth with the hero left his spear upon the bank, leaning it against a tamarisk bush, and plunged into the river like a god, armed with his sword only. Fell was his purpose as he hewed the Trojans down on every side. Their dying groans rose hideous as the sword smote them, and the river ran red with blood. As when fish flies scared before a huge dolphin, and fill every nook and corner of some fair haven, for he is sure to eat all he can catch, even so did the Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty river, and when Achilles arms grew weary with killing them, he drew twelve youths alive out of the water, to sacrifice in revenge for Patroclus, son of Menetius. He drew them out like dazed fawns, bound their hands behind them with the girdles of their own shirts, and gave them over to his men to take back to the ships. Then he sprang into the river, thirsting for still further blood. There he found like Chaon, son of Priam, seed of darkness, as he was escaping out of the water. He it was whom he had once taken prisoner, when he was in his father's vineyard, having set upon him by night, as he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig tree to make the wicker sides of a chariot. Achilles then caught him to his sorrow unawares, and sent him by sea to Lemnos, where the son of Jason bought him. But a guest friend, Ietian of Embrus, freed him with a great sum, and sent him to Orisby, whence he had escaped and returned to his father's house. He had spent eleven days happily with his friends after he had come from Lemnos, but on the twelfth heaven again delivered him into the hands of Achilles, who was to send him to the house of Hades sorely against his will. He was unarmed when Achilles caught sight of him, and had neither helmet nor shield, nor yet had he any spear, for he had thrown all his armor from him onto the bank, and was sweating with his struggles to get out of the river, so that his strength was now failing him. Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise, What marvel do I see here? If this man can come back alive after having been sold over into Lemnos, I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain rising from the world below. Could not even the waters of the grey sea imprison him, as they do many another whether he will or not?  Thus did he pause and ponder, but like Chaon came up to him dazed and trying hard to embrace his knees, for he would faint live, not die.  With one hand he caught Achilles' knees as he besought him, and with the other he clutched the spear and would not let it go. Then he said, Achilles, have mercy upon me and spare me, for I am your suppliant. It was in your tense that I first broke bread on the day when you took me prisoner in the vineyard, after which you sold me away to Lemnos, far from my father and my friends, and I brought you the price of a hundred oxen. I have paid three times as much to gain my freedom. It is but twelve days that I have come to Ilias after much suffering, and now cruel fate has again thrown me into your hands. Surely Father Job must hate me, that he has given me over to you a second time. Short of life indeed did my mother Leothui bear me, daughter of aged Altis, of Altis who reigns over the war-like Lelegy, and holds steep peticis on the river Satneas. Priam married his daughter, along with many other women, and two sons were born of her, both of whom you will have slain. Your spear slew noble Polydorus, as he was fighting in the front ranks, and now evil will hear befall me, for I fear that I shall not escape you since heaven has delivered me over to you. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, spare me, for I am not of the same womb as Hector, who slew your brave and noble comrade.  Idiot! said he, talk not to me of ransom. Until Petroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojan's quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive, but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilius, and of all Trojans that shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam.  Why should you whine in this way? Petroclus fell, and he was a better man than you are. I, too, see you not how I am great and goodly. I am son to a noble father, and have a goddess for my mother, but the hands of doom and death overshadow me all as surely. The day will come, either at dawn or dark, or at the noontide, when one shall take my life also in battle, either with his spear or with an arrow sped from his bow. Thus did he speak, and like Chaon's heart sank within him. He loosed his hold of the spear, and held out both hands before him, but Achilles drew his keen blade and struck him by the collarbone on his neck. He plunged his two-edged sword into him to the very hilt, whereon he lay at full length on the ground, with the dark blood welling from him till the earth was soaked. Then Achilles caught him by the foot and flung him into the river to go downstream, vaunting over him the while, and saying, Lie there among the fishes, who will lick the blood from your wound, and gloat over it. Your mother shall not lay on you any beer to mourn you, but the eddies of Scamander shall bear you into the broad bosom of the sea. There shall the fishes feed on the fat of like Chaon, as they dart under the dark ripple of the waters. So perish all of you till we reach the citadel of strong Ilius, you in flight, and I following after, to destroy you. The river with its broad silver stream shall serve you in no stead, for all the bulls you offered him, and all the horses that you flung living into his waters. None the less miserably shall you perish, till there is not a man of you but as paid in full for the death of Patroclus, and the havoc you wrought among the Achaeans whom you have slain while I held aloof from battle. So spoke Achilles. But the river grew more and more angry, and pondered within himself how he should stay the hand of Achilles, and save the Trojans from disaster.  He was son to the broad River Axeus and Parabia, eldest daughter of Acasimines, for the river had lain with her. Asteropeus stood up out of the water to face him with a spear in either hand, and Xanthus filled him with courage, being angry for the death of the youths, whom Achilles was slaying ruthlessly within his waters. When they were close up with one another Achilles was the first to speak. Who and whence are you, said he, who dare to face me? Woe to the parents whose son stands up against me.  I am from the fertile land of far Peonia, captain of the Peonians, and it is now eleven days that I am at Aeleus. I am with the blood of the river Axeus, of Axeus that is fairest of all rivers that run. He begot the famed warrior Peligan, whose son men call me. Let us now fight Achilles. Thus did he defy him, and Achilles raised his spear of Pelian ash. Asteropeus failed with both his spears, for he could use both hands alike. With the one spear he struck Achilles' shield, but did not pierce it, for the layer of gold, gift of the god, stayed the point. With the other spear he grazed the elbow of Achilles' right arm, drawing dark blood, but the spear itself went by him and fixed itself in the ground, foiled of its bloody banquet. Then Achilles, feigned to kill him, hurled his spear at Asteropeus, but failed to hit him and struck the steep bank of the river, driving the spear half its length into the earth. The son of Pelius then drew his sword and sprang furiously upon him. Asteropeus vainly tried to draw Achilles' spear out of the bank by main force. Thrice did he tug at it, trying with all his might to draw it out, and Thrice he had to leave off trying. The fourth time he tried to bend and break it, but ere he could do so Achilles smote him with his sword and killed him. He struck him in the belly near the naval, so that all his bowels came gushing out onto the ground, and the darkness of death came over him as he lay gasping. Then Achilles set his foot on his chest and spoiled him of his armor, vaunting over him and saying, Lie there, begotten of a river though you be, it is hard for you to strive with the offspring of Saturn's son. You declare yourself sprung from the blood of a broad river, but I am of the seed of mighty Jove. My father is Pelius, son of Iacus, ruler of the many Mermadons, and Achilles was the son of Jove. Therefore as Jove is mightier than any river that flows into the sea, so are his children stronger than those of any river whatsoever. Moreover you have a great river hard by, if he can be of any use to you, but there is no fighting against Jove, the son of Saturn, with whom not even King Acollous can compare, nor the mighty stream of deep flowing Oceanus, from whom all rivers and seas with all springs and deep wells proceed. Even Oceanus fears the lightnings of great Jove, and his thunder that comes crashing out of heaven.  Then he went in chase of the Peonians, who were flying along the bank of the river in panic when they saw their leader slain by the hands of the son of Pelius. Therein he slew Thercilicus, Midan, Astipolis, Manesus, Thracius, Aeneus, and Ophelestes, and would have slain yet others had not the river in anger taken human form, and spoken to him from out the deep waters saying, Achilles, if you excel all in strength so do you also in wickedness, for the gods are ever with you to protect you. If then the son of Saturn has vouchsafed it to you to destroy all the Trojans, at any rate drive them out of my stream and do your grim work on land. My fair waters are now filled with corpses, nor can I find any channel by which I may pour myself into the sea, for I am choked with dead, and yet you go on mercilessly slain. I am in despair, therefore, O captain of your host, trouble me no further. Achilles answered. So be it's, commander, Jove descended, but I will never cease dealing out death among the Trojans till I have pinned them up in their city and made trial of Hector face to face that I may learn whether he is to vanquish me or I him. As he spoke he set upon the Trojans with a fury like that of the gods. But the river said to Apollo, Surely son of Jove, lord of the Silver Bow, you are not obeying the commands of Jove, who charged you straightly that you should stand by the Trojans and defend them till twilight fades and darkness is over the earth. Meanwhile Achilles sprang from the bank into midstream, whereon the river raised a high wave and attacked him. He swelled his stream into a torrent and swept away the many dead whom Achilles had slain and left within his waters. These he cast out onto the land, bellowing like a bull the while. But the living he saved alive, hiding them in his mighty eddies. The great and terrible wave gathered about Achilles, falling upon him and beating on a shield so that he could not keep his feet. He caught hold of a great elm tree, but it came up by the roots and tore away the bank, damning the stream with its thick branches and bridging it all across, whereby Achilles struggled out of the stream, and fled full speed over the plain, for he was afraid. But the mighty gods ceased not in his pursuit, and sprang upon him with a dark-crested wave to stay his hands and save the Trojans from destruction. The son of Pelius darted away a spear's throw from him, swift as the swoop of a black-hunter eagle which is the strongest and fleetest of all birds. Even so did he spring forward, and the armor rang loudly about his breast. He fled on and front, but the river with a loud roar came pairing after. As one who would water his garden leads a stream from some fountain over his plants, and all his ground spade in hand he clears away the dams to free the channels, and the little stones run rolling round and round with the water as it goes merrily down the bank faster than the man can follow. Even so did the river keep catching up with Achilles, albeit he was a fleet-runner, for the gods are stronger than men. As often as he would strive to stand his ground, and see whether or not all the gods in heaven were in league against him, so often would the mighty wave come beating down upon his shoulders, and he would have to keep flying on and on in great dismay, for the angry flood was tiring him out as it flowed past him and ate the ground from under his feet. Then the son of Pelius lifted up his voice to heaven, saying, Father Jove, is there none of the gods who will take pity upon me, and save me from the river? I do not care what may happen to me afterwards. I blame none of the other dwellers on Olympus so severely as I do my dear mother, who has beguiled and tricked me. She told me I was to fall into the walls of Troy by the flying arrows of Apollo. Would that Hector, the best man among the Trojans, might there slay me? Then should I fall a hero by the hand of a hero? Whereas now it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable end, trapped in this river as though I were some swine-herds boy, who gets carried down a torrent while trying to cross it during a storm. As soon as he had spoken thus, Neptune and Minerva came up to him in the likeness of two men, and took him by the hand to reassure him. Neptune spoke first. Son of Pelius, said he, be not so exceeding fearful. We are two gods. Come with Jove's sanction to assist you. I and Pallas Minerva. It is not your fate to perish in this river. He will abate presently, as you will see. Moreover, we strongly advise you, if you will be guided by us, not to stay your hand from fighting till you have pent the Trojan host within the famed walls of Ilias, as many of them as may escape.  When they had so said they went back to the other immortals, but Achilles strove onward over the plain, encouraged by the charge the gods had laid upon him. All was now covered with the flood of waters, and much goodly armor of the use that had been slain was rifting about, as also many corpses, but he forced his way against the stream, speeding right onwards, nor could the broad water stay him, for Minerva had endowed him with great strength. Nevertheless, Commander did not slacken in his pursuit, but was still more furious with the son of Pilius. He lifted his waters into a high crest, and cried aloud to Simoas, saying, Dear Brother, let the two of us unite to save this man, or he will sack the mighty city of King Priam, and the Trojans will not hold out against him. Help me at once, fill your streams with water from their sources, rouse all your torrents to a fury, raise your wave on high, and let snags and stones come thundering down you, that we may make an end of this savage creature who is now lording it as though he were a god. Nothing shall serve him longer, not strength nor comeliness, nor his fine armor, which forsooth shall soon be lying low in the deep waters covered over with mud. I will wrap him in sand, and pour tons of shingle round him, so that the Achaean shall not know how to gather his bones for the silt in which I shall have hidden him, and when they celebrate his funeral they need build no barrow. On this he upraised his tumultuous flood high against Achilles, seething as it was with foam and blood in the bodies of the dead. The dark waters of the river stood upright, and would have overwhelmed the son of Pilius, but you know, trembling lest Achilles should be swept away in the mighty torrent, lifted her voice on high, and called out to Vulcan, her son. Crookfoot, she cried, my child be up and doing, for I deem it is with you that Xanthus is feigned to fight. Help us at once, kindle a fierce fire. I will then bring up the west in the white south wind in a mighty hurricane from the sea, that shall bear the flames against the heads and armor of the Trojans and consume them, while you go along the banks of Xanthus, burning his trees and wrapping him round with fire. Let him not turn you back neither by fair words nor foul, and slacken not till I shout and tell you, then you may stay your flames. On this Vulcan kindled a fierce fire, which broke out first upon the plain, and burned the many dead whom Achilles had killed, and whose bodies were lying about in great numbers. By this means the plain was dried and the flood stayed. As the north wind, blowing on an orchard that has been sodden with autumn rain, soon dries it, and the heart of the owner is glad, even so the whole plain was dried, and the dead bodies were consumed. Then he turned tongues of fire on to the river. He burned the elms, the willows, and the tamarisks, the lotus also, with the rushes and marshy herbage that grew abundantly by the banks of the river. The eels and fishes that go darting about everywhere in the water, these two were sorely harassed by the flames that cunning Vulcan had kindled, and the river himself was scalded, so that he spoke, saying, Vulcan there is no god that can hold his own against you. I cannot fight you when you flare out your flames in this way. Strive with me no longer. Let Achilles drive the Trojans out of the city immediately. What have I to do with quarreling and helping people? He was boiling as he spoke, and all his waters were seething.  He could flow no longer but stayed his stream, so afflicted was he by the blasts of fire which cunning Vulcan had raised. Then he prayed to Juno and besawed her, saying, Juno, why should your son vex my stream with such a special fury? I am not so much to blame as all the others are who have been helping the Trojans.  Furthermore I swear never again will I do anything to save the Trojans from destruction, not even when all Troy is burning in the flames which the Achaeans will kindle. As soon as Juno heard this, she said to her son Vulcan, son Vulcan, hold now your flames. We ought not to use such violence against a god for the sake of mortals. When she had thus spoken Vulcan quenched his flames, and the river went back once more into his own fair bed. Xanthas was now beaten, so these two left off fighting, for Juno stayed them though she was still angry. But a furious quarrel broke out among the other gods, for they were of divided councils. They fell on one another with a mighty uproar, earth-grown, and the spacious firmament rang out as with a blare of trumpets. Jove heard as he was sitting on Olympus, and laughed for joy when he saw the gods coming to blows among themselves. They were not long about beginning, and Mars' piercer of shields opened the battle. Sword in hand he sprang at once upon Minerva, and reviled her. Why, Vixen, said he, have you again set the gods by the ears in the pride and haughtiness of your heart? Have you forgotten how you said Diamed, son of Tidius, on to wound me, and you yourself took visible spear, and drove it into me to the hurt of my fair body? You shall now suffer for what you then did to me. As he spoke he struck her on the terrible tassled Aegis. So terrible that not even can Jove's lightning pierce it. Here did murderous Mars strike her with his great spear. She drew back and with her strong hand seized a stone that was lying on the plain, great and rugged and black, which men of old had set for the boundary of a field. With this she struck Mars on the neck, and brought him down. Nine roots did he cover in his fall, and his hair was all soiled in the dust, while his armor rang rattling round him. But Minerva laughed and vaunted over him, saying, idiot, have you not learned how far stronger I am than you? But you must still match yourself against me. Thus do your mother's curses now roost upon you, for she is angry and would do you mischief because you have deserted the Achaeans and are helping the Trojans. She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere, whereon Jove's daughter Venus took Mars by the hand and led him away, groaning all the time, for it was only with great difficulty that he had come to himself again. When Queen Juno saw her, she said to Minerva, Look, daughter of Aegis Bering Jove, unwearable, that Vixen Venus is again taking Mars through the crowd out of the battle. Go after her at once! Thus she spoke. Minerva sped after Venus with a will, and made at her, striking her on the bosom with her strong hand so that she fell feinting to the ground, and there they both lay stretched at full length. Then Minerva vaunted over her, saying, May all you who helped the Trojans against the Argyves prove just as redoubtable in stalwart as Venus did when she came across me while she was helping Mars. Had this been so, we should long since have ended the war by sacking the strong city of Ilias. Minerva no smiled as she listened. Meanwhile King Neptune turned to Apollo, saying, Phoebus, why should we keep each other at arm's length? It is not well, now that the others had begun fighting. It will be disgraceful to us if we return to Jove's bronze-floored mansion on Olympus without having fought each other. Therefore, come on! You are the younger of the two, and I ought not to attack you, for I am older and have had more experience. Idiot, you have no sense, and forget how we too alone of all the gods fared hardly round about Ilias when we came from Joves' house and worked for Leomedon a whole year at a stated wage and he gave us his orders. I built the Trojans the wall about their city so wide and fair that it might be impregnable, while you, Phoebus, heard it cattle for him in the dales of many Valedaida.  He threatened to bind us hand and foot and sell us over into some distant island. He tried moreover to cut the ears off of both of us, so we went away in a rage, furious about the payment he had promised us, and yet withheld. In spite of all this you are now showing favor to his people, and will not join us in compassing the utter ruin of the proud Trojans with their wives and children. And King Apollo answered, Lord of the earthquake, you would have no respect for me if I were to fight you about a pack of miserable mortals who come out like leaves in summer and eat the fruit of the field and presently fall lifeless to the ground. Let us stay this fighting at once, and let them settle it among themselves. He turned away as he spoke, for he would lay no hand on the brother of his own father. But his sister, the huntress Diana, patroness of wild beasts, was very angry with him and said, so you would fly, far darter, and hand victory over to Neptune with a cheap vaunt to boot. Baby, why keep your bow thus idle? Never let me again hear you bragging in my father's house as you have often done in the presence of the immortals that you would stand up and fight with Neptune. Apollo made no answer, but Jove's august queen was angry and upgraded her bitterly.  For all your bow you will find it hard to hold your own against me.  You will find it better to chase wild beasts and deer upon the mountains than to fight those who are stronger than you are. If you would try war, do so, and find out by pitting yourself against me how far stronger I am than you are. She caught both Diana's wrists with her left hand as she spoke, and with her right she took the bow from her shoulders, and laughed as she beat her with it about the ears while Diana wriggled and writhed under her blows. Her swift arrows were shed upon the ground, and she fled, weeping from under Juno's hand, as a dove that flies before a falcon to the cleft of some hollow rock, when it is her good fortune to escape. Even so did she fly, weeping away, leaving her bow and arrows behind her. Then the slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, said to Lito, Lito, I shall not fight you. It is ill to come to blows of any of Jove's wives. Therefore boast as you will among the immortals that you worsted me in a fair fight. Lito then gathered up Diana's bow and arrows that had fallen about amid the whirling dust, and when she had got them she made all haste after her daughter. Diana had now reached Jove's bronze-floored mansion on Olympus, and sat herself down with many tears on the knees of her father, while her ambrosial raiment was quivering all about her.  And the fair crown goddess of the chase answered, It was your wife Juno, father, who has been beating me. It is always her doing when there is any quarreling among the immortals. Thus did they converse, and meanwhile Phoebus Apollo entered the strong city of Ilius, for he was uneasy lest the wall should not hold out, and the Danians should take the city then and there, before its hour had come. But the rest of the ever-living gods went back, some angry and some triumphant, to Olympus, where they took their seats beside Jove, lord of the storm-cloud, while Achilles still kept on dealing out death alike on the Trojans and on their horses. As when smoke from some burning city ascends to heaven, when the anger of the gods has kindled it, there is then toil for all in sorrow for not a few. Even so did Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans. Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall, looking down on huge Achilles, as the Trojans fled panic-stricken before him, and there was none to help them. Presently he came down from off the tower, and with many a groan went along the wall to give orders to the brave warders of the gate. "'Keep the gates,' said he, wide open, till the people come flying into the city. For Achilles is hard by, and is driving them in route before them. I see we are in great peril. As soon as our people are inside and in safety, close the strong gates, for I fear lest that terrible man should come bounding inside along with the others.' As he spoke they drew back the bolts and opened the gates, and when these were opened there was a haven of refuge for the Trojans. Apollo then came full speed out of the city to meet them and protect them. Right for the city in the high wall, parched with thirst and grimy of dust, still they fled on, with Achilles wielding his spear furiously behind them, for he was as one possessed and was thirsting after glory. Then had the sons of the Achaeans taken the lofty gates of Troi, if Apollo had not spurred on Aginor, valiant and noble son to Antinor. He put courage into his heart, and stood by his side to guard him, leaning against a beech-tree and shrouded in thick darkness. When Aginor saw Achilles he stood still, and his heart was clouded with care. "'Alas!' said he to himself in his dismay.  How would it be if I were to let Achilles drive the others before him, and then fly from the wall to the plain that is behind Ilias, till I reach the spurs of Ida, and can hide in the underwood that is there on? I could then wash the sweat from off me in the river, and in the evening return to Ilias. But why commune with myself in this way? Like enough he would see me, as I am hurrying from the city over the plain, and would speed after me till he had caught me. I should stand no chance against him, for he is mightiest of all mankind.  His flesh, too, I take it, can be pierced by pointed bronze. Life is the same in one and all, and men say that he is but mortal, despite the triumph that Jove's son of Saturn vouchsafes him. So saying, he stood on his guard and awaited Achilles, for he was now feigned to fight him. As a leperidice that bounds from out a thick covert, to attack a hunter, she knows no fear, and is not dismayed by the bang of the hounds, even though the man be too quick for her, and wound her either with thrust or spear. Still, though the spear is pierced her, she will not give in till she has either caught him in her grip, or been killed outright.  Of a truth, said he, Noble Achilles, you deign that you shall this day sack the city of the proud Trojans. Fool, there will be trouble enough yet before it, for there is many a brave man of us still inside, who will stand in front of our dear parents with our wives and children, to defend Ilias.  As he spoke, his strong hand hurled the javelin from him, and the spear struck Achilles on the leg beneath the knee, the grieve of the newly wrought tin rang loudly, but the spear recoiled from the body of whom it had struck, and did not pierce it, for the God's gift stayed it. Achilles in his turn attacked Noble Agenor, but Apollo would not vouchsafed him glory, for he snatched Agenor away, and hid him in a thick mist, sending him out of the battle unmolested. Then he craftily drew the son of Ilias away, from going after the host, for he put on the semblance of Agenor, and stood in front of Achilles, who ran towards him to give him chase, and pursued him over the corn-lands of the plain, turning him towards the deep waters of the river's commander. Apollo ran but a little way before him, and beguiled Achilles, by making him think all the time that he was on the point of overtaking him. Meanwhile the rabble of routed Trojans was thankful to crowd within the city till their numbers thronged it. No longer did they dare wait for one another outside the city walls, to learn who had escaped and who were fallen in flight. But all those whose feet and knees could still carry them poured pale mail into the town. End of Book 21. Book 22 of the Iliad. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Iliad by Homer. Translated by Samuel Butler. Book 22. The Death of Hector. Thus the Trojans in the city, scared like thorns, wiped the sweat from off them, and drank to quench their thirst, leaning against a goodly battlement, while the Achaeans with their shields laid upon their shoulders drew close up to the walls. But stern fate bade Hector stay where he was before Ilias, and the Saiyan gates.   You did not harass the Trojans whom you had routed, and now they are within the walls, while you have been decoyed hither away from them. Me you cannot kill, for death can take no hold upon me. Achilles was greatly angered and said, You have balked me, far darter, most malicious of all gods, and have drawn me away from the wall, where many another man would have bitten the dust ere he got within Ilias. You have robbed me of great glory, and have saved the Trojans at no risk to yourself, for you have nothing to fear. But I would indeed have my revenge if it were in my power to do so. On this, with fel intent he made towards the city, and as the winning horse in a chariot race strains every nerve when he is flying over the plane, even so fast and furiously did the limbs of Achilles bear him onwards? King Priam was the first to know him as he scoured the plane, all radiant as the star which men called Orion's hound, and whose beam blazed forth in time of harvest more brilliantly than those of any other that shines by night. Brightest of them, although he be, he yet bodes ill for mortals, for he brings fire and fever in his train. Even so did Achilles' armor gleam on his breast as he sped onwards.  But Hector still stayed before the gates, for his heart was set upon doing battle with Achilles. The old man reached out his arm towards him and bade him for pity's sake come within the walls.  Monster that he is would indeed that the gods loved him no better than I do, for so dogs and vultures would soon devour him as he lay stretched on earth, and a load of grief would be lefted from my heart. For many a brave son has he ref from me, either by killing them or selling them away in the islands that are beyond the sea. Even now I miss two sons from among the Trojans who have thronged within the city, like Chaon and Polydorus, whom Lothia purless among women bore me. Should they be still alive and in the hands of the Achaeans we will ransom them with gold and bronze of which we have store, for the old man at Lees endowed his daughter richly. But if they are already dead and in the house of Hades, sorrow will it be to us too who were their parents, albeit the grief of others will be more short-lived unless you too perish at the hands of Achilles.  Have pity also on your unhappy father while life yet remains to him.   When a young man falls by the sword in battle, he may lie where he is and there is nothing unseemly. Let what will be seen all is honorable in death. But when an old man is slain there is nothing in this world more pitiable than that dog should defile his gray hair and beard and all that men hide for shame. The old man tore his gray hair as he spoke, but he moved not the heart of Hector. His mother howred by wept and moaned aloud as she barred her bosom and pointed to the breast which had suckled him. Hector, she cried, weeping bitterly in the wild, Hector, my son, spurn not this breast, but have pity upon me too. If I have ever given you comfort for my own bosom, think on it now, dear son, and come within the wall to protect us from this man. Stand not without to meet him.  Thus did the two with many tears employ their son, but they moved not the heart of Hector, and he stood his ground awaiting huge achilles as he drew nearer towards him.  Even so, Hector leaned his shield against the tower that jutted out from the wall and stood where he was, undaunted. Alas, said he to himself in the heaviness of his heart, if I go within the gates, Polydamus will be the first to heap reproach upon me, for it was he that urged me to lead the Trojans back to the city on that awful night when achilles came forth against us. I would not listen, but it would have been indeed better if I had done so. Now that my folly has destroyed the host, I dare not look Trojan men and Trojan women into faith, lest the worst man should say, Hector has ruined us by his self-confidence. Surely it would be better for me to return after having fought achilles and slain him or to die gloriously here before the city. What again, if I were to lay down my shield and helmet, lean my spear against the wall and go straight up to noble achilles? What if I were to promise to give up Helen, who was the fountainhead of all this war, and all the treasure that Alexandros bought with him and his ships to Troy, I, and to let the Achaeans divide the half of everything that the city contains among themselves. I might make the Trojans, by the mouth of their princes, take a solemn oath that they would hide nothing but would divide into two shares all that is within the city. But why argue with myself in this way? Were I to go up to him, he would show me no kind of mercy.  There is no parling with him from some rock or oak tree as young men and maidens prattle with one another. Better fight him at once and learn to which of us Jove will vouchsave victory. Thus did he stand and ponder, but Achilles came up to him as it were Mars himself, plume lord of battle. From his right shoulder he brandished his temporal spear of pillion ash, and the bronze gleamed around him like flashing fire or the rays of the rising sun. Fear fell upon Hector as he beheld him, and he dared not stay longer where he was, but fled in dismay from before the gates while Achilles darted after him at his utmost speed. As a mountain falcon, swift as his all bird, swooped down upon some cowering dove, the dove flies before him, but the falcon with a shrill scream follows close after, resolved to have her. Even so did Achilles make straight for Hector with all his might, while Hector fled under the Trojan wall as fast as his limbs could take him. On they flew along the wagon road that ran hard by under the wall, past the lookout station and past the weather-beaten wild fig tree, till they came to two fair springs which feed the river Schemander. One of these two springs is warm, and steam rises from it as smoke from a burning fire, but the other, even in summer, is as cold as hallowed snow and the ice that forms on the water. Here, hard by the springs, are the goodly washing straws of stone, wherein the time of peace before the coming theacheans, the wives and fair daughters of the Trojans, used to wash their clothes. Past these did they fly, the one in front and the other giving chase behind him. Good was the man that fled, but better far was he that followed after, and swiftly indeed did they run, for the prize was no mere beast for sacrifice or bullocks hide, as it might be for a common foot race, but they ran for the life of Hector. As horses in a chariot race speed round the turning points when they are running from some great prize, a tripod or woman, at the games in honor of some dead hero, so did these two run full speed three times round the city of Priam. All the gods watched them, and the sire of gods and men was the first to speak. Alas, said he, my eyes behold a man who is dear to me, being pursued round the walls of Troj. My heart is full of pity for Hector, who has burned the thigh bones of many a heifer in my honor, one while on the crest of many Validida and again on the citadel of Troj, and now I see a noble Achilles in full pursuit of him round the city of Priam. What say you? Consider among yourselves and decide whether we shall now save him or let him fall, valiant though he may be, before Achilles, son of Pilius. Then Minerva said, Father, wielder of the lightning, lord of cloud and storm, what mean you? Would you pluck this mortal whose doom has long been decreed out of the jaws of death? Do as you will, but we others shall not be of a mind with you, and Jove answered. My child, Tredo born, take heart. I did not speak in full earnest, and I will let you have your way. Do without let or hindrance as you were minded. Thustody urged Minerva, who was already eager, and down she darted from the topmost summit of Olympus. Achilles was still in full pursuit of Hector as a hound chasing a fawn when he started from its covert on the mountains and hunts through glade and thicket. The fawn may try to allude him by crouching under cover of a bush, but he will center out and follow her up until he gets her. Even so, there was no escape for Hector from the fleet's son of Pilius. Whenever he made set to get near the Dardanian gates and under the walls that his people might help him by showering down weapons from above, Achilles would gain on him and head him back towards the plane, keeping himself always on the city side. As a man in the dream who fails to lay hands upon another whom Minerva is pursuing, the one cannot escape nor the other overtake. Even so, neither could Achilles come up with Hector, nor Hector break away from Achilles. Nevertheless, he might even yet have escaped death had not the time come when Apollo, who thus far had sustained his strength and nerved his running, was now no longer to stay by him. Achilles made signs to the Achaean host and shook his head to show that no man was to aim a darted Hector, lest another might win the glory of having hit him and he might come in second. Then at last, as they were nearing the fountains for the fourth time, the father of all balanced his golden scales and placed a doom in each of them, one for Achilles and the other for Hector. As he held the scales by the middle, the doom of Hector fell down deep into the house of Hades, and thus Phoebus Apollo left him. Thereon Minerva went close up to the son of Pelius and said, Noble Achilles, favorite of the heaven, we too shall surely take back to the ships of triumph through the Achaeans by slaying Hector for all his lust to battle. Do what Apollo may as he lie groveling before his father, ages bearing jove, Hector cannot escape us longer.  Thus spoke Minerva. Achilles obeyed her gladly and stood still, leaning on his brawn-pointed ashen spear, while Minerva left him and went after Hector in the form and with the voice of Diaphobus. She came close up to him and said, Dear brother, I see you are hard-pressed by Achilles who is chasing you at full speed round the city of Priam. Let us await his onset and stand on our defense. And Hector answered, Diaphobus, you have always been dearest to me of all my brothers, children of Hecuba and Priam. But henceforth I shall rate you more highly in as much as you have ventured outside the wall for my sake when all others remain inside. Then Minerva said, Dear brother, my father and mother went down on their knees and implored me as did all my comrades to remain inside. So great a fear has fallen upon them all. But I was in agony of grief when I beheld you. Now therefore let us too make a stand and fight and let there be no keeping our spears in reserve, that we may learn whether Achilles shall kill us and bear off our spoils to the ships or whether he shall fall before you. Thus did Minerva invagle him by her cunning, and when the two were now close to one another, great Hector was the first to speak. I will no longer fly you, son of Pilius, said he, as I have been doing hither or two. Three times have I fled round the muddy city of Priam without daring to withstand you. But now let me either slay or be slain, for I am in the mind to face you. Let us then give pledges to one another by our gods, who are the fittest witnesses and guardians of all covenants. Let it be agreed between us that if Joe Vudge sates me the longer stay and I take your life, I am not to treat your dead body in any unseemly fashion. But when I have stripped you of your armor, I am to give your body to the Achaians, and do you likewise? Achilles glared at him and answered, Fool, prep not to me about covenants. There can be no covenants between men and lions. Wolves and lambs can never be of one mind, but hate each other out and out and through. Therefore there can be no understanding between you and me, nor may there be any covenants between us till one or other shall fall, glutton grim Mars with his life s blood. Put forth all your strength. You have need now to prove yourself indeed a bold soldier and man of war. You have no more chance, and palace maneuver will forthest vanquish you by my spear. You shall now pay me in full for the grief you have caused me on account of my comrades who you have killed in battle. He poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it. Hector saw it coming and avoided it. He watched it and crouched down so that it flew over his head and stuck in the ground beyond. Minerva then snatched it up and gave it back to Achilles without Hector seeing her. Hector thereon said to the son of Pilius, You have missed your aim, Achilles, peer of the gods, and Jove has not revealed to you the hour of my doom, though you made sure that he had done so.  You shall not drive spear into the back of a runaway. Drive it, should heaven so grant you the power, drive it into me as I make straight toward you, and now for your own part avoid my spear if you can. Would that you would receive the whole of it into your body, if you were once dead the Trojans would find the war an easier matter, for it is you who have harmed them most. He poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it. His aim were true for he hit the middle of Achilles' shield but the spear rebounded from it and did not pierce it. Hector was angry when he saw that the weapon had sped from his hand in vain and stood there in dismay for he had no second spear. With a loud cry he called Diaphobus and asked him for one, but there was no man. Then he saw the truth and said to himself, Lass, the gods have lured me on to my destruction. I deemed that the hero Diaphobus was by my side, but he is within the wall and Minerva has invagled me. Death is now indeed exceedingly near at hand and there is no way out of it, for so Jove and his son Apollo the far, darter, have willed it. Though here too far they have been ever ready to protect me. My doom has come upon me. Let me not then die ingloriously without a struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told among men hereafter. As he spoke he drew the keen blade that hung so great and strong by his side and gathering himself together he sprang on Achilles like a soaring eagle which swoops down from the clouds onto some lammer timid hair. Even so did Hector brandish his sword and spring upon Achilles.  The thick tresses of gold with which Vulcan had crested the helmet flouted around it and as the evening star that shines brighter than all others through the stillness of the night even such was the gleam of the spear which Achilles poised in his right hand fraught with the death of noble Hector. He eyed his fair flesh over and over to see where he could best wound it but it was all protected by the goodly armor of which Hector had spoiled patroclus after he had slain him. Save only the throat where the collar bones divide the neck from the shoulders and this is a most deadly place. Here then did Achilles strike him as he was coming towards him and the point of his spear went right through the fleshy part of the neck but it did not sever the windpipe so that he could still speak. Hector fell headlong and Achilles vaunted over him saying, Hector you deem that you should come off skateless when you were spoiling patroclus and wrecked not of myself who was not with him. Fool that you were for I his comrade mightier far than he was still left behind at the ships and now I have laid you low. The Achaean shall give him all due funeral rites while dogs and vultures shall work the will upon yourself. Then Hector said, as the life ebbed out of him, I pray you by your life and knees and by your parents let not dogs devour me at the ships of the Achaeans but accept the rich treasure of golden bronze which my father and mother will offer you and send my body home that the Trojans and their wives may give me my dues of fire when I'm dead. Achilles glared at him and answered, dog talk not to me neither of knees nor parents would that I could be assured being able to cut your flesh into pieces and eat it raw for the ill you have done me as I am that nothing shall save you from the dogs. It shall not be though they bring 10 or 20 fold ransom and weigh it out for me on the spot with promise of yet more here after.  Hector with his dying breath then said, I know you what you are and was sure that I should not move you for your heart is hard as iron. Look to it that I bring not heaven's anger upon you at the day when Paris and Phoebus Apollo, valiant though you be, shall slay you at the Saiyan gates when he had thus said the shrouds of death unfolded him whereupon his soul went out of him and flew down to the house of eighties lamenting its sad fate that it should enjoy youth and strength no longer. But Achilles said speaking to the dead body, die. For my part I will accept my fate when so ever Jove and the other gods he fit descended. As he spoke he drew a spear from the body and set it on one side then he stripped the bloodstained armor from Hector's shoulders while the other Acans came running up to view his wondrous strength and beauty and no one came near him without giving him a fresh wound. Then would one turn on his neighbor and say it is easier to handle Hector now than when he was flinging fire onto our ships and as he spoke he would thrust his spear into him anew. When Achilles had done spoiling Hector of his armor he stood among the Argives instead. My friends, princes and counselors of the Argives now that heaven has out-saved us to overcome this man who has done us more hurt than all others together consider whether we should not attack the city in force and discover in what mind the childrens may be. We should thus learn whether they will desert their city now that Hector has fallen or will hold out even though he is no longer living. But why argue with myself in this way while Patroclus is still lying at the ships unburied and unmoorned, he whom I can never forget so long as I am alive and my strength falls not. Though men forget they're dead when once they are within the house of Hades, yet not even there will I forget the comrade whom I've lost. Now therefore, Canutes, let us raise the song of victory and go back to the ships taking this man along with us. For we have achieved a mighty triumph and have slain noble Hector to whom Trojans prayed throughout their city as though he were a god. On this he treated the body of Hector with contumely. He pierced the sinews at the back of both his feet from heel to ankle and passed the thongs of oxide through the slits he had made. Thus he made the body fast to the chariot, letting the head trail upon the ground. Then when he had put the goodly armor on the chariot and had mounted himself, he lashed his horses and they flew forward, nothing lost. The dust rose from Hector as he was being dragged along.  For Jov had now delivered him into the hands of his foes to do him outrage in his own land. Thus was the head of Hector being dishonored in the dust.  His father made piteous moan and throughout the city the people fell to weeping and wailing. It was as though to hold a frowning ileus was being smirked with fire. Hardly could the people hold Priam back in his hot haste to rush without the gates of the city. He groveled in the mire and we sought them calling each one of them by his name. Let be, my friends, he cried, and for all your sorrows suffer me to go single handed to the ships of the Achaeans. Let me beseech this cruel and terrible man, if maybe he will respect the feeling of his fellow men and have compassion on my old age. His own father is even such another as myself. Paleus who bred him and reared him to be the bane of Astrojans and of myself more than all others. Many a son of mine has he slain in the flower of his youth and yet grieve for these as I may. I do so for one. Hector, more than for them all, and the bitterness of my sorrow will bring me down to the house of Hades. Wood that he had died in my arms for both his ill-starred mother who bore him and myself should have had the comfort of weeping and mourning over him. Thus did he speak with many tears and all the people of the city joined as his lament. Hector then raised a cry of welling among the Chuljans. Alas, my son, she cried, what have I left to live for now that you know more? Night and day did I glory in you throughout the city for you were a tower of strength all in Troy and both men and women alike held you as a god. So long as you lived, you were their pride. But now death and destruction have fallen upon you. Hector's wife had as yet heard nothing, for no one had come to tell her that her husband had remained without the gates. She was at her loom in an inner part of the house, weaving a double purple web and embroidering it with many flowers. She told her maids to set a large tripod on the fire so as to have a warm bath ready for Hector when he came out of battle. Poor woman. She knew not that he was now beyond the reach of bads and that Minerva had her laid low by the hand of Achilles. She heard the cry coming as from the wall and trembled in every limb. The shuttle fell from her hands and again she spoke to her welling woman. Two of you, she said, come with me then I may learn what it has been fallen. I heard the voice of my husband's honored mother. My own heart beats as though it would come into my mouth and my limbs refuse to carry me. Some great misfortune for Priam's children must be at hand. May I never live to hear it, but I greatly feel that Achilles has cut off the retreat of brave Hector and has chased him on to the plane where he was single-handed. I fear he may have put an end to this reckless daring which possessed my husband who would never remain with the body of his men but would dash on far in front for most of them all in valor. Her heart beat fast and as she spoke she flew from the house like a maniac with her waiting woman following after. When she reached the battlements in the crowd of people she stood looking out upon the wall and saw Hector being born away in front of the city the horse is dragging him without heed or care over the ground towards the ships of the Achaeans. Her eyes were then shrouded as with the darkness of night and she fell fainting backwards. She tore the retiring from her head and flung it from her. The front lent a net with a plated band in the veil which Golden Venus had given her on the day when Hector took her with him from the house of Edion after having given countless gifts of wooing for her sake. Her husband's sister and the wives of his brothers crowded round her and supported her for she was feigned to die in her distraction when she again presently breathed and came to herself. She sobbed and made lament among the Trojan saying, Whoa is me, oh Hector, whoa. Indeed that to share a common lot we were born, you had trod the house of Priam and I had thieves under wooded mountains of Blackison house of Edion who brought me up when I was a child. Ill-starred Siref and Ill-starred daughter would that he had never begotten me. You were now going into the house of Hades under a secret place of the earth and you leave me the sorrowing widow in your house. The child of which you and I are the unhappy parents is yet a mere infant.  Even though he escaped the horrors of this woeful war with the Achaeans, yet sell his life henceforth be one of labor and sorrow, for others will seize his lands. The day that robs a child of his parents severs him from his own kind, his head is bowed, his cheeks are wet with tears, and he will go about destitute among the friends of his fathers, plucking one by the cloak and another by the shirt. Someone or another these may be so far pity him as to hold the cup for a moment towards him and let him moisten his lips.  Then one whose parents are alive will drive him from the table with blows and angry words. Out with you, he will say. You have no father here.  He, Asteanix, who earwhile would sit upon his father's knees and have none but the daintiest in choice his morsel set before him. When he had played till he was tired and went to sleep, he would lie in a bed in the arms of his nurse on a soft couch knowing neither want nor care. Whereas now that he has lost his father, his lot will be full of hardship. He, whom the Trojans named Asteanix because you, O Hector, were their only defense of their gates and their battlements. The wiggling, writhing worms will now eat you at the ships far from your parents when the dogs have glutted themselves upon you. You will lie naked, although in your house you have fine and goodly raiment made by the hands of women. This, while I now burn, it is of no use to you, for you can never again wear it, and thus you will have respect shown you by the Trojans, both men and women. In such wise did she cry loud and mend her tears, and the women joined in her lament. End of Book 22, recording by ML Cohen, www.mojomove411.com Cleveland, Ohio December 31st, 2007.