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第58节

the iliad(伊利亚特)-第58节

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the chariot cracked and they got entangled in the reins through the
fall of the horse that was yoked along with them; but Automedon knew
what to do; without the loss of a moment he drew the keen blade that
hung by his sturdy thigh and cut the third horse adrift; whereon the
other two righted themselves; and pulling hard at the reins again went
together into battle。
  Sarpedon now took a second aim at Patroclus; and again missed him;
the point of the spear passed over his left shoulder without hitting
him。 Patroclus then aimed in his turn; and the spear sped not from his
hand in vain; for he hit Sarpedon just where the midriff surrounds the
ever…beating heart。 He fell like some oak or silver poplar or tall
pine to which woodmen have laid their axes upon the mountains to
make timber for ship…building… even so did he lie stretched at full
length in front of his chariot and horses; moaning and clutching at
the blood…stained dust。 As when a lion springs with a bound upon a
herd of cattle and fastens on a great black bull which dies
bellowing in its clutches… even so did the leader of the Lycian
warriors struggle in death as he fell by the hand of Patroclus。 He
called on his trusty comrade and said; 〃Glaucus; my brother; hero
among heroes; put forth all your strength; fight with might and
main; now if ever quit yourself like a valiant soldier。 First go about
among the Lycian captains and bid them fight for Sarpedon; then
yourself also do battle to save my armour from being taken。 My name
will haunt you henceforth and for ever if the Achaeans rob me of my
armour now that I have fallen at their ships。 Do your very utmost
and call all my people together。〃
  Death closed his eyes as he spoke。 Patroclus planted his heel on his
breast and drew the spear from his body; whereon his senses came out
along with it; and he drew out both spear…point and Sarpedon's soul at
the same time。 Hard by the Myrmidons held his snorting steeds; who
were wild with panic at finding themselves deserted by their lords。
  Glaucus was overcome with grief when he heard what Sarpedon said;
for he could not help him。 He had to support his arm with his other
hand; being in great pain through the wound which Teucer's arrow had
given him when Teucer was defending the wall as he; Glaucus; was
assailing it。 Therefore he prayed to far…darting Apollo saying;
〃Hear me O king from your seat; may be in the rich land of Lycia; or
may be in Troy; for in all places you can hear the prayer of one who
is in distress; as I now am。 I have a grievous wound; my hand is
aching with pain; there is no staunching the blood; and my whole arm
drags by reason of my hurt; so that I cannot grasp my sword nor go
among my foes and fight them; thou our prince; Jove's son Sarpedon; is
slain。 Jove defended not his son; do you; therefore; O king; heal me
of my wound; ease my pain and grant me strength both to cheer on the
Lycians and to fight along with them round the body of him who has
fallen。〃
  Thus did he pray; and Apollo heard his prayer。 He eased his pain;
staunched the black blood from the wound; and gave him new strength。
Glaucus perceived this; and was thankful that the mighty god had
answered his prayer; forthwith; therefore; he went among the Lycian
captains; and bade them come to fight about the body of Sarpedon。 From
these he strode on among the Trojans to Polydamas son of Panthous
and Agenor; he then went in search of Aeneas and Hector; and when he
had found them he said; 〃Hector; you have utterly forgotten your
allies; who languish here for your sake far from friends and home
while you do nothing to support them。 Sarpedon leader of the Lycian
warriors has fallen… he who was at once the right and might of
Lycia; Mars has laid him low by the spear of Patroclus。 Stand by
him; my friends; and suffer not the Myrmidons to strip him of his
armour; nor to treat his body with contumely in revenge for all the
Danaans whom we have speared at the ships。〃
  As he spoke the Trojans were plunged in extreme and ungovernable
grief; for Sarpedon; alien though he was; had been one of the main
stays of their city; both as having much people with him; and
himself the foremost among them all。 Led by Hector; who was infuriated
by the fall of Sarpedon; they made instantly for the Danaans with
all their might; while the undaunted spirit of Patroclus son of
Menoetius cheered on the Achaeans。 First he spoke to the two Ajaxes;
men who needed no bidding。 〃Ajaxes;〃 said he; 〃may it now please you
to show youselves the men you have always been; or even better…
Sarpedon is fallen… he who was first to overleap the wall of the
Achaeans; let us take the body and outrage it; let us strip the armour
from his shoulders; and kill his comrades if they try to rescue his
body。〃
  He spoke to men who of themselves were full eager; both sides;
therefore; the Trojans and Lycians on the one hand; and the
Myrmidons and Achaeans on the other; strengthened their battalions;
and fought desperately about the body of Sarpedon; shouting fiercely
the while。 Mighty was the din of their armour as they came together;
and Jove shed a thick darkness over the fight; to increase the of
the battle over the body of his son。
  At first the Trojans made some headway against the Achaeans; for one
of the best men among the Myrmidons was killed; Epeigeus; son of noble
Agacles who had erewhile been king in the good city of Budeum; but
presently; having killed a valiant kinsman of his own; he took
refuge with Peleus and Thetis; who sent him to Ilius the land of noble
steeds to fight the Trojans under Achilles。 Hector now struck him on
the head with a stone just as he had caught hold of the body; and
his brains inside his helmet were all battered in; so that he fell
face foremost upon the body of Sarpedon; and there died。 Patroclus was
enraged by the death of his comrade; and sped through the front
ranks as swiftly as a hawk that swoops down on a flock of daws or
starlings。 Even so swiftly; O noble knight Patroclus; did you make
straight for the Lycians and Trojans to avenge your comrade。 Forthwith
he struck Sthenelaus the son of Ithaemenes on the neck with a stone;
and broke the tendons that join it to the head and spine。 On this
Hector and the front rank of his men gave ground。 As far as a man
can throw a javelin when competing for some prize; or even in
battle… so far did the Trojans now retreat before the Achaeans。
Glaucus; captain of the Lycians; was the first to rally them; by
killing Bathycles son of Chalcon who lived in Hellas and was the
richest man among the Myrmidons。 Glaucus turned round suddenly; just
as Bathycles who was pursuing him was about to lay hold of him; and
drove his spear right into the middle of his chest; whereon he fell
heavily to the ground; and the fall of so good a man filled the
Achaeans with dismay; while the Trojans were exultant; and came up
in a body round the corpse。 Nevertheless the Achaeans; mindful of
their prowess; bore straight down upon them。
  Meriones then killed a helmed warrior of the Trojans; Laogonus son
of Onetor; who was priest of Jove of Mt。 Ida; and was honoured by
the people as though he were a god。 Meriones struck him under the
jaw and ear; so that life went out of him and the darkness of death
laid hold upon him。 Aeneas then aimed a spear at Meriones; hoping to
hit him under the shield as he was advancing; but Meriones saw it
coming and stooped forward to avoid it; whereon the spear flew past
him and the point stuck in the ground; while the butt…end went on
quivering till Mars robbed it of its force。 The spear; therefore; sped
from Aeneas's hand in vain and fell quivering to the ground。 Aeneas
was angry and said; 〃Meriones; you are a good dancer; but if I had hit
you my spear would soon have made an end of you。〃
  And Meriones answered; 〃Aeneas; for all your bravery; you will not
be able to make an end of every one who comes against you。 You are
only a mortal like myself; and if I were to hit you in the middle of
your shield with my spear; however strong and self…confident you may
be; I should soon vanquish you; and you would yield your life to Hades
of the noble steeds。〃
  On this the son of Menoetius rebuked him and said; 〃Meriones; hero
though you be; you should not speak thus; taunting speeches; my good
friend; will not make the Trojans draw away from the dead body; some
of them must go under ground first; blows for battle; and words for
council; fight; therefore; and say nothing。〃
  He led the way as he spoke and the hero went forward with him。 As
the sound of woodcutters in some forest glade upon the mountains…
and the thud of their axes is heard afar… even such a din now rose
from earth…clash of bronze armour and of good ox…hide shields; as
men smote each other with their swords and spears pointed at both
ends。 A man had need of good eyesight now to know Sarpedon; so covered
was he from head to foot with spears and blood and dust。 Men swarmed
about the body; as flies that buzz round the full milk…pails in spring
when they are brimming with milk… even so did they gather round
Sarpedon; nor did Jove turn his keen eyes away for one moment from the
fight; but kept loo

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