Homer ILIAD : Rhapsody 23

Page 29

So saying, he placed it in his hands; and he, rejoicing, received it. But the son of Peleus, bearing into the circus, laid down a long spear, and a shield, and helmet, the arms of Sarpedon, which Patroclus had stripped him of; and stood upright, and spoke amongst the Greeks:

"We invite two warriors, whoever are bravest, having put; on these arms, [and] seizing the flesh-rending brass, to make trial of each other before the host for these. Whoever shall be the first to wound the fair flesh, and touch the entrails through the armour and black blood, to him, indeed, will I give this silver-studded, beautiful Thracian sword, which I formerly took from Asteropaeus. But let both bear away these arms in common, and before them I will place a splendid banquet in my tents."

Thus he spoke; but then arose mighty Telamonian Ajax, and the son of Tydeus, valiant Diomede rose up. But they, after they had armed apart on either side from the ground, both came together into the midst, eager to fight, looking dreadfully; and stupor possessed all the Greeks. But when approaching each other, they were near, thrice indeed they rushed on, and thrice made the attack hand to hand. Then Ajax, indeed, pierced through his shield, equal on all sides, nor reached the flesh; for the corslet inside protected him. But next the son of Tydeus, with the point of his shining spear, endeavoured to reach the neck, over his great shield. And then, indeed, the Greeks, fearing for Ajax, desired them, ceasing, to take up equal rewards. The hero, however, gave the great sword to Diomede, bearing it both with the sheath and the well-cut belt.

Then the son of Peleus deposited a rudely-molten mass of iron, which the great might of Eetion used formerly to hurl. But when swift-footed, noble Achilles slew him, he brought this also, with other possessions, in his ships. Then he stood up, and spoke amongst the Greeks:

"Arise, you who will make trial of this contest also. Even if his rich fields be of very far and wide extent, using this he will have it even for five revolving years; for indeed neither will his shepherd nor his ploughman go into the city wanting iron, but [this] will furnish it."

Thus he spoke; then up arose warlike Polypoetes, and the valiant might of godlike Leonteus arose; also Telamonian Ajax, and noble Epeus arose. Then they stood in order; but noble Epeus seized the mass, and, whirling it round, threw it; but all the Greeks laughed at him. Next Leonteus, a branch of Mars, threw second; but third, mighty Telamonian Ajax hurled with his strong hand, and cast beyond the marks of all. But when now warlike Polypoetes had seized the mass, as far as a cow-herdsman throws his crook, which, whirled around, flies through the herds of oxen, so far, through the whole stadium, did he cast beyond; but they shouted aloud; and the companions of brave Polypoetes, rising up, bore away the prize of the king to the hollow ships.

Next, for the archers, he staked iron fit for making arrows,[772] and laid down ten battle-axes, and also ten demi-axes. He also set upright the mast of an azure-prowed vessel, afar upon the sands; from [this] he fastened a timid dove by a slender cord, by the foot, at which he ordered [them] to shoot:

[Footnote 772: I.e. well-tempered.]

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Rhapsody 23

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