Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/109

316—364 But while my nerves are strong, my force entire,

Thus front the foe, and emulate my sire.

Nor shall yon steeds, that fierce to fight convey

Those threatening heroes, bear them both away;

One chief at least beneath this arm shall die;

So Pallas tells me, and forbids to fly.

But if she dooms, and if no god withstand,

That both shall fall by one victorious hand;

Then heed my words: my horses here detain,

Fixed to the chariot by the straitened rein;

Swift to Æneas' empty seat proceed,

And seize the coursers of ethereal breed,

The race of those, which once the thundering god

For ravished Ganymede on Tros bestowed,

The best that e'er on earth's broad surface run

Beneath the rising or the setting sun.

Hence great Anchises stole a breed, unknown

By mortal mares, from fierce Laomedon:

Four of this race his ample stalls contain,

And two transport Æneas o'er the plain.

These, were the rich immortal prize our own,

Through the wide world should make our glory known."

Thus while they spoke, the foe came furious on,

And stern Lycaon's warlike race begun:

"Prince, thou art met. Though late in vain assailed,

The spear may enter where the arrow failed."

He said, then shook the ponderous lance, and flung;

On his broad shield the sounding weapon rung,

Pierced the tough orb, and in his cuirass hung.

"He bleeds! the pride of Greece!" the boaster cries,

"Our triumph now the mighty warrior lies!"

"Mistaken vaunter!" Diomed replied;

"Thy dart has erred, and now my spear be tried:

Ye 'scape not both; one, headlong from his car,

With hostile blood shall glut the god of war."

He spoke, and, rising, hurled his forceful dart,

Which, driven by Pallas, pierced a vital part;

Full in his face it entered, and betwixt

The nose and eyeball the proud Lycian fixed;

Crashed all his jaws, and cleft the tongue within,

Till the bright point looked out beneath the chin.

Headlong he falls, his helmet knocks the ground;

Earth groans beneath him, and his arms resound;

The starting coursers tremble with affright;

The soul indignant seeks the realms of night.

To guard his slaughtered friend, Æneas flies,

His spear extending where the carcass lies;

Watchful he wheels, protects it every way,

As the grim lion stalks around his prey.