Page:Iliad Buckley.djvu/106

94 covets: but I, nevertheless, exhort the Lycians, and I am ready myself to fight with that hero; and yet there is not here to me such store as the Greeks can carry or lead off. But thou standest still, and dost not exhort even the other forces to stand and to defend their wives. [Beware,] lest perchance, as though ensnared in the meshes of an all-capturing net, thou become a prey and a spoil to hostile men: for quickly will they destroy thy well-inhabited city. But it behooves thee, both night and day, to interest thyself in all these matters, beseeching the chiefs of thy far-summoned allies to persevere with ardor, and forego their violent strife."

Thus spoke Sarpedon, but his speech gnawed the soul of Hector, and immediately he leaped from his chariot with his armor to the ground, and brandishing his sharp spears, he went in all directions through the army, exhorting them to battle; and he stirred up a grievous conflict. They then rallied and stood against the Greeks; but the Greeks, in close array, withstood them, nor fled.

And as the wind scatters the chaff about the sacred thrashing-floors, when men are winnowing [it], and when yellow Ceres is separating both the grain and the chaff, as the winds rush along; and the chaff-heaps grow white from beneath; thus then the Greeks became white with the dust from above, which indeed through them, as they again were mingled in the combat, the feet of the steeds struck up [from the ground] to the brazen heaven; for the charioteers were turning back. But they directed the strength of their hands straight forward; and fierce Mars spread a vapor over the battle, aiding the Trojans, going about every where, executing the commands of golden-sworded Phœbus Apollo, who ordered him to excite the courage of the Trojans, whenever he should see Pallas Minerva departing; for she was an ally to the Greeks. But he sent forth Æneas from his very rich shrine, and infused strength into the breast of the shepherd of the people.

Then Æneas placed himself amid his companions; but they rejoiced when they saw him approaching alive and unhurt and having excellent strength. They did not, however, ask any questions; for a different labor did not permit, which the silver-bowed god and man-slaughtering Mars, and Strife insatiably raging, had excited, But them the