ARGUMENT OF THE SIXTH BOOK.
BOOK VI.
Thus was the field forsaken by the Gods. And now success proved various; here the Greeks With their extended spears, the Trojans there Prevail'd alternate, on the champain spread The Xanthus and the Simoïs between.
First Telamonian Ajax, bulwark firm
Of the Achaians, broke the Trojan ranks, And kindled for the Greeks a gleam of hope, Slaying the bravest of the Thracian band, Huge Acamas, Eusorus' son; him first Full on the shaggy crest he smote, and urged The spear into his forehead; through his skull The bright point pass'd, and darkness veil'd his eyes. But Diomede, heroic Chief, the son Of Teuthras slew, Axylus. Rich was he, And in Arisba (where he dwelt beside The public road, and at his open door Made welcome all) respected and beloved. But of his numerous guests none interposed To avert his woful doom; nor him alone He slew, but with him also to the shades Calesius sent, his friend and charioteer.
Opheltius fell and Dresus, by the hand
Slain of Euryalus, who, next, his arms
On Pedasus and on Æsepus turned
Brethren and twins. Them Abarbarea bore, A Naiad, to Bucolion, son renown'd Of King Laomedon, his eldest born, But by his mother, at his birth, conceal'd. Bucolion pasturing his flocks, embraced The lovely nymph; she twins produced, both whom, Brave as they were and beautiful, thy son Mecisteus! slew, and from their shoulders tore Their armor. Dauntless Polypœtes slew Astyalus. Ulysses with his spear Transfixed Pydites, a Percosian Chief, And Teucer Aretaön; Nestor's pride Antilochus, with his bright lance, of life Bereft Ablerus, and the royal arm Of Agamemnon, Elatus; he dwelt Among the hills of lofty Pedasus, On Satnio's banks, smooth-sliding river pure Phylacus fled, whom Leïtus as swift Soon smote. Melanthius at the feet expired Of the renown'd Eurypylus, and, flush'd With martial ardor, Menelaus seized And took alive Adrastus. As it chanced A thicket his affrighted steeds detain'd Their feet entangling; they with restive force At its extremity snapp'd short the pole, And to the city, whither others fled, Fled also. From his chariot headlong hurl'd, Adrastus press'd the plain fast by his wheel. Flew Menelaus, and his quivering spear Shook over him; he, life imploring, clasp'd Importunate his knees, and thus exclaim'd.
Oh, son of Atreus, let me live! accept
Illustrious ransom! In my father's house
Is wealth abundant, gold, and brass, and steel
Of truest temper, which he will impart
Till he have gratified thine utmost wish, Inform'd that I am captive in your fleet.
He said, and Menelaus by his words
Vanquish'd, him soon had to the fleet dismiss'd
Given to his train in charge, but swift and stern
Approaching, Agamemnon interposed.
Now, brother, whence this milkiness of mind, These scruples about blood? Thy Trojan friends Have doubtless much obliged thee. Die the race! May none escape us! neither he who flies, Nor even the infant in his mother's womb Unconscious. Perish universal Troy Unpitied, till her place be found no more!
So saying, his brother's mind the Hero turn'd, Advising him aright; he with his hand Thrust back Adrastus, and himself, the King, His bowels pierced. Supine Adrastus fell, And Agamemnon, with his foot the corse Impressing firm, pluck'd forth his ashen spear. Then Nestor, raising high his voice, exclaim'd.
Friends, Heroes, Grecians, ministers of Mars! Let none, desirous of the spoil, his time Devote to plunder now; now slay your foes, And strip them when the field shall be your own.
He said, and all took courage at his word.
Then had the Trojans enter'd Troy again
By the heroic Grecians foul repulsed, So was their spirit daunted, but the son Of Priam, Helenus, an augur far Excelling all, at Hector's side his speech To him and to Æneas thus address'd.