Polydamas

“had not Polydamas drawn nigh to bold Hector, and said: Hector, hard to deal with art thou, that thou shouldest hearken to words of persuasion. Forasmuch as god has given to thee as to none other works of war, therefore in counsel too art thou minded to have wisdom beyond all; but in no wise shalt thou be able of thine own self to compass all things.”

“and he spake and addressed him with winged words: Polydamas, do thou hold back here all the bravest, but I will go thither and confront the war, and quickly will I come again, when to the full I have laid on them my charge. So spake he, and set forth, in semblance like a snowy mountain,”

“round about CebrionesCeCe and peerless Polydamas, and Phalces, and Orthaeus, and godlike PolyphetesPoPo, and Palmys, and AscaniusAsAs, and Morys, son of Hippotion, who had come from deep-soiled Ascania on the morn before to relieve their fellows, and now Zeus roused them to fight.”

“even Polydamas, and Aeneas, and goodly AgenorAgAg, and Sarpedon, leader of the Lycians, and peerless Glaucus withal, and of the rest was no man unheedful of him, but before him they held their round shields; and his comrades lifted him up in their arms and bare him forth from the toil of war until he came to the swift horses”

“to Enops, as he tended his herds by the banks of Satnioeis. To him did the son of Oïleus, famed for his spear, draw nigh, and smite him upon the flank; and he fell backward, and about him Trojans and Danaans joined in fierce conflict. To him then came Polydamas, wielder of the spear, to bear him aid,”

“the son of Telamon, for closest to him did the man fall. Swiftly then he cast with his bright spear at the other, even as he was drawing back. And Polydamas himself escaped black fate, springing to one side; but ArchelochusArAr, son of Antenor, received the spear; for to him the gods purposed death.”

“Bethink thee, Polydamas, and tell me in good sooth, was not this man worthy to be slain in requital for Prothoënor? No mean man seemeth he to me, nor of mean descent, but a brother of Antenor, tamer of horses, or haply a son; for he is most like to him in build.”

“but he dwelt in Phylace far from his native land, for that he had slain a man of the kin of his stepmother, EriopisErEr that Oïleus had to wife; and IasusIaIa was a captain of the Athenians, and was called the son of Sphelus, son of Bucolus. And MecisteusMeMe did Polydamas slay, and PolitesPoPo slew Echius”

“And he smote CleitusClCl, the glorious son of PeisenorPePe, comrade of Polydamas, the lordly son of PanthousPaPa, even as he was holding the reins in his hand, and was busied with his horses; for thither was he driving them, where the most battalions were being driven in rout, thus doing pleasure unto Hector and the Trojans. But full swiftly”

“Then Hector slew Schedius, son of Perimedes, a leader of the Phocians, and Aias slew LaodamasLaLa, the leader of the footmen, the glorious son of Antenor; and Polydamas laid low OtusOtOt of Cyllene, comrade of PhyleusPhPh' son, captain of the great-souled Epeians.”

“unto Polydamas, son of PanthousPaPa, and goodly AgenorAgAg, and he went after Aeneas, and after Hector, harnessed in bronze. And he came up to him and spake winged words, saying: Hector, now in good sooth art thou utterly forgetful of the allies, that for thy sake far from their friends and their native land”

“but the spear-point of Polydamas cut even to the bone, for he it was that cast at him from nigh at hand. And LeitusLeLe again, the son of great-souled AlectryonAlAl, did Hector wound in close fight, on the hand at the wrist, and made him cease from fighting: and casting an anxious glance about him he shrank back, seeing he no more had hope that bearing spear in hand he might do battle with the Trojans.”

“and gathered themselves in assembly or ever they bethought them to sup. Upon their feet they stood while the gathering was held, neither had any man heart to sit; for they all were holden of fear, seeing Achilles was come forth, albeit he had long kept him aloof from grievous battle. Then among them wise Polydamas was first to speak,”

“in hope that we should take the curved ships. But now do I wondrously fear the swift-footed son of Peleus; so masterful is his spirit, he will not be minded to abide in the plain, where in the midst both Trojans and Achaeans share in the fury of Ares;”

“Polydamas, this that thou sayest is no longer to my pleasure, seeing thou biddest us go back and be pent within the city. In good sooth have ye not yet had your fill of being pent within the walls? Of old all mortal men were wont to tell of Priam's city, for its wealth of gold, its wealth of bronze;”

“And of the Trojans whoso is distressed beyond measure for his goods, let him gather them together and give them to the folk for them to feast thereon in common; better were it that they have profit thereof than the Achaeans. But in the morning, at the coming of Dawn, arrayed in our armour, let us arouse sharp battle at the hollow ships. But if in deed and in truth goodly Achilles is arisen by the ships, the worse shall it be for him, if he so will it. I verily will not flee from him out of dolorous war, but face to face will I stand against him, whether he shall win great victory, or haply I. Alike to all is the god of war, and lo, he slayeth him that would slay. So Hector addressed their gathering, and thereat the Trojans shouted aloud, fools that they were! for from them Pallas Athene took away their wits. To Hector they all gave praise in his ill advising, but Polydamas no man praised, albeit he devised counsel that was good. So then they took supper throughout the host; but the Achaeans”

“Polydamas will be the first to put reproach upon me, for that he bade me lead the Trojans to the city during this fatal night, when goodly Achilles arose. Howbeit I hearkened not—verily it had been better far! But now, seeing I have brought the host to ruin in my blind folly,”