第 68 节
作者:美丽心点      更新:2021-02-21 16:08      字数:9322
  All round the outermost rim of the shield he set the mighty stream
  of the river Oceanus。
  Then when he had fashioned the shield so great and strong; he made a
  breastplate also that shone brighter than fire。 He made helmet;
  close fitting to the brow; and richly worked; with a golden plume
  overhanging it; and he made greaves also of beaten tin。
  Lastly; when the famed lame god had made all the armour; he took
  it and set it before the mother of Achilles; whereon she darted like a
  falcon from the snowy summits of Olympus and bore away the gleaming
  armour from the house of Vulcan。
  BOOK XIX
  NOW when Dawn in robe of saffron was hasting from the streams of
  Oceanus; to bring light to mortals and immortals; Thetis reached the
  ships with the armour that the god had given her。 She found her son
  fallen about the body of Patroclus and weeping bitterly。 Many also
  of his followers were weeping round him; but when the goddess came
  among them she clasped his hand in her own; saying; 〃My son; grieve as
  we may we must let this man lie; for it is by heaven's will that he
  has fallen; now; therefore; accept from Vulcan this rich and goodly
  armour; which no man has ever yet borne upon his shoulders。〃
  As she spoke she set the armour before Achilles; and it rang out
  bravely as she did so。 The Myrmidons were struck with awe; and none
  dared look full at it; for they were afraid; but Achilles was roused
  to still greater fury; and his eyes gleamed with a fierce light; for
  he was glad when he handled the splendid present which the god had
  made him。 Then; as soon as he had satisfied himself with looking at
  it; he said to his mother; 〃Mother; the god has given me armour;
  meet handiwork for an immortal and such as no living could have
  fashioned; I will now arm; but I much fear that flies will settle upon
  the son of Menoetius and breed worms about his wounds; so that his
  body; now he is dead; will be disfigured and the flesh will rot。〃
  Silver…footed Thetis answered; 〃My son; be not disquieted about this
  matter。 I will find means to protect him from the swarms of noisome
  flies that prey on the bodies of men who have been killed in battle。
  He may lie for a whole year; and his flesh shall still be as sound
  as ever; or even sounder。 Call; therefore; the Achaean heroes in
  assembly; unsay your anger against Agamemnon; arm at once; and fight
  with might and main。〃
  As she spoke she put strength and courage into his heart; and she
  then dropped ambrosia and red nectar into the wounds of Patroclus;
  that his body might suffer no change。
  Then Achilles went out upon the seashore; and with a loud cry called
  on the Achaean heroes。 On this even those who as yet had stayed always
  at the ships; the pilots and helmsmen; and even the stewards who
  were about the ships and served out rations; all came to the place
  of assembly because Achilles had shown himself after having held aloof
  so long from fighting。 Two sons of Mars; Ulysses and the son of
  Tydeus; came limping; for their wounds still pained them; nevertheless
  they came; and took their seats in the front row of the assembly。 Last
  of all came Agamemnon; king of men; he too wounded; for Coon son of
  Antenor had struck him with a spear in battle。
  When the Achaeans were got together Achilles rose and said; 〃Son
  of Atreus; surely it would have been better alike for both you and me;
  when we two were in such high anger about Briseis; surely it would
  have been better; had Diana's arrow slain her at the ships on the
  day when I took her after having sacked Lyrnessus。 For so; many an
  Achaean the less would have bitten dust before the foe in the days
  of my anger。 It has been well for Hector and the Trojans; but the
  Achaeans will long indeed remember our quarrel。 Now; however; let it
  be; for it is over。 If we have been angry; necessity has schooled
  our anger。 I put it from me: I dare not nurse it for ever;
  therefore; bid the Achaeans arm forthwith that I may go out against
  the Trojans; and learn whether they will be in a mind to sleep by
  the ships or no。 Glad; I ween; will he be to rest his knees who may
  fly my spear when I wield it。〃
  Thus did he speak; and the Achaeans rejoiced in that he had put away
  his anger。
  Then Agamemnon spoke; rising in his place; and not going into the
  middle of the assembly。 〃Danaan heroes;〃 said he; 〃servants of Mars;
  it is well to listen when a man stands up to speak; and it is not
  seemly to interrupt him; or it will go hard even with a practised
  speaker。 Who can either hear or speak in an uproar? Even the finest
  orator will be disconcerted by it。 I will expound to the son of
  Peleus; and do you other Achaeans heed me and mark me well。 Often have
  the Achaeans spoken to me of this matter and upbraided me; but it
  was not I that did it: Jove; and Fate; and Erinys that walks in
  darkness struck me mad when we were assembled on the day that I took
  from Achilles the meed that had been awarded to him。 What could I
  do? All things are in the hand of heaven; and Folly; eldest of
  Jove's daughters; shuts men's eyes to their destruction。 She walks
  delicately; not on the solid earth; but hovers over the heads of men
  to make them stumble or to ensnare them。
  〃Time was when she fooled Jove himself; who they say is greatest
  whether of gods or men; for Juno; woman though she was; beguiled him
  on the day when Alcmena was to bring forth mighty Hercules in the fair
  city of Thebes。 He told it out among the gods saying; 'Hear me all
  gods and goddesses; that I may speak even as I am minded; this day
  shall an Ilithuia; helper of women who are in labour; bring a man
  child into the world who shall be lord over all that dwell about him
  who are of my blood and lineage。' Then said Juno all crafty and full
  of guile; 'You will play false; and will not hold to your word。
  Swear me; O Olympian; swear me a great oath; that he who shall this
  day fall between the feet of a woman; shall be lord over all that
  dwell about him who are of your blood and lineage。'
  〃Thus she spoke; and Jove suspected her not; but swore the great
  oath; to his much ruing thereafter。 For Juno darted down from the high
  summit of Olympus; and went in haste to Achaean Argos where she knew
  that the noble wife of Sthenelus son of Perseus then was。 She being
  with child and in her seventh month; Juno brought the child to birth
  though there was a month still wanting; but she stayed the offspring
  of Alcmena; and kept back the Ilithuiae。 Then she went to tell Jove
  the son of Saturn; and said; 'Father Jove; lord of the lightning… I
  have a word for your ear。 There is a fine child born this day;
  Eurystheus; son to Sthenelus the son of Perseus; he is of your
  lineage; it is well; therefore; that he should reign over the
  Argives。'
  〃On this Jove was stung to the very quick; and in his rage he caught
  Folly by the hair; and swore a great oath that never should she
  again invade starry heaven and Olympus; for she was the bane of all。
  Then he whirled her round with a twist of his hand; and flung her down
  from heaven so that she fell on to the fields of mortal men; and he
  was ever angry with her when he saw his son groaning under the cruel
  labours that Eurystheus laid upon him。 Even so did I grieve when
  mighty Hector was killing the Argives at their ships; and all the time
  I kept thinking of Folly who had so baned me。 I was blind; and Jove
  robbed me of my reason; I will now make atonement; and will add much
  treasure by way of amends。 Go; therefore; into battle; you and your
  people with you。 I will give you all that Ulysses offered you
  yesterday in your tents: or if it so please you; wait; though you
  would fain fight at once; and my squires shall bring the gifts from my
  ship; that you may see whether what I give you is enough。〃
  And Achilles answered; 〃Son of Atreus; king of men Agamemnon; you
  can give such gifts as you think proper; or you can withhold them:
  it is in your own hands。 Let us now set battle in array; it is not
  well to tarry talking about trifles; for there is a deed which is as
  yet to do。 Achilles shall again be seen fighting among the foremost;
  and laying low the ranks of the Trojans: bear this in mind each one of
  you when he is fighting。〃
  Then Ulysses said; 〃Achilles; godlike and brave; send not the
  Achaeans thus against Ilius to fight the Trojans fasting; for the
  battle will be no brief one; when it is once begun; and heaven has
  filled both sides with fury; bid them first take food both bread and
  wine by the ships; for in this there is strength and stay。 No man
  can do battle the livelong day to the going down of the sun if he is
  without food; however much he may want to fight his strength will fail
  him before he knows it; hunger and thirst will find him out; and his
  limbs will grow weary under him。 But a man can fight all day if he
  is full fed with meat and wine; his heart beats high; and his strength
  will stay till he has routed all his foes; therefore; send the
  people away and bid them prepare their meal; King Agamemnon will bring
  out the gifts in presence of the assembly; that all may see them and
  you may be satisfied。 Moreover let him swear an oath before the
  Argives that he has never gone up in