第 73 节
作者:美丽心点      更新:2021-02-21 16:08      字数:9322
  with his sword and killed him。 After this he sprang on Laogonus and
  Dardanus; sons of Bias; and threw them from their chariot; the one
  with a blow from a thrown spear; while the other he cut down in
  hand…to…hand fight。 There was also Tros the son of Alastor… he came up
  to Achilles and clasped his knees in the hope that he would spare
  him and not kill him but let him go; because they were both of the
  same age。 Fool; he might have known that he should not prevail with
  him; for the man was in no mood for pity or forbearance but was in
  grim earnest。 Therefore when Tros laid hold of his knees and sought
  a hearing for his prayers; Achilles drove his sword into his liver;
  and the liver came rolling out; while his bosom was all covered with
  the black blood that welled from the wound。 Thus did death close his
  eyes as he lay lifeless。
  Achilles then went up to Mulius and struck him on the ear with a
  spear; and the bronze spear…head came right out at the other ear。 He
  also struck Echeclus son of Agenor on the head with his sword; which
  became warm with the blood; while death and stern fate closed the eyes
  of Echeclus。 Next in order the bronze point of his spear wounded
  Deucalion in the fore…arm where the sinews of the elbow are united;
  whereon he waited Achilles' onset with his arm hanging down and
  death staring him in the face。 Achilles cut his head off with a blow
  from his sword and flung it helmet and all away from him; and the
  marrow came oozing out of his backbone as he lay。 He then went in
  pursuit of Rhigmus; noble son of Peires; who had come from fertile
  Thrace; and struck him through the middle with a spear which fixed
  itself in his belly; so that he fell headlong from his chariot。 He
  also speared Areithous squire to Rhigmus in the back as he was turning
  his horses in flight; and thrust him from his chariot; while the
  horses were struck with panic。
  As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long drought… and the
  dense forest is in a blaze; while the wind carries great tongues of
  fire in every direction… even so furiously did Achilles rage; wielding
  his spear as though he were a god; and giving chase to those whom he
  would slay; till the dark earth ran with blood。 Or as one who yokes
  broad…browed oxen that they may tread barley in a threshing…floor… and
  it is soon bruised small under the feet of the lowing cattle… even
  so did the horses of Achilles trample on the shields and bodies of the
  slain。 The axle underneath and the railing that ran round the car were
  bespattered with clots of blood thrown up by the horses' hoofs; and
  from the tyres of the wheels; but the son of Peleus pressed on to
  win still further glory; and his hands were bedrabbled with gore。
  BOOK XXI
  NOW when they came to the ford of the full…flowing river Xanthus;
  begotten of immortal Jove; Achilles cut their forces in two: one
  half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that
  the Achaeans had taken when flying panic…stricken on the preceding day
  with Hector in full triumph; this way did they fly pell…mell; and Juno
  sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them。 The other half
  were hemmed in by the deep silver…eddying stream; and fell into it
  with a great uproar。 The waters resounded; and the banks rang again;
  as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling
  eddies。 As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire…
  the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they
  huddle into the water… even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus
  filled with the uproar of men and horses; all struggling in
  confusion before Achilles。
  Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank; leaning it
  against a tamarisk bush; and plunged into the river like a god;
  armed with his sword only。 Fell was his purpose as he hewed the
  Trojans down on every side。 Their dying groans rose hideous as the
  sword smote them; and the river ran red with blood。 As when fish fly
  scared before a huge dolphin; and fill every nook and corner of some
  fair haven… for he is sure to eat all he can catch… even so did the
  Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty river; and when
  Achilles' arms grew weary with killing them; he drew twelve youths
  alive out of the water; to sacrifice in revenge for Patroclus son of
  Menoetius。 He drew them out like dazed fawns; bound their hands behind
  them with the girdles of their own shirts; and gave them over to his
  men to take back to the ships。 Then he sprang into the river;
  thirsting for still further blood。
  There he found Lycaon; son of Priam seed of Dardanus; as he was
  escaping out of the water; he it was whom he had once taken prisoner
  when he was in his father's vineyard; having set upon him by night; as
  he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig…tree to make the wicker
  sides of a chariot。 Achilles then caught him to his sorrow unawares;
  and sent him by sea to Lemnos; where the son of Jason bought him。
  But a guest…friend; Eetion of Imbros; freed him with a great sum;
  and sent him to Arisbe; whence he had escaped and returned to his
  father's house。 He had spent eleven days happily with his friends
  after he had come from Lemnos; but on the twelfth heaven again
  delivered him into the hands of Achilles; who was to send him to the
  house of Hades sorely against his will。 He was unarmed when Achilles
  caught sight of him; and had neither helmet nor shield; nor yet had he
  any spear; for he had thrown all his armour from him on to the bank;
  and was sweating with his struggles to get out of the river; so that
  his strength was now failing him。
  Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise; 〃What marvel do I see
  here? If this man can come back alive after having been sold over into
  Lemnos; I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain rising from
  the world below。 Could not even the waters of the grey sea imprison
  him; as they do many another whether he will or no? This time let
  him taste my spear; that I may know for certain whether mother earth
  who can keep even a strong man down; will be able to hold him; or
  whether thence too he will return。〃
  Thus did he pause and ponder。 But Lycaon came up to him dazed and
  trying hard to embrace his knees; for he would fain live; not die。
  Achilles thrust at him with his spear; meaning to kill him; but Lycaon
  ran crouching up to him and caught his knees; whereby the spear passed
  over his back; and stuck in the ground; hungering though it was for
  blood。 With one hand he caught Achilles' knees as he besought him; and
  with the other he clutched the spear and would not let it go。 Then
  he said; 〃Achilles; have mercy upon me and spare me; for I am your
  suppliant。 It was in your tents that I first broke bread on the day
  when you took me prisoner in the vineyard; after which you sold away
  to Lemnos far from my father and my friends; and I brought you the
  price of a hundred oxen。 I have paid three times as much to gain my
  freedom; it is but twelve days that I have come to Ilius after much
  suffering; and now cruel fate has again thrown me into your hands。
  Surely father Jove must hate me; that he has given me over to you a
  second time。 Short of life indeed did my mother Laothoe bear me;
  daughter of aged Altes… of Altes who reigns over the warlike Lelegae
  and holds steep Pedasus on the river Satnioeis。 Priam married his
  daughter along with many other women and two sons were born of her;
  both of whom you will have slain。 Your spear slew noble Polydorus as
  he was fighting in the front ranks; and now evil will here befall
  me; for I fear that I shall not escape you since heaven has delivered
  me over to you。 Furthermore I say; and lay my saying to your heart;
  spare me; for I am not of the same womb as Hector who slew your
  brave and noble comrade。〃
  With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles;
  but Achilles answered him sternly。 〃Idiot;〃 said he; 〃talk not to me
  of ransom。 Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans
  quarter; and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive;
  but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my
  hands before the city of Ilius… and of all Trojans it shall fare
  hardest with the sons of Priam。 Therefore; my friend; you too shall
  die。 Why should you whine in this way? Patroclus fell; and he was a
  better man than you are。 I too… see you not how I am great and goodly?
  I am son to a noble father; and have a goddess for my mother; but
  the hands of doom and death overshadow me all as surely。 The day
  will come; either at dawn or dark; or at the noontide; when one
  shall take my life also in battle; either with his spear; or with an
  arrow sped from his bow。〃
  Thus did he speak; and Lycaon's heart sank within him。 He loosed his
  hold of the spear; and held out both hands before him; but Achilles
  drew his keen blade; and struck him by the collar…bone on his neck; he
  plunged his two…edged sword into him to the very hilt; whereon he
  lay at full length on the ground; with the dark blood welling from him
  till the earth was soaked。 Then Achilles caught him by the foot and
  flung him into the river to go down stream; vaunting over him the
  while; and saying; 〃Lie there am