第 76 节
作者:
美丽心点 更新:2021-02-21 16:08 字数:9322
fighting at once and let them settle it among themselves。〃
He turned away as he spoke; for he would lay no hand on the
brother of his own father。 But his sister the huntress Diana;
patroness of wild beasts; was very angry with him and said; 〃So you
would fly; Far…Darter; and hand victory over to Neptune with a cheap
vaunt to boot。 Baby; why keep your bow thus idle? Never let me again
hear you bragging in my father's house; as you have often done in
the presence of the immortals; that you would stand up and fight
with Neptune。〃
Apollo made her no answer; but Jove's august queen was angry and
upbraided her bitterly。 〃Bold vixen;〃 she cried; 〃how dare you cross
me thus? For all your bow you will find it hard to hold your own
against me。 Jove made you as a lion among women; and lets you kill
them whenever you choose。 You will And it better to chase wild
beasts and deer upon the mountains than to fight those who are
stronger than you are。 If you would try war; do so; and find out by
pitting yourself against me; how far stronger I am than you are。〃
She caught both Diana's wrists with her left hand as she spoke;
and with her right she took the bow from her shoulders; and laughed as
she beat her with it about the ears while Diana wriggled and writhed
under her blows。 Her swift arrows were shed upon the ground; and she
fled weeping from under Juno's hand as a dove that flies before a
falcon to the cleft of some hollow rock; when it is her good fortune
to escape。 Even so did she fly weeping away; leaving her bow and
arrows behind her。
Then the slayer of Argus; guide and guardian; said to Leto; 〃Leto; I
shall not fight you; it is ill to come to blows with any of Jove's
wives。 Therefore boast as you will among the immortals that you
worsted me in fair fight。〃
Leto then gathered up Diana's bow and arrows that had fallen about
amid the whirling dust; and when she had got them she made all haste
after her daughter。 Diana had now reached Jove's bronze…floored
mansion on Olympus; and sat herself down with many tears on the
knees of her father; while her ambrosial raiment was quivering all
about her。 The son of Saturn drew her towards him; and laughing
pleasantly the while began to question her saying; 〃Which of the
heavenly beings; my dear child; has been treating you in this cruel
manner; as though you had been misconducting yourself in the face of
everybody?〃 and the fair…crowned goddess of the chase answered; 〃It
was your wife Juno; father; who has been beating me; it is always
her doing when there is any quarrelling among the immortals。〃
Thus did they converse; and meanwhile Phoebus Apollo entered the
strong city of Ilius; for he was uneasy lest the wall should not
hold out and the Danaans should take the city then and there; before
its hour had come; but the rest of the ever…living gods went back;
some angry and some triumphant to Olympus; where they took their seats
beside Jove lord of the storm cloud; while Achilles still kept on
dealing out death alike on the Trojans and on their As when the
smoke from some burning city ascends to heaven when the anger of the
gods has kindled it… there is then toil for all; and sorrow for not
a few… even so did Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans。
Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall looking down on
huge Achilles as the Trojans fled panic…stricken before him; and there
was none to help them。 Presently he came down from off the tower and
with many a groan went along the wall to give orders to the brave
warders of the gate。 〃Keep the gates;〃 said he; 〃wide open till the
people come flying into the city; for Achilles is hard by and is
driving them in rout before him。 I see we are in great peril。 As
soon as our people are inside and in safety; close the strong gates
for I fear lest that terrible man should come bounding inside along
with the others。〃
As he spoke they drew back the bolts and opened the gates; and
when these were opened there was a haven of refuge for the Trojans。
Apollo then came full speed out of the city to meet them and protect
them。 Right for the city and the high wall; parched with thirst and
grimy with dust; still they fied on; with Achilles wielding his
spear furiously behind them。 For he was as one possessed; and was
thirsting after glory。
Then had the sons of the Achaeans taken the lofty gates of Troy if
Apollo had not spurred on Agenor; valiant and noble son to Antenor。 He
put courage into his heart; and stood by his side to guard him;
leaning against a beech tree and shrouded in thick darkness。 When
Agenor saw Achilles he stood still and his heart was clouded with
care。 〃Alas;〃 said he to himself in his dismay; 〃if I fly before
mighty Achilles; and go where all the others are being driven in rout;
he will none the less catch me and kill me for a coward。 How would
it be were I to let Achilles drive the others before him; and then fly
from the wall to the plain that is behind Ilius till I reach the spurs
of Ida and can hide in the underwood that is thereon? I could then
wash the sweat from off me in the river and in the evening return to
Ilius。 But why commune with myself in this way? Like enough he would
see me as I am hurrying from the city over the plain; and would
speed after me till he had caught me… I should stand no chance against
him; for he is mightiest of all mankind。 What; then; if I go out and
meet him in front of the city? His flesh too; I take it; can be
pierced by pointed bronze。 Life is the same in one and all; and men
say that he is but mortal despite the triumph that Jove son of
Saturn vouchsafes him。〃
So saying he stood on his guard and awaited Achilles; for he was now
fain to fight him。 As a leopardess that bounds from out a thick covert
to attack a hunter… she knows no fear and is not dismayed by the
baying of the hounds; even though the man be too quick for her and
wound her either with thrust or spear; still; though the spear has
pierced her she will not give in till she has either caught him in her
grip or been killed outright… even so did noble Agenor son of
Antenor refuse to fly till he had made trial of Achilles; and took aim
at him with his spear; holding his round shield before him and
crying with a loud voice。 〃Of a truth;〃 said he; 〃noble Achilles;
you deem that you shall this day sack the city of the proud Trojans。
Fool; there will be trouble enough yet before it; for there is many
a brave man of us still inside who will stand in front of our dear
parents with our wives and children; to defend Ilius。 Here
therefore; huge and mighty warrior though you be; here shall you cue。
As he spoke his strong hand hurled his javelin from him; and the
spear struck Achilles on the leg beneath the knee; the greave of newly
wrought tin rang loudly; but the spear recoiled from the body of him
whom it had struck; and did not pierce it; for the gods gift stayed
it。 Achilles in his turn attacked noble Agenor; but Apollo would not
vouchsafe him glory; for he snatched Agenor away and hid him in a
thick mist; sending him out of the battle unmolested Then he
craftily drew the son of Peleus away from going after the host; for he
put on the semblance of Agenor and stood in front of Achilles; who ran
towards him to give him chase and pursued him over the corn lands of
the plain; turning him towards the deep waters of the river Scamander。
Apollo ran but a little way before him and beguiled Achilles by making
him think all the time that he was on the point of overtaking him。
Meanwhile the rabble of routed Trojans was thankful to crowd within
the city till their numbers thronged it; no longer did they dare
wait for one another outside the city walls; to learn who had
escaped and who were fallen in fight; but all whose feet and knees
could still carry them poured pell…mell into the town。
BOOK XXII
THUS the Trojans in the city; scared like fawns; wiped the sweat
from off them and drank to quench their thirst; leaning against the
goodly battlements; while the Achaeans with their shields laid upon
their shoulders drew close up to the walls。 But stern fate bade Hector
stay where he was before Ilius and the Scaean gates。 Then Phoebus
Apollo spoke to the son of Peleus saying; 〃Why; son of Peleus; do you;
who are but man; give chase to me who am immortal? Have you not yet
found out that it is a god whom you pursue so furiously? You did not
harass the Trojans whom you had routed; and now they are within
their walls; while you have been decoyed hither away from them。 Me you
cannot kill; for death can take no hold upon me。〃
Achilles was greatly angered and said; 〃You have baulked me;
Far…Darter; most malicious of all gods; and have drawn me away from
the wall; where many another man would have bitten the dust ere he got
within Ilius; you have robbed me of great glory and have saved the
Trojans at no risk to yourself; for you have nothing to fear; but I
would indeed have my revenge if it were in my power to do so。〃
On this; with fell intent he made towards the city; and as the
winning horse in a chariot race strains every nerve when he is
flying over the plain; even so fast and furious