Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/328

A miserable race! but cease to mourn:
For not by you shall Priam's son be borne
High on the splendid car: one glorious prize
He rashly boasts; the rest our will denies.
Ourself will swiftness to your nerves impart,
Ourself with rising spirits swell your heart.
Automedon your rapid flight shall bear
Safe to the navy through the storm of war.
For yet 'tis given to Troy to ravage o'er
The field, and spread her slaughters to the shore;
The sun shall see her conquer, till his fall
With sacred darkness shades the face of all."
He said; and, breathing in the immortal horse
Excessive spirit, urged them to the course;
From their high manes they shake the dust, and bear
The kindling chariot through the parted war.
So flies a vulture through the clamorous train
Of geese, that scream and scatter round the plain.
From danger now with swiftest speed they flew,
And now to concraest with like speed pursue;
Sole in the seat the charioteer remains,
Now plies the javelin, now directs the reins:
Him brave Alcimedon beheld distressed,
Approached the chariot, and the chief addressed:
"What god provokes thee, rashly thus to dare,
Alone, unaided, in the thickest war?
Alas I thy friend is slain, and Hector wields
Achilles' arms triumphant in the fields."
"In happy time," the charioteer replies,
"The bold Alcimedon now greets my eyes;
No Greek like him the heavenly steeds restrains,
Oh holds their fury in suspended reins:
Patroclus, while he lived, their rage could tame,
But now Patroclus is an empty name!
To thee I yield the seat, to thee resign
The ruling charge: the task of fight be mine."
He said. Alcimedon, with active heat,
Snatches the reins, and vaults into the seat;
His friend descends. The chief of Troy descried,
And called Æneas fighting near his side:
"Lo, to my sight beyond our hope restored,
Achilles' car, deserted of its lord!
The glorious steeds our ready arms invite,
Scarce their weak drivers guide them through the fight:
Can such opponents stand, when we assail?
Unite thy force, my friend, and we prevail."
The son of Venus to the counsel yields:
Then o'er their backs they spread their solid shields;
With brass refulgent the broad surface shined,