That

overmuch, O my wife, for none shall lay Hector low before the day of his doom is come. day no man can avoid, be he good or be he evil. So let me go forth to the battle, and I will take heed for the guarding of the city; and do thou hasten to thy home, and there ply thine own task with thy handmaidens around thee.'

Then from the ground he took up his burnished helmet; and in grief and sorrow Andromache tore herself from his arms, and went slowly towards her home. Many a time she turned back to look upon him; but scarcely could she see the flashing of his armour, for the tears ran too quickly down her cheeks. So in silence and sadness of heart she entered her bridal-chamber, where she thought not to hear the voice of Hector again; and her handmaidens wept when they knew that once more he was gone forth to the fight, for they feared the wrath of Athênê and the strength of the mighty Diomêdes.49

WH

SARPÊDON.

HEN Bellerophon departed for the land of the setting sun, he left in Lykia a beautiful child named Laodamîa, who became the mother of Sarpêdon. And when the Achaians came against the city of Priam to avenge the wrongs and woes of Helen, Sarpêdon took down his spear and shield from the wall and girded his sword upon his thigh, and went forth to do battle for the brave Hector against the hosts of Agamemnon. Sadly he left the home where he had lived joyously with his wife and children; and there was mourning and sorrow in the house of Sarpêdon, for they thought that they had looked on him for the last time.

Then among the Trojan warriors fought Sarpêdon; and of all none was braver or more stout of heart than he. When others were faint of spirit, his voice still cheered them on; and the bright smile on his face roused them to fight more boldly for their country. If the hosts of the Trojans fell back in the strife, then Sarpêdon rebuked Hector with friendly words, and told him

how he had come from the far Lykian land to fight for Priam, and had left his children and his wife behind him. He told him of all his wealth, and how he had left rich banquets and soft couches to do battle with the mighty Achaian chieftains.

Many fell beneath his hand; and of these none was braver and fairer than Tlêpolemos, the son of Heracles who had toiled for the mean Eurystheus and now dwelt with Hêbê in the halls of Olympus. Boldly he came towards him, exulting in the strength of his youth, and he chid Sarpêdon, and taunted him with shrinking back from the battle.

Do they call thee a child of Zeus?' he said. 'What knowest thou of war and battles? My father Heracles came hither with six ships only, and destroyed the city of Ilion when Laomedon was king; and dost thou think to escape my arm?' But Sarpêdon said only, 'Thy father Heracles destroyed Ilion because the heart of Laomedon was not pure and he dealt treacherously with him by keeping back the reward of his toil; but I have no need to fear thee, and the day of thy death is come.'

So Tlêpolemos fell, and long time the Achaians were sore pressed, for the Trojans strove mightily

Q

to seize their ships. High above the din of battle was heard the voice of Hector; and Sarpêdon cheered on his men to the fight. Then said he to his kinsman Glaucos, 'Let none be matched with us for brave deeds. Are we not honoured more than all other men in Lykia; and look they not on us as on the bright heroes? The lands which they have given to us are rich with trees and corn; therefore must we do battle the more valiantly, that in after time men may say, “Our chieftains are rich and wealthy, and their garners are full and plenteous; but they fight for their people, and their name is great throughout the wide earth." "50

Fierce and terrible was the fighting day by day; and at night the blaze of many fires reddened the sky. But Patroclos came forth from the tent of Achilles, and the face of the battle was changed. Smitten by his spear, many of the bravest among the Trojan warriors were slain, and all were filled with fear as Patroclos drew near them in the fight. Then Sarpêdon said once more, 'Why shrink ye thus, men of Ilion? I will go forth against him.' And he shouted his war-cry, and ran to meet Patroclos.

Then from his throne in the dark cloud Zeus looked down on his child Sarpêdon, and he spake

to Hêrê the queen and said, 'Ah me, must Sarpêdon die, who is the dearest to me of all the sons of men; or shall I rescue him from the fight and bear him to his Lykian home?' Then answered Hêrê, 'The doom of Sarpêdon must be accomplished; and if thou drawest him away from the strife, then remember that other gods also have children among the hosts who fight round Ilion, whom they will seek to save from death. But if thine heart is grieved for Sarpêdon, still let him die by the hands of Patroclos, and, when his body lies dead, send Hupnos and Thanatos to bear him away to his far-off Lykian land, where his people shall mourn for him many days and lay him in the earth and raise a tomb over his sepulchre.' So Zeus hearkened to the words of Hêrê; but the big drops fell from the sky, because he was grieved for his child Sarpêdon.

Then Patroclos fought with Sarpêdon on the Ilian plain, and thrust his spear into his side, so that the life-blood gushed out. The darkness of death fell on his eyes, but his heart failed not for fear, as he cried, Glaucos, brave friend and warrior, take thou my place, and cheer on the Lykians to the battle; and let not the Achaians have my body, for that were a shame to thee and to my people.' So died Sarpêdon, the son of