Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear; the end of the spear drove
out his teeth and cut his tongue in two pieces, so that he fell from
his chariot and let the reins fall to the ground. Meriones gathered
them up from the ground and took them into his own hands, then
he said to Idomeneus, “Lay on, till you get back to the ships, for
you must see that the day is no longer ours.”
On this Idomeneus lashed the horses to the ships, for fear had
taken hold upon him.
Ajax and Menelaus noted how Jove had turned the scale in favour
of the Trojans, and Ajax was first to speak. “Alas,” said he, “even a
fool may see that father Jove is helping the Trojans. All their
weapons strike home; no matter whether it be a brave man or a
coward that hurls them, Jove speeds all alike, whereas ours fall
each one of them without effect. What, then, will be best both as
regards rescuing the body, and our return to the joy of our friends
who will be grieving as they look hitherwards; for they will make
sure that nothing can now check the terrible hands of Hector, and
that he will fling himself upon our ships. I wish that some one
would go and tell the son of Peleus at once, for I do not think he
can have yet heard the sad news that the dearest of his friends has
fallen. But I can see not a man among the Achaeans to send, for they
and their chariots are alike hidden in darkness. O father Jove, lift
this cloud from over the sons of the Achaeans; make heaven serene,
and let us see; if you will that we perish, let us fall at any rate by
daylight.”
Father Jove heard him and had compassion upon his tears.
Forthwith he chased away the cloud of darkness, so that the sun
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