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Literally Translated, with Explanatory Notes, by Theodore Alois Buckley
Page 26
But swift-footed Iris came from aegis-bearing Jove, a messenger to the Trojans, with a woeful announcement. They all, collected together, both young and old, were holding councils at the gates of Priam. But swift-footed Iris standing near, accosted them: and she likened herself in voice to Polites, son of Priam, who, trusting to the swiftness of his feet, sat at watch for the Trojans on the top of the tomb[139] of old AEsyetus, watching when the Greeks should set forth from the ships. To him having likened herself, swift-footed Iris addressed them:
"Old man, ever are injudicious words pleasing to thee, as formerly in time of peace: but now has an inevitable war arisen. Truly I have already very often been present at the conflicts of heroes, but never have I beheld such brave and numerous forces. For very like unto the leaves or the sand proceed they through the plain, about to fight for the city. Hector, for it is to thee in particular I give advice: and do thou act thus; for many are the allies through the great city of Priam; and different are the languages[140] of the widely-spread men. Let then each hero command those of whom he is the chief: but do thou, marshalling the citizens, be leader of them."
Thus she said. But Hector was not ignorant of the voice of the goddess; and he instantly dismissed the council, and they rushed to arms. And the portals were opened, and the troops rushed out, both foot and horse; and much tumult arose.
Now there is a certain lofty mound before the city, far in the plain, that may be run round,[141] which men indeed call Batiea, but the immortals, the tomb of nimbly-springing Myrinna. There the Trojans and their allies were then marshalled separately.
[Footnote 139: On the height of the ancient tombs, see my note on Odyss. ii. p. 21, n. 35, ed. Bohn.]
[Footnote 140: Cf. iv. 437, where this variety of dialects is again mentioned, and Mueller, Greek Lit. i. Sec. 4.]
[Footnote 141: I. e. standing clear on all sides.]
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