1. كَسا الفَجرُ وجهَ الأَرِ ثَوباً مُزَعفَرا

    وَزَفسُ أَبُو الأَهوَالِ في أَرفَعِ الذُّرى

    Dawn clothed the earth's face in a saffron robe.

    And Zeus, father of terrors, stood on the highest heights.

  2. عَلى قُمَّةِ الأُولمِبِ تُصغِي مَهَابَةً

    لِمنطِقهِ الأَربابُ اَلَّفَ مَحضَرا

    On Olympus's summit, listening in awe

    to his speech, the gods formed an assembly.

  3. فَقَالَ لِيَعلَم كُلُّ رَبٍّ وَرِبَّةٍ

    بِما اليَومَ في صَدرِي فُؤَادِي أَضمَرا

    He said: Let every god and goddess know

    what my heart has concealed within my breast today.

  4. فَلا يَنبِذَنَّ الأَمرَ عاصٍ بَلِ اذعَنُوا

    لاُنفِذَ ما اَبرَمتُ أَمراً مُقَدَّرا

    Let no rebel reject my command; submit instead,

    that I may execute the decree I have resolved.

  5. لِنُصرَةِ أَيِّ القَومِ مَن يَجرِمِنكُمُ

    يَأُوبَنَّ مَنكُوبابً يُخَضِّبُهُ الدَّمُ

    Whoever among you ventures to aid either people

    shall return stricken, stained with blood.

  6. وَغِلاَّ فَمِن شُمِّ الأُلِمبِ بِراحَتي

    إِلى الظًّلُمَاتِ الدُّهمِ يُلقَى وَيُرجَم

    Otherwise, from lofty Olympus, by my hand,

    he shall be cast and hurled into pitch-black darkness,

  7. عِلى حَيثُ اَبوَابُ الحَدِيدِ قَدِ استَوَت

    عَلى عَتَبِ الفُولاذِ وَالقَعرُ مُظلِمُ

    to where iron gates are set

    on steel thresholds, and the bottom is dark;

  8. إِلى هُوَّةٍ بَينَ الجَحيمِ وَبَينَها

    مَجَالٌ كأَقصَى الجَوِّ عَن أَسفَلِ الثَّرى

    into an abyss, between which and hell

    lies a distance like highest heaven from deepest earth.

  9. فَتَدرُونَ كَم بالطَّولِ أَسمُو وَأشرُفُ

    وَإِن شِئتُمُ قَابلُوا الحَقِيقَةَ تَعرِفُوا

    Then you shall know how greatly I surpass you in might.

    If you wish, confront the truth and learn:

  10. وَأَرخُوا مِنَ الزَّرقا سََلاسِلَ عَسجَدٍ

    وَكُلُّكُمُ في مُنتَهاها تَأَلَّفُوا

    lower chains of gold from the blue sky,

    and all gather together at their end.

  11. فَلَن تَبلُغُوا مِن زَفسَ وَهوَ وَلِيُّكُم

    مَنالاً وَإِن تُعَنَوا وَإِن تَتَكَلَّفُوا

    You shall gain no hold upon Zeus, your lord,

    however you toil, however you exert yourselves.

  12. وَلكِنَّني أَيَّانَ شئِتُ جَرَرتُها

    وَمن دُونِكُم أَجتَرُّ أَرضاً وأَبحُرَا

    But whenever I wish, I shall pull them up,

    dragging earth and seas along beneath you.

  13. وَمِن حَولِ أُولِمبي الرَّفِيعِ أُدِيرُها

    يَعَلَّقُ فيها الكَونُ وَهوَ أَسِيرُها

    Around my lofty Olympus I shall wind them;

    the universe shall hang from them, their captive.

  14. فَيَعلَمَ كُلُّ الجِنِّ وَالإِنسِ مَبلَغِي

    مِنَ الطَّولِ والأَكوَانُ أَنَّي أَمِيرُها

    Then all spirits and mortals shall know my measure

    of might, and all worlds that I am their ruler.

  15. أَصاخُوا سُكُوتاً حُرمةً وَتَهَيُّباً

    فَقَالَت أَثِينا يَستَفِيضُ زَفِيرُها

    They listened silently, in reverence and dread.

    Then Athena spoke, her sighs pouring forth:

  16. أَجَل أَبَتا يا قَيِّمَ القَومِ جُملَةً

    قُوَاكَ عِلِمنا لَن تَدِينَ وَتُقهَرا

    Yes, Father, guardian of all the company,

    we know your strength will never yield or be subdued.

  17. وَلِكنَّنا نَرثِي لِحالِ الأَغارِقِ

    يُبِيدُهُم المَقدُورِ تَحتَ اليَلامِقِ

    But we grieve for the Greeks' condition:

    fate destroys them beneath their armor.

  18. أَطَعنا فَلا نَأتي النِّزالَ وَإِنَّما

    نَمُدُّهُمُ بالرَّأِي خَوفَ البَوائِقِ

    We obey and shall not enter battle; we only

    support them with counsel, fearing calamities.

  19. وَغِلاَّ فَهَذا السُّخطُ يَجتَثُّ أَصلَهُم

    فَبَشَّ لَها يَرنُو مُثِيرُ الصَّواعِقِ

    Otherwise this wrath will tear them out by the roots.

    The thunderbolt-rouser smiled, gazing upon her,

  20. وقَالَ لَئِن رَاعَتكِ مِنِّي صَرامَةٌ

    فَعَنك جَمِيلَ الرِّفقِ لَستُ لأَذخَرا

    and said: If sternness from me has frightened you,

    I shall not withhold gracious gentleness from you.

  21. وَلاحَت تَزِينُ الخَيلَ مِن تَحتِ مِبضمَدِ

    حَوَافِرُ فُولاذٍ وأَعرافُ عَسجَدِ

    Beneath their harness, adorning the horses, shone

    hooves of steel and manes of gold.

  22. بِمَركَبَةٍ غَرَّاءَ ناطَ صُرُوعَها

    وفي حُلَّةِ الإِبرِيزِ حَلَّ بِسُؤَدُدِ

    He attached their harness to a splendid chariot

    and took his place majestically, robed in pure gold.

  23. وَفي يَدِهِ سَوطُ النُّضَارِ يَسوُقُها

    مِنَ القُبَّةِ الزَّرقاءِ للأَرضِ تَغتَدِي

    In his hand was a golden whip, driving them;

    from the blue vault they sped toward earth.

  24. فَبُلِّغَ إِيذا جَمَّةَ السَّيحِ مَنهَلاً

    وَأُمِّ الضَّوارِي وَاستَقَرَّ بِغَرغَرا

    He reached Ida, rich in flowing springs,

    mother of wild beasts, and settled upon Gargara.

  25. هُنَاكَ لَدى غابٍ أُجِلَّت وَهَيكَلِ

    لَهُ فاحَ نَشراً أَوقَفَ الخَيلَ يَتَلي

    There, beside a revered grove and a temple

    fragrant in his honor, he halted the attending horses.

  26. وَمُذ حَلَّها بَينَ الضَّبابِ أَحَلَّها

    وَحًلَّ بِكبِر المَجدِ أَرفَعَ مَنزِلِ

    When he unyoked them, he lodged them amid mist

    and, in proud majesty, occupied the highest seat.

  27. يَمِيلُ غِلى الطُّروَادِ حِيناً وَتارَةً

    إِلى سُفُنِ الإِغرِيقِ وَهوَ بِمَعزِلِ

    He looked toward the Trojans now, and now

    toward the Greeks' ships, himself apart.

  28. فَفَي عَجَلٍ نالَ الأَغارِقُ زَادَهُم

    وَفي الخَيمِ هَبُّوا لِلسِّلاحِ تَحضُّرا

    The Greeks hastily took their provisions

    and sprang up in their tents to prepare their arms.

  29. كذاكَ أَعادِيهِم وَإِن قَلًَّ عَدُّهُم

    تَقَنَّعَ في إِليُونَ يَبرُزُ جُندُهُم

    Their enemies likewise, though fewer in number:

    helmeted, their troops emerged from Ilion.

  30. يُحَرِّقُهُم داعي الضَّرُورَةِ لِلوَغى

    لِتُحفَظَ أَعرَاضٌ وَتَسلَمُ وُلدُهُم

    Necessity's summons inflamed them for war,

    that honor be preserved and their children spared.

  31. وَلَمَّا تَدانَوا وَالنُّفُوسُ سَوَاخِطٌ

    تَدَفَّقَتِ الَأجنادُ تَصلَى تَسَعُّرَا

    When they drew near, their souls wrathful,

    the armies surged forth, burning with fury.

  32. طِعانٌ تَلاَقَتفي صُدُورِ تَدَجَّجَت

    وَقَرعٌ بِهِ سُودُ اليَلامِقِ ضُرِّجَت

    Spear-thrusts met armored breasts,

    and blows stained dark armor with blood;

  33. وَزَفَرَةُ مَقتُولٍ وَنَعرَةُ قاتِلٍ

    وَسيلُ دِماءٍ فَوقَ أَرضٍ تَرَجرَجَت

    a dying man's groan, a killer's shout,

    and streams of blood over trembling earth.

  34. فَزَالَ ضُحَى الاَقداسِ والنًّقعُ فائِرٌ

    بحَربٍ على القَومَينِ ناراً تَأَجَّجَت

    The holy morning passed, the dust seething

    in a war blazing like fire upon both peoples.

  35. وَعِندَ انتصَافِ الشَّمسِ في كَبِدِ السَّما

    لِقسطَاسِهِ التِّبرِيِّ قامَ مُحَرِّرا

    When the sun stood midway in heaven's heart,

    he rose to set his golden balance true.

  36. وَأَلقى بِهِ قِدحَينِ لِلمَوتِ والشَّقا

    لِكُلٍّ مِنَ القَومَينِ سَهماً مُحَقَّقا

    Into it he cast two lots of death and misery,

    one appointed portion for each people.

  37. فَسَهمُ بَني الإغرِيقِ مالَ غِلى الثَّرى

    وَسَهمُ بَني الطُّروَادِ لِلجَوِّ حَلَّقا

    The Greeks' portion sank toward earth,

    and the Trojans' portion soared into the sky.

  38. فَأَرعَدَ مِن أَطوادِ إِيذا هَدِيدُهُ

    وَما بَينَ دُرَّاعِ الأَغارِقِ أَبرَقا

    His rumbling thunder sounded from Ida's mountains,

    and he flashed lightning among the armored Greeks.

  39. فَهَدَّتهُمُ مِن شِدَّةِ الهَولِ رِعدَةٌ

    وَأَجَدَرُهُم بالبَطشِ وَلَّى وَأَدبَرا

    A tremor shattered them with overwhelming terror;

    their strongest fighters turned and fled.

  40. فَإِيذُو مِنٌ عادٍ وَأَترِيذُ مُحرَجاً

    بِصَرعِ جَوَادٍ ساقَ وهوَ يُرَاقِبُ

    Idomeneus withdrew, and Atreides; hard pressed

    by a fallen horse he had driven, one looked on.

  41. بِمَقتَلِ بادِي العُرفِ في أُمِّ رَأسهِ

    إِلى المُخِّ فيهِ نَبلُ فاريسَ ناشِبُ

    At the fatal spot where the mane begins, in its skull,

    Paris's arrow lodged deep into the brain.

  42. فَشَبَّ وأَهوَى خابِطاً مُتَمَرِّغاً

    وَشَبَّت جَمِيعُ الخَيلِ مِنهُ تَذَعُّرا

    It reared and fell, thrashing and rolling;

    all the horses reared in terror at it.

  43. فَبِالسَّيفِ نَسطُورٌ عَدا يَقطَعُ القِدَد

    وَهكطورُ تَحتَ العَجِّ في خَيلِهِ وَفَد

    Nestor rushed with his sword to cut the straps,

    while Hector approached with his horses beneath the din.

  44. وقد كاد سَيفُ الحَتفِ بالشيخ يَرتَوي

    وَلكِن ذِيُومِيذٌ لِنُصرَتِهِ عَمَد

    Death's sword nearly drank its fill from the old man,

    but Diomedes made straight to aid him.

  45. رَاَى فَبِأَعلَى الصَّوتِ صاحَ بِأُوذِسٍ

    إِلى أَينَ يا ذا المَكرِ جُبناً أَرى تُرَد

    Seeing him, he shouted loudly to Odysseus:

    Where are you going, cunning one? Fear drives you back!

  46. أَلَم تَخشَ أَنَّ الطَّعنَ يُصمِيكض مُدبِراً

    فَوَلَّيتَ بَينَ القَومِ تَبغِي تَستَرُّا

    Do you not fear a thrust may kill you fleeing?

    You have turned among the men, seeking cover!

  47. فَذا شَيخُنا قِف عَنهُ ذا القَرمَ نَدفَع

    فَجَدَّ يَسُوقُ الخَيلَ لِلفُلكِ لا يَعي

    Here is our old man: stop; let us repel this champion!

    But he hurried his horses toward the ships, unheeding.

  48. وَأَمَّا ذِيُومِيذٌ وَإن ظَلَّ مُفرَداً

    فَخَفَّ لِصَدرِ الجَيشِ عَن جَأشِ أَروَعِ

    Diomedes, though left alone,

    sped to the army's front with a fearless heart.

  49. وَلَمَّا أَتَى نَسطُورَ كَفَّ حَثِيثهُ

    وَقالَ أَجَل يا شَيخُ بأسُكَ قدنًعِي

    Reaching Nestor, he checked his haste

    and said: Indeed, old man, your strength is spent.

  50. يَصُولُ عَلَيكَ المُردُ في حَومَةِ الوَغى

    وَلَستَ على بَأسِ الشَّبابش لِتَصبِرا

    Beardless youths assail you amid the battle,

    and you cannot endure with youth's vigor.

  51. فتِبعُكَ ذو عَجزٍ وخَيلُكَ قَصَّرَت

    فَلِلصَّحبِ أَودِعها فَمَر كَبَتي جَرِّت

    Your attendant is feeble, and your horses have failed.

    Leave them to our companions; try my chariot.

  52. وَهَيِّ اختَبِر جُرداَ بأُطرُوسَ ثُقِّفَت

    سِراعاً إِذا كَرَّت وَإِن أَدبَرَت

    Come, test these sleek horses trained in Troy:

    swift when charging and when retreating.

  53. ببَأسِي مِن إِيناسَ مِن قَبلُ نِلتُها

    بها حَسبُنا جَريٌ بحَربٍ تَسَعَّرَت

    I won them earlier from Aeneas by my might.

    They suffice to carry us through this blazing war,

  54. فَيَعلَمَ هَكطُورٌ بِأَنَّ مُهَنَّدِي

    بِيُمنَايَ لِلفَتكِ الذَّرِيعِ تَضَوَّرا

    so Hector may learn that my tempered sword

    in my right hand hungers for devastating slaughter.

  55. فَأُذعَنَ نَسطورٌ وأَستِينِلٌ قَفَل

    وأَفرُمِذُونٌ بِالجِيادِ على العَجَل

    Nestor consented, and Sthenelus returned,

    with Eurymedon, taking the horses in haste.

  56. وَقُربَ ذِيُومِيذٍ مَضى الشَّيخُ يَعتَلي

    يَسُوطُ وَأطراَفَ الأََعِنَّةِ قَد سَدَل

    The old man mounted beside Diomedes

    and plied the whip, letting the reins' ends trail.

  57. وَلَمَّا لَدى هَكطُورَ في الحالِ بُلِّغا

    أَطارَ ذِيُومِيذُ السِنَّانَ فَعَنهُ زَل

    When they reached Hector at once,

    Diomedes launched his spearpoint, which missed him

  58. وَأُنفِذَ في ثَديِ ابنش ثِيبَسَ أَنيُفٍ

    فَخَرَّ على وَجهِ الحَضِيضِ مُكَوَّرا

    and pierced Eniopeus, son of Thebaeus, in the breast.

    He fell upon the ground, his body crumpled.

  59. فَأُرمِضَ هَكطُورٌ بِبَثٍّ يُبَرِّحُ

    على تِبعِهِ وَالخَيلُ شَبَّت تُطَمِّحُ

    Hector burned with tormenting grief

    for his attendant, while the horses reared wildly.

  60. وَغادَرَهًُ يَبغي غُلاماً يَسُوقُها

    فَبادَرَهُ أَرخَفطُلِيمُسُ يَسرَحُ

    He left him, seeking a youth to drive them;

    Archeptolemus hastened forward to him.

  61. وَكادَت سُرَى الطُّروَادِ تَجرِي هَزِيمَةً

    لإِليُونَ كَالخِرفانِ والخَطبُ يُفدَحُ

    The Trojans' ranks almost fled in defeat

    to Ilion like sheep, as disaster grew grievous.

  62. وَلَكِنَّ زَفساً وَهوَ نشاهدُ وَهنِهِم

    أَمام ذِيُومِيذ الصَّواعِقَ أَمطَرا

    But Zeus, observing their weakness,

    rained thunderbolts before Diomedes.

  63. فدَمدَمَ يَدوي الرَّعدُ والبَرقُ أَومَضا

    بِنارٍ مِنَ الكِبريتِ تَلهَبُ في الفَضا

    Thunder boomed and echoed, and lightning flashed

    with sulfurous fire blazing through the air.

  64. فَفِي نِيرِها الخَيلُ اقشَعَرَّت تَهَيُّباً

    وَأَفلَتَ نَسطُورُ العِنانَ مُمَعَّضا

    Beneath their yoke the horses shuddered in dread,

    and distressed Nestor let the reins slip.

  65. وَصاحَ فِرَاراً يا ذِيُومِيُّذٌ أَلا

    تَرى نَصرَ زَفسٍ عَنكَ ذَا اليَومَ مَعرِضا

    He cried: Flee, Diomedes! Do you not

    see Zeus's support turning from you today?

  66. لِهَكطُورَ أَولاَهُ وَمَن ذَا يَصُدُّهُ

    سَيخلُو لَنا يَومٌ يَشَاءُ فَنُنصَرا

    He has granted it to Hector; who can resist him?

    A day shall come for us, when he wills our victory.

  67. فَقالَ تَحَرَّيتَ الحَقِيقَةَ إِنَّما

    فُؤَادي ونَفسي بالعَذابِ تَضَرَّما

    He replied: You have discerned the truth; yet

    my heart and soul blaze with torment.

  68. لأَجدَرُ بي أَن تَفتَحَ الأَرضُ جَوفَها

    فَتَبَلعَني مِن أَن أَذِلَّ وَاُهزَما

    Better for me that earth should open its belly

    and swallow me than that I be humbled and defeated,

  69. وَيَصرُخُ هَكطُورٌ لَدى جُندِ قَومهِ

    ذِيُومِيُّذٌ في الفُلكِ مشن بَأسيَ ارتَمى

    while Hector cries among his people's troops:

    Diomedes flung himself into the ships before my might!

  70. فَقالَ وَأَنَّى يا ابنَ تِيذِيُّسٍ تُرَى

    يُتاحُ لَهُ أَن يَستَعِزَّ مُعَيِّرا

    He answered: How, son of Tydeus, do you suppose

    he could prevail by taunting you?

  71. يُكّذّبُهُ قَومُ الدَّرادِنَةِ

    بَلَوكَ وَأَبناءُ الطَّراوِدِ والمَلا

    The Dardanians will call him a liar:

    they have tested you, as have the Trojans and their company.

  72. تُكَذِّبُ غاداتٌ تأَيَّمنَ بَعدَ ما

    حَمَلتَ على أَزواجِهِنَّ مُجندِلا

    The women made widows will contradict him, after

    you charged their husbands and laid them low.

  73. وَرَدَّ رُؤُوسَ الخَيلِ مُنهَزِماً بهِ

    وَفَوقَهُما وَبلُ النِّبالِ تَهَيَّلا

    He turned the horses' heads, retreating with him;

    above them both a downpour of arrows fell.

  74. وَهَكطُورُ هَيَّاجُ التَّرائكِ مُقبِلٌ

    بإِثرِهِما يُنمِي الفَخَارَ مُظَفَّرا

    Hector, rouser of helmets, pressed forward

    behind them, proclaiming his triumph.

  75. ذِيُومِيذُ في الإِغرِيقِ كَم كُنتَ تُرفَعُ

    مَقاماً وَيُزجِي الزَّادُ والكاسُ تُترَعُ

    Diomedes, how often among the Greeks you were exalted

    in rank, served food, and given brimming cups!

  76. فَسَوفَ تُسامُ الذُّلَّ بَينَ جُمُوعِهِم

    لِوَهنٍ بِهِ كالغِيدِ قد بِتَّ تَهلَعُ

    Now you shall suffer humiliation among their throngs,

    for weakness has made you panic like delicate women.

  77. خَسِئتَ فَلَن تَعلُو مَعاقِلَنا وَلا

    عَقائِلَنا فَوقَ السَّفائنِ تَدفَعُ

    Away with you! You shall not scale our strongholds, nor

    drive our noble women aboard your ships.

  78. فَهَيهَاتِ لَن تَستأثِرَنَّ وَساعدِي

    سَيُولِيكَ مِن قبلُ الحِمامَ المُسَطَّرا

    Far from it! You shall seize no spoils; my arm

    will first grant you your allotted death.

  79. فَرَدَّدَ تَيَّاراً يَهِيجُ بِبالهِ

    أَيُغفِلُهُ أَم يَنثَني لِنِزَالِهِ

    A surging thought churned within his mind:

    should he ignore him or turn back to fight?

  80. ثَلاثاً على الأَمرَينِ رَدَّدَ فِكرَهُ

    وَزَفسُ ثَلاثاً راعِدٌ بِجِبالهِ

    Three times he pondered these two courses,

    and three times Zeus thundered upon his mountains,

  81. يُشِيرُ إِلى الطُّروَادِ بالنَّصرِ مُعلِناً

    وَهَكطُورُ يَدوِي صَوتُهُ بِرِجالهِ

    openly signaling victory to the Trojans.

    Hector's voice rang out among his men:

  82. أَيا أَيُّها الطُّروَادُ يا قَومَ لِيقيا

    وَيا دَردَنِيُّونَ النَّجِيعُ تَفَجَّرا

    O Trojans, O people of Lycia,

    and Dardanians, blood is pouring forth!

  83. فَكُونُوا رِجالاً وَاستَجِيشُوا بِشدَّةِ

    فَقَد لاحَ لي زَفسٌ يَمِيلُ لنُصرَتي

    Be men, and muster your fiercest strength!

    I have seen Zeus incline to aid me,

  84. يُخَوِّلُنِي نَصراً مُبِيناً وَعِزَّةً

    وَغِهلاكَ أَقوَامِ الأَعادِي المُلِمَّةِ

    granting me clear victory and honor,

    and destruction of the approaching enemy hosts.

  85. بَنَوا مَعقِلاً غَثًّا فَيَا لِضَلالِهِم

    بِما زَعَمُوا فِيهِ انثِناءَ عَزِيمَتي

    They built a feeble stronghold—how deluded they are

    to imagine it would bend my resolve!

  86. فَخَيلِيَ تَجتازُ الحَفِيرَ مُغِيرَةً

    ودُونَكُمُ مِني البَلاغَ المُقَرَّرا

    My horses shall cross the trench in their assault.

    Receive from me this settled command:

  87. فَإِن أدنُ مِن فُلكِ الاَغارِقِ فَاقذِفُوا

    عَلَيها لَهِيبَ النَّارِ لا تَتَوَقَّفُوا

    when I approach the Greeks' ships, cast

    blazing fire upon them; do not hesitate!

  88. فَتَفنى وَيَعلُو للرَّقيعِ هَصِيصُها

    وَيُفنِيهِمِ طُرًّا سِنانٌ وَمُرهَفُ

    They shall perish, their crackling rising to heaven;

    spearpoint and sharpened blade shall destroy them all.

  89. وَصاحَ بآذَانِ الجِيَادِ يَحُثُّها

    أَيا زَنثُ يا فُوذَرغُسُ المَتَشَوِّفُ

    He shouted into the horses' ears, urging them:

    O Xanthus, O eager Podargus,

  90. ويا إِيِتنٌ يا لَمفُسُ الكَرُّ كَرُّكُم

    بِهِ إِيهِ هذا اليومَ قد رُمتَ مَخبَرا

    and Aethon, and Lampus: yours is the charge!

    Onward, come! Today I seek a test.

  91. فَكَم رُضتُكُم جَهدي ابتِغاءَ رِضاكُمُ

    وَكَم أَنذَرُوماخٌ تَمنَّت مُناكُمُ

    How often I trained you, striving to please you!

    How often Andromache wished to meet your wishes!

  92. وَكم بُرَّها كَالشَّهدِ قَد ذَخَرَت لَكُم

    تُراقُ عَلَيها الخَمرُ آن غِذَاكُمُ

    How often she stored her wheat, sweet as honey, for you,

    pouring wine upon it at your feeding time!

  93. بِذَلِكَ كَم قَبلي رَعَتكُم وَإِن أَكُن

    حَلِيلاً لَها غَضًّا فَحُثُّوا خُطَاكُمُ

    How often she tended you before me, though I am

    her vigorous husband! Now hasten your steps!

  94. فَيا حَبَّذا كَرٌّ عُداتَنا

    فَنَغنَمَ تَحتَ النَّقعِ مِجوَبَ نَسطُرا

    How welcome a charge upon our enemies,

    that amid the dust we seize Nestor's shield!

  95. منَ الذَّهَبِ الإِبرِ يزِدا التُّرسُ كُلُّهُ

    وَشُهرَتُهُ حَتَّى السَّماءِ تُجِلُّهُ

    This entire shield is made of pure gold;

    its fame exalts it even to heaven.

  96. ومِن ثَمَّ عَن كِتفَي ذِيُومِيذَ لأمَةً

    حَباهُ بِها هِيفستُ وَهيًَ تُظِلُّهُ

    And then, from Diomedes' shoulders, the armor

    Hephaestus bestowed upon him, sheltering him.

  97. فَإِن نَغتَنِم هَذَينِ لا شَكَّ يَلتَجيء

    بِلَيلتِنا للفُلكنِ جَيشٌ نُذِلُّهُ

    If we capture these two, surely

    the army we humble will seek its ships tonight.

  98. أَمانِيُّ هَكطُورٍ كما شاءَ بَثَّها

    وَهِير الذاكَ الخَطبِ هاجَت تَحَسُّرا

    Hector poured out his wishes as he pleased.

    At that disaster Hera stirred in anguish;

  99. على عَرشِها اهتَزَّت فَقلَقَلَتِ السَّما

    وَصاحَت بفُوسيذَ العَظِيم تَحدُّما

    she shook upon her throne and rocked heaven,

    and angrily cried to mighty Poseidon:

  100. وَهَلاَّ أَيامَن زَعزَعَ الأَرضَ بَأسُهُ

    جَزِعتَ لأَرزَاءِ الأَراغِسِ مُرغَما

    O you whose might shakes the earth, why have you not

    grieved at the Argives' afflictions and humiliation?

  101. فَكَم لَكَ أَزكَوافي أَلِيقا وإِيغَسٍ

    قَرابِينَهُم يَبغُونَ قُربَكَ مَغنَما

    How often for you in Helice and Aegae they burned

    their offerings, seeking your favor as their gain!

  102. فَغِن نَعتَصِب في صَحبِهِم من ذَوِي العُلى

    فَلا رَيبَ أَنَّا لَن نُصَدَّ وَنُدحَرا

    If we of heaven's company rally to their side,

    surely we shall not be repelled and routed.

  103. فَهَيِّ بِنا نَنقَضَّ في كَبِدِ العِدى

    وَمِن فَوقِ إِيذَا زَفسُ يُحرَجُ مُفرَدا

    Come, let us swoop into the enemy's heart;

    Zeus alone above Ida will be hard pressed.

  104. فَقالَ لَها وَالغَيظُ مَيَّزَهُ لَقَد

    شَطَطتِ وَمِنِّي لا تَنالِينَ مَقصَدا

    He answered her, anger consuming him: Truly

    you have gone too far; you shall gain nothing from me.

  105. أَبيتُ لِقا زَفسٍ وإِن تَتأَلَّفُوا

    جَمِيعاً عَلَيهِ فَهوَ أَعظَمُ سُؤدُدا

    I refuse to confront Zeus, even if you unite

    against him all together: his majesty is greater.

  106. فَذاكَ حَدِيثٌ في بَنِي الخُلدِ دَائِرٌ

    وَقَد ثَقُلَت تَشتَدُّ وَطأَةُ هَكطُرا

    Such words passed among the immortals.

    Meanwhile Hector's crushing onslaught grew heavier.

  107. يَصُولُ كآرِيسٍ وَزَفسُ يُدِيلُهُ

    وَجيشُ العِدى يَصطَكُّ بادٍ قُفُولُهُ

    He charged like Ares, Zeus granting him ascendancy;

    the enemy army collided in evident retreat.

  108. لَدى الفُلكِ حَتَّى الحُصنِ دُونَ حَفِيرِهِ

    تُسَاقُ انهِزاماً رَجُلُه وَخيُولُهُ

    By the ships, up to the fort beyond its trench,

    its footmen and horses were driven back in defeat.

  109. وقد كادَت النِّيرانُ تُحرِقُ فُلكَهُ

    فَحَثَّت أَغامَمنُونَ هِيرا دَلِيلُهُ

    Fire almost consumed its ships,

    so Hera, his guide, stirred Agamemnon.

  110. فَخَاضَ صُفُوفَ الخَيمِ وَالفُلكِ رافِعاً

    بِسَاعِدِهِ بُرداً مَنَ الخَزِّ أَحمَرا

    He passed through the rows of tents and ships, raising

    in his arm a red silken cloak.

  111. تَوسَّطَ الأُسطولِ حتَّى إِذا علا

    خَلِيَّةَ أُوذِيسٍ بهِ تُحدِقُ المَلا

    He reached the fleet's middle, and when he mounted

    Odysseus's ship, the company gathered around him.

  112. وأَشراعُ آخِيلٍ وآياسَ أُرسِيَت

    عَلى طَرَفَيهِ شِدَّةً وَتَبَسُّلا

    The ships of Achilles and Ajax were moored

    at its two extremities, confident in their valor.

  113. عَلا صَوتُهُ يَدوِي أَيا عُصبَةً وَهَت

    جَنَاناً وَغِن أَبدَت بَياناً مُجَمَّلا

    His voice rose, resounding: O band grown weak

    in heart, though splendid in your speech!

  114. أَلا أَينَ ذَيَّاكَ التَّبَجُّحُ قَد غَدا

    وَأَينَ عُرَى عَزمٍ أَراهُ تَفَطَّرا

    Where is that boasting now?

    Where are the bonds of resolve I see broken?

  115. فَأُفٍّ لَكُم هَلاَّ ذَكَرتُم مُقَامَكُم

    بِلِمنُوسَ وَالزَّادُ الشَّهيُّ أَمامَكُم

    Shame upon you! Do you not remember your stay

    in Lemnos, delicious provisions before you,

  116. بِلَحممٍ سَمِينٍ تَرتَمُونَ وَأَكؤُسٍ

    تُدِيرُونَ عُجباً راشِفينَ مُدَامَكُم

    falling upon rich meat, and cups

    you proudly passed, sipping your wine?

  117. على مِئةٍ يَنقَضُّ أَو مِئَتَي فَتًى

    فَتَاكُم زَعَمتُم مُنتَضِينَ حُسَامَكم

    Against a hundred or two hundred men

    each champion would charge, you claimed, swords drawn!

  118. وعَن هَكطُرٍ فَذًّا عَجِزنا وَخِلتُهُ

    سَيُلهِبُ ناراً فُلكنَا مُتَنَمِّرا

    Yet we cannot withstand Hector alone; I think he

    will fiercely set our ships ablaze.

  119. أَيا زَفسُ هَل مِثلِي مَلِيكٌ تَذَلَّلا

    وَمِن سُدَّةِ المَجدِ الأَثِيلِ تَنَزَّلا

    O Zeus, has any king like me been humbled

    and fallen from the seat of ancient glory?

  120. وَحَقِّكَ مُذ أَقلَعتُ لا جِئتُ مُقلِعاً

    على مَركَبي جَمِّ الأَرادِمِ مُقبِلا

    By your truth, since I sailed—would I had not sailed!—

    advancing in my many-oared vessel,

  121. شحُومَ عُجُولي قد دَفَعتُ وَسُوقَها

    لِتُحرَقَ اَنَّى شادض قَومُكَ هَيكَلا

    I have offered my calves' fat and their shanks

    to burn wherever your people raised a temple.

  122. فَمَهِّد لَنا سُبلَ النَّجاةِ هَزِيمَةً

    ولا تُسلِمَنَّا لِلَعَدُوِّ فَيَغدُرا

    Prepare for us ways of escape in our defeat,

    and do not surrender us to the treacherous enemy.

  123. فَأَرفَقَ زَفسٌ راحِماً عَبَراتِه

    وَأَومأَ يُؤتي الجَيشَ بُشرَى نَجاتِهِ

    Zeus showed kindness, pitying his tears,

    and signaled glad tidings of the army's deliverance.

  124. وَأَرسَلَ خَيرَ الطَّيرِ نَسراً مُطَوِّفاً

    بِمِخلَبِهِ ظَبيٌ بأَسنَى سِماتِهِ

    He sent the noblest bird, an eagle circling,

    a splendidly marked fawn in its talon.

  125. وَأَسقَطَهُ في قُربِ هَيكَلهِ الذي

    لِذي الوَحي زَفسٍ قَدَّمُوا قُرُباتِهِ

    It dropped it near his sanctuary, where

    they offered sacrifices to prophetic Zeus.

  126. وَمُذ أَبَصَرَ الإغرِيقُ ذلك قوَّمُوا

    عَزِيمَتَهُم يَبغُونَ فَتكاً مُدَمِّرا

    When the Greeks saw this, they strengthened

    their resolve, seeking devastating slaughter.

  127. أَمامَهُمُ طُرًّا ذِيُومِيذُ أَطلَقا

    أَعنَّتَهُ يَجتَازُ بالخَيلِ خَندَقا

    Before them all, Diomedes loosened

    his reins and crossed the trench with his horses.

  128. يَؤُمُّ العِدى صَدراً لِصَدرِ وَرُمحُهُ

    بِيُمناهُ أَحشا آغِلاوُسَ مَزَّقا

    He faced the enemy breast to breast; his spear

    in his right hand tore Agelaus's entrails.

  129. بِعاتِقِهِ واراهُ يَبدُو لِصدرِهِ

    على حِينَ رَدَّ الخَيلَ يَجتَنِبُ اللِّقا

    He buried it in his shoulder; it emerged at his chest,

    as he turned his horses to avoid the encounter.

  130. فَخَرَّ صَرِيعاً خابِطاً بِدِمائِهِ

    بِصَلصَلَةٍ يَربَدُّ لَوناً وَمَنظَرا

    He fell slain, thrashing in his blood,

    his armor clanging, his face and color darkening.

  131. فَشَدُّوا القُوى والأَترِ ذَانِ تَقَدَّما

    كَذاكَ الأَياسانِ اللذَانِ تَحَدَّما

    They gathered strength; the two Atreidae advanced,

    as did the two Ajaxes, burning with fury,

  132. وَإِيذُمِنٌ مَع تِبعهِ مِريُنَ الذي

    حَكى شِدَّةً آرِيسَ مُستَنزِفَ الدِّما

    and Idomeneus with his attendant Meriones, who

    resembled blood-draining Ares in his might.

  133. فأُورِيفِلُوسُ بنُ الفَتى إِيفِمٍ تَلا

    وَتاسِعُهُم طِفِقِيرُ والقَوسَ أَحكَما

    Then Eurypylus, son of Euaemon, followed,

    and ninth came Teucer, making ready his bow.

  134. يُوَارِيهِ آياسٌ وَرَاءَ مِجَنّهِ

    فَيَرفَعُهُ حينا فَحِيناً لِيُبصِرا

    Ajax hid him behind his shield,

    lifting it now and then so he could see.

  135. فَيُحدِقُ في قَرمٍ مِنَ القَومِ دُونَهُ

    وَيَرشُقُهُ يُعِدُّ مَنُونَهُ

    He fixed his gaze upon a champion before him

    and shot him, preparing his death;

  136. وَيأَتي أَخاهُ مُستَظِلاًّ بِتُرسِهِ

    كَطِفلٍ لِحُجرِ الأُمِّ أَبدَى حَنِينهُ

    then returned to his brother, sheltered by his shield,

    like a child longing for its mother's lap.

  137. وَيَصدُرُ فيهم سَيِّداً بَعدض سَيِّدٍ

    فَجَندلَ أَرسيلُوخَ يَفرِي وَتِينَهُ

    He struck lord after lord among them,

    laying Orsilochus low and cleaving his life-vein,

  138. فأُرمِينَساً ثُمَّ الفَتى أُوفِلِستَساً

    وَأَتبَعَهُ أَخرُومِيُوسَ وذِيتُرا

    then Ormenus, then young Ophelestes;

    after him Chromius and Daetor;

  139. وَاَلحَقَ لِيقُوفُنطُساً وأَمُوفَنَا

    وميلاَنِفاً تَنتَابُهُم غُصَصُ الفَنا

    then Lycophontes and Amopaon,

    and Melanippus, all gripped by death's pangs.

  140. فَأُطرِبَ أَترِيذٌ وَقامَ تُجَاهَهُ

    يُبَجِّلُهُ بَينَ العَساكِرِ مُعلِنا

    Atreides rejoiced and stood facing him,

    publicly honoring him among the troops:

  141. أَيا ابنَ تِلامُونض الحَبِيبَ وَغُرَّةَ ال

    جُنُودِ أَسِل وبلَ النِّبالِ مُرَنّنا

    O beloved son of Telamon, flower of the

    army, let your ringing arrows rain!

  142. عَسى مِنكَ يُؤتَى الدَّانَوِيُّونَ نَصرَهُم

    وَيَعلُوا أَبُوكَ الهِمُّ شَاناً ومَشعَرا

    May the Danaans receive their victory through you,

    and your aged father rise in honor and renown!

  143. نَشَأتَ بِمَغنَاهُ عَزِيزاً مُسَوَّدَا

    وَإِن كُنتَ مِن نَسلِ السَّبِيَّةِ مَولِدا

    You grew in his dwelling, cherished and honored,

    though born of a captive woman's line.

  144. فَزِدهُ سَنا مَجدٍ وَغِن بَانَ بَونُهُ

    ودُونَكَ مِن أَترِيذَ عَهداً مُؤَيَّدا

    Add glorious splendor to him, though he is far away.

    Receive from Atreides a steadfast pledge:

  145. لَئِن نِلتُ مِن زَفسٍ وَفالاسَ نُصرَةً

    فَبَعدِيَ قَبلَ القَومِ تَظفِرُ بالجَدا

    if I obtain aid from Zeus and Pallas,

    after myself, before the rest, you shall gain the prize:

  146. بِمَركَبَةٍ في خَيلِها أُو مَنَصَّةٍ

    مُثَلَّثَةٍ أو غادَةٍ حَسبَما تَرى

    a chariot with its horses, or a stand

    of three legs, or a maiden, as you choose.

  147. فقالَ وَهَل دَاعٍ لإِنهاضِ هِمَّتي

    وَكُلّيَ عَزمٌ ناهِضٌ لِلمُلِمَّةِ

    He replied: Is urging needed to raise my spirit,

    when all of me is resolve, rising to meet disaster?

  148. سَأَفتُك ما أُوتِيتُ فَتكاً وَلَم تَزَل

    طَرُوحي تُصمِي مُذهَبَبتُ بِشِدَّتي

    I shall kill with all the power granted me; still

    my shots strike dead, ever since I sprang forward.

  149. ثَمانِيَةً أَنفَذتُ في فِتيَةِ العِدى

    وَعَن كُلِّ سَهمٍ خَرَّ شَهمُ سَرِيَّةِ

    Eight arrows I sent into the enemy's young men,

    and with each arrow a company's champion fell.

  150. وَلكنَّ هذا الكَلبَ قد عاثَ طاغِياً

    وَنَبليَ عَنهُ لا يَزالُ مقَصِّرا

    But this dog still rages tyrannically,

    and my arrows keep falling short of him.

  151. وَأَحدَقَ في هَكطُورَ يَرمِي مُسَدِّدا

    سَرِيَّتَهُ وَالقَلبُ مِنهُ تَوَقَّدا

    He fixed his gaze on Hector, aiming

    his arrow, his heart ablaze.

  152. فَأَخطَأَهُ والسَّهمُ أُرسِلَ صادِراً

    إِلى صَدرِ غُرغِيثيُونَ يَنفُذُ مُبعِدا

    He missed him, and the released arrow sped

    deep into Gorgythion's breast.

  153. هُوَ ابنٌ لِفريامٍ وقَسطَانِرا التي

    بها جاءَ قِدماً مِن أَسِيما مُصَعِّدا

    He was the son of Priam and Castianeira, whom

    he had brought long ago, journeying up from Aesyme.

  154. وَرَامَ بِها زَوجاً وَفيها تَوَفَّرَت

    مَحاسِنُ رَبَّاتِ الخُلُودِ تَوَفُّرا

    He sought her as his wife; in her abounded

    all the beauties of immortal goddesses.

  155. فَرَأسُ الفَتى لَمَّا بِمحنَتِهِ مُني

    بِمغفَرِهِ المَسرُودِ أُثقِلَ يَنحَني

    The youth's head, when this calamity befell him,

    bowed, weighed down by his fashioned helmet,

  156. كَزَهرَةِ خَشخَاشٍ بيانِعِ رَوضَةٍ

    يُثَقِّلُها طَلُّ الرَّبِيعِ فَتَنثَنِي

    like a poppy flower in a flourishing garden,

    bent beneath the weight of spring's dew.

  157. فَثَنَّى عَلى هَكطُورَ طِفقِيرُ رَميَهُ

    فَصَرَّح تَثني السَّهمَ كَفُّ أَفُلُّنِ

    Teucer again aimed his shot at Hector;

    it flew wide, Apollo's hand deflecting the arrow,

  158. وَأَُنفِذَ في أَرخِفطُليمَ بِثَديهِ

    فأَهوَى غَضيضَ الجَفنِ مُنفَصِمَ العُرى

    and pierced Archeptolemus in the breast.

    He fell, eyelids lowered, his bonds of life severed.

  159. فَهَطُورُ صُدَّت طامِحَاتُ خُيُولِهِ

    وَأُرمِضَ مُنتاعاً لِقَتلِ زَميلهِ

    Hector's plunging horses were checked,

    and he burned in anguish at his companion's death.

  160. فَغَادَرَهُ مُلقىً عَلى فَرطِ بَثِّهِ

    وَأَعرَضَ عَنهُ ساعِياً لِبَلدِيلهِ

    Despite his profound grief, he left him lying

    and turned away, seeking a replacement.

  161. فَأَلفَى أَخاهُ قِبرِيُونَ إِزاءَهُ

    فأَصعَدَهُ يَعلُو مَحَلَّ قَتيلِهِ

    He found his brother Cebriones beside him

    and mounted him in the dead man's place.

  162. وَأَلقَى لَهُ صَرعَ الأَعِنَّةِ واثِباً

    إِلى الأَرضِ بِالصَّوتِ المُرَوِّعِ مُجهِرا

    He flung him the hanging reins, leaping

    to earth and raising a terrifying shout.

  163. تَنَاوَلَ جُلمُوداً وَأَقبَلَ مُسرِعا

    يَرُومُ بِهِ طِفقِيرَ قَتلاً مُصَدِّعا

    He seized a boulder and hurried forward,

    seeking to crush Teucer dead with it.

  164. وأَخرَجَ طفِقيرٌ لَجِيفاً مُقَذَّذاً

    وَأَوفَقَهُ في القَوسِ لِلرَّمي مُزمِعا

    Teucer drew out a broad-headed, feathered arrow

    and nocked it in his bow, resolved to shoot.

  165. وَبالوتَرِ اجتَرَّ المَرِيشَ لِكِتفِهِ

    إِلى حيثُ عِرقُ العُنقِ بالصَّدرِ أُودِعا

    With the string he drew the feathered shaft to his shoulder,

    where the neck's vein meets the chest.

  166. فَأَدرَكَهُ الجُلمُودُ في المَقتَلِ الذي

    بَغى عَنهُ أَن يَرمي السَّرِيَّةَ مُصدِراً

    The boulder struck him in that vulnerable place,

    from which he sought to launch his arrow.

  167. فَرَاحَتُهُ شُلَّت وَقَد قُدِعَ الوَتَر

    وَأُجثِيَ وَالقَوسُ استَطَارَت على الأَثَر

    His hand was paralyzed, and the string was snapped;

    he dropped to his knees, and the bow flew away.

  168. فَبَادَرَ آياسٌ يَقيهِ بتُرسِهِ

    وَطَفِقيرُ بالأَنفاسِ يَشهَقُ وَالزُّفر

    Ajax hastened to protect him with his shield,

    while Teucer gasped and sighed.

  169. وَبَادَرَ مِيكِستٌ وآلستَرٌ مَعاً

    يَقِلاَّنِهِ لِلفُلكِ مُضطَرِبَ البَصَر

    Mecisteus and Alastor hurried together

    to carry him to the ships, his sight unsteady.

  170. وَزَفسُ ارتَضَى طُروَادَةً فَتَأَثَّرُوا

    أَعادِيَهُم حَتَّى الحَفِيرِ تَأَثُّرا

    Zeus favored Troy, and they pursued

    their enemies relentlessly to the trench.

  171. وَهَكطُورُ صَدرَ الجَيشِ يَجري وَيَلغَبُ

    وَيَكسَأُ في الأَردَافِ مَن يَتَعَقَّبُ

    Hector ran and labored at the army's front,

    striking from behind those he pursued,

  172. كَأَغضَفِ هَولٍ قَد تأَثَّرَ ضَيغَماً

    تَذَعَّرَاً وخِر نَوصَ بَرٍّ يُكَبكِب

    like a fearsome, long-eared hound pursuing a lion,

    frightened, or a wild boar tumbling onward.

  173. فَيَنهَشُهُ في صَفحَتيهِ وَساقِهِ

    وَيَنظُرُ هَل يَلوِي خُطَاهُ وَيَلجَبُ

    It bites its flanks and leg,

    watching whether it turns, and barking.

  174. فَولَّوا لَدَيهِ جائِزينَ وَشِيعَهُم

    وخَندَقَهُم وَالسَّيفُ يَبتَتُّ أَظهُرَا

    They fled before him, crossing their palisade

    and trench, while the sword severed their backs.

  175. وَسائِرُهُم دُونَ السَّفِينِ تَرَبَّضُوا

    يُثَبِّتُ بَعضاً بَعضُهُم وَيُحَرِّضُ

    The rest crouched before the ships,

    steadying and encouraging one another.

  176. وَيدوِي بِهاتِيكَ البِقَاعِ دُعَاؤُهُم

    وَهَكطُورُ دُونَ القَومِ بِالخَيلِ يَعرِضُ

    Their cries resounded across those plains,

    while Hector drove his horses before the company.

  177. وَيَقدَحُ مِن عَينَيهِ ناراً كَأَنَّها

    بِمُقلَةِ غَرغُونٍ وآرِيسَ تُومِضُ

    From his eyes he struck fire, as though

    it flashed in the eyes of a Gorgon and Ares.

  178. أَيا بِنتَ زَفسَ الدَّانَوِيُّونَ في نَكَد

    فَهَلاَّ مَدَدناهُم وَإِن أَبطأَ المَدَد

    O daughter of Zeus, the Danaans are in distress!

    Should we not aid them, though aid is delayed?

  179. بِهِم رامَت الأَقدَارُ سُوءاً وَخِلتُهُم

    يُبِيدُهُمُ قَرمٌ بِشِدَّتِهِ انفرَد

    The fates intend evil for them; I think

    one unrivaled champion will destroy them by his might.

  180. أَجَل إِنَّ هَكطُوراً عَتا مُتَنَمِّراً

    عَلَيهِم وَجازَ الحَدَّوَ اشتَدَّ وَاتَّقَد

    Indeed, Hector has grown fiercely insolent

    against them, exceeding all bounds, blazing with strength.

  181. فَقالَت أَثِينا كادَ سَيفُ العِدى لَدى

    مُعَسكَرِهِ يُلقِيهِ مَيتاً مُعَفَّرا

    Athena replied: The enemy's sword almost

    cast him dead and dust-covered beside his camp.

  182. ولكِن أَبي قد ساءَ فِعلاً وَمَقصَدا

    وَقاوَمَنَي غَدراً وَأَفرَطَ وَاعتَدى

    But my father has acted and intended ill,

    opposing me treacherously, exceeding bounds and wronging me.

  183. وَقَد فاتَهُ كَم قَبلُ صُنتُ حَبِيبَهُ

    هِرَقلَ ابنَهُ في حُكمِ إِفرِستَ مُجهَدا

    He has forgotten how often I protected his beloved

    son Heracles, exhausted under Eurystheus's rule,

  184. يُصَعِّدُ أَنفاساً وَيَندُبُ ضارِعاً

    فَيُرسِلُني زَفسٌ مَلاذاً وَمُرشِدا

    heaving sighs and lamenting in supplication.

    Then Zeus would send me as refuge and guide.

  185. فَلَو أَنَّني أُنبِئتُ قَبلُ مَرامَهُ

    لَظَلَّ هِرَقلٌ في الجَحيمِ مُحَقَّرا

    Had I known his purpose beforehand,

    Heracles would have remained dishonored in hell.

  186. وَلكِنَّني أَنقَذتُهُ حِينَ أُرسِلا

    بِهَيبَةِ إِفرِستٍ كَئيباً مُذَلَّلا

    But I rescued him when he was sent

    under dread of Eurystheus, sorrowful and humbled,

  187. لأَبوابِ آذيسٍ لِيَقتَادَ كَلبَهُ

    وَلِيَّ المَنايا مِن أَرِيبا مُكَبَّلا

    to Hades' gates to lead away his dog,

    the guardian of death, chained, from Erebus.

  188. وَذا زَفسُ يَجفُوني وَثِيتيسَ يَرتَضي

    تُقَبِّلُهُ مِن رُكبَتَيهِ تَوَسُّلا

    Now Zeus spurns me and favors Thetis,

    who kisses his knees in supplication

  189. وَتُلعِبُ بَينَ العارِضَينِ يَمِينَها

    لِيَنصُرَ آخِيلَ العَتِيِّ المُدَثِّرا

    and moves her right hand between his cheeks,

    that he aid mighty Achilles, withdrawn in his cloak.

  190. وَلا بُدَّ من يَومٍ يُنَادِينَي ابنَتي

    أَثِينا أَزرقا المُقلتَينِ صِفَيتَّي

    Yet a day must come when he calls me: My daughter,

    blue-eyed Athena, my chosen one!

  191. وَلكِن بِنا قُومي فَخَيلَكِ هَيئِّي

    لأُحضِرَ في مَغنَاهُ لِلحَربِ شِكَّتِي

    But come, arise, and prepare your horses,

    that I may fetch my war equipment from his dwelling.

  192. فَأَنظُرُ هَيَّاجَ التَّرائِكِ هَكطُراً

    أَيَطرَبُ إِذ نَبدُو بَصَدرِ السَّرِيَّةِ

    Then I shall see Hector, rouser of helmets:

    will he rejoice when we appear before his ranks?

  193. لُحُومُ بَني طُروَادَةِ وَشُحُومُها

    لِطَيرِ الفَلا وَالكَلبِ بالسَّيفِ تُبتَرى

    The flesh and fat of Troy's sons

    shall be cut by swords for wild birds and dogs.

  194. وَهِيرَةُ بَيضاءً الذِّراعَينِ هَبَّتِ

    إِلى الخَيلِ تَكسُوها نُبضَارِيَّ عُدَّةِ

    White-armed Hera rose

    to the horses, fitting them with golden equipment.

  195. وَأَلقَت أَثِينا في بَلاطِ وَلِيّها

    نِقاباً بَدِيعاً شائِقاً هِيَ وَشَّتِ

    Athena cast down in her father's hall

    a beautiful, delightful veil she herself had embroidered.

  196. بِدرِعِ أَبِيها استَلأمَت وَتَدجَّجت

    بِشِكِّتِهَ تُصلَى أُوَارَ الحَمِيَّةِ

    She donned her father's breastplate and armed herself

    with his gear, burning with martial ardor.

  197. بِها رًكِبت في كَفِّها عاملٌ لَهُ

    طَوِيلٌ ثَقِيلُ العُودِ يَحطِمُ عَسكَرا

    Thus equipped she mounted, holding a spear whose shaft

    was long and heavy, able to shatter an army.

  198. وَهِيرا تَسُوطُ الخَيلَ والخَيلُ تَسرَحُ

    لأَبوَابِ دارِ الخُلدِ في الجَوِّ تَسبَحُ

    Hera whipped the horses, and they sped

    to the immortal dwelling's gates, swimming through the air.

  199. فَمِن نَفَسِها دارَت على عَتَباتِها

    وَأَعلَت صَرِيفاً هائلاً وَهيَ تُفتَحُ

    Of themselves the gates swung upon their thresholds

    and raised a tremendous creaking as they opened.

  200. تُكَثِّفُ فيها الغَيمَ والجَوُّ مُظلِمٌ

    وَتَقشَعُهُ عنها فَيبرُزُ نَيِّرا

    Cloud gathered within them, darkening the sky,

    then cleared away, revealing brightness.

  201. فَجَاوَزَتا الأَبوابَ بالخضيلِ مَركَبا

    وَمِن طُورِ إِيذا زَفسُ يَنظُرُ مُغضَبا

    The two passed through the gates in their horse-drawn chariot.

    From Ida's mountain Zeus watched angrily.

  202. فَصاحَ بإِيرِيسَ اذهَبِنَّ لِتَرجِعا

    وَلا تَأتِياني فَاللِّقاءُ تَصَعَّبا

    He called to Iris: Go; make them return!

    Let them not approach me: the encounter would be harsh.

  203. وَإِلاَّ فَقد آلَيتُ وَالقَولُ حازِمٌ

    لأَحطِمُ بالنِّيرِ الجِيادَ مُثَرِّبا

    Otherwise I have sworn, and my word is firm,

    to smash the horses beneath their yoke in punishment,

  204. وَأَرمِيهِما مِن فَوقِ عَرشٍ مُبَطَّنٍ

    بِمَركَبةٍ أَذرُو سَحِيقاً مُكَسَّرا

    and hurl the two from their cushioned seat,

    scattering their shattered chariot far away.

  205. وَصاعِقَتي تَنقَضُّ يَذكُو التِهابُها

    وَعَشرَةَ أَعوامٍ يَدُومُ عَذَابُها

    My thunderbolt shall descend, its blaze fierce,

    and its torment shall last ten years.

  206. فَتَعلَمُ آثِينا نَكالا يَنالُها

    بِصَدِّ أَبِيها مُذ عَرَاها ارتِيابُها

    Then Athena shall know the punishment that meets her

    for resisting her father when doubt overtook her.

  207. وَغِنِّي عَلى هِيرا أَقَل تَحَدُّماً

    فَقََد أَلِفَت صَدِّي وَزَالَ احتِجابُها

    Against Hera I am less enraged:

    she is accustomed to opposing me without restraint.

  208. فَطَارَت إِريسٌ كالرِّياح بِأَجنُحٍ

    نُضَارِيَّةٍ نَحوَ الأُلِمبِ تَحَدُّرا

    Iris flew like the winds on wings

    of gold, descending toward Olympus.

  209. فَأَلفَتهُما في صَدرِ أَبوَابِهِ العُلى

    وَقالَت إِلى أَينَ الجَثِيثُ تَنَصُّلا

    She found the two before its lofty gates

    and said: Where are you rushing away?

  210. عَلامَ تَهِيجانِ اضِطِراماً وَزَفسُ لا

    يُتِيحُ لَنا بَينَ الأَغارِقِ مَدخَلا

    Why do you blaze with fury, when Zeus does not

    permit us to enter among the Greeks?

  211. وَإِلاَّ فَقَد آلى بحَتَمٍ مُؤَكَّدٍ

    لَيَحطِمُ بالنِّيرِ الجِيادَ مُفَلِّلا

    Otherwise he has sworn by a confirmed decree

    to smash the horses beneath their yoke, breaking them,

  212. وَيَرمِيكُما مِن فَوقِ عَرشٍ مَذَهَّبٍ

    بِمَركَبَةٍ يَذرو سَحِيقاً مُبَعثَرا

    and cast you both from your gilded seat,

    scattering the chariot's fragments far away.

  213. وَصاعِقَةُ التَّنكِيلِ يَذكُو التِهابُها

    وَعشرَةَ أَعوَامٍ يَدُومُ عَذَابُها

    The punishing thunderbolt shall blaze fiercely,

    and its torment shall last ten years.

  214. فَتَعلَمُ آثِينا وَأُوغِرَ صَدرُها

    لِصَدِّ أَبيها كَيفَ كانَ انقِلابُها

    Then Athena, her breast inflamed, shall know

    what came of her revolt against her father.

  215. وَهِيرا عَلَيها دُونَ ذلكَ غَيظُهُ

    فَقَد أَلِفَت كِبراً وَزالَ احتِجابُها

    His anger against Hera is less than that:

    she is accustomed to insolence without restraint.

  216. وَأَنتِ أَيَا شَرَّ الكِلابِ وَقاحَةً

    أَتَلقَينَ بالرُّمحِ الثَّقِيلِ أَبا الوَرى

    And you, most shameless of dogs,

    would you confront the father of all with your heavy spear?

  217. وَمُذ بَلَّغَت إِيرِيُس عادَت لِحِينِها

    وَهِيرا استَكنَّت ثائِراتً ظُنُونِها

    Having delivered her message, Iris immediately returned.

    Hera quieted her turbulent thoughts

  218. فَقالَتلآثِينا أَنا لَستُ أَرتضِي

    عَلى زَفسَ نَعتُو لِلمَلا وَشُجُونِها

    and said to Athena: I am not willing

    to defy Zeus for mortals and their sorrows.

  219. لِتَحيَ وَتَفنَى كَيفَما خُطَّ حَظُّها

    وَما شاءَ زَفسٌ فَهوَ مَولى شُؤُونِها

    Let them live and perish as their portions are written,

    and as Zeus wills: he governs their affairs.

  220. وَرَدَّت رَؤُوسَ الخَيلِ والسَّاعُ سَرمَداً

    بِاَبوَابِ دَارِ الخُلدِ تَلبَثُ حُضَّرا

    She turned the horses' heads; the Hours, forever

    attending at the immortal dwelling's gates, waited there.

  221. فَجَرَّدنَها حالاً وَأَوثَقنَها لَدى

    مَذَاوِدِها المَلأَى طَعاماً مُخَلَّدا

    They unharnessed them at once and tethered them beside

    their mangers, filled with immortal food.

  222. وَمَركَبَةَ الاُقدَاسِ أَتكأنَها إِلى

    حِياطٍ زَهَت حُسناً يَرُوقُ تَوَقُّدا

    They leaned the divine chariot against

    walls glowing with radiant beauty.

  223. وَحَلَّت تَهِيجُ الرَّبَّتَانِ كآبَةً

    بِعَرشَي نُضَارٍ في بَنِي الخُلدِ مَقعَدا

    The two goddesses settled, seething with grief,

    on golden thrones among the immortals.

  224. وَزَفسُ غِلى الأُولِمبِ في طُورِايذَةٍ

    لِمُجتَمَعِ الأَربَابِ في رَكبِهِ جَرى

    Zeus, bound for Olympus, at Mount Ida,

    sped in his chariot to the gods' assembly.

  225. فحَلَّ فُسيذُ الخَيلَ يَمضي بسُرعَةِ

    بِمَركَبَةِ الجَبَّارِ فَوقَ مَنَصَّةِ

    Poseidon swiftly unyoked the horses

    and placed the mighty one's chariot upon a stand.

  226. وَستراً مِنَ الكَتَّانِ أَسبَلَ فَوقَها

    وَزَفسُ اعتَلى تَختَ النُّضَارِ بِعِزَّةِ

    He spread a linen covering over it,

    while Zeus mounted his golden throne in majesty.

  227. وَتَحتَ خُطاهُ ارتَجَّ ذَيّالِكَ الفَضَا

    وَعَن مُنتَدَاهُ الرَّبَّتانِ بِعُزلَةِ

    Beneath his steps that vast space trembled.

    The two goddesses sat apart from his assembly,

  228. وُجُوماً وَصَمتاً تُطرِقَانِ وَإِنَّما

    بِنُورِ حِجاهُ كُنهَ فِكرِهما دَرى

    downcast and silent, their heads lowered; yet

    by his wisdom's light he knew their innermost thoughts.

  229. فَقالَ لِمَ الشَّكوَى وَفَرطُ التَّبَاعُدِ

    وَلَم تُجهَدا نَفساً بِحَبربِ الطَّرَاوِدِ

    He said: Why these complaints and such aloofness,

    when you have not exhausted yourselves fighting the Trojans?

  230. تَعَمَّدتُما إِهلاكَهُم وَدَمارَهُم

    وَلكنَّ طَولي امتَدَّ واشتَدَّ ساعدِي

    You intended their destruction and ruin;

    but my might extends, and my arm is strong.

  231. فَلا يَنثَني عَزمي لِكُلِّ بَني العُلَى

    وَقد خُرتُما قَبلَ اشتِدَادِ المَشَاهِدِ

    My resolve will not bend before all heaven's children.

    You weakened before the struggle grew fierce.

  232. وَإِلاَّ لَسَحَّت راعِداتُ صَوَاعِقي

    فَصَدَّتكُما عَن مَنزِلِ الخُلدِ أَدهُرا

    Otherwise my thundering bolts would have poured down

    and barred you from the immortal dwelling for ages.

  233. فَأَصعَدَتا الأَنفاسَ عَن جَمرَةِ الشَّجا

    تَرُومانِ لللطُّروَادِ مَحقاً مُرَوَّجاً

    They heaved sighs from grief's burning coal,

    seeking the Trojans' sweeping annihilation.

  234. وَأَخفَت أَثِينا ثائرَ الغَيظِ تَلتَظِي

    حَزَازَة صَدرٍ مُستَشِيطٍ تَوَهَّجا

    Athena concealed her raging anger, burning

    with resentment in a fiercely blazing breast.

  235. وَلكنَّ هِيرا تِلكَ لَم تَقوَ ساعَةً

    على كَظمِ غَيظٍ في حَشَاها تَلَجلَجا

    But Hera could not for a moment

    restrain the anger churning within her.

  236. فَقالَت أَبَيتَ الوَهنَ يا ابنَ قُرُونُسٍ

    قُوَاكَ علمنا لَن تَدِينَ وَتَصغُرا

    She said: You cannot weaken, son of Cronus!

    We know your strength will never yield or diminish.

  237. وَلكِنَّنا نَرثي لِحالِ الاَغَارِقِ

    يُبِيدُهُمُ المَقدُورُ تَحتَ المَخَافِقِ

    But we grieve for the Greeks' condition:

    fate destroys them beneath the striking weapons.

  238. أَطعَنا فلا نَأتيِ الكِفاحَ وَإنَّما

    نَمُدُّهُمُ بِالرَّأيِ خَوفَ البَوائِقِ

    We obey and shall not enter combat; we only

    support them with counsel, fearing calamities.

  239. وَغِلاَّ فَهذَا السُّخطُ يَجتَثُّ أَصلَهُم

    فَقالَ لها رَبُّ الغُيُومِ الدَّوافقِ

    Otherwise this wrath will tear them out by the roots.

    The lord of pouring clouds replied to her:

  240. إِذا بَزَغَ الفَجرُ المُنِيرُ رايتِني

    أُسِيلُ دَمَ الإِغرِيقِ دُونَكِ َأنهُرا

    When radiant dawn rises, you shall see me

    make Greek blood flow before you in rivers.

  241. وَهَكطُورُ لا يَنفَكُّ يَرمي وَيرتَمي

    ِإلى أن يَهُبًّ القَرمُ آخِيلُ فِيهِمِ

    Hector shall ceaselessly strike and charge

    until the champion Achilles rises among them;

  242. ومِن حَولِ فَطرُقلَ القَتِيل تَلاَحُمٌ

    لَدى الفُلكِ باِالقَومَينِ يَسرَبُ بالدَّمِ

    around slain Patroclus there shall be close combat

    beside the ships, both peoples streaming with blood.

  243. بِذا قَضَتِ الاَيَّامُ يَنفُذُ حُكمُها

    وَلَستُ أُبَالي ما تَحَدَّمتِ فاعلَمي

    Thus time has decreed; its judgment shall prevail.

    Know that I care nothing for your fury.

  244. وَلَيسَ بِعِبئي أَن تَؤُمِّي مَغِيظَةً

    وَرَاءَ الثَّرى وَالبَحرِ اعمَاقَ طَرطَرا

    Nor does it burden me if, enraged, you seek

    Tartarus's depths beyond earth and sea.

  245. هُنالِك لَو تَمِضينَ حَيثُ قُرُونُسُ

    يُقِيمُ وَبالإِذلاَلِ يافِثُ يَجلِسُ

    Even if you go there, where Cronus

    dwells and Iapetus sits in humiliation,

  246. وَلا الشَّمسُ في الآفاقِ تَنشُرُ نُورَها

    ولا نَسَمات الرِّيحِ تُحيِي وَتُؤنِسُ

    where the sun spreads no light across the horizons,

    nor breezes revive and comfort,

  247. لَما رَابَني مُذ كُنتِ شَرَّ سَلِيطَةٍ

    أَصَاخَت لِذَاكَ القَولِ لا تَتَنَفَّسُ

    it would not trouble me, you worst of scolds.

    She listened to those words without a breath.

  248. وَما لَبِثَت أَن حَلَّتِ الشَّمسُ بَحرَها

    وَذَيلُ الدُّجى في الأَرضِ باتَ مُجَرَّرا

    Soon the sun entered its sea,

    and darkness trailed its skirt upon the earth.

  249. فَبَرَّحَ بالطُّروَادِ مَرأَى غِيابِها

    وأَطرَبَتِ الإِغرِيقَ بُشرى احتِجابِها

    The Trojans were distressed to see it vanish;

    the Greeks rejoiced at the promise of its concealment.

  250. وَهَطُورُ نَحوَ النَّهرِ ساقَ جُيُوشَهُ

    بَعِيداً عَنِ الفُلكِ العِظامِ مَضَى بِها

    Hector drove his armies toward the river,

    leading them far from the mighty ships.

  251. وَأَلَّفَ فِيهِم مَجلِساً حَيثُ لادِما

    تُدَنِّسُ ذَيَّاكَ الفَلا بانصِبابِها

    He gathered them in council where no blood

    stained that plain with its flowing.

  252. تَرَجَّلَتِ الفُرسانُ تُصغِي لِقَولِهِ

    فَقامَ خَطِيباً آمِراً وَمُؤَمِّرا

    The horsemen dismounted, listening to his words;

    he stood to address them, commanding and appointing commands.

  253. يَمِيلُ على رُمحٍ يَعادِلُ طُولُهُ

    ذِراعاً وَعَشراً عَزَّ شَكلاً مَثِيلُهُ

    He leaned upon a spear whose length measured

    eleven cubits, scarcely matched in form.

  254. تُطوِّقُهُ من خالِصِ التِّبرِ فَتخَةٌ

    بِنَصلٍ نُحاسيٍّ يَهُولُ صَلِيلُهُ

    A ring of pure gold encircled it,

    and its bronze point clanged fearsomely.

  255. أَلا يا بَني الطُّروَادِ ياقَومَ دَردَنٍ

    وَيا حُلَفَاءِي دُونَكُم ما أَقُولُهُ

    Hear, sons of Troy, people of Dardanus,

    and my allies: receive what I say.

  256. حَسِبتُ بِأَنَّي اليَومَ أَدخُلُ ظَافِراً

    بِلادِي وأُفني القَومَ والفُلكَ مُظهَرا

    I thought today I would enter triumphantly

    my land, destroying the men and ships in victory.

  257. وَلكِنَّ وَفدَ اللّيلِ أَسبَلَ سِترَهُ

    عَلَيهِم وَأَنجاهُم فَلا نَعصِ أَمرَهُ

    But night's arrival drew its curtain

    over them and saved them; let us obey its command.

  258. فَحُلُّوا جِيادَالكَرِّ يُزجَى عَلِيقُها

    وَهَيُّوا بِنا لِلزَّادِ نَنظُرُ أَمرَهُ

    Unyoke the charging horses and give them fodder.

    Come, let us attend to our provisions.

  259. وِمن قُدسِ إِليُونٍ عُجُولٌ سَمِينَةٌ

    تُسَاقُ وَخِرفازٌ تُوَفِّرُ ذخرَهُ

    From holy Ilion let fat calves

    be driven, and sheep to replenish our stores.

  260. وَعُودُوا إِلَينا من مَنازِلِكُم وَقَد

    حَمَلتُم مَعَ الخُبزِ المُدامَ المُكَرَّرا

    Return to us from your homes, having

    brought bread and mellow wine.

  261. وَزِيدُوا وَقُودَ النَّارِ تَعلُو تَأَجُّجَا

    إِلى الجَوِّ لِلفَجرِ المُنِيرِ مضدى الدُّجَى

    Add fuel to the fire, that it blaze

    upward all night until radiant dawn,

  262. لِئَلاَّ يَرى القَومُ الفِرارَ غَنِيمَةً

    فَيَبغُونَ مَتنَ البَحرِ في اللَّيلِ مَخرَجا

    lest the men see flight as an advantage

    and seek escape upon the sea by night.

  263. فإِن رَكِبُوا صُبُّوا عَلَيهِم سِهَامَكُم

    وَسُمراً تُغَشِّيهِم خِضَاباً مُضَرِّجا

    If they embark, pour your arrows upon them

    and dark spears, clothing them in bloody dye.

  264. بِأَوطَانِهِم هُم يَلأَمُونَ جِرَاحَهُم

    وَغَيرُهُمُ بِالحَربِ لَن يَتَهَوَّرا

    They shall tend their wounds in their homelands,

    and others will not recklessly venture into war.

  265. وَيَا أَصفِيا زَفسَ الفُيوجَ تَعَهَّدُوا

    بإِليُونَ حَزمَ الوُلدِ والشِّيبَ شَدِّدُوا

    O favorites of Zeus, attend to the messengers;

    in Ilion strengthen the vigilance of children and old men.

  266. وَسُوقُوهُمُ طُرَّا لِظاهِرِها عَلى

    الحُصُونِ الَّتي آلُ العُلَى قَبلُ شَيَّدُوا

    Lead them all outside it, onto

    the fortifications heaven's company built before.

  267. وَكُلُّ النِّساءِ الجازِعاتِ يُقِمنَ في

    مَنازِلِهنَّ النَّارُ لِلصُّبحِ تُوقَدُ

    Let all the fearful women remain in

    their houses, keeping fire burning until morning.

  268. فَلَيسَ بإِليُونٍ جُنُودٌ وخَشيَتي

    تُفاجِئُها الأعداءُ في سِنَةِ الكَرَى

    There are no troops in Ilion, and I fear

    the enemy may surprise it in drowsy sleep.

  269. فَحَسبُكُمُ ذا القَولُ مِنِّي مُرشِدا

    وَإِنِّي بِباقي الأَمرِ أُنبِئُكُم غَدا

    Let these words from me suffice to guide you;

    I shall tell you the remaining business tomorrow.

  270. سَأَدعُو وَزَفسٌ لامِرَاءَ وآلُهُ

    يُنِيلُونَني نَصراً فَأَظفَرَ بالعِدى

    I shall pray, and Zeus and his company, without doubt,

    will grant me victory, that I overcome the enemy:

  271. كِلابٌ بَغَونا فَوقَ سُودِ سَفِينِهِم

    يَسُوقُهُمُ داعي المَنَايا تَعَمُّدا

    dogs who attacked us aboard their black ships,

    deliberately driven by death's summons.

  272. فَأَحيُوا الدُّجَى والفَجرُ إِن لاَحَ نُورُهُ

    هَبَبَنا وَكَثَّفنا القَنا والسَّنَوَّرا

    Keep the night awake; when dawn's light appears,

    we shall rise, massing spears and armor.

  273. نَرى أَذِيُوميذٌ إِلى السُّورِ سائقي

    أَمِ الحَتفَ يَلقى مِن حُدُودِ مَخَافِقي

    We shall see whether Diomedes drives me to the wall

    or meets death from my weapons' edges.

  274. غَداً سَوفَ يَبلُوسَهُ وَكَأَنَّني

    بِهِ لِوُرُودِ الحَتفِ أَوَّلُ سَابِقِ

    Tomorrow he shall test it; already I seem

    to see him first to race toward death,

  275. يُجَندَلُ في صَدرِ الرِّجالِ وَحَولَهُ

    صَنادِيدُ خَرَّت باصطِدامِ الفَيَالِقِ

    laid low at the men's front, surrounded by

    champions fallen in the armies' collision.

  276. فَلا زَارَني شَيبٌ يُلِمُّ بِعَارِضِي

    وَلا نَظَرَت عَينَايَ مَوتاً مُؤَخَّرا

    May gray hairs never visit and touch my cheeks,

    nor my eyes behold a belated death!

  277. ويا لَيتَني أُوتِيتُ عِلماً بِسُؤدُدي

    كَما قَد وَثِقتُ اليَومَ بِالنَّصر في غَدِ

    Would I were granted certainty of my greatness,

    as surely as today I trust tomorrow's victory,

  278. وأَعلُو كَما تَعلُو أَثٍِينا بِمَجدِها

    وأَسمُو سُمُوَّ الشَّمسِ في كُلِّ مَعهَدِ

    and rose as Athena rises in her glory,

    soaring like the sun in every realm!

  279. فَلَمَّا انتَهَى شَقَّ الفَضَاءَ ضَجِيجُهُم

    لِما كانَ مِن وَقعِ الحَدِيثِ المُنَضَّدِ

    When he finished, their clamor split the air,

    so deeply his ordered speech had moved them.

  280. وَحَلُّوا وِثَاقَ الخَيلِ يُسبِحُها العَيَا

    وَشَدُّوا العُرى قُربَ العِجالِ تَحَذُّرا

    They loosed the horses' harness, exhaustion drenching them,

    and carefully secured their tethers beside the chariots.

  281. وَجَاءَت سِمانُ الضَّأنِ في الحالِ وَالبَقَر

    وخَمرٌ وَخُبزٌ في المَنَازِلِ مُدَّخَر

    Fat sheep and cattle arrived at once,

    with wine and bread stored in their homes.

  282. وَأَورَوا وَقُودَ النَّارِ تُعلِي دُخَانَها

    إِلى الجَوِّرِيحُ السَّهلِ تَحتَ سَنَا القَمَر

    They kindled the fire's fuel; its smoke was lifted

    skyward by the plain's wind beneath the moonlight.

  283. وَمَن فَوقنِ هاتِيكَ البِطَاحِ تَأَلَّفَت

    جُمُوعُهُمُ مِن حَولِها زُمَراً زُمَر

    Across those plains there gathered

    their throngs around the fires, group upon group,

  284. جُلُوساً وَشُكَّاكاً بِصَلَدِ سِلاحِهِم

    مَدى اللَّيلِ يَرجُونَ السَّناءَ المُبَشِّرا

    sitting, bristling with their solid weapons,

    all night awaiting the heralding light.

  285. فَبَينَ السَّفِينِ الرَّاسِياتِ وَزَنثُسِ

    لَوَامِعُ نِيرانٍ بِذَاكَ المُعَرَّسِ

    Between the anchored ships and Xanthus

    gleamed fires in that encampment,

  286. تَؤجُّ لَدى إِليُونَ في أَلفِ مَقبِسٍ

    يُؤَجِّجُها خَمسُونَ في كُلِّ مَقبِسِ

    blazing beside Ilion in a thousand hearths,

    fifty men tending each hearth.

  287. ودُونَهُمُ بَينَ العِجالِ جِيادُهُم

    وُقُوفٌ على ذاكَ القَضِيمِ المُكَدَّسِ

    Before them, among the chariots, their horses

    stood over the heaped fodder:

  288. شَعِيرٌ نَقِيٌّ فَوقَ أَسمَرِ حِنطَةٍ

    بِها مَرِحَت حَتَّى الصَّباحُ تَفَجَّرا

    clean barley atop tawny wheat,

    which sustained their joy until morning broke.

  289. كَأَنَّ النُّجُومَ الغُرَّ وَالبَدرُ ساطِعُ

    بِقُبَّهِ أَفلاكِ السَّماءِ لَوَامِعُ

    Like bright stars, with the full moon shining,

    gleaming in the dome of heaven's spheres,

  290. مُؤَلَّقَةٌ لا غَيمَ يَحجُبُ نُورَها

    وَلا رَهَجٌ حالٍ ذَرَتهُ الزَّوَابِعُ

    radiant, with no cloud hiding their light

    and no screening dust scattered by whirlwinds,

  291. فَتَنعَكِسُ الأَنوَارُ في كُلِّ سَبسَبٍ

    وَغَورٍ وَنَجدٍ وَالعُيُونُ هَوَاجِعُ

    their lights reflect across every plain

    and hollow and height, while eyes lie sleeping.

  292. فَيَبتهِجُ الرَّاعي بِأَبهَجِ مَنظرٍ

    وَيَطمَعُ لَو ظَلَّت تُنِيرُ فَينظُرا

    The shepherd rejoices at that loveliest sight

    and wishes they would keep shining for him to gaze.