Page 356 - the-iliad

vaunts so vainly. Furthermore I will give you strength of
heart and limb to bear Automedon safely to the ships from
battle, for I shall let the Trojans triumph still further, and
go on killing till they reach the ships; whereon night shall
fall and darkness overshadow the land.’
As he spoke he breathed heart and strength into the hors-
es so that they shook the dust from out of their manes, and
bore their chariot swiftly into the fight that raged between
Trojans and Achaeans. Behind them fought Automedon
full of sorrow for his comrade, as a vulture amid a flock of
geese. In and out, and here and there, full speed he dashed
amid the throng of the Trojans, but for all the fury of his
pursuit he killed no man, for he could not wield his spear
and keep his horses in hand when alone in the chariot; at
last, however, a comrade, Alcimedon, son of Laerces son
of Haemon caught sight of him and came up behind his
chariot. ‘Automedon,’ said he, ‘what god has put this folly
into your heart and robbed you of your right mind, that you
fight the Trojans in the front rank single-handed? He who
was your comrade is slain, and Hector plumes himself on
being armed in the armour of the descendant of Aeacus.’
Automedon son of Diores answered, ‘Alcimedon, there is
no one else who can control and guide the immortal steeds
so well as you can, save only Patroclus—while he was alive—
peer of gods in counsel. Take then the whip and reins, while
I go down from the car and fight.’
Alcimedon sprang on to the chariot, and caught up the
whip and reins, while Automedon leaped from off the car.
When Hector saw him he said to Aeneas who was near