Page 467 - the-iliad

in a rage and broke his yoke for him; the mares went one to
one side of the course, and the other to the other, and the
pole was broken against the ground. Eumelus was thrown
from his chariot close to the wheel; his elbows, mouth, and
nostrils were all torn, and his forehead was bruised above
his eyebrows; his eyes filled with tears and he could find no
utterance. But the son of Tydeus turned his horses aside and
shot far ahead, for Minerva put fresh strength into them
and covered Diomed himself with glory.
Menelaus son of Atreus came next behind him, but An-
tilochus called to his father’s horses. ‘On with you both,’ he
cried, ‘and do your very utmost. I do not bid you try to beat
the steeds of the son of Tydeus, for Minerva has put run-
ning into them, and has covered Diomed with glory; but
you must overtake the horses of the son of Atreus and not
be left behind, or Aethe who is so fleet will taunt you. Why,
my good fellows, are you lagging? I tell you, and it shall
surely be—Nestor will keep neither of you, but will put both
of you to the sword, if we win any the worse a prize through
your carelessness. Fly after them at your utmost speed; I
will hit on a plan for passing them in a narrow part of the
way, and it shall not fail me.’
They feared the rebuke of their master, and for a short
space went quicker. Presently Antilochus saw a narrow
place where the road had sunk. The ground was broken, for
the winter’s rain had gathered and had worn the road so
that the whole place was deepened. Menelaus was making
towards it so as to get there first, for fear of a foul, but An-
tilochus turned his horses out of the way, and followed him

The Iliad