《伊利亚特·第7卷》第3节

两军鏖战 · 第7卷 · 第3节

So spake he and donned his fair armour. And now, O Menelaos, had the end of life appeared for thee at Hector’s hands, seeing he was stronger far, but that the princes of the Achaians started up and caught thee. And Atreus’ son himself, wide-ruling Agamemnon, took him by his right hand and spake a word and called upon his name: “Thou doest madly, Menelaos fosterling of Zeus; yet is it no time for this thy madness. Draw back, though it be with pain, nor think for contention’s sake to fight with one better than thou, with Hector Priam’s son, whom others beside thee abhor. Yea, this man even Achilles dreadeth to meet in battle, wherein is the warrior’s glory; and Achilles is better far than thou. Go therefore now and sit amid the company of thy fellows; against him shall the Achaians put forth another champion. Fearless though he be and insatiate of turmoil, I ween that he shall be fain to rest his knees, if he escape from the fury of war and terrible fray.” So spake the hero and persuaded his brother’s heart with just counsel; and he obeyed. So his squires thereat with gladness took his armour from his shoulders; and Nestor stood up and spake amid the Argives: “Fie upon it, verily sore lamentation cometh on the land of Achaia. Verily old Peleus driver of chariots would groan sore, that goodly counsellor of the Myrmidons and orator, who erst questioned me in his house, and rejoiced greatly, inquiring of the lineage and birth of all the Argives. If he heard now of those that all were cowering before Hector, then would he lift his hands to the immortals, instantly praying that his soul might depart from his limbs down to the house of Hades. Ah would to father Zeus and Athene and Apollo I were young as when beside swift-flowing Keladon the Pylians gathered together to battle and the Arkadians that bear the spear, beneath the walls of Pheia, about the streams of Iardanos. Then stood up for their champion Ereuthalion, a man the peer of gods, bearing upon his shoulders the armour of king Areïthoös, goodly Areïthoös that by men and fair-girdled women was surnamed the Mace-man, because he fought not with bow and long spear, but with an iron mace clave the battalions. Him Lykurgos slew by guile, and not by strength, in a narrow way, where his mace of iron saved him not from destruction: ere that, Lykurgos came on him unawares and pierced him through the midst with his dart, and he was hurled backward upon the earth. Then Lykurgos despoiled him of his arms that brazen Ares had given him; and these himself he bare thereafter into the mellay of war. But when Lykurgos grew old within his halls he gave them to Ereuthalion his dear squire to wear. So with his arms upon him he challenged all our best; but they trembled sore and were afraid, and no man took heart. But me my hardy spirit aroused to meet him in my confidence; yet was I youngest in years of all. So fought I with him and Athene vouchsafed me glory. Tallest was he and strongest of men that I have slain; as one of huge bulk he lay spread this way and that. Would to God I were thus young and my strength were sound; then would Hector of the glancing helm soon find his combat. But of those of you that be chieftains of the host of the Achaians, yet desireth no man of good heart to meet Hector face to face.”

注释摘要

墨涅拉奥斯被赫克托耳的挑战激怒,穿上铠甲便要出战。但阿开亚人的众位首领立刻起身拦住了他。诗人在此处插入一句直接对墨涅拉奥斯发出的感叹,直言若非众人阻止,他的性命就将断送在赫克托耳手下——这一声旁白式的呼喊打破了常规的叙事距离,以强烈的语气强调双方实力悬殊,也让读者在瞬间感受到那种险些发生的灾难。 接下来是阿伽门农的劝阻。阿伽门农抓住弟弟的右手,直呼其名,语…