《伊利亚特·第11卷》第5节
Then sent he forth Iris of the golden wings, to bear his word: “Up and go, swift Iris, and tell this word unto Hector: So long as he sees Agamemnon, shepherd of the host, raging among the foremost fighters, and ruining the ranks of men, so long let him hold back, but bid the rest of the host war with the foe in strong battle. But when, or smitten with the spear or wounded with arrow shot, Agamemnon leapeth into his chariot, then will I give Hector strength to slay till he come even to the well-timbered ships, and the sun go down, and sacred darkness draw on.” So spake he, and wind-footed swift Iris disobeyed him not, but she went down from the hills of Ida to sacred Ilios, and she found the son of wise-hearted Priam, noble Hector, standing among the horses, and firm-bound chariots, and swift-footed Iris drew near and spake to him: “Hector, son of Priam, peer of Zeus in counsel; lo, Zeus the father hath sent me forth, to bear thee this command: So long as thou seest Agamemnon, the shepherd of the host, raging among the foremost fighters, and ruining the ranks of men, so long hold back from the fight, but bid the rest of the host war with the foe in strong battle. But when, or smitten with the spear or wounded with arrow shot, Agamemnon leapeth into his chariot, then will Zeus give thee strength to slay till thou come even to the well-timbered ships, and the sun go down and sacred darkness draw on.” So spake swift-footed Iris and departed, but Hector with his harness leaped from the chariot to the ground, and, shaking his sharp spears went through all the host, stirring up his men to fight, and he roused the dread din of battle. And they wheeled round, and stood and faced the Achaians, while the Argives on the other side strengthened their battalions. And battle was made ready, and they stood over against each other, and Agamemnon first rushed in, being eager to fight far in front of all. Tell me now, ye Muses that inhabit mansions in Olympus, who was he that first encountered Agamemnon, whether of the Trojans themselves, or of their allies renowned? It was Iphidamas, son of Antenor, great and mighty, who was nurtured in Thrace rich of soil, the mother of sheep, and Kisses his mother’s father reared him in the halls, while he was but a little child,—even the father of Theano fair of face. Then when he came to the measure of glorious youth, he tried to keep him there, and offered him his own daughter; but a bridegroom new wed, he went from his bridal chamber after the tidings of the coming of the Achaians, with twelve beaked ships that followed after him. These trim ships he left in Perkote, but himself came by land to Ilios; he it was that then encountered Agamemnon son of Atreus. And when they were come near in onset against each other, Atreus’ son missed, and his spear was turned aside, but Iphidamas smote him on the girdle, below the corslet, and himself pressed on, trusting to his heavy hand, but pierced not the gleaming girdle, for long ere that the point struck on the silver, and was bent like lead. Then wide-ruling Agamemnon caught the spear with his hand and drew it toward him furiously, like a lion, and snatched it out of the hand of Iphidamas, and smote his neck with the sword, and unstrung his limbs. So even there he fell, and slept a sleep of bronze most piteously, far from his wedded wife, helping the folk of the city,—far from his bride, of whom he had known no joy, and much had he given for her: first a hundred kine he gave, and thereafter promised a thousand, goats and sheep together, whereof he had herds unspeakable. Then did Agamemnon son of Atreus strip him, and went bearing his goodly harness into the throng of the Achaians.
注释摘要
这一节的核心动作，是宙斯对战场主动权的精密调度。他离开伊达山巅，手持雷电，派遣金翼的伊里斯去给赫克托耳传话。伊里斯是诸神的信使，在这部诗中专司快速传递指令，她的修饰语“快如风”正好对应命令的紧迫性。宙斯的命令很清楚：只要阿伽门农还在前列杀敌，赫克托耳就避其锋芒，让其他人顶住；一旦阿伽门农受伤登车，宙斯便会把力量交给赫克托耳，让他一路杀到阿开亚人的船边，直到…