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第60章

hesiod, the homeric hymns, and homerica-第60章

小说: hesiod, the homeric hymns, and homerica 字数: 每页4000字

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; he uttered these words。

(ll。 93…98) ‘Ah; Puff…jaw; you shall not go unpunished for this treachery!  You threw me; a castaway; off your body as from a rock。  Vile coward!  On land you would not have been the better man; boxing; or wrestling; or running; but now you have tricked me and cast me in the water。  Heaven has an avenging eye; and surely the host of Mice will punish you and not let you escape。'

(ll。 99…109) With these words he breathed out his soul upon the water。  But Lick…platter as he sat upon the soft bank saw him die and; raising a dreadful cry; ran and told the Mice。  And when they heard of his fate; all the Mice were seized with fierce anger; and bade their heralds summon the people to assemble towards dawn at the house of Bread…nibbler; the father of hapless Crumb…snatcher who lay outstretched on the water face up; a lifeless corpse; and no longer near the bank; poor wretch; but floating in the midst of the deep。  And when the Mice came in haste at dawn; Bread…nibbler stood up first; enraged at his son's death; and thus he spoke。

(ll。 110…121) ‘Friends; even if I alone had suffered great wrong from the Frogs; assuredly this is a first essay at mischief for you all。  And now I am pitiable; for I have lost three sons。  First the abhorred ferret seized and killed one of them; catching him outside the hole; then ruthless men dragged another to his doom when by unheard…of arts they had contrived a wooden snare; a destroyer of Mice; which they call a trap。  There was a third whom I and his dear mother loved well; and him Puff…jaw has carried out into the deep and drowned。  Come; then; and let us arm ourselves and go out against them when we have arrayed ourselves in rich…wrought arms。'

(ll。 122…131) With such words he persuaded them all to gird themselves。  And Ares who has charge of war equipped them。  First they fastened on greaves and covered their shins with green bean… pods broken into two parts which they had gnawed out; standing over them all night。  Their breast plates were of skin stretched on reeds; skilfully made from a ferret they had flayed。  For shields each had the centre…piece of a lamp; and their spears were long needles all of bronze; the work of Ares; and the helmets upon their temples were pea…nut shells。

(ll。 132…138) So the Mice armed themselves。  But when the Frogs were aware of it; they rose up out of the water and coming together to one place gathered a council of grievous war。  And while they were asking whence the quarrel arose; and what the cause of this anger; a herald drew near bearing a wand in his paws; Pot…visitor the son of great…hearted Cheese…carver。  He brought the grim message of war; speaking thus:

(ll。 139…143) ‘Frogs; the Mice have sent me with their threats against you; and bid you arm yourselves for war and battle; for they have seen Crumb…snatcher in the water whom your king Puff… jaw slew。  Fight; then; as many of you as are warriors among the Frogs。'

(ll。 144…146) With these words he explained the matter。  So when this blameless speech came to their ears; the proud Frogs were disturbed in their hearts and began to blame Puff…jaw。  But he rose up and said:

(ll。 147…159) ‘Friends; I killed no Mouse; nor did I see one perishing。  Surely he was drowned while playing by the lake and imitating the swimming of the Frogs; and now these wretches blame me who am guiltless。  Come then; let us take counsel how we may utterly destroy the wily Mice。  Moreover; I will tell you what I think to be the best。  Let us all gird on our armour and take our stand on the very brink of the lake; where the ground breaks down sheer: then when they come out and charge upon us; let each seize by the crest the Mouse who attacks him; and cast them with their helmets into the lake; for so we shall drown these dry…hobs (2) in the water; and merrily set up here a trophy of victory over the slaughtered Mice。'

(ll。 160…167) By this speech he persuaded them to arm themselves。

They covered their shins with leaves of mallows; and had breastplates made of fine green beet…leaves; and cabbage…leaves; skilfully fashioned; for shields。  Each one was equipped with a long; pointed rush for a spear; and smooth snail…shells to cover their heads。  Then they stood in close…locked ranks upon the high bank; waving their spears; and were filled; each of them; with courage。

(ll。 168…173) Now Zeus called the gods to starry heaven and showed them the martial throng and the stout warriors so many and so great; all bearing long spears; for they were as the host of the Centaurs and the Giants。  Then he asked with a sly smile; ‘Who of the deathless gods will help the Frogs and who the Mice?'

And he said to Athena;

(ll。 174…176) ‘My daughter; will you go aid the Mice?  For they all frolic about your temple continually; delighting in the fat of sacrifice and in all kinds of food。'

(ll。 177…196) So then said the son of Cronos。  But Athena answered him: ‘I would never go to help the Mice when they are hard pressed; for they have done me much mischief; spoiling my garlands and my lamps too; to get the oil。  And this thing that they have done vexes my heart exceedingly: they have eaten holes in my sacred robe; which I wove painfully spinning a fine woof on a fine warp; and made it full of holes。  And now the money…lender is at me and charges me interest which is a bitter thing for immortals。  For I borrowed to do my weaving; and have nothing with which to repay。  Yet even so I will not help the Frogs; for they also are not considerable: once; when I was returning early from war; I was very tired; and though I wanted to sleep; they would not let me even doze a little for their outcry; and so I lay sleepless with a headache until cock…crow。  No; gods; let us refrain from helping these hosts; or one of us may get wounded with a sharp spear; for they fight hand to hand; even if a god comes against them。  Let us rather all amuse ourselves watching the fight from heaven。'

(ll。 197…198) So said Athena。  And the other gods agreed with her; and all went in a body to one place。

(ll。 199…201) Then gnats with great trumpets sounded the fell note of war; and Zeus the son of Cronos thundered from heaven; a sign of grievous battle。

(ll。 202…223) First Loud…croaker wounded Lickman in the belly; right through the midriff。  Down fell he on his face and soiled his soft fur in the dust: he fell with a thud and his armour clashed about him。  Next Troglodyte shot at the son of Mudman; and drove the strong spear deep into his breast; so he fell; and black death seized him and his spirit flitted forth from his mouth。  Then Beety struck Pot…visitor to the heart and killed him; and Bread…nibbler hit Loud…crier in the belly; so that he fell on his face and his spirit flitted forth from his limbs。  Now when Pond…larker saw Loud…crier perishing; he struck in quickly and wounded Troglodyte in his soft neck with a rock like a mill…stone; so that darkness veiled his eyes。  Thereat Ocimides was seized with grief; and struck out with his sharp reed and did not draw his spear back to him again; but felled his enemy there and then。  And Lickman shot at him with a bright spear and hit him unerringly in the midriff。  And as he marked Cabbage…eater running away; he fell on the steep bank; yet even so did not cease fighting but smote that other so that he fell and did not rise again; and the lake was dyed with red blood as he lay outstretched along the shore; pierced through the guts and shining flanks。  Also he slew Cheese…eater on the very brink。。。。

((LACUNA))

(ll。 224…251) But Reedy took to flight when he saw Ham…nibbler; and fled; plunging into the lake and throwing away his shield。  Then blameless Pot…visitor killed Brewer and Water…larked killed the lord Ham…nibbler; striking him on the head with a pebble; so that his brains flowed out at his nostrils and the earth was bespattered with blood。  Faultless Muck…coucher sprang upon Lick… platter and killed him with his spear and brought darkness upon his eyes: and Leeky saw it; and dragged Lick…platter by the foot; though he was dead; and choked him in the lake。  But Crumb… snatcher was fighting to avenge his dead comrades; and hit Leeky before he reached the land; and he fel

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