to the earth. But warm tears[559] flowed from their eyelids to the
earth, complaining from desire of their charioteer; and their thick mane
was defiled, flowing down on both sides from the collar at the yoke. But
the son of Saturn beholding them lamenting, felt compassion, and shaking
his head, communed with his own mind:

"Ah! luckless pair, why did we give you to king Peleus, a mortal; for ye
are free from old age, and immortal? Was it that ye might endure griefs
with unhappy men? For there is not anything at all more wretched than
man,[560] of all, as many as breathe and move over the earth. But
Hector, the son of Priam, shall not be borne by you, even in the
curiously-wrought chariot, for I will not permit it. Is it not enough
that he both possesses those arms, and vainly boasts? But into your
knees and spirit will I cast vigour, that ye may safely bear Automedon
from the battle to the hollow ships; for still will I give glory to them
(the Trojans), to slay, until they reach the well-benched ships, till
the sun set, and sacred darkness come on."

[Footnote 558: Clarke compares AEn. xii. 284, from Ennius, apud
Macrob. vi. 1: "Hastati spargunt hastas, fit ferreus imber." See
Columna's notes. p. 82, ed. Hessel. The Scholiast rather
interprets it, of a strong and violent shout, [Greek: stereos kai
poly schyros].]

[Footnote 559: See Virg. AEn. xi. 89, sqq. with Servius, Quintus
Calab. iii. 740: [Greek: oude min aubrotoi ippoiatarbeos Aiakidao
Mimnon adakrytoi para neestin' alla kai autoi Myronto spheteroio
daikiamenou basileos. Oud' etholon mogeroisin et' andrasin oude
meth' ippois Misgesth' Argeion, olopn peri penthos echontes].]

[Footnote 560: On this comfortable and satisfactory sentiment,
see the lugubrious collection of parallel passages in Duport, p.
98.]

So saying, he breathed strong vigour into the steeds; and they, shaking
the dust from their manes to the ground, quickly bore the rapid car
amongst the Trojans and Greeks. And against them[561] fought Automedon,
though grieved for his companion, rushing along in his chariot like a
vulture among the geese. For he fled easily from the tumult of the
Trojans, and easily did he rush on, pursuing through the dense throng.
Yet did he not slay the men when he pressed onward to pursue; for it was
by no means possible for him, being alone in the sacred[562] car, to
assault with the spear and to rein in the fleet steeds. At leng