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When the prayers

Were ended, and the salted meal was flung,

575

Backward they turned the necks of the fat beeves,

And cut their throats, and flayed the carcasses,

And hewed away the thighs, and covered them

With caul in double folds; and over this

They laid raw fragments of the other parts.

580

O'er all the aged priest poured dark red wine,

And burned them on dry wood. A band of youths

With five-pronged spits, beside him, thrust these through

The entrails, which they laid among the flames.

And when the thighs were all consumed, and next

585

The entrails tasted, all the rest was carved

Into small portions and transfixed with spits

And roasted with nice care and then withdrawn

From the hot coals. This task performed, they made

The banquet ready. All became its guests

590

And all were welcome to the equal feast.

And when their thirst and hunger were allayed,

Boys crowned the ample urns with wreaths, and served

The wine to all, and poured libations forth.

Meantime the Argive youths, that whole day long,

595

Sang to appease the god; they chanted forth

High anthems to the archer of the skies.

He listened to the strain, and his stern mood

Was softened. When, at length, the sun went down

And darkness fell, they gave themselves to sleep

600

Beside the fastenings of their ships, and when

Appeared the rosy-fingered Dawn, the child

Of Morning, they returned to the great host

Of the Achaians. Phœbus deigned to send

A favoring breeze; at once they reared the mast

605

And opened the white sails; the canvas swelled

Before the wind, and hoarsely round the keel

The dark waves murmured as the ship flew on.

So ran she, cutting through the sea her way.

But when they reached the great Achaian host,

610

They drew their vessel high upon the shore

Among the sands, and underneath its sides

They laid long beams to prop the keel, and straight

Dispersed themselves among the tents and ships.

The goddess-born Achilles, swift of foot,

615

Beside his ships still brooded o'er his wrath,

Nor came to council with the illustrious chiefs,

Nor to the war, but suffered idleness

To eat his heart away; for well he loved

Clamor and combat.

620

Iliad. Homer. Boston. 1870.

Current edition Experimental

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) (English) (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ἰλιάς Perseus (Homer. Homeri Opera, Volumes 1-2. Monro, D. B. (David Binning), editor; Allen, Thomas W. (Thomas William), editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908-1920.) — 1.458 focus

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ εὔξαντο καὶ οὐλοχύτας προβάλοντο,

αὐέρυσαν μὲν πρῶτα καὶ ἔσφαξαν καὶ ἔδειραν,

μηρούς τʼ ἐξέταμον κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψαν

460

δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπʼ αὐτῶν δʼ ὠμοθέτησαν·

καῖε δʼ ἐπὶ σχίζῃς ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ δʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον

λεῖβε· νέοι δὲ παρʼ αὐτὸν ἔχον πεμπώβολα χερσίν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρε κάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,

μίστυλλόν τʼ ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν,

465

ὤπτησάν τε περιφραδέως, ἐρύσαντό τε πάντα.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα

δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

κοῦροι μὲν κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,

470

νώμησαν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν·

οἳ δὲ πανημέριοι μολπῇ θεὸν ἱλάσκοντο

καλὸν ἀείδοντες παιήονα κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν

μέλποντες ἑκάεργον· ὃ δὲ φρένα τέρπετʼ ἀκούων.

ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε,

475

δὴ τότε κοιμήσαντο παρὰ πρυμνήσια νηός·

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀνάγοντο μετὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν·

τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·

οἳ δʼ ἱστὸν στήσαντʼ ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν,

480

ἐν δʼ ἄνεμος πρῆσεν μέσον ἱστίον, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα

στείρῃ πορφύρεον μεγάλʼ ἴαχε νηὸς ἰούσης·

ἣ δʼ ἔθεεν κατὰ κῦμα διαπρήσσουσα κέλευθον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν,

νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἐπʼ ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν

485

ὑψοῦ ἐπὶ ψαμάθοις, ὑπὸ δʼ ἕρματα μακρὰ τάνυσσαν·

αὐτοὶ δʼ ἐσκίδναντο κατὰ κλισίας τε νέας τε.

αὐτὰρ ὃ μήνιε νηυσὶ παρήμενος ὠκυπόροισι

διογενὴς Πηλῆος υἱὸς πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

οὔτέ ποτʼ εἰς ἀγορὴν πωλέσκετο κυδιάνειραν

490

οὔτέ ποτʼ ἐς πόλεμον, ἀλλὰ φθινύθεσκε φίλον κῆρ

αὖθι μένων, ποθέεσκε δʼ ἀϋτήν τε πτόλεμόν τε.

Translations (9)

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.) — 1.458 focus

So he spoke in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Then, when they had prayed, and had sprinkled the barley grains, they first drew back the victims' heads, and cut their throats, and flayed them, and cut out the thighs and covered them 460 with a double layer of fat, and laid raw flesh thereon. And the old man burned them on stakes of wood, and made libation over them of gleaming wine; and beside him the young men held in their hands the five-pronged forks. But when the thigh-pieces were wholly burned, and they had tasted the entrails, they cut up the rest and spitted it, 465 and roasted it carefully, and drew all off the spits. Then, when they had ceased from their labour and had made ready the meal, they feasted, nor did their hearts lack anything of the equal feast. But when they had put from them the desire for food and drink, the youths filled the bowls brim full of drink 470 and served out to all, first pouring drops for libation into the cups. So the whole day long they sought to appease the god with song, singing the beautiful paean, the sons of the Achaeans, hymning the god who works from afar; and his heart was glad, as he heard. But when the sun set and darkness came on, 475 they lay down to rest by the stern cables of the ship, and as soon as early rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, then they set sail for the wide camp of the Achaeans. And Apollo, who works from afar, sent them a favouring wind, and they set up the mast and spread the white sail. 480 So the wind filled the belly of the sail, and the dark wave sang loudly about the stem of the ship, as she went, and she sped over the wave, accomplishing her way. But when they came to the wide camp of the Achaeans, they drew the black ship up on the shore, 485 high upon the sands, and set in line the long props beneath, and themselves scattered among the tents and ships. But he in his wrath sat beside his swift-faring ships, the Zeus-sprung son of Peleus, swift-footed Achilles. Never did he go forth to the place of gathering, where men win glory, 490 nor ever to war, but wasted away his own heart, as he tarried where he was; and he longed for the war-cry and the battle.

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad of Homer, rendered into English prose for the use of those who cannot read the original. Butler, Samuel, 1835-1902, translator. London: Longmans, Green, and Co, 1898.) — 1.440 focus

440 and Odysseus led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god,

445 who has now brought sorrow upon the Argives." So saying he gave the girl over to her father, who received her gladly, and they ranged the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of the god. They washed their hands and took up the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims,

450 while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, you who protect Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule Tenedos with your might. Even as you did hear me aforetime when I prayed, and did press hard upon the Achaeans,

455 so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them.

460 They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats,

465 they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work [ ponos] and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink,

470 pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering. Thus all day long the young men worshipped the god with song, hymning him and chanting the joyous paean, and the god took pleasure in their voices;

475 but when the sun went down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind,

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 1.458 focus

When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them. [460] They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them. 462 And the old man burned them [= the thigh bones] over splinters of wood, and bright wine did he 463 pour over them, while the young men were getting ready for him the five-pronged forks that they were holding in their hands. When the thigh-pieces were burned and they had tasted the innards, [465] they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work [ ponos] and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, [470] attendants filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering.

Thus all day long they worshipped the god with song, hymning him, 473 the young warriors of the Achaeans, singing a beautiful paean, and the god took pleasure in his heart [ phrenes] at their voices; [475] but when the sun went down and it became dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the army of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind, [480] so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the deep blue water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she went. 483 And the ship ran along the waves, on its pathway leading to its destination. When they reached the wide-stretching army of the Achaeans, [485] they drew the vessel ashore, high and dry upon the sands, set her strong props beneath her, and went their ways to their own tents and ships.

But Achilles, the son of Peleus in the line of Zeus, stayed at his ships and nursed his anger [ mēnis]. [490] He went not to the honor-bringing assembly, and ventured not forth to fight, but gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and the war-cry.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 1.458 focus

And now the Greeks their hecatomb prepare;

Between their horns the salted barley threw,

600

And with their heads to heaven the victims slew:¹

The limbs they sever from th' inclosing hide;

The thighs, selected to the gods, divide:

On these, in double cauls involved with art,

The choicest morsels lay from every part.²

605

The priest himself before his altar stands,

And burns the offering with his holy hands,

Pours the black wine, and sees the flame aspire;

The youths with instruments surround the fire:

The thighs thus sacrificed, and entrails drest,

610

Th' assistants part, transfix, and roast the rest:

Then spread the tables, the repast prepare,

Each takes his seat, and each receives his share.

When now the rage of hunger was repress'd,

With pure libations they conclude the feast;

615

The youths with wine the copious goblets crown'd,³

And, pleas'd, dispense the flowing bowls around.

With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends,

The Pæans lengthen'd till the sun descends:

The Greeks, restor'd, the grateful notes prolong:

620

Apollo listens, and approves the song.

'Twas night; the chiefs beside their vessel lie.

Till rosy morn had purpled o'er the sky:

Then launch, and hoist the mast; indulgent gales

Supplied by Phoebus, fill the swelling sails;

625

The milk-white canvas bellying as they blow,

The parted ocean foams and roars below:

Above the bounding billows swift they flew,

Till now the Grecian camp appear'd in view.

Far on the beach they haul their barks to land,

630

(The crooked keel divides the yellow sand,)

Then part, where stretch'd along the winding bay

The ships and tents in mingled prospect lay.

But, raging still, amidst his navy sat

The stern Achilles, steadfast in his hate;

635

Nor mix'd in combat, nor in council join'd;

But wasting cares lay heavy on his mind:

In his black thoughts revenge and slaughter roll,

And scenes of blood rise dreadful in his soul.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 1.458 focus

Then all with salt and barley ready stand,

And Chryses pray'd with hands to heaven upheav'd.

Hear me, Apollo, with the silver bow,

That dost in Tenedos and Cylla reign,

430

And heardst my pray'r against the Greeks; hear now,

And from them send the pestilence again.

When Chryses had thus to Apollo pray'd,

Then pray'd they all; and salt and barley threw

Upon the victims ; which they kill'd and flay'd.

435

But from the altar first they them withdrew.

And then the thighs cut off they slit in twain,

And round about they cover them with fat,

And one part on the other laid again.

The priest himself came when they had done that,

440

And burnt them on a fire of cloven wood ;

And as they burning were pour'd on black wine.

Young men with spits five-branched by them stood.

When burnt the thighs were for the pow'r divine,

And entrails eaten, the rest cut in joints

445

Before the fire they roasted skilfully,

Pierced through with the spits that had five points ;

And took it up when roasted thoroughly.

When ended was their work, began the feast;

Where nothing wanting was of what was good.

450

And having thirst and hunger dispossest,

And filled with sweet wine the temp'rers stood.

Then round the cups were borne ; and all day long

Sitting they celebrated Phœbus' might,

And magnified his goodness in sweet song,

455

And he in his own praises took delight.

But when the sun had borne away his light,

Upon the sands they laid them down to sleep.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 1.458 focus

All, after pray'r, cast on salt cakes, drew back, kill'd, flay'd the beeves,

Cut out and dubb'd with fat their thighs, fair dress'd with doubled leaves,

And on them all the sweetbreads prick'd. The priest, with small sere wood,

Did sacrifice, pour'd on red wine; by whom the young men stood,

450

And turn'd, in five ranks, spits. On which (the legs enough) they eat

The inwards; then in giggots cut the other fit for meat,

And put to fire; which roasted well they drew. The labour done,

They serv'd the feast in that fed all to satisfaction.

Desire of meat and wine thus quench'd, the youths crown'd cups of wine,

455

Drunk off, and fill'd again to all. That day was held divine,

And spent in pæans to the Sun, who heard with pleased ear;

When whose bright chariot stoop'd to sea, and twilight hid the clear,

All soundly on their cables slept, even till the night was worn.

And when the Lady of the light, the rosy-finger'd Morn,

460

Rose from the hills, all fresh arose, and to the camp retir'd.

Apollo with a fore-right wind their swelling bark inspir'd.

The top-mast hoisted, milk-white sails on his round breast they put,

The mizens strooted with the gale, the ship her course did cut

So swiftly that the parted waves against her ribs did roar;

465

Which, coming to the camp, they drew aloft the sandy shore;

Where, laid on stocks, each soldier kept his quarter as before.

But Peleus' son, swift-foot Achilles, at his swift ships sate

Burning in wrath, nor ever came to councils of estate

¹²³⁴

That make men honour'd, never trod the fierce embattled field,

470

But kept close, and his lov'd heart pin'd, what fight and cries could yield

Thirsting at all parts to the host.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 1.458 focus

Then prayed the Greecians also, and with meal

Sprinkling the victims, their retracted necks

First pierced, then flay'd them; the disjointed thighs

565

They, next, invested with the double cawl,

Which with crude slices thin they overspread.

The priest burned incence, and libation poured

Large on the hissing brands, while, him beside,

Busy with spit and prong, stood many a youth

570

Trained to the task. The thighs with fire consumed,

They gave to each his portion of the maw,

Then slashed the remnant, pierced it with the spits,

And managing with culinary skill

The roast, withdrew it from the spits again.

575

Their whole task thus accomplish'd, and the board

Set forth, they feasted, and were all sufficed.

When neither hunger more nor thirst remained

Unsatisfied, boys crown'd the beakers high

With wine delicious, and from right to left

580

Distributing the cups, served every guest.

Thenceforth the youths of the Achaian race

To song propitiatory gave the day,

Pæans to Phœbus, Archer of the skies,

Chaunting melodious. Pleased, Apollo heard.

585

But, when, the sun descending, darkness fell,

They on the beach beside their hawsers slept;

And, when the day-spring's daughter rosy-palm'd

Aurora look'd abroad, then back they steer'd

To the vast camp. Fair wind, and blowing fresh,

590

Apollo sent them; quick they rear'd the mast,

Then spread the unsullied canvass to the gale,

And the wind filled it. Roared the sable flood

Around the bark, that ever as she went

Dash'd wide the brine, and scudded swift away.

595

Thus reaching soon the spacious camp of Greece,

Their galley they updrew sheer o'er the sands

From the rude surge remote, then propp'd her sides

With scantlings long, and sought their several tents.

But Peleus' noble son, the speed-renown'd

600

Achilles, he, his well-built bark beside,

Consumed his hours, nor would in council more,

Where wise men win distinction, or in fight

Appear, to sorrow and heart-withering woe

Abandon'd; though for battle, ardent, still

605

He panted, and the shout-resounding field.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 1 focus

BOOK I

Of Peleus' son, Achilles, sing, oh goddess, the resentment

Accursed, which with countless pangs Achaia's army wounded,

And forward flung to Aïdes full many a gallant spirit

Of heroes, and their very selves did toss to dogs that ravin,

And unto every fowl, (for so would Jove's device be compass'd);

From that first day when feud arose implacable, and parted

The son of Atreus, prince of men, and Achileus the godlike.

Which of the gods entangled you in wrathfulness of quarrel?

Jove and Latona's son it was, who, with the king embitter'd,

Sent mid the army sore disease, till troop on troop would perish:

Because-that Atreus' royal son disdainfully rejected

Chryses, Apollo's worshipper, who, to release his daughter,

Unto the sharp Achaian galleys came with boundless ransom,

The ensign bearing in his hands of arrowy Apollo

Upon his golden sceptre wreath'd, and sued to all the Achaians,

And most of all, to Atreus' sons, twin marshals of the people:—

"Children of Atreus! and the rest of dapper-greav'd Achaians!

Oh! unto you may all the gods, who hold Olympian dwellings,

Grant Priam's city for a spoil, and happy voyage homeward :

But my dear child yield up to me, and take my proffer'd ransom,

In homage to the son of Jove, Apollo the far-darting."

Then all Achaia's other folk murmur'd assent well-omen'd,

To pity and revere the priest and take the brilliant ransom;

But Agamemnon, Atreus' son, delight in mercy found not,

¹²

But sent him off with contumely and words of stern monition :

"Beware, old sire! lest here, beside Achaia's hollow galleys,

Or now I catch thee lingering or afterward returning;

Lest-that thy sceptre save thee not nor yet thy sacred ensign.

But her I never will release: sooner shall age o'ertake her,

Far distant from her land of birth within our house at Argos;

For there shall she the shuttle ply and at my bed attend me.

But come! my temper fret not; else, less safe thy journey homeward."

The old man quail'd before the word, and hastily obey'd him.

Speechless he went along the strand of the much-brawling water :

Then many a pray'r in loneliness he pour'd with aged bosom

To prince Apollo, whom to bear, bright-hair'd Latona travail'd :

"Lord of the silver arrows, hear! who overshelt'rest Chrysa,

Who bravely reign'st in Tenedos and in the heav'nly Killa;

If ever pleasant offerings to thee, O god of Sminthus!

I hanged o'er the temple-walls, or burn'd upon thy altar

The fatten'd limbs of bulls and goats; this wish for me accomplish!

Cause by thy bolts the Danaï dearly to pay my sorrows."

So utter'd he the word of pray'r; and bright Apollo heard him.

Down from Olympus' highths the god with swelling heart descended,

Bow on his shoulder carrying and closely-roofed quiver.

And loud and angrily the shafts did at his shoulder rattle,

When forth he started: but himself like gloom of Night came rushing.

He from the galleys took his seat afar, and aim'd an arrow ;—

Then of the silver-corded bow right fearful was the twanging.

At first the mules and huddling sprightly dogs he visited; but shortly

Against the warriours themselves a shaft, with anguish freighted,

He aim'd: and ever as he drew, thick blaz'd the piles of corpses.

Nine days the weapons of the god made riot through the army,

And on the tenth did Achileus the mote of people summon.

For so did Juno, white-arm'd goddess, secretly advise him,

In sorrow for the Danaï, for-that she saw them dying.

When therefore they assembling came, and all were met together,

Thus did Achilles, fleet of foot, uprising speak among them:

"Atrides, thou and I may now, I reckon, straggling homeward

Retrace the voyage back again,— should haply Death allow us,—

If war at once and pestilence thus wear away the Achaians.

But come now; let us of some priest inquire, or some diviner,

Or some interpreter of dreams; (for dreams too Jove inspireth);

Who may reveal, what cause hath rous'd such wrath in bright Apollo:

Whether perchance for stinted vows or hecatomb he blameth :—

If at our hand the fragrancy from fat of lambs partaking

And perfect goats, he haply choose to ward away the ruin."

Thus spake the prince, and down he sat: and straightway rose before them

By far the wisest of the augurs, Calchas, son of Thestor,

Who knew the present and the past, and all hereafter coming,

And had as far as Ilium the Achaian galleys guided,

Because of that sage art of his, which bright Apollo gave him:

Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd, and spake his word among them.

"Achilles, dear to Jupiter! me biddest thou to interpret

The sore displeasure of the prince Apollo the far-darting?

I then will tell; but thou to me must swear in solemn treaty,

That verily with word and hand thou zealously wilt aid me.

For troth! I reckon to enrage a man, mid all the Achaians

Who lords it mightily, and meets obedience from Argos.

For stronger is a king, when he with common man is angry:

For even if on that one day he may digest his choler,

Yet in his bosom haply still he fostereth a hatred,

In aftertime to compass it; then think, if thou wilt save me."

But him Achilles, fleet of foot, address'd in words responsive:

"Take courage, surely; and avow whate'er the gods have shown thee.

For by Apollo, Jove-belov'd, who, mov'd by thy entreaty,

O Calchas! to the Danaï divine decrees expoundeth ;—

While I yet live, and on the earth gaze up to light of heaven,

No man of all the Danaï beside the hollow galleys

On thee the heavy hand shall lay; not, were it Agamemnon,

Who now among the Achaians claims to be by far the noblest."

The spotless seer then courage took, and thus his message utter'd:

"Not on the score of stinted vows or hecatomb he blameth,

But on his worshipper's account, whom Agamemnon scorning

Refus'd his daughter to release or to accept the ransom.

Therefore doth the Far-darter send, and yet will send, disaster;

Nor will he of the pestilence withdraw the deadly grapple,

Till some one to her father dear restore the curl-eyed damsel

Unpurchas'd, unredeem'd; and lead in sacred train to Chrysa

A hecatomb; then haply we might pacify and trust him."

100

Thus spake the seer, and down he sat; and straightway rose before them

The widely-reigning Atreus' son, the hero Agamemnon,

In anguish: for with frenesy his soul of black within him

Was fill'd; and those two eyes of his like coals of fire were gleaming.

Calchas address'd he first of all, with glance that evil boded :

105

"Prophet of ill! thou never yet didst canny saying utter:

To thee it alway pleasant is of evil things to augur:

But goodly word to me, not once hast spoken or accomplish'd.

And now among the Danaï expounding thou haranguest,

That therefore the Far-darter doth, forsooth! disaster send them,

110

Sith-that for Chryses' damsel I the brilliant ransom willed

Not to accept; for surely much the maid herself prefer I

At home to keep, and love her e'en than Clytemnestra better,

My wife of early love; for ay! in naught is she behind her,

Neither in feature nor in frame, in mind or handy cunning.

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Still, even so, to give her back I choose, if this be better:

My people I desire to be in safety, not to perish.

But ho! for me forthwith a prize prepare; lest unrewarded

Alone of Argives I be left: for that, I trow, befits not.

For look ye all, what prize for me by other road is coming."

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To him thereat divine Achilles, foot-reliant, answer'd:

"Atrides most illustrious, in greed supreme of all men!

Whence shall the Achaians lofty-soul'd a prize for thee discover?

For nowhere keep we common spoil in store; and from the cities

Whate'er we pillag'd, all is shar'd; and troth! it were unseemly

125

To make the general folk regorge what once hath been divided.

But to the god surrender now this maid; and we the Achaians

Threefold and fourfold will repay, if haply Jove allow us

To win the meed of pillaging Troy's nobly-fenced city."

³⁴

To him in words reciprocal spake royal Agamemnon:

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"Achilles, image of the gods! do not, howe'er intrepid,

Steal past me thus: thou wilt not me outstrip: persuade thou shalt not.

Dost wish, a prize thyself to have, and me, despoil'd, dishonour'd,

Just as I am, to sit; and troth! me to restore her, biddest?

Now, if the lofty-soul'd Achaians find a prize to grace me,

135

Right worthy of my dignity, and suited to my humour,

'Tis well; but if they find it not, and I, with hand at random,

Clutch either thine or Ajax' prize, or haply from Ulysses

Seize and lead off;—why then, whome'er I visit, may be wrathful.

But all such riddles better we hereafter shall interpret;

140

And now in the salt flood divine launch we a dusky galley,

And rowers for it carefully collect, and place within it

A hecatomb, and bring on board the dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs,

And of our councillors let one with high command be present,

Or Ajax or Idomeneus or the divine Ulysses,

145

Or thee, Pelides! marvellous among the race of mortals;

That thou for us by sacred rite mayst win the Far-averter."

But him Achilles, fleet of foot, with scowling glance accosted :

"Ah thou in shamelessness array'd, with fox's greedy temper,

How, ever, shall Achaian man with zeal obey thy summons,

150

Either upon a march to go, or stoutly close in combat?

For hither not with sake of war against the spearmen Troians

Came I in quarrel of my own: no charge have I against them :

For never drave they beeves of mine, nor horses have they driven,

Nor ever on the loamy clods of hero-feeding Phthia

155

Did damage to my harvestry; for verily betwixt us

Is many a shady mountain-ridge and many a roaring billow.

But thee, O huge in impudence! for thy delight we follow;

Earning renown at Troian cost for thee and Menelaüs,

O dog in forehead!-naught of which abasheth thee nor troubleth.

160

And lo! of e'en my proper prize thou threatenest to strip me,

For which I greatly toil'd, and which Achaia's sons awarded.

Never have I an equal lot to thine, when we the Achaians

Clutch from the Troians mightily some thickly-peopled fortress.

In sooth, the chiefer offices of ever-rushing battle

165

My hands administer; but if perchance a distribution

Arrive, thy share is larger far; and I unto my galleys

My portion, small but cherish'd, bear, when wearied with fighting.

But now to Phthia will I go, sith better far I find it

Home to return with crested ships; nor, staying here dishonour'd,

170

For thee intend I floods to teem of opulence and riches."

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, to him in turn responded:

"Flee surely, if thy temper thus persuadeth; nor entreat I

That thou on score of me remain: for at my side are others,

Enough to honour me;-and Jove, the Counsellor, is foremost.

175

Of all Jove-nurtur'd kings, than thee, none is to me more hateful;

For alway feud to thee is dear, and violence and combat.

If excellent thy prowess is,— I trow, 'tis God that gave it.

Then hie thee homeward on thy ships, along with thy companions,

And to the Myrmidons be prince: but I about thee fret not,

180

Nor to thy mood of wrath give heed; nay, thus to thee I threaten :

Sith of Chryseïs bright Apollo willeth to despoil me,

- Her, in a galley of my own, by hand of my companions,

Shall I escort; but I myself unto thy tent proceeding,

May carry off thy proper prize, the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs,

185

And teach thee my pre-eminence, and make all others shudder

To hold pretensions side by side and think to play my equal."

Thus spake he, and in Peleus' son a pang of grief implanted.

The heart within his shaggy chest with double purpose falter'd,

Whether from side of thigh to draw the keenly-whetted cutlass,

190

And put the assembly to the rout, and slay the son of Atreus,

Or to allay his bitterness, and bridle in his passion.

While all his bosom and his soul in such debate did struggle,

And he in sheath the weighty sword was jerking;-lo! Athene

From heav'n descended, forward sent by Juno, white-arm'd goddess,

195

Whose heart for both of them avow'd anxiety and kindness.

Behind him, by his auburn hair she grasp'd the son of Peleus,

And stood, to him alone reveal'd; but none beside him saw her.

First marvell'd he; then was abash'd, when quickly he distinguish'd

Maiden Athene: dreadfully her two eyes beam'd upon him.

200

⁵

Then duly he accosting her did winged accents utter:

"Offspring of ægis-holding Jove! what errand brought thee hither?

Of Agamemnon Atreus' son didst wish to see the outrage?

But roundly will I tell it thee, and think 'twill be accomplish'd,—

He by his éxtreme haughtiness may chance his life to peril."

205

But him in turn accosted then Athene, grey-ey'd goddess:

"I came thy frenesy to check, in hope thou wilt obey me,—

From heav'n descending; forward sent by Juno, white-arm'd goddess,

Whose heart for both of you avows anxiety and kindness.

But come, desist from feud, nor jerk that sword within the scabbard;

210

But wrangle thou with words alone, which, troth! will not be wanting.

For roundly will I say, and this shall be a fact accomplish'd,—

E'en thrice as many brilliant gifts hereafter shall be brought thee

This outrage to repay; but thou, refrain thee, and obey us."

But her Achilles, fleet of foot, address'd in words responsive:

215

"A charge from you, twain goddesses, obedience demandeth,

Embitter'd though my passion is: but thus I find it better:

Who yieldeth fealty to gods, to him they greatly listen."

This said, upon the silver hilt his heavy hand he planted,

And back into the scabbard thrust the mighty sword, obeying

220

Athene's word. But gone was she aloft into Olympus,

To ægis-holding Jove's abodes, to meet the other Spirits.

Again the son of Peleus then with words of altercation

Address'd himself to Atreus' son, nor yet from rage desisted :

"O gorg'd with wine! the eyes of dog, but heart of deer, who bearest,

225

Never didst thou with all the folk put corslet on for battle,

Nor hardihood of soul hast thou among Achaia's chieftains

On ambuscade to go; but this to thee destruction seemeth.

Truly more gainful is it, mid Achaia's ample army

To plunder of his gifts, whoe'er a word against thee sayeth;—

230

A king who doth his folk devour, for-that they all are worthless;

Else, verily, Atrides! this were now thy final outrage.

But roundly will I say, and swear a mighty oath upon it:

That, by the sceptre in my hand, whence leaf or twig shall never

Sprout forth, sithence the parent trunk it left upon the mountains;

235

Nor bud will it; for by the brass both leaf and bark around it

Are peel'd away; but now in turn Achaia's children bear it,—

Servants of Justice, —in their palms; by Jupiter deputed

To enforce observance of the Right: (a mighty oath I tender):

There shall upon Achaia's sons a longing for Achilles

240

Come, soon or late, on one and all; but them, though pierc'd with anguish,

Unable wilt thou be to help, when hero-slaying Hector

Shall hew them down in crowds: but thou thy soul within shalt mangle

Enrag'd, that thou didst vilely treat the noblest of the Achaians."

Thus spake the son of Peleus; then, against the ground his sceptre,

245

Studded with golden nails, he dash'd; and took his seat among them.

On other side Atrides rag'd: then rose between them (Nestor,

The bland of speech, the clear of tone, the Pylian haranguer;)

Who from his tongue an utterance pour'd down, than honey sweeter.

To him already waned had of voice-dividing mortals

250

Two ages, which in early days were rear'd with him, and follow'd,

In heav'nly Pylos' land; but he over the third was reigning:

Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd, and spake his word among them.

"Good Spirits! sure, a mighty grief home to Achaia reacheth.

Truly might Priam joyful be, and all the sons of Priam,

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And other Troians too, in soul be mightily delighted,

If all these things were learn'd by them, of you, twain chieftains battling,

Who are of Danaï supreme in council and in combat.

But now comply; and both of you in age are far below me.

For I long since with ancient men, of prowess yours surpassing,

260

Held intercourse; and never they contempt display'd toward me.

For not yet such men have I seen, nor ever shall behold them,

As were of yore Peirithous, -Dryas, the people's shepherd,—

And Polyphemus, match for gods, Exadius and Cæneus,

And Theseus, Ægeus'son, who bare the form of an immortal.

265

Of all the men who tread on earth, these hardiest were nurtur'd.

Most hardy were themselves; and they, with mountain-lurking monsters

Most hardy, fought; and all of them they marvellously slaughter'd.

And I, with these, high intercourse afar from land of Apis

Maintain'd, from Pylos coming forth, compliant to their summons.

270

And in my measure I too fought; but like to them no mortal,

Of all who now set foot on earth, could quit himself in battle.

And they to my discourse gave ear, and oft obey'd my counsel :

But ah! obey ye also; sith obedience is better.

Nor thou, though great in excellence, bear off from him the damsel;

275

But let alone the prize, as once Achaia's sons bestow'd it:

Nor thou, Pelides, bend thy mind against the king to wrangle

With adverse force; since ye the rest are no way peers in honour

With sceptre-holding King, to whom Jove hath deputed glory.

And if thou doughty art in might, and goddess-mother bare thee,

280

Yet loftier is he, because his kingdom rangeth wider.

Atrides, thou thy temper check; and oh! I do implore thee

Yield up thy bitterness against Achilles, who supremely

A bulwark is from evil war to all Achaia's children."

To him in words reciprocal spake royal Agamemnon :

285

"Ay, verily, all this, old friend! discreetly hast thou spoken;

But this man willeth high above all other men to tower;

O'er all he claimeth sway to hold, and over all to lord it,

And give command to all: but this I do not think to suffer.

But if the ever-living gods have fram'd him for a spearman,

290

Do they thereby set forth to him free privilege of railing?"

Then quickly catching up his word, divine Achilles answer'd:

"For cowardly in truth might I and worthless be reputed,

If every matter I should yield to thee, whate'er thou biddest.

These thy enactments now impose on others for hereafter

295

To me give no commands: for I mean to obey no longer.

This also will I say, and thou within thy mind revolve it :

Not with the heavy hand will I do battle for the damsel,

With thee, nor yet with other man, since ye, who gave her, take her.

But of the rest, that mine are call'd in my sharp dusky galley,

300

Nothing of those, against my will, mayst thou to touch adventure.

Or else, come on, and trial make, that these may know the issue :

For instantly thy livid blood shall start around my weapon."

Thus did the two with adverse force stand up in altercation

Wrangling, and broke the assembly up beside the Achaian galleys.

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Pelides hied him to his tents and galleys nicely balanc'd

Along with Menœtiades and other dear companions :

Then to the salt flood Atreus' son push'd forth a speedy galley

And for it twenty rowers pick'd, and for the god's acceptance

A hecatomb he plac'd on board; and dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs

310

Came last; and o'er them Leader went Ulysses much-devising.

They then embarking floated forth along the watery channels.

But at the king's behest, the folk, well cleans'd with holy washings,

Into the salt wave's purity rejected all defilement.

And they, on shingles of the brine nor corn nor wine producing,

315

Prime hecatombs of bulls and goats were serving to Apollo;

Whose fragrance mounted to the sky, with curls of smoke aspiring.

Such cares employ'd the multitude; but not did Agamemnon

Slacken the feud, which he at first against Achilles threaten'd.

Talthybius and Eurybates he carefully accosted,

320

Who held to him as heralds twain and ministers obeisant:

"Go both; and entering the tent of Peleus' son, Achilles,

Seize by the hand and lead away the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs.

But if they shall not yield her up; why then,—myself may seize her,

Coming with larger multitude; which were to him more painful."

325

Thus speaking, forward sent he them, with words of stern monition:

The twain, on shingles of the brine nor corn nor wine producing,

Pac'd sadly to the Myrmidons and reach'd their tents and galleys.

But him they found outside the tent, near to his dusky galley,

Seated: nor did Achilles then rejoice, when he beheld them.

330

In tremor they before the king with reverential homage

Stood still; yet spake they no salute, and no inquiry made they.

But he in his own mind discern'd, and first the twain accosted :

"All hail! ye heralds, who from Jove bear message, and from mortals.

Draw nearer; justly I reproach not you, but Agamemnon,

335

Who for the maid Briseïs' sake has hither sent you forward.

But, come, Patroclus Jove-deriv'd, prythee, bring out the damsel,

And to their guidance yield her: but, I claim them both to witness,

Before the face of blessed gods, before the face of mortals,

Ay! and before that king so stern. And if there rise hereafter

340

Some need of me, from all the rest to avert unseemly ruin,

Remember ye!-for he in truth, with deadly bosom fumeth,

⁶

Nor knoweth wisely to look out forward at once, and backward,

How his Achaians by the ships might best in safety combat."

Thus answer'd he; Patroclus then obey'd his dear companion.

345

And straightway leading from the tent the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs,

He yielded her: then hied the twain back to the Achaian galleys.

Along with them unwilling went the woman; but Achilles

Afar from his companions sat in loneliness and weeping,

On shingles of the hoary brine, at depths of purple gazing.

350

And much unto his mother dear he pray'd, with hands uplifted :

"Oh mother! since thou me hast borne for life of narrow compass,

Honour at least was Jupiter the Olympian high-rumbling

Bound to vouchsafe me; yet he now no whit of honour granteth :

For troth! the widely-ruling prince Atrides Agamemnon

355

Dishonours me. My prize he holds : himself is my despoiler."

When tear-beflooded thus he spake, his queenly mother heard him,

As sat she in the briny depths beside her aged father.

She from the hoary waves, like mist, emerging fleetly scudded,

And took her seat before himself, while still his tears were streaming,

360

And soothing him with hand and voice, she spake, his name pronouncing:

"My child! why weepest thou? and what the grief, thy heart that woundeth?

Lock not thy breast, but speak it out; and so, we both shall know it."

Then her, Achilles, fleet of foot, accosted deeply groaning:

"Thou knowest well; and what avails harangue to one acquainted?

365

Against the king Eëtion, to Thebe, sacred city,

We sallied out, and pillag'd it and hither drave the booty.

And all of that, Achaia's sons divided well among them,

But first for Atreus' son selected dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs.

Thereafter Chryses, worshipper of silver-bow'd Apollo,—

370

Appear'd before the galleys sharp of brazen-cloak'd Achaians,

Wishful his daughter to release, with store of boundless ransom,

And in his hands the ensign bare of arrowy Apollo

Upon his golden sceptre wreath'd; and sued to all the Achaians,

And most of all, to Atreus' sons, twin marshals of the people.

375

Then all Achaia's other folk murmur'd assent well-omen'd,

To pity and revere the priest and take the brilliant ransom;

But Agamemnon Atreus' son delight in mercy found not,

But sent him off with contumely, and words of stern monition.

Then the old man with swelling heart departed; and Apollo

380

To his entreaty lent an ear; also for greatly did he love him.

Against the Argives bolts of woe he shot: thereat the people

Were dying, heaps on heaps: and o'er Achaia's ample army

Rov'd everywhere the darts divine. To us a seer haranguing

Did skilfully the oracles of Hecatus interpret.

385

I instantly was first to urge atonement to the godhead:

On Atreus' son then choler came, and suddenly uprising,

He spake a speech of threatening, which, lo! is fact accomplish'd.

For, her in sooth on galley sharp the curling-eyed Achaians

Escort to Chryse,—goodly gifts unto the prince conducting:

390

But her, whom late Achaia's sons to me as prize awarded,

Her now the heralds from my tent have torn,—the maid Briseïs.-

But thou around thy bonny child enfold thy arms, if able :

Unto Olympus haste to Jove, and supplicate, if ever

To him by word or deed thou didst a pleasant service render.

395

For often I thy boasts have heard within my father's palace,

How gloomy-clouded Saturn's son (saidst thou) among the immortals

Only from thee assistance found to avert unseemly ruin ;

When all the Olympians beside to shackle him were minded,

Maiden Athene, Juno queen, and oceanic Neptune.

400

But goddess! thou arriving swiftly didst from bondage save him,

When thou to long Olympus hadst the Hundred-handed summon'd,

By gods entitled Briareus, by all mankind Ægæon:

(For than his father he again is mightier in prowess :)

Who then beside Saturnius sat glorying in grandeur.

405

Before him quail'd the blessed gods, and thought of bonds no longer.-

Sit by his side, and clasp his knees, and of all this remind him,

If he may haply willing be to show the Troians favour,

And hem against the galley's poop and water's edge, the Achaians,

In carnage perishing; that all may well enjoy their monarch,

410

⁷⁸

And widely-ruling Atreus' son may know his own perverseness,

Infatuate, who vilely scorn'd the noblest of the Achaians."

To him responded Thetis thus, with tear her cheek bestreaming:

"Alas! my child! and wherefore then did hapless parent rear thee?

O mightest thou by galley-side from tears and pangs exempted

415

Sit still! since brief of span thy lot, nor very long endureth.

But now beyond the rest art thou at once both speedy-fated

And doleful: so with evil lot I bare thee in my palace.

But I, to thunder-loving Jove to speak thy word, will hasten

Myself, in hope he may comply,— to snowy-capt Olympus.

420

Do thou at present sit beside thy swift-careering galleys,

And rage against the Achaians; but-refrain from war entirely.

For Jove to Ocean yester-eve for solemn feast departed

Unto the blameless Æthiops; and all the gods attended :

But on the twelfth-revolving day returns he to Olympus.

425

Then to the brazen-floor'd abode of Jove will I betake me,

And will his knees embrace; and troth! I reckon to persuade him."

With such address departed she, and where she found him, left him,

In passion swelling still, to lose the dapper-girdled woman,

For-that by force, against his will, they seiz'd her. But Ulysses

430

The sacred hecatomb escorting reach'd the shores of Chrysa.

When here arriv'd they were, inside the copious depth of harbour,

Furling the sails, they stow'd them close within the dusky galley :

Then in its case the mast they lodg'd, by shroudings gently lower'd

Right handily; and her with oars push'd forward into moorings.

435

Then out they toss'd the mooring-stones, and bound to them the stern ropes,

And out themselves did disembark upon the rough sea-margin,

And out they brought the hecatomb for arrowy Apollo,

And out from that sea-coursing ship Chryseïs last descended.

Her then Ulysses much-devising led before the altar,

440

And to her tender father's hands consigning her, address'd him :

"Me Agamemnon, prince of men, O Chryses, charg'd with mission

In service of the Danaï ;— thy child to bring, and offer

A sacred hecatomb, to avert the shining prince's anger,

Who now with many a moanful grief the Argives hath afflicted."

445

With such address consign'd he her; and he receiv'd rejoicing

His daughter dear: then speedily arranged they in order

The god's illustrious hecatomb around the well-built altar,

In holy water dipp'd the hand, and barleycakes uplifted.

For them did Chryses loudly pray, his hands to heaven raising :

450

"Lord of the silver arrows, hear! who overshelt'rest Chrysa,

Who bravely reign'st in Tenedos and in the heav'nly Killa.

In former time to my request already hast thou listen'd,

Didst honour me, and mightily hast harm'd the Achaian people.

Now once again implor'd, do thou this wish for me accomplish,

455

And from the Danaï at length avert unseemly ruin."

So utter'd he the word of pray'r; and bright Apollo heard him.

But after pray'r was made, and they the barley-cakes threw forward,

The victims' necks they backward drew, and slaughter'd them, and skinn'd them,

And parted out the thighs; but these in double fold they cover'd

460

With fragrant fat, and over them arrang'd the choicer pieces.

Below, the old man faggots kindled, dropping wine resplendent

Above; and near him five-prong forks by younger men were wielded.

Now when the joints were roasted well, and they the vitals tasted,

The rest they slash'd in smaller bits, and spitted every morsel,

465

And broil'd them all right cleverly, and drew them off perfected.

After the toil had found its end and all the feast was ready,

They banqueted; nor did their soul lack well proportion'd banquet.

But when desire importunate of food and drink were was ended,

Then did the youths to many a bowl crown the high-mantling garland,

470

And, after fit initial cups, mov'd round to all in order.

And they all day with melody made to the god atonement,

Youths of Achaia, chanting high; and sang in noble Pæan

The Far-averter: listen'd he, and was in heart delighted.

Now, at what hour the sun went down, and Evening brought the darkness,

475

They, then and there, did slumber take beside the galley's moorings:

But at what hour the Early-born, the rosy-finger'd Morning,

Appear'd, then sail'd they off to join Achaia's ample army.

To them Apollo, Far-averter, wafting breezes granted:

They rais'd the mast, and merrily the canvas white expanded.

480

⁹

Right square upon the sail the wind blar'd, and the purple billow

Shriek'd mightily around the bows, as rush'd the galley onward.

Over the water scudded she, accomplishing her voyage.

But when they fully had attain'd Achaia's ample army,

Upon the dry and solid earth they haul'd the dusky galley

485

High on the sand, and underneath long buttresses extended,

And they themselves were scatter'd free amid the tents and galleys.

But he, Achilles, fleet of foot, Pelides Jove-descended,

Sat by the swift-careering ships and still his anger foster'd.

Nor ever now frequented he the assembly man-ennobling,

490

Nor mov'd to war; but gloomily with inward passion wasted :

There lingering, he long'd to join the shout of arms, and combat.

Now when thereafter came around the twelfth-revolving morning,

Then did the ever-living gods return unto Olympus,

All in a band, and Jove went first. But 'Thetis, she forgat not

495

The charges of her proper child; but from the wave emerging,

Early of dawn forthwith she climb'd great Heaven and Olympus;

And found wide-sighted Saturn's child apart from others sitting,

Upon the topmost pinnacle of many-ridg'd Olympus.

In front of him she took her seat, with her left hand embracing

500

His knees; and with her better hand beneath his chin she seiz'd him,

And supplicating, thus address'd the prince the son of Saturn :

"O Father Jove, if ever I among the immortals pleas'd thee

By word, or e'en by deed, do thou this wish for me accomplish.

Give honour to my son, who most of all is speedy-fated.

505

For Agamemnon, prince of men, hath cast on him dishonour,

Holding Achilles' proper prize : himself is the despoiler.

But Jove! Olympian Counsellor ! set thou the price upon him:

And so long to the Troïans give puissance, till the Achaians

Set value on my son, and learn him to exalt with honour."

510

She spake; and cloud-collecting Jove no word to her responded,

But silent long he sat. But Thetis, once engag'd to win him,

Clung to the knees she first had touch'd, and doubled her entreaty :

"Now promise it unfailingly and nod to me approval,

Or else refuse, and let me know (sith thee no fear withholdeth)

515

How much among all deities am I the most dishonour'd."

To her with indignation huge spake Jove the cloud-collector :

"O! deadly work thou sendest me, in bitter jar and brawling

With Juno to contend, when she by wrangling words will fret me.

For sooth! she alway even now among the gods immortal

520

Revileth me, and saith that I the Troians aid in battle.

But thou at present backward draw thy step, lest haply Juno

Get knowledge: I for thy request will study, to perform it.

Dost doubt ? then by the nod will I give token, to assure thee.

For this, among the immortals, is from me the firmest sanction:

525

For whatsoe'er with bending head I once assent, is neither

Deceptive nor revokeable, nor faileth of fulfilment."

Such promise utter'd,—Saturn's son with raven eyebrow nodded;

And that majestic deathless head did its ambrosial tresses

In mighty undulations wave, and great Olympus shudder'd.

530

After such counselling, the twain were parted. She thereafter

Leapt from Olympus' blazing highth into the briny billow;

And Jove unto his own abode return'd: the gods, to greet him,

Rose all at once from off their seats, before their proper Father:

Not one his coming dar'd to wait, but all stood up before him.

535

Thus HE did there upon his throne sit down. Yet not was Juno

Slow to take knowledge and discern that silver-footed Thetis,

The daughter of the Ocean sire, with him had join'd in counsel ?

And she forthwith Saturnius with cutting accents chided:

"Who of the gods, O skill'd in wiles! with thee did join in counsel?

540

Pleasant to thee it alway is, apart from me remaining,

With secret purpose to decide; nor ever yet thou lovest

To me in willing confidence thy inner thoughts to utter."

To her responded thereupon the Sire of gods and mortals:

"All the discourses of my mouth, aspire not thou, O Juno,

545

To know: for difficult will they be e'en to thee, my consort.

But of them whatsoever is for conference adapted,

Not one shall earlier than thee this know, of gods or mortals :

But what, apart from other gods, it pleaseth me to ponder,

Inquire not thou too anxiously, nor seek my mind to fathom."

550

¹⁰

To him responded thereupon the large-ey'd queenly Juno:

"O son of Saturn, grim and dire, what saying hast thou blurted?

Naught in the past have I inquir'd; in naught thy mind have fathom'd:

But troth! in much tranquillity, whate'er thou wilt, thou plannest.

And now in soul I grimly dread, lest silver-footed Thetis,

555

The daughter of the Ocean sire, have haply won thee over.

For at thy side with early dawn she sat, thy knees embracing.

Therefore, I guess, in promise sure thou nodded hast, to honour

Achilles, and a carnage make along the Achaian galleys."

Then cloud-collecting Jupiter, addressing her, responded :

560

"O elf-possessed wight! who aye suspectest, and discernest.

But naught wilt thou the more avail to compass; yea, and rather

My heart from thee wilt separate; which were to thee more painful.

If, as thou thinkest, so it is, my will (be sure) decideth.

But dumb in silence sit thee down, to my command submissive.

565

Lest near I draw, and cast my hands inviolable on thee,

And all Olympus' habitants to succour thee avail not."

When thus he spake, with terror quail'd the large-ey'd queenly Juno ;

And dumb in silence down she sat, her tender heart subduing.

Then were the heav'nly gods, throughout the abode of Jove, indignant :

570

But Vulcan, fam'd in handicraft, to them began discourses,

To gratify his mother dear, the whitearm'd goddess Juno.

"Oh! deadly work will here be seen, no longer to be suffer'd,

If ye, in cause of mortals, both do jangle thus and wrangle,

And mid the gods propose a match of cawing. Sooth! no pleasure

575

Of goodly banquet will remain, since worser counsels conquer.

Now to my mother I advise, (who, troth! is sage without me,)

To gratify my father dear; lest the Saturnian father

Raise a new quarrel, and embroil along with us the banquet.

For if the Olympian lightener should entertain the fancy

580

To wrench the mountain from its bed;— his might is far transcendant.

But oh! with words of gentleness do thou, my mother! soothe him;

And instantly the Olympian will be to us propitious."

Thus did he speak, and springing up, a goblet doubly hollow

He, to his mother dear, in hand presented, and address'd her:

585

"Bear up, my mother, and endure, however sharp thy sorrow,

Lest I (beloved as thou art) beneath my eyes behold thee

Well lash'd and thrash'd; nor then shall I (tho' anguish-struck) be able

To succour: for the Olympian is troublous to encounter.

For once upon a time before, when I to aid was eager,

590

Hitch'd by the foot, me toss'd he down from the celestial threshold.

The livelong day was I in course; and when the sun was setting,

I came to ground on Lemnos' isle, and little breath was in me.

But quickly there the Sintians did from the fall recruit me."

Thus prattled he, and mov'd a smile to Juno, whitearm'd goddess,

595

Who, smiling, from her kindly son in hand the cup accepted.

But he to all the other gods, from right to left proceeding,

Cup-bearer acted, from the bowl teeming the luscious nectar.

Then rose among the blessed gods interminable laughter,

Vulcan to see across the halls so diligent in service.

600

Thus then, throughout the livelong day, until the sun was setting,

They banqueted; nor did their soul lack well-proportion'd banquet,

Nor yet the harp so beautiful, in hand of bright Apollo,

And Muses, who with dainty voice sang each to each responding.

But when the brilliant light of sun had sunk beneath the ocean,

605

To take their rest then wended they each to his proper dwelling,

Where with sagacious handicraft the greatly-famous Vulcan

The doubly dextrous, had prepar'd for every one his mansion.

And Jove, the Olympian lightener, to his own bed proceeded,

Where erst it was his wont to mount, when press'd by gentle slumber:

610

There rested he: and by his side lay golden-throned Juno.

¹¹¹²

English Bridge (Amelia Parrish and Gregory Crane, 2021) (OCR draft) Experimental (English Bridge (Amelia Parrish and Gregory Crane, 2021)) — 1.458 focus

But [ ῥ'] then after they[ 0] prayed and cast forth the ground barley,

they[ 0] first pulled back [ μὲν] the heads of the offerings, and then[ 0] slaughtered and flayed them.

They[ 0] cut away the thighs [ τ'] and wrapped up and down them[ 0] in fat,

460

having made it[ 0] double-folded. Then they[ 0] placed raw meat on top of the thigh pieces[ 0] themselves.

That old man began to burn them[ 0] on skewers. Then he[ 0] began to pour flashing wine on.

The young men [ δὲ] next to him were holding five-pronged forks in their[ 0] hands.

After a while when the thigh pieces were burned thoroughly and they[ 0] tasted the organs,

they[ 0] began to cut up the rest and also pierced them[ 0] with spits through both sides;

465

they[ 0] skillfully roasted [ τε] them, and pulled off for themselves everything.

After a while, when they[ 0] stopped themselves from work and prepared for themselves the feast,

they[ 0] kept sharing the feast, nor was their[ 0] heart lacking in any way from the evenly-divided feast.

After a while, when they[ 0] rid themselves of the desire for drink and for food,

the young men first for themselves they [ 0] filled to the brim mixing-bowls with drink,

470

then they[ 0] distributed this[ 0] to everyone, having made the initial libations with the drinking-cups.

Those men [ δὲ] throughout the entire day continued to appease the god through song and dance,

the young men of the Achaeans singing the beautiful paean,

celebrating with song the far-shooter. And that one, listening, was pleased in his[ 0] heart.

And when the sun sank and dusk arrived,

475

then [ δὴ] they[ 0] lay themselves down to sleep beside the stern-cables of the ship.

And when early-born, rosy-fingered Dawn appeared,

right at that time then they[ 0] began bringing themselves back to the midst of the broad camp of the Achaeans.

For them [ δὲ] the far-shooter Apollo set in motion a favorable wind.

And as for those men, they[ 0] stood up for themselves the mast and up above spread high and wide the white sails.

480

Wind swelled the sail within in its center. And on both sides a wave,

surging, was splashing against the front of the ship, as it travelled.

And that ship, working through its[ 0] path, kept running over the wave.

And then, after [ ῥ'] they[ 0] arrived at the broad camp of the Achaeans,

first they pulled the black ship onto land,

485

far up up on the sands, and then they[ 0] laid out the long supports underneath.

Then the men themselves began to scatter throughout both the resting-places and ships.

Meanwhile that man remained filled with wrath, sitting alongside his[ 0] swift-sailing ships --

the descendent of Zeus, son of Peleus, swift-footed Achilles:

Neither did he[ 0] ever resume his habit of entering into the assembly that brings glory to men,

490

nor ever into war. Instead he[ 0] kept on wearing away his[ 0] beloved heart,

remaining right where he was. He [ 0] kept longing and longing for both the battle-shout and war.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

discussing Hephaistos’ being the son of Hera and Zeus in Homer, in contrast to in Hesiod

source

Gregory Nagy

The comments I offered in Classical Inquiries 2016-2017 on Iliad Rhapsody 1 through Rhapsody 24, starting here with Rhapsody 1, were based mostly on details that derive from seven books that I indicate in the Bibliography by way of these abbreviations: BA, GMP, H24H, HC, HPC, HQ, HR, MoM, PasP, PH. Each one of these books has its own index locorum. My colleague Anita Nikkanen, an Associate Editor for the online project A Homer commentary in progress, tracked the sequences of Homeric verses as listed in the indices for six of these books and then summarized my comments on those verses. Following up on her meticulous work, I am in the process of converting her summaries into a form of commentary that is being incorporated into AHCIP. My comments on the Iliad as I presented them in Classical Inquiries 2016-2017 are merely samplings of the content that I hope to contribute to the overall commentary, to which a number of other colleagues are also contributing their own comments. That said, I now proceed to offer a sampling of comments on Rhapsody 1. At this point, my comments about this beginning of beginnings need no further introduction of their own.

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“The Rage of Achilles,” by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, 1757, [public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

source

A totalizing idea of song—including not only the actual singing but also the dancing and the instrumental accompaniment—is embodied in a performance by the Muses and Apollo combined in the idealized context of the divine abode on top of Mount Olympus.

source

Leonard Muellner

analysis of Zeus’ and Hera’s exchange and its diction recalling the mēnis theme

source

analysis of Hephaistos’ speech to Hera and its associations with the mēnis theme

source

analysis of Hephaistos’ speech to Hera and its associations with the mēnis theme

source

analysis of restorative social power of narration of mēnis akin to the activity of Apollo and the Muses

source

Richard Martin

At 1.582-83, Hephaistos advises Hera: "Approach him with soft epea and right away, the Olympian one will be propitious to us." Words alone do not complete the reconciliation: Hephaistos' advice to Hera is joined to his gesture of offering her a cup (line 585) and to his comic autobiographical story (lines 586-94); the ensemble of word and action carries the scene to its harmonious end (Martin 1993:20).

source

Homer Iliad 1.458

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