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As thus he spake he sent the goddess forth

Eager to do her errand. Plunging down,

In form a shrill-voiced harpy with broad wings,

425

She cleft the air. The Greeks throughout the camp

Were putting on their armor. She infused

Into the hero's frame ambrosial sweets

And nectar, that his limbs might not grow faint

With hunger. Then the goddess sought again

430

The stable mansion of Almighty Jove,

While all the Greeks came pouring from the fleet.

As when the flakes of snow fall thick from heaven,

Driven by the north wind sweeping on the clouds

Before it, so from out the galleys came

435

Helms crowding upon helms that glittered fair,

Strong hauberks, bossy shields, and ashen spears.

The gleam of armor brightened heaven and earth,

And mighty was the sound of trampling feet.

Amidst them all the great Achilles stood,

440

Putting his armor on; he gnashed his teeth;

His eyes shot fire; a grief too sharp to bear

Was in his heart, as, filled with rage against

The men of Troy, he cased his limbs in mail,

The gift of Vulcan, from whose diligent hand

445

It came. And first about his legs he clasped

The beautiful greaves, with silver fastenings,

Fitted the corselet to his bosom next,

And from his shoulders hung the brazen sword

With silver studs, and then he took the shield,

450

Massive and broad, whose brightness streamed as far

As the moon's rays. And as at sea the light

Of beacon, blazing in some lonely spot

By night, upon a mountain summit, shines

To mariners whom the tempest's force has driven

455

Far from their friends across the fishy deep,

So from that glorious buckler of the son

Of Peleus, nobly wrought, a radiance streamed

Into the sky. And then he raised and placed

Upon his head the impenetrable helm

460

With horse-hair plume. It glittered like a star,

And all the shining tufts of golden thread,

With which the maker's hand had thickly set

Its cone, were shaken. Next the high-born chief

Tried his new arms, to know if they were well

465

Adjusted to his shape, and left his limbs

Free play. They seemed like wings, and lifted up

The shepherd of the people.

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.) — 19.349 focus

ὣς εἰπὼν ὄτρυνε πάρος μεμαυῖαν Ἀθήνην·

ἣ δʼ ἅρπῃ ἐϊκυῖα τανυπτέρυγι λιγυφώνῳ

350

οὐρανοῦ ἐκκατεπᾶλτο διʼ αἰθέρος. αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

αὐτίκα θωρήσσοντο κατὰ στρατόν· ἣ δʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ

νέκταρ ἐνὶ στήθεσσι καὶ ἀμβροσίην ἐρατεινὴν

στάξʼ, ἵνα μή μιν λιμὸς ἀτερπὴς γούναθʼ ἵκοιτο·

αὐτὴ δὲ πρὸς πατρὸς ἐρισθενέος πυκινὸν δῶ

355

ᾤχετο, τοὶ δʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν ἐχέοντο θοάων.

ὡς δʼ ὅτε ταρφειαὶ νιφάδες Διὸς ἐκποτέονται

ψυχραὶ ὑπὸ ῥιπῆς αἰθρηγενέος Βορέαο,

ὣς τότε ταρφειαὶ κόρυθες λαμπρὸν γανόωσαι

νηῶν ἐκφορέοντο καὶ ἀσπίδες ὀμφαλόεσσαι

360

θώρηκές τε κραταιγύαλοι καὶ μείλινα δοῦρα.

αἴγλη δʼ οὐρανὸν ἷκε, γέλασσε δὲ πᾶσα περὶ χθὼν

χαλκοῦ ὑπὸ στεροπῆς· ὑπὸ δὲ κτύπος ὄρνυτο ποσσὶν

ἀνδρῶν· ἐν δὲ μέσοισι κορύσσετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

τοῦ καὶ ὀδόντων μὲν καναχὴ πέλε, τὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε

365

λαμπέσθην ὡς εἴ τε πυρὸς σέλας, ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ

δῦνʼ ἄχος ἄτλητον· ὃ δʼ ἄρα Τρωσὶν μενεαίνων

δύσετο δῶρα θεοῦ, τά οἱ Ἥφαιστος κάμε τεύχων.

κνημῖδας μὲν πρῶτα περὶ κνήμῃσιν ἔθηκε

καλὰς ἀργυρέοισιν ἐπισφυρίοις ἀραρυίας·

370

δεύτερον αὖ θώρηκα περὶ στήθεσσιν ἔδυνεν.

ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρʼ ὤμοισιν βάλετο ξίφος ἀργυρόηλον

χάλκεον· αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα σάκος μέγα τε στιβαρόν τε

εἵλετο, τοῦ δʼ ἀπάνευθε σέλας γένετʼ ἠΰτε μήνης.

ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἐκ πόντοιο σέλας ναύτῃσι φανήῃ

375

καιομένοιο πυρός, τό τε καίεται ὑψόθʼ ὄρεσφι

σταθμῷ ἐν οἰοπόλῳ· τοὺς δʼ οὐκ ἐθέλοντας ἄελλαι

πόντον ἐπʼ ἰχθυόεντα φίλων ἀπάνευθε φέρουσιν·

ὣς ἀπʼ Ἀχιλλῆος σάκεος σέλας αἰθέρʼ ἵκανε

καλοῦ δαιδαλέου· περὶ δὲ τρυφάλειαν ἀείρας

380

κρατὶ θέτο βριαρήν· ἣ δʼ ἀστὴρ ὣς ἀπέλαμπεν

ἵππουρις τρυφάλεια, περισσείοντο δʼ ἔθειραι

χρύσεαι, ἃς Ἥφαιστος ἵει λόφον ἀμφὶ θαμειάς.

πειρήθη δʼ ἕο αὐτοῦ ἐν ἔντεσι δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

εἰ οἷ ἐφαρμόσσειε καὶ ἐντρέχοι ἀγλαὰ γυῖα·

385

τῷ δʼ εὖτε πτερὰ γίγνετʼ, ἄειρε δὲ ποιμένα λαῶν.

Translations (8)

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.) — 19.349 focus

So saying he urged on Athene, that was already eager: 350 and she like a falcon,¹ wide of wing and shrill of voice, leapt down upon him from out of heaven through the air. Then while the Achaeans were arraying them speedily for battle throughout the camp, into the breast of Achilles she shed nectar and pleasant ambrosia that grievous hunger-pangs should not come upon his limbs; 355 and then herself was gone to the stout-builded house of her mighty sire, and the Achaeans poured forth from the swift ships. As when thick and fast the snowflakes flutter down from Zeus chill beneath the blast of the North Wind, born in the bright heaven; even so then thick and fast from the ships were borne the helms, bright-gleaming, 360 and the bossed shields, the corselets with massive plates, and the ashen spears. And the gleam thereof went up to heaven, and all the earth round about laughed by reason of the flashing of bronze; and there went up a din from beneath the feet of men; and in their midst goodly Achilles arrayed him for battle. 365 There was a gnashing of his teeth, and his two eyes blazed as it had been a flame of fire, and into his heart there entered grief that might not be borne. Thus in fierce wrath against the Trojans he clad him in the gifts of the god, that Hephaestus had wrought for him with toil. The greaves first he set about his legs: 370 beautiful they were, and fitted with silver ankle-pieces, and next he did on the corselet about his chest. And about his shoulders he cast the silver-studded sword of bronze, and thereafter grasped the shield great and sturdy, wherefrom went forth afar a gleam as of the moon. 375 And as when forth ower the sea there appeareth to seamen the gleam of blazing fire, and it burneth high up in the mountains in a lonely steading—but sore against their will the storm-winds bear them over the teeming deep afar from their friends; even so from the shield of Achilles went up a gleam to heaven, from that shield 380 fair and richly-dight. And he lifted the mighty helm and set it upon his head; and it shone as it were a star—the helm with crest of horse-hair, and around it waved the plumes of gold, that Hephaestus had set thick about the crest. And goodly Achilles made proof of himself in his armour, 385 whether it fitted him, and his glorious limbs moved free; and it became as it were wings to him, and lifted up the shepherd of the people.

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.) — 19.349 focus

349 With these words he urged Athena, who was already of the same mind. She darted down from heaven into the air like some falcon sailing on his broad wings and screaming. Meanwhile the Achaeans were arming throughout the host, and when Athena had dropped nectar and ambrosia into Achilles so that no cruel hunger should cause his limbs to fail him, she went back to the house of her mighty father. Thick as the chill snow-flakes shed from the hand of Zeus and borne on the keen blasts of the north wind, even so thick did the gleaming helmets, the bossed shields, the strongly plated breastplates, and the ashen spears stream from the ships. The sheen pierced the sky, the whole land was radiant with their flashing armor, and the sound of the tramp of their treading rose from under their feet. In the midst of them all Achilles put on his armor; he gnashed his teeth, his eyes gleamed like fire, for his grief [ akhos] was greater than he could bear. Thus, then, full of fury against the Trojans, did he don the gift of the god, the armor that Hephaistos had made him.

369 First he put on the goodly greaves fitted with ankle-clasps, and next he did on the breastplate about his chest. He slung the silver-studded sword of bronze about his shoulders, and then took up the shield so great and strong that shone afar with a splendor as of the moon. As the light seen by sailors from out at sea [ pontos], when men have lit a fire in their homestead high up among the mountains, but the sailors are carried out to sea [ pontos] by wind and storm far from the haven where they would be - even so did the gleam of Achilles' wondrous shield strike up into the heavens. He lifted the redoubtable helmet, and set it upon his head, from whence it shone like a star, and the golden plumes which Hephaistos had set thick about the ridge of the helmet, waved all around it. Then Achilles made trial of himself in his armor to see whether it fitted him, so that his limbs could play freely under it, and it seemed to buoy him up as though it had been wings.

387 He also drew his father's spear out of the spear-stand, a spear so great and heavy and strong that none of the Achaeans save only Achilles had strength to wield it; this was the spear of Pelian ash from the topmost ridges of Mount Pelion, which Chiron had once given to Peleus, fraught with the death of heroes. Automedon and Alkimos busied themselves with the harnessing of his horses; they made the bands fast about them, and put the bit in their mouths, drawing the reins back towards the chariot. Automedon, whip in hand, sprang up behind the horses, and after him Achilles mounted in full armor, resplendent as the sun-god Hyperion. Then with a loud voice he chided with his father's horses saying, " Xanthos and Balios, famed offspring of Podarge - this time when we have done fighting be sure and bring your driver safely back to the host of the Achaeans, and do not leave him dead on the plain as you did Patroklos."

404 Then fleet Xanthos answered under the yoke - for white-armed Hera had endowed him with human speech - and he bowed his head till his mane touched the ground as it hung down from under the yoke-band. "Dread Achilles," said he, "we will indeed save you now, but the day of your death is near, and we will not be responsible [ aitioi], for it will be heaven and stern fate that will destroy you. Neither was it through any sloth or slackness on our part that the Trojans stripped Patroklos of his armor; it was the mighty god whom lovely Leto bore that slew him as he fought among the foremost, and granted a triumph to Hektor. We two can fly as swiftly as Zephyros who they say is fleetest of all winds; nevertheless it is your doom to fall by the hand of a man and of a god."

418 When he had thus spoken, the Erinyes stayed his speech, and Achilles answered him in great sadness, saying, "Why, O Xanthos , do you thus foretell my death? You need not do so, for I well know that I am to fall here, far from my dear father and mother; none the more, however, shall I stay my hand till I have given the Trojans their fill of fighting."

424 So saying, with a loud cry he drove his horses to the front.

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 19.349 focus

With these words he urged Athena, who was already of the same mind. [350] She darted down from the heavens into the air like some falcon sailing on his broad wings and screaming. Meanwhile the Achaeans were arming throughout the army, and when Athena had dropped nectar and ambrosia into Achilles so that no cruel hunger should cause his limbs to fail him, [355] she went back to the house of her mighty father. Thick as the chill snow-flakes shed from the hand of Zeus and borne on the keen blasts of the north wind, even so thick did the gleaming helmets, [360] the bossed shields, the strongly plated breastplates, and the ashen spears stream from the ships. The sheen pierced the sky, the whole land was radiant with their flashing armor, and the sound of the tramp of their treading rose from under their feet. In the midst of them all radiant Achilles put on his armor; [365] he gnashed his teeth, his eyes gleamed like fire, for his grief [ akhos] was greater than he could bear. Thus, then, full of fury against the Trojans, did he don the gift of the god, the armor that Hephaistos had made him. 368 He [= Achilles] put it [= his armor] on, the gifts of the god, which Hephaistos had made for him with much labor.

369 First he put around his legs the shin guards, [370] beautiful ones, with silver fastenings at the ankles. 371 Next he put around his chest the breastplate, 372 and around his shoulders he slung the sword with the nails of silver, 373 a sword made of bronze. Next, the Shield [ sakos], great and mighty, 374 he took on, and from it there was a gleam [ selas] from afar, as from the moon, [375] or as when, from the sea [ pontos], a gleam [ selas] to sailors appears [ phainesthai] 376 from a blazing fire, the kind that blazes high in the mountains 377 at a solitary [ oiopolos] station [ stathmos], as the sailors are carried unwilling by gusts of wind 378 over the fish-swarming sea [ pontos], far away from their loved ones [ philoi] 379 —so also did the gleam [ selas] emanating from the Shield [ sakos] of Achilles reach all the way up to the aether. [380] He lifted the redoubtable helmet, and set it upon his head, from whence it shone like a star, and the golden plumes which Hephaistos had set thick about the ridge of the helmet, waved all around it. Then radiant Achilles made trial of himself in his armor [385] to see whether it fitted him, so that his limbs could play freely under it, and it seemed to buoy him up as though it had been wings.

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 19.349 focus

He spoke, and sudden at the word of Jove

370

Shot the descending goddess from above.

So swift through ether the shrill Harpy springs,¹

The wide air floating to her ample wings.

To great Achilles she her flight address'd,

And pour'd divine ambrosia in his breast,

375

With nectar sweet, (refection of the gods!)

Then, swift ascending, sought the bright abodes.

Now issued from the ships the warrior train,

And like a deluge pour'd upon the plain.

As when the piercing blasts of Boreas blow,

380

And scatter o'er the fields the driving snow;

From dusky clouds the fleecy winter flies,

Whose dazzling lustre whitens all the skies:

So helms succeeding helms, so shields from shields

Catch the quick beams, and brighten all the fields;

385

Broad glittering breast-plates, spears with pointed rays,

Mix in one stream, reflecting blaze on blaze:

Thick beats the centre as the coursers bound,

With splendour flame the skies, and laugh the fields around.

Full in the midst, high-towering o'er the rest,

390

His limbs in arms divine Achilles dress'd;

Arms which the father of the fire bestow'd,

Forg'd on th' eternal anvils of the god.

Grief and revenge his furious heart inspire,

His glowing eye-balls roll with living fire;

395

He grinds his teeth, and furious with delay

O'erlooks th' embattled host, and hopes the bloody day.

The silver cuishes first his thighs infold;

Then o'er his breast was braced the hollow gold:

The brazen sword a various baldric tied,

400

That, starr'd with gems, hung glittering at his side;

And, like the moon, the broad refulgent shield

Blaz'd with long rays, and gleam'd athwart the field.

So to night-wandering sailors, pale with fears,

Wide o'er the watery waste a light appears,

405

Which on the far-seen mountain blazing high,

Streams from some lonely watch-tower to the sky:

With mournful eyes they gaze and gaze again;

Loud howls the storm, and drives them o'er the main.

Next, his high head the helmet grac'd; behind

410

The sweepy crest hung floating in the wind:

Like the red star, that from his flaming hair

Shakes down diseases, pestilence, and war;

So stream'd the golden honours from his head,

Trembled the sparkling plumes, and the loose glories shed.

415

The chief beholds himself with wondering eyes;

His arms he poises, and his motions tries;

Buoy'd by some inward force, he seems to swim,

And feels a pinion lifting every limb.

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 19.387 focus

And last from out a tub he took his spear

(Which by his father formerly was borne,

360

And made by Chiron in Mount Pelion)

Which no man but Achilles now could wield,

Since Peleus' strength decayed was and gone.

A fatal spear to heroes in the field.

And Alcimus then and Automedon,

365

The horses to the chariot made fast,

And harnessed them and put their bridles on,

And back unto the seat the reins they cast.

With whip in hand then mounts Automedon,

And after him Achilles not long staid,

370

Yclad in armour shining like the sun,

And roughly to his horses speaking said,

Xanthus and Balius take heed I pray,

A little better of your char'oteer,

Than of Patroclus you did yesterday,

375

Whom dead and stript you left behind you here.

This said, his sprightly head low Xanthus hung,

Till on the ground his golden mane was laid.

And Juno human speech gave to his tongue.

And to Achilles then he spake and said,

380

Yes, great Achilles, we will save you now:

But know ye, that your utmost day is nigh ;

Not by our faults; the Gods will have it so,

And, which cannot be shunn'd, your destiny.

And that Patroclus is disarm'd and slain,

385

'Twas not because we lazy were or slow,

But that Priamides might honour gain,

Apollo slew him with his silver bow.

For we could have gone faster than the wind,

If that could to him any good have done.

390

The thread of life which for him was design’d

Was by the Destinies drawn out and spun.

This then said Xanthus, but could not proceed.

His speech the Furies from him took again.

Xanthus, replied Achilles, there's no need

395

For you to prophecy my death in vain.

I know already that I here must die,

Far from my parents; yet I mean to stay

Till I have made the Trojans hence to fly.

This said, his Myrmidons he led away.

400

ILIAD.

LIB. XX.

The eighth battle, and the Gods permitted to assist.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 19.349 focus

This spur he added to the free,

And, like a harpy, with a voice that shrieks so dreadfully,

340

And feathers that like needles prick'd, she stoop'd through all the stars

Amongst the Grecians, all whose tents were now fill'd for the wars,

Her seres struck through Achilles' tent, and closely she instill'd

Heaven's most-to-be-desired feast to his great breast, and fill'd

His sinews with that sweet supply, for fear unsavoury fast

345

Should creep into his knees. Herself the skies again enchac't.

¹²³

The host set forth, and pour'd his steel waves far out of the fleet.

And as from air the frosty north wind blows a cold thick sleet

That dazzles eyes, flakes after flakes incessantly descending;

So thick, helms, curets, ashen darts, and round shields, never ending,

350

Flow'd from the navy's hollow womb. Their splendours gave heaven's eye

His beams again. Earth laugh'd to see her face so like the sky;

Arms shin'd so hot, and she such clouds made with the dust she cast,

She thunder'd, feet of men and horse importun'd her so fast.

In midst of all, divine Achilles his fair person arm'd,

355

His teeth gnash'd as he stood, his eyes so full of fire they warm'd,

Unsuffer'd grief and anger at the Trojans so combin'd.

His greaves first us'd, his goodly curets on his bosom shin'd,

His sword, his shield that cast a brightness from it like the moon.

And as from sea sailors discern a harmful fire let run

360

By herdsmen's faults, till all their stall flies up in wrastling flame,

Which being on hills is seen far off, but being alone, none came

To give it quench, at shore no neighbours, and at sea their friends

Driven off with tempests; such a fire from his bright shield extends

His ominous radiance, and in heaven impress'd his fervent blaze.

365

His crested helmet, grave and high, had next triumphant place

On his curl'd head, and like a star it cast a spurry ray,

About which a bright thick'ned bush of golden hair did play,

Which Vulcan forg'd him for his plume. Thus complete arm'd, he tried

How fit they were, and if his motion could with ease abide

370

Their brave instruction; and so far they were from hind'ring it,

That to it they were nimble wings, and made so light his spirit,

That from the earth the princely captain they took up to air.

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 19.349 focus

So saying, he urged Minerva prompt before.

In form a shrill-voiced harpy of long wing

Through ether down she darted, while the Greeks

430

In all their camp for instant battle arm'd.

Ambrosial sweets and nectar she instill'd

Into his breast, lest he should suffer loss

Of strength through abstinence, then soar'd again

To her great Sire's unperishing abode.

435

And now the Greecians from their gallant fleet

All pour'd themselves abroad. As when thick snow

From Jove descends, driven by impetuous gusts

Of the cloud-scattering North, so frequent shone

Issuing from the fleet the dazzling casques,

440

Boss'd bucklers, hauberks strong, and ashen spears.

Upwent the flash to heaven; wide all around

The champain laugh'd with beamy brass illumed,

And tramplings of the warriors on all sides

Resounded, amidst whom Achilles arm'd.

445

He gnash'd his teeth, fire glimmer'd in his eyes,

Anguish intolerable wrung his heart

And fury against Troy, while he put on

His glorious arms, the labour of a God.

First, to his legs his polish'd greaves he clasp'd

450

Studded with silver, then his corslet bright

Braced to his bosom, his huge sword of brass

Athwart his shoulder slung, and his broad shield

Uplifted last, luminous as the moon.

Such as to mariners a fire appears,

455

Kindled by shepherds on the distant top

Of some lone hill; they, driven by stormy winds,

Reluctant roam far off the fishy Deep,

Such from Achilles' burning shield divine

A lustre struck the skies; his ponderous helm

460

He lifted to his brows; starlike it shone,

And shook its curling crest of bushy gold,

By Vulcan taught to wave profuse around.

So clad, godlike Achilles trial made

If his arms fitted him, and gave free scope

465

To his proportion'd limbs; buoyant they proved

As wings, and high upbore his airy tread.

English (F. W. Newman, 1856) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (F. W. Newman, 1856)) — 19 focus

BOOK XIX

Just then the saffron-vested Dawn rose from the streams of Ocean,

To carry unto mortals light and eke to gods immortal,

When Thetis to the galleys came, bearing her heav'nly present,

And found her own beloved son around Patroclus lying,

Wailing aloud; and at his side a troop of gather'd comrades

Were weeping. Then amidst them stood the goddess, pride of heaven;

And closely did she press his hand, and spake, his name pronouncing:

"My child! him let us now endure, albeit keen our sorrow,

So as he is, to lie; sith he by will of God is fallen.

But thou, out of my hands receive these noble arms from Vulcan,

Right beauteous: such never yet man on his shoulders carried."

After such word, before her son the goddess laid the armour.

Aloud the crafty fabric clang'd: the Myrmidons in terror

Shrank from its dazzling radiance, nor dar'd to eye the goddess.

But Achileus, the more he look'd, the more did rage possess him,

And, neath his eyelids, direful shot, like flame, his glance of eyen:

Yet joy'd he in his hands to hold the brilliant gifts of heaven.

But when the wondrous handicraft his eyes with joy had sated,

He to his mother instantly did winged accents utter:

"My mother! arms, the god hath sent, such as from work immortal

Befitteth: vainly mortal man would vie in such achievement.

Gird me for fight forthwith will I, in sooth: yet direly dread I,

Lest flies, the meanwhile, entering the brass-imprinted gashes,

Breed worms within my valiant friend, and do his corpse dishonour:

(For all the life is gone from it:) so would his flesh be rotted."

Then Thetis of the silver foot reciprocal address'd him:

"My child! let not such things as this be burden on thy spirit.

The flies, these savage tribes, that eat heroes in battle fallen,

My care it be, aloof to keep. If, the full year, Patroclus

Here lie, his flesh shall alway be still firm, or even better.

But unto public mote do thou the Achaian heroes summon,

And there to Atreus' royal son renounce thy mood of anger:

Then instant for emprize of war accoutred, don thy valour."

Thus having spoken, thro' his frame she breath'd intrepid vigour;

Then to Patroclus, stooping low, distill'd she thro' the nostrils

Ambrosia and nectar red, to keep his flesh in firmness.

Meanwhile along the shingly strand divine Achilles hied him,

With shout of horrible upróar, and rous'd the Achaian heroes.

Yea, those who formerly would stay within the naval precinct,

Who pilots only were, and kept the rudders of the galleys,

Or held the public bread in store, — distributors and stewards;

Now even these to mote came forth, enhearten'd; sith Achilles,

Long absent from distressful fight, did now appear among them.

Amid the Achaians, limping came two ministers of Ares,

The war-abiding Tydeus' son and lofty-soul'd Ulysses,

Leaning upon the spear; for still the bitter wounds distress'd them:

These mid the foremost of the mote did hie, and soon were seated.

But Agamemnon, prince of men, was latest of arriving,

He too disabled by a wound; for in the hardy struggle

Koön, Antenor's son, his arm with brazen spear had pierced.

When therefore in full gathering the Achaians were assembled,

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

"Atrides! troth, for thee and me far earlier was better

This present work to do; when we, with grief of bosom pierced,

Did for a damsel's sake flame out in soul-devouring quarrel.

Would that the shaft of Artemis had slain her in the galleys,

Upon the selfsame day, when I Lyrnessus took and ravag'd.

Then of Achaians fewer far beneath the hands of foemen

Had strown the immeasurable field thro' my relentless anger.

To Hector and the Troians that was gainful; but the Achaians

Will long remembrance hold, I deem, of mine and thy contention.

But leave we these things, past and gone, — albeit keen our sorrow,

And the fond fancies of the heart by stern constraint subdue we.

Here then an end I make of wrath: nor verily behov'd it

Me alway obstinate in heart to boil; but come! and quickly

Enhearten to emprize of war the streaming-hair'd Achaians;

So I, with Troians once again confronted, shall assure me,

Whether beside the ships to sleep delight them: but I reckon

That of their army more than one his limbs will rest full gladly,

If safely from our spear he scape in shock of foes' encounter."

So spake he, and with gladness fill'd the dappergreav'd Achaians,

That mighty-hearted Peleus' son renounc'd his mood of anger.

Then Agamemnon, prince of men, responsive to Achilles,

Address'd them, seated as he was, not rising in the middle:

"Friends, heroes of the Danaï, and ministers of Ares,

When any riseth for harangue, to him 'tis well to listen,

Nor interrupt; — which worrieth even a skilful speaker.

For in the hurly of a crowd what ears avail for hearing?

What voice for speaking? fluent tongues and ready hearts are crippled.

Now I to Peleus' son reply straight open: but the others,—

Ye Argives! ponder well my word, and each of you discern it.

Oft time the Achaians spake to me advice, and oft revil'd me,

Who am not guilty. Jove, and Fate, and the dusk-roaming Fury,—

'Tis these, who in assembly fir'd my breast with savage frenzy,

Upon the selfsame day, when I Achilles' prize invaded.

What else to do avail'd I? God doth throughly all accomplish.

Jove's eldest child is Frenesy, who all men doth enfrenzy,

Accursed. Tender are her feet, nor toucheth she the pavement,

But trampeth heads of men, with bale; and one or other tangleth.

Yea, once she frenzied Jupiter, whom amid gods and mortals

Chiefest they call; yet him with guile Juno, a female, cheated;

What time Alcmena's hour was ripe in turret-fretted Thebe

For birth of Héracles: then he before all heaven vaunted:

100

'Oh all ye gods and goddesses! to my announcement hearken,

That I the counsel may declare which in my bosom swayeth.

A hero from my breed and blood outsprung, — him Eileithuia,

Who painful travail softeneth, shall show to light of heaven

This day, for lordship far and wide o'er all surrounding peoples.'

105

Then guileful-heartedly to him spake venerable Juno:

'Thou wilt the liar play, nor crown thy saying with fulfilment.

Or else, come now, Olympian! a hardy oath I tender.

Swear thou, that he shall lordship hold o'er all surrounding peoples,

Who, from thy breed and blood, this day shall drop of woman's travail.'

110

When thus she challeng'd, Jupiter her guilefulness discern'd not,

But sware the dreadful oath: therefrom a mighty mischief reap'd he:

But Juno, hasting on her path, Olympus' margin quitted

And to Achaian Argos reach'd right quickly, where did habit

115

The valiant wife of Sthenelus, son unto Joveborn Perseus,

Who counted seven months (she knew) in hope of tender offspring.

Her did the goddess forward bring, tho' in her months untoward,

And stopt Alcmena's travailing, and held the Eileithuias.

Then she, on errand self-despatch'd, Saturnius accosted:

120

'Sire of the shining thunderbolt! a word, O Jove! I bring thee.

Now is a noble hero born, for lordship o'er the Argives,

Eurystheus, child of Sthenelus, son unto Joveborn Perseus,

Thy issue: not unfitly he will o'er the Argives lord it.'

So spake she; but his soul profound was smit with piercing anguish.

125

Quick by her dainty-braided head on Frenesy he seized,

And raging sware a hardy oath, that never to Olympus

And starry heaven back should wend she, who doth all enfrenzy.

He, after such avowal stern, from starry heav'n toss'd her,

130

Whirling her with his hand; and quick she reach'd the works of mortals.

And her he alway curs'd, whene'er he saw his own dear offspring

By contumely of toil distraught beneath Eurystheus' taskings.

Nor yet the more was I, what time great motley-helmed Hector

Dire ravage of the Argives made beside their outmost galleys,—

135

Able from Frenesy to part, who once had wrought me mischief.

But tho' enfrenzied I have been, and Jove my wits hath emptied,

Again to win thee fain am I, and pay thee countless ransom.

But up! for enterprize of war, and rouse the other peoples.

And pledg'd I hold myself to pay, whate'er divine Ulysses

140

Before thy presence yester-eve, as gifts from me, behighted.

Or come! an so will please thee, stay, albeit press'd to battle;

And hither shall forthwith my squires, out of my galley taking,

Bring thee the gifts; so mayest thou see my heart-soothing presents."

But him Achilles, fleet of foot, reciprocal accosted:

145

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides!

The gifts (an so thou wilt,) to give, as seemly is, or keep them,—

With thee it resteth. Instant now let battle-glee concern us,

Nor toy, nor shuffle: still is left a mighty work to compass.

150

As each may Peleus' son behold again among the foremost

Wide wasting with the brazen spear the Troïan battalions,

So eke let every man give heed to quit himself in combat."

Thereat responsive spake to him Ulysses much-devising:

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

155

Hurry to drive on Ilium Achaia's children fasting,

For combat with the Troians; sith no short-enduring warcry

Shall greet us, when for bargain once the companies encounter

Of armed heroes, both alive with heaven-breathed fierceness.

But bid the Achaians food to taste, at the sharp-pointed galleys,

160

Of pleasant bread and wine: for this to weary men is vigour.

— For, man may nowise all the day until the shades of sunset

From gifts of Ceres abstinent confront the work of Ares.

For tho' his spirit eager be for enterprize of battle,

Yet heaviness by stealth his limbs o'erhend him, and his knees beneath

165

Are palsied in his goings. But whoso with the foe may fight,

Even the livelong day, his soul is hearty in his bosom,

Nor faint his limbs, ere every man retireth him from battle.

170

But come! disperse the people; bid, that they to dinner gird them;

And Agamemnon, prince of men, shall bring his gifts before us:

So with their eyes the Achaians all shall see, and thou be gladden'd.

And let him swear the mighty oath, among the Argives rising,

175

That never did he touch her bed with tenderness and passion,

As is the ordinance, O prince! to man and woman sacred:

So be thy spirit satisfied and sooth'd within thy bosom!

Thereafter shall the prince of men within his tents delight thee

By a rich banquet, leaving naught unfinish'd of thy honour.

180

Thou, son of Atreus! wilt alsó hereafter be more rightful

In other men's esteem: for none can blame it, that a monarch,

Who did in anger take the lead, again beseecheth friendship."

Him Agamemnon, prince of men, reciprocal accosted:

"Son of Laërtes! much I joy to hear the word thou sayest;

185

For duly hast thou every thing distinguish'd and recounted.

The oath thou namest, this I wish to swear by mighty power;

Nor shall I perjur'd be: my soul doth urge me: but Achilles

Must here that little while await, albeit press'd to battle;

And stay, assembled, ye the rest, until the presents hither

190

May from my tent arrive, and I by faithful oaths may bind me.

But to thyself this deed in charge entrust I: — youths selecting,

Chieftains of Panachaia, bear the gifts from out my galley,

Whate'er we yester-eve behote; and lead with them the women.

And, for the Sun and Jove, amid Achaia's ample army,

195

Talthybius a boar shall bring to consecrate our treaties."

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

"O Agamemnon, prince of men, most glorious Atrides!

Rather at otherwhile on this be busy, if the battle

Shall after flag, when in my breast the fire may burn less fiercely.

200

But now our comrades prostrate lie and mangled, who were vanquish'd

By Hector, son of Priamus, when Jove to glory rais'd him.

But ye to feeding urge us. Troth! all abstinent and fasting

205

Achaia's children spur would I to war, and then with sunset

To meet in solemn supper, when we had the outrage punish'd.

But neither food nor drink to me may earlier be pleasant

Adown my tender throat to pass, now as my friend is perish'd,

210

Who prostrate lieth in my tent, by the sharp weapon mangled,

Turn'd to the threshold. Round him weep my comrades. Hence I ponder

Not food, but carnage now and gore and noisome groans of heroes."

To him then spake reciprocal Ulysses much devising:

215

"Mighty Achilles! Peleus' son! exalted of the Achaians!

Thou with the spear (I wis) than me art better, not a little,

And stronger; yet in intellect might I in turn surpass thee

By far; sith I am elderborn, and wider is my knowledge.

Therefore command thy heart to bear the pressure of my counsel.

220

Satiety of battle-cry to mortals speedy cometh,

Wherein the sickle reapeth crop too small, but straw in plenty,

When Jove, high arbiter of war, the scale of prowess tilteth.

But nowise may the Achaians mourn the dead man with their belly;

225

For, every day, successive fall too many. When may respite

Of sorrow be? Whoso is slain, him ever must we bury

Steeling our hearts, but weeping still; and whoso yet surviveth

From hateful warfare, him the care of drink and food behoveth:

230

So may we more incessant fight against the foeman alway,

In brass unweariable clad. Let none among the peoples

Stop, waiting fresh commandment; (thence would evil come;) while any

Be at the Argive galleys left. But, sallying together

235

Against the courser-taming Troians rouse we eager Ares."

So spake he, and beside him took the sons of famous Nestor,

And Thoas and Meriones and Meges son of Phyleus,

And Lycomedes, Creion's son, and lastly Melanippus;

240

Who hied to speed them to the tent of royal Agamemnon.

There, scarcely spoken was the word, and lo! the deed was ended.

They from the tent the tripods brought, — the seven which he promis'd, —

The coursers twelve for racing fam'd, and twenty shining cauldrons.

Then women quickly led they forth, with blameless work acquainted,

245

Seven; but after them the eighth, — the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs.

Thereat Ulysses, weighing-out of gold ten perfect talents,

Led forward: other youths behind in train the presents bearing

In mid assembly ranged them: and up rose Agamemnon.

Then by the people's shepherd stood Talthybius the herald, —

250

Whose voice with voice of god might vie, and brought the boar before them.

But Atreus' son with ready hand his hunting-knife unfasten'd,

Which by his sword's great scabbard hung, companion never absent, —

Clipt the first bristles of the boar, his hands to Jove uplifted,

And prayed. All the Argives sat in silence at their places,

255

Duly to reverence compos'd, attentive to the monarch.

So he invoking spake his pray'r, to vasty heaven looking:

"Of this let Jove be witness first, of gods the Best and Highest,

And Earth, and Sun, and Furies all, who in the world beneath us

Do punish men deceas'd — whoe'er a perjur'd oath has utter'd; —

260

That never did I lay my hand upon the maid Briseïs,

Neither with purpose of the couch, nor otherwise accosting,

But in my tents she aye abode inviolate, unsullied.

If aught hereof be falsely sworn, then may the gods bestray me

With whatsoe'er of woe they send, when man in oath offendeth."

265

He spake, and thro' the victim's throat deep drove the heartless weapon.

The corpse, as fodder to the fish, Talthybius flung whirling

Into the vasty hoary sheet of ocean. But Achilles

Uprising spake his word among the battle-loving Argives:

"O Father Jove! great frenesies to men thou truly sendest.

270

Never in sooth would Atreus' son so throughly have bestirred

The spirit in my bosom, nor have ta'en away the damsel

Despite my will, intractable; but Jupiter, methinketh,

Was minded, bale and death to send to many of Achaia.

But now to dinner hasten ye; so may we mingle battle."

275

Such words he utter'd, and at once brake up the hasty meeting.

Thereat asunder wended they, each to his proper galley;

But the high-hearted Myrmidons were with the presents busied,

And hied to set them on the ship of Achileus their leader:

Meanwhile, some in the tents they plac'd, and seated there the women;

280

The racers, these his stately squires into the herd had driven.

Thereat Briseïs, like in mien to golden Aphrodite,

When she Patroclus' corpse beheld by the sharp weapon mangled,

Pouring herself around him, wail'd right shrill, and rent with gashes

Her bosom and her tender neck and eke her dainty visage.

285

Then, brilliant as the goddesses, forth spake the woman wailing:

"Alas, Patroclus, thou who wast to wretched me most pleasing!

Thee verily alive I left, when from the tent they led me:

But now, returning, here I find, O captain of the peoples!

Thy corpse unburied. How doth aye woe after woe receive me!

290

The man, into whose arms my sire and queenly mother gave me,

Before our city him I saw by the sharp weapon mangled.

And eke three warriours belov'd, own children of my mother,

My tender kinsmen, all of them their deadly day encounter'd.

And when swift Achileus had slain my husband, and had ravag'd

295

The town of godlike Mynes, thou forbaddest me to sorrow,

Trusting to make me wife of youth to Achileus, and bear me

To Phthia, and with all the folk to celebrate my wedding.

Then measureless thy death I wail, O thou who aye wast gentle!"

300

So spake she weeping; after her with moans the women answer'd:

Patroclus gave them but pretext to mourn their proper sorrows.

But round Achilles gather'd now the councillors of Argos

Imploring, that he dinner taste; but he with moans refus'd them:

"If any of my comrades dear will listen, I implore him, —

305

With food and drinking bid me not my inner heart to surfeit:

Grim sorrows pierce me: any gait I stay and dure till sunset."

When he refusal spake outright, the other kings departed;

But still the two Atridæ stay'd, — old charioteering Phenix,

310

And Nestor and Idomeneus and the divine Ulysses,

Sagely beguiling him from grief. Yet nowise would his spirit

Beguiled be, ere that he face the jaws of gory battle.

But he incessant heav'd, and spake, in piteous remembrance:

"Dearest ill-fated friend! of old how quick and earnest wast thou

315

A dainty dinner in my tent to range, whene'er the Achaians

Hurried to tearful war, against the courser-taming Troians!

Now, thus thou liest mangled; but, albeit here be plenty,

In emptiness of thee, my heart from food and drink abstaineth.

320

Naught can I suffer worse; not if my father's death afflict me,

Who, as I ween, in Phthia now a tender tear distilleth,

Widow'd of such a son; (who here for horror-striking Helen,

Upon a soil of foreigners against the Troians warreth;)

325

Or, if I heard the death of him, my offspring, rear'd in Skyros, —

If haply Neoptolemus the godlike yet be living.

For formerly my heart this hope did cherish in my bosom,

That only I should perish, far from courser-feeding Argos,

Here on the spot, in Troy; but thou shouldest to Phthia wend thee,

330

That thou from Skyros mightest lead on the sharp dusky galley

My child unto his father's home, and shouldest all things show him,

My servants and my wide estate and lofty-roofed palace.

For, as to Peleus, he, I bode, outright is either perish'd,

Or, with a little life mayhap, by hateful Eld is worried,

335

Aye waiting for my mournful tale, — the tiding of my slaughter."

Wailing he spake, and to his moans the councillors responded,

Each one remembering all, that he in his own chambers quitted.

But lofty-thron'd Saturnius with pity saw their weeping,

340

And instantly with winged words address'd him to Athene:

"My child! but hast thou utterly thy bonny hero jilted?

No longer hath Achilles then a share within thy bosom?

Lo! there he sitteth, fixt before his lofty crested galleys,

Beweeping his companion dear. The others are departed

345

For care of dinner: he alone is abstinent, untasting.

But come! lest famine him distress, distil thou thro' his bosom

The sweetness of ambrosia and drops of ruddy nectar."

He by such charge Athene spurr'd, herself already eager;

Who plung'd in semblance of a bird, the lengthy-feather'd osprey,

350

Shrill-screaming, down from upper sky, thro' heaven: but the Achaians

Forthwith were arming in the host. The goddess to Achilles

Dropt sweetness of ambrosia and nectar thro' his bosom,

Lest-that unlovely famine loose the toughness of his sinews;

Then she herself departing sought the tightly-builded mansion

355

Of her much-mighty sire: but they far from the ships were pouring.

Thick as from Jupiter may fly the drops of sleety shower,

Chill'd by the gust of Boreas, whom sky serene doth gender;

So from the galleys thickly pour'd the helmets brightly joyous,

With bossy bucklers, ashen spears, and stoutly-jointed corslets.

360

The blaze to heaven reach'd; the earth by brazen flashes stricken

Laugh'd all around, and underneath from feet of men was rising

Dire rumble; and in midst of them divine Achilles arm'd him.

His teeth did gnash; his eyen shone, as though with fiery sparkle:

365

His heart in grief unbearable was clad; but he, enfrenzied

Against the Troians, donn'd the gifts, which toilsome Vulcan fashion'd.

First on his shins the dapper greaves, with silver anklets clever,

He fasten'd; then, to guard his chest, enwrapt him in the corslet:

370

About his shoulders next he slung the sword with silver studded,

Brazen; but after it he took the buckler great and stubborn,

From which a moony radiance shot forth to far beholders.

As when to sailors out at sea a burning fire appeareth

375

Flaring afar; and it aloft on solitary station

Is kindled by the mountaineer: but them tornadoes carry

Far from their friends, despite their will, over the fishful ocean:

So, from Achilles' buckler, then, all gorgeous and artful,

²³

The flare to heaven shot: and he, his triplecrested helmet

380

Upraising, plac'd upon his head its load. With starry splendour

From the thick horsetail shone the casque; for, hairs of gold around it

Wav'd plenteous along the ridge by handicraft of Vulcan.

Divine Achilles thereupon would prove him in the armour,

Whether his glossy limbs had ease for movement sharp and nimble;

385

But it, as wings, did lift from earth the shepherd of the people.

Then from the flutings in his tent his father's spear he plucked,

Huge, weighty, sturdy; which not one of all Achaian chieftains

Beside might brandish: he alone, Achilles, knew to wield it:

An ash of Pelion the shaft, which, from the mountain's summit,

390

For his dear father Cheiron cut, to be the death of heroes.

Around the steeds Automedon and Alkimus were busy:

Already round their breasts was plac'd the harness; then, the bridles

Thro' their compliant jaws they pass'd, and strung the reins behind them

Unto the well-glued chariot. Automedon, assuming

395

The shining hand-adapted scourge, above the horses mounted,

And, full accoutred, Achileus came leaping up behind him,

All-radiant in panoply, like to the amber day-god.

Terrific then he shouted loud to his own father's horses:

" Chesnut and Spotted, noble pair! far-famous brood of Spry-foot!

400

In other guise now ponder ye your charioteer to rescue

Back to the troop of Danaï, when we have done with battle:

Nor leave him dead upon the field, as late ye left Patroclus."

But him the dapplefooted steed under the yoke accosted,

And droop'd his auburn head aside straightway; and thro' the yoke-strap

405

His full mane falling by the yoke unto the ground was streaming:

(Him Juno, whitearm'd goddess, now with voice of man endowed:)

"Now and again we verily will save, and more than save thee,

Dreadful Achilles! yet on thee the deadly day o'erhangeth.

Not ours the guilt; but mighty God and stubborn Fate are guilty.

410

Not by the slowness of our feet or dulness of our spirit

The Troians did thy armour strip from shoulders of Patroclus;

But the exalted god, for whom brighthair'd Latona travail'd,

Slew him amid the foremost ranks, and glory gave to Hector.

Now we, in scudding, pace would keep even with breeze of Zephyr,

415

Which speediest they say to be: but for thyself 'tis fated

By hand of hero and of god in mighty strife to perish."

So much he said: thereon, his voice was by the Furies stopped.

To him Achilles fleet of foot, responded, sore disdainful:

" Chesnut! why bodest death to me? from thee this was not needed.

420

Myself right surely know alsó, that 'tis my doom to perish,

Apart from mother and from father dear, in Troy; but never

Pause will I make of war, until the Troïans be glutted."

He spake, and yelling, held afront the singlehoofed horses.

⁴

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

The time has come for Achilles to re-enter the war against the Trojans. For this to happen, Agamemnon must first settle with Achilles. But the over-king feels the need to say more than simply to formulate his proposed terms of settlement. His aim is to excuse himself from responsibility for dishonoring Achilles, and the story that he tells in order to achieve this aim is a retelling of a cosmic atē ‘aberration’ that resulted in the Labors of Hēraklēs. Such a retelling, however, is destined to backfire: it will result in further damage to Agamemnon’s own royal status and in further advancement for the heroic prestige of Achilles, for whom Hēraklēs now becomes a perfect model.

draft js image error Herakles at the tree of the Hesperides, holding three of the golden apples in his left hand. Behind him is the apple tree with the guardian serpent clinging around it. Bronze, 104.5cm (Roman, 1st century C.E.). Image via The British Museum.

source

Homer Iliad 19.349

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ILIAD.

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