Homer, Iliad, Samuel Butler (Translator), 24.405

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Then answered Priam the godlike, “If you are indeed the attendant [ therapōn] of Achilles, son of Peleus, tell me now the whole truth. Is my son still at the ships, or has Achilles hewn him limb from limb, and given him to his hounds?”

[410] “Sir,” replied the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, “neither hounds nor vultures have yet devoured him; he is still just lying at the tents by the ship of Achilles, and though it is now twelve days that he has lain there, his flesh is not wasted nor have the worms eaten him [415] although they feed on warriors. At daybreak Achilles drags him cruelly round the tomb [ sēma] of his dear comrade, but it does him no hurt. You should come yourself and see how he lies fresh as dew, with the blood all washed away, and his wounds every one of them closed [420] though many pierced him with their spears. Such care have the blessed gods taken of your brave son, for he was dear to them beyond all measure.”

The old man was comforted as he heard him and said, [425] “My son, see what a good thing it is to have made due offerings to the immortals; for as sure as that he was born my son never forgot the gods that hold Olympus, and now they requite it to him even in death. Accept therefore at my hands this goodly chalice; [430] guard me and with heaven’s help guide me till I come to the tent of the son of Peleus.”

Then answered the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, “Sir, you are tempting me and playing upon my youth, but you shall not move me, for you are offering me presents [435] without the knowledge of Achilles whom I fear and hold it great guiltless to defraud, lest some evil presently befall me; but as your guide I would go with you even to Argos itself, and would guard you so carefully whether by sea or land, that no one should attack you through making light of him who was with you.”

[440]

Iliad. Homer. Samuel Butler (Translator). London. 1898.

Current edition Experimental

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020))

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.) — 24.405 focus

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής·

405

εἰ μὲν δὴ θεράπων Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

εἴς, ἄγε δή μοι πᾶσαν ἀληθείην κατάλεξον,

ἢ ἔτι πὰρ νήεσσιν ἐμὸς πάϊς, ἦέ μιν ἤδη

ᾗσι κυσὶν μελεϊστὶ ταμὼν προύθηκεν Ἀχιλλεύς.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης·

410

ὦ γέρον οὔ πω τόν γε κύνες φάγον οὐδʼ οἰωνοί,

ἀλλʼ ἔτι κεῖνος κεῖται Ἀχιλλῆος παρὰ νηῒ

αὔτως ἐν κλισίῃσι· δυωδεκάτη δέ οἱ ἠὼς

κειμένῳ, οὐδέ τί οἱ χρὼς σήπεται, οὐδέ μιν εὐλαὶ

ἔσθουσʼ, αἵ ῥά τε φῶτας ἀρηϊφάτους κατέδουσιν.

415

ἦ μέν μιν περὶ σῆμα ἑοῦ ἑτάροιο φίλοιο

ἕλκει ἀκηδέστως ἠὼς ὅτε δῖα φανήῃ,

οὐδέ μιν αἰσχύνει· θηοῖό κεν αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν

οἷον ἐερσήεις κεῖται, περὶ δʼ αἷμα νένιπται,

οὐδέ ποθι μιαρός· σὺν δʼ ἕλκεα πάντα μέμυκεν

420

ὅσσʼ ἐτύπη· πολέες γὰρ ἐν αὐτῷ χαλκὸν ἔλασσαν.

ὥς τοι κήδονται μάκαρες θεοὶ υἷος ἑῆος

καὶ νέκυός περ ἐόντος, ἐπεί σφι φίλος περὶ κῆρι.

ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δʼ ὃ γέρων, καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ·

ὦ τέκος, ἦ ῥʼ ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἐναίσιμα δῶρα διδοῦναι

425

ἀθανάτοις, ἐπεὶ οὔ ποτʼ ἐμὸς πάϊς, εἴ ποτʼ ἔην γε,

λήθετʼ ἐνὶ μεγάροισι θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσι·

τώ οἱ ἀπεμνήσαντο καὶ ἐν θανάτοιό περ αἴσῃ.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ τόδε δέξαι ἐμεῦ πάρα καλὸν ἄλεισον,

αὐτόν τε ῥῦσαι, πέμψον δέ με σύν γε θεοῖσιν,

430

ὄφρά κεν ἐς κλισίην Πηληϊάδεω ἀφίκωμαι.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης·

πειρᾷ ἐμεῖο γεραιὲ νεωτέρου, οὐδέ με πείσεις,

ὅς με κέλῃ σέο δῶρα παρὲξ Ἀχιλῆα δέχεσθαι.

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δείδοικα καὶ αἰδέομαι περὶ κῆρι

435

συλεύειν, μή μοί τι κακὸν μετόπισθε γένηται.

σοὶ δʼ ἂν ἐγὼ πομπὸς καί κε κλυτὸν Ἄργος ἱκοίμην,

ἐνδυκέως ἐν νηῒ θοῇ ἢ πεζὸς ὁμαρτέων·

οὐκ ἄν τίς τοι πομπὸν ὀνοσσάμενος μαχέσαιτο.

Translations (7)

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.) — 24.405 focus

405 And the old man, godlike Priam, answered him:

If thou art indeed a squire of Peleus' son Achilles, come now, tell me all the truth, whether my son is even yet by the ships or whether by now Achilles hath hewn him limb from limb and cast him before his dogs.

410 Then again the messenger Argeiphontes spake to him:

Old sire, not yet have dogs and birds devoured him, but still he lieth there beside the ship of Achilles amid the huts as he was at the first; and this is now the twelfth day that he lieth there, yet his flesh decayeth not at all, 415 neither do worms consume it, such as devour men that be slain in fight. Truly Achilles draggeth him ruthlessly about the barrow of his dear comrade, so oft as sacred Dawn appeareth, howbeit he marreth him not; thou wouldst thyself marvel, wert thou to come and see how dewy-fresh he lieth, and is washen clean of blood, 420 neither hath anywhere pollution; and all the wounds are closed wherewith he was stricken, for many there were that drave the bronze into his flesh. In such wise do the blessed gods care for thy son, a corpse though he be, seeing he was dear unto their hearts.

So spake he, and the old man waxed glad, and answered, saying: 425

My child, a good thing is it in sooth e'en to give to the immortals such gifts as be due; for never did my son—as sure as ever such a one there was—forget in our halls the gods that hold Olympus; wherefore they have remembered this for him, even though he be in the doom of death. But come, take thou from me this fair goblet, 430 and guard me myself, and guide me with the speeding of the gods, until I be come unto the hut of the son of Peleus.

And again the messenger, Argeiphontes, spake to him:

Thou dost make trial of me, old sire, that am younger than thou; but thou shalt not prevail upon me, seeing thou biddest me take gifts from thee while Achilles knoweth naught thereof. 435 Of him have I fear and awe at heart, that I should defraud him, lest haply some evil befall me hereafter. Howbeit as thy guide would I go even unto glorious Argos, attending thee with kindly care in a swift ship or on foot; nor would any man make light of thy guide and set upon thee.

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.) — 24.378 focus

378 Then said the slayer of Argos , guide and guardian, "Sir, all that you have said is right; but tell me and tell me true, are you taking this rich treasure to send it to a foreign people where it may be safe, or are you all leaving strong Ilion in dismay now that your son has fallen who was the bravest man among you and was never lacking in battle with the Achaeans?"

386 And Priam said, "Who are you, my friend, and who are your parents, that you speak so truly about the fate of my unhappy son?"

389 The slayer of Argos , guide and guardian, answered him, "Sir, you would prove me, that you question me about noble Hektor. Many a time have I set eyes upon him in battle when he was driving the Argives to their ships and putting them to the sword. We stood still and marveled, for Achilles in his anger with the son of Atreus suffered us not to fight. I am his squire [ therapôn], and came with him in the same ship. I am a Myrmidon, and my father's name is Polyktor: he is a rich man and about as old as you are; he has six sons besides myself, and I am the seventh. We cast lots, and it fell upon me to sail hither with Achilles. I am now come from the ships on to the plain, for with daybreak the Achaeans will set battle in array about the city. They chafe at doing nothing, and are so eager that their princes cannot hold them back."

405 Then answered Priam, "If you are indeed the squire [ therapôn] of Achilles son of Peleus, tell me now the Whole truth. Is my son still at the ships, or has Achilles hewn him limb from limb, and given him to his hounds?"

410 "Sir," replied the slayer of Argos , guide and guardian, "neither hounds nor vultures have yet devoured him; he is still just lying at the tents by the ship of Achilles, and though it is now twelve days that he has lain there, his flesh is not wasted nor have the worms eaten him although they feed on warriors. At daybreak Achilles drags him cruelly round the sepulcher [ sêma] of his dear comrade, but it does him no hurt. You should come yourself and see how he lies fresh as dew, with the blood all washed away, and his wounds every one of them closed though many pierced him with their spears. Such care have the blessed gods taken of your brave son, for he was dear to them beyond all measure."

424 The old man was comforted as he heard him and said, "My son, see what a good thing it is to have made due offerings to the immortals; for as sure as that he was born my son never forgot the gods that hold Olympus , and now they requite it to him even in death. Accept therefore at my hands this goodly chalice; guard me and with heaven's help guide me till I come to the tent of the son of Peleus."

432 Then answered the slayer of Argos , guide and guardian, "Sir, you are tempting me and playing upon my youth, but you shall not move me, for you are offering me presents without the knowledge of Achilles whom I fear and hold it great guiltless to defraud, lest some evil presently befall me; but as your guide I would go with you even to Argos itself, and would guard you so carefully whether by sea or land, that no one should attack you through making light of him who was with you."

440 The bringer of good luck then sprang on to the chariot, and seizing the whip and reins he breathed fresh spirit into the mules and horses. When they reached the trench and the wall that was before the ships, those who were on guard had just been getting their suppers, and the slayer of Argos threw them all into a deep sleep. Then he drew back the bolts to open the gates, and took Priam inside with the treasure he had upon his wagon. Ere long they came to the lofty dwelling of the son of Peleus for which the Myrmidons had cut pine and which they had built for their king; when they had built it they thatched it with coarse tussock-grass which they had mown out on the plain, and all round it they made a large courtyard, which was fenced with stakes set close together. The gate was barred with a single bolt of pine which it took three men to force into its place, and three to draw back so as to open the gate, but Achilles could draw it by himself. Hermes opened the gate for the old man, and brought in the treasure that he was taking with him for the son of Peleus. Then he sprang from the chariot on to the ground and said, "Sir, it is I, immortal Hermes, that am come with you, for my father sent me to escort you. I will now leave you, and will not enter into the presence of Achilles, for it might anger him that a god should befriend mortal men thus openly. Go you within, and embrace the knees of the son of Peleus: beseech him by his father, his lovely mother, and his son; thus you may move him."

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.405 focus

Then spake the godlike ancient, Priam, thus:

"If thou indeed dost serve Pelides, tell,

And truly tell me, whether yet my son

Is at the fleet, or has Achilles cast,

Torn limb from limb, his body to the hounds?"

515

The herald, Argus-queller, thus replied:

"O aged monarch, neither have the hounds

Devoured thy son, nor yet the birds of prey;

But near the galleys of Achilles still

He lies neglected and among the tents.

520

Twelve mornings have beheld him lying there,

Nor hath corruption touched him, nor the worms

That make the slain their feast begun to feed.

'T is true that, when the holy morning dawns

Achilles drags him fiercely round the tomb

525

Of his dear friend; yet that disfigures not

The dead. Shouldst thou approach him, thou wouldst see

With marvelling eyes how fresh and dewy still

The body lies, the blood all cleansed away,

Unsoiled in every part, and all the wounds

530

Closed up wherever made; for many a spear

Was thrust into his sides. Thus tenderly

The blessed gods regard thy son, though dead,

For dearly was he loved by them in life."

He spake; the aged man was comforted,

535

And said: "T is meet, O son, that we should pay

Oblations to the immortals; for my son

While yet alive neglected not within

His palace the due worship of the gods

Who dwell upon Olympus; therefore they

540

Are mindful of him, even after death.

Take this magnificent goblet; be my guard,

And guide me, by the favor of the gods,

Until I reach Pelides in his tent."

Again the herald, Argus-queller, spake:

545

"Thou seekest yet to try me, aged man,

Who younger am than thou. Yet think thou not

That I, without the knowledge of my chief,

Will take thy gifts; for in my heart I fear

Achilles, nor would wrong him in the least,

550

Lest evil come upon me. Yet I go

Willingly with thee, as thy faithful guide.

Were it as far as Argos the renowned,

In a swift galley, or on foot by land,

Yet none would dare to harm thee while with me."

555

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.405 focus

‘If then thou art of stern Pelides' train,’

495

(The mournful monarch thus rejoin'd again,)

‘Ah, tell me truly, where, oh! where are laid

‘My son's dear relics? what befalls him dead?

‘Have dogs dismember'd on the naked plains,

‘Or yet unmangled rest, his cold remains?’

500

‘O favour'd of the skies!’ (thus answer'd then

The power that mediates between gods and men,)

‘Nor dogs, nor vultures, have thy Hector rent,

‘But whole he lies, neglected in the tent:

‘This the twelfth evening since he rested there,

505

‘Untouch'd by worms, untainted by the air.

‘Still as Aurora's ruddy beam is spread,

‘Round his friend's tomb Achilles drags the dead;

‘Yet undisfigur'd, or in limb or face,

‘All fresh he lies, with every living grace,

510

‘Majestical in death! No stains are found

‘O'er all the corse, and closed is every wound;

‘Though many a wound they gave. Some heavenly care,

‘Some hand divine, preserves him ever fair:

‘Or all the host of heaven, to whom he led

515

‘A life so grateful, still regard him dead.’

Thus spoke to Priam the celestial guide,

And joyful thus the royal sire replied:

‘Bless'd is the man who pays the gods above

‘The constant tribute of respect and love!

520

‘Those who inhabit the Olympian bower

‘My son forgot not, in exalted power;

‘And Heaven, that every virtue bears in mind,

‘E'en to the ashes of the just is kind.

‘But thou, oh generous youth! this goblet take,

525

‘A pledge of gratitude for Hector's sake;

‘And while the favouring gods our steps survey,

‘Safe to Pelides' tent conduct my way.’

To whom the latent god: ‘O king, forbear

‘To tempt my youth, for apt is youth to err:

530

‘But can I, absent from my prince's sight,

‘Take gifts in secret, that must shun the light?

‘What from our master's interest thus we draw,

‘Is but a licens'd theft that 'scapes the law.

‘Respecting him, my soul abjures th' offence;

535

‘And, as the crime, I dread the consequence.

‘Thee, far as Argos, pleas'd I could convey;

‘Guard of thy life, and partner of thy way:

‘On thee attend, thy safety to maintain,

‘O'er pathless forests, or the roaring main.’

540

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.405 focus

Then Priam to him said again: Since you

Achilles' servant are, is Hector yet

At th' Argive ships, I pray you tell me true,

375

Or cut in joints, thrown to the dogs to cut ?

And Hermes unto this again replies:

Nor dogs nor fowl upon him yet have fed,

But at the ships he still neglected lies,

And though he have twelve days now there been dead,

380

Yet is his body uncorrupt, and free

From worms that breed in other bodies slain,

And though it ev'ry morning dragged be

About Patroclus' tomb, doth whole remain,

And undefac'd, the blood all wash'd away.

385

You would admire to see him look so fresh,

And cleansed of the filth that on him lay,

And at his wounds how closed is the flesh,

Though many from the Greeks receiv'd he had;

So kind the Gods were after he was dead.

390

These words of Mercury made Priam glad,

And thus again he to him answered:

Yes, yes, 'tis good to give the Gods their due,

A thing that Hector never did omit;

And therefore to him they this favour shew,

395

Although his soul be in th' infernal pit.

But now t' Achilles' tent be you my guide,

And at my hand this handsome cup receive.

Again you try me, Mercury replied;

I dare not take't without Achilles' leave,

400

For of his anger in great fear I stand.

Without a bribe I'll with you go along

To what place you think fit, by sea or land,

Though 'twere to Argos; none shall do you wrong.

For sure, so wretchedly I do not look,

405

But that a man may of me stand in fear.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.405 focus

He answer'd: "If you serve the prince, let me be bold t' implore

This grace of thee, and tell me true: Lies Hector here at fleet,

Or have the dogs his flesh?" He said: "Nor dogs nor fowl have yet

Touch'd at his person; still he lies at fleet, and in the tent

Of our great Captain, who indeed is much too negligent

365

Of his fit usage. But, though now twelve days have spent their heat

On his cold body, neither worms with any taint have eat,

Nor putrefaction perish'd it; yet ever, when the Morn

Lifts her divine light from the sea, unmercifully borne

About Patroclus' sepulchre, it bears his friend's disdain,

370

Bound to his chariot; but no fits of further outrage reign

In his distemper. You would muse to see how deep a dew

Even steeps the body, all the blood wash'd off, no slend'rest show

Of gore or quitture, but his wounds all clos'd, though many were

Open'd about him. Such a love the blest Immortals bear,

375

Even dead, to thy dear son, because his life show'd love to them."

He joyful answer'd: "O my son, it is a grace supreme

In any man to serve the Gods. And I must needs say this,

For no cause, having season fit, my Hector's hands would miss

Advancement to the Gods with gifts, and therefore do not they

380

Miss his remembrance after death. Now let an old man pray

Thy graces to receive this cup, and keep it for my love,

Nor leave me till the Gods and thee have made my prayers approve

Achilles' pity, by thy guide brought to his princely tent."

Hermes replied: "You tempt me now, old king, to a consent

385

Far from me, though youth aptly errs. I secretly receive

Gifts that I cannot broadly vouch, take graces that will give

My lord dishonour, or what he knows not, or will esteem

Perhaps unfit? Such briberies perhaps at first may seem

Sweet and secure, but futurely they still prove sour, and breed

390

Both fear and danger. I could wish thy grave affairs did need

My guide to Argos, either shipp'd, or lackeying by thy side,

And would be studious in thy guard, so nothing could be tried

But care in me to keep thee safe, for that I could excuse,

And vouch to all men."

395

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.405 focus

Then godlike Priam answer thus return'd.

If of the band thou be of Peleus' son,

Achilles, tell me undisguised the truth.

My son, subsists he still, or hath thy Chief

515

Limb after limb given him to his dogs?

Him answer'd then the herald of the skies.

Oh venerable Sir! him neither dogs

Have eaten yet, nor fowls, but at the ships

His body, and within Achilles' tent

520

Neglected lies. Twelve days he so hath lain;

Yet neither worm which diets on the brave

In battle fallen, hath eaten him, or taint

Invaded. He around Patroclus' tomb

Drags him indeed pitiless, oft as day

525

Reddens the East, yet safe from blemish still

His corse remains. Thou would'st, thyself, admire,

Seeing how fresh the dew-drops, as he lies,

Rest on him, and his blood is cleansed away

That not a stain is left. Even his wounds

530

(For many a wound they gave him) all are closed,

Such care the blessed Gods have of thy son,

Dead as he is, whom living much they loved.

So he; then, glad, the ancient King replied.

Good is it, oh my son! to yield the Gods

535

Their just demands. My boy, while yet he lived,

Lived not unmindful of the worship due

To the Olympian powers, who, therefore, him

Remember, even in the bands of death.

Come then—this beauteous cup take at my hand—

540

Be thou my guard, and, if the Gods permit,

My guide, till to Achilles' tent I come.

Whom answer'd then the messenger of heaven.

Sir! thou perceivest me young, and art disposed

To try my virtue; but it shall not fail.

545

Thou bidd'st me at thine hand a gift accept,

Whereof Achilles knows not; but I fear

Achilles, and on no account should dare

Defraud him, lest some evil find me next.

But Thee I would with pleasure hence conduct

550

Even to glorious Argos, over sea

Or over land, nor any, through contempt

Of such a guard, should dare to do thee wrong.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Gregory Nagy

The Iliad ends with the funeral of Hector, not of Achilles. And it is Hector, not Achilles, who is lamented at the end. But it is Achilles who makes it all happen, since he has transcended his rage and has shown mercy to an old father. The tears of Priam had made Achilles think of his own old father, of his own ancestors—and of Patroklos, who embodied the glories of the ancestors. Achilles was looking bad at the beginning of Iliad 23 and even at the beginning of Iliad 24, but he looks very good by the time Iliad 24 comes to a close.

draft js image error Mourners lament as Hector’s corpse is laid out in preparation for the funeral that closes Iliad Rhapsody 24. Copperplate etching (1795) by Tommaso Piroli, after a drawing (1793) by John Flaxman. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

source

The gods pity Hector and are on the verge of sending Hermes to hide the corpse of Hector, but this plan is vetoed by Hērā and Poseidon, in that order. They bear a grudge against Troy and Priam because of an atē ‘aberration’ of Paris=Alexandros. But the narrative concentrates only on Hērā, since the atē ‘aberration’ that the Master Narrator has in mind involves a direct insult to that goddess. On the story of that insult, see the comment on the verses that immediately follow.

source

Homer Iliad 24.405

Samuel Butler (Translator)

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