BOOK IX
After such guise the Troians kept
their watches; but the Achaians
1
Were haunted by almighty Rout,
comrade of numbing Terror,
And deep with grief unbearable
were all the bravest pierced.
As when two adverse-blowing winds
the fishful ocean worry,
If Boreas and Zephyrus,
which send their blasts from Thrake,
5
Rush of a sudden; instantly
do all the darkling surges
Rise into knolls, and on the beach
cast many a heap of seaweed;
So fitfully the heart was toss'd
within the Achaian bosom.
The son of Atreus, deep in soul,
with mighty anguish pierced,
Hither and thither pac'd, and bade
the clear-intoning heralds
10
By special call on every man
to summon to assembly,
But not by shoutings: he himself
among the foremost labour'd.
So in full gathering they sat
with grief; but Agamemnon
Up rose before them, tear-bestream'd,
as some dark source of waters,
Which down a stormcapt precipice
poureth a murky torrent.
15
So he with heavy groaning spake
his word among the Argives:
"Friends, heroes of the Danaï,
and ministers of Ares,
In dire annoy enchain'd me;
Saturnius hath mightily
Cruel, who formerly to me
with word and nod assented,
To storm wellfenced Ilium
and bear away the booty.
20
But now an evil artifice
hath plotted, and doth urge me
Argos to seek, ignoble; sith
I many lives have wasted.
So seemeth it the will to be
of Jupiter o'ermatching,
Who hath the lofty pinnacles
of many a city lower'd,
And yet will lower; for his sway
is mightiest to mortals.
25
But come! as I the word shall speak,
let all compliant follow :
Unto our native land belov'd
upon the galleys hie we;
For ample-streeted Ilium
no longer shall we capture."
Thus did he charge them: thereupon
they all were dumb in silence.
Dismay'd with sorrow, long were all
Achaia's children speechless;
30
Till Diomedes, good at need,
at length replied before them:
"Firstly with thee infatuate,
Atrides! will I combat,
As seemly is in council, Prince!
so take it not in anger.
Lately before the Danaï
thou didst my might disparage,
Saying, unapt for war was I,
——shorn of my father's valour:
35
With which the Argives, young and old
alike, are well acquainted.
Thee crooked-witted Saturn's child
with half a gift hath honour'd:
He with the sceptre gave to thee
preeminence of station,
But, what is mightiest of sway,
valour, to thee he gave not.
O elf-possessed! haply didst
so deem Achaia's children
40
Unwarlike and unvalorous
to be, as thou haranguest?
Now if for craven backward course
thy proper bosom panteth,
Hie thee away: the path is free:
beside the sea thy galleys
Stand many, which along with thee
came hither from Mycenæ.
But here, I ween, will stay the rest
of streaming-hair's Achaians,
45
Until we pillage Troy. Or if
their will be such, let them too
Unto their native land belov'd
take flight upon their galleys :
But I and Sthenelus alone
will fight, until we compass
An end of Ilium: for, troth!
with God's approval came we."
So spake he; and Achaia's sons
skirl loud in admiration
50
At the harangue which Diomedes
courser-taming utter'd.
Then Nestor too, the charioteer,
arose and spake among them:
"O son of Tydeus, thou in war
surpassingly art stalwart,
And thou among thy equal-born
in council art the wisest.
As many as Achaians are,
not one thy speech disdaineth,
55
Nor will gainsay it: yet the word
no end of deed hath pointed.
And young thou verily art still;
to me, of all my children
Mightest be latest-born: but yet,
right sagely thou haranguest
Unto the Argive princes; sith
discreetly hast thou spoken.
But come, let me, who make the boast
to be than thee far older,
60
Speak out and follow up the whole
of action: nor will any
Cast on my word dishonour; not
wide-ruling Agamemnon.
Hearthless and reckless of the right,
in brotherhood unbanded,
Is he, who loveth numbing feud
amid his proper people.
But verily to dusky night
now let us yield compliance,
65
And furnish out our suppers; next,
to watch outside the rampart
Along the moat, let sentinels
be severally chosen.
Unto the younger men such charge
address I; but thereafter,
Tholfself, Atrides! take the lead,
as kingliest thy station.
To banquet call the elder men,
which truly thee beseemeth:
70
'Tis not unseemly; for thy tents
of wine are full, which daily
Is carried o'er the billows broad
by Argive ships from Thrake.
All cheer hast thou to welcome guests,
who over many rulest.
So, when on summons many meet,
his counsel shalt thou follow,
Who best adviseth thee; and troth,
great need have all the Achaians
75
Of counsel provident and sage:
for foemen near the galleys
Burn many fires of war. To whom
may such events be joyful?
This night will either whelm in woe
the army, or will save it."
He spake; and they full readily
did listen and obey him.
Then fullarm'd sentinels rush'd out,
who follow'd Thrasymedes
80
The people's shepherd, Nestor's son,
and the two sons of Ares,
Ascalaphus, Ialmenus;
and Merion beside them,
And Aphareus and Deipyrus
and godlike Lycomedes.
These seven o'er the sentinels
were leaders; and around them
85
To each one pac'd a hundred youths,
outreaching lengthy lances.
Inside the moat, without the wall,
they went and took their stations;
In that mid space their fires they made,
and each arrang'd his supper.
But Atreus' son into his tent
the Achaian elder chieftains
Conducted, and before them plac'd
a spirit-soothing banquet.
90
On the good cheer before them laid
the ready hand they darted.
But when desire importunate
of drink and food were ended,
Foremost of all the aged man
would weave for them devices,
Nestor, whose counsel heretofore
had eke appear'd the wisest;
Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd,
and spake his word among them :
95
"O Agamemnon, prince of men,
most glorious Atrides!
With thee my speech will end, from thee
beginneth; sith thou reignest
A prince to many peoples; ay!
to thee hath Jove vouchsafed
Sceptre and ordinance, wherewith
awards to them thou makest.
Thee then behoveth it in chief
to utter words and listen,
100
And eke to ratify, whate'er
another's heart may urge him
Wisely to speak: but every deed,
begun, on thee will fasten.
And I my counsel will avow,
as best to me it seemeth:
For, other better thoughts than these,
which I within me ponder
Alike both now and heretofore,
no man will lightly fashion :
105
As judge I, from the day whereon
in anger with Achilles
Thou from his tent, O Jove-deriv'd!
didst tear the maid Briseïs,
Not surely with applause from us;
for I in truth dissuaded
In ample words and strong : but thou,
to thy highminded passion
Yielding, against a lofty chief
whom e'en the immortals honour'd,
110
Dishonour wroughtest: for his prize
despoil'd hast thou, and holdest.
But let us even now take thought,
if haply by persuasion
Of gentle words and pleasant gifts
we yet may soothe and win him."
Him Agamemnon, prince of men,
address'd with words responsive :
"O aged friend, not falsely thou
my follies hast recounted.
115
My frenesy, myself confess.
In place of many peoples
That man may count, whom Jupiter
in heart doth dearly cherish;
As, him to honour, now hath he
beat down the Achaian people.
But though infatuate I was,
by mournful impulse carried,
Again to win him, fain were I,
and pay him countless ransom;
120
And splendid gifts will I rehearse
before your common presence.——
Of gold ten talents duly weigh'd,
and twenty burnish'd cauldrons,
And seven tripods new to fire,
and twelve prize-bearing racers.
125
Not poor in precious gold were one,
nor bootyless, possessing
What these tight, single-hoofed steeds
have won for me as prizes.
And seven women will I give,
with blameless work acquainted,
Born Lesbians, whom when myself
wellbuilded Lesbos captur'd,
I did pick out; whose beauty far
surpassed the tribes of women.
130
These will I give, and with them her,
of whom I then depriv'd him,
Daughter of Briseus: and besides,
a mighty oath I proffer,
That never did I touch her bed
with tenderness and passion,
As is esteem'd the ordinance
to man and woman sacred.
So much shall all presented be
at once; but if hereafter
135
Our host by heaven's favour rieve
the mighty town of Priam,
Then let him lade a galley
with gold and brass abundantly
From all the Achaian booty, ere
we make awards to any.
And let him take the choice himself
of twenty Troian women,
Who after Argive Helen seem
preeminent of beauty.
140
But if we reach Achaian Argos,
udder-soil,——I offer
Wedlock to him and royal state,
as equal to Orestes,
Who in abundant daintiness
is rear'd, my tender offspring.
Within my palace tightly built
three maiden daughters have I,
Chrysothemis, Laodike,
and last, Iphianassa.
145
Of these, whoso is dear to him,
let him without redemption
Lead her to Peleus' house; but I
will add a honey'd portion,
Such dower-gifts, as never yet
gave any with his daughter.
Of thickly-peopled fortress-towns
with seven will I grace him,
Kardamyle and Enope
and Pheræ, heav'nly country,
150
Ire, the land of grassy hills,
Antheia deep of meadow,
The vineclad slopes of Pedasus,
and beautiful Aipeia.
All these at distance short behold
the sea of sandy Pylos,
And yeomen stout within them dwell,
in rams and oxen wealthy,
Who him with tributary gifts,
like to a god, shall honour,
155
And ordinances fat and fair
shall pay beneath his sceptre.
Such things will I make good to him,
when he from anger changeth.
Then yield he should. Troth, Aïdes
is ruthless and unyielding,
But therefore eke of all the gods
most hateful he to mortals.
Let this man homage pay to me,
for-that I am more kingly,
160
And forasmuch as I by birth
may boast to be the elder."
Hereat to him the charioteer,
Gerenian Nestor, answer'd:
"O Agamemnon, prince of men,
most glorious Atrides!
Gifts unrebukable dost now
to prince Achilles offer.
But come! a special embassy
select we, and exhort them,
165
That speedily they seek the tent
of Achileus Pelides :
Or else, myself will name the men;
and let them yield approval.
Let Phœnix, dear to Jupiter,
be in this errand foremost;
With him let mighty Ajax go,
and last, divine Ulysses,
And in their train, Eurybates
and Hodius, as heralds.
170
But now, bring water for the hands;
proclaim well-omen'd silence,
That we to Saturn's child may pray,
if haply he will pity."
When thus he spake, to all of them
a pleasing word he utter'd:
And first upon the princes' hands
the heralds sprinkled water.
Thereat the youths to many a bowl
crown'd the high-mantling garland,
175
And after fit initial cups
mov'd round to all in order.
So when libations they had made,
they drank as pleasure prompted,
And from the tent of Atreus' son
the ambassy proceeded.
But many a charge the charioteer,
Gerenian Nestor, gave them,
With wink and gesture unto each,
but chiefly to Ulysses,
180
That with all effort they appease
the spotless son of Peleus.
Then went the twain along the strand
of the muchbrawling water,
And many a prayer to the god
Land-shaking Earth-encircling
Made they, to win Æacides
and soothe his haughty spirit:
So pac'd they to the Myrmidons,
and reach'd their tents and galleys.
185
Him with the tender harp they found
his moody soul beguiling.
Fair was the harp, with silver bar,
fine-wrought; which, when he ravag'd
The city of Eëtion,
he from the spoil selected:
With this he did his heart amuse,
singing the praise of heroes.
Alone in presence of the chief
Patroclus sat in silence,
190
Waiting until Æacides
might have his fill of singing.
Then forward stept the twain, and first
advanc'd divine Ulysses,
And stood before him. Starting up
in quick surprize Achilles
Quitted the seat whereon he sat,
and, harp in hand, receiv'd them.
So likewise stood Patroclus up,
soon as he saw them coming.
195
Thereat Achilles, fleet of foot,
the twain with welcome greeted:
"Hail! friendly pair! great need, I ween,
hath hither brought the heroes,
Who unto me, though sore displeas'd,
are dearest of the Achaians."
Chidvine Achilles, speaking thus,
the men conducted onward,
And upon chairs repos'd their limbs,
their feet on purple carpets,
200
And to Patroclus, standing by,
forthwith a word he utter'd:
"Son of Menœtius, I pray,
a greater bowl bring hither,
And stronger mix the wine, and quick
a cup for each man furnish.
For now within my chamber sit
men who to me are dearest."
So did he charge: Patroclus then
obey'd his dear companion.
205
Before the blazing fire he plac'd
a spacious tray, well laden
With chine of sheep, fat chine of goat,
and chine of oily porker.
Automedon the pieces held,
divine Achilles slic'd them,
The rest he slash'd in smaller bits
and spitted every morsel:
210
Meanwhile Patroclus, godlike man,
the fire to fury kindled.
But when its noisome force was spent,
and all the flame was faded,
He spread the glowing embers out,
and stretch'd the spits above them,
Uplifted on their own supports:
then sacred salt he sprinkled.
When all was roasted well and dish'd,
Petroclus serv'd the table
215
With bread from baskets fair: the meat,
Achilles' hand apportion'd.
Himself a seat did occupy
anent divine Ulysses
Close to the chamber's adverse side;
and bade his dear Patroclus
Honour the gods: compliant he
cast in the flames a firstfruit.
220
On the good cheer before them laid
the ready hand they darted.
But when desire importunate
of drink and food were ended,
Ajax to Phenix nodded. This,
divine Ulysses notic'd,
And, with his goblet fill'd anew,
spake greeting to Achilles :
"All hail, Achilles! lack is none
of wellproportioned banquet,
225
Nor otherwhile within the tent
of royal Agamemnon,
Nor now with thee; but here are laid
heartsoothing viands many,
For banquet. Yet no care have we
of banquet's sweet engagement;
But, O Jove-nurtur'd! deadly woe
doth verily confront us
And strike with terror. Doubt there is
of rescue or destruction
230
For all our galleys tightlyplank'd,
unless thou don thy valour.
For nigh unto our wall and ships
the loftyhearted Troians
With Dardans and far-call'd allies,
their nightly beds have planted;
And many watchfires kindle they
along their host, and reckon
No more to be withheld, but rush
and gain the dusky galleys.
235
To them doth Jove Saturnius,
tokens of favour showing,
Lighten: and Hector, vaunting high,
with grim delight of prowess,
Is marvellous in frenesy,
possest by raving fury,
Reckless alike of men and gods;
on Jupiter reliant.
Now prayeth he that Dawn-divine
may quickly beam from heaven.
240
For 'tis his vow to chop away
our
prows'
poops'
extreme adornments,
And in the scorching flame to wrap
the galleys; and to ravage,
All scar'd and blinded by the smoke,
the Achaian crowd beside them.
Now grimly in my soul I dread,
lest that the gods accomplish
These threats of his, and Fate for us
may haply have appointed
245
To perish here in Troy, afar
from courserfeeding Argos.
But up! O prince! if still, tho' late,
thy heart is bent to rescue
Achaia's children, sore opprest
beneath the Troian riot.
Tholfself wilt afterward have grief,
and when the ill prevaileth,
No remedy may then be found:
but earlier bethink thee
250
How from the Argives mayest thou
ward off the day of evil.
O gentle heart! thee verily
thy father Peleus warned,
Upon the day, when he from Phthia
sent thee to Atrides :-
'Prowess and strength, my child! on thee,
if Juno and Athene
So choose, will they bestow; but thou,
thy loftyminded passion
255
Within thy bosom strongly check;
for friendliness is better.
From mischief-plotting rivalries
desist; and so the Argives,
Aged and young alike, the more
shall visit thee with honour.'
1
2
3
4
Such charges did the aged man
enjoin; but thou forgettest.
Still, even now, thy rancour stay:
be sooth'd; and Agamemnon
260
Right worthy presents offereth,
if thou from anger turn thee.
Then come, do thou give ear to me,
while I rehearse in order
What gifts of friendship from his tents
king Agamemnon sendeth.
Of gold ten talents duly weigh'd,
and twenty burnish'd cauldrons,
And seven tripods new to fire,
and twelve prize-bearing racers.
265
Not poor in precious gold were one,
nor bootyless, possessing
What those tight steeds of Atreus' son
have won for me as prizes.
And seven women will he give,
with blameless work acquainted,
270
Born Lesbians, whom, when himself
wellbuilded Lesbos captur'd,
He did pick out, whose beauty far
surpass'd the tribes of women.
These will he give; and with them her,
of whom he then depriv'd thee,
Daughter of Briseus: and beside,
a mighty oath he proffers,
That never did he touch her bed
with tenderness and passion,
275
As is the ordinance, O prince!
to man and woman sacred.
So much shall all presented be
at once: but if hereafter
Our host by heaven's favour rieve
the mighty town of Priam,
Then let him lade a galley
with gold and brass abundantly
From all the Achaian booty, ere
we make awards to any.
280
And do thou take the choice thyself
of twenty Troian women,
Who after Argive Helen seem
preeminent of beauty.
But if we reach Achaian Argos,
udder-soil,——he offers
Wedlock to thee and royal state,
as equal to Orestes,
Who in abundant daintiness
is rear'd, his tender offspring.
285
Within the palace tightly built
three maiden daughters hath he,
Chrysothemis, Laodike,
and last, Iphianassa.
Of these, whoso is dear to thee,
do thou without redemption
Lead her to Peleus' house: but he
will add a honey'd portion,
Such dower-gifts, as never yet
gave any with his daughter.
290
Of thickly-peopled fortress-towns
with seven will he grace thee,
Kardamyle and Enope
and Pheræ, heav'nly country,
Ire, the land of grassy hills,
Antheia, deep of meadow,
The vineclad slopes of Pedasus,
and beautiful Aipeia.
All these at distance short behold
the sea of sandy Pylos,
295
And yeomen stout within them dwell,
in rams and oxen wealthy,
Who thee with tributary gifts,
like to a god, shall honour,
And ordinances fat and fair
shall pay beneath thy sceptre.
Such things will he make good to thee,
when thou from anger changest.
But if from bottom of thy heart
thou hatest Agamemnon,
300
Him and his gifts, yet pity thou
the host of Panachaia,
Us, who are perishing; who thee,
e'en as a god, will honour.
Truly thou wouldest in our heart
surpassing glory conquer.
Now, Hector mightest thou o'erhend;
sith, fill'd with deadly raving,
Full near would he to thee advance;
for, none his peer he deemeth
305
Of Danaï, who hither came
on even-balanc'd galleys."
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd in words responsive:
"Oh Jove-deriv'd, Laertes' son,
Ulysses much-contriving,
The word which in my heart I hold
and shall be fact accomplish'd,
This with unflinching hardihood
it liketh me to utter,
310
To stay you, each on other hand,
from whimpering beside me.
For like the gates of Aïdes
that man to me is hateful,
Who one thing hideth in his mind
and uttereth another.
But I my argument will speak,
as best to me it seemeth.
Neither (as I opine), himself
Atrides Agamemnon,
315
Nor other chief of Danaï,
will me persuade; for thankless
The toil is found, unceasingly
to fight with foemen alway.
Like portion hath the stay-at-home,
as though he bravely battled,
And equal honour is assign'd
to cowards and to heroes.
Dieth alike the lazy man,
and he who much hath labour'd,
320
Nor aught of vantage do I win
that hardiment I suffer,
And alway jeopardize my life
in perilous encounter.
But as the parent bird doth bear
unto her unfledg'd nestlings
Morsels of meat, whate'er she seize,
and her own welfare slighteth,
So likewise many a sleepless night
and bloody day of combat,
325
Your consorts to regain, have I
in war of men accomplish'd.
On foot, eleven towns (I say)
I riev'd in loamy Troas,
Aud with my galleys pillag'd twelve
of city-dwelling peoples;
From all of which I duteous
pick noble treasures many
330
To grace Atrides, who behind
at galley-side abiding
Receiv'd my booty: much he kept,
and few awards assigned.
Howbeit, when some gifts he did
to kings and chiefs distribute,
Their rights inviolate abide;
but me of all the Achaians
335
Alone he outrag'd, ravishing
the wife who pleas'd my humour.
Let him her dalliance enjoy;
but now, what mean the Argives
By warfare on the Troians? why
did Agamemnon hither
This host assemble? was it not
in sake of brighthair'd Helen?
Of all the voice-dividing race
do none but sons of Atreus
340
Cherish their wives? nay, whosoe'er
is virtuous and thoughtful,
Her who is his, doth fondly tend;
as I from inmost bosom
Lov'd her, though purchas'd by my spear.
Sith force and fraud have seiz'd her,
The spoiler cannot win my will :
no farther let him tempt me;
345
But rather, with his other kings,
and with thyself, Ulysses!
Ponder, the foeman's fire to ward
from your sea-coursing galleys.
For troth, without my aid hath he
full many works accomplish'd;
Hath built a rampart, and in front
subdu'd a moat beside it,
Vast, broad and deep, with pointed stakes
all featly palisaded.
350
Nor can he, even so, repel
the hero-slaying fury
Of Troian Hector: yet while I
beside the Achaians battled,
Hector was rare beyond the wall
with sport of martial sally,
But only to the Skæan gates
and near the beechtree ventur'd :
There once to meet me waited he,
and barely scap'd my onset.
355
But now, sith I no pleasure take
to fight with godlike Hector,
To Jupiter and all the gods
to-morrow will I offer
Due sacrifice, and freight my ships:
then, when to sea I launch them,
Shall
Shalt thou behold, if so thy will,
or if such things concern thee,——
Along the fishful Hellespont
at early morn my galleys
360
Sailing away, and bearing off
their bands of eager rowers.
But if fair voyage greet us from
the glorious land-shaker,
On the third day may I attain
the shores of loamy Phthia,
Where much estate abandon'd I,
hither for sorrow wending.
Now shall I all my other gear,
of gold or ruddy copper
365
Or hoary iron, hence convey,
and dappergirdled women,
And all the chattel won by me:
only, my prize of beauty,
The man who gave it, Atreus' son,
wide-ruling Agamemnon,
Outrageously hath taken back.
To him report my answer
All open, as I speak it: so
shall anger seize the Achaians,
370
If against other Danaï
new frauds he plot hereafter,
Alway array'd in shamelessness.
Yet, though a dog in forehead,
Eye unto eye, my gaze to meet,
I deem, he would not venture.
No deed nor counsel will I join
with him, who me defrauded
So guiltily; so not again
by words shall he delude me.
375
Away with him in peace; for Jove
the Counsellor hath craz'd him.
To me his gifts are foemanlike,
and as a straw I count him.
If tenfold or elevenfold
of all his present substance
He offer'd me, and more beside,
so much as are the treasures
380
Which come unto Orchomenus,
or to Ægyptian Thebe,
That hundredgated city, where
in every gate are counted
Two hundred men, who each go in
with chariot and horses;
Where in the merchant-chambers lie
stores of surpassing richness;
Or if so many were his gifts,
as sand and dust in number;
385
Not even so might Atreus' son
my stubborn purpose vanquish,
Before he thoroughly repay
his spirit-racking outrage.
Nor of Atrides Agamemnon
wed will I the daughter;
Not if in beauty she compete
with golden Aphrodite,
Or tho' her hands' accomplishment
vie with greyey'd Athene,
390
Still I accept her not: for her,
let him from all the Achaians
Another choose, more suitable,
and one than me more royal.
For if the gods have care of me
and home I reach in safety,
Peleus (I wis) himself for me
a seemly mate will furnish.
On Hellas and on Phthia dwell
Achaian damsels many,
395
Daughters of chieftains, who maintain
each man his proper fortress :
From these (I reckon), whom I please,
might I select as consort.
Much verily and oftentime
my noble soul hath urg'd me,
With a betroth'd and wedded wife,
a well-beseeming partner,
There to delight me in the wealth
by aged Peleus gather'd.
400
For, recompence for life to me
is none, in all the chattel,
Which Ilium, they say, possess'd,
that thicklypeopled fortress,
In former days, while peace was yet,
ere came Achaia's children;
Nor in the treasures prisoned
beneath the marble pavement
Of bright Apollo, archer-prince,
within his rocky Pytho.
405
For, troth! by foray and by raid
ye get stout sheep and oxen,
And tripods eke by purchase come,
and auburn crests of horses:
5
6
7
8
9
But life to summon back again,
when once it pass the outwork
Of a man's teeth, no purchase then
nor martial raid hath power.
For, Thetis of the silver foot,
my goddess mother, often
410
Warneth me, that by double fates
I unto death am carried.
If, here abiding, round the walls
of Ilium I combat,
No backward voyage waiteth me,
but deathless is my glory;
But if I homeward sail, and reach
my native land beloved,
No noble glory waiteth me,
but days of life extended
415
Shall long endure, nor quickly
shall the end of death o'ertake me.
Yea, and to all the rest of you
I do this counsel tender,
Homeward your galley-prows to turn;
sith never will ye compass
The end of lofty Ilium:
for Jupiter wide-sighted
Holdeth his own hand over her,
and hearteneth her people.
420
But ye, at your return, address
the chieftains of Achaia,
And speak your message out: for that
the duty is of elders.
Bid them within their heart to frame
some other counsel better,
Which may the Achaian people save
and smoothly hollow galleys:
Sith this which they devis'd is vain,
while I abide relentless.
425
But in our tents let Phoenix stay
and pass the night: to-morrow,
If such his pleasure, he with us
to his dear native country
Shall voyage; but against his will,
surely I will not take him."
Thus did he answer: thereupon
they all were dumb in silence,
430
Aghast at that high utterance:
so sturdily he spake it.
After long pause, at length replied
old charioteering Phoenix
With gushing tear; for mightily
fear for the galleys mov'd him.
"Gallant Achilles! if return
be now in truth thy purpose,
Nor willest deadly fire to ward
from the sharp-pointed galleys
435
At all, since rage possesseth thee;
how then could I be parted
From thee, dear child? but me to thee
old charioteering Peleus
Gave on the day, where he from Phthia
sent thee to Atrides.
A child wast thou, to council new,
where men achieve distinction,
440
And rude in war all-levelling :
therefore with thee he sent me,
As one who words for thee might speak,
and guide to deeds thy effort.
So would not I from thee, dear child!
be parted; not, did Heaven
Promise, old age from me to strip,
and give me youthful vigour,
445
Such as of yore; what time I fled
from Hellas fair with women,
To shun the quarrel of my sire
Ormenides Amyntor,
Who, for his consort's brighthair'd maid
was fill'd with rage against me;
A maid, for whose endearments he
his proper spouse dishonour'd,
450
My mother. She my knees embrac'd
and oft with tears implor'd me
The damsel to preoccupy
and balk my aged rival.
I heard, and wrought my mother's will.
But he forthwith suspecting,
Utter'd against me many a curse,
and pray'd the awful Furies,
That never upon knees of his
might sit a darling offspring
455
From me begotten: troth! his word
the mighty gods 'accomplished,
Both nether-swaying Jupiter
and terrible Prosérpine.
Awhile I plotted in my heart
with the sharp brass to slay him;
But some immortal stay'd my wrath,
and counsell'd me to ponder
The many luckless jibes of men
and rumours of the people,
460
If haply i a parricide
were called among the Achaians.
While bearing thus my father's wrath,
the heart within my bosom
No longer might endure to dwell
pent up within his chambers.
Then verily from every side
my kinsmen and my cousins
Encircling me, with many a pray'r
detain'd me in the palace.
465
Many stout sheep and clumsy-footed
crumple-horned oxen
Were slaughter'd for them; many hogs
luxuriant in fatness,
Huge scorching carcases, were stretch'd
across the flame of Vulcan;
And from that aged prince's jars
strong wine was teem'd in plenty.
Nine nights they slept around me: guard
in turns they kept: nor ever
470
The fire went out, within the porch
of the well-girded cloister
Nor eke before my bower-doors
amid the entrance-chambers.
But when the tenth night came on me
enwrapt in gloomy darkness,
My bower's closely-fitted doors
I broke, and leaping lightly
475
Over the court-wall, pass'd my guards,
——men, and domestic women.
Then I thro' Hellas' wide domain
escap'd, and came to Phthia,
Parent of sheep and deep of loam,
unto the princely Peleus,
Who greeted me with forward love,
e'en as a wealthy father
480
Lov'd his child, his tenderling,
his only heir begotten.
He made me rich, and gave to me
a train of many people;
So among Dolopes I ruled,
and dwelt in farthest Phthia,
And lov'd thee from my inmost heart,
and to this godlike stature
485
Rear'd thee, divine Achilles! for with
other man thou wouldest
Neither unto a banquet go,
nor feed within the palace,
Ere on my knees I seated thee,
and gave thee tastes of dainties,
And held to thee the winecup: oft
in infantine annoyance
490
Didst thou the winedraught gurgle
out, and wet my bosom's vesture.
So then for thee I verily
much suffer'd and much labour'd,
Forecasting, that for me the gods
no proper offspring destin'd;
But thee, divine Achilles! I
as my own child adopted,
If-that thou mightest ward from me
unseemly force hereafter.
495
Oh Achileus! thy mighty soul
subdue! nor is it rightful
For thee a ruthless heart to hold:
the very gods are yielding,
The gods, who are preeminent
in virtue, force and honour.
E'en they by penitence of men
are from their purpose turned
With sacrifice and pleasing vow
and incense and libation,
500
When mortal man hath trespassed
and made himself a sinner.
For, Penitences damsels are
by mighty Jove begotten,
Knee-stumbling, haggard in the cheek,
with eyes askance and downcast,
Who in the track of Frenesy
with sad remorse do follow.
But Frenesy is vigorous
and sound of limb; for alway
505
She plungeth far ahead of them,
and earlier for mischief
Man's heart doth occupy; and they
but heal the wounds behind her.
Now whoso kindly pitieth
Jove's daughters near approaching,
Him greatly do they benefit
and to his prayer hearken;
But whoso to their word is deaf,
and e'en refuseth harshly,
510
They unto Jove Saturnius
go, and implore in guerdon,
That Frenesy on him may come
and craze him for disaster.
But Achileus! do also thou
unto the heav'nly damsels
Pay deference, and bend thy soul,
as others soothly noble.
Did not Atrides gifts present,
and more in future promise,
515
But alway nakedly persist
in bitterness of outrage;
No prayer I to thee would make
to cast away thy anger
And to the Argives succour bring,
entirely tho' they need thee.
But now, at once forthwith doth he
give much, and more behighteth
To give hereafter, and hath sent
forth from the Achaian army
520
Chieftains select, as ambassy;
who to thyself are dearest
Of all the Argives: whose address
and coming, make not empty.
Before such meed of honour came,
none might thy anger censure.
So have we heard from former days
the tales of mighty heroes,
When haply some of them were mov'd
by vehemence of choler,
525
Yet noble gifts acceptance found
and gentle words appeas'd them.
Now I myself an ancient deed
remember: 'tis not recent;
But as it was, so will I tell
to you, my friends assembled.
Around the city Calydon
two war-abiding peoples,
Curetes and Ætolians,
did each the other slaughter.
530
To guard the lovely Calydon
the Ætolians were fighting,
But the Curetes eager were
with foeman's rage to waste it.
For golden-throned Artemis
this mischief rous'd betwixt them,
Wrathful, that in the orchard's lap
to her no festive honours
Had Oeneus held: and other gods
on hecatombs were feasted,
535
But to the maid of mighty Jove
alone no honours paid he.
Forgetful he or thoughtless was;
but ruinous the folly.
For she, the arrow-scatterer,
issue divine, enraged,
Sent-in a savage white-tusk'd boar
to wallow in the herbage,
Who visited with dire annoy
the orchard-grounds of Oeneus.
540
Then many a tall and fruitful tree,
with stem and branch and flower,
Out of the soil uprooted he:
but auburn Meleager,
The son of Oeneus, slaughter'd him;
from many towns collecting
Huntsmen and hounds; for such a foe
no scanty force might master,
545
So huge was he: and many men
on the sad pile he mounted.
But she around his carcase rais'd
much shouting and embroilment
For the boar's head and shaggy hide,
betwixt the keen Curetes
And loftysoul'd Aetolians.
Now while that Meleager,
550
Belov'd of Ares, fought; so long
'twas ill with the Curetes,
Nor might they, many tho' they were,
abide without their rampart,
Until in Meleager's soul
his mother dear, Althæa,
Kindled a fury, such as eke
in prudent hearts hath power.
555
Then lay he by his wedded wife,
the beauteous Cleopatra,
The daughter of Euenus' child,
Marpessa taper-ankled,
Consort of Idas, who was once
of men on earth the stoutest,
Then living; yea, and hardily
against the prince Apollo,
To save his taper-ankled bride,
his archer-weapons handled.
560
(Her thereupon within their halls
her sire and queenly mother
Alcyone by surname call'd;
because, for ever mournful,
She, like the widow'd Alcyon
in tearful fate entangled,
Went wailing, when the bright Apollo
snatch'd away her bridegroom.)
So Meleager by his spouse
lay indolent, digesting
565
The rancour which his mother's words
had stirr'd; who, stung with anguish,
For-that her brother he had slain,
spake many a curse to heaven;
And oft the many-feeding earth
she thrash'd with hand of passion,
Seated on knee of suppliant,
(and tears bedew'd her bosom,)
And call'd aloud on Aïdes
and terrible Prosérpine,
570
Death to her child to give: and her
from Erebus the Fury,
Who in mid darkness stalketh, heard,
implacable of spirit.
Meanwhile from them, around the gates,
as they assail'd the towers,
Rose clang and hubbub; and to him,
with humble supplication,
The chiefest of the priests arriv'd,
sent by the Aetolian elders,
575
To pray, he would in rescue come,
and promis'd mighty guerdon.
Where'er of lovely Calydon
the plain was richest deemed,
There willed they to bid him choose
a portion chief in beauty,
Of fifty acres; half of it
in slopes with vineyards studded,
The other half, flat open field
well portioned for ploughing.
580
And Oeneus, aged charioteer,
upon the threshold stepping
Of the high-roofed bower, came
and shook the joined panels,
Seeking to clasp his knees: but he
not e'en his sire admitted.
Yea, tho' to him his sisters too
and queenly mother often
Made prayer, still he more and more
refus'd: and much his comrades
585
Entreated, who of all to him
were canniest and dearest:
Nor even so persuaded they
the heart within his bosom,
Till on the chamber batterings
came thick, and on the towers
Mounted the foe, and scatter'd fire
over the mighty city.
So then at last with tears and wail
his dapper-girdled consort
590
Did Meleager supplicate,
and all the woes recounted
Of captur'd towns:- 'the men are kill'd,
and fire the city wasteth
While others lead the children off,
and broadly-girded women.'-
Then was the breast within him stirr'd,
to hear such deeds of evil;
595
He hied to go, and o'er his skin
he donn'd his shining armour.
10
11
So he from the Ætolians
the day of mischief warded,
Withdrawing from his anger: yet
to him no more fulfill'd they
The many pleasant gifts, but he
thankless achiev'd his labour.
But thou, of such a mind beware;
and let no prompting Spirit
600
Turn thee to this, O child belov'd!
far sorer were the combat
To rescue galleys flaming: but,
while presents still are tender'd,
Come for thy meed: then like a god
the Achaians thee will honour.
But if to hero-wasting war
uncall'd and late thou hurry,
Then, tho' thou rescue them, far less
will be thy praise and guerdon."
605
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd with words responsive :
"Jove-nurtur'd Phœnix, aged friend!
to me such praise and guerdon
Is needless. Jove's arbitrement,
I trust, with seemly honour
Will greet me. This will hold me here,
beside the crested galleys,
While breath doth in my bosom dwell,
and while my knees support me.
610
This also will I say ;-and thou,
within thy mind revolve it :
Do not with wailing and with grief,
to gratify the hero
Atrides, melt my tender heart;
nor rightful do I count it
For thee to love him; lest by me,
who love thee, thou be hated.
Proper for thee it is, with me
to vex, whoso me vexeth.
615
Live as my peer in royalty,
endow'd with half my honour.-
Now these shall bear the message back,
and thou behind abiding
In a soft couch shalt rest; but we,
when early Dawn ariseth,
Will ponder, whether to remain,
or homeward to betake us."
This said, unto Patroclus he
with silent eyebrow nodded,
620
A bed for Phenix, soft and dense,
to strew, that with the morning
They from the tent might quickly plan
the homeward course. Then Ajax,
The Telamonian, match for gods,
thus spake his word among them :
"O Jove-deriv'd! Laertes' son!
Ulysses much-contriving!
Go we: for not by this approach
the purport of our errand
625
Shall (as I deem) fulfilment find:
but back we now must carry
12
This word unto the Danaï,
albeit no wise pleasant,
Who now, I ween, wait in their seats
expectant. But Achilles
A savage haughty-hearted soul
within his bosom keepeth,
Cruel: nor is abash'd before
the kindliness of comrades,
630
Wherewith, beside the galleys, him
preeminent we honour;
O ruthless! Yea, but every man
taketh a slayer's ransom,
For son or brother kill'd; and he
who slew, with great amercement,
Among his people doth abide;
the other, sooth'd by presents,
635
Curbeth his lofty moodiness.
Now for a single damsel
In thee the gods unceasing wrath
have set: and lo! we offer
Seven preeminent, and much beside.
But thou, appease thy spirit;
Revere thy own abode; for here
beneath thy roof we meet thee
640
From the full throng of Danaï;
and we, of all the Achaians,
Would alway fain abide to thee
the tenderest and dearest."
But him Achilles, swift of foot,
address'd in words responsive :
"Oh Joveborn governour of peoples,
Telamonian Ajax!
All that thou sayest seemest thou
after my mind to utter.
645
But anger swelleth in my heart,
when I his deeds remember;
How mid the host he outrag'd me
as some degraded outcast.
But ye unto your king return
and speak to him my message.
So soon as godlike Hector, son
of skilful-hearted Priam,
650
Reacheth the tents of Myrmidons,
and smouldereth the galleys,
Slaying the Argives; -only then
will I give heed to battle.
But, whatsoe'er his eagerness,
beside my dusky galley
And round my tent, I deem that he
will make a pause of combat."
655
He spake: then one by one they grasp'd
a goblet doubly hollow
And made libation; backward then
beside the galleys hied they.
Ulysses led in front: meanwhile
Patroclus bade his comrades
And handmaids quickly to array
a dainty bed for Phenix:
And they obedient array'd
a bed, as he commanded,
660
With matted rug and coverlet
and flimsy down of linen.
There did the aged man repose,
awaiting heav'nly Morning.
Achilles, he in a recess
of the well-clos'd pavilion
Slumber'd; and by his side was laid
a dame, whom he from Lesbos
Brought, Diomede dainty-cheek'd,
the daughter erst of Phorbas.
665
Patroclus on the other side
reclin'd, and eke beside him
Lay Iphis dapper-girdled, whom
on him divine Achilles
Bestow'd, when Scyrus' isle he took,
steep fortress of Enyeus.
But them, when to Atrides' tents
again their feet had borne them,
Achaia's children, one by one,
to each with golden goblets,
670
Uprising, salutation made,
and spake a word of question.
But Agamemnon, prince of men,
was foremost with inquiry:
"Come say, Ulysses, rich of lore,
great glory of the Achaians,
Willeth he from the foeman's fire
to screen the Argive galleys,
Or hath refus'd, and anger still
his mighty heart possesseth?"
675
To him replied the godlike man,
Ulysses much-enduring:
"O Agamemnon, prince of men,
most glorious Atrides !
In sooth he willeth not his rage
to quench, but more than ever
Is swollen with disdain; and thee
and eke thy gifts rejecteth.
Upon thyself he layeth charge
to ponder with the Argives,
680
How mayest thou the galleys save
and people of Achaians.
But, for himself, so soon as e'er
the morrow dawn, he threatens
Into the briny flood to launch
his easy-steering galleys.
Yea, and to all the rest of us
this counsel doth he tender,
Homeward our galley-prows to turn;
sith never will ye compass
685
The end of lofty Ilium;
for Jupiter wide-sighted
Holdeth his own hand over her,
and hearteneth her people.
Such were his words; and others here,
who follow'd me, are witness, -
Both Ajax, and the heralds twain
discreet alike: but Phenix,
The old man, sleepeth there: for so
Achilles bade. To-morrow,
690
If such his pleasure, he with them
to their dear native country
Will voyage: but against his will
Achilles will not take him."
Thus did he answer: thereupon
they all were dumb in silence,
Aghast at that high utterance:
so sturdily he spake it.
Dismay'd with sorrow, long were all
Achaia's children speechless,
695
Till Diomedes, good at need,
at length replied before them:
"O Agamemnon, prince of men,
most glorious Atrides!
Would that thou haddest never sued
the spotless son of Peleus
With offer of unbounded gifts!
He of himself is haughty,
And now with haughtinesses new
much more hast thou inflam'd him.
700
But him we now may let alone,
whether he choose to voyage
Or here abide: in time will he
to war return, whenever
The spirit in his heart may bid,
and when the god shall rouse him.
But come; as I the word shall speak,
let all compliant follow:
Take ye this night your slumber, when
ye have your heart refreshed
705
With pleasant bread and wine; for this
to weary men is vigour.
But when the rosyfinger'd Morn
hath risen fair upon us,
Then quick and urgently let each
set men and steeds in order
Before the galleys, and himself
do battle mid the foremost."
Thus spake he: then the gather'd kings
in admiration murmur'd
710
At the harangue which Diomedes
coursertaming utter'd.
So, when libations they had made,
went each to his pavilion,
And laid their bodies to repose
and took the gift of slumber.
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The embassy to Achilles, featuring Phoenix and Odysseus in front of Achilles. Attic red-figure hydra, circa 480 BCE. Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.