BOOK I
Of Peleus' son, Achilles, sing,
oh goddess, the resentment
1
Accursed, which with countless pangs
Achaia's army wounded,
And forward flung to Aïdes
full many a gallant spirit
Of heroes, and their very selves
did toss to dogs that ravin,
And unto every fowl, (for so
would Jove's device be compass'd);
5
From that first day when feud arose
implacable, and parted
The son of Atreus, prince of men,
and Achileus the godlike.
Which of the gods entangled you
in wrathfulness of quarrel?
Jove and Latona's son it was,
who, with the king embitter'd,
Sent mid the army sore disease,
till troop on troop would perish:
10
Because-that Atreus' royal son
disdainfully rejected
Chryses, Apollo's worshipper,
who, to release his daughter,
Unto the sharp Achaian galleys
came with boundless ransom,
The ensign bearing in his hands
of arrowy Apollo
Upon his golden sceptre wreath'd,
and sued to all the Achaians,
15
And most of all, to Atreus' sons,
twin marshals of the people:—
"Children of Atreus! and the rest
of dapper-greav'd Achaians!
Oh! unto you may all the gods,
who hold Olympian dwellings,
Grant Priam's city for a spoil,
and happy voyage homeward :
But my dear child yield up to me,
and take my proffer'd ransom,
20
In homage to the son of Jove,
Apollo the far-darting."
Then all Achaia's other folk
murmur'd assent well-omen'd,
To pity and revere the priest
and take the brilliant ransom;
But Agamemnon, Atreus' son,
delight in mercy found not,
1
2
But sent him off with contumely
and words of stern monition :
25
"Beware, old sire! lest here, beside
Achaia's hollow galleys,
Or now I catch thee lingering
or afterward returning;
Lest-that thy sceptre save thee not
nor yet thy sacred ensign.
But her I never will release:
sooner shall age o'ertake her,
Far distant from her land of birth
within our house at Argos;
30
For there shall she the shuttle ply
and at my bed attend me.
But come! my temper fret not; else,
less safe thy journey homeward."
The old man quail'd before the word,
and hastily obey'd him.
Speechless he went along the strand
of the much-brawling water :
Then many a pray'r in loneliness
he pour'd with aged bosom
35
To prince Apollo, whom to bear,
bright-hair'd Latona travail'd :
"Lord of the silver arrows, hear!
who overshelt'rest Chrysa,
Who bravely reign'st in Tenedos
and in the heav'nly Killa;
If ever pleasant offerings
to thee, O god of Sminthus!
I hanged o'er the temple-walls,
or burn'd upon thy altar
40
The fatten'd limbs of bulls and goats;
this wish for me accomplish!
Cause by thy bolts the Danaï
dearly to pay my sorrows."
So utter'd he the word of pray'r;
and bright Apollo heard him.
Down from Olympus' highths the god
with swelling heart descended,
Bow on his shoulder carrying
and closely-roofed quiver.
45
And loud and angrily the shafts
did at his shoulder rattle,
When forth he started: but himself
like gloom of Night came rushing.
He from the galleys took his seat
afar, and aim'd an arrow ;—
Then of the silver-corded bow
right fearful was the twanging.
At first the mules and
huddling
sprightly dogs
he visited; but shortly
50
Against the warriours themselves
a shaft, with anguish freighted,
He aim'd: and ever as he drew,
thick blaz'd the piles of corpses.
Nine days the weapons of the god
made riot through the army,
And on the tenth did Achileus
the mote of people summon.
For so did Juno, white-arm'd goddess,
secretly advise him,
55
In sorrow for the Danaï,
for-that she saw them dying.
When therefore they assembling
came, and all were met together,
Thus did Achilles, fleet of foot,
uprising speak among them:
"Atrides, thou and I may now,
I reckon, straggling homeward
Retrace the voyage back again,—
should haply Death allow us,—
60
If war at once and pestilence
thus wear away the Achaians.
But come now; let us of some priest
inquire, or some diviner,
Or some interpreter of dreams;
(for dreams too Jove inspireth);
Who may reveal, what cause hath rous'd
such wrath in bright Apollo:
Whether perchance for stinted vows
or hecatomb he blameth :—
65
If at our hand the fragrancy
from fat of lambs partaking
And perfect goats, he haply choose
to ward away the ruin."
Thus spake the prince, and down he sat:
and straightway rose before them
By far the wisest of the augurs,
Calchas, son of Thestor,
Who knew the present and the past,
and all hereafter coming,
70
And had as far as Ilium
the Achaian galleys guided,
Because of that sage art of his,
which bright Apollo gave him:
Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd,
and spake his word among them.
"Achilles, dear to Jupiter!
me biddest thou to interpret
The sore displeasure of the prince
Apollo the far-darting?
75
I then will tell; but thou to me
must swear in solemn treaty,
That verily with word and hand
thou zealously wilt aid me.
For troth! I reckon to enrage
a man, mid all the Achaians
Who lords it mightily, and meets
obedience from Argos.
For stronger is a king, when he
with common man is angry:
80
For even if on that one day
he may digest his choler,
Yet in his bosom haply still
he fostereth a hatred,
In aftertime to compass it;
then think, if thou wilt save me."
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd in words responsive:
"Take courage, surely; and avow
whate'er the gods have shown thee.
85
For by Apollo, Jove-belov'd,
who, mov'd by thy entreaty,
O Calchas! to the Danaï
divine decrees expoundeth ;—
While I yet live, and on the earth
gaze up to light of heaven,
No man of all the Danaï
beside the hollow galleys
On thee the heavy hand shall lay;
not, were it Agamemnon,
90
Who now among the Achaians claims
to be by far the noblest."
The spotless seer then courage took,
and thus his message utter'd:
"Not on the score of stinted vows
or hecatomb he blameth,
But on his worshipper's account,
whom Agamemnon scorning
Refus'd his daughter to release
or to accept the ransom.
95
Therefore doth the Far-darter send,
and yet will send, disaster;
Nor will he of the pestilence
withdraw the deadly grapple,
Till some one to her father dear
restore the curl-eyed damsel
Unpurchas'd, unredeem'd; and lead
in sacred train to Chrysa
A hecatomb; then haply we
might pacify and trust him."
100
Thus spake the seer, and down
he sat; and straightway rose before them
The widely-reigning Atreus' son,
the hero Agamemnon,
In anguish: for with frenesy
his soul of black within him
Was fill'd; and those two eyes of his
like coals of fire were gleaming.
Calchas address'd he first of all,
with glance that evil boded :
105
"Prophet of ill! thou never yet
didst canny saying utter:
To thee it alway pleasant is
of evil things to augur:
But goodly word to me, not once
hast spoken or accomplish'd.
And now among the Danaï
expounding thou haranguest,
That therefore the Far-darter doth,
forsooth! disaster send them,
110
Sith-that for Chryses' damsel I
the brilliant ransom willed
Not to accept; for surely much
the maid herself prefer I
At home to keep, and love her e'en
than Clytemnestra better,
My wife of early love; for ay!
in naught is she behind her,
Neither in feature nor in frame,
in mind or handy cunning.
115
Still, even so, to give her back
I choose, if this be better:
My people I desire to be
in safety, not to perish.
But ho! for me forthwith a prize
prepare; lest unrewarded
Alone of Argives I be left:
for that, I trow, befits not.
For look ye all, what prize for me
by other road is coming."
120
To him thereat divine Achilles,
foot-reliant, answer'd:
"Atrides most illustrious,
in greed supreme of all men!
Whence shall the Achaians lofty-soul'd
a prize for thee discover?
For nowhere keep we common spoil
in store; and from the cities
Whate'er we pillag'd, all is shar'd;
and troth! it were unseemly
125
To make the general folk regorge
what once hath been divided.
But to the god surrender now
this maid; and we the Achaians
Threefold and fourfold will repay,
if haply Jove allow us
To win the meed of pillaging
Troy's nobly-fenced city."
3
4
To him in words reciprocal
spake royal Agamemnon:
130
"Achilles, image of the gods!
do not, howe'er intrepid,
Steal past me thus: thou wilt not me
outstrip: persuade thou shalt not.
Dost wish, a prize thyself to have,
and me, despoil'd, dishonour'd,
Just as I am, to sit; and troth!
me to restore her, biddest?
Now, if the lofty-soul'd Achaians
find a prize to grace me,
135
Right worthy of my dignity,
and suited to my humour,
'Tis well; but if they find it not,
and I, with hand at random,
Clutch either thine or Ajax' prize,
or haply from Ulysses
Seize and lead off;—why then,
whome'er I visit, may be wrathful.
But all such riddles better we
hereafter shall interpret;
140
And now in the salt flood divine
launch we a dusky galley,
And rowers for it carefully
collect, and place within it
A hecatomb, and bring on board
the dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs,
And of our councillors let one
with high command be present,
Or Ajax or Idomeneus
or the divine Ulysses,
145
Or thee, Pelides! marvellous
among the race of mortals;
That thou for us by sacred rite
mayst win the Far-averter."
But him Achilles, fleet of foot,
with scowling glance accosted :
"Ah thou in shamelessness array'd,
with fox's greedy temper,
How, ever, shall Achaian man
with zeal obey thy summons,
150
Either upon a march to go,
or stoutly close in combat?
For hither not with sake of war
against the spearmen Troians
Came I in quarrel of my own:
no charge have I against them :
For never drave they beeves of mine,
nor horses have they driven,
Nor ever on the loamy clods
of hero-feeding Phthia
155
Did damage to my harvestry;
for verily betwixt us
Is many a shady mountain-ridge
and many a roaring billow.
But thee, O huge in impudence!
for thy delight we follow;
Earning renown at Troian cost
for thee and Menelaüs,
O dog in forehead!-naught of which
abasheth thee nor troubleth.
160
And lo! of e'en my proper prize
thou threatenest to strip me,
For which I greatly toil'd, and which
Achaia's sons awarded.
Never have I an equal lot
to thine, when we the Achaians
Clutch from the Troians mightily
some thickly-peopled fortress.
In sooth, the chiefer offices
of ever-rushing battle
165
My hands administer; but if
perchance a distribution
Arrive, thy share is larger far;
and I unto my galleys
My portion, small but cherish'd, bear,
when wearied with fighting.
But now to Phthia will I go,
sith better far I find it
Home to return with crested ships;
nor, staying here dishonour'd,
170
For thee intend I floods to teem
of opulence and riches."
Then Agamemnon, prince of men,
to him in turn responded:
"Flee surely, if thy temper thus
persuadeth; nor entreat I
That thou on score of me remain:
for at my side are others,
Enough to honour me;-and Jove,
the Counsellor, is foremost.
175
Of all Jove-nurtur'd kings, than thee,
none is to me more hateful;
For alway feud to thee is dear,
and violence and combat.
If excellent thy prowess is,—
I trow, 'tis God that gave it.
Then hie thee homeward on thy
ships, along with thy companions,
And to the Myrmidons be prince:
but I about thee fret not,
180
Nor to thy mood of wrath give heed;
nay, thus to thee I threaten :
Sith of Chryseïs bright Apollo
willeth to despoil me,
- Her, in a galley of my own,
by hand of my companions,
Shall I escort; but I myself
unto thy tent proceeding,
May carry off thy proper prize,
the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs,
185
And teach thee my pre-eminence,
and make all others shudder
To hold pretensions side by side
and think to play my equal."
Thus spake he, and in Peleus' son
a pang of grief implanted.
The heart within his shaggy chest
with double purpose falter'd,
Whether from side of thigh to draw
the keenly-whetted cutlass,
190
And put the assembly to the rout,
and slay the son of Atreus,
Or to allay his bitterness,
and bridle in his passion.
While all his bosom and his soul
in such debate did struggle,
And he in sheath the weighty sword
was jerking;-lo! Athene
From heav'n descended, forward sent
by Juno, white-arm'd goddess,
195
Whose heart for both of them avow'd
anxiety and kindness.
Behind him, by his auburn hair
she grasp'd the son of Peleus,
And stood, to him alone reveal'd;
but none beside him saw her.
First marvell'd he; then was abash'd,
when quickly he distinguish'd
Maiden Athene: dreadfully
her two eyes beam'd upon him.
200
5
Then duly he accosting her
did winged accents utter:
"Offspring of ægis-holding Jove!
what errand brought thee hither?
Of Agamemnon Atreus' son
didst wish to see the outrage?
But roundly will I tell it thee,
and think 'twill be accomplish'd,—
He by his éxtreme haughtiness
may chance his life to peril."
205
But him in turn accosted then
Athene, grey-ey'd goddess:
"I came thy frenesy to check,
in hope thou wilt obey me,—
From heav'n descending; forward sent
by Juno, white-arm'd goddess,
Whose heart for both of you avows
anxiety and kindness.
But come, desist from feud, nor jerk
that sword within the scabbard;
210
But wrangle thou with words alone,
which, troth! will not be wanting.
For roundly will I say, and this
shall be a fact accomplish'd,—
E'en thrice as many brilliant gifts
hereafter shall be brought thee
This outrage to repay; but thou,
refrain thee, and obey us."
But her Achilles, fleet of foot,
address'd in words responsive:
215
"A charge from you, twain goddesses,
obedience demandeth,
Embitter'd though my passion is:
but thus I find it better:
Who yieldeth fealty to gods,
to him they greatly listen."
This said, upon the silver hilt
his heavy hand he planted,
And back into the scabbard thrust
the mighty sword, obeying
220
Athene's word. But gone was she
aloft into Olympus,
To ægis-holding Jove's abodes,
to meet the other Spirits.
Again the son of Peleus then
with words of altercation
Address'd himself to Atreus' son,
nor yet from rage desisted :
"O gorg'd with wine! the eyes of dog,
but heart of deer, who bearest,
225
Never didst thou with all the folk
put corslet on for battle,
Nor hardihood of soul hast thou
among Achaia's chieftains
On ambuscade to go; but this
to thee destruction seemeth.
Truly more gainful is it, mid
Achaia's ample army
To plunder of his gifts, whoe'er
a word against thee sayeth;—
230
A king who doth his folk devour,
for-that they all are worthless;
Else, verily, Atrides! this
were now thy final outrage.
But roundly will I say, and swear
a mighty oath upon it:
That, by the sceptre in my hand,
whence leaf or twig shall never
Sprout forth, sithence the parent trunk
it left upon the mountains;
235
Nor bud will it; for by the brass
both leaf and bark around it
Are peel'd away; but now in turn
Achaia's children bear it,—
Servants of Justice, —in their palms;
by Jupiter deputed
To enforce observance of the Right:
(a mighty oath I tender):
There shall upon Achaia's sons
a longing for Achilles
240
Come, soon or late, on one and all;
but them, though pierc'd with anguish,
Unable wilt thou be to help,
when hero-slaying Hector
Shall hew them down in crowds: but
thou thy soul within shalt mangle
Enrag'd, that thou didst vilely treat
the noblest of the Achaians."
Thus spake the son of Peleus; then,
against the ground his sceptre,
245
Studded with golden nails, he dash'd;
and took his seat among them.
On other side Atrides rag'd:
then rose between them (Nestor,
The bland of speech, the clear of tone,
the Pylian haranguer;)
Who from his tongue an utterance
pour'd down, than honey sweeter.
To him already waned had
of voice-dividing mortals
250
Two ages, which in early days
were rear'd with him, and follow'd,
In heav'nly Pylos' land; but he
over the third was reigning:
Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd,
and spake his word among them.
"Good Spirits! sure, a mighty grief
home to Achaia reacheth.
Truly might Priam joyful be,
and all the sons of Priam,
255
And other Troians too, in soul
be mightily delighted,
If all these things were learn'd by
them, of you, twain chieftains battling,
Who are of Danaï supreme
in council and in combat.
But now comply; and both of you
in age are far below me.
For I long since with ancient men,
of prowess yours surpassing,
260
Held intercourse; and never they
contempt display'd toward me.
For not yet such men have I seen,
nor ever shall behold them,
As were of yore Peirithous,
-Dryas, the people's shepherd,—
And Polyphemus, match for gods,
Exadius and Cæneus,
And Theseus, Ægeus'son, who bare
the form of an immortal.
265
Of all the men who tread on earth,
these hardiest were nurtur'd.
Most hardy were themselves; and they,
with mountain-lurking monsters
Most hardy, fought; and all of them
they marvellously slaughter'd.
And I, with these, high intercourse
afar from land of Apis
Maintain'd, from Pylos coming forth,
compliant to their summons.
270
And in my measure I too fought;
but like to them no mortal,
Of all who now set foot on earth,
could quit himself in battle.
And they to my discourse gave ear,
and oft obey'd my counsel :
But ah! obey ye also;
sith obedience is better.
Nor thou, though great in excellence,
bear off from him the damsel;
275
But let alone the prize, as once
Achaia's sons bestow'd it:
Nor thou, Pelides, bend thy mind
against the king to wrangle
With adverse force; since ye the rest
are no way peers in honour
With sceptre-holding King, to whom
Jove hath deputed glory.
And if thou doughty art in might,
and goddess-mother bare thee,
280
Yet loftier is he, because
his kingdom rangeth wider.
Atrides, thou thy temper check;
and oh! I do implore thee
Yield up thy bitterness against
Achilles, who supremely
A bulwark is from evil war
to all Achaia's children."
To him in words reciprocal
spake royal Agamemnon :
285
"Ay, verily, all this, old friend!
discreetly hast thou spoken;
But this man willeth high above
all other men to tower;
O'er all he claimeth sway to hold,
and over all to lord it,
And give command to all: but this
I do not think to suffer.
But if the ever-living gods
have fram'd him for a spearman,
290
Do they thereby set forth to him
free privilege of railing?"
Then quickly catching up his word,
divine Achilles answer'd:
"For cowardly in truth might I
and worthless be reputed,
If every matter I should yield
to thee, whate'er thou biddest.
These thy enactments now impose
on others for hereafter
295
To me give no commands: for I
mean to obey no longer.
This also will I say, and thou
within thy mind revolve it :
Not with the heavy hand will I
do battle for the damsel,
With thee, nor yet with other man,
since ye, who gave her, take her.
But of the rest, that mine are call'd
in my sharp dusky galley,
300
Nothing of those, against my will,
mayst thou to touch adventure.
Or else, come on, and trial make,
that these may know the issue :
For instantly thy livid blood
shall start around my weapon."
Thus did the two with adverse force
stand up in altercation
Wrangling, and broke the assembly
up beside the Achaian galleys.
305
Pelides hied him to his tents
and galleys nicely balanc'd
Along with Menœtiades
and other dear companions :
Then to the salt flood Atreus' son
push'd forth a speedy galley
And for it twenty rowers pick'd,
and for the god's acceptance
A hecatomb he plac'd on board;
and dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs
310
Came last; and o'er them Leader went
Ulysses much-devising.
They then embarking floated forth
along the watery channels.
But at the king's behest, the folk,
well cleans'd with holy washings,
Into the salt wave's purity
rejected all defilement.
And they, on shingles of the brine
nor corn nor wine producing,
315
Prime hecatombs of bulls and goats
were serving to Apollo;
Whose fragrance mounted to the sky,
with curls of smoke aspiring.
Such cares employ'd the multitude;
but not did Agamemnon
Slacken the feud, which he at first
against Achilles threaten'd.
Talthybius and Eurybates
he carefully accosted,
320
Who held to him as heralds twain
and ministers obeisant:
"Go both; and entering the tent
of Peleus' son, Achilles,
Seize by the hand and lead away
the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs.
But if they shall not yield her up;
why then,—myself may seize her,
Coming with larger multitude;
which were to him more painful."
325
Thus speaking, forward sent he them,
with words of stern monition:
The twain, on shingles of the brine
nor corn nor wine producing,
Pac'd sadly to the Myrmidons
and reach'd their tents and galleys.
But him they found outside the tent,
near to his dusky galley,
Seated: nor did Achilles then
rejoice, when he beheld them.
330
In tremor they before the king
with reverential homage
Stood still; yet spake they no salute,
and no inquiry made they.
But he in his own mind discern'd,
and first the twain accosted :
"All hail! ye heralds, who from Jove
bear message, and from mortals.
Draw nearer; justly I reproach
not you, but Agamemnon,
335
Who for the maid Briseïs' sake
has hither sent you forward.
But, come, Patroclus Jove-deriv'd,
prythee, bring out the damsel,
And to their guidance yield her:
but, I claim them both to witness,
Before the face of blessed gods,
before the face of mortals,
Ay! and before that king so stern.
And if there rise hereafter
340
Some need of me, from all the rest
to avert unseemly ruin,
Remember ye!-for he in truth,
with deadly bosom fumeth,
6
Nor knoweth wisely to look out
forward at once, and backward,
How his Achaians by the ships
might best in safety combat."
Thus answer'd he; Patroclus then
obey'd his dear companion.
345
And straightway leading from the tent
the dainty-cheek'd Briseïs,
He yielded her: then hied the twain
back to the Achaian galleys.
Along with them unwilling went
the woman; but Achilles
Afar from his companions sat
in loneliness and weeping,
On shingles of the hoary brine,
at depths of purple gazing.
350
And much unto his mother dear
he pray'd, with hands uplifted :
"Oh mother! since thou me hast
borne for life of narrow compass,
Honour at least was Jupiter
the Olympian high-rumbling
Bound to vouchsafe me; yet he now
no whit of honour granteth :
For troth! the widely-ruling prince
Atrides Agamemnon
355
Dishonours me. My prize he holds :
himself is my despoiler."
When tear-beflooded thus he spake,
his queenly mother heard him,
As sat she in the briny depths
beside her aged father.
She from the hoary waves, like mist,
emerging fleetly scudded,
And took her seat before himself,
while still his tears were streaming,
360
And soothing him with hand and voice,
she spake, his name pronouncing:
"My child! why weepest thou? and what
the grief, thy heart that woundeth?
Lock not thy breast, but speak it out;
and so, we both shall know it."
Then her, Achilles, fleet of foot,
accosted deeply groaning:
"Thou knowest well; and what avails
harangue to one acquainted?
365
Against the king Eëtion,
to Thebe, sacred city,
We sallied out, and pillag'd it
and hither drave the booty.
And all of that, Achaia's sons
divided well among them,
But first for Atreus' son selected
dainty-cheek'd Chryseïs.
Thereafter Chryses, worshipper
of silver-bow'd Apollo,—
370
Appear'd before the galleys sharp
of brazen-cloak'd Achaians,
Wishful his daughter to release,
with store of boundless ransom,
And in his hands the ensign bare
of arrowy Apollo
Upon his golden sceptre wreath'd;
and sued to all the Achaians,
And most of all, to Atreus' sons,
twin marshals of the people.
375
Then all Achaia's other folk
murmur'd assent well-omen'd,
To pity and revere the priest
and take the brilliant ransom;
But Agamemnon Atreus' son
delight in mercy found not,
But sent him off with contumely,
and words of stern monition.
Then the old man with swelling heart
departed; and Apollo
380
To his entreaty lent an ear;
also
for greatly did he love him.
Against the Argives bolts of woe
he shot: thereat the people
Were dying, heaps on heaps: and
o'er Achaia's ample army
Rov'd everywhere the darts divine.
To us a seer haranguing
Did skilfully the oracles
of Hecatus interpret.
385
I instantly was first to urge
atonement to the godhead:
On Atreus' son then choler came,
and suddenly uprising,
He spake a speech of threatening,
which, lo! is fact accomplish'd.
For, her in sooth on galley sharp
the curling-eyed Achaians
Escort to Chryse,—goodly gifts
unto the prince conducting:
390
But her, whom late Achaia's sons
to me as prize awarded,
Her now the heralds from my tent
have torn,—the maid Briseïs.-
But thou around thy bonny child
enfold thy arms, if able :
Unto Olympus haste to Jove,
and supplicate, if ever
To him by word or deed thou didst
a pleasant service render.
395
For often I thy boasts have heard
within my father's palace,
How gloomy-clouded Saturn's son
(saidst thou) among the immortals
Only from thee assistance found
to avert unseemly ruin ;
When all the Olympians beside
to shackle him were minded,
Maiden Athene, Juno queen,
and oceanic Neptune.
400
But goddess! thou arriving swiftly
didst from bondage save him,
When thou to long Olympus hadst
the Hundred-handed summon'd,
By gods entitled Briareus,
by all mankind Ægæon:
(For than his father he again
is mightier in prowess :)
Who then beside Saturnius
sat glorying in grandeur.
405
Before him quail'd the blessed gods,
and thought of bonds no longer.-
Sit by his side, and clasp his knees,
and of all this remind him,
If he may haply willing be
to show the Troians favour,
And hem against the galley's poop
and water's edge, the Achaians,
In carnage perishing; that all
may well enjoy their monarch,
410
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And widely-ruling Atreus' son
may know his own perverseness,
Infatuate, who vilely scorn'd
the noblest of the Achaians."
To him responded Thetis thus,
with tear her cheek bestreaming:
"Alas! my child! and wherefore
then did hapless parent rear thee?
O mightest thou by galley-side
from tears and pangs exempted
415
Sit still! since brief of span thy lot,
nor very long endureth.
But now beyond the rest art thou
at once both speedy-fated
And doleful: so with evil lot
I bare thee in my palace.
But I, to thunder-loving Jove
to speak thy word, will hasten
Myself, in hope he may comply,—
to snowy-capt Olympus.
420
Do thou at present sit beside
thy swift-careering galleys,
And rage against the Achaians;
but-refrain from war entirely.
For Jove to Ocean yester-eve
for solemn feast departed
Unto the blameless Æthiops;
and all the gods attended :
But on the twelfth-revolving day
returns he to Olympus.
425
Then to the brazen-floor'd abode
of Jove will I betake me,
And will his knees embrace;
and troth! I reckon to persuade him."
With such address departed she,
and where she found him, left him,
In passion swelling still, to lose
the dapper-girdled woman,
For-that by force, against his will,
they seiz'd her. But Ulysses
430
The sacred hecatomb escorting
reach'd the shores of Chrysa.
When here arriv'd they were, inside
the copious depth of harbour,
Furling the sails, they stow'd them
close within the dusky galley :
Then in its case the mast they lodg'd,
by shroudings gently lower'd
Right handily; and her with oars
push'd forward into moorings.
435
Then out they toss'd the mooring-stones,
and bound to them the stern ropes,
And out themselves did disembark
upon the rough sea-margin,
And out they brought the hecatomb
for arrowy Apollo,
And out from that sea-coursing ship
Chryseïs last descended.
Her then Ulysses much-devising
led before the altar,
440
And to her tender father's hands
consigning her, address'd him :
"Me Agamemnon, prince of men,
O Chryses, charg'd with mission
In service of the Danaï ;—
thy child to bring, and offer
A sacred hecatomb, to avert
the shining prince's anger,
Who now with many a moanful grief
the Argives hath afflicted."
445
With such address consign'd he her;
and he receiv'd rejoicing
His daughter dear: then speedily
arranged they in order
The god's illustrious hecatomb
around the well-built altar,
In holy water dipp'd the hand,
and barleycakes uplifted.
For them did Chryses loudly pray,
his hands to heaven raising :
450
"Lord of the silver arrows, hear!
who overshelt'rest Chrysa,
Who bravely reign'st in Tenedos
and in the heav'nly Killa.
In former time to my request
already hast thou listen'd,
Didst honour me, and mightily
hast harm'd the Achaian people.
Now once again implor'd, do thou
this wish for me accomplish,
455
And from the Danaï at length
avert unseemly ruin."
So utter'd he the word of pray'r;
and bright Apollo heard him.
But after pray'r was made,
and they the barley-cakes threw forward,
The victims' necks they backward drew,
and slaughter'd them, and skinn'd them,
And parted out the thighs; but these
in double fold they cover'd
460
With fragrant fat, and over them
arrang'd the choicer pieces.
Below, the old man faggots kindled,
dropping wine resplendent
Above; and near him five-prong forks
by younger men were wielded.
Now when the joints were roasted well,
and they the vitals tasted,
The rest they slash'd in smaller bits,
and spitted every morsel,
465
And broil'd them all right cleverly,
and drew them off perfected.
After the toil had found its end
and all the feast was ready,
They banqueted; nor did their soul
lack well proportion'd banquet.
But when desire importunate
of food and drink
were
was ended,
Then did the youths to many a bowl
crown the high-mantling garland,
470
And, after fit initial cups,
mov'd round to all in order.
And they all day with melody
made to the god atonement,
Youths of Achaia, chanting high;
and sang in noble Pæan
The Far-averter: listen'd he,
and was in heart delighted.
Now, at what hour the sun went down,
and Evening brought the darkness,
475
They, then and there, did slumber
take beside the galley's moorings:
But at what hour the Early-born,
the rosy-finger'd Morning,
Appear'd, then sail'd they off to join
Achaia's ample army.
To them Apollo, Far-averter,
wafting breezes granted:
They rais'd the mast, and merrily
the canvas white expanded.
480
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Right square upon the sail the wind
blar'd, and the purple billow
Shriek'd mightily around the bows,
as rush'd the galley onward.
Over the water scudded she,
accomplishing her voyage.
But when they fully had attain'd
Achaia's ample army,
Upon the dry and solid earth
they haul'd the dusky galley
485
High on the sand, and underneath
long buttresses extended,
And they themselves were scatter'd
free amid the tents and galleys.
But he, Achilles, fleet of foot,
Pelides Jove-descended,
Sat by the swift-careering ships
and still his anger foster'd.
Nor ever now frequented he
the assembly man-ennobling,
490
Nor mov'd to war; but gloomily
with inward passion wasted :
There lingering, he long'd to join
the shout of arms, and combat.
Now when thereafter came around
the twelfth-revolving morning,
Then did the ever-living gods
return unto Olympus,
All in a band, and Jove went first.
But 'Thetis, she forgat not
495
The charges of her proper child;
but from the wave emerging,
Early of dawn forthwith she climb'd
great Heaven and Olympus;
And found wide-sighted Saturn's child
apart from others sitting,
Upon the topmost pinnacle
of many-ridg'd Olympus.
In front of him she took her seat,
with her left hand embracing
500
His knees; and with her better hand
beneath his chin she seiz'd him,
And supplicating, thus address'd
the prince the son of Saturn :
"O Father Jove, if ever I
among the immortals pleas'd thee
By word, or e'en by deed, do thou
this wish for me accomplish.
Give honour to my son, who most
of all is speedy-fated.
505
For Agamemnon, prince of men,
hath cast on him dishonour,
Holding Achilles' proper prize :
himself is the despoiler.
But Jove! Olympian Counsellor !
set thou the price upon him:
And so long to the Troïans
give puissance, till the Achaians
Set value on my son, and learn
him to exalt with honour."
510
She spake; and cloud-collecting Jove
no word to her responded,
But silent long he sat. But Thetis,
once engag'd to win him,
Clung to the knees she first had touch'd,
and doubled her entreaty :
"Now promise it unfailingly
and nod to me approval,
Or else refuse, and let me know
(sith thee no fear withholdeth)
515
How much among all deities
am I the most dishonour'd."
To her with indignation huge
spake Jove the cloud-collector :
"O! deadly work thou sendest me,
in bitter jar and brawling
With Juno to contend, when she
by wrangling words will fret me.
For sooth! she alway even now
among the gods immortal
520
Revileth me, and saith that I
the Troians aid in battle.
But thou at present backward draw
thy step, lest haply Juno
Get knowledge: I for thy request
will study, to perform it.
Dost doubt ? then by the nod will I
give token, to assure thee.
For this, among the immortals, is
from me the firmest sanction:
525
For whatsoe'er with bending head
I once assent, is neither
Deceptive nor revokeable,
nor faileth of fulfilment."
Such promise utter'd,—Saturn's son
with raven eyebrow nodded;
And that majestic deathless head
did its ambrosial tresses
In mighty undulations wave,
and great Olympus shudder'd.
530
After such counselling, the twain
were parted. She thereafter
Leapt from Olympus' blazing highth
into the briny billow;
And Jove unto his own abode
return'd: the gods, to greet him,
Rose all at once from off their seats,
before their proper Father:
Not one his coming dar'd to wait,
but all stood up before him.
535
Thus HE did there upon his throne
sit down. Yet not was Juno
Slow to take knowledge and discern
that silver-footed Thetis,
The daughter of the Ocean sire,
with him had join'd in counsel ?
And she forthwith Saturnius
with cutting accents chided:
"Who of the gods, O skill'd in wiles!
with thee did join in counsel?
540
Pleasant to thee it alway is,
apart from me remaining,
With secret purpose to decide;
nor ever yet thou lovest
To me in willing confidence
thy inner thoughts to utter."
To her responded thereupon
the Sire of gods and mortals:
"All the discourses of my mouth,
aspire not thou, O Juno,
545
To know: for difficult will they
be e'en to thee, my consort.
But of them whatsoever is
for conference adapted,
Not one shall earlier than thee
this know, of gods or mortals :
But what, apart from other gods,
it pleaseth me to ponder,
Inquire not thou too anxiously,
nor seek my mind to fathom."
550
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To him responded thereupon
the large-ey'd queenly Juno:
"O son of Saturn, grim and dire,
what saying hast thou blurted?
Naught in the past have I inquir'd;
in naught thy mind have fathom'd:
But troth! in much tranquillity,
whate'er thou wilt, thou plannest.
And now in soul I grimly dread,
lest silver-footed Thetis,
555
The daughter of the Ocean sire,
have haply won thee over.
For at thy side with early dawn
she sat, thy knees embracing.
Therefore, I guess, in promise sure
thou nodded hast, to honour
Achilles, and a carnage make
along the Achaian galleys."
Then cloud-collecting Jupiter,
addressing her, responded :
560
"O elf-possessed wight! who aye
suspectest, and discernest.
But naught wilt thou the more avail
to compass; yea, and rather
My heart from thee wilt separate;
which were to thee more painful.
If, as thou thinkest, so it is,
my will (be sure) decideth.
But dumb in silence sit thee down,
to my command submissive.
565
Lest near I draw, and cast my hands
inviolable on thee,
And all Olympus' habitants
to succour thee avail not."
When thus he spake, with terror quail'd
the large-ey'd queenly Juno ;
And dumb in silence down she sat,
her tender heart subduing.
Then were the heav'nly gods, throughout
the abode of Jove, indignant :
570
But Vulcan, fam'd in handicraft,
to them began discourses,
To gratify his mother dear,
the whitearm'd goddess Juno.
"Oh! deadly work will here be
seen, no longer to be suffer'd,
If ye, in cause of mortals, both
do jangle thus and wrangle,
And mid the gods propose a match
of cawing. Sooth! no pleasure
575
Of goodly banquet will remain,
since worser counsels conquer.
Now to my mother I advise,
(who, troth! is sage without me,)
To gratify my father dear;
lest the Saturnian father
Raise a new quarrel, and embroil
along with us the banquet.
For if the Olympian lightener
should entertain the fancy
580
To wrench the mountain from its bed;—
his might is far transcendant.
But oh! with words of gentleness
do thou, my mother! soothe him;
And instantly the Olympian
will be to us propitious."
Thus did he speak, and springing up,
a goblet doubly hollow
He, to his mother dear, in hand
presented, and address'd her:
585
"Bear up, my mother, and endure,
however sharp thy sorrow,
Lest I (beloved as thou art)
beneath my eyes behold thee
Well lash'd and thrash'd; nor then
shall I (tho' anguish-struck) be able
To succour: for the Olympian
is troublous to encounter.
For once upon a time before,
when I to aid was eager,
590
Hitch'd by the foot, me toss'd he down
from the celestial threshold.
The livelong day was I in course;
and when the sun was setting,
I came to ground on Lemnos' isle,
and little breath was in me.
But quickly there the Sintians
did from the fall recruit me."
Thus prattled he, and mov'd a smile
to Juno, whitearm'd goddess,
595
Who, smiling, from her kindly son
in hand the cup accepted.
But he to all the other gods,
from right to left proceeding,
Cup-bearer acted, from the bowl
teeming the luscious nectar.
Then rose among the blessed gods
interminable laughter,
Vulcan to see across the halls
so diligent in service.
600
Thus then, throughout the livelong day,
until the sun was setting,
They banqueted; nor did their soul
lack well-proportion'd banquet,
Nor yet the harp so beautiful,
in hand of bright Apollo,
And Muses, who with dainty voice
sang each to each responding.
But when the brilliant light of sun
had sunk beneath the ocean,
605
To take their rest then wended they
each to his proper dwelling,
Where with sagacious handicraft
the greatly-famous Vulcan
The doubly dextrous, had prepar'd
for every one his mansion.
And Jove, the Olympian lightener,
to his own bed proceeded,
Where erst it was his wont to mount,
when press'd by gentle slumber:
610
There rested he: and by his side
lay golden-throned Juno.
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