Homer, Iliad, A. T. Murray (Translator), 24.339

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So spake he, and the messenger, Argeiphontes, failed not to hearken. 340 Straightway he bound beneath his feet his beautiful sandals, immortal, golden, which were wont to bear him over the waters of the sea and over the boundless land swift as the blasts of the wind. And he took the wand wherewith he lulls to sleep the eyes of whom he will, while others again he awakens even out of slumber. 345 With this in his hand the strong Argeiphontes flew, and quickly came to Troy-land and the Hellespont. Then went he his way in the likeness of a young man that is a prince, with the first down upon his lip, in whom the charm of youth is fairest. Now when the others had driven past the great barrow of Ilus, 350 they halted the mules and the horses in the river to drink; for darkness was by now come down over the earth. Then the herald looked and was ware of Hermes hard at hand, and he spake to Priam, saying:

Bethink thee, son of Dardanus, 355 here is somewhat that calls for prudent thought. I see a man, and anon methinks shall we be cut to pieces. Come, let us flee in thie chariot, or at least clasp his knees and entreat him, if so be he will have pity.

So spake he, and the old man's mind was confounded and he was sore afraid, and up stood the hair on his pliant limbs, 360 and he stood in a daze. But of himself the Helper drew nigh, and took the ohd man's hand, and made question of him, saying:

Whither, Father, dost thou thus guide horses and mules through the immortal night when other mortals are sleeping? Art thou untouched by fear of the fury-breathing Achaeans, 365 hostile men and ruthless that are hard anigh thee? If one of them should espy thee bearing such store of treasure through the swift bhack night, what were thy counsel then? Thou art not young thyself, and thy companion here is old, that ye should defend you against a man, when one waxes wroth without a cause. 370 But as for me, I will nowise harm thee, nay, I will even defend thee against another; for like unto my dear father art thou in mine eyes.

Iliad. Homer. A. T. Murray (Translator). London. 1924-1925.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.

Current edition Perseus

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

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.) — 24.339 focus

ὣς ἔφατʼ, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.

αὐτίκʼ ἔπειθʼ ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα

340

ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴν

ἠδʼ ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο·

εἵλετο δὲ ῥάβδον, τῇ τʼ ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγει

ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δʼ αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει·

τὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων πέτετο κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης.

345

αἶψα δʼ ἄρα Τροίην τε καὶ Ἑλλήσποντον ἵκανε,

βῆ δʼ ἰέναι κούρῳ αἰσυμνητῆρι ἐοικὼς

πρῶτον ὑπηνήτῃ, τοῦ περ χαριεστάτη ἥβη.

οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν μέγα σῆμα παρὲξ Ἴλοιο ἔλασσαν,

στῆσαν ἄρʼ ἡμιόνους τε καὶ ἵππους ὄφρα πίοιεν

350

ἐν ποταμῷ· δὴ γὰρ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἤλυθε γαῖαν.

τὸν δʼ ἐξ ἀγχιμόλοιο ἰδὼν ἐφράσσατο κῆρυξ

Ἑρμείαν, ποτὶ δὲ Πρίαμον φάτο φώνησέν τε·

φράζεο Δαρδανίδη· φραδέος νόου ἔργα τέτυκται.

ἄνδρʼ ὁρόω, τάχα δʼ ἄμμε διαρραίσεσθαι ὀΐω.

355

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ φεύγωμεν ἐφʼ ἵππων, ἤ μιν ἔπειτα

γούνων ἁψάμενοι λιτανεύσομεν αἴ κʼ ἐλεήσῃ.

ὣς φάτο, σὺν δὲ γέροντι νόος χύτο, δείδιε δʼ αἰνῶς,

ὀρθαὶ δὲ τρίχες ἔσταν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι,

στῆ δὲ ταφών· αὐτὸς δʼ ἐριούνιος ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν

360

χεῖρα γέροντος ἑλὼν ἐξείρετο καὶ προσέειπε·

πῇ πάτερ ὧδʼ ἵππους τε καὶ ἡμιόνους ἰθύνεις

νύκτα διʼ ἀμβροσίην, ὅτε θʼ εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι;

οὐδὲ σύ γʼ ἔδεισας μένεα πνείοντας Ἀχαιούς,

οἵ τοι δυσμενέες καὶ ἀνάρσιοι ἐγγὺς ἔασι;

365

τῶν εἴ τίς σε ἴδοιτο θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν

τοσσάδʼ ὀνείατʼ ἄγοντα, τίς ἂν δή τοι νόος εἴη;

οὔτʼ αὐτὸς νέος ἐσσί, γέρων δέ τοι οὗτος ὀπηδεῖ,

ἄνδρʼ ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ.

ἀλλʼ ἐγὼ οὐδέν σε ῥέξω κακά, καὶ δέ κεν ἄλλον

370

σεῦ ἀπαλεξήσαιμι· φίλῳ δέ σε πατρὶ ἐΐσκω.

Translations (7)

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.) — 24.314 focus

314 So did he pray, and Zeus the lord of counsel heard his prayer. Forthwith he sent an eagle, the most unerring portent of all birds that fly, the dusky hunter that men also call the Black Eagle. His wings were spread abroad on either side as wide as the well-made and well-bolted door of a rich man's chamber. He came to them flying over the city upon their right hands, and when they saw him they were glad and their hearts took comfort within them. The old man made haste to mount his chariot, and drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Before him went the mules drawing the four-wheeled wagon, and driven by wise Idaios; behind these were the horses, which the old man lashed with his whip and drove swiftly through the city,

327 while his friends followed after, wailing and lamenting for him as though he were on his road to death. As soon as they had come down from the city and had reached the plain, his sons and sons-in-law who had followed him went back to Ilion .

331 But Priam and Idaios as they showed out upon the plain did not escape the ken of all-seeing Zeus, who looked down upon the old man and pitied him; then he spoke to his son Hermes and said, "Hermes, for it is you who are the most disposed to escort men on their way, and to hear those whom you will hear, go, and so conduct Priam to the ships of the Achaeans that no other of the Danaans shall see him nor take note of him until he reach the son of Peleus."

339 Thus he spoke and Hermes, guide and guardian, slayer of Argos , did as he was told. Forthwith he bound on his glittering golden sandals with which he could fly like the wind over land and sea; he took the wand with which he seals men's eyes in sleep, or wakes them just as he pleases, and flew holding it in his hand till he came to Troy and to the Hellespont . To look at, he was like a young man of noble birth in the hey-day of his youth and beauty with the down just coming upon his face.

349 Now when Priam and Idaios had driven past the great tomb [ sêma] of Ilion , they stayed their mules and horses that they might drink in the river, for the shades of night were falling, when, therefore, Idaios saw Hermes standing near them he said to Priam, "Take heed, descendant of Dardanos ; here is matter which demands consideration [ noos]. I see a man who I think will presently fall upon us; let us flee with our horses, or at least embrace his knees and implore him to take compassion upon us?

357 When he heard this the old man's heart [ noos] failed him, and he was in great fear; he stayed where he was as one dazed, and the hair stood on end over his whole body; but the bringer of good luck came up to him and took him by the hand, saying, "Whither, father, are you thus driving your mules and horses in the dead of night when other men are asleep?

364 Are you not afraid of the fierce Achaeans who are hard by you, so cruel and relentless? Should some one of them see you bearing so much treasure through the darkness of the fleeing night, what would not your state of mind [ noos] then be? You are no longer young, and he who is with you is too old to protect you from those who would attack you. For myself, I will do you no harm, and I will defend you from any one else, for you remind me of my own father."

372 And Priam answered, "It is indeed as you say, my dear son; nevertheless some god has held his hand over me, in that he has sent such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so Opportunely; you are so comely in mien and figure, and your judgment [ noos] is so excellent that you must come of blessed parents."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 24.339 focus

Hermes, guide and guardian, slayer of Argos, did as he was told. [340] Right then and there he bound on his glittering golden sandals with which he could fly like the wind over land and sea; he took the wand with which he seals men’s eyes in sleep, or wakes them just as he pleases, [345] and flew holding it in his hand till he came to Troy and to the Hellespont. To look at, he was like a young man of noble birth in the hey-day of his youth and beauty with the down just coming upon his face.

Now when Priam and Idaios had driven past the great tomb [ sēma] of Ilion, [350] they stayed their mules and horses that they might drink in the river, for the shades of night were falling, when, therefore, Idaios saw Hermes standing near them he said to Priam, “Take heed, descendant of Dardanos; here is matter which demands consideration [ noos]. [355] I see a man who I think will presently fall upon us; let us flee with our horses, or at least embrace his knees and implore him to take compassion upon us?”

When he heard this the old man’s mind [ noos] failed him, and he was in great fear; [360] he stayed where he was as one dazed, and the hair stood on end over his whole body; but the bringer of good luck came up to him and took him by the hand, saying, “Where, father, are you thus driving your mules and horses in the dead of night when other men are asleep? Are you not afraid of the fierce Achaeans [365] who are hard by you, so cruel and relentless? Should some one of them see you bearing so much treasure through the darkness of the fleeing night, what would not your state of mind [ noos] then be? You are no longer young, and he who is with you is too old to protect you from those who would attack you. [370] For myself, I will do you no harm, and I will defend you from anyone else, for you remind me of my own father.”

And old Priam the godlike answered, “

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.339 focus

"Hermes, who more than any other god

Delightest to consort with human-kind,

And willingly dost listen to their prayers,

Haste, guide King Priam to the Grecian fleet,

Yet so that none may see him, and no Greek

430

Know of his coming, till he stand before

Pelides." Thus he spake: the messenger

Who slew the Argus hearkened and obeyed;

And hastily beneath his feet he bound

The fair, ambrosial, golden sandals worn

435

To bear him over ocean like the wind,

And o'er the boundless land. His wand he took

Wherewith he seals in sleep the eyes of men,

And opens them at will. With this in hand,

The mighty Argus-queller flew, and soon

440

Was at the Troad and the Hellespont.

Like to some royal stripling seemed the god,

In youth's first prime, when youth has most of grace.

And there the Trojans twain, when they had passed

The tomb of Ilus, halted with their mules

445

And horses, that the beasts might drink the stream;

For twilight now was creeping o'er the earth.

The herald looked, and saw that Mercury

Was near, and thus, addressing Priam, said:

"Be on thy guard, O son of Dardanus,

450

For here is cause for wariness. I see

A warrior, and I think he seeks our lives.

Now let us urge our steeds and fly, or else

Descend and clasp his knees, and sue for grace."

He spake, and greatly was the aged king

455

Bewildered by his words; with hair erect

He stood, and motionless, while Mercury

Drew near, and took the old man's hand, and asked: -

"Whither, O father, guidest thou thy mules

And steeds in the dim night, while others sleep?

460

Fearest thou nothing from the warlike Greeks,

Thy foes, who hate thee, and are near at hand?

Should one of them behold thee bearing off

These treasures in the swiftly darkening night,

What wouldst thou do? Thou art not young, and he

465

Who comes with thee is old; ye could not make

Defence against the foe. Fear nought from me,

And I will save thee, since thou art so like

To my own father, from all other harm."

Priam, the godlike ancient, answered thus:

470

"Thou sayest true, dear son; but sure some god

Holds over me his kind, protecting hand,

Who sends a guide like thee to join me here,

So noble art thou both in form and air,

And gracious are thy thoughts, and blessed they

475

Who gave thee birth." With that the messenger,

The Argus-queller, spake again, and said:

"Most wisely hast thou spoken, aged man.

But tell, and truly, why thou bearest hence

This store of treasures among stranger men?

480

Is it that they may be preserved for thee?

Or are ye all deserting in alarm

Your hallowed Troy? for such a man of might

Was thy brave son who died, that I may say

The Greeks in battle had no braver man."

485

And Priam, godlike ancient, spake in turn:

"Who then art thou, and of what parents born,

Excellent youth, who dost in such kind words

Speak of the death of my unhappy son?"

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857)) — 24.339 focus

The god obeys, his golden pinions binds,

And mounts incumbent on the wings of winds,

That high through fields of air his flight sustain,

O'er the wide earth, and o'er the boundless main:

420

Then grasps the wand that causes sleep to fly,

Or in soft slumbers seals the wakeful eye:

Thus arm'd, swift Hermes steers his airy way,

And stoops on Hellespont's resounding sea.

A beauteous youth, majestic and divine,

425

He seem'd; fair offspring of some princely line!

Now twilight veil'd the glaring face of day,

And clad the dusky fields in sober gray;

What time the herald and the hoary king,

Their chariot stopping at the silver spring,

430

That circling Ilus' ancient marble flows,

Allow'd their mules and steeds a short repose.

Through the dim shade the herald first espies

A man's approach, and thus to Priam cries:

‘I mark some foe's advance: O king! beware;

435

‘This hard adventure claims thy utmost care;

‘For much I fear destruction hovers nigh:

‘Our state asks counsel. Is it best to fly?

‘Or, old and helpless, at his feet to fall,

‘(Two wretched suppliants,) and for mercy call?’

440

Th' afflicted monarch shiver'd with despair;

Pale grew his face, and upright stood his hair;

Sunk was his heart; his colour went and came;

A sudden trembling shook his aged frame:

When Hermes, greeting, touch'd his royal hand,

445

And, gentle, thus accosts with kind demand:

‘Say whither, father! when each mortal sight

‘Is seal'd in sleep, thou wander'st through the night?

‘Why roam thy mules and steeds the plains along,

‘Through Grecian foes, so numerous and so strong?

450

‘What couldst thou hope, shouldst these thy treasures view;

‘These, who with endless hate thy race pursue?

‘For what defence, alas! couldst thou provide?

‘Thyself not young, a weak old man thy guide.

‘Yet suffer not thy soul to sink with dread;

455

‘From me no harm shall touch thy reverend head:

‘From Greece I'll guard thee too; for in those lines

‘The living image of my father shines.’

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.339 focus

And first his shoes unto his feet he binds

Ambrosian shoes that over sea and land

310

Bear him as swift and lightly as the winds ;

And then his rod he took into his hand,

Wherewith he layeth sleep on mortal eyes,

And takes it off again when he thinks good.

Then down to Troy and Hellespont he flies,

315

In likeness of a youth of royal blood,

When down begins t' appear upon his face.

Idaeus now and Priam at the brink

Of Xanthus were, and night came on apace,

And there they made their mules and horses drink.

320

Idaeus near them then saw Mercury,

And in great fear, to Priam cried, I see

A man, O Priam, coming. Let us fly,

Or to him go and fall down at his knee.

And horribly was Priam then afraid ;

325

His hair with fear upon him stood upright.

Then Mercury unto him came, and laid

His hand on his, and to him said, 'Tis night;

What makes you be abroad ? Do you not fear

Your foes, the Greeks? If any of them knew

330

That you were with so great a treasure here,

In what a pitiful estate were you ?

For you, and he that's with you, both are old,

And neither of you can himself defend,

But as for any hurt from me, be bold;

335

I hither come t' assist you as a friend,

So like, me thinks, you to my father are.

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.339 focus

This charge incontinent

He put in practice. To his feet his feather'd shoes he tied,

300

Immortal, and made all of gold, with which he us'd to ride

The rough sea and th' unmeasur'd earth, and equall'd in his pace

The puffs of wind. Then took he up his rod that hath the grace

To shut what eyes he lists with sleep, and open them again

In strongest trances. This he held, flew forth, and did attain

305

To Troy and Hellespontus straight. Then like a fair young prince,

First-down chinn'd, and of such a grace as makes his looks convince

Contending eyes to view him, forth he went to meet the king.

He, having pass'd the mighty tomb of Ilus, watering

His mules in Xanthus, the dark even fell on the earth; and then

310

Idæus (guider of the mules) discern'd this grace of men,

And spake afraid to Priamus: "Beware, Dardanides,

Our states ask counsel; I discern the dangerous access

Of some man near us; now I fear we perish. Is it best

To fly, or kiss his knees and ask his ruth of men distress'd?"

315

Confusion struck the king, cold fear extremely quench'd his veins,

Upright upon his languishing head his hair stood, and the chains

Of strong amaze bound all his pow'rs. To both which then came near

The prince turn'd Deity, took his hand, and thus bespake the peer :

"To what place, father, driv'st thou out through solitary night,

320

When others sleep? Give not the Greeks sufficient cause of fright

¹²³

To these late travails, being so near, and such vow'd enemies?

Of all which, if with all this load any should cast his eyes

On thy adventures, what would then thy mind esteem thy state,

Tholf old, and thy follower old? Resistance could not rate

325

At any value; as for me, be sure I mind no harm

To thy grave person, but against the hurt of others arm.

Mine own lov'd father did not get a greater love in me

To his good, than thou dost to thine."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.339 focus

He spake, nor the embassador of heaven

430

The Argicide delay'd, but bound in haste

His undecaying sandals to his feet,

Golden, divine, which waft him o'er the floods

Swift as the wind, and o'er the boundless earth.

He took his rod with which he charms to sleep

435

All eyes, and theirs who sleep opens again.

Arm'd with that rod, forth flew the Argicide.

At Ilium and the Hellespontic shores

Arriving sudden, a King's son he seem'd,

Now cloathing first his ruddy cheek with down,

440

Which is youth's loveliest season; so disguised,

His progress he began. They now (the tomb

Magnificent of Ilus past) beside

The river stay'd the mules and steeds to drink,

For twilight dimm'd the fields. Idæus first

445

Perceived him near, and Priam thus bespake.

Think, son of Dardanus! for we have need

Of our best thought. I see a warrior. Now,

Now we shall die; I know it. Turn we quick

Our steeds to flight; or let us clasp his knees

450

And his compassion suppliant essay.

Terrour and consternation at that sound

The mind of Priam felt; erect the hair

Bristled his limbs, and with amaze he stood

Motionless. But the God, meantime, approach'd,

455

And, seizing ancient Priam's hand, enquired.

Whither, my father! in the dewy night

Drivest thou thy mules and steeds, while others sleep?

And fear'st thou not the fiery host of Greece,

Thy foes implacable, so nigh at hand?

460

Of whom should any, through the shadow dun

Of flitting night, discern thee bearing forth

So rich a charge, then what wouldst thou expect?

Thou art not young thyself, nor with the aid

Of this thine ancient servant, strong enough

465

Force to repulse, should any threaten force.

But injury fear none or harm from me;

I rather much from harm by other hands

Would save thee, thou resemblest so my sire.

New Alexandria Commentaries

Douglas Frame

reference to same lines in similar thematic connection in Il. XXIV.328

source

reference to location and time (sunset) of Herme’s meeting with Priam, the tomb if Ilus. Indication of Priam’s ransom of Hector as a to the underworld and consequent ‘return to life’ [MRBTP: 'ff']

source

quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

source

quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

source

quoted and translated; analysis of the role of nóos in the encounter between Priam and Hermes

source

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

Leonard Muellner

comment on overlap between Hermes and Athena (here, Athena’s wearing Hermes’ sandals), in the context of analyzing her reminding of Hermes in O.13.221ff.

source

Homer Iliad 24.339

A. T. Murray (Translator)

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