Homer, Iliad, 24.265

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The sons their father's wretched age revere,

Forgive his anger, and produce the car.

High on the seat the cabinet they bind:

The new-made car with solid beauty shin'd:

Box was the yoke, emboss'd with costly pains,

335

And hung with ringlets to receive the reins:

Nine cubits long, the traces swept the ground;

These to the chariot's polish'd pole they bound,

Then fix'd a ring the running reins to guide,

And, close beneath, the gather'd ends were tied.

340

Next with the gifts (the price of Hector slain)

The sad attendants load the groaning wain:

Last to the yoke the well-match'd mules they bring,

(The gift of Mysia to the Trojan king.)

But the fair horses, long his darling care,

345

Himself receiv'd, and harness'd to his car:¹

Griev'd as he was, he not this task denied;

The hoary herald help'd him at his side.

While careful these the gentle coursers join'd,

Sad Hecuba approach'd with anxious mind;

350

A golden bowl, that foam'd with fragrant wine,

(Libation destin'd to the power divine,)

Held in her right, before the steeds she stands,

And thus consigns it to the monarch's hands:

‘Take this, and pour to Jove; that, safe from harms,

355

‘His grace restore thee to our roof and arms.

‘Since, victor of thy fears, and slighting mine,

‘Heaven, or thy soul, inspire this bold design,

‘Pray to that god, who, high on Ida's brow,

‘Surveys thy desolated realms below,

360

‘His winged messenger to send from high,

‘And lead the way with heavenly augury:

‘Let the strong sovereign of the plumy race

‘Tower on the right of yon ethereal space.

‘That sign beheld, and strengthen'd from above,

365

‘Boldly pursue the journey mark'd by Jove;

‘But if the god his augury denies,

‘Suppress thy impulse, nor reject advice.’

Iliad. Homer. London. 1863.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Current edition Experimental

English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857) (OCR draft) (English) (English (Alexander Pope, 1720, ed. Watson, 1857))

Provisional text from uncorrected OCR; expect errors.

Editions (1)

Ἰλιάς Perseus (Homer. Homeri Opera, Volumes 1-2. Monro, D. B. (David Binning), editor; Allen, Thomas W. (Thomas William), editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908-1920.) — 24.265 focus

ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πατρὸς ὑποδείσαντες ὁμοκλὴν

265

ἐκ μὲν ἄμαξαν ἄειραν ἐΰτροχον ἡμιονείην

καλὴν πρωτοπαγέα, πείρινθα δὲ δῆσαν ἐπʼ αὐτῆς,

κὰδ δʼ ἀπὸ πασσαλόφι ζυγὸν ᾕρεον ἡμιόνειον

πύξινον ὀμφαλόεν εὖ οἰήκεσσιν ἀρηρός·

ἐκ δʼ ἔφερον ζυγόδεσμον ἅμα ζυγῷ ἐννεάπηχυ.

270

καὶ τὸ μὲν εὖ κατέθηκαν ἐϋξέστῳ ἐπὶ ῥυμῷ

πέζῃ ἔπι πρώτῃ, ἐπὶ δὲ κρίκον ἕστορι βάλλον,

τρὶς δʼ ἑκάτερθεν ἔδησαν ἐπʼ ὀμφαλόν, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

ἑξείης κατέδησαν, ὑπὸ γλωχῖνα δʼ ἔκαμψαν.

ἐκ θαλάμου δὲ φέροντες ἐϋξέστης ἐπʼ ἀπήνης

275

νήεον Ἑκτορέης κεφαλῆς ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,

ζεῦξαν δʼ ἡμιόνους κρατερώνυχας ἐντεσιεργούς,

τούς ῥά ποτε Πριάμῳ Μυσοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

ἵππους δὲ Πριάμῳ ὕπαγον ζυγόν, οὓς ὃ γεραιὸς

αὐτὸς ἔχων ἀτίταλλεν ἐϋξέστῃ ἐπὶ φάτνῃ.

280

τὼ μὲν ζευγνύσθην ἐν δώμασιν ὑψηλοῖσι

κῆρυξ καὶ Πρίαμος πυκινὰ φρεσὶ μήδεʼ ἔχοντες·

ἀγχίμολον δέ σφʼ ἦλθʼ Ἑκάβη τετιηότι θυμῷ

οἶνον ἔχουσʼ ἐν χειρὶ μελίφρονα δεξιτερῆφι

χρυσέῳ ἐν δέπαϊ, ὄφρα λείψαντε κιοίτην·

285

στῆ δʼ ἵππων προπάροιθεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

τῆ σπεῖσον Διὶ πατρί, καὶ εὔχεο οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι

ἂψ ἐκ δυσμενέων ἀνδρῶν, ἐπεὶ ἂρ σέ γε θυμὸς

ὀτρύνει ἐπὶ νῆας ἐμεῖο μὲν οὐκ ἐθελούσης.

ἀλλʼ εὔχεο σύ γʼ ἔπειτα κελαινεφέϊ Κρονίωνι

290

Ἰδαίῳ, ὅς τε Τροίην κατὰ πᾶσαν ὁρᾶται,

αἴτει δʼ οἰωνὸν ταχὺν ἄγγελον, ὅς τέ οἱ αὐτῷ

φίλτατος οἰωνῶν, καί εὑ κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον,

δεξιόν, ὄφρά μιν αὐτὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι νοήσας

τῷ πίσυνος ἐπὶ νῆας ἴῃς Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων.

295

εἰ δέ τοι οὐ δώσει ἑὸν ἄγγελον εὐρύοπα Ζεύς,

οὐκ ἂν ἔγωγέ σʼ ἔπειτα ἐποτρύνουσα κελοίμην

νῆας ἐπʼ Ἀργείων ἰέναι μάλα περ μεμαῶτα.

Translations (7)

Iliad Perseus (Homer. The Iliad, Volume 1-2. Murray, A. T. (Augustus Taber), translator. London: William Heinmann; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1924-1925.) — 24.265 focus

265 So spake he, and they, seized with fear of the rebuke of their father, brought forth the light-running waggon drawn of mules, fair and newly-wrought, and bound upon it the wicker box; and down from its peg they took the mule-yoke, a box-wood yoke with a knob thereon, well-fitted with guiding-rings; 270 and they brought forth the yoke-band of nine cubits, and therewithal the yoke. The yoke they set with care upon the polished pole at the upturned end thereof, and cast the ring upon the thole; and they bound it fast to the knob with three turns to left and right, and thereafter made it fast to the post, and bent the hook thereunder. 275 Then they brought forth from the treasure-chamber and heaped upon the polished waggon the countless ransom for Hector's head, and yoked the strong-hooved mules that toil in harness, which on a time the Mysians had given to Priam, a splendid gift. And for Priam they led beneath the yoke horses that the old king 280 kept for his own and reared at the polished stall. Thus were the twain letting yoke their cars, in the high palace, even the herald and Priam, with thoughts of wisdom in their hearts, when nigh to them came Hecabe, her heart sore stricken, bearing in her right hand honey-hearted wine in a cup of gold, that they might make libation ere they went. 285 And she stood before the horses, and spake, saying:

Take now, pour libation to father Zeus, and pray that thou mayest come back home from the midst of the foemen, seeing thy heart sendeth thee forth to the ships, albeit I am fain thou shouldst not go, 290 Thereafter make thou prayer unto the son of Cronos, lord of the dark chouds, the god of Ida, that looketh down upon all the land of Troy, and ask of him a bird of omen, even the swift messenger that to himself is dearest of birds and is mightiest in strength; let him appear upon thy right hand, to the end that marking the sign with thine own eyes, 295 thou mayest have trust therein, and go thy way to the ships of the Danaans of fleet steeds. But if so be Zeus whose voice is borne afar grant thee not his own messenger, then I of a surety should not urge thee on and bid thee go to the ships of the Argives, how eager soever thou be.

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.) — 24.217 focus

217 Then Priam said, "I would go, do not therefore stay me nor be as a bird of ill omen in my house, for you will not move me. Had it been some mortal man who had sent me some seer [ mantis] or priest who divines from sacrifice - I should have deemed him false and have given him no heed; but now I have heard the goddess and seen her face to face, therefore I will go and her saying shall not be in vain. If it be my fate to die at the ships of the Achaeans even so would I have it; let Achilles slay me, if I may but first have taken my son in my arms and mourned him to my heart's comforting."

228 So saying he lifted the lids of his chests, and took out twelve goodly vestments. He took also twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve rugs, twelve fair mantles, and an equal number of shirts. He weighed out ten talents of gold, and brought moreover two burnished tripods, four cauldrons, and a very beautiful cup which the Thracians had given him when he had gone to them on an embassy; it was very precious, but he grudged not even this, so eager was he to ransom the body of his son. Then he chased all the Trojans from the court and rebuked them with words of anger. "Out," he cried, "shame and disgrace to me that you are. Have you no grief in your own homes that you are come to plague me here? Is it a small thing, think you, that the son of Kronos has sent this sorrow upon me, to lose the bravest of my sons? Nay, you shall prove it in person, for now he is gone the Achaeans will have easier work in killing you. As for me, let me go down within the house of Hades, ere mine eyes behold the sacking and wasting of the city."

247 He drove the men away with his staff, and they went forth as the old man sped them. Then he called to his sons, upbraiding Helenos, Paris , noble Agathon, Pammon, Antiphonos, Polites of the loud battle-cry, Deiphobos, Hippothoos, and Dios. These nine did the old man call near him. "Come to me at once," he cried, "worthless sons who do me shame;

254 would that you had all been killed at the ships rather than Hektor. Miserable man that I am, I have had the bravest sons in all Troy - noble Nestor, Troilus the dauntless charioteer, and Hektor who was a god among men, so that one would have thought he was son to an immortal - yet there is not one of them left. Ares has slain them and those of whom I am ashamed are alone left me. Liars, and light of foot, heroes of the dance, robbers of lambs and kids from your own people, why do you not get a wagon ready for me at once, and put all these things upon it that I may set out on my way?"

265 Thus did he speak, and they feared the rebuke of their father. They brought out a strong mule-wagon, newly made, and set the body of the wagon fast on its bed. They took the mule-yoke from the peg on which it hung, a yoke of boxwood with a knob on the top of it and rings for the reins to go through. Then they brought a yoke-band eleven cubits long, to bind the yoke to the pole; they bound it on at the far end of the pole, and put the ring over the upright pin making it fast with three turns of the band on either side the knob, and bending the thong of the yoke beneath it. This done, they brought from the store-chamber the rich ransom that was to purchase the body of Hektor, and they set it all orderly on the wagon; then they yoked the strong harness-mules which the Mysians had on a time given as a goodly present to Priam; but for Priam himself they yoked horses which the old king had bred, and kept for own use.

281 Thus heedfully did Priam and his servant see to the yoking of their cars at the palace. Then Hecuba came to them all sorrowful, with a golden goblet of wine in her right hand, that they might make a drink-offering before they set out. She stood in front of the horses and said, "Take this, make a drink-offering to father Zeus, and since you are minded to go to the ships in spite of me, pray that you may come safely back from the hands of your enemies. Pray to the son of Kronos lord of the whirlwind, who sits on Ida and looks down over all Troy ,

292 pray him to send his swift messenger on your right hand, the bird of omen which is strongest and most dear to him of all birds, that you may see it with your own eyes and trust it as you go forth to the ships of the Danaans. If all-seeing Zeus will not send you this messenger, however set upon it you may be, I would not have you go to the ships of the Argives."

299 And Priam answered, "Wife, I will do as you desire me; it is well to lift hands in prayer to Zeus, if so be he may have mercy upon me." With this the old man bade the serving-woman pour pure water over his hands, and the woman came, bearing the water in a bowl. He washed his hands and took the cup from his wife; then he made the drink-offering and prayed, standing in the middle of the courtyard and turning his eyes to heaven. "Father Zeus," he said, "you who rule from Ida, most glorious and most great, grant that I may be received kindly and compassionately in the tents of Achilles; and send your swift messenger upon my right hand, the bird of omen which is strongest and most dear to you of all birds, that I may see it with my own eyes and trust it as I go forth to the ships of the Danaans."

English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Butler, rev. Nagy et al., 2020)) — 24.265 focus

Thus did he speak, and they feared the rebuke of their father. They brought out a strong mule-wagon, newly made, and set the body of the wagon fast on its bed. They took the mule-yoke from the peg on which it hung, a yoke of boxwood with a knob on the top of it and rings for the reins to go through. [270] Then they brought a yoke-band eleven cubits long, to bind the yoke to the pole; they bound it on at the far end of the pole, and put the ring over the upright pin making it fast with three turns of the band on either side the knob, and bending the thong of the yoke beneath it. [275] This done, they brought from the store-chamber the rich ransom that was to purchase the body of Hector, and they set it all orderly on the wagon; then they yoked the strong harness-mules which the Mysians had on a time given as a goodly present to Priam; but for Priam himself they yoked horses [280] which the old king had bred, and kept for own use.

Thus heedfully did Priam and his servant see to the yoking of their cars at the palace. Then Hecuba came to them all sorrowful, [285] with a golden goblet of wine in her right hand, that they might make a drink-offering before they set out. She stood in front of the horses and said, “Take this, make a drink-offering to father Zeus, and since you are minded to go to the ships in spite of me, pray that you may come safely back from the hands of your enemies. [290] Pray to the son of Kronos, lord of the whirlwind, who sits on Ida and looks down over all Troy, pray him to send his swift messenger on your right hand, the bird of omen which is strongest and most dear to him of all birds, that you may see it with your own eyes [295] and trust it as you go forth to the ships of the fast-mounted Danaans. If all-seeing Zeus will not send you this messenger, however set upon it you may be, I would not have you go to the ships of the Argives.”

English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cullen Bryant, 1870)) — 24.265 focus

He spake, and they, in fear of his rebuke,

Lifted from out its place the strong-wheeled car,

Framed to be drawn by mules, and beautiful,

And newly built, and on it they made fast

345

The coffer. From its pin they next took down

The boxwood mule-yoke, fitted well with rings,

And carved with a smooth boss. With this they brought

A yoke-band nine ells long, which carefully

Adjusting to the polished pole's far end,

350

They cast the ring upon the bolt, and thrice

Wound the long band on each side of the bolt

Around the yoke, and made it fast, and turned

The loose ends under. Then they carried forth

The treasures that should ransom Hector's corse;

355

And having piled them in the polished car,

They yoked the hardy, strong-hoofed mules which once

The Mysians gave to Priam, princely gifts.

To bear the yoke of Priam they led forth

The horses which the aged man himself

360

Fed at the polished manger. These the king

Yoked, aided by the herald, while in mind,

Within the palace court, they both revolved

Their prudent counsels. Hecuba, the queen,

Came to them in deep sorrow. In her hand

365

She bore a golden cup of delicate wine,

That they might make libations and depart.

She stood before the steeds, and thus she spake: -

"Take this, and pour to Father Jove, and pray

That thou mayst safely leave the enemy's camp

370

For home, since 't is thy will, though I dissuade,

To go among the ships. Implore thou then

The god of Ida and the gatherer

Of the black tempest, Saturn's son, who looks

Down on all Troy, to send his messenger,

375

His swift and favorite bird, of matchless strength,

On thy right hand, that, with thine eye on him,

Thou mayst with courage journey to the ships

Of the Greek horsemen. But if Jupiter

All-seeing should withhold his messenger,

380

I cannot bid thee, eager as thou art,

Adventure near the galleys of the Greeks."

English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (Thomas Hobbes, 1667, ed. Molesworth 1843)) — 24.265 focus

And speedily the waggon forth they bring,

And yoke well-fitted with an iron pin;

And fix'd it to the pole's end with a ring,

255

And cord nine cubits long, to keep it in ;

Which thrice about the boxen yoke they wind,

And to the waggon laid the ransom in;

And to it then the lusty mules they bind,

Which by the Mysians given him had been.

260

That done, king Priam's horses to his car

Were by himself and by Idaeus tied,

Of which he always taken had such care,

That while they fed he stayed by their side.

Then Hecuba came to them with a cup,

265

A golden cup of pleasant wine, that they

The same to Jupiter might offer up

Before unto their foes they went away.

Here, take this cup, said she, and pray to Jove

That he will let you see a lucky flight

270

Of that great bird which he the most doth love,

That you may be assured by the sight

That safe you shall again return to Troy.

For if that favour to you be denied

I should avise you by all means to stay.

275

English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (George Chapman, 1611, ed. Hooper 1857)) — 24.265 focus

And straight his mule-drawn chariot came, to which they fast did bind

The trunk with gifts. And then came forth, with an afflicted mind,

Old Hecuba. In her right hand a bowl of gold she bore

With sweet wine crown'd, stood near, and said : "Receive this, and implore,

265

With sacrificing it to Jove, thy safe return. I see

Thy mind likes still to go, though mine dislikes it utterly.

Pray to the black-cloud-gathering God, Idæan Jove, that views

All Troy, and all her miseries, that he will deign to use

His most-lov'd bird to ratify thy hopes, that, her broad wing

270

Spread on thy right hand, thou mayst know thy zealous offering

Accepted, and thy safe return confirm'd; but if he fail,

Fail thy intent, though never so it labours to prevail."

English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey) (OCR draft) Experimental (English (William Cowper, 1791, ed. Southey)) — 24.265 focus

He said, and by his chiding awed, his sons

340

Drew forth the royal litter, neat, new-built,

And following swift the draught, on which they bound

The coffer; next, they lower'd from the wall

The sculptured boxen yoke with its two rings;

And with the yoke its furniture, in length

345

Nine cubits; this to the extremest end

Adjusting of the pole, they cast the ring

Over the ring-bolt; then, thrice through the yoke

They drew the brace on both sides, made it fast

With even knots, and tuck'd the dangling ends.

350

Producing, next, the glorious ransom-price

Of Hector's body, on the litter's floor

¹²³

They heap'd it all, then yoked the sturdy mules,

A gift illustrious by the Mysians erst

Conferr'd on Priam; to the chariot, last,

355

They led forth Priam's steeds, which the old King

(In person serving them) with freshest corn

Constant supplied; meantime, himself within

The palace, and his herald, were employ'd

Girding themselves, to go; wise each and good.

360

And now came mournful Hecuba, with wine

Delicious charged, which in a golden cup

She brought, that not without libation due

First made, they might depart. Before the steeds

Her steps she stay'd, and Priam thus address'd.

365

Take this, and to the Sire of all perform

Libation, praying him a safe return

From hostile hands, since thou art urged to seek

The Greecian camp, though not by my desire.

Pray also to Idæan Jove cloud-girt,

370

Who oversees all Ilium, that he send

His messenger or ere thou go, the bird

His favourite most, surpassing all in strength,

At thy right-hand; him seeing, thou shalt tend

With better hope toward the fleet of Greece.

375

But should loud-thundering Jove his lieger swift

Withhold, from me far be it to advise

This journey, howsoe'er thou wish to go.

⁴

Notes on the current edition

Iliad

1. It is necessary to observe that two cars are here prepared; the one drawn by mules, to carry the presents, and to bring back the body of Hector: the other drawn by horses, in which the herald and Priam rode.

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

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

In speaking to Priam, the god Hermes disguises himself as a therapōn of Achilles. It is as if he were the spirit of the dead Patroklos, the other self of Achilles himself.

source

See again the comment on I.24.393.

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

comparison of Greek formulas for asking a person’s identity with Avestan and Indic parallels, as well as genos eukhesthai einai formulas

source

comparison of Greek formulas for asking a person’s identity with Avestan and Indic parallels, as well as genos eukhesthai einai formulas

source

Homer Iliad 24.265

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