*£-
 
 THE ILIAD OF HOJVIEIl. 
 
 THE FLEST TKEEE BOOKS 
 
 FAITHFULLY 
 
 TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH HEXAIklETERS, 
 
 ACCORDING TO THB 
 
 STYLE AND MANNER OF THE ORIGINAL. 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 FREDERICK H. J. RITSO, ESQ. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 RIVINGTONS, WATERLOO PLACE. 
 
 1861.
 
 LONDON : 
 GILBERT AND EITINGTON, PRINTERS, 
 
 ST. John's squaee.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 It appears that the Iliad, in analogy to the National Institutions of the Homeric 
 period, was intended not for mere private study, but for popular and competitive 
 recitation. It was recited, according to the usage of those times, before a public 
 assembly, amid the plaudits of an audience alike captivated with its harmony 
 and heroism, with its energy and majesty, and with its primitive minuteness 
 and simplicity. It was repeated afterwards by the Rhapsodists in popular 
 baUads, and again and again recited before competing majorities, until at length 
 all the tribes of Greece (in the words of our great commentator of Homeric 
 celebrity) were intellectually initiated in its culture, historical, philosophical, 
 and political.
 
 THE ILIAD. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 Sing of the wratli of Achilles the godlike begotten of Peleus 
 
 Goddess, the direful soxirce of the woes of the sons of Achaia ; 
 
 TeU of the souls that to Hades it sent untimely of heroes, 
 
 Them to the dogs it abandon'd, or left unburied for carnage, 
 
 Thrown to the vultures to prey on ; so Jove and the fates had decreed it. 5 
 
 Hence in eventual strife and with imcontrollable anger 
 
 Quarrell'd and parted Atrides the king ', and the godlike Achilles. 
 
 Who then of all the Immortals the two chiefs brought to a conflict ? 
 
 Jove's own son by Latona ; for he, to rebuke the Atrides, 
 
 A pestilence raised in the camp, and the people iagloriously perish'd. lo 
 
 Why, but for Chryses the priest, by the King Agamemnon dishonour'd ? 
 
 He to the camp of the Greeks in the vestment came of his priesthood, 
 
 ' Agamemnon and Menelaus, the two sons of Atreus, were both Atrides, and both of them 
 were kings, but " Atrides the King " denoted Agamemnon distinctly, as l/te king or chief of 
 the confederate kings, who joined in the expedition against Troy.
 
 2 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 Ransom to give for his daughter ; and choice were the gifts he presented ; 
 
 Chaplets he brought in his hands from the fane of Apollo selected, 
 
 And the sceptre of hurnish'd gold ; to his aid he implored the Achseans, 15 
 
 But the Atrides chiefly, the rulers elect of the people. 
 
 " ye Atrides, and all other brave confederate warriors, 
 
 " To you may the gods be propitious, and all successful your efforts 
 
 " Yon proud city to capture, and prosperous be your return home. 
 
 " But for my own lost child, for my daughter reject not a ransom, 20 
 
 " And as in piety bound respect far-darting Apollo." 
 
 He said ; and the warlike chiefs appear'd to be all of the same mind, 
 
 That grace should be shown to the priest, and his ransoming gifts be accepted ; 
 
 Not so the King Agamemnon, but he the prerogative claiming, 
 
 Sternly the priest dismiss'd, and a threatening speech superadded : 25 
 
 " Let me not find you again, old man, nor hear of your coming ; 
 
 " If here loitering found, whether now or hereafter returning, 
 
 " Neither the chaplets nor sceptre you bring may avaU to protect you. 
 
 " The maiden I let not go, nor abandon my right to my captive ; 
 
 " Here in my tent she remains, in my palace at Argos hereafter, 30 
 
 " The loom her employment by day, and at night to my bed to attend me. 
 
 " But go, seek not delay, and no further provoke me to anger." 
 
 He said ; and with fear and confusion the priest from his presence retreated ; 
 
 Silent he went and alone to the shore of the loud-flowing ocean. 
 
 There in the conflict lost of grief, despair, and resentment, 35 
 
 He thus pray'd to Apollo, Jove's own son by Latona : 
 
 " God of the silver bow, who especially Chrysa protectest, 
 
 " Also in CUla adored, and who over Tenedos reignest, 
 
 " Smintheus ; if ever faithful and true to thy service and worship
 
 13— OG.] THE ILIAD. 3 
 
 " Grace I have found, nor in vain sacrificially burnt on thine altar 40 
 
 " Bullock and goats' fat limbs, now hear, and my prayer accomplish ; 
 " Spare not for these my tears to inflict on the Greeks an atonement." 
 The suppliant's pray'r not unheard up to Phccbus Apollo ascended. 
 Down from the heights of Olympus with indignation he hasten'd, 
 Arm'd with the silver bow, aud the quivers replete with his arrows ; 45 
 
 These from his shoulders were hung, and a clattering clangour recoil'd from 
 The silver bow as he moved. Like a cloud in the night he alighted 
 In view of the camp on a mount, and thence shot swiftly an arrow ; 
 Awful to hear was the bowstring's twang and the rush of the arrow. 
 First at the cattle he aim'd, and the mules and the dogs fell attainted ; 50 
 
 Also the men thro' the camp he next with his pestilent arrows 
 Struck ; then the funeral piles with the heaps of the slain were encumber'd. 
 Nine whole days enduring the pestilence raged imabated ; 
 Call'd on the tenth by Achilles, the chiefs were in council assembled. 
 This to the warrior's mind had white-arm'd Juno suggested, 55 
 
 For in her heart she grieved at the sight of the perishing Grecians. 
 Therefore the chiefs assembled in council, and when they were seated, 
 Straight uprose to address them the swift-footed warlike AchUles : 
 " Now is the time, Atrides, to think of at once re-embarking 
 " Home to retiu-n, if indeed we may hope yet to find any refuge 60 
 
 " Now from the wide-spread plague to the perils of war superadded. 
 " But for ad^-ice let us call some prophet or priest to the council, 
 " One who can dreams interpret (for Jove sends dreams as a warning), 
 " The cause to explain of the plague by Apollo's vengeance inflicted ; 
 " Whether for perjured vows, or a hecatomb due and withholden ? 65 
 
 " Unblemish'd rams and goats, and the savoui-y odour for incense 
 
 B 2
 
 4 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " Haply liis wratli may appease, and the pestilence thus be abated." 
 
 He said, and his seat he resumed ; uprose then the augur and high-priest 
 
 Calchas, of Thestor the son, aud of dreams an interpreter far famed ; 
 
 All things past or present he knew, and predicted the future ; 70 
 
 To Ilion he came with the shijjs from Achaia, in rank a commander. 
 
 So for his wisdom preferr'd, by the favour of Phoebus Apollo. 
 
 Thus to the warlike assembly his sage discourse he deliver'd : 
 
 " Since, godlike " Achilles, you by the grace of Apollo 
 
 " Call for the cause to be shown of the plague by his vengeance inflicted, 75 
 
 " Therefore I wUl explain it, but first, if it may be, requiring 
 
 " Promise whate'er may ensue of your personal aid and protection. 
 
 " Anger to strife ever prone is in him. to be fear'd above others 
 
 " Who o'er the Argives reigns ; and obedient to him is the army. 
 
 " Surely a king is the stronger with one his inferior contending ; 80 
 
 " Hide as he may for a time, and repress all sign of resentment, 
 
 " StiU in his breast he'll keep it, at length peradventure to break forth 
 
 " Fiercer and unrestrain'd : then say if you'll aid and protect me ?" 
 
 To whom in reply thus answer'd the swift- footed warlike Achilles : 
 
 " Calchas, whate'er you know say at once and report it with courage, 85 
 
 " For by Apollo I swear it, to whose high service devoted 
 
 " You of his mysteries learn, and interpret his wiU to the people, 
 
 " Never as long as with life I have sight, and the power of motion, 
 
 " Shall man's hand be uplifted against you, whoe'er may attempt it, 
 
 " Whether in camp or in ship, not himself Agamemnon excepted, 90 
 
 ' The epithet "godlike" is never used in Homer in a moral sense, but only to denote 
 superiority of race, as " His Royal Highness."
 
 67—117.] THE ILIAD. 5 
 
 " Glory and boast as he may in the chief command of our army." 
 
 This by Achilles was said, and anon then the prophet proceeded : 
 
 " Neither for perjured votts, nor a hecatomb due and vdthh olden, 
 
 " But for the wrongs to his priest by the King Agamemnon dishonour'd, 
 
 " He for the old man's daughter the price of a ransom rejected, 95 
 
 " This doth Apollo resent, and the pestilence proves his resentment. 
 
 " Neither to this visitation the chance of an end do I foresee 
 
 " Until again to her father the captive maiden be render'd 
 
 " Eansom-free and without price : this with a hecatomb forthwith 
 
 " Offer'd at Chrysa it needs, that the pestilence may be averted." loo 
 
 He said, and his seat he resumed ; when hastily uprose Atrides, 
 
 Chief of the warlike host, wide-ruling King Agamemnon, 
 
 Brimful of ire ; ia his breast it was all confusion and darkness. 
 
 Yet with an ominous glare was it seen in his fiery eyeballs. 
 
 Sternly at Calchas he look'd, then spoke with imperative accent, 105 
 
 " Prophet of evil, for never aught good has your prophecy boded, 
 
 " Always the worst to predict to your mind and heart was familiar, 
 
 " Happier anticipations as uncongenial and adverse ; 
 
 " So do you now proclaim, in the presence of all this assembly, 
 
 " That me they have only to blame for the ills they endure from Apollo's no 
 
 " Vengeance ; because I resign not my captive the daughter of Chryses, 
 
 " Gifts for her ransom rejecting ; and well may I wish to retain her, 
 
 " Here in my tent to remain, in my palace at Argos hereafter ; 
 
 " Clytemnestra herself, my legitimate wife from a \irgiQ, 
 
 " Hardly excels her in person, or temper, or industry likewise : 115 
 
 " Yet for expediency-sake I agree to relinquish the maiden 
 
 " If so it needs, for I hold to the popular welfare in all things ;
 
 6 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " But be prepared with your gifts to afford me the price of her ransom ; 
 
 " Lest of the chiefs, I alone should in fact be without any prize left, 
 
 " That which is rightfully mine transferr'd, as you see, to go elsewhere." 120 
 
 He said ; and to him thus answer'd the swift-footed warlike Achilles : 
 
 " most glorious Atrides, in avarice basest of mortals, 
 
 " How can the brave-hearted Greeks, and where, find gifts for a ransom ? 
 
 " Gifts we have none to bestow, and alike no treasure in common ; 
 
 " As for the spoils we have gain'd, we have long since shared them amongst us ; 125 
 
 " Those to reclaim and resume would be inconsistent with justice : 
 
 " Seemlier were it for you to release this maiden, and henceforth 
 
 " Threefold shall you and four-fold good gifts have for a ransom, 
 
 " When we obtain (Jove willing) the capture of Troy and its treasures." 
 
 He said ; and to him in reply wide-ruling King Agamemnon : 130 
 
 " Not so, godlike Achilles, the boldest of men as you may be, 
 
 " Think my assent to surprise, and with plausible words to persuade me ; 
 
 " While you boast of your guerdon, shall I, do you think, the retainer 
 
 " Tamely of mine forego, and my right to my captive abandon ? 
 
 " I, for expediency-sake, if the Greeks bring gifts as a ransom, 135 
 
 " Assured of their value no less, object not to that satisfaction ; 
 
 " If not so, my right I resume, and at once will take for requital 
 
 " Your prize, or that of Ajax, Idomeneus, or Ulysses, 
 
 " Neither of him so deprived the repulse or resentment regarding. 
 
 " But as to this, we may leave it for consultation hereafter. 140 
 
 " Now let us choose out a ship, and afloat let it stay for equipment, 
 
 " Call to their benches the rowers, the hecatomb due for atonement 
 
 " Duly provide, embark, and receive then the maiden Chryseis. 
 
 " Also with this expedition let some chief go as commander, —
 
 118—171.] THE ILIAD. 7 
 
 " One or another, as Ajax, Idomcneus, or Ulj'sses, 145 
 
 " Or even you, Pelides, the most terrific of all men : 
 
 " So may your pray'rs and oblations appease far-darting Apollo." 
 
 Him then ia scorn surveying, thus answer'd the valiant Achilles : 
 
 " most impudent King, and the most avaricious of all men ! 
 
 " What brave Greek can endure to your insolent rule to be subject, I50 
 
 " Here, or on mission to go, or the foe in the field to encounter ? 
 
 " Not in my own cause came I for injui-ies done or imagined, 
 
 " Here with the Trojans to fight, for to me they were never offensive ; 
 
 " Never from me or from mine have driven the oxen and horses, 
 
 " Never have Phthia invaded, its cornfields wasted and pastures, 155 
 
 " Or with the fruit made off ; but a long way keeps us divided, 
 
 " Moimtains and forests between, and a wide-flowing sea intervening. 
 
 " For you it was, impudent King, in your sequel we came at your bidding, 
 
 " A dog-eyed King as you are, for yom- brother Atrides dishonour'd, 
 
 " Eevenge on the Trojans to take ; but of this you are reckless and care not. lOo 
 
 " Now in your imjust anger you threaten to seize on my guerdon, 
 
 " Which for my toil and labour to me by the Greeks was awarded. 
 
 " Always unequal to yours is the prize to my valour conceded, 
 
 " When any share we may have of spoil obtain'd from the Trojans. 
 
 " I in the front of the battle, and there incessantly fighting i65 
 
 " Laboxir and toil for the prize ; and whatever my guerdon awarded, 
 
 " With modesty fain I receive ; but you, from all perils exempted, 
 
 " The choicest and largest reward by prerogative take and precedence. 
 
 " But away now to Phthia I'll go, for in sooth far nobler I deem it 
 
 " Home with my ships to return, than without respect to my honour i ^o 
 
 " Here to be rated, but yours wiU the loss be of glory and treasure."
 
 8 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 He said ; and to him in reply wide-ruling King Agamemnon : 
 
 " Go if you wUl with your ships, and may ill luck speed your departure ; 
 
 " In sooth it but little concerns me, for others as brave and as A'aliant 
 
 " With honour remain to attend me, and Jove above all my protector. 175 
 
 " You of the Jove-honour'd Kings are the most ungracious and hateful, 
 
 " Prone to contention and strife, and no pleasure you know but in fightiiig ; 
 
 " If in valour superiorly gifted, you owe to the Gods the distinction. 
 
 " And now home with your ships, and with all your companions returning, 
 
 " There o'er your myrmidons reign, for I want not your aid and assistance, 180 
 
 " And reck not your anger ; but this do I furthermore menace and threaten : 
 
 " So, for the loss of my captive, reclaim'd as she is by Apollo, 
 
 " And now ransom-free in my own ship sent and with escort, 
 
 " Yours is the prize I elect, and at once will take for requital 
 
 " Briseis ; myself from your tent will take her, a proof to afford you 185 
 
 " How in my pow'r I excel, and to others a warning in futui-e 
 
 " Not my resentment to brave, or with me compete as my equals." 
 
 He said, and Achilles was wroth ; and his thoughts distracted and doubtful 
 
 Whether to rush thro' the crowd then at once, and with instantly-drawn sword 
 
 Challenge and leave not alive wide-ruling King Agamemnon, 190 
 
 Or, to himself more true, to refrain and repress yet his anger. 
 
 "N^Hiile in his mind and heart the perplexity thus he debated. 
 
 He half drew his sword from its scabbard, when suddenly came from Olympus 
 
 Miuerva, the Goddess of wisdom, for white-arm'd Juno had sent her, 
 
 Moved at the strife, and of both with an equal regard the protectress. 195 
 
 Now to Pelides hastening, back by the hair she withheld him ; 
 
 He then as suddenly turning, lo ! to his utter amazement 
 
 (Plainly reveal'd to himself, but to others formless and unseen),
 
 172—225.] THE ILIAD. 9 
 
 There stood Pallas Minerva. The blue-eyed Goddess of wisdom 
 
 He at the instant knew, and with acclamation accosted : 200 
 
 " Daughter of Jove the omnipotent, why hither come you, and wherefore ? 
 
 " Is it the insolent bearing of King Agamemnon to witness ? 
 
 " But thus much I afifinn, and the same is by Fate so awarded, 
 
 " That man's insolent pride will ere long drive him to madness," 
 
 He said ; and to him thus answer'd the blue-eyed Goddess of wisdom : 205 
 
 " Know that your wrath to appease, if it may be, I came from OljTnpus, 
 
 " Thereto by Juno deputed, — for seen from above was your conflict ; 
 
 " Her care she extends to you both, to the welfare of either attending. 
 
 " Now come, truce to your vengeance, and draw not the sword from its scabbard ; 
 
 " Words are without limitation, let them suiSce for your anger. 210 
 
 " This do I further declare, and the same is by Fate so awarded, 
 
 " Threefold shall your reward be for compensation hereafter, 
 
 " "Wrong'd as at present you may be : with this be appeased and persuaded." 
 
 To whom in reply thus answer'd the swift-footed warlike Achilles : 
 
 " Goddess, the wisdom and justice I own and revere of your counsel, 215 
 
 " Not but indignant I feel at the thought of my honour insulted, 
 
 " But to obey is a duty no less than a claim to protection." 
 
 So saying, with ponderous hand his sword in the depth of its scabbard 
 
 Now to the hilt he repress'd, the divine injunction obeying. 
 
 Again to the heights of OljTnpus the blue-eyed Minerva departed, 220 
 
 The celestial abodes to regain of Jove and of all the Immortals. 
 
 Yet with implacable wrath still rankled the breast of Achilles, 
 
 Nor did he longer refrain from thus Agamemnon upbraiding : 
 
 " Drunkard, with eyes of a dog, and the heart of a stag In your bosom, 
 
 " For to the front to advance as a brave-hearted Grecian in battle, 225
 
 10 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " Or to the rescue to come, or from ambush join in the combat, 
 
 " Never have you dared venture, as death such achievement regarding. 
 
 " Better you deem it, and safer in strife and contention prevailing, 
 
 " Some far worthier chief to deprive in the camp of his guerdon, 
 
 " A people-devouring king ; and alike un-Grecian your subjects, 230 
 
 " Or even now, Atrides, had ended your insolent misride. 
 
 " But this do I declare, and an oath superadd to affii-m it ; 
 
 " By this sceptre I swear (not of leaves any longer or branches 
 
 " Has it the increase borne since first from its trunk it was parted, 
 
 " Nor shall it henceforth bear, by the sharp-edged axe of the woodman 235 
 
 " Sever'd and shorn of its foliage, but by the Greeks had in honour, 
 
 " Emblem esteem'd of command in the hands of kings and of judges, 
 
 " Jove's vicegerents on earth ; — then what more solemn to swear by ?) 
 
 " Long and in vain shall the Greeks the departure lament of Achilles ; 
 
 " Nor is the day far distant when, your best efforts defeating, 240 
 
 " Hector from Troy's high walls shall repel to their ships the Achfcans ; 
 
 " Helpless will you be to aid them, and all youi- regrets imavaHuig 
 
 " That ever the best and bravest of aU Greek chiefs you dishonour'd." 
 
 So sajing, Pelides his sceptre, with bright gold studded and blazon'd. 
 
 Threw as in scorn to the ground, and his seat he resumed and was silent. 245 
 
 Apart sat Atrides, indignant and sullen. But presently uprose 
 
 Nestor, of Pylos the king, and for wisdom and eloquence far famed : 
 
 Prudent counsel he gave, and his words were as honey for sweetness. 
 
 Two generations of men since born he already had outlived, 
 
 All to the grave departed, so many the years he had niunber'd ; 250 
 
 Still with the third generation the sceptre he wielded at Pylos. 
 
 Thus to the warlike assembly his sage discoui-se he deUver'd :
 
 226—279.] THE ILIAD. 11 
 
 " Heav'ns, what direful strife impends on the sons of Achaia ! 
 
 " Grateful to Priam no doubt, and a joy to his numerous offspring. 
 
 " How will the Trojans exult, and so indeed might they with reason 255 
 
 " Could they but hear, to our shame, these ebullitions of anger, 
 
 " Most unseemly in those who in council preside as in combat. 
 
 " But now listen to me, to an old man you who are younger. 
 
 " Men for their valour renown'd have in times past been my associates ; 
 
 " Never by them was I slighted, nor imdervalued my counsel ; 260 
 
 " We now see not theii' equals, nor ever methinks shall again see, — 
 
 " Brave Peirithous, Dryas, the shepherd-king of the people, 
 
 " Coeneus, Exadion, Polyphemus, of gods the reputed 
 
 " Rival, and Theseus also, the godlike, begotten of .3<]geus. 
 
 " They were of all men the bravest of those of the past generation, 265 
 
 " Bravest in warlike conflict, and brave were the foes they defeated. 
 
 " They were the men who encounter'd and routed in battle the Centaurs : 
 
 " I then sail'd from Pylos, in that confederate warfare 
 
 " With them to a far-off land and to foreign adventure proceeding, 
 
 " In perils and toUs their associate, and most assuredly no one 270 
 
 " In these degenerate days is with them to be named as their equal. 
 
 " The}' my advice respected, and often by me were persuaded ; 
 
 " Now be ye also persuaded, and turn not away from my counsel ; 
 
 " You, though first in command, Atrides, retain not the damsel, 
 
 " Neither require from Achilles the prize to his valour awarded : 27S 
 
 " And you, brave son of Peleus, aggravate not by reproaches, 
 
 " Nor yet further provoke wide-riding King Agamemnon. 
 
 " You if superior to him by your valour, and born of a Goddess, 
 
 " He by the favour of Jove is with honour and glory invested
 
 12 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " So much greater as wider than yours is his royal dominion, 28o 
 
 " More extended his rule, and his far more numerous subjects. 
 
 " Now my advice is to honour with deference due the Atrides, 
 
 " Also Achilles to honour, for him we regard as a fortress." 
 
 He said ; and to him in reply wide-ruling King Agamemnon : 
 
 " Aged seer, your advice is indeed consistent with justice, 285 
 
 " But no agreement can be with that man who but his own will 
 
 " Sets up for sovereign rule, all claims but his own overbearing. 
 
 " "Wrangle and quarrel he wiU, and his arrogance must be resisted. 
 
 " If he is braver than others, it is to the Gods that he owes it ; 
 
 " But what right does it give him in strife and in quarrel to show it ? " 290 
 
 Him Pelides hastily interrupted and answer'd, 
 
 " Worthless should I indeed be, and mine but a poor reputation, 
 
 " If to your iasolent rule but a bUnd submission I render'd : 
 
 " Dole out to others your orders, on me to impose and enjoin them 
 
 " Presume not, for this I declare, that I never will heed or obey them. 293 
 
 " This do I further declare, and the same j-ou may please to remember, 
 
 " Not for the sake of my guerdon, to me for my valour awarded, 
 
 " Wni I to fight be induced, and with you or another to combat ; 
 
 " But of my own proper goods, and of all that my ship has of value, 
 
 " Woe to the man who ventures the smallest to take for a capture ; 300 
 
 " Pierced with a merciless thrust of my quivering lance through his vitals, 
 
 " There he shall lie but a corpse, and his black blood flow on the pavement." 
 
 Thus having long contended, with mutual threats and reproaches. 
 
 They, with the numerous chiefs, from the council abruptly departed ; 
 
 Pelides to his ship to return with Menoitiades went ; 305 
 
 But the Atrides commanded the ship to prepare for the convoy.
 
 280—333.] THE ILIAD. 13 
 
 Now MTith the rowers in place, and the hecatomb duly provided ; 
 
 This conveniently stow'd, preparation was made for Chrysiiis : 
 
 Shortly the fail- maid came, she was led by the gallant Ulysses, 
 
 And on the wide-flowing ocean for Chrysa departed the convoy. 3io 
 
 Next for a grand lustration the army was form'd on the sea-shore ; 
 
 This had Atrides commanded, the simdry ablutions regarding : 
 
 Into the sea's deep flood the impurities aU they rejected. 
 
 Then was a hecatomb ofler'd as wont for a propitiation, 
 
 Bullocks and goats for a banquet, the savoury odour for incense, 315 
 
 Such with their prayers and vows was the sacrifice made to Apollo. 
 
 Thus were the Greeks employ'd thro' the camp. But the King Agamemnon 
 
 Still with resentment glow'd, and thirst for revenge on Achilles. 
 
 Therefore the heralds he call'd, Talthybius one, and the other 
 
 Em-ybates, both heralds, and known as the royal reporters. 320 
 
 " Go," he exclaim'd, " to the tent of Achilles, and there as your captive 
 
 " Take by the hand and straightway bring me the maiden Briseis ; 
 
 " Should you in this be resisted, myself with a numerous escort 
 
 " Will with my own hands take her, and worse will befall her retainers." 
 
 This to the heralds he said, and threats yet further he added. 325 
 
 Silently then to the shore of the wide-flowing ocean proceeding, 
 
 Soon to the mj-rmidon ships, but with hearts unwilling, the heralds 
 
 Came, — and in sooth to Achilles it gave no pleasure to see them. 
 
 Him in his tent they beheld, but at aweful distance remaiaing 
 
 Still as in doubt kept back, nor the object cxplain'd of their coming, 330 
 
 Loth to advance or to speak in the presence of majesty standing. 
 
 He their embarrassment noticed, and now thus calmly address'd them : 
 
 " Come, ye have leave, brave heralds, reporters of Jove and of monarchs ;
 
 14, THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " Surely not you do I blame, or your office, but King Agamemnon, 
 
 " Who for the capture sends you of fair Briseis, my guerdon. 335 
 
 " But go, friend Patroclus, and bring from her chamber the maiden." 
 
 (Then to the heralds) — " For you," he exclaim'd, " shall be witnesses henceforth 
 
 " Before the Immortals, who fail not to notice the just and the imjust, 
 
 " Before that implacable King above all, of your mission reporting, 
 
 " Before him and all men besides, that when the afflicted Achseans 340 
 
 " Me in their desperate need shall call, but in vain, to their succour ; 
 
 " For to the combat to lead them, or keep to their ships for protection ^ — 
 
 " lie no intelligence has, nor circumspection or forecast, 
 
 " Others to save or to rescue." But now Patroclus returning 
 
 Came with the fair Briseis, and her to the heralds presented ; 345 
 
 And by the band conducted, with them, but averse and reluctant, 
 
 She departed ; with tears were the eyes suflFused of Achilles. 
 
 He to the shore then turn'd, and aloof from his comrades removing. 
 
 There for a while sat silent, and look'd as in thought on the ocean. 
 
 Then with his arms extended, his Goddess-mother invoking, 350 
 
 " You," he exclaim'd, " dear mother, have borne me a short-living mortal, 
 
 " Doom'd from my birth to affliction, and prematurely to perish ; 
 
 " So have the Fates ordain'd : but the Father of Gods and of mortals 
 
 " Should, as it seems most just, have repair'd it in glory and honour I 
 
 " This the Olympian Euler regards not, and I as an outcast 355 
 
 " Am by the King Agamemnon dishonour'd, and robb'd of my guerdon." 
 
 Thus he in tears lamented, but heard was his prayer bj' Thetis, 
 
 ^ This abrupt termination, called by grammarians the " aposiopesis," of the speech of Achilles 
 is highly poetical and descriptive.
 
 334-380.] THE ILIAD. 15 
 
 Far in the depths of the ocean, in Neptune's palace reposing : 
 
 She as a grey mist rose, and her path thro' the waters dividing. 
 
 Came to the arms of Achilles, and soothingly thus she address'd him : ."ieo 
 
 " Dear child, why those tears, what new distress has befallen ? 
 
 " All to your mother relate, we'll take sweet counsel together." 
 
 " Dearest of mothers," he answer'd, " to you the recital were needless ; 
 
 " All things present or past are to you Immortals notorious. 
 
 " Late as a foray we made in Eetion's realm upon Thebez *, 365 
 
 " All that of spoil we obtain'd, and the black-eyed maidens we captured, 
 
 " "We in our ships brought hither as prize to divide upon landing. 
 
 " First the Atrides, the King, made choice of the maiden Chryseis ; 
 
 " But soon Chryses, the priest, in the vestment clad of his priesthood, 
 
 " Came to the sail-rigg'd ships of the brass-accoutred Achseans, aro 
 
 " Eansom to give for his daughter, and choice were the gifts he presented. 
 
 " Chaplets he brought in his hands from the fane of Apollo selected, 
 
 " And the sceptre of burnish'd gold ; to his aid he implored the Achaoans, 
 
 " But the Atrides chiefly, as rulers elect of the people. 
 
 " Moved by his prayers and tears when the chiefs all seem'd of the same mind, 375 
 
 " That grace should be shown to the priest, and his ransoming gifts be accepted, 
 
 " Not so the King Agamemnon ; but he the prerogative claiming, 
 
 " Sternly the priest dismiss'd, and a threatening speech superadded. 
 
 " This when the old man heard, overwhelm'd in grief he retreated 
 
 " Silently, but to ApoUo with tears and praj'ers for vengeance 3S0 
 
 * This ancient city was a colony of the Phoenicians, on the coast of Palestine ; and there it was 
 that Abiraelech, one of the judges of Israel, is said to have been killed by a stone thrown from a 
 tower by a woman's hand, b.c. 1250. See the Book of Judges, ch. ix. v. 50.
 
 16 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " Call'd, as it proved, not in vain. He soon with his pestilent arrows 
 
 " Spread thro' the camp of the Greeks the effects of his terrible vengeance : 
 
 " There they ingloriously perish'd. At length we in council assembled 
 
 " Learn from the principal augur the cause of Apollo's resentment. 
 
 " I was the first to advise an atonement and propitiation. 385 
 
 " This displeased the Atrides ; and he by his power prevailing, 
 
 " "What in his anger he threaten'd has since found means to accomplish. 
 
 " Already embark'd on the ocean the black-eyed daughter of Chryses 
 
 " Back to her father he sends, with a tribute besides for Apollo. 
 
 " Anon to my tent came the heralds with orders from King Agamemnon, 390 
 
 " Captive to take and to bring to himself Briseis, my guerdon. 
 
 " But you now, dear mother, afford to your son yonr protection, 
 
 " Try what entreaty can do with the father of gods and of mortals, 
 
 " If ever laudable zeal you have shown to deserve his affection. 
 
 " Oft have I heard you relate, then a youth in the house of my father, 395 
 
 " How it befell when Saturn was from his kingdom evicted *, 
 
 " How in the strife that ensued, tho' deserted by all the Immortals, 
 
 " You to omnipotent Jove were alone adherent and faithful, 
 
 " When in rebellion against him were Juno, and Pallas, and Neptune. 
 
 " They having plotted together to claim the Satumian kingdom, 400 
 
 " Had upon Jove laid hands, and in chains and fetters detain'd him ; 
 
 ' " Evicted." According to the Greek, mythology, the Fates had decreed the reign of Saturn 
 to continue until he should be evicted by his own son. To prevent such a catastrophe, he de- 
 voiu-ed his children at the birth; but at the birth of Jupiter, Rhea, his mother, in order to save 
 him alive, presented Saturn with a stone in a bag, which he immediately swallowed, supposing it 
 to be the infant. Afterwards, when Jupiter had grown up, Saturn was by him evicted, as the 
 Fates had decreed.— ifesjorf, Theog. 464.
 
 381—427.] THE ILIAD. 17 
 
 " How then alone you call'd up and brought to his rescue the Giant, 
 " Him with the hundred hands, whose name with the gods was Briareus, 
 " But upon earth iEgajon, and stronger he was than his father. 
 " Him upon Jove's right hand they beheld with alarm and with terror, 405 
 
 " Nor to their chains any more nor to acts of rebellion resorted. 
 " Spare not of this to remind him ; then clasping his knees and entreating, 
 " Urge him to favour in battle, at least for the present, the Trojans, 
 " ^Vnd to dishearten before them and drive to their ships the Achaeans. 
 " So may it prove to the Greeks what sort of a leader they follow, 4io 
 
 " And the Atrides may rue yet the cost he incurr'd by his own act, 
 " When in his unjust anger the bravest of chiefs he dishonour'd." 
 He said ; and to him, with a sigh and her tears yet in sympathy falling, 
 Thetis replied : — " Dear child, but in sorrow it was that I rear'd you ! 
 " Woidd that unharm'd as you came you had stay'd in the ship with your 
 comi'ades ! 415 
 
 " Destined beyond other men to be both afflicted and short-lived, 
 " "Woes imnumber'd to suffer, and yet so untimely to perish ; 
 " This did I grieve evermore, and may weU say I rear'd you in sorrow. 
 " But to persuade, if it may be, the father of gods and of mortals, 
 " Me it behoves to proceed to the snow-cover'd heights of Olympus ; 420 
 
 " You meantime in your ship content to remain with your comrades, 
 " Calmly your mind compose, and your thoughts turn wholly from warfare. 
 " Jove to the banks of the ocean but yesterday came to a banquet 
 " The ^Ethiopians among, and by all the celestials attended, 
 " Nor till the twelfth day will they again yet return to Olympus. 426 
 
 " I to the palace of Jove, on its brass foxmdation erected, 
 " Will then quickly repair, and his knees I'll clasp and entreat him."
 
 18 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 This having said, she departed : but he yet again to himself left, 
 
 Angrilj' dwelt in his mind on the fair Briseis, his guerdon, 
 
 Seized by the hands of the heralds. But now had Ulysses to Chrysa 430 
 
 Come ■with the black-eyed maid, and the hecatomb brought for ApoUo. 
 
 When at the port they arrived, and the mouth of the harbour had enter'd, 
 
 Quickly the sail they furl'd, and the mast they lower'd and imbraced, 
 
 And to the crutch convey'd it the benches beneath of the rowers. 
 
 This having done, with their oars they impell'd the ship to its station, 435 
 
 Let go the anchor, fasten'd the rudder, and coil'd up the tackling. 
 
 Next for their disembarking they hasten'd to make preparation. 
 
 And on the beach they landed the hecatomb brought for Apollo. 
 
 Then from the ship descended the black-eyed maiden Chryseis, 
 
 Led by the hand by Ulysses, and so they together proceeded 440 
 
 Straight to the altar to Chryses her father, for there was he waiting. 
 
 There in his presence they stood, and thus Ulysses address'd him : 
 
 " Seer, I am come by command of the King Agamemnon Atrides, 
 
 " Into your own hands safely your own lost child to deliver ; 
 
 " And to appease, if it may be, the vengeance divine of Apollo ; 445 
 
 " He with a wide- spread plague having punish'd the sons of Achaia, 
 
 " I with a hecatomb come for atonement and propitiation." 
 
 He said ; and the hand of the maiden he placed in those of her father. 
 
 Who with parental affection received her and press'd to his bosom. 
 
 Proud of his dear lost child and delighted. The Greeks in the mean time 450 
 
 AH on the beach convened, for the hecatomb made preparation. 
 
 First the appointed victims they placed in the front of the altar. 
 
 Next to the washing of hands they attended for purification. 
 
 Then with the salt and meal besprinkled the heads of the victims.
 
 428—481.] THE ILIAD. 19 
 
 Chryses beheld them with joy, and now thus pray'd to Apollo : 455 
 
 " God of the silver bow, who especially Chrysa protectest, 
 " Also in Cnia adored, and who over Tenedos reignest, 
 " Thou to my former prayer hast graciously listen'd for vengeance, 
 " And in revenge for my wrongs with a plague chastised the Achaeans ; 
 " Now to my prayer give ear, for vengeance not, but for mercy ; 460 
 
 " Cease to afflict any longer, but spare and save the Achseans." 
 Such was the pray'r of the priest, and Apollo heard it with favour. 
 The Greeks having join'd in the pray'r and the salted barley oblation, 
 Drew back the heads of the victims, and skilfully slaughter'd and flay'd them, 
 Then dissected ; and first they divided and sever'd the haunches, 465 
 
 Laid them on bOlets of wood, and the choicest pieces upon them. 
 Folded ia duplicate cauls, with layers of fat superadded ; 
 Then set fire to the billets, and pour'd on the whole a libation. 
 Several boys stood round with five-prong'd forks in attendance. 
 Lastly, the smaller joints they upheld with the several pieces, 470 
 
 Those upon spits transfix'd, and these upon skewers to be roasted, 
 Which being carefully dress'd, were at once set aside for the banquet. 
 Thus having finish'd their labours, they all took seats at the table 
 The plenteous repast to enjoy, for in appetite none were deficient. 
 When to their hunger and thirst they had ample refreshment afibrded, 475 
 
 Boys crowned the golden goblets with pure wine copiously flowing. 
 And to the banqueting guests in due succession presented. 
 Thus did the Greeks all day continue carousing, and singing 
 Paeans and votive hymns, to appease far-darting Apollo ; 
 
 These to his praise they chaunted, and pleased was Apollo to hear them. 480 
 
 But when the sun went down, and the night's deep shades were approaching, 
 
 c 2
 
 20 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 Back to the ships they retum'd, at the prows of their vessels to slumber. 
 
 Now when again Aurora with rose-colour'd fingers removing 
 
 Night's dark curtain, had rendcr'd to gods and to mortals the daylight, 
 
 Up from their beds they arose to return to the camp of the Grecians, 485 
 
 For a favouring breeze at the dawn had been sent by Apollo to speed them. 
 
 Again was the mast erected, the sail unfurl'd and extended, 
 
 Fill'd with the breeze was the canvas, and o'er the high sea they proceeded. 
 
 The keel as it plough'd thro' the waves with the rush of the water resounded. 
 
 And so its white track leaving pursued its career on the ocean. 490 
 
 When to the camp they had come, and were near to the ships in the offing. 
 
 Straight to the shore then steering, the sail they lower'd, and landed, 
 
 And having haul'd up the ship on the strand they secured it with holders. 
 
 Then did they all disperse to the tents or ships, as they listed. 
 
 But in his own black ship, with his thoughts all fix'd on resentment, 495 
 
 Still sat silent and svJlen the swift-footed warlike Achilles ; 
 
 Neither the chiefs would he join at the time they assembled in coimcil, 
 
 Nor when preparing for combat, his heart with resentment consuming : 
 
 There he remain'd in his anger, yet longing for strife and for battle. 
 
 Now as the days proceeded, the twelfth had arrived in rotation, 500 
 
 And the celestials again had retum'd to the heights of Olympus, 
 
 Jove the supreme at their head. It was then of her son not unmindful, 
 
 Thetis, the silver-feet goddess, arose from the waves of the ocean 
 
 At the earliest dawn of the da}', and above to Olympus ascended. 
 
 There the Satumian king in the cloud-capp'd heights of Olympus, 505 
 
 Apart from the other Immortals, she found on a simimit reclining. 
 
 Before him she silently sat, and embracing his knees with her left hand,
 
 482—534.] THE ILIAD. 21 
 
 Coaxingly touch'd with her right hand, and patted the chin of the monarch ; 
 
 Then in a suppliant tone and with words persuasive address'd him : 
 
 " Father, if ever to servo or to please you my dutiful efforts 5io 
 
 " Add to your favour a claim, now hear what I ask, and perform it : 
 
 " Honour afford to my son, an unfortunate mortal and short-lived, 
 
 " Now by the King Agamemnon injuriously wrong'd and dishonour'd ; 
 
 " Violent hands he has laid on the prize to Achilles awarded. 
 
 " You in your wisdom supreme, Jove, for my son's honour grant it, 5 is 
 
 " Aid afford to the Trojans in battle against the Achseans, 
 
 " The cost of dishon'ring Achilles to teach them, and make them to feel it." 
 
 She said ; but from cloud-compelling Jove she received not an answer. 
 
 Silent and thoughtful he sat ; but Thetis renew'd her entreaty, 
 
 Clasp'd his knees with fervour, and earnestly thiis she address'd him : 520 
 
 " As you resolve, so tell me, that cither you will or you will not ; 
 
 " Need there is none for reserve, but at once let me know to my sorrow 
 
 " I of the other Immortals am thought least worthy of favour." 
 
 She said ; and to her with a sigh the Olympian thunderer answer'd : 
 
 " A perilous deed you advise, for in that I should irritate Juno 525 
 
 " Beyond aU measure, and much would she vex me with bitter reproaches : 
 
 " Already among the Immortals her discontent she expresses, 
 
 " And even now insists that I too much favour the Trojans. 
 
 " But go, return as you came, lest Juno should notice your coming ; 
 
 " Leave it to me how best the desired event to accomplish, 530 
 
 " Since I approve with a nod, it alone may confidence give you ; 
 
 " This from me when seen is a signal among the Immortals 
 
 " Incontestable, never revoked and beyond revocation : 
 
 " What with a nod I have sanction'd is sure to be done and accompUsh'd."
 
 22 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 This having said, deep waving his dark brows nodded Chronion, 535 
 
 Gracefully flow'd o'er his shoulders the circumambient ringlets 
 
 As he sat majestic, and wide the strength of Olympus was shaken. 
 
 Thus after consultation they parted ; the light-footed Thetis 
 
 Down to the ocean again from the heights of Olympus descended, 
 
 Jove to his palace return'd. But the gods had assembled together, 640 
 
 Each from his palace arriving to greet the Olympian father ; 
 
 Not in disorderl}'^ groups, but in line respectfully standing. 
 
 Jove on his throne sat down, but the large-eyed illustrious Juno, 
 
 For she had heard of the advent and favour'd reception of Thetis, 
 
 Thus with cold cutting words the Olympian ruler accosted : 545 
 
 " Arch-deceiver, with whom, may I ask, was your confabulation 
 
 " Yesterday, secret of course, and especially so from your own wife, 
 
 " Always your consultations from me clandestine reserving?" 
 
 She said ; and to her in reply thus spoke the Olympian ruler : 
 
 " Jimo, deceive not yourself in the expectation of knowing 550 
 
 " What but apart from the gods are my deliberations and counsels ; 
 
 " All that without indiscretion is matter for public discussion 
 
 " Full right have you to learn, and from you it is never withholden ; 
 
 " But of my deeper designs, or graver matters requiring 
 
 " Secrecy, leave to be curious, and wisely abstain from inquiring." 555 
 
 He said ; and to him thus answer'd the large-eyed illustrious Juno : 
 
 " Stern implacable Jove, what words are those you have utter'd ! 
 
 " Never have I so inquired or interfered in yoiu- counsels ; 
 
 " But what I do suspect is the solicitation and coaxing 
 
 " "Welcome, I doubt not, of Thetis, the silver-feet daughter of Neptiuie ; 5C0 
 
 " She was the goddess to whom you so privately granted an audience.
 
 535—587.] THE ILIAD. 23 
 
 " And not at all unlikely, with clasping knees and entreating, 
 
 " She may have made you to promise, her son's fit of anger to humoiu-, 
 
 " Aid to afford to the Trojans against the Achseans in battle." 
 
 She said ; and cloud-compelling Jove thus in answer reproved her : D65 
 
 " Your suspicions denote too plainly your dissatisfaction, 
 
 " But no good they'll do you, and me may induce in the long run 
 
 " Harsher reproof to recur to, and that were yet harder to suffer. 
 
 " "Whether or not be the fact it of course is my sovereign pleasure ; 
 
 " Now be advised and resume not your querulous insinuations, 570 
 
 " For if the gods in your favour should all be imited against me, 
 
 " Not from the weight of my hand would it serve to protect or to save you." 
 
 He said ; and was heard with alarm by the large-eyed illustrious Juno ; 
 
 Silent her seat she resumed, in her heart her resentment consuming ; 
 
 But from the other Immortals a sigh thro' the palace resounded. 576 
 
 Then to the front came Vulcan the prince of mechanics and artists, 
 
 Anxious the wrath to appease of the white-arm'd goddess, his mother ; 
 
 " Sad would it be," he exclaimed, " and a grievance beyond toleration, 
 
 " If for the sake of mortals in adverse council debating, 
 
 " You Celestials should strive and quarrel ; no more would the banquet 580 
 
 " Pleasure and mirth promote, for the worse is predominant always. 
 
 " But you now be advised, dear mother, and calm your resentment, 
 
 " Yield to my father obedience, that so he may cease from his anger, 
 
 " And at the banquet again we may all be imited and happy. 
 
 " Jove, should his anger be such, if resolved all thrones to demolish, 585 
 
 " Who shall resist him or gainsay, for Jove is of all the superior ? 
 
 " But now seek to appease him, with kind words greet him for answer.
 
 24 THE ILIAD. [Book I. 
 
 " And with his favour again and his smiles we shall aU be requited." 
 He said ; and a two-handled goblet with nectar he fill'd and presented, 
 So doing homage to Juno, his mother, and thus he address'd her : 590 
 
 " Courage, mother, and bear it tho' hard to endure as it may be, 
 " Lest far worse may befall, and my mother I see to my horror 
 " Stricken ; for nothing could I do from Jove's strong hand to protect her, 
 " In contention with Jove who alone is in power resistless. 
 
 " Too well do I remember, when part with his foes I had taken, 595 
 
 " Me by the heel he uplifted and hurl'd me at once from Olympus 
 " Headlong, and aU day long I was falling, until at sunset 
 " In Lemnos I came to the groimd, but inanimate nearly and breathless ; 
 " Haply the natives, a race of the Sinthians, there to my aid came." 
 He said ; and was heard with a smile by the white-arm'd Juno his 
 mother ; 600 
 
 And with a smile she accepted the goblet and tasted the nectar ; 
 He from her own fair hand the return of the goblet receiving. 
 This to the other Immortals presented with nectar replenish'd 
 Duly, to each on his throne from the right hand adroitly beginning. 
 Peals then of laughter arose, so merrily cheer'd the Immortals, 605 
 
 Vulcan in Jove's own palace the cup-bearer's office performing. 
 Thus in convivial joy, tOl the sun went down, at the banquet 
 Sat they ; for cares they had none, nor of hunger or thirst any craving. 
 Also for music and song, with the spirited harp of Apollo 
 
 Blended the voices divine and melodious chaunt of the muses. 610 
 
 But at the sun's going down, to repose as it were in the ocean, 
 Pleased were the gods to retire, to their several mansions returning,
 
 588—616.] THE ILIAD. 25 
 
 Skilfully built long since by the limping club-footed Vulcan. 
 
 Then to his couch withdrew the Olympian forger of lightning, 
 
 This for repose long since or for slumber if need be reserving ; 615 
 
 There he reposed, and beside him the gold-throned Jxmo his consort. 
 
 END OF BOOK I.
 
 BOOK 11. 
 
 Thus the celestials above, as tlie race pugnacious of mortals 
 
 Slept thro' the night, but with Jove there was no inclination to slumber ; 
 
 Deeply he thought how best, for the honour proposed of Achilles, 
 
 Aid to afford to the Trojans to drive to their ships the Achseans ; 
 
 This but to interpose in the course of events, he determin'd 5 
 
 A phantom delusive to send in a dream to the King Agamemnon, 
 
 Which now thus to the phantom in swift- wing'd words he imparted : 
 
 " Go, vain phantom of dreams, to the saU-rigg'd ships of the Grecians, 
 
 " Then in the midst of the camp to the tent of the King Agamemnon, 
 
 " Briefly a message to bear and in sleep to impress on his senses ; 10 
 
 " Urge him to speedily muster the comely-hair'd sons of Achaia 
 
 " All, since now is the time he may capture the fortified city 
 
 " Of Troy, the celestials above no longer its safety protecting ; 
 
 " They, by persuasion of Jimo their former pretensions resigning, 
 
 " Care not, and final defeat even now impends on the Trojans." 15 
 
 He said ; and the phantom departed, the royal injunction obeying. 
 
 Soon in its swift-wing'd flight at the ships arrived of the Grecians, 
 
 Then in the midst of the camp at the tent of the Kiag Agamemnon, 
 
 There it Atrides found in a deep sleep soundly reposing ;
 
 1—46.] THE ILIAD. 27 
 
 Near it advanced to his pillow, the figure of Nestor assuming, 20 
 
 The eldest of all Greek chiefs, most honour'd by King Agamemnon ; 
 
 Him in his person resembling, it thus accosted the monarch : 
 
 " Dost thou sleep, Atrides, warUke Kin g Agamemnon ? 
 
 " Not for a statesman becomes it the whole night long to be sleeping, 
 
 " AYorthy in council to guide, and of public safety the guardian. 25 
 
 " Now to my coimsel attend, for believe me from Jove is the warning, 
 
 " Your condition, tho' j'ou don't see it, with favour regarding. 
 
 " Summon to muster for battle the comely-hair'd sons of Achaia 
 
 " A]l, since now is the time you may capture the fortified city 
 
 " Of Troy, the celestials above no longer its safety protecting ; 30 
 
 " They, by persuasion of Juno their former pretensions resigning, 
 
 " Care not, and final defeat even now impends on the Trojans : 
 
 " Jove so ordains ; take heed, nor suffer the heavenly warning 
 
 " Lightly to pass from your mind when again you arise from reposing." 
 
 So saying the phantom departed, but he from his slumber awaking, 35 
 
 Felt in his mind perplex'd how best the advice to accomplish, 
 
 He upon that day trusting the city of Priam to capture, 
 
 Fool- like, of Jove's far deeper designs unconscioiis and reckless. 
 
 StUl by his vanity bUnded, he could but increase the afflictions 
 
 Both of the Trojans and Greeks by the havoc and slaughter of battle. 40 
 
 Greatly excited he rose, and fancied he heard yet around him 
 
 Murmur the message divine ; but he hasten'd to draw on a vestment 
 
 Costly and new, and to clothe with his regal mantle his shoulders. 
 
 Next on his feet he adjusted the sandals with ligatures fasten'd. 
 
 Then at his side suspended the silver-hilt glittering falchion, 45 
 
 And with the sceptre in hand, of his regal power the emblem,
 
 28 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 Went so equipt to tlie ships of the brass-accoutred Achseans. 
 
 But when again Aurora with rose-colour'd fingers removing 
 
 Night's dark curtain, had render'd to gods and to mortals the daylight, 
 
 Atrides commanded the heralds, his usual orders attending, 50 
 
 Quickly to go thro' the camp and summon the Greeks to a council ; 
 
 The heralds their office perform' d, and the Greeks were promptly assembled. 
 
 Atrides then to the chiefs, having first consulted with Nestor, 
 
 Gave command in the ship of the Pylian sage to be seated ; 
 
 Then to the warlike assembly his grave discourse he deKver'd : 55 
 
 " Hear me, my friends, what a dream I've had by Saturnian Jove sent, 
 
 " When in my tent I reposed in the dead of the night in a deep sleep ; 
 
 " Suddenly there it appear'd in the form and habit of Nestor, 
 
 " Near to my pillow it stood, and ia audible words thus address'd me : 
 
 " ' Dost thou sleep, Atrides, warlike King Agamemnon ? 6o 
 
 " ' Not for a statesman becomes it the whole night long to be sleeping, 
 
 « < 'VY'orthy in council to guide, and of public safety the guardian. 
 
 " ' Now to my counsel attend, for believe me from Jove is the warning, 
 
 " ' Your condition, tho' you don't see it, with favour regarding. 
 
 " ' Summon to muster for battle the comely-hair'd sons of Achaia 65 
 
 " ' All, since now is the time you may capture the fortified city 
 
 " ' Of Troy, the celestials above no longer its safety protecting; 
 
 " ' They, by persuasion of Juno their former pretensions resigning, 
 
 " ' Care not, and final defeat even now impends on the Trojans : 
 
 " ' Jove so ordains, — take heed:' then away fled the phantom, and vanish'd. 7o 
 
 " I at that instant awoke from my sleep, on the message reflecting. 
 
 " Gome, let us arm, if it may be, the sons of Achaia for battle : 
 
 " But first, proof let us have if the fates do indeed so ordain it ;
 
 47—100.] THE ILIAD. 29 
 
 " Home I'll bid tliem return in their ships, from the contest retreating, 
 
 " While yoxi are busied the while to detain them, exhort and encourage." 75 
 
 He said, and his seat he resumed. Then arose magnanimous Nestor, 
 
 King of the tribes who inhabit the sandy dominions of Pylos ; 
 
 Thus to the chiefs assembled his sage discourse he deliver'd : 
 
 " Friends, compeers, and commanders, in coimcil renown'd as in combat, 
 
 " Surely this wonderful dream, had it been by another reported, 80 
 
 " Might but a fiction be deem'd, unworthy our serious attention. 
 
 " But the report of our chief is an imdisclaimable voucher : 
 
 " So let us arm, if it may be, the sons of Achaia for battle." 
 
 He said, and retired from his place, the debate in the council concluding. 
 
 And the assembled warriors with acclamation departed. 85 
 
 First went the sceptred kings, and the crowd then presently after 
 
 Sallied impetuously forth, like so many bees at a swarming ; 
 
 Oft upon some lone rock from the clefts we have seen them emerging. 
 
 Then fly in clusters around, now here, now there, as they gather, 
 
 Heaps upon heaps descend, and the spring-flowers cover and darken ; 90 
 
 So from the ships and tents did the multitudinous warriors 
 
 Pour on the wide sea-shore, the resort of the people In common, 
 
 Now of the warlike crowd ; and the daughter of Jove and reporter. 
 
 Fame, was in that dense crowd that with noise incessant and uproar 
 
 Moved, and the earth made groan with the trampling of men and of horses, 95 
 
 Ere yet down they had settled ; but loud as they shouted and clamour'd, 
 
 Louder were heard nine heralds a proclamation reporting, 
 
 Messengers known and revered as Reporters of Jove and of monarchs. 
 
 But when the noise had at length subsided of clamour and uproar. 
 
 All having qiuetly settled, then forth came King Agamemnon, 100
 
 30 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 Holding the sceptre In hand to his ancestors given by Vulcan. 
 Vulcan at first had made it for Jove, the Olympian ruler ; 
 Jove conferr'd it on Hermes, the slayer of Argus the giant ; 
 Hermes gave it to Pelops, renown'd for his horses and horsemen ; 
 Then to the warlike Atreus it descended from Pelops, 105 
 
 Next it came to Thyestes in succession ' from Atreus ; 
 So from Thyestes lastly to King Agamemnon Atrides, 
 Who over Argos reigns, and the proximate isles of the ocean. 
 With this regal sceptre in hand, thus spoke Agamemnon : 
 
 " Friends, brother-warriors, and chiefs, who of Mars are the children and 
 servants, 110 
 
 " I by Saturnian Jove with a conflict of doubts am embarrass'd ; 
 " Promise He formerly gave, that of Priam's fortified city 
 " Capture and prize we should have, and with spoil and glory return home ; 
 " Now evil counsel devising, He bids me, at once re-embarking, 
 " Home to return with regret that so many in combat have perish'd. 115 
 
 " This the omnipotent Jove, it appears, has fully decided ; 
 " His strong arm, as we know, has the greatest of cities demolish'd, 
 " And yet again may demolish, for Jove is in power resistless. 
 " Sad will it be to relate, and to all posterity shameful, 
 
 " If with their aggregate forces the Greeks ignobly retreating, 120 
 
 " Give up the warlike contest, unable in fight any longer 
 " Foes so inferior to face, — but what else can now be expected ? 
 " If to the relative number we look of the Greeks and the Trojans, 
 
 ' Not by descent as from father to son, but by collateral succession, for Thyestes was the 
 brother of Atreus, and Agamemnon was the nephew of Thyestes.
 
 101—150.] THE ILIAD. 31 
 
 " Fairly to estimate both, and so compute them together, 
 
 " Trojans we singly may reckon, as many as may be in number, 125 
 
 " Greeks we may reckon by tens, and with every decade at banquet 
 
 " Seated and served by a Trojan, the latter as one to a decade, 
 
 " More of the decades methinks we should have than of Trojans to serve them ; 
 
 " So do the Greeks of our army exceed in number the Trojans 
 
 " Who in the city inhabit ; but these, for their further protection, 130 
 
 " Have from the neighbouring towns auxiliaries gather'd together, 
 
 " Aid to afford them in battle, to thwart my design'd operations — 
 
 " Capture and prize to effect of Priam's fortified city. 
 
 " Nine long years already, as Jove has appointed the seasons, 
 
 " Bring to decay our ships, and ropes and canvas to moulder ; 135 
 
 " Think of our wives and children deserted so long, and beyond hope, 
 
 " Watching to see us return ; and unhappily we in the mean time 
 
 " Utterly fail to achieve what we purposely came to accomplish. 
 
 " But let us wait no longer, and rather prepare for departure, 
 
 " Home to return if we may, in our sail-rigg'd ships re-embarking, no 
 
 " For of the capture of Troy no hope can we have any longer." 
 
 He said ; and the listening crowd by his plausible speech were persuaded, 
 
 TJnaware of his deeper design, nor conscious of what he intended. 
 
 On went the aggregate crowd like the waves of the wide-flowing ocean, 
 
 When with the east and south winds rise the Icarian billows, I45 
 
 Lash'd and in conflict driv'n, and the rain descends as in torrents. 
 
 As when a gale from the west in a corn-field widely extending. 
 
 Sweeps the recumbent blades that incessantly wave in disorder. 
 
 So did the aggregate numbers with uproar move, and with clamour. 
 
 Straight to the ships, and the sands uprose in clouds from the trampling 150
 
 32 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 Densely around and above them ; and loudly they call'd to each other 
 All to the ships to repair, and to launch them at once on the ocean. 
 Soon were the ropes uncoil'd, and the ships made loose from their moorings, 
 And as the work proceeded, again they shouted and clamour'd. 
 Off then the Greeks had against Fate gone if it possibly could be, 1 55 
 
 Had not Juno perceived it, and thus she appeal'd to Minerva : 
 " invincible daughter of Jove the Olympian ruler, 
 " See how ignobly the Greeks in their sail-rigg'd ships re-embarking, 
 " Hasten from Troy to return on the vast intractable ocean ; 
 " Priam to leave to exult, and the Trojans to boast of retaining l6o 
 
 " The Argive Helen among them, whose rape was the cause of the quarrel, 
 " And upon whose account such numbers of Greeks have been slaughter'd. 
 " Go, for it brooks not delay, to the brass- accoutred Achseans ; 
 " Stay their ignoble retreat, and by fervid and kindly entreaty 
 " Try to prevent them from flight, and fi-om launching their ships on the 
 ocean." 165 
 
 She said ; and was promptly obey'd by the blue-eyed goddess Minerva. 
 She her departure at once from the snow-cover'd heights of Olympus 
 Hasten'd, and presently came to the sail-rigg'd ships of the Grecians ; 
 There she Ulysses beheld, for his wisdom renown'd and for prudence. 
 Near to his ship, but as yet there was no preparation to launch it, l7o 
 
 For with a generous sorrow his heart and mind were afflicted. 
 Him then, as near she approach'd, the blue-eyed Minerva accosted : 
 " Godlike son of Laertes, for wisdom renown'd and for prudence, 
 " Is it again to return with precipitate flight ye are hast'ning 
 " Back in your sail-rigg'd ships the intractable ocean to traverse, 175 
 
 " Priam to leave to exult, and the Trojans to boast of retaining
 
 151—203.] THE ILIAD. 33 
 
 " The Argive Helen among them, for whom in the conflict of battle 
 
 " Here on the hostile plain such numbers of Grecians have perish 'd ? 
 
 " Go, for it brooks not delay, to exhort and detain the Achseans ; 
 
 " Stay their ignoble retreat, and vrith fervid and kindly entreaty iSO 
 
 " Try to prevent them from flight, and from launching their ships on the ocean." 
 
 She said ; and the voice of the goddess was instantly known to Ulysses. 
 
 Faster to run, he delay'd not to throw from his person his mantle 
 
 (Eurybates, who from Ithaca folio w'd him, caught and received it). 
 
 Straight on his way then he went to the King Agamemnon Atrides, iss 
 
 Who now lent him the sceptre, the incorruptible emblem 
 
 Of majesty ; this he upheld, and the brass-accoutred Achseans, 
 
 Them with their kings and chiefs in their homeward flight he arrested, 
 
 And with encouraging words and kindly entreaty exhorted : 
 
 " Brave-hearted warriors like you it becomes not by fear to be vanquish'd : 1 90 
 
 " Quickly return, and the camp nor you nor let others abandon. 
 
 " The aim of Atrides you know not, nor what in his mind is intended 
 
 " Your coui'age to try and to prove, and hereafter the coward to punish. 
 
 " Of aU that in coimcil he said you are unlnform'd and unconscious ; 
 
 " Beware that you do not provoke him the sons of Achaia to punish ; 195 
 
 " The wrath of a king when provoked is a terrible foe to encounter, 
 
 " Heaven-derived is his honour, and Jove above all is his guardian." 
 
 But when a low plebeian he saw who shouted and clamour'd. 
 
 Him with the sceptre he struck, and with sterner reproof reprimanded : 
 
 " Unmannerly slave, stand back, and learn to give place to your betters ; 200 
 
 " Cease from your clamour and noise, unwarlike helpless pretender, 
 
 " Never a varlet among ye was known in the field or in council. 
 
 " Truly absurd do I call it for all to pretend to be rulers,
 
 34 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 " Popular rule still more so : lot one have alone the dominion, 
 
 " One for supremacy-sake ; for the popular safety and welfare 205 
 
 " Best one king, one chief, so that aU their allegiance may tender." 
 
 Thus thro' the host he proceeded ; but they to the council returning 
 
 Hasten'd along with the crowd from the ships and the tents as they gather'd, 
 
 Shouting with noise and uproar, as when the tumultuous ocean 
 
 RoUs huge waves to the beach, with the surge and biUows resounding. 210 
 
 Those at the coimcil arrived in expectant silence were waiting, 
 
 Save Thcrsites alone, who persisted in noisily brawling. 
 
 Taunts and derision he loved, and to him foul words were familiar, 
 
 Not such as decency claims with superiors in communication : 
 
 Scandalous jests he preferr'd, and to ridicule chiefly the Argives. 216 
 
 Never a varlet so worthless on Ilion's shore had descended ; 
 
 Most uncouth was his person, with one foot lame, and he squinted ; 
 
 Hid was his chest by his shoulders, and nearly of angular structure 
 
 So misshaped was his head, and with lank hair scantily sprinkled. 
 
 Hostile to aU mankind, he especially hated Achilles, 220 
 
 Much too Ulysses he hated, but now above all Agamemnon 
 
 Blamed with his shriU harsh voice ; for he knew that the Greeks had with soreness 
 
 Pelt, that the King Agamemnon their courage had doubted and tempted. 
 
 Thus with his scurrilous tongue Agamenanon he loudly upbraided : 
 
 " What now frets you, Atrides ? what new cause have you for clamour ? 225 
 
 " Stored are your tents with your wealth, and of all the most beautiful captives 
 
 " Choice you have had by precedence as first in command of the Grecians ; 
 
 " This has to you been aUow'd when a city or fortress we captured. 
 
 " StiU more gold do you crave, expected from Ilion's treasures, 
 
 " Brought by some Trojan chief in exchange for his son as a ransom, 230
 
 204—257.] THE ILIAD. 35 
 
 " Wtom whether I or another may bravely in combat have captured ? 
 " Or is it maidens you coTct in wanton embraces to revel ? 
 " Most imseeml}^ it is that for ends unworthy a leader 
 " You as the chief of the Greeks expose them to toils and to dangers. 
 " "Women, not men of Aehaia, so faint-hearted are ye Achaeans ! 235 
 
 " Home let us go in our ships, and leave him his spoil and his booty 
 " Here to enjoy and digest, that so he may learn from experience 
 " How he has need of our valour, and whether or not we assist him. 
 " The valiant and noble Achilles, than him far braver and better, 
 ** He with dishonour to treat, lays violent hands on his captive. 240 
 
 " Achilles resents not the wrong, or you long since, Atrides, 
 " Must at the end have arrived of your ostentation and glory." 
 Thiis he derided and scofif'd at Atrides, the king of the people. 
 Him then with scorn siirveying, thus answer'd the noble Ulysses : 
 " Thersite, wrangler, loquacious and low-bred scm-rilous jester, 245 
 
 " Cease your superiors to blame, nor level at kings your revilings. 
 " Of the confederate Greeks that on Ilion's shore ever landed 
 " None so worthless as you do we find in the ranks of the army ; 
 " So much more the offence of your scurrilous talk is revolting, 
 " Your -^-ituperation of kings, and your urgent demand for returning. 250 
 
 " What may hereafter befall, and whether for good or for evil 
 " Is the projected return, is beyond us mortals to foresee. 
 " But why blame the Atrides, the shepherd and king of the people ? 
 " Why for the gifts do you blame him, which all other brave-hearted Grecians 
 " Have to his praise conferr'd, though you give nothing but slander ? 255 
 
 " But this do I declare, and it speedily shall be accomplish'd, 
 " If ever more I hear your abusive and scurrilous clamour, 
 
 D 2
 
 36 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 " Then shall the head of Ulysses no longer remain on his shoulders, 
 
 " Nor ever more shall Telemachus greet the return of his father, 
 
 " If at the instant I do not your garments forcibly strip off, 260 
 
 " That same cloak and timic, and all that envelope your carcase, 
 
 " And even so to the ships, with blows by my sceptre inflicted, 
 
 " Drive you for shelter to seek, as a recreant slave from the council." 
 
 He said ; and with sceptre in hand smote soxmdly his back and his shoulders. 
 
 Thersite writhed with the pain, and his big tears foUow'd profusely, 2G5 
 
 While from the blows by the sceptre inflicted, with many a tumour 
 
 SwoU'n was the hump unsightly, with blood disfigured and streaming. 
 
 He to the rear slunk back ; but such was the general feeling. 
 
 More to the satisfaction of those who beheld him than pitied. 
 
 Some one you might then have heard in the crowd exclaim to his neighbour, 270 
 
 " Ye Grods ! what a wonderful change has the noble Ulysses accompKsh'd, 
 
 " First as in council to guide, so in combat to lead us with honour. 
 
 " Now above all the Achaeans he shows his superior merit ; 
 
 " He in an instant has brought the loquacious ranter to silence, 
 
 " Nor do I think he'll rashly incur such a penalty henceforth, 275 
 
 " Proud as he is of his hatred of kings and of all his superiors." 
 
 Thus in the crowd they remark' d ; but the noble and gallant Ulysses 
 
 Stood with the sceptre in hand, and beside him the blue-eyed Minerva. 
 
 She in a herald's form commanded the people to silence. 
 
 And giving notice to all, from the highest degree to the lowest, 280 
 
 CaU'd them together to come to assist at the general council. 
 
 Then to address the assembly the noble Ulysses proceeded : 
 
 " Atrides, the Greeks it appears j'oui- royal standard deserting, 
 
 " Here would abandon, and leave you a scandal to all generations ;
 
 258—311.] THE ILIAD. 37 
 
 " Not such the oaths and vows they formerly plighted at ^Vrgos, 285 
 
 " But now forfeit ; not Troy do they care any longer to capture, 
 
 " Nor to the prize aspire of Trojan treasures and captives. 
 
 " They with the fatherless orphans, and widows bereft of their husbands, 
 
 " Lamentation mingle together, and sigh for returning. 
 
 " Grievous indeed to endure is the hardship of such a bereavement. 290 
 
 " Who but if absent a month from his home, from his wife and his children, 
 
 " Feels not a sorrow at heart when driVn by the winds and the tempest, 
 
 " Away he is borne in the ship on the waves of the wide-flowing ocean ? 
 
 " We to the now ninth year have borne this painful bereavement, 
 
 " Nor is it hard to believe if the Greeks now long for retiiming 295 
 
 " Home to their wives and children, but worse yet and greater the grievance, 
 
 " Home to return despairing of aU that we came to accomplish. 
 
 " But now courage, my friends, and remain till time shall demonstrate 
 
 " What was predicted by Calchas, the same whether true or a fiction. 
 
 " Full well may we remember, as many have seen and can witness 300 
 
 " Whom Fate spares yet awhile in their mortal career to continue, 
 
 " How when at Aulis we landed with this confederate army, 
 
 " Priam in war to encoimter, and woes to inflict on the Trojans, 
 
 " How then an altar we built on the marginal bank of a fountain, 
 
 " There to the Gods our vows to perform and a sacrifice offer, 305 
 
 *' Near to a beautiful plane-tree, and under the shade of its branches. 
 
 " A prodigy then we beheld : from the ground near the altar a serpent, 
 
 " Fierce as from Jove, upstarted, the most terrific of monsters, 
 
 " Hideoiis with blood-stain'd scales. To the plane-tree it suddenly darted, 
 
 " Where on the uppermost branches, and imder the foliage nestling, 310 
 
 " A mother-bird nurtured her brood, and eight young callows she counted.
 
 38 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 " These with the mother-bird reckon'd were nine precisely in number ; 
 
 " First with its ravenous jaws on the eight young callows it fasten'd, 
 
 " Crush'd and deTOur'd ; at that instant, and near to her perishing offspring, 
 
 " Flutter'd and hover'd around them the mother-bird piteously screaming ; 315 
 
 " Her by the wing having caught, this monster as greedily swallow'd. 
 
 " Marvellous then was the sequel ; no sooner the terrible serpent 
 
 " The ill-fated birds had devour'd, than into a stone it was transform'd, 
 
 " Inanimate, bloodless, and cold ; of the power of Jove who had sent it 
 
 " Most miraculous proof ; we beheld all mute with amazement, 320 
 
 " Our sacrifice made to the Gods so soon by the prodigy foUow'd. 
 
 " Calchas in augury skill'd his report thus gave of the omen : 
 
 " ' What fear ye, and why so alarm'd, ye comely-hair'd sons of Achaia ? 
 
 " ' Sent by omnipotent Jove is the token which here we have witness'd, 
 
 " ' Slow in its execution, and late but gloriously ending. 325 
 
 " ' As was devour'd by the serpent the innocent brood of the callows, 
 
 " ' And then the mother-bird next, and in number to nine they amounted, 
 
 " ' Such are the nine long years to your war with the Trojans devoted, 
 
 " ' But in the tenth with the capture to end of the fortified city.' 
 
 " This by the prophet Calchas was thus explain'd and predicted. 330 
 
 " Come then, my friends and comrades, no more let us hear of returning 
 
 " Until the capture and prize we have made of the fortified city." 
 
 He said ; and the Greeks all shouted, and far as the strand of the black ships 
 
 Shouts were repeated and cries of ajDproval by all the Achseans, 
 
 Loudly extolling and praising the noble and godlike Ulysses. 335 
 
 Then spoke the aged Nestor, the most respected of all men : 
 
 " Ye Gods ! how absurdly you talk, and more like children untutor'd 
 
 " Than like warriors by discipline form'd and accustom'd to warfare j
 
 312—365.] THE ILIAD. 39 
 
 " Where now are all those oaths and vows you formerly plighted ? 
 
 " Yanish'd are they in smoke, and alike your abundant professions, 340 
 
 " Protestations, libations, and right-hand pledges of fealt}' ! 
 
 " Small experience we gain, and time consume to no purpose 
 
 " In discussion ia vain prolong'd and in idly debating ; 
 
 " You now Atrides, as chief and first in command of the army, 
 
 " Summon to muster for battle, without delay, the Achseans : 345 
 
 " Those let starve as they may, the one or two as it happens 
 
 " Adverse counsel devising, but which they'll fail to accomplish, 
 
 " To Argos again to return ere yet the result of the token 
 
 " Sent by all-powerful Jove we have found to be true or a fiction. 
 
 " Surely omnipotent Jove was propitious and show'd his approval 350 
 
 " When in the sail-rigg'd ships we embark'd our numerous army, 
 
 " Ruin to bring upon Troy, with slaughter and death to the Trojans. 
 
 " Jove to the right then thunder'd, a signal and prosperous omen. 
 
 " Let then the brave-hearted Greeks not think any more of returning 
 
 " Till in the capture of Troy they have taken the widows and maidens, 355 
 
 " So to revenge the abduction of Helen and all its disasters. 
 
 " Should one cowardly-minded still persist in returning, 
 
 " So let him go if he will, and his braver companions deserting, 
 
 " Death that he shuns in the field he'll meet ingloriously elsewhere. 
 
 " Now be advised, Atrides, by me not less than by others, 360 
 
 " Since what I have to propose you'll find to bo highly expedient. 
 
 " First let the people be number'd in tribes, and a leader with each tribe, 
 
 " In commimion together that tribe may to tribe be assistant ; 
 
 " This command to be done, and if duly obey'd, Agamemnon, 
 
 " Then you'll certainly know who in discipline fails or in duty, 365
 
 /M) THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 " And who of praise is deserving, for all in divisions will combat : 
 
 " So will it plainly appear whether Troy's protracted resistance 
 
 " Is by the Gods ordain'd, or denotes unskilful assailants." 
 
 He said ; and to him in reply wide-ruling King Agamemnon : 
 
 " Nestor, to you succumb in debate as in age the Achaans ; 3lro 
 
 " Had I but ten other such, ye Gods, Jove, Pallas, Apollo ! 
 
 " In council to aid and advise, in the number of all the Achccans, 
 
 " Speedily then with the capture of Priam's fortified city, 
 
 " Down would his palaces fall, and to spoil be deliver'd and rapine. 
 
 " This the all-powerful Jove as it seems not at present permitting, 3?5 
 
 " Check'd is my progress in arms by division and strife in the council ; 
 
 " So with myself and Achilles from words but a damsel regarding, 
 
 " Great was the strife that resulted, and I was the first then offended. 
 
 " Could we but once more meet and again coalesce in the contest, 
 
 " Hard would it be for the Trojans to find from defeat any respite. 3S0 
 
 " Now to your daily repast and prepare for the coming encounter, 
 
 " Each man look to his shield, and his sword, and spear let him sharpen, 
 
 " Muster together the horses and specially see to their feeding, 
 
 " Number the strong-built cars and provide each needful equipment, 
 
 " Mindful the whole day long of the cares expedient for warfare. 385 
 
 " After to-day no repose, not an hour's cessation from combat, 
 
 " Save but at night, which comes for relief from exhaustion to mortals, 
 
 " Drench'd shall be every gorget in sweat from the breast of the wearer, 
 
 " The arm sink down with the shield, and the spear-hand droop and be languid ; 
 
 " Scarce shall the tired-out horse with fatigue and labour the car drag ; 390 
 
 " But if a dastard I find from the heat of the battle retreating, 
 
 " Who iu the ships then loiters, or skidks at a distance from danger,
 
 366—418.] THE ILIAD. 41 
 
 " No escape or reprieve shall he have from the dogs and vultures for carnage." 
 
 He said ; and the Argives around responded with shouts and with clamour, 
 
 As the waves on the beach descend by the south wind driv'n, and the tempest 395 
 
 Against some prominent rock the tumultuous flood overpeering 
 
 Through all the storms that assail it, and loud roars the beach with the billows. 
 
 Now for the mid-day meal as they hasten'd to make preparation, 
 
 So to be seen was the smoke from the ships and the tents as it moimted. 
 
 When the repast they had ended, their vows and prayers they render'd joo 
 
 Each to his favourite God, for the aid of especial protection, 
 
 Safe from the perils and dangers to come, and from death to preserve them. 
 
 But the Atrides a fuU-grown five-year ox had provided, 
 
 Now for a propitiation to Jove for the Greeks to be ofier'd. 
 
 Therefore the principal chiefs he invited of all the Achseans : 405 
 
 First was the aged Nestor, then Idomeneus, and then Ajax, 
 
 So named the one and the other, the fifth was the brave son of Tydeus, 
 
 Sixthly the noble TTlysses, renown'd for his wisdom in council. 
 
 Next of his own free will ileneliius came uninvited. 
 
 For he knew what his brother intended from consultation together. no 
 
 "While these all stood round, and to them were presented the meal-cakes, 
 
 Thus with solemnity pray'd wide-ruling King Agamemnon : 
 
 " Jove everlasting and glorious, Sovereign Euler of thunder, 
 
 " Let not the sim go down, nor the darkness return of the nightfall, 
 
 " Till to the ground we have leveU'd the far-famed palace of Priam, 415 
 
 " And with devouring fire burnt down the gates of the city. 
 
 " Then ni)' revenge I'll take upon Ilector, and stripp'd of his tunic, 
 
 " And of his breastplate shorn, he shall with his chieftains urouud hiui
 
 42 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 " Fall by the edge of my sword, and the dust they'll bite in their anguish." 
 
 He said ; but Jove was averse, and the prayer and vow unavailing ; 420 
 
 He the oblation received, but much augmented their troubles. 
 
 Those who had join'd in the prayer and salted barley oblation, 
 
 Drew back the heads of the victims, and skilfully slaughter'd and flay'd them ; 
 
 Next having parted the haunches, and layers of fat overspreading 
 
 Folded in duplicate cauls, many choicest pieces they added, 425 
 
 And on the altar they burnt them, with biUets of wood dry and leafless ; 
 
 Also they held upon spits in the flames to be roasted the entraUs. 
 
 Next when the haimches enough they had burnt, and the fragments had tasted. 
 
 The joints and the inside parts they carefully spitted and roasted ; 
 
 These when roasted they served upon trenchers of wood at the tables. 430 
 
 Then having ceased from their labour, tbey all at the banquet together 
 
 Sat the repast to enjoy, for in appetite none were deficient. 
 
 But when of hunger and thirst they had amply replenish'd the cravings. 
 
 Uprose the aged Nestor, and this discourse he deliver'd : 
 
 " Atrides, glorious chief, wide-ruling King Agamemnon, 435 
 
 " Let not the time still further be lost, nor defer any longer 
 
 " What wo have undertaken, and Jove auspiciously sanctions. 
 
 " Come, let the heralds be call'd of the brass-accoutred Achaeans, 
 
 " Proclamation to make, and to summon together the people ; 
 
 " And since here we are met, let us go thro' the ranks of Achoeans, 440 
 
 " Mainly their courage to rouse, and excite their ardour for battle." 
 
 He said ; and with hearty approval was heard by the King Agamemnon. 
 
 Orders he instantly gave to the public criers, the heralds 
 
 Proclamation to make, and to summon together the people. 
 
 These to their ofiice proceeded, the people were summon'd together, 445
 
 419—472.] THE ILIAD. 43 
 
 And by their several tribes in the presence of King Agamemnon 
 
 "Were collected and number'd ; and there too Pallas Minerva 
 
 Came with her ■svarlike shield, the eternal impregnable ^gis. 
 
 This with a pure gold fringe of a hundi-cd strings was encompass'd ; 
 
 Every string was a hecatomb worth, so solid and splendid. 450 
 
 Thus with a splendour divine, as she rush'd thro' the crowd of Achseans, 
 
 All she excited with ardour for deeds of martial achievement, 
 
 Promptly in war to engage, and the foe in the field to encoimter. 
 
 All now clamour'd for war, far dearer to them than at present 
 
 Home to return in their ships, their native land to revisit. 455 
 
 As when the fire bursts out from the deep-wooded bed of a forest 
 
 On some mountain's brow, with the blaze all the plain is illumin'd. 
 
 So as they onward march' d, from the brazen and glittering armoiir 
 
 Flash'd the incessant gleams, and the blaze to the sky was reflected. 
 
 They like the feathery tribes when in aggregate numbers collected, 460 
 
 Long-neck'd swans or cranes in their flight o'er the watery meadows 
 
 Near to some Asian lake, or the winding stream of Ciiyster ; 
 
 Now to the skies they soar, then again descend to the meadow. 
 
 There they alight with a noise, and the meadow resounds with their clamour : 
 
 So from the tents and the ships did the numerous bands of Achseans 465 
 
 Rush to the plain on the banks of the deep-flowing river Scamander, 
 
 And tremendous to hear was the trampling of men and of horses. 
 
 On the Scamander's banks their career at length they arrested. 
 
 There assembled in myriads, as leaves on trees in the summer. 
 
 As when the flies in a stable or cowshed gather by myriads, 470 
 
 Near to some rural farm attracted or home of the shepherd. 
 
 When at the noontide hour he brings fresh milk from the pastui'e,
 
 44 THE ILIAD. [Book II. 
 
 So in the war with tlie Trojans the comely-hair'd sons of Achaia 
 
 Pour'd o'er the hostile plain in their ardour for battle rejoicing. 
 
 As when goats for pasture in large herds browse on the common, 475 
 
 Them by their several herds as the goatherds notice and number, 
 
 So by their several tribes were the people who came to the muster 
 
 Known to their chiefs and number'd. Among them the King Agamemnon 
 
 Godlike appear'd, like cloud-compelling Jove in Olympus, 
 
 Bold and intrepid as Mars, and in strength not inferior to Neptune. 480 
 
 As in a nimierous herd one sees in the midst of the oxen 
 
 More majestic the bull, and superior in strength as in stature, 
 
 So Agamemnon to-day, in the midst of his numerous army, 
 
 Favour'd of Jove above all, was supremely the chief and the hero. 
 
 Say now. Muses divine, who inhabit the domes of Olympus, 485 
 
 Goddesses, for such are ye, and all things know and remember, 
 
 We but are vaguely instructed by common report or tradition, 
 
 Say of the ships what numbers the Greek confederate army 
 
 Brought to the Asian shore, and by whom commanded against Troy. 
 
 Not of that marvellous host covdd 1 dare attempt the recital, 490 
 
 Not even ten mouths had I, and tongues not fewer in number. 
 
 Lungs of infrangible brass, and the heart in my bosom were brazen, 
 
 Unless this to rehearse as a tale by the Muses remember'd, 
 
 I but at their dictation the names and numbers reporting''. 
 
 ^ Here follows the Homeric catalogue of the ships and their respective commanders ; but as 
 this is a very long digression, and of less interest to the general reader, it may be here omitted, 
 in order to proceed with the narrative as in the next Canto. 
 
 END OF BOOK II.
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 Thus were tlie Greeks appointed in tribes for tte coming encounter ; 
 
 But to the plain descended with noise and clamour the Trojans, 
 
 As with a noise and with clamour the cranes at the coming of winter, 
 
 Haply from hrumal storms and pelting showers escaping, 
 
 Wing their aerial flight to some kindlier clime o'er the ocean ; 6 
 
 Prompt invasion they menace, and wounds and death to the pigmies. 
 
 Now on their outstretch'd wings in the air they form, and to combat 
 
 Now from aloft descending, rush with a scream on their victims. 
 
 Not so the Greeks ; but in silence, with stern resolution advanciug 
 
 War's fierce combat to wage, and on mutual assistance relying. lo 
 
 As when a mist with a south wind spreads o'er the brow of a moimtain. 
 
 Most unwelcome to shepherds, but grateful to thieves above all things. 
 
 When but a stone-throw's length by the eye thro' the haze is discover'd, 
 
 So on the hostile plain with the dust were the Grecians envelop'd, 
 
 In thick clouds as it rose from the trampling of men and of horses. 15 
 
 But when the hostile armies in front of each other had halted, 
 
 Forth from the Trojan ranks to the van outstept Alexander, 
 
 Godlike in form : his shoulders with panther's hide were enconipass'd. 
 
 His bow at his back was slung, and his glittering falchion beside him.
 
 46 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 Two long brass-headed spears ho carried, and those as he brandish'd 20 
 
 Shouted and call'd to the Greeks, and challenged the bravest to combat. 
 
 Him when the brave Meneliius perceived while still at a distance. 
 
 Proudly in front of his comrades with martial demeanour parading. 
 
 Much he rejoiced, as a lion on some stray victim alighting, 
 
 Antler'd deer of the forest or wild goat stray from the mountain ; 25 
 
 Ravenous with hunger and thirst he springs on the prey and devours it. 
 
 Reckless of baying dogs, and shouts and assaults from the himtsmen. 
 
 So did rejoice in his heart Meneliius, at sight of his rival. 
 
 Proud Alexander, for him he beheld but as prey to his vengeance. 
 
 Hurriedly down from his car to the ground he leapt with his armour. 30 
 
 Soon as the warrior's form Alexander discover'd advancing. 
 
 Conscious alarm overcame him, of no such encounter desirous, 
 
 And to avoid it he quickly among his companions retreated. 
 
 As in a grove or wood if a traveller sees in his pathway 
 
 A serpent, with horror he starts, and his weak Hmbs tremble beneath him ; 3'j 
 
 Backward in haste he retreats, and his face grows fearfully pallid ; 
 
 So Alexander alarm'd at the sight of the brave son of Atreus, 
 
 Backward in haste withdrew, and among his companions retreated. 
 
 Hector had seen him retreating, and thus with reproaches upbraided : 
 
 " Paris, woman-mad, fair- faced, false-hearted deceiver ! 40 
 
 " Would that you never had lived, or at least never lived to be married ! 
 
 " Surely it so had been better and far less grief to your kindred 
 
 " Than to youi- shame to behold you of public derision the object. 
 
 " What but a jest could it be to the warlike sons of Achaia, 
 
 " One to behold so valiant to all appearance and godlike, 45 
 
 " Who but a fair form shows, and devoid is of spirit and courage ?
 
 20—71.] THE ILIAD. 47 
 
 " Say if you can, was it thus with your choice companions for escort, 
 
 " When in your sail-rigg'd ship o'er the high seas gallantly steering, 
 
 " Braving the winds and waves to the admiration of strangers, 
 
 " You at the Spartan coiirt made prize of the beautiful Helen, 50 
 
 " And to your own home brought her, the wife and the sister of warriors ', 
 
 " Sorrows bringing to Priam, and ruin to Troy and the Trojans, 
 
 " Joy to your foes indeed, but shame to yourself and dishonour ? 
 
 " If you had dared the arrival to wait of the brave Menelaus, 
 
 " Dearly you then would have learnt who it was you deprived of his consort. 55 
 
 " Neither the amorous strains of the harp nor the graces of Yenus 
 
 " You or your ringlets had saved in the dust and gore intermingled. 
 
 " Had you not found in the Trojans the most unwarlike of nations, 
 
 " You they had seen long since in a doublet of stone for your vesture." 
 
 He said ; and to him thus answer'd the godlike man Alexander : 6o 
 
 " Hector, for none can doubt or the energy blame of your valoui-, 
 
 " As when the axe of the shipwright on blocks and planks as directed 
 
 " Cuts irresistibly through, and the man's whole strength it enforces, 
 
 " Such is your own brave heart, and beyond all measure your courage ; 
 
 " Me for the kindlier favours of Venus upbraid not in anger ; 65 
 
 " Gifts by the Gods conferr'd are in every shape to be valued ; 
 
 " They of their own distribute, nor is it for men to be choosers. 
 
 " But if your pleasure be such, I appeal to the wager of battle. 
 
 " First let the Greeks and Trojans be all disposed in a circle ; 
 
 " I in the midst will engage with the brave Menelaus in combat, 70 
 
 " Both for the beautiful Helen herself and her treasures contending : 
 
 ' Castor and Pollux. Vide infra, 238.
 
 48 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 " He who his rival shall conquer and prove the superior in conflict, 
 
 " TTi'a be the glorious prize, with the bride and her treasures rewarded. 
 
 " So may the two great armies in concord join and in treaty, 
 
 " Troy to ensure to the Trojans, and to the Greeks to return home 75 
 
 " To Argos, for horses renown'd, and Achaia, for beautiful women." 
 
 He said ; and in this gave pleasure and gratification to Hector. 
 
 He to the front advanced, and the march of the Trojans arrested ; 
 
 His spear by the midst and athwart he upheld, and they instantly halted. 
 
 Him from the Trojan lines when the Greeks had noticed advancing, so 
 
 They from their bows and slings assail'd him with stones and with arrows. 
 
 But there was heard then a cry from the King Agamemnon proceeding : 
 
 " Warriors, forbear your attack, your attention I claim to a parley ; 
 
 " Hector, I see by the signal, has some annovmcement to render." 
 
 He said ; and the sceptre upheld, and all were immediately silent. 85 
 
 Hector slowly advanced, and thus both armies accosted : 
 
 " Hear the announcement I make, ye Trojans alike and Achseans, 
 
 " By Alexander preferr'd, who is mainly the cause of our quarrel ; 
 
 " He invites you warriors, Trojans alike and Achseans, 
 
 " Now your swords to sheathe, and to deposit your lances ; 90 
 
 " He in the midst shall engage with the brave Menelaus in combat 
 
 " Sino'ly, for beautiful Helen herself and her treasures contending ; 
 
 " Who shall his rival conquer and prove the superior in conflict, 
 
 " He for reward of his valour shall Helen obtain and her treasures, 
 
 " This both nations agreeing by solemn treaty to sanction." 95 
 
 While then in expectation they all stood silent and doubtful, 
 
 Slowly advanced to the front, and thus spoke King Menelaus : 
 
 " Me too hear, ye warriors, for more than others afilicted
 
 72—125.] THE ILIAD. 49 
 
 " Deep-felt grief do T feel ; but methinks to an end of our troubles, 
 
 " Trojans and Greeks, ye may come ; for you too have suifer'd and laboui-'d lOO 
 
 " In this contention and strife from the wrongs Alexander has done me. 
 
 " Who in the combat proposed may be destin'd to yield to his rival, 
 
 " Him let perish ; but you this compact make and agreement. 
 
 " Two yoimg lambs provide ; let a black and a white be selected, 
 
 " These for the Earth and the Sun ; and for Jove let a ram be provided. 105 
 
 " Then let Priam advance and solemnly sanction the treaty, 
 
 " He in his own proper person (his sons are flighty and faithless), 
 
 " That none dare transgress so solemnly sanction'd a treaty ; 
 
 " Youth is by nature credulous, unsuspecting, and careless, 
 
 " Age more wary and cautious with doubts and fears is embarrass'd, 1 lu 
 
 " Best when as mutual helpmates both are together united." 
 
 He said ; and was heard with applause by the Trojans alike and Achasans, 
 
 Cheer'd with the hope of release from the toils and dangers of warfare. 
 
 Now from the cars they alight, they proceed to unharness the horses. 
 
 Hasten their weapons to pile, and their shields on the ground to deposit. 1 15 
 
 Small was the space on the plain that divided the opposite armies. 
 
 Hector, while this was done, two heralds sent to the city 
 
 For the victim-lambs to be brought, and the royal Priam invited. 
 
 Then Talthybius, the wonted attendant on King Agamemnon, 
 
 Was to the ships despatch'd for the ram to Jove to be ofier'd. 120 
 
 He on his errand proceeded, the King Agamemnon obeying. 
 
 Iris to Helen the while on a message had come from Olympus, 
 
 In figure and form she appear'd as the bride of the son of Antenor, 
 
 Antenorides call'd, his royal domain Helicaon ; 
 
 Laodicea his bride was of Priam's daughters the fairest. 125
 
 50 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 Helen she found in the palace, and there at the loom with hor maidens 
 
 A magnificent web of artistic embroidery weaving. 
 
 Scenes it show'd of the war ; and the labours of Greeks and of Trojans 
 
 All for herself sustain'd it presented in actual progress. 
 
 Near to her person approaching, the swift- footed Iris address'd her : 1 30 
 
 " Come now, dearest, and see what a scene of miraculous import 
 
 " Passes the Trojans between and the brass- accoutred Achseans. 
 
 " Lately in strife with each other, the woes and disasters of battle 
 
 " They incessantly spread, intent on the horrors of warfare ; 
 
 " All now seem to repose in complete cessation from combat. 133 
 
 " Here they recline on their shields, and there deposit their lances ; 
 
 " In the midst Alexander is seen, and the favour'd of Mars, Meneliius, 
 
 " Singly with sword and spear for you to encounter preparing ; 
 
 " He who subdues his rival, yourself shall obtain for his consort." 
 
 This from the Goddess recall'd th' endearment of past recollections, 140 
 
 Husband unduly forsaken, and home deserted and children. 
 
 Helen withdrew from the loom, and her veil and mantle assuming, 
 
 Hasten'd with grief oppress'd, and with tears in her eyes, from her chamber, 
 
 Not unattended, for two of her handmaids observed her and foUow'd, 
 
 j5]thra the daughter of Pittheus, and Clymene comely and large-eyed. 145 
 
 ThuB at the Scsean gate came Helen with two of her maidens. 
 
 There sat the aged Priam, and Panthous, and Thymoetes, 
 
 Lampus and Clitius too, and the ofispring of Mars, Hiketaon. 
 
 Also Antenor the brave, and Ucalegon, both for their prudence 
 
 Noted the elders among, at the Scsean gate were assembled. 150 
 
 From age they abstain'd from war, but in council sagely together 
 
 Wrangled, as grasshoppers erst in the fields and meadows in summer.
 
 12G— 179.] THE ILIAD. 51 
 
 Near to some favourite tree, in their innocent ctorus rejoicing ; 
 So at the Scsean gate were the elders assembled in converse. 
 These when the Spartan queen they beheld to the tower approaching, 155 
 
 Thus in their sage discourse familiarly spoke to each other : 
 " Well may the warKke Trojans and brass-accoutred Achseans 
 " Proudly in war contend for the beautiful Helen as rivals. 
 " Surely her form is divine, and she looks and moves as a Goddess ; 
 " But it were better methinks the celestial treasure to forego 160 
 
 " Than such a scourge to endure to ourselves and children hereafter." 
 They said ; but thus spoke Priam, the Argive Helen addressing : 
 " Here to the front, dear child, come sit by the side of your father ; 
 " So may you see on the plain your foregone husband and kindred. 
 " Blame not to you I impute, to the Gods I ascribe my misfortimes, i65 
 
 " Who to my sorrow have sent me the direful war of the Grecians ; 
 " But now teU me the name of that tail man yonder, in person 
 " Stately ; he seems by his stature some much distinguish'd Acha;au. 
 " Others there certainly may be of larger proportion and taller, 
 " But never have I beheld such a dignified form and majestic, l7o 
 
 " Neither a mien so commanding ; the semblance he bears of a monarch." 
 He said ; and to him in reply thus answer'd the beautiful Helen : 
 " Sire most honour'd and loved, and by me with a deep veneration, 
 " Would that my mortal career I had ended before ever that day 
 " Came, when I foUow'd your son, home, husband, and brothers deserting, i~5 
 " My infant and much loved daughter, and all my respected companions ; 
 " But so it was, and with tears I lament it in vain to my sorrow. 
 " Now in reply to your question, the man you observe is Atrides, 
 " Chief of the warlike host, wide-ruling King Agamemnon, 
 
 E 2
 
 52 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 " Famous in both respects as a king and an eminent warrior, 180 
 
 " And (tho' I say it with shame) he lately to me was a brother." 
 
 She said ; and the aged Priam beheld him with pleasure, exclaiming, 
 
 " Happy Atrides, born to prosperity, fortunate monarch ! 
 
 " Surely your reign extends o'er a nimierous host of Acha3ans. 
 
 " I in my earlier days in Phrygia's Adne-cover'd region, 185 
 
 " Numerous Phrygians have seen with annour equipt and with horses ; 
 
 " Otreus there and Mj^gdon th' assembled forces commanded, 
 
 " Then were they all encamp'd on the banks of the deep-flowing Sangar. 
 
 " I with my following band was among the auxiliars coimted, 
 
 " There too in battle array came the Amazons, manly viragos ; 190 
 
 " Those compared with the host of Achasans were fewer ia nimiber." 
 
 This having said, he resumed the inquiry, Ulysses observing : 
 
 " Tell me, my daughter, of that man yonder, his name and his office ; 
 
 " Not in appearance so tall by the head as the King Agamemnon, 
 
 " Broader his shoulders methiaks, and his chest seems ampler and wider ; 1 95 
 
 " His arms on the ground he has laid, his shining shield and his javelin, 
 
 " He like the antler'd buck overpeering the group of his comrades. 
 
 " Like to a full-grown ram in the midst of the sheep when at pasture, 
 
 " Statelier he than the others, his fleecy companions surveying." 
 
 To him then the beautiful Helen, from Jove descended, thus answer'd : 200 
 
 " The son you behold of Laertes, the well-instructed Ulysses, 
 
 " Ithaca's sea-girt isle is the seat of his royal dominion ; 
 
 " In the resources of craft he excels, and is noted for prudence." 
 
 She said ; and next Antenor took up the word and address'd her : 
 
 " That was in truth well said, and the same I afiirm from experience ; 205 
 
 " For in m}' former days I have seen and remember Ulysses,
 
 180—233.] THE ILIAD. 53 
 
 " Then for yourself on an embassy, also the King Menoliius ; 
 
 " Entertaining them both at the time, I especially noticed 
 
 " What were the qualifications of each, and their prudent opinions. 
 
 " When with our Trojan companions we all assembled together, 210 
 
 " Standing erect MenelJius was known by the breadth of his shoulders ; 
 
 " When both seated together, the most august was Ulysses ; 
 
 " But when in conversation they each their opinion deKver'd, 
 
 " Surely indeed Meneliius distinctly and sensibly argued ; 
 
 " Few were his words and much to the point, not in phrases abounding, 215 
 
 " Neither deficient, altho' in age he was clearly the younger. 
 
 " But from his seat when Ul}^sses the weU-instructed had risen, 
 
 " While yet silent he stood, with his eyes apparently downcast, 
 
 " And with the sceptre in hand, but neither forward nor backward 
 
 " Moved it, you might some novice have thought him imused to debating ; 220 
 
 " But with a clear strong voice when at length his speech he deliver'd, 
 
 " Soft descended the words as they fell like flakes in a snow-storm, 
 
 " And then none you'd say could in eloquence vie with Ulysses ; 
 
 " Personal form and appearance one then thought less of regarding." 
 
 Priam a third time question'd, his eyes having fix'd upon Ajax : 225 
 
 " Who is that other Achaean, the tall stout man at his right hand ? 
 
 " He by the head and shoulders exceeds the Achseans aroimd him." 
 
 Him in reply thus answer'd the long-robed beautiful Helen : 
 
 " He is the warlike Ajax, the strength esteem'd of the Grecians. 
 
 " Idomeneus is that other, the godlike king of the Cretans ; 230 
 
 " They whom the king addresses are Cretan warriors his subjects. 
 
 " Often received as a guest by the favour'd of Mars, Meneliius, 
 
 " A visit he made at oui* coui't when he came from his Cretan dominions.
 
 54 THE IT.IAD. [Book III, 
 
 " Now distinctly I see all the other black-eyed Achocans, 
 
 " And of their names and persons your further inquiry can answer ; 235 
 
 " Two yet in vain I seek on the hostile plain to discover, 
 
 " Castor, the tamer of horses, and Pollux, the eminent athlete ; 
 
 " Those are my brothers german, of the same fond mother the offspring : 
 
 " Was it not hither they came from our native land Lacedsomon ? 
 
 " Or with that host arrived, in the ships do they purposely loiter, 240 
 
 " Loath to unite with the warriors their late companions iu battle, 
 
 " Ashamed of the cause, and the scandal my present condition attending?" 
 
 Thus Helen ; but they far away in their native laud were remaining. 
 
 Nor from the peaceful shore had departed of fair Lacedsemou. 
 
 Now had the heralds return'd, and brought from the town as was order 'd 243 
 
 Two lambs, white and black, and wine of the fruit of the vintage : 
 
 This was in vessels of goat-skin brought, and a chalice of pure gold 
 
 Also, with golden cups, was brought by the herald IdiEus. 
 
 Thus to the aged Priam the herald his message deliver'd : 
 
 " Rise, son of Laomedon, instantly are you in\'ited, 250 
 
 " Both by the Trojan chiefs and the brass-accoutred Achseans, 
 
 " Down to the plain to come, and a truce with your presence to sanction. 
 
 " There Alexander the godlike, and King Meneliius in combat 
 
 " Singly, with sword and spear, their rival pretensions detennine, 
 
 " Who in the fight shall prevail shall Helen obtain and her treasures. 255 
 
 " Already a truce they have made, and a treaty have sworn to on both sides, 
 
 " The Trojans from war to desist, and the Greeks their departure to hasten 
 
 " To Argos for horses renown'd, and Achaia for beautiful women." 
 
 He said ; and it grieved the old king, but at once his servauts he order'd
 
 234—286.] THE ILIAD. 55 
 
 Quickly the car to prepare, and the mares they presently hamess'd. 260 
 
 Priam moimts to the seat, and the long reins takes in his own hands ; 
 
 Next Antenor moimts at the side of the royal conductor, 
 
 And to the plain they drive by the Scsean gate from the city. 
 
 When to the plain they had come, and the Trojans among and Achoeans, 
 
 Down from the car they alight, and on foot with the heralds proceeded 265 
 
 Straight to the intermediate ground both armies dividing. 
 
 Then to the front advanced wide-ruling King Agamemnon, 
 
 He and Ulysses beside ; when the heralds, their office performing. 
 
 Placed at the altar the victims, the wine pour'd into the chalice, 
 
 And for the Kings brought water their outstretch'd hands to besprinkle. 270 
 
 Atrides with cutlass in hand, for this he had drawn from the scabbard 
 
 (Near to the ponderous sword it was always hung from his baldric). 
 
 Cut from the heads of the victims the tufted wool, and the heralds 
 
 Dealt it around to the chiefs of the Trojans alike and Achaeans. 
 
 Aloud then Atrides pray'd, with his hands uplifted and outstretch'd : 275 
 
 " Jove, who from Ida reignest, omnipotent, everlasting, 
 
 " And thou glorious orb, aU-seeing eye of creation, 
 
 " Earth, seas, floods, and rivers, and all you Powers Infernal, 
 
 " Who for their crimes visit dead men, and torments prepare for the perjured, 
 
 " Witness, and be ye avengers to this our solemn engagement ; 280 
 
 " If Alexander prevails, and in combat defeats Meneliius, 
 
 " He for the prize of his valour shall Helen obtain and her treasm-cs ; 
 
 " And to Achaia again the Greeks shall return on the ocean. 
 
 " Likewise if ileneliius in combat defeats Alexander, 
 
 " Then shall the Trojans at once fair Helen herself and her treasures 2S5 
 
 " Render, and pay moreover, as justice requires, an amercement,
 
 56 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 " Sucli as may serve for a warning to all generations in future. 
 
 " But if the compensation from Priam, or Priam's descendants, 
 
 " Should be vmjiistly withheld, although Alexander be vanquish'd, 
 
 " To arms will I therefore recur, such compensation reclaiming, 290 
 
 " Here on the hostile field to remain till the end of the contest." 
 
 This having said, with his cutlass the victim-lambs he beheaded. 
 
 And on the ground as they fell lay the headless trunks of the victims 
 
 Inanimate now and defunct, for so their existence had ended. 
 
 Next was the wine outpour'd, and the cups were fill'd from the chalice 295 
 
 A libation to make, and their prayers and vows they repeated. 
 
 One then was heard to exclaim, in the midst of the Greeks and the Trojans : 
 
 " omnipotent Jove, and all ye other Immortals, 
 
 " Who of this solemn vow shall dare transgress the injimction, 
 
 " So may his life-blood flow as the wine outpour'd on the pavement, 300 
 
 " Orphan his childi-en left, and his wife allotted to strangers." 
 
 So pray'd they ; but no approval by favouring Jove was accorded. 
 
 Then Troy's aged king came forward, and thus he address'd them : 
 
 " Hear me, ye warlike Trojans and brass-accoutred Aehaeans, 
 
 " Again from the plain I go to return to the towers of Ilion. 305 
 
 " 111 could these eyes endure to behold my beloved Alexander 
 
 " Deadly encounter wage with the favour'd of Mars, Meneliius : 
 
 " Jove knows how it shall end, but it is not for mortals to foreknow 
 
 " Which of the twain by his fall his destin'd end shall accomiDlish." 
 
 He said ; and the slaughter 'd lambs having placed in the car, he remoimted 310 
 
 Into the seat in front, and the long reins took and adjusted ; 
 
 Near to the aged king as before Antenor remounted, 
 
 And from the plain they drove, to the towers of Ilion returning.
 
 287—340.] THE ILIAD. 57 
 
 Hector, tlie brave son of Priam, together with noTble Ulysses, 
 
 Measured with equal stops the appointed ground for the combat. 315 
 
 Two significant lots in a brazen helmet they mingled, 
 
 These with the names inscribed of the combatants one and the other. 
 
 So to decide who first his spear should hurl at his rival. 
 
 Prayers and vows were repeated in this suspense by the people, 
 
 And thus some one exclaim'd in the midst of the Greeks and the Trojans : 320 
 
 " Jove, who from Ida reignest, omnipotent, everlasting, 
 
 " Which of the twain most wrongful in this long war has ipvolved us, 
 
 " Him may his rival in arms dismiss to the region of Pluto ; 
 
 " So may the right be asserted, and peace restored to the nations." 
 
 So said they ; but warlike Hector, his eyes then backward averting, 325 
 
 The helmet shook with the lots, and straight outleapt Alexander's, 
 
 Which at the instant was pick'd up and loud proclaim'd by the heralds. 
 
 All then form'd in ranks, and the issue awaited in silence. 
 
 Each in his place, with the horses at rest and their armour aside laid. 
 
 Now for the combat prepared, by assuming his glittering armour, 330 
 
 The godlike prince Alexander, the spouse of the beautiful Helen : 
 
 First on his thighs and legs the circling greaves he adjusted, 
 
 These with glittering clasps of solid silver he fasten'd ; 
 
 Next with a splendid cuirass his well-form'd bust he encompass'd, — 
 
 The cuirass was that of his brother Lycaon, but Paris it fitted. 335 
 
 A baldric he threw o'er his shoulders, and therewith a glittering falchion, 
 
 Studded with silver and brass, and ample his shield was and solid. 
 
 His head, with a helmet of brass, well-fitted and crested with horsehair. 
 
 He cover'd, and grand was the wave of the spreading plume that adorn'd it ; 
 
 Also the pointed lance to his hand well-adapted he handled. 340
 
 58 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 So too assumed for combat the brave Menelaus hia armour. 
 
 Fearful it was to behold them, and all seem'd struck with amazement. 
 
 Each to the front advanced of the Trojan lines and Achaean, 
 
 There in the midst to engage with his well-arm'd rival in combat ; 
 
 Fierce were their threatening looks of mutual hate and defiance. 345 
 
 Now on the measured groimd were the combatants near to each other, 
 
 Shaking their threatening lances with angry and menacing aspect. 
 
 The fight Alexander began, and his spear he hurl'd at his rival : 
 
 FuU on the shield uplifted it fell of the warlike Atrides ; 
 
 But from the brazen orb with its blunted point it rebounded, 350 
 
 RepeU'd by the ringing shield ; but ere Menelaus retorted. 
 
 Poising his threatening lance, these words as in prayer he utter'd : 
 
 " Jove, give me to pimish that lawless lustful aggressor, 
 
 " False Alexander, that slain by my vengeful arm he may perish ; 
 
 " So that in time yet to come it may fill mankind with abhorrence, 355 
 
 " Falsely their host to deceive, and requite him with WTongs for his friendship." 
 
 He said ; and with vigorous arm hurl'd swiftly the spear at his rival : 
 
 Full on the shield it struck of the godlike man Alexander, 
 
 Pierced it impetuous through, and his mail-cover'd corslet and tunic 
 
 Frightfully tore in its course, and his flank descended alongside, 360 
 
 He having bent at the moment had thus but eluded the death-blow. 
 
 Atrides, when this he beheld, with his sword now drawn from the scabbard 
 
 A ponderous blow discharged on the ringing cone of the helmet ; 
 
 Instantly shiver'd in fragments the sword from his hand to the ground fell. 
 
 Groaning heavily, then he exclaim'd, as if Heaven upbraiding, 365 
 
 " Jove, sire of the Gods, there are none so cruel as thou art ! 
 
 " Surely indeed had I trusted the false Alexander to punish.
 
 341—394.] THE ILIAD. 59 
 
 " But in my right hand splinter'd my sword, and the throw of my javelin 
 
 " Not les8 vain has proved and abortive, for this he eluded." 
 
 He said ; and his rival he seized by the tufted crest of his helmet, 370 
 
 Which to the ranks he dragg'd of the brass-accoutred Achaians, 
 
 Straining the tender throat with th' embroider'd collar around it. 
 
 That under his chin was attach'd to the fastening band of his helmet. 
 
 Thither ia sooth he had drawn him, the glory of victory claiming ; 
 
 But Venus, the daughter of Jove, from above had noticed the conflict ; 375 
 
 All imseen she came and divided the band of the helmet. 
 
 Only the empty helmet the grasp of the victor retaining ; 
 
 This the indignant chief towards the brass-accoutred Achreans 
 
 Flimg to the groimd as in triumph, and they in their keeping retain'd it. 
 
 Still with his v^rath unappeased, he was hastening again to combat, aso 
 
 Arm'd with his brass-headed spear ; but Venus the other envelop'd 
 
 (What cannot Gods achieve ?) in a cloud of impervious darkness, 
 
 And to the distant retreat of his perfumed chamber convey'd him. 
 
 Then went Helen to call. On a tower at the waU of the city 
 
 Her did the Goddess descry, by her Trojan maidens attended. 335 
 
 Softly approaching she pull'd very gently the fold of her garment, 
 
 Semblance in form and in speech of a trusty old woman assuming, 
 
 Erst at the loom employ'd in her former service at Sparta ; 
 
 Wool she had carded the finest, and much was in favour with Helen. 
 
 So then the Goddess began, the same good spinster resembling : 390 
 
 " Come, Alexander invites and awaits your immediate returning, 
 
 " There on the well-known bed in the perfumed chamber reclining, 
 
 " Splendid in beauty and vestui'c he calls }'ou, and none would imagine 
 
 " Straight from the hostile plain he is come, and from recently fighting.
 
 60 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 " Rather from some gay dance or party of pleasure returning." 395 
 
 She said ; but some suspicion in Helen's mind was awaken'd, 
 
 And at the moment she look'd, and the well-shaped neck of the spinster 
 
 Noticed, her graceful bust and bright eyes brilliant with beauty, 
 
 Conscious at once and alarm'd, she thus accosted the Goddess : 
 
 " Cruel to practise deceit and still persist in betraying ; 400 
 
 " Am I again to be sent to another populous city, 
 
 " Off by some Phrygian prince or perhaps MEconian carried, 
 
 " Who of the race most largely your favour may share and protection ? 
 
 " Since Meneliius in combat has now Alexander defeated, 
 
 " Me as his wife he claims to return unwilHng to Sparta, 405 
 
 " Is it for this j'ou are come, new schemes of deception devising ? 
 
 " Go to him rather yourself, your divinity fitly renouncing, 
 
 " And no more as a Goddess affect to return to Olympus ; 
 
 " There in his chamber abide, his affliction to share and his converse ; 
 
 " Haply for wife he may take you, or there you may serve him as maiden ; 410 
 
 " Thither will I not go, to reproach exposed and to censure, 
 
 " His couch and his bed to share ; for the women of Troy, as they well may, 
 
 " Would with reproaches upbraid me ; no end do I find to my sorrows." 
 
 To her, but with angry expression, thus answer'd celestial Yenus : 
 
 " Rash woman, fear to provoke me ; beware lest for ever I leave you 415 
 
 " More yet my hate to endure, than my love you have had and my favour, 
 
 " Lest of your beauty denuded you come to be hideous and loathsome 
 
 " Both to the Trojans and Greeks, and no end you'll find to your sorrows." 
 
 She said ; and the Jove-descended Helen was greatly affi-ighted ; 
 
 Quickly her veil she resumed, and covering herself with her mantle, 420 
 
 SUent and unattended she hasten'd to follow the Goddess.
 
 395—448.] THE ILIAD. Gl 
 
 Thus to the palace they came of the prince, and the female attendants 
 
 There found all at their post their domestic duty performing ; 
 
 Straight to the canopied chamber the peerless beauty ascended, 
 
 Led by the Goddess, who now to a seat her attention directing, 425 
 
 Moved it from where it was standing, and placed it before Alexander ; 
 
 There sat Helen down, the favour'd of Jove and the offspring, 
 
 Backward her eyes she averted, and thus Alexander accosted : 
 
 " So from the plain you are come, but there you should rather have fallen, 
 
 " Slain by his stronger arm who was erst my legitimate husband. 430 
 
 " Oft have you boasted of valour beyond that of brave Meneliius, 
 
 " Vigour and strength of arm and martial achievement superior ; 
 
 " Go make good your boasting, the warlike and brave Meneliius 
 
 " Challenge again to the field ; but no, stay rather from combat, 
 
 " Nor any more contend with the favour'd of Mars, Meneliius, 435 
 
 " In perilous war to engage, and fierce encounter of battle, 
 
 " Lest by his spear you fall, so unequal to him as a warrior." 
 
 She said ; and to her thus answer'd the godlike man Alexander : 
 
 " Do not, woman, upbraid me with unkind taimts and reproaches ; 
 
 " Pallas was unpropitious, to-day Meneliius has conquer'd, 440 
 
 " Some other day perhaps I may, the Gods have of us the disposal. 
 
 " But let us turn from the past to renewal of love and embraces ; 
 
 " Never so love-inspired have I felt in my happiest moments, 
 
 " Not when from Lacedaemon with trusty associates provided, 
 
 " You not reluctant in sooth, but with force I triumphantly bore off, 445 
 
 " Not when in Craniie's isle in the fond embrace we united, 
 
 " Than at this hour in the ardour of amorous passion rejoicing." 
 
 So saying the bed he approach'd, and the wife not uuwiUiugly follow'd ;
 
 Q2 THE ILIAD. [Book III. 
 
 Thus upon sumptuous beds did repose Alexander and Helen. 
 
 Far on the plain then Atrides grim as a lion was stalking, 450 
 
 In search thro' the Trojan ranks of the godlike man Alexander. 
 
 Then did the Trojans alike and the Greeks for the fugitive look out, 
 
 But none found Alexander to show him to brave Meneliius, 
 
 Neither a friend had he found, from the brave Meneliius to screen him. 
 
 Held in contempt by them all, and worse than death was he hated. 455 
 
 Presently therefore advancing, thus spoke King Agamemnon : 
 
 " Hear, ye assembled warriors, Trojans, Greeks, and retainers, 
 
 " Victory plainly belongs to the favour'd of Mars, Meneliius ; 
 
 " Therefore the Argive Helen herself and her treasures together 
 
 " Render, and pay moreover, as justice requires, the amercement ; 4f)0 
 
 " This to ourselves is due and to all posterity henceforth." 
 
 He said ; and with shouts of applause was greeted by all the AchaBans. 
 
 END OF BOOK III.
 
 LONDON' : 
 GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, 
 
 ST. John's square.
 
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