II

Still nursing his wound, still torn by the demons of rage and grief,

Achilles sat moodily in his tent, while his comrades were busy about

him, preparing the morning meal. Suddenly he felt a gentle touch on

his shoulder, and looking up he saw his mother's face bent over him,

with looks of sympathy and love. "My son," she said, in a low sweet

voice, "how long wilt thou devour thy heart in bootless anguish,

refusing meat and drink, and spurning the tender offices of human

affection? O darken not the little remnant that remains to thee of

life, but take what good thou canst, and at least live as a man. I

have come with a message to thee from Zeus, who bids thee to give up

Hector's body, and receive the ransom which his friends will offer

thee."

"Be it so," answered Achilles. "Let them bring the price, and I will

give back the body." Overjoyed by his ready consent, Thetis bade him

farewell, and returned to her ocean home.

Meanwhile the ever-active Iris was gone on another errand, carrying the

commands of Zeus to Priam. Swiftly she passed through the streets of

Troy, and entered the house of woe, where the voice of sorrow had never

ceased since the day when Hector had fallen by the hands of Achilles.

Priam himself was lying prostrate on the ground in the courtyard, with

his white locks defied with dust and ashes. Round him were gathered

his sons, trying in vain to rouse him from his stupor; and at the

windows were seen from time to time the white faces of women, when any

of his daughters paused in their household tasks to glance at the

sorrow-stricken group outside.

Lying thus, mute and motionless, Priam was startled to hear a still,

small voice, which seemed to be speaking at a great distance,

addressing him in these words: "Take comfort, son of Dardanus, and be

not dismayed! I who speak have not come to foretell thee harm, but

only good. Thy cries and thy groanings have gone up to the ear of

Zeus, and he hath sent me to comfort and advise thee. Hearken now, and

do as I shall tell thee: let them prepare thee a wain, loaded with

precious gifts, and go thou in thy car to the tent of Achilles, and let

only a herald go with thee, a man stricken in years like thyself, to

guide the mules. Fear nothing, for heaven is near thee, and the gods

have put it into the heart of Achilles to hear thy prayer."

To the amazement of those who stood near, and who knew nothing of the

cause, new life and energy were seen to enter the palsied limbs of

Priam, and starting to his feet he ordered his sons to prepare the mule

car, and make fast to it the great wicker basket which was used for the

carriage of goods. Then, without staying for question or reply, he

hastened into the house, and calling to Hecuba made known to her his

purpose. When she heard what he intended, Hecuba lifted up her hands,

and answered in tones of astonishment and terror. "Is it Priam who

speaks--the monarch revered for his wisdom even in distant lands--or is

it some madman who has taken upon him Priam's likeness? What, wilt

thou go into the presence of that butcher, whose savage hands have made

thee all but childless? Faithless and ruthless as he is, thinkest thou

that he will reverence thy grey hairs? No, he will slaughter thee

without pity, and give us new cause for tears. Hector hath received

the portion appointed to him at his birth, and dogs shall eat his flesh

where he lies in the tent of that man of blood. May the curse of

heaven light on his slayer! Would that I could tear his heart with my

teeth, and devour it! Then would my noble son be avenged, who died

bravely before the face of all his people, with no thought of flight or

escape."

But Priam was not to be shaken in his resolve. "Seek not to hinder

me," he answered, "and vex me not with thy evil forebodings. I go not

at the bidding of any earthly prophet, but with direct assurance of the

aid and countenance of heaven. If I have been deceived, I am prepared

to die, so that the stroke but find me holding my son in my arms, and

clinging to him in a last embrace."

With that he went to his treasure-chamber, and opening the chests of

cedarwood took from them rich robes, choice tapestries, and costly

raiment. To these he added ten talents of gold and a bowl of silver,

which he had received as a gift of honour when he went on an embassy to

Thrace. And having set the gifts in order he went forth again into the

courtyard, to hasten the preparations for his journey. Finding there a

crowd of Trojans, whom some rumour had drawn to the palace, he drove

them all out, beating them with his staff, and crying: "What make ye

here, idle caitiffs? Have ye not sorrow enough at home that ye come

hither to chatter and pry into my grief? Ye will soon learn what ye

have lost in my Hector, when ye fly like sheep without a shepherd

before the wolves of Greece." The Trojans fled before the old man's

anger, and he looked about him, seeking his sons. "Where are ye," he

cried, "children of my shame? Would that ye had all perished, and

Hector alone were left! Alas! the best are ever taken first, and in

those that remain there is neither comfort nor strength, but only

dishonour and reproach. Liars, dancers, devourers of the people--these

are my children now."

Roused by the loud rebukes of their father, the young princes made

haste to bring forth the mule car and harness the mules. Then they

loaded the car with the gifts to Achilles, and yoked to the chariot the

horses which Priam himself was to drive.

When all was ready, Hecuba came and stood by the chariot, bearing a

golden cup filled with wine. "Take this," she said to Priam, "and pour

a drink-offering to Zeus, if so be that he will vouchsafe thee a sign,

and show thee whether it be by his will or not that thou goest on this

journey."

"Thou sayest well," answered Priam. "It is a good thing to hold up our

hands to heaven in prayer." Thereupon he washed his hands in water,

which was brought by a handmaid, took the cup from his wife, and

standing by the altar in the middle of the courtyard lifted up his

voice and prayed: "Lord of Ida, most glorious, most great, grant that

the heart of Achilles may incline in pity towards me, and send thy

messenger, the swift eagle whom thou lovest best of all fowls, that

having seen him we may go with good heart and courage to the Grecian

camp."

Even as he spoke, a mighty eagle was seen soaring over the city on the

right hand, with his vast wings outspread, like the folding doors of a

rich man's house. Rejoicing in the omen, Priam mounted his chariot,

and drove through the echoing porch, preceded by the herald Idæus, who

drove the mule car. Along the streets they passed, making what speed

they could, through the multitudes who had flocked out to see them

depart, and who mourned them as already dead.

Night had fallen, and all the sky was thick set with stars, as they

left the city gates, and turned their faces towards the sea. When they

reached the ford of the river they paused to let the animals drink: and

while they halted Idæus suddenly cried out in tones of terror: "My

lord, we are undone! I see a man approaching, and I fear he means us

no good." Priam peered out into the darkness, following with his eyes

the pointing finger of Idæus, and saw a tall figure moving with rapid

steps towards them.

"What doest thou here?" said the stranger, who was a graceful and

comely youth, and whose voice sounded like the chiming of a silver

bell. "Why art thou here unguarded, at the very gates of the foe? But

be of good cheer--I will not harm thee, nor suffer others to do so. I

see in thee a likeness to my dear father."

"Fair youth," answered Priam, whose alarm had vanished before the

gentle mien and kind words of the young Greek, "surely some god has

sent thee in my way, in pity for my helpless state. Tell me, who art

thou, and who is the father who is blest with such a son?"

"I am a follower of Achilles," was the startling reply, "and came

hither in the same ship. My father is Polyctor, a wealthy man, and of

like age with thee. I am the youngest of seven sons, and the lot fell

upon me to follow the host to Troy. And this night I came out to spy

upon the movements of the Trojans."

"If thou art a comrade of Achilles," said Priam, "thou canst tell me

concerning my son Hector. Lies his body still by the ships, or has

Achilles given it already to his dogs to devour?"

"Neither dog," answered the other, "nor unclean fowl hath approached

him, nor hath the worm had power over his flesh. Unmarred by violence,

untouched by decay, he lieth, without soil or stain, and all his wounds

are closed. This miracle the gods have wrought, in the great love

which they bear him."

"Glad news thou tellest me," said Priam, "and now I know that piety

hath its reward, even in death." Then he took out a silver cup from

the mule car, and offering it to the stranger said: "Take this for

thyself, and conduct me safe to the ships of Achilles, that I may see

the face of my son."

"Tempt me not, old man," replied the Greek. "This cup belongs to

Achilles, and if I should steal it from him what thinkest thou that he

would do unto me? But come, give me the reins, and I will guide thee

to thy goal--yea, though it were in distant Argos, thou shouldst reach

it safe and sound, and none should molest thee."

So saying, he sprang to the side of Priam, and took the reins. Under

his guidance the horses seemed to be endued with wings, and in a very

short time they reached the main entrance of the camp. The gates flew

open, as if by magic, and all the sentries were sleeping at their

posts. On to the extreme verge of the camp they went, still

unchallenged, and drew up at length before a high stockade, within

which were the quarters of Achilles. Once more the gates opened at a

touch, and they entered. Here the mysterious stranger dismounted from

the car, and turning on Priam a countenance which shone with a

celestial radiance he said: "I have brought thee to the place where

thou wouldst go, and now I will leave thee, for the task is finished

which Zeus my father gave me to do. For know that I am Hermes, the

herald of the gods, and the strong helper of those that are in need."