How Agamemnon sent an embassage to Achilles, beseeching him to be
appeased; and how Achilles denied him.
Thus kept the Trojans watch; but the Achaians were holden of
heaven-sent panic, handmaid of palsying fear, and all their best were
stricken to the heart with grief intolerable. Like as two winds stir up
the main, the home of fishes, even the north wind and the west wind
that blow from Thrace, coming suddenly; and the dark billow straightway
lifteth up its crest and casteth much tangle out along the sea; even so
was the Achaians’ spirit troubled in their breast.
But Atreides was stricken to the heart with sore grief, and went about
bidding the clear-voiced heralds summon every man by name to the
assembly, but not to shout aloud; and himself he toiled amid the
foremost. So they sat sorrowful in assembly, and Agamemnon stood up
weeping like unto a fountain of dark water that from a beetling cliff
poureth down its black stream; even so with deep groaning he spake amid
the Argives and said: “My friends, leaders and captains of the Argives,
Zeus son of Kronos hath bound me with might in grievous blindness of
soul; hard of heart is he, for that erewhile he promised and gave his
pledge that not till I had laid waste well-walled Ilios should I
depart, but now hath planned a cruel wile, and biddeth me return in
dishonour to Argos with the loss of many of my folk. Such meseemeth is
the good pleasure of most mighty Zeus, that hath laid low the heads of
many cities, yea and shall lay low; for his is highest power. So come,
even as I shall bid let us all obey; let us flee with our ships to our
dear native land, for now shall we never take wide-wayed Troy.”
So said he, and they all held their peace and kept silence. Long time
were the sons of the Achaians voiceless for grief, but at the last
Diomedes of the loud war-cry spake amid them and said: “Atreides: with
thee first in thy folly will I contend, where it is just, O king, even
in the assembly; be not thou wroth therefor. My valour didst thou blame
in chief amid the Danaans, and saidst that I was no man of war but a
coward; and all this know the Argives both young and old. But the son
of crooked-counselling Kronos hath endowed thee but by halves; he
granted thee to have the honour of the sceptre above all men, but
valour he gave thee not, wherein is highest power. Sir, deemest thou
that the sons of the Achaians are thus indeed cowards and weaklings as
thou sayest? If thine own heart be set on departing, go thy way; the
way is before thee, and thy ships stand beside the sea, even the great
multitude that followed thee from Mykene. But all the other
flowing-haired Achaians will tarry here until we lay waste Troy. Nay,
let them too flee on their ships to their dear native land; yet will we
twain, even I and Sthenelos, fight till we attain the goal of Ilios;
for in God’s name are we come.”
So said he, and all the sons of the Achaians shouted aloud, applauding
the saying of horse-taming Diomedes. Then knightly Nestor arose and
said amid them: “Tydeides, in battle art thou passing mighty, and in
council art thou best among thine equals in years; none of all the
Achaians will make light of thy word nor gainsay it; but thou hast not
made a full end of thy words. Moreover thou art a young man indeed, and
mightest even be my son, my youngest-born; yet thou counsellest
prudently the princes of the Achaians, because thou speakest according
unto right. But lo, I that avow me to be older than thou will speak
forth and expound everything; neither shall any man despise my saying,
not even the lord Agamemnon. A tribeless, lawless, homeless man is he
that loveth bitter civil strife. Howbeit now let us yield to black
night and make ready now let us yield to black night and make ready our
meal; and let the sentinels bestow them severally along the deep-delved
foss without the wall. This charge give I to the young men; and thou,
Atreides, lead then the way, for thou art the most royal. Spread thou a
feast for the councillors; that is thy place and seemly for thee. Thy
huts are full of wine that the ships of the Achaians bring thee by day
from Thrace across the wide sea; all entertainment is for thee, being
king over many. In the gathering of many shalt thou listen to him that
deviseth the most excellent counsel; sore need have all the Achaians of
such as is good and prudent, because hard by the ships our foemen are
burning their watch-fires in multitude; what man can rejoice thereat?
This night shall either destroy or save the host.”
So said he, and they gladly hearkened to him and obeyed. Forth sallied
the sentinels in their harness, around Thrasymedes Nestor’s son,
shepherd of the host, and Askalaphos and Ialmenos sons of Ares, and
Meriones and Aphareus and Deïpyros and Kreion’s son noble Lykomedes.
Seven were the captains of the sentinels, and with each went fivescore
young men bearing their long spears in their hands; and they took post
midway betwixt foss and wall, and kindled a fire and made ready each
man his meal.
Then Atreides gathered the councillors of the Achaians, and led them to
his hut, and spread before them an abundant feast. So they put forth
their hands to the good cheer that lay before them. And when they had
put away from them the desire of meat and drink, then the old man first
began to weave his counsel, even Nestor, whose rede of old time was
approved the best. He of good intent spake to them and said: “Most
noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, in thy name will I end and
with thy name begin, because thou art king over many hosts, and to thy
hand Zeus hath entrusted sceptre and law, that thou mayest take counsel
for thy folk. Thee therefore more than any it behoveth both to speak
and hearken, and to accomplish what another than thou may say, when his
heart biddeth him speak for profit: wheresoever thou leadest all shall
turn on thee, so I will speak as meseemeth best. No other man shall
have a more excellent thought than this that I bear in mind from old
time even until now, since the day when thou, O heaven-sprung king,
didst go and take the damsel Briseis from angry Achilles’ hut by no
consent of ours. Nay, I right heartily dissuaded thee; but thou
yieldedst to thy proud spirit, and dishonouredst a man of valour whom
even the immortals honoured; for thou didst take and keepest from him
his meed of valour. Still let us even now take thought how we may
appease him and persuade him with gifts of friendship and kindly
words.”
And Agamemnon king of men answered and said to him: “Old sir, in no
false wise hast thou accused my folly. Fool was I, I myself deny it
not. Worth many hosts is he whom Zeus loveth in his heart, even as now
he honoureth this man and destroyeth the host of the Achaians. But
seeing I was a fool in that I yielded to my sorry passion, I will make
amends and give a recompense beyond telling. In the midst of you all I
will name the excellent gifts; seven tripods untouched of fire, and ten
talents of gold and twenty gleaming caldrons, and twelve stalwart
horses, winners in the race, that have taken prizes by their speed. No
lackwealth were that man, neither undowered of precious gold, whose
substance were as great as the prizes my whole-hooved steeds have borne
me off. And seven women will I give, skilled in excellent handiwork,
Lesbians whom I chose me from the spoils the day that he himself took
stablished Lesbos, surpassing womankind in beauty. These will I give
him, and with them shall be she whom erst I took from him, even the
daughter of Briseus; moreover I will swear a great oath that never I
went up into her bed nor had with her converse as is the wont of
mankind, even of men and women. All these things shall be set
straightway before him; and if hereafter the gods grant us to lay waste
the great city of Priam, then let him enter in when we Achaians be
dividing the spoil, and lade his ship full of gold and bronze, and
himself choose twenty Trojan women, the fairest that there be after
Helen of Argos. And if we win to the richest of lands, even Achaian
Argos, he shall be my son and I will hold him in like honour with
Orestes, my stripling boy that is nurtured in all abundance. Three
daughters are mine in my well-builded hall, Chrysothemis and Laodike
and Iphianassa; let him take of them which he will, without gifts of
wooing, to Peleus’ house; and I will add a great dower such as no man
ever yet gave with his daughter. And seven well-peopled cities will I
give him, Kardamyle and Enope and grassy Hire and holy Pherai and
Antheia deep in meads, and fair Aipeia and Pedasos land of vines. And
all are nigh to the salt sea, on the uttermost border of sandy Pylos;
therein dwell men abounding in flocks and kine, men that shall worship
him like a god with gifts, and beneath his sway fulfil his prosperous
ordinances. All this will I accomplish so he but cease from wrath. Let
him yield; Hades I ween is not to be softened neither overcome, and
therefore is he hatefullest of all gods to mortals. Yea, let him be
ruled by me, inasmuch as I am more royal and avow me to be the elder in
years.”
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered and said: “Most noble son of
Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, now are these gifts not lightly to be
esteemed that thou offerest king Achilles. Come therefore, let us speed
forth picked men to go with all haste to the hut of Peleus’ son
Achilles. Lo now, whomsoever I appoint let them consent. First let
Phoinix dear to Zeus lead the way, and after him great Aias and noble
Odysseus; and for heralds let Odios and Eurybates be their companions.
And now bring water for our hands, and bid keep holy silence, that we
may pray unto Zeus the son of Kronos, if perchance he will have mercy
upon us.”
So said he, and spake words that were well-pleasing unto all. Forthwith
the heralds poured water on their hands, and the young men crowned the
bowls with drink and gave each man his portion after they had poured
the libation in the cups. And when they had made libation and drunk as
their heart desired, they issued forth from the hut of Agamemnon son of
Atreus. And knightly Nestor of Gerenia gave them full charge, with many
a glance to each, and chiefest to Odysseus, how they should essay to
prevail on Peleus’ noble son.
So the twain went along the shore of the loud-sounding sea, making
instant prayer to the earth-embracer, the Shaker of the Earth, that
they might with ease prevail on Aiakides’ great heart. So they came to
the huts and ships of the Myrmidons, and found their king taking his
pleasure of a loud lyre, fair, of curious work, with a silver cross-bar
upon it; one that he had taken from the spoils when he laid Eëtion’s
city waste. Therein he was delighting his soul, and singing the glories
of heroes. And over against him sate Patroklos alone in silence,
watching till Aiakides should cease from singing. So the twain came
forward, and noble Odysseus led the way, and they stood before his
face; and Achilles sprang up amazed with the lyre in his hand, and left
the seat where he was sitting, and in like manner Patroklos when he
beheld the men arose. Then Achilles fleet of foot greeted them and
said: “Welcome; verily ye are friends that are come—sore indeed is the
need—even ye that are dearest of the Achaians to me even in my wrath.”
So spake noble Achilles and led them forward, and made them sit on
settles and carpets of purple; and anon he spake to Patroklos being
near: “Bring forth a greater bowl, thou son of Menoitios; mingle
stronger drink, and prepare each man a cup, for dearest of men are
these that are under my roof.”
So said he, and Patroklos hearkened to his dear comrade. He cast down a
great fleshing-block in the fire-light, and laid thereon a sheep’s back
and a fat goat’s, and a great hog’s chine rich with fat. And Automedon
held them for him, while Achilles carved. Then he sliced well the meat
and pierced it through with spits, and Menoitios’ son, that godlike
hero, made the fire burn high. Then when the fire was burned down and
the flame waned, he scattered the embers and laid the spits thereover,
resting them on the spit-racks, when he had sprinkled them with holy
salt. Then when he had roasted the meat and apportioned it in the
platters, Patroklos took bread and dealt it forth on the table in fair
baskets, and Achilles dealt the meat. And he sate him over against
godlike Odysseus by the other wall, and bade his comrade Patroklos do
sacrifice to the gods; so he cast the first-fruits into the fire. Then
put they forth their hands to the good cheer lying before them. And
when they had put from them the desire of meat and drink, Aias nodded
to Phoinix. But noble Odysseus marked it, and filled a cup with wine
and pledged Achilles: “Hail, O Achilles! The fair feast lack we not
either in the hut of Agamemnon son of Atreus neither now in thine; for
feasting is there abundance to our heart’s desire, but our thought is
not for matters of the delicious feast; nay, we behold very sore
destruction, thou fosterling of Zeus, and are afraid. Now is it in
doubt whether we save the benched ships or behold them perish, if thou
put not on thy might. Nigh unto ships and wall have the high-hearted
Trojans and famed allies pitched their camp, and kindled many fires
throughout their host, and ween that they shall no more be withheld but
will fall on our black ships. And Zeus son of Kronos sheweth them signs
upon the right by lightning, and Hector greatly exulteth in his might
and rageth furiously, trusting in Zeus, and recketh not of god nor man,
for mighty madness hath possessed him. He prayeth bright Dawn to shine
forth with all speed, for he bath passed his word to smite off from the
ships the ensigns’ tops, and to fire the hulls with devouring flame,
and hard thereby to make havoc of the Achaians confounded by the smoke.
Therefore am I sore afraid in my heart lest the gods fulfil his
boastings, and it be fated for us to perish here in Troy-land, far from
Argos pasture-land of horses. Up then! if thou art minded even at the
last to save the failing sons of the Achaians from the war-din of the
Trojans. Thyself shalt have grief hereafter, and when the ill is done
is there no way to find a cure therefor; in good time rather take thou
thought to ward the evil day from the Danaans. Friend, surely to thee
thy father Peleus gave commandment the day he sent thee to Agamemnon
forth from Phthia: ‘My son, strength shall Athene and Hera give thee if
they will; but do thou refrain thy proud soul in thy breast, for
gentlemindedness is the better part; and withdraw from mischievous
strife, that so the Argives may honour thee the more, both young and
old.’ Thus the old man charged thee, but thou forgettest. Yet cease now
at the last, and eschew thy grievous wrath; Agamemnon offereth thee
worthy gifts, so thou wilt cease from anger. Lo now, hearken thou to
me, and I will tell thee all the gifts that in his hut Agamemnon
promised thee: seven tripods untouched of fire, and ten talents of gold
and twenty gleaming caldrons and twelve stalwart horses, winners in the
race, that have taken prizes by their speed. No lackwealth were that
man, neither undowered of precious gold, whose substance were as great
as the prizes Agamemnon’s steeds have borne him off. And seven women
will he give, skilled in excellent handiwork, Lesbians whom he chose
him from the spoils the day that thou thyself tookest Lesbos,
surpassing womankind in beauty. These will he give thee, and with them
shall be she whom erst he took from thee, even the daughter of Briseus;
moreover he will swear a great oath that never he went up into her bed
nor had with her converse as is the wont of mankind, O king, even of
men and women. All these things shall be set straightway before thee;
and if hereafter the gods grant us to lay waste the great city of
Priam, then enter thou in when we Achaians be dividing the spoil, and
lade thy ship full of gold and bronze, and thyself choose twenty Trojan
women, the fairest that there be after Helen of Argos. And if we win to
the richest of lands, even Achaian Argos, thou shalt be his son and he
will hold thee in like honour with Orestes, his stripling boy that is
nurtured in all abundance. Three daughters are his in his well-builded
hall, Chrysothemis and Laodike and Iphianassa; take thou of them which
thou wilt, without gifts of wooing, to Peleus’ house; and he will add a
great dower such as no man ever yet gave with his daughter. And seven
well-peopled cities will he give thee, Kardamyle and Enope and grassy
Hire and holy Pherai and Antheia deep in meads, and fair Aipeia and
Pedasos land of vines. And all are nigh to the sea, on the uttermost
border of sandy Pylos; therein dwell men abounding in flocks and kine,
men that shall worship thee like a god with gifts, and beneath thy sway
fulfil thy prosperous ordinances. All this will he accomplish so thou
but cease from wrath. But and if Agamemnon be too hateful to thy heart,
both he and his gifts, yet have thou pity on all the Achaians that
faint throughout the host; these shall honour thee as a god, for verily
thou wilt earn exceeding great glory at their hands. Yea now mightest
thou slay Hector, for he would come very near thee in his deadly
madness, because he deemeth that there is no man like unto him among
the Danaans that the ships brought hither.”
And Achilles fleet of foot answered and said unto him: “Heaven-sprung
son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles, in openness must I now declare
unto you my saying, even as I am minded and as the fulfilment thereof
shall be, that ye may not sit before me and coax this way and that. For
hateful to me even as the gates of hell is he that hideth one thing in
his heart and uttereth another: but I will speak what meseemeth best.
Not me, I ween, shall Agamemnon son of Atreus persuade, nor the other
Danaans, seeing we were to have no thank for battling with the foemen
ever without respite. He that abideth at home hath equal share with him
that fighteth his best, and in like honour are held both the coward and
the brave; death cometh alike to the untoiling and to him that hath
toiled long. Neither have I any profit for that I endured tribulation
of soul, ever staking my life in fight. Even as a hen bringeth her
unfledged chickens each morsel as she winneth it, and with herself it
goeth hard, even so I was wont to watch out many a sleepless night and
pass through many bloody days of battle, warring with folk for their
women’s sake. Twelve cities of men have I laid waste from ship-board,
and from land eleven, I do you to wit, throughout deep-soiled
Troy-land; out of all these took I many goodly treasures and would
bring and give them all to Agamemnon son of Atreus, and he staying
behind amid the fleet ships would take them and portion out some few
but keep the most. Now some he gave to be meeds of honour to the
princes and the kings, and theirs are left untouched; only from me of
all the Achaians took he my darling lady and keepeth her—let him sleep
beside her and take his joy! But why must the Argives make war on the
Trojans? why hath Atreides gathered his host and led them hither? is it
not for lovely-haired Helen’s sake? Do then the sons of Atreus alone of
mortal men love their wives? surely whatsoever man is good and sound of
mind loveth his own and cherisheth her, even as I too loved mine with
all my heart, though but the captive of my spear. But now that he hath
taken my meed of honour from mine arms and hath deceived me, let him
not tempt me that know him full well; he shall not prevail. Nay,
Odysseus, let him take counsel with thee and all the princes to ward
from the ships the consuming fire. Verily without mine aid he hath
wrought many things, and built a wall and dug a foss about it wide and
deep, and set a palisade therein; yet even so can he not stay murderous
Hector’s might. But so long as I was fighting amid the Achaians, Hector
had no mind to array his battle far from the wall, but scarce came unto
the Skaian gates and to the oak-tree; there once he awaited me alone
and scarce escaped my onset. But now, seeing I have no mind to fight
with noble Hector, I will to-morrow do sacrifice to Zeus and all the
gods, and store well my ships when I have launched them on the salt
sea—then shalt thou see, if thou wilt and hast any care therefor, my
ships sailing at break of day over Hellespont, the fishes’ home, and my
men right eager at the oar; and if the great Shaker of the Earth grant
me good journey, on the third day should I reach deep-soiled Phthia.
There are my great possessions that I left when I came hither to my
hurt; and yet more gold and ruddy bronze shall I bring from hence, and
fair-girdled women and grey iron, all at least that were mine by lot;
only my meed of honour hath he that gave it me taken back in his
despitefulness, even lord Agamemnon son of Atreus. To him declare ye
everything even as I charge you, openly, that all the Achaians likewise
may have indignation, if haply he hopeth to beguile yet some other
Danaan, for that he is ever clothed in shamelessness. Verily not in my
face would he dare to look, though he have the front of a dog. Neither
will I devise counsel with him nor any enterprise, for utterly he hath
deceived me and done wickedly; but never again shall he beguile me with
fair speech—let this suffice him. Let him begone in peace; Zeus the
lord of counsel hath taken away his wits. Hateful to me are his gifts,
and I hold him at a straw’s worth. Not even if he gave me ten times,
yea twenty, all that now is his, and all that may come to him
otherwhence, even all the revenue of Orchomenos or Egyptian Thebes
where the treasure-houses are stored fullest—Thebes of the hundred
gates, whence sally forth two hundred warriors through each with horses
and chariots—nay, nor gifts in number as sand or dust; not even so
shall Agamemnon persuade my soul till he have paid me back all the
bitter despite. And the daughter of Agamemnon son of Atreus will I not
wed, not were she rival of golden Aphrodite for fairness and for
handiwork matched bright-eyed Athene—not even then will I wed her; let
him choose him of the Achaians another that is his peer and is more
royal than I. For if the gods indeed preserve me and I come unto my
home, then will Peleus himself seek me a wife. Many Achaian maidens are
there throughout Hellas and Phthia, daughters of princes that ward
their cities; whomsoever of these I wish will I make my dear lady. Very
often was my high soul moved to take me there a wedded wife, a help
meet for me, and have joy of the possessions that the old man Peleus
possesseth. For not of like worth with life hold I even all the wealth
that men say was possessed of the well-peopled city of Ilios in days of
peace gone by, before the sons of the Achaians came; neither all the
treasure that the stone threshold of the archer Phoebus Apollo
encompasseth in rocky Pytho. For kine and goodly flocks are to be had
for the harrying, and tripods and chestnut horses for the purchasing;
but to bring back man’s life neither harrying nor earning availeth when
once it hath passed the barrier of his lips. For thus my goddess mother
telleth me, Thetis the silver-footed, that twain fates are bearing me
to the issue of death. If I abide here and besiege the Trojans’ city,
then my returning home is taken from me, but my fame shall be
imperishable; but if I go home to my dear native land, my high fame is
taken from me, but my life shall endure long while, neither shall the
issue of death soon reach me. Moreover I would counsel you all to set
sail homeward, seeing ye shall never reach your goal of steep Ilios; of
a surety far-seeing Zeus holdeth his hand over her and her folk are of
good courage. So go your way and tell my answer to the princes of the
Achaians, even as is the office of elders, that they may devise in
their hearts some other better counsel, such as shall save them their
ships and the host of the Achaians amid the hollow ships: since this
counsel availeth them naught that they have now devised, by reason of
my fierce wrath. But let Phoinix now abide with us and lay him to rest,
that he may follow with me on my ships to our dear native land
to-morrow, if he will; for I will not take him perforce.”
So spake he, and they all held their peace and were still, and
marvelled at his saying; for he denied them very vehemently. But at the
last spake to them the old knight Phoinix, bursting into tears, because
he was sore afraid for the ships of the Achaians: “If indeed thou
ponderest departure in thy heart, glorious Achilles, and hast no mind
at all to save the fleet ships from consuming fire, because that wrath
hath entered into thy heart; how can I be left of thee, dear son, alone
thereafter? To thee did the old knight Peleus send me the day he sent
thee to Agamemnon forth from Phthia, a stripling yet unskilled in equal
war and in debate wherein men wax pre-eminent. Therefore sent he me to
teach thee all these things, to be both a speaker of words and a doer
of deeds. So would I not be left alone of thee, dear son, not even if
god himself should take on him to strip my years from me, and make me
fresh and young as in the day when first I left Hellas the home of fair
women, fleeing from strife against my father Amyntor son of Ormenos:
for he was sore angered with me by reason of his lovely-haired
concubine, whom he ever cherished and wronged his wife my mother. So
she besought me continually by my knees to go in first unto the
concubine, that the old man might be hateful to her. I hearkened to her
and did the deed; but my sire was ware thereof forthwith and cursed me
mightily, and called the dire Erinyes to look that never should any
dear son sprung of my body sit upon my* knees: and the gods fulfilled
his curse, even Zeus of the underworld and dread Persephone. [Then took
I counsel to slay him with the keen sword; but some immortal stayed
mine anger, bringing to my mind the people’s voice and all the
reproaches of men, lest I should be called a father-slayer amid the
Achaians.] Then would my soul no more be refrained at all within my
breast to tarry in the halls of mine angered father. Now my fellows and
my kinsmen came about me with many prayers, and refrained me there
within the halls, and slaughtered many goodly sheep and shambling kine
with crooked horns; and many swine rich with fat were stretched to
singe over the flames of Hephaistos, and wine from that old man’s jars
was drunken without stint. Nine nights long slept they all night around
my body; they kept watch in turn, neither were the fires quenched, one
beneath the colonnade of the fenced courtyard and another in the porch
before the chamber doors. But when the tenth dark night was come upon
me, then burst I my cunningly fitted chamber doors, and issued forth
and overleapt the courtyard fence lightly, unmarked of watchmen and
handmaidens. Then fled I far through Hellas of wide lawns, and came to
deep-soiled Phthia, mother of flocks, even unto king Peleus; and he
received me kindly and cherished me as a father cherisheth his only
son, his stripling heir of great possessions; and he made me rich and
gave much people to me, and I dwelt in the uttermost part of Phthia and
was king over the Dolopians. Yea, I reared thee to this greatness, thou
godlike Achilles, with my heart’s love; for with none other wouldest
thou go unto the feast, neither take meat in the hall, till that I had
set thee upon my knees and stayed thee with the savoury morsel cut
first for thee, and put the wine-cup to thy lips. Oft hast thou stained
the doublet on my breast with sputtering of wine in thy sorry
helplessness. Thus I suffered much with thee and much I toiled, being
mindful that the gods in nowise created any issue of my body; but I
made thee my son, thou godlike Achilles, that thou mayest yet save me
from grievous destruction. Therefore, Achilles, rule thy high spirit;
neither beseemeth it thee to have a ruthless heart. Nay, even the very
gods can bend, and theirs withal is loftier majesty and honour and
might. Their hearts by incense and reverent vows and drink-offering and
burnt-offering men turn with prayer, so oft as any transgresseth and
doeth sin. Moreover Prayers of penitence are daughters of great Zeus,
halting and wrinkled and of eyes askance, that have their task withal
to go in the steps of Sin. For Sin is strong and fleet of foot,
wherefore she far outrunneth all prayers, and goeth before them over
all the earth making men fall, and Prayers follow behind to heal the
harm. Now whosoever reverenceth Zeus’ daughters when they draw near,
him they greatly bless and hear his petitions; but when one denieth
them and stiffly refuseth, then depart they and make prayer unto Zeus
the son of Kronos that sin may come upon such an one, that he may fall
and pay the price. Nay, Achilles, look thou too that there attend upon
the daughters of Zeus the reverence that bendeth the heart of all men
that be right-minded. For if Atreides brought thee not gifts and
foretold thee not more hereafter, but were ever furiously wroth, then I
were not he that should bid thee cast aside thine anger and save the
Argives, even in their sore need of thee. But now he both offereth thee
forthwith many gifts, and promiseth thee more hereafter, and hath sent
heroes to beseech thee, the best men chosen throughout the host of the
Achaians and that to thyself are dearest of the Argives; dishonour not
thou their petition nor their journey hither; though erst it were no
wrong that thou wast wroth. Even in like manner have we heard the fame
of those heroes that were of old, as oft as furious anger came on any;
they might be won by gifts and prevailed upon by speech. This tale have
I in mind of old time and not of yesterday, even as it was; and I will
tell it among you that all are friends. The Kuretes** fought and the
staunch Aitolians about the city of Kalydon, and slew one another, the
Aitolians defending lovely Kalydon, the Kuretes eager to lay it waste
in war. For Artemis of the golden throne had brought a plague upon
them, in wrath that Oineus offered her not the harvest first-fruits on
the fat of his garden land; for all the other gods had their feast of
hecatombs, and only to the daughter of great Zeus offered he not,
whether he forgat or marked it not; and therein sinned he sore in his
heart. So the Archer-goddess was wroth and sent against him a creature
of heaven, a fierce wild boar, white-tusked, that wrought sore ill
continually on Oineus’ garden land; many a tall tree laid he low
utterly, even root and apple blossom therewith. But him slew Meleagros
the son of Oineus, having gathered together from many cities huntsmen
and hounds; for not of few men could the boar be slain, so mighty was
he; and many an one brought he to the grievous pyre. But the goddess
made much turmoil over him and tumult concerning the boar’s head and
shaggy hide, between the Kuretes and great-hearted Aitolians. Now so
long as Meleagros dear to Ares fought, so long it went ill with the
Kuretes, neither dared they face him without their city walls, for all
they were very many. But when Meleagros grew full of wrath, such as
swelleth the hearts of others likewise in their breasts, though they be
wise of mind, then in anger of heart at his dear mother Althaia he
tarried beside his wedded wife, fair Kleopatra, daughter of Marpessa
fair-ankled daughter of Euenos, and of Ides that was strongest of men
that were then upon the earth; he it was that took the bow to face the
king Phoebus Apollo for sake of the fair-ankled damsel***. And she was
called Alkyone of her father and lady mother by surname in their hall,
because her mother in the plight of the plaintive halcyon-bird wept
when the far-darter Phoebus Apollo snatched her away. By her side lay
Meleagros, brooding on his grievous anger, being wroth by reason of his
mother’s curses: for she, grieved for her brethren’s death, prayed
instantly to the gods, and with her hands likewise beat instantly upon
the fertile earth, calling on Hades and dread Persephone, while she
knelt upon her knees and made her bosom wet with tears, to bring her
son to death; and Erinnys that walketh in darkness, whose heart knoweth
not ruth, heard her from Erebos, Now was the din of foemen about their
gates quickly risen, and a noise of battering of towers; and the elders
of the Aitolians sent the best of the gods’ priests and besought him to
come forth and save them, with promise of a mighty gift; to wit, they
bade him, where the plain of lovely Kalydon was fattest, to choose him
out a fair demesne of fifty plough-gates, the half thereof vine-land
and the half open plough-land, to be cut from out the plain. And old
knightly Oineus prayed him instantly, and stood upon the threshold of
his high-roofed chamber, and shook the morticed doors to beseech his
son; him too his sisters and his lady mother prayed instantly—but he
denied them yet more—instantly too his comrades prayed, that were
nearest him and dearest of all men. Yet even so persuaded they not his
heart within his breast, until his chamber was now hotly battered and
the Kuretes were climbing upon the towers and firing the great city.
Then did his fair-girdled wife pray Meleagros with lamentation, and
told him all the woes that come on men whose city is taken; the
warriors are slain, and the city is wasted of fire, and the children
and the deep-girdled women are led captive of strangers. And his soul
was stirred to hear the grievous tale, and he went his way and donned
his glittering armour. So he saved the Aitolians from the evil day,
obeying his own will; but they paid him not now the gifts many and
gracious; yet nevertheless he drave away destruction. But be not thine
heart thus minded, neither let heaven so guide thee, dear son; that
were a hard thing, to save the ships already burning. Nay, come for the
gifts; the Achaians shall honour thee even as a god. But if without
gifts thou enter into battle the bane of men, thou wilt not be held in
like honour, even though thou avert the fray.”
* Or “his knees,” according to the more usual interpretation of οῖσιν.
** Note 2.
*** Note 3.
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: “Phoinix my
father, thou old man fosterling of Zeus, such honour need I in no wise;
for I deem that I have been honoured by the judgment of Zeus, which
shall abide upon me amid my beaked ships as long as breath tarrieth in
my body and my limbs are strong. Moreover I will say this thing to thee
and lay thou it to thine heart; trouble not my soul by weeping and
lamentation, to do the pleasure of warrior Atreides; neither beseemeth
it thee to cherish him, lest thou be hated of me that cherish thee. It
were good that thou with me shouldest vex him that vexeth me. Be thou
king even as I, and share my sway by halves, but these shall bear my
message. So tarry thou here and lay thee to rest in a soft bed, and
with break of day will we consider whether to depart unto our own, or
to abide.”
He spake, and nodded his brow in silence unto Patroklos to spread for
Phoinix a thick couch, that the others might bethink them to depart
from the hut with speed. Then spake to them Aias, Telamon’s godlike
son, and said: “Heaven-sprung son of Laertes, Odysseus of many wiles,
let us go hence; for methinks the purpose of our charge will not by
this journey be accomplished; and we must tell the news, though it be
no wise good, with all speed unto the Danaans, that now sit awaiting.
But Achilles hath wrought his proud soul to fury within him—stubborn
man, that recketh naught of his comrades’ love, wherein we worshipped
him beyond all men amid the ships—unmerciful! Yet doth a man accept
recompense of his brother’s murderer or for his dead son; and so the
man-slayer for a great price abideth in his own land, and the kinsman’s
heart is appeased, and his proud soul, when he hath taken the
recompense. But for thee, the gods have put within thy breast a spirit
implacable and evil, by reason of one single damsel. And now we offer
thee seven damsels, far best of all, and many other gifts besides;
entertain thou then a kindly spirit, and have respect unto thine home;
because we are guests of thy roof, sent of the multitude of Danaans,
and we would fain be nearest to thee and dearest beyond all other
Achaians, as many as there be.”
And Achilles fleet of foot made answer and said to him: “Aias sprung of
Zeus, thou son of Telamon, prince of the folk, thou seemest to speak
all this almost after mine own mind; but my heart swelleth with wrath
as oft as I bethink me of those things, how Atreides entreated me
arrogantly among the Argives, as though I were some worthless
sojourner. But go ye and declare my message; I will not take thought of
bloody war until that wise Priam’s son, noble Hector, come to the
Myrmidons’ huts and ships, slaying the Argives, and smirch the ships
with fire. But about mine hut and black ship I ween that Hector, though
he be very eager for battle, shall be refrained.”
So said he, and they took each man a two-handled cup, and made libation
and went back along the line of ships; and Odysseus led the way. And
Patroklos bade his fellows and handmaidens spread with all speed a
thick couch for Phoinix; and they obeyed and spread a couch as he
ordained, fleeces and rugs and fine flock of linen. Then the old man
laid him down and tarried for bright Dawn. And Achilles slept in the
corner of the morticed hut, and by his side lay a woman that he brought
from Lesbos, even Phorbas’ daughter fair-cheeked Diomede. And on the
other side Patroklos lay, and by his side likewise fair-girdled Iphis,
whom noble Achilles gave him at the taking of steep Skyros, the city of
Enyeus.
Now when those were come unto Atreides’ huts, the sons of the Achaians
stood up on this side and on that, and pledged them in cups of gold,
and questioned them; and Agamemnon king of men asked them first: “Come
now, tell me, Odysseus full of praise, thou great glory of the
Achaians; will he save the ships from consuming fire, or said he nay,
and hath wrath yet hold of his proud spirit?”
And steadfast goodly Odysseus answered him: “Most noble son of Atreus,
Agamemnon king of men, he yonder hath no mind to quench his wrath, but
is yet more filled of fury, and spurneth thee and thy gifts. He biddeth
thee take counsel for thyself amid the Argives, how to save the ships
and folk of the Achaians. And for himself he threateneth that at break
of day he will launch upon the sea his trim well-benched ships.
Moreover he said that he would counsel all to sail for home, because ye
now shall never reach your goal of steep Ilios; surely far-seeing Zeus
holdeth his hand over her and her folk are of good courage. Even so
said he, and here are also these to tell the tale that were my
companions, Aias and the two heralds, both men discreet. But the old
man Phoinix laid him there to rest, even as Achilles bade him, that he
may follow with him on his ships to his dear native land to-morrow, if
he will; for he will not take him perforce.”
So said he, and they all held their peace and were still, marvelling at
his saying, for he harangued very vehemently. Long were the sons of the
Achaians voiceless for grief, but at the last Diomedes of the loud
war-cry spake amid them: “Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon king of
men, would thou hadst never besought Peleus’ glorious son with offer of
gifts innumerable; proud is he at any time, but now hast thou yet far
more encouraged him in his haughtiness. Howbeit we will let him bide,
whether he go or tarry; hereafter he shall fight, whenever his heart
within him biddeth and god arouseth him. Come now, even as I shall say
let us all obey. Go ye now to rest, full to your hearts’ desire of meat
and wine, wherein courage is and strength; but when fair rosy-fingered
Dawn appeareth, array thou with all speed before the ships thy folk and
horsemen, and urge them on; and fight thyself amid the foremost.”
So said he, and all the princes gave assent, applauding the saying of
Diomedes tamer of horses. And then they made libation and went every
man to his hut, and there laid them to rest and took the boon of sleep.