How Achilles and Agamemnon were reconciled before the assembly of the
Achaians, and Achilles went forth with them to battle.
Now Morning saffron-robed arose from the streams of Ocean to bring
light to gods and men, and Thetis came to the ships, bearing his gift
from the god. Her dear son she found fallen about Patroklos and
uttering loud lament; and round him many of his company made moan. And
the bright goddess stood beside him in their midst, and clasped her
hand in his and spake and called upon his name: “My child, him who
lieth here we must let be, for all our pain, for by the will of gods
from the beginning was he brought low. But thou take from Hephaistos
arms of pride, arms passing goodly, such as no man on his shoulders yet
hath borne.”
Thus spake the goddess and in front of Aehifies laid the arms, and they
rang all again in their glory. And awe fell on all the Myrmidons, nor
dared any to gaze thereon, for they were awe-stricken. But when
Achilles looked thereon, then came fury upon him the more, and his eyes
blazed terribly forth as it were a flame beneath their lids: glad was
he as he held in his hands that splendid gift of a god. But when he had
satisfied his soul in gazing on the glory of the arms, straightway to
his mother spake he winged words: “My mother, the arms the god has
given are such as it beseemeth that the work of Immortals should be,
and that no mortal man should have wrought. Now therefore will I arm me
in them, but I have grievous fear lest meantime on the gashed wounds of
Menoitios’ valiant son flies light and breed worms therein, and defile
his corpse—for the life is slain out of him—and so all his flesh shall
rot.”
Then answered him Thetis, goddess of the silver feet: “Child, have no
care for this within thy mind. I will see to ward from him the cruel
tribes of flies which prey on men slain in fight: for even though he
lie till a whole year’s course be run, yet his flesh shall be sound
continually, or better even than now. But call thou the Achaian
warriors to the place of assembly, and unsay thy wrath against
Agamemnon shepherd of the host, and then arm swiftly for battle, and
clothe thee with thy strength.”
Thus saying she filled him with adventurous might, while on Patroklos
she shed ambrosia and red nectar through his nostrils, that his flesh
might abide the same continually.
But noble Achilles went down the beach of the sea, crying his terrible
cry, and roused the Achaian warriors. And they who before were wont to
abide in the circle of the ships, and they who were helmsmen and kept
the steerage of the ships, or were stewards there and dealt out food,
even these came then to the place of assembly, because Achilles was
come forth, after long ceasing from grievous war. Limping came two of
Ares’ company, Tydeus’ son staunch in fight and noble Odysseus, each
leaning on his spear, for their wounds were grievous still; and they
went and sate them down in the forefront of the assembly. And last came
Agamemnon king of men, with his wound upon him, for him too in the
stress of battle Kooen Antenor’s son had wounded with his bronze-tipped
spear. But when all the Achaians were gathered, then uprose
fleet-footed Achilles and spake in their midst: “Son of Atreus, was
this in any wise the better way for both thee and me, what time with
grief at our hearts we waxed fierce in soul-devouring strife for the
sake of a girl? Would that Artemis had slain her with her arrow at the
ships, on the day whereon I took her to me, when I had spoiled
Lyrnessos; so should not then so many Achaians have bitten the wide
earth beneath their enemies’ hands, by reason of my exceeding wrath. It
hath been well for Hector and the Trojans, but the Achaians I think
shall long remember the strife that was betwixt thee and me. But
bygones will we let be, for all our pain, and curb under necessity the
spirit within our breasts. I now will stay my anger: it beseems me not
implacably for ever to be wroth; but come rouse speedily to the fight
the flowing-haired Achaians, that I may go forth against the men of
Troy and put them yet again to the proof, if they be fain to couch hard
by the ships. Methinks that some among them shall be glad to rest their
knees when they are fled out of the fierceness of the battle, and from
before our spear.”
He spake, and the well-greaved Achaians rejoiced that the great-hearted
son of Peleus had made renouncement of his wrath. Then among them spake
Agamemnon king of men, speaking from the place where he sat, not arisen
to stand forth in their midst: “O Danaan friends and heroes, men of
Ares’ company, seemly is it to listen to him who standeth up to speak,
nor behoveth it to break in upon his words: even toward a skilled man
that were hard. For amid the uproar of many men how should one listen,
or yet speak? even the clearest-voiced speech is marred. To the son of
Peleus I will declare myself, but ye other Argives give heed, and each
mark well my word. Oft have the Achaians spoken thus to me, and
upbraided me; but it is not I who am the cause, but Zeus and Destiny
and Erinys that walketh in the darkness, who put into my soul fierce
madness on the day when in the assembly I, even I, bereft Achilles of
his meed. What could I do? it is God who accomplisheth all. Eldest
daughter of Zeus is Ate who blindeth all, a power of bane: delicate are
her feet, for not upon the earth she goeth, but walketh over the heads
of men, making men fall; and entangleth this one or that. Ye even Zeus
was blinded upon a time, he who they say is greatest among gods and
men; yet even him Hera with a female wile deceived, on the day when
Alkmene in fair-crowned Thebes was to bring forth the strength of
Herakles. For then proclaimed he solemnly among the gods: ‘Here me ye
all, both gods and goddesses, while I utter the council of my soul
within my heart. This day shall Eileithuia, the help of travailing
women, bring to the light a man who shall be lord over all that dwell
round about, among the raise of men who are sprung of me by blood.’ And
to him in subtlety queen Hera spake: ‘Though wilt play the cheat and
not accomplish thy word. Come now, Olympian, swear me a firm oath that
verily and indeed shall that man be lord over all that dwell round
about, who this day shall fall between a woman’s feet, even he among
all men who are of the lineage of thy blood.’ So spake she, and Zeus no
wise perceived her subtlety but sware a mighty oath, and therewith was
he sore blinded. For Hera darted from Olympus’ peak and came swiftly to
Achaian Argus, were she knew was the stately wife of Sthenelos son of
Perseus, who was also great with child, and her seventh month had come.
Her son Hera brought to the light, though his tale of months was
untold, but she stayed Alkmene’s bearing and kept the Eileithuiai from
her aid. Then she brought the tidings herself and to Kronos’ son Zeus
she spake: ‘Father Zeus of the bright lightning, a word will I speak to
thee for my heed. Today is born a man of valor who shall rule among the
Archives, Eurystheus, son of Sthenelos the son of Perseus, of thy
lineage; not unmeet is it that he be lord among Argives.’ She said, but
sharp pain smote him in the depths of his soul, and straightway he
seized Ate by her bright-haired head in the anger of his soul, and
sware a mighty oath that never again to Olympus and the starry heaven
should Ate come, who blindeth all alike. He said, and whirling her in
his hand flung her from the starry heaven, and quickly came she down
among the works of men. Yet ever he groaned against her when he beheld
his beloved son in cruel travail at Eurystheus’ hest. Thus also I, what
time great Hector of the glancing helm was slaying Argives at the
sterns of our ships, could not be unmindful of Ate, who blinded me at
the first. But since thus blinded was I, and Zeus bereft me of my wit,
fain am I to make amends, and recompense manifold for the wrong. Only
arise thou to the battle and rouse the rest of the host. Gifts am I
ready to offer, even all that noble Odysseus went yesterday to promise
in thy hut. So, if thou wilt, stay awhile, though eager, from battle,
and squires shall take the gifts from my ship and carry them to thee,
that thou mayest see that what I give sufficeth thee.”
Then answered him Achilles swift of foot: “Most noble son of Atreus,
Agamemnon king of men, for the gifts, to give them as it beseemeth, if
so thou wilt, or to withhold, is in thy choice. But now let us bethink
us of battle with all speed; this is no time to dally here with
subtleties, for a great work is yet undone. Once more must Achilles be
seen in the forefront of the battle, laying waste with his brazen spear
the battalions of the men of Troy. Thereof let each of you think as he
fighteth with his man.”
Then Odysseus of many counsels answered him and said: “Nay yet, for all
thy valour, godlike Achilles, not against Ilios lead thou the sons of
Achaians fasting to fight the men of Troy, since not of short spell
shall the battle be, when once the ranks of men are met, and God shall
breathe valour into both. But bid the Achaians taste at the swift ships
food and wine; for thence is vigour and might. For no man fasting from
food shall be able to fight with the foe all day till the going down of
the sun; for though his spirit be eager for battle yet his limbs
unaware grow weary, and thirst besetteth him, and hunger, and his knees
in his going fail. But the man who having his fill of food and wine
fighteth thus all day against the enemy, his heart is of good cheer
within him, nor anywise tire his limbs, ere all give back from battle.
So come, disperse the host and bid them make ready their meal. And the
gifts let Agamemnon king of men bring forth into the midst of the
assembly, that all Achaians may behold them with their eyes, and thou
be glad at heart. And let him swear to thee an oath, standing in the
midst of the Argives, that he hath never gone up into the damsel’s bed
or lain with her, [O prince, as is the wont of man with woman]; and let
thine own spirit be placable within thy breast. Then let him make thee
a rich feast of reconcilement in his hut, that thou have nothing
lacking of thy right. And thou, son of Atreus, toward others also shalt
be more righteous hereafter; for no shame it is that a man that is a
king should make amends if he have been the first to deal violently.”
Then to him spake Agamemnon king of men: “Son of Laertes, I rejoice to
listen to thy speech; for rightfully hast thou told over all. And the
oath I am willing to swear, yea my heart biddeth it, nor will I
forswear myself before God. Let Achilles abide for a space, eager for
battle though he be, and all ye others abide together, until the gifts
come forth from my hut, and we make faithful oath with sacrifice. But
thee thyself I thus charge and bid. Choose thee young men, princes of
the Achaian folk, and bear my gifts from my ship, even all that we
promised yesterday to Achilles, and take with thee the women. And let
Talthybios speedily make me ready a boar-swine in the midst of the wide
Achaian host, to sacrifice to Zeus and to the Sun.”
And to him in answer swift-footed Achilles spake: “Most noble son of
Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, at some other time were it even better
ye should be busied thus, when haply there shall be some pause of war,
and the spirit within my breast shall be less fierce. But now they lie
mangled on the field—even they whom Hector son of Priam slew, when Zeus
gave him glory—and ye call men to their food. Verily for my part I
would bid the sons of the Achaians to fight now unfed and fasting, and
with the setting sun make ready a mighty meal, when we shall have
avenged the shame. Till then down my throat at least nor food nor drink
shall go, since my comrade is dead, who in my hut is lying mangled by
the sharp spear, with his feet toward the door, and round him our
comrades mourn, wherefore in my heart to no thought of those matters,
but of slaying, and blood, and grievous moans of men.”
Then answered him Odysseus of many counsels: “O Achilles, Peleus’ son,
mightiest of Achaians far, better and mightier not a little art thou
than I with the spear, but in counsel I may surpass thee greatly, since
I was born first and know more things: wherefore let thy heart endure
to listen to my speech. Quickly have men surfeit of battle, of that
wherein the sword streweth most straw yet is the harvest scantiest,
[i.e., in a pitched battle there is little plunder, the hope of which
might help to sustain men’s efforts in storming a town] when Zeus
inclineth his balance, who is disposer of the wars of men. But it
cannot be that the Achaians fast to mourn a corpse; for exceeding many
and thick fall such on every day; when then should there be rest from
toil? Nay, it behoveth to bury him who is dead, steeling our hearts,
when once we have wept him for a day; but such as are left alive from
hateful war must take thought of meat and drink, that yet more against
our foes we may fight relentlessly ever, clad in unyielding bronze.
Then let none of the host hold back awaiting other summons; this is the
summons, and ill shall it be for whoso is left behind at the Argive
ships; but all together as one we will rouse against the horse-taming
Trojans the fury of war.”
He spoke, and took with him the sons of noble Nestor, and Meges son of
Phyleus, and Thoas, and Meriones, and Lykomedes son of Kreiontes, and
Melanippos. And they went on their way to the hut of Agamemnon, Atreus’
son. Forthwith as the word was spoken so was the deed done. Seven
tripods they bare from the hut, as he promised him, and twenty bright
caldrons, and twelve horses, and anon they led forth women skilled in
goodly arts, seven, and the eighth was fair-faced Briseis. Then
Odysseus, having weighed ten talents of gold in all, led the way, and
with him young men of the Achaians bare the gifts. These they set in
the midst of the place of assembly, and Agamemnon rose up, and beside
that shepherd of the host stood Talthybios, whose voice was like a
god’s, and held a boar between his hands. And the son of Atreus drawing
with his hands his knife, which ever hung beside the mighty scabbard of
his sword, cut off the first hairs from the boar, and lifting up his
hands he prayed to Zeus, and all the Argives sat silent in their
places, duly hearkening to the king. And he prayed aloud, looking up to
the wide heaven: “Be Zeus before all witness, highest and best of the
gods, and Earth, and Sun, and Erinyes, who under earth take vengeance
upon men, whosoever for-sweareth himself, that never have I laid hand
on the damsel Briseis, neither to lie with her nor anywise else, but
she has abode untouched within my huts. And if aught that I swear be
false, may the gods give me all sorrows manifold, that they send on him
who sinneth against them in his oath.”
He said, and cut the boar’s throat with the pitiless knife. And the
body Taithybios whirled and threw into the great wash of the hoary sea,
to be the food of fishes; but Achilles arose up and spake in the midst
of the warrior Argives: “Father Zeus, sore madness dealest thou verily
to men. Never could the son of Atreus have stirred the soul within my
breast, nor led off the damsel implacably against my will, had not Zeus
willed that on many of the Achaians death should come. But now go forth
to your meal, that we may join battle thereupon.”
Thus he spake and dispersed the assembly with all speed. The rest were
scattered each to his own ship, but the great-hearted Myrmidons took up
the gifts, and bare them to the ship of godlike Achilles. And they laid
them in the huts and set the women there, and gallant squires drave the
horses among their troop.
But Briseis that was like unto golden Aphrodite, when she beheld
Patroklos mangled by the keen spear, fell about him and made shrill
lament, and tore with her hands her breast and tender neck, and
beautiful face. And she spake amid her weeping, that woman like unto
goddesses: “Patroklos, dearest to my hapless heart, alive I left thee
when I left this hut, but now, O prince of the people, I am come back
to find thee dead; thus evil ever followeth evil in my lot. My husband,
unto whom my father and lady mother gave me, I beheld before our city
mangled with the keen spear, and my three brothers whom my own mother
bore, my near and dear, who all met their day of doom. But thou, when
swift Achilles slew my husband and wasted godlike Mynes’ city, wouldest
ever that I should not even weep, and saidest that thou wouldst make me
godlike Achilles’ wedded wife, and that ye would take me in your ships
to Phthia and make me a marriage feast among the Myrmidons. Therefore
with all my soul I mourn thy death, for thou wert ever kind.”
Thus spake she weeping, and thereon the women wailed, in semblance for
Patroklos, but each for her own woe. But round Achilles gathered the
elders of the Achaians, praying him that he would eat; but he denied
them with a groan: “I pray you, if any kind comrade will hearken to me,
bid me not sate my heart with meat and drink, since terrible grief is
come upon me. Till the sun go down I will abide, and endure continually
until then.”
He spoke, and his speech made the other chiefs depart, but the two sons
of Atreus stayed, and noble Odysseus, and Nestor and Idomeneus and
Phoinox, ancient knight, soothing him in his exceeding sorrow, but he
could no whit be soothed until he had entered the mouth of bloody war.
And bethinking him he sighed very heavily and spake aloud: “Thou too, O
hapless, dearest of my friends, thyself wouldst verily of yore set
forth in out hut with ready speed a savoury meal, what time the
Achaians hasted to wage against the horse-taming Trojans dolorous war.
But now thou liest mangled, and my heart will none of meat and drink,
that stand within, for desire of thee. Nought worse than this could I
endure, not though I should hear of my father’s death, who now I ween
in Phthia is shedding big tears for lack of a son so dear, even me that
in an alien land for sake of baleful Helen do battle with the men of
Troy; nor though it were my beloved son who is reared for me in Skyros
(if still at least is godlike Neoptolemos alive). For hitherto had my
soul within me trusted that I alone should perish far from
horse-pasturing Argos, here in the Trojan land, but that thou shouldest
return to Phthia, so that thou mightest take me the child in thy swift
black ship from Skyros and show him everything—my substance and
servants, and high-roofed mighty hall. For Peleus I ween already must
be dead and gone, or else in feeble life he hath sorrow of age, and of
waiting ever for bitter news of me, till he hear that I am dead.”
Thus spake he weeping, and the elders mourned with him, bethinking them
what each had left at home. And when the son of Kronos beheld them
sorrowing he pitied them, and forthwith to Athene spake he winged
words: “My child, thou hast then left utterly the man of thy heart.
Hath Achilles then no longer a place within thy thought? He before the
steep-prowed ships sits mourning his dear comrade; the rest are gone to
their meal, but he is fasting and unfed. But go, distil into his breast
nectar and pleasant ambrosia, that no pains of hunger come on him.”
Thus saying he sped forward Athene who before was fain. And she, like a
falcon wide-winged and shrill-voiced, hurled herself forth from heaven
through the upper air. So while the Achaians were arming presently
throughout the camp, she in Achilles’ breast distilled nectar and
pleasant ambrosia, that grievous hunger might not assail his knees, and
then herself was gone to the firm house of her mighty father. Then the
Achaians poured forth from the swift ships. As when thick snowflakes
flutter down from Zeus, chill beneath the blast of Boreas born in the
upper air, so thick from the ships streamed forth bright glittering
helms and bossy shields, strong-plaited cuirasses and ashen spears. And
the sheen thereof went up to heaven and all the earth around laughed in
the flash of bronze, and there went a sound beneath the feet of the
men, and in the midst of them noble Achilles harnessed him. His teeth
gnashed together, and his eyes blazed as it were the flame of a fire,
for into his heart was intolerable anguish entered in. Thus wroth
against the men of Troy he put on the gift of the god, which Hephaistos
wrought him by his art. First on his legs he set the fair greaves
fitted with silver ankle-pieces, and next he donned the cuirass about
his breast. Then round his shoulders he slung the bronze sword
silver-studded; then lastly he took the great and strong shield, and
its brightness shone afar off as the moon’s. Or as when over the sea
there appeareth to sailors the brightness of a burning fire, and it
burneth on high among the mountains in some lonely steading—sailors
whom storm-blasts bear unwilling over the sea, the home of fishes, afar
from them they love:— so from Achilles’ goodly well-dight shield the
brightness thereof shot up toward heaven. And he lifted the stout
helmet and set it on his head, and like a star it shone, the horse-hair
crested helmet, and around it waved plumes of gold that Hephaistos had
set thick about the crest. Then noble Achilles proved him in his armour
to know whether it fitted unto him, and whether his glorious limbs ran
free; and it became to him as it were wings, and buoyed up the shepherd
of hosts.
And forth from its stand he drew his father’s spear, heavy and great
and strong: that spear could none other of the Achaians wield, but
Achilles alone awaited to wield it, the Pelian ashen spear that Cheiron
gave to his father dear, from a peak of Pelion, to be the death of
warriors. And Automedon and Alkimos went about to yoke the horses, and
put on them fair breast-straps, and bits within their jaws, and
stretched the reins behind to the firm-built chariot. Then Automedon
took the bright lash, fitted to his hand, and sprang up behind the
horses, and after him mounted Achilles armed, effulgent in his armour
like bright Hyperion. And terribly he called upon the horses of his
sire: “Xanthos and Balios, famed children of Podarge, in other sort
take heed to bring your charioteer safe back to the Danaan host, when
we have done with battle, and leave him not as ye left Patroklos to lie
there dead.”
Then the horse Xanthos of glancing feet made answer unto him from
beneath the yoke;—and he bowed with his head, and all his mane fell
from the yoke-cushion beside the yoke and touched the ground;—for the
white-armed goddess Hera gave him speech: “Yea verily for this hour,
dread Achilles, we will still bear thee safe, yet is thy death day nigh
at hand, neither shall we be cause thereof, but a mighty god, and
forceful Fate. For not through sloth or heedlessness of ours did the
men of Troy from Patrokios’ shoulders strip his arms, but the best of
the gods, whom bright-haired Leto bore, slew him in the forefront of
the battle, and to Hector gave renown. We even with the wind of Zephyr,
swiftest, they say, of all winds, well might run; nathless to thee
thyself it is appointed to be slain in fight by a god and by a man.”
Now when he had thus spoken the Erinyes stayed his voice. And sore
troubled did fleet-footed Achilles answer him: “Xanthos, why
prophesiest thou my death? no wise behoveth it thee. Well know I of
myself that it is appointed me to perish here, far from my father dear
and mother; howbeit anywise I will not refrain till I give the Trojans
surfeit of war.”
He said, and with a cry among the foremost held on his whole-hooved
steeds.