By advice of Nestor, Agamemnon sends Ulysses, Phœnix, and Ajax, to the
tent of Achilles to sue for a reconciliation. Notwithstanding the
earnest appeal of Phœnix, their errand proves fruitless.
Thus the Trojans indeed kept guard: but a mighty 290 Flight, the
companion of chill Fear, seized upon the Greeks; and all the chiefs
were afflicted with intolerable grief. And as two winds, the north and
south, which both blow from Thrace, 291 rouse the fishy deep, coming
suddenly [upon it]; but the black billows are elevated together; and
they dash much sea-weed out of the ocean; so was the mind of the Greeks
distracted within their bosoms.
Footnote 290: (return) “In Il. 1,2, the θεσπεσίη φυζα of the Achæans
is not to be explained as a supernatural flight, occasioned by the
gods. It is a great and general flight, caused by Hector and the
Trojans. For although this was approved of and encouraged by Jupiter,
yet his was only that mediate influence of the deity without which in
general nothing took place in the Homeric battles.”—Buttm. Lexil. p.
358. Cf. Coleridge, p. 160.
Footnote 291: (return) Wood, p. 46, explains this from the situation
of Ionia. Heyne, however, observes, “comparatio e mente poetæ
instituitur, non ex Agamemnonis persona.”
But Atrides, wounded to the heart with great sorrow, kept going round,
giving orders to the clear-voiced heralds, to summon each man by name
to an assembly, but not to call aloud; and he himself toiled among the
first. And they sat in council, grieved, and Agamemnon arose, shedding
tears, like a black-water fountain, which pours its gloomy stream from
a lofty rock. Thus he, deeply sighing, spoke words to the Greeks:
“O friends, leaders and chieftains over the Greeks, Jove, the son of
Saturn, has greatly entangled me in a grievous calamity: cruel, who
once promised me, and assented, that I should return, having destroyed
well-built Ilium. But now has he plotted an evil fraud, and orders me
to return inglorious to Argos, after I have lost much people. Thus,
doubtless, will it be agreeable to almighty Jove, who has already
overthrown the heights of many cities, and will still overthrow them,
for his power is greatest. But come, let us all obey as I advise: let
us fly with the ships to our dear fatherland, for now we shall not take
wide-wayed Troy.”
Thus he spoke; but they were all still in silence, and the sons of the
Greeks being sad, kept silent long: at length Diomede, brave in the din
of battle, spoke:
“Son of Atreus, thee will I first oppose, speaking inconsiderately, as
is lawful, in the assembly; but be not thou the least offended. First
among the Greeks didst thou disparage my valour, saying that I was
unwarlike and weak; 292 and all this, as well the young as the old of
the Greeks know. One of two things hath the son of crafty Saturn given
thee: he has granted that thou shouldst be honoured by the sceptre
above all; but valour hath he not given thee, which is the greatest
strength. Strange man, dost thou then certainly think that the sons of
the Greeks are unwarlike and weak, as thou sayest? If indeed thy mind
impels thee, that thou shouldst return, go: the way lies open to thee,
and thy ships stand near the sea, which very many followed thee from
Mycenæ. But the other long-haired Greeks will remain until we overthrow
Troy: but if they also [choose], let them fly with their ships to their
dear fatherland. But we twain, I and Sthenelus, 293 will fight, until
we find an end of Troy; for under the auspices of the deity we came.”
Footnote 292: (return) Cf. iv. 370, sqq.
Footnote 293: (return) Heyne compares Julius Cæsar, Com. B. G. i. 40.
“Si præterea nemo sequatur (contra Ariovistum), tamen se cum sola
decima legione iturum dicit.”
Thus he spoke; but all the sons of the Greeks applauded, admiring the
speech of steed-breaking Diomede. But them the knight Nestor, rising
up, addressed:
“Son of Tydeus, pre-eminently indeed art thou brave in battle, and the
best in council amongst all thine equals. No one has censured thy
discourse, nor contradicts it, as many as are the Greeks; but thou
comest not to an end of discussion. 294 Assuredly thou art youthful,
and mightst be my youngest son for age, yet thou speakest prudent words
to the kings of the Greeks, for thou hast said aright. But come, I who
boast to be older than thou, will speak out, and discuss everything:
nor will any one, not even king Agamemnon, disregard my speech.
Tribeless, lawless, homeless is he, who loves horrid civil war. But
now, however, let us obey dark night, and make ready suppers. But let
the respective guards lie down beside the trench, dug without the wall.
To the youth, indeed, I enjoin these things; but next, Atrides, do thou
begin, for thou art supreme. Give a banquet to the elders; it becomes
thee, and is not unseemly. Full are thy tents of wine, which the ships
of the Greeks daily bring over the wide sea from Thrace. Thou hast
every accommodation, and rulest over many people. But when many are
assembled, do thou obey him who shall give the best advice; for there
is great need of good and prudent [advice] to all the Greeks, since the
enemy are burning many fires near the ships; and who can rejoice at
these things? But this night will either ruin the army or preserve it.”
Footnote 294: (return) _I. e_. thou hast not said all that might have
been said on the subject.
Thus he spoke; and they heard him very attentively, and obeyed. But the
guards rushed forth with their arms, [those around] Thrasymedes, the
son of Nestor, the shepherd of the people, Ascalaphus and Ialmenus,
sons of Mars, Meriones, Aphareus, and Deïpyrus, as well as the son of
Creon, noble Lycomedes. There were seven leaders of the guards, and a
hundred youths marched along with each, holding long spears in their
hands. Proceeding to the space between the trench and the wall, there
they sat down, and there kindled a fire, and prepared each his supper.
But Atrides conducted the assembled elders of the Greeks to his tent,
and set before them a strength-recruiting banquet; and they laid their
hands upon the viands placed before them. But when they had dismissed
the desire of eating and drinking, to them first of all did aged
Nestor, whose advice had previously appeared best, begin to interweave
advice; who wisely counselling, addressed them, and said:
“Most glorious Atrides, king of men, Agamemnon, with thee shall I end,
and with thee shall I commence. Since thou art a king of many nations,
and Jove hath placed in thine hands both a sceptre and laws, that thou
mayest consult for their advantage. Therefore is it necessary that thou
in particular shouldst deliver and hear an opinion, and also accomplish
that of another, when his mind urges any one to speak for the [public]
good; but on thee will depend whatever takes the lead. Yet will I speak
as appears to me to be best. For no other person will propound a better
opinion than that which I meditate, both of old and also now, from that
period when thou, O nobly born, didst depart, carrying off the maid
Briseïs from the tent of the enraged Achilles; by no means according to
my judgment; for I very strenuously dissuaded thee from it: but having
yielded to thy haughty temper, thou didst dishonour the bravest hero,
whom even the immortals have honoured; for, taking away his reward,
thou still retainest it. Yet even now let us deliberate how we may
succeed in persuading him, appeasing him with agreeable gifts and
soothing words.”
But him the king of men, Agamemnon, again addressed: “Old man, thou
hast not falsely enumerated my errors. I have erred, nor do I myself
deny it. That man indeed is equivalent to many troops, whom Jove loves
in his heart, as now he hath honoured this man, and subdued the people
of the Greeks. But since I erred, having yielded to my wayward
disposition, I desire again to appease him, and to give him invaluable
presents. Before you all will I enumerate the distinguished gifts:
seven tripods untouched by fire, 295 and ten talents of gold, and
twenty shining caldrons, and twelve stout steeds, victorious in the
race, which have borne off prizes by their feet. No pauper would the
man be, nor in want of precious gold, to whom as many prizes belong as
[these] solid-hoofed steeds have brought to me. I will likewise give
seven beautiful Lesbian women, skilful in faultless works; whom I
selected when he himself took well-inhabited Lesbos, who excel the race
of women in beauty. These will I give him, and amongst them will be her
whom then I took away, the daughter of Briseïs; and I will swear
moreover a mighty oath, that I never ascended her bed, nor embraced
her, as is the custom of human beings—of men and women. All these shall
immediately be ready; and if, moreover, the gods grant that we destroy
the great city of Priam, let him fill his ships abundantly with gold
and brass, entering in when we the Greeks divide the spoil. Let him
also choose twenty Trojan women, who may be fairest next to Argive
Helen. But if we reach Achæan Argos, the udder of the land, 296 he may
become my son-in-law; and I will honour him equally with Orestes, who
is nurtured as my darling son, in great affluence. Now, I have three
daughters in my well-built palace,—Chrysothemis, Laodice, and
Iphianassa. Of these let him lead the beloved one, whichsoever he may
choose, without marriage-dower, to the house of Peleus; but I will give
very many dowries, so many as no man ever yet gave to his daughter. I
will, moreover, give him seven well-inhabited cities,—Cardamyle, Enope,
and grassy Ira, glorious Pheræ, with deep-pastured Anthea, fair Æpeia,
and vine-bearing Pedasus; which are all near the sea, the last towards
sandy Pylus. But in them dwell men rich in flocks and herds, who will
honour him like a god with gifts, and beneath his sceptre will pay rich
tributes. These will I bestow upon him, ceasing from his anger. Let him
be prevailed upon. Pluto indeed is implacable and inexorable, wherefore
he is the most hateful of all the gods to men. Let him likewise yield
to me, inasmuch as I am more kingly, and because I boast to be older
[than he].”
But him the Gerenian knight Nestor then answered: “Most glorious son of
Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, thou indeed offerest gifts by no means
despicable to king Achilles. But come, let us urge chosen men, who may
go with all speed to the tent of Achilles, the son of Peleus. Come
then, these will I select, but let them obey. First of all indeed let
Phœnix, dear to Jove, be the leader; next then mighty Ajax and divine
Ulysses: and of the heralds, let Hodius and Eurybates follow with them.
But bring water for the hands, and command to observe well-omened
words, 297 that we may supplicate Saturnian Jove, if perchance he will
take pity.”
Footnote 295: (return) _I. e_. not yet brought into common use.
Footnote 296: (return) A beautiful expression, denoting the fertility
of the land. Cf. Albert. on Hesych. t. ii. p. 806. So νησοιο μαστός in
Callim. II. in Del. 48.
Footnote 297: (return) The translation, “favour us with their voices,”
is nonsense, while “keep silence” is by no means the meaning of
εύφημήσαι. Kennedy rightly explains it, “abstain from expressions
unsuitable to the solemnity of the occasion, which, by offending the
god, might defeat the object of their supplications.” See Servius on
Virg. Æn. v. 71; Lamb, on Hor. Od. iii. 1, 2; Broukhus. on Tibull. ii.
1, 1.
Thus he spoke, and delivered an opinion agreeable to them all.
Immediately indeed the heralds poured water upon their hands, and the
youths crowned the goblets with wine; then they distributed them to
all, having poured the first of the wine into the cups. But when they
had made libations, and drunk as much as their mind desired, they
hastened from the tent of Agamemnon, the son of Atreus. To them the
Gerenian knight Nestor gave many charges, looking wistfully upon each,
particularly upon Ulysses, that they should endeavour to persuade the
blameless son of Peleus.
They twain then went along the shore of the loud-sounding sea, praying
earnestly to earth-shaking [Neptune], who encompasses the earth, that
they might easily persuade the great mind of the grandson of Æacus. But
they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons, and they found him
delighting his soul with his clear-toned harp, beautiful, curiously
wrought, and upon it was a silver comb. This he had taken from amongst
the spoils, having destroyed the city of Eëtion, and with it he was
delighting his soul, and singing the glorious deeds 298 of heroes.
Patroclus alone sat opposite to him in silence, waiting upon the
descendant of Æacus when he should cease to sing. Then they advanced
farther, and divine Ulysses preceded; and they stood before him; whilst
Achilles, astonished, leaped up, with his lyre, quitting the seat where
he had been sitting. In like manner Patroclus, when he beheld the
heroes, arose, and swift-footed Achilles taking them by the hand,
addressed them:
“Hail, warriors, ye indeed have come as friends. Surely [there is] some
great necessity [when ye come], who are to me, although enraged,
dearest of the Greeks.”
Footnote 298: (return) Or the renown of heroes. So Apollon. i. 1:
αλαιγενεων κλεα φώτων Μνησομαι.
Thus having spoken, divine Achilles led them forward, and seated them
upon couches and purple coverlets; then straightway he addressed
Patroclus, who was near:
“Place a larger goblet, O son of Menœtius, mix purer wine, 299 and
prepare a cup for each, for men most dear [to me] are beneath my roof.”
Footnote 299: (return) _I. e_. less diluted than usual. On this quaint
picture of ancient manners, compared with the customs of the Hebrew
fathers, compare Coleridge, p. 151.
Thus he spoke; and Patroclus obeyed his dear companion. But he
[Achilles] placed in the flame of the fire a large dressing-block, and
upon it he laid the chine of a sheep and of a fat goat, with the back
of a fatted sow, abounding in fat. Automedon then held them for him,
and noble Achilles cut them up; and divided them skilfully into small
pieces, and transfixed them with spits; whilst the son of Menœtius, a
godlike hero, kindled a large fire. But when the fire had burned away,
and the flame grew languid, strewing the embers, he extended the spits
over them, and sprinkled them with sacred salt, raising them up from
the racks. But when he had dressed them, and had thrown them upon
kitchen tables, Patroclus, taking bread, served it out upon the board
in beautiful baskets: but Achilles distributed the flesh. But he
himself sat opposite to noble Ulysses, against the other wall, and
ordered Patroclus, his companion, to sacrifice to the gods; and he
accordingly cast the first morsels 300 into the fire. And they
stretched forth their hands to the prepared viands which lay before
them. But when they had dismissed the desire of eating and drinking,
Ajax nodded to Phoenix, but noble Ulysses observed it, and having
filled his goblet with wine, he pledged Achilles:
Footnote 300: (return) Hesych. and Phrynicus (for their glosses should
probably be joined), θνηλάς’ άπαρχάς των τεθυμἑνων.
“Health, Achilles. We are not wanting of a complete feast, either in
the tent of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, or even here also, for many
strength-recruiting dainties are here; but the business of an agreeable
feast is not our care. We, O thou Jove-nurtured one, contemplating it,
rather dread a very great disaster, as it is matter of doubt whether
the well-benched ships be saved or destroyed, unless thou puttest on
thy might. For near the ships and the wall the high-minded Trojans and
their far-summoned allies have pitched their camp, kindling many fires
throughout the host; and they say that they will no longer restrain
themselves, but that they will fall upon our black vessels. 301 And
Saturnian Jove exhibiting to them propitious signs, darts his
lightning; and Hector, looking fiercely round in valour, rages
terribly, trusting in Jove, nor reverences at all either men or gods,
but great madness hath come upon him. He prays that divine morn may
speedily come. For he declares that he will cut off the poop-ends 302
of the ships, and burn [the ships] themselves with ravaging fire, and
slaughter the Greeks beside them, discomforted by the smoke. Wherefore
do I greatly fear in my mind lest the gods may fulfil his threats, and
it be destined for us to perish in Troy, far from steed-nourishing
Argos. Rise then, if thou hast the intention, although late, to defend
the harassed sons of the Greeks from the violent onslaught of the
Trojans. To thyself it will hereafter be a cause of sorrow, nor is it
possible in any manner to discover a remedy for a disaster when
received; wherefore reflect much beforehand, how thou mayest avert the
evil day from the Greeks. O my friend, surely thy father Peleus charged
thee, on that day when he sent thee from Phthia to Agamemnon, ‘My son,
Minerva and Juno will bestow valour, if they choose; but restrain thy
great-hearted soul within thy breast, because humanity is better; and
abstain from injurious contention, that both the youth and elders of
the Greeks may honour thee the more.’ Thus did the old man give charge,
but thou art forgetful. Yet even now desist, and lay aside thy
mind-corroding wrath. To thee Agamemnon gives worthy gifts, ceasing
from indignation. But if [thou wilt] hear from me, and I will repeat to
thee how many presents Agamemnon in his tents hath promised thee: seven
tripods, untouched by the fire, and ten talents of gold, twenty shining
caldrons, and twelve stout steeds, victorious in the race, which have
borne off prizes by their feet. No pauper, nor in want of precious
gold, would that man be to whom so many prizes belonged as the steeds
of Agamemnon have borne off by their fleetness. He will likewise give
seven beautiful women, skilful in faultless works, Lesbians, whom he
selected when thou thyself didst take well-inhabited Lesbos, who then
excelled the race of women in beauty. These will he give thee, and
amongst them will be her whom once he took away, the daughter of
Briseïs; and he will moreover swear a mighty oath, that he never
ascended her bed, nor embraced her, as is the custom. O king, both of
men and women. All these shall immediately be in waiting; and if,
moreover, the gods grant that we pillage the vast city of Priam,
entering, thou mayest fill thy ships abundantly with gold and brass,
when we, the Greeks, divide the spoil. Thou shalt also choose twenty
Trojan women, who may be fairest next to Argive Helen. But if we reach
Achæan Argos, the udder of the land, thou mayest become his son-in-law,
and he will honour thee equally with Orestes, who is nurtured as his
darling son, in great affluence. But he has three daughters in his
well-built palace,—Chrysothemis, Laodice, and Iphianassa. Of these thou
shalt conduct the most beloved whomsoever thou mayest choose, without
marriage-gifts, to the house of Peleus; but he will give very many
dowries, such as no man yet gave his daughter. He will moreover give
thee seven well-inhabited cities,—Cardamyle, Enope, and grassy Ira,
glorious Pheræ, with deep-pastured Anthea, fair Æpeia, and vine-bearing
Pedasus; which are all near the sea, the last towards sandy Pylus. But
in them dwell men abounding in flocks and herds, who will honour thee
with gifts like a god, and under thy sceptre pay rich tributes. These
will he fulfil to thee ceasing from thy wrath. But if indeed the son of
Atreus himself and his gifts be more hateful to thee from thine heart,
at least have pity upon all the other Greeks, harassed throughout the
army, who will honour thee as a god; for surely thou wilt obtain very
great honour among them. For now mayest thou slay Hector, since he hath
already come very near thee, possessing destructive fury; since he
declares that no one of the Greeks whom the ships have conveyed hither
is his equal.”
Footnote 301: (return) But Heyne, “non locum tuituros [nos], sed in
naves fugituros et discessuros.”
Footnote 302: (return) This interpretation is substantiated by Heyne,
from Il. O, 717. The άκροστόλια, or _figure-heads_, are not meant here.
But him swift-footed Achilles answering, addressed: “Most noble son of
Laertes, much-scheming Ulysses, it behoves me indeed to speak my
opinion without reserve, even as I think, and as will be accomplished,
that ye may not, sitting beside me, keep whining 303 one after another.
Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is he who conceals one thing in his
mind and utters another. But I will speak as appears to me to be best;
and I think that neither Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, nor the other
Greeks will persuade me; since there is no gratitude to him who fights
ever ceaselessly with hostile men. An equal portion [falls] to him who
loiters, as if one continually fight; and the coward is in equal honour
with the brave. The man of no deeds, and the man of many, are wont
equally to die; nor does anything lie by me as a store, 304 because I
have suffered sorrows in my soul, ever risking my life to fight. And as
the bird brings food to her unfledged young when she hath found it,
although she fares badly herself; so have I too spent many sleepless
nights, and gone through bloody days in combat, fighting with heroes
for their wives’ sakes. Twelve cities indeed of men have I wasted with
my ships, and on foot I say eleven throughout the fertile Troad. 305
From all these have I carried off many and precious spoils, and bearing
them, have given all to Agamemnon, the son of Atreus; whilst he,
remaining behind at the swift ships, receiving them, hath distributed
but few, but retained many. To the chiefs and kings hath he given other
prizes; to whom indeed they remain entire: but from me alone of the
Greeks hath he taken it away, and he possesses my spouse, dear to my
soul, with whom reclining, let him delight himself. But why is it
necessary that the Greeks wage war with the Trojans? Or from what
necessity did the son of Atreus, assembling an army, lead it hither?
Was it not on account of fair-haired Helen? Do the sons of Atreus
alone, of articulate-speaking men, love their wives? [Surely not],
since whatever man is good and prudent loves and cherishes his spouse;
thus I too loved her from my soul, though the captive of my spear. And
now since he hath snatched my reward from my hands, and deceived me,
let him not make trial of me, already well informed, for he will not
persuade me; but let him consider with thee, O Ulysses, and the other
kings, how he may repel the hostile fire from the ships. Assuredly he
has already accomplished many labours without me. He has already built
a rampart, and drawn a trench broad [and] large beside it; and planted
in it palisades; but not even thus can he restrain the might of
man-slaughtering Hector. Whilst I indeed fought amongst the Greeks,
Hector chose not to arouse the battle at a distance from the wall, but
he came [only] as far as the Scæan gates, and the beech-tree. There
once he awaited me alone, and with difficulty escaped my attack. But
since I choose not to war with noble Hector, to-morrow, 306 having
performed sacrifices to Jove and all the gods, [and] having well laden
my ships, when I shall have drawn them down to the sea, thou shalt
behold, if thou wilt, and if such things be a care to thee, my ships
early in the morn sailing upon the fishy Hellespont, and men within
them, eager for rowing; and if glorious Neptune grant but a prosperous
voyage, on the third day I shall surely reach fertile Phthia. 307 Now
there I have very many possessions, which I left, coming hither, to my
loss. 308 And I will carry hence other gold and ruddy brass,
well-girdled women, and hoary iron, which I have obtained by lot. But
the reward which he gave, king Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, hath
himself insultingly taken from me: to whom do thou tell all things as I
charge thee, openly, that the other Greeks also may be indignant, if
he, ever clad in impudence, still hope to deceive any of the Greeks;
nor let him dare, dog-like as he is, to look in my face. I will neither
join in counsels nor in any action with him; for he hath already
deceived and offended me, nor shall he again overreach me with words.
It is enough for him [to do so once]: but in quiet 309 let him perish,
for provident Jove hath deprived him of reason. Hateful to me are his
gifts, and himself I value not a hair. 310 Not if he were to give me
ten and twenty times as many gifts as he now has, and if others were to
be added from any other quarter; nor as many as arrive at Orchomenos,
or Egyptian Thebes, 311 where numerous possessions are laid up in the
mansions, and where are one hundred gates, 312 from each of which rush
out two hundred men with horses and chariots. Nor if he were to give me
as many as are the sands and dust, not even thus shall Agamemnon now
persuade my mind, until he indemnify me for all his mind-grieving
insult. But I will not wed the daughter of Agamemnon, the son of
Atreus, not if she were fit to contend in beauty with golden Venus, or
were equal in accomplishments to azure-eyed Minerva; not even thus will
I wed her. Let him then select another of the Greeks who may suit him,
and who is more the king; for if the gods preserve me, and I reach
home, then will Peleus himself hereafter bestow upon me a lady in
marriage. There are many Grecian women throughout Hellas and Phthia,
daughters of chieftains who defend the cities. Whomsoever of these I
may choose, I will make my beloved wife; and there my generous soul
very much desires that I, wedding a betrothed spouse, a fit partner of
my bed, should enjoy the possessions which aged Peleus hath acquired.
For not worth my life are all the [treasures] which they say the
well-inhabited city Ilium possessed, whilst formerly at peace, before
the sons of the Greeks arrived; nor all which the stony threshold of
the archer Phœbus Apollo contains within it, in rocky Pytho. 313 By
plunder, oxen and fat sheep are to be procured, tripods are to be
procured, and the yellow heads of steeds; but the life of man cannot be
obtained nor seized, so as to return again, when once it has passed the
enclosure of the teeth. For my goddess mother, silver-footed Thetis,
declares that double destinies lead me on to the end of death. If, on
the one hand, remaining here, I wage war around the city of the
Trojans, return is lost to me, but my glory will be immortal; but if,
on the other hand, I return home to my dear fatherland, my excellent
glory is lost, but my life will be lasting, nor will the end of death
speedily seize upon me. And to others also would I give advice to sail
home, for ye will not find an end of lofty Ilium; for far-sounding Jove
hath stretched over it his hand, and the people have taken courage. But
do ye, departing, bear back this message to the chiefs of the Greeks,
for such is the office of ambassadors, that they devise within their
minds some other better plan, which for them may preserve their ships,
and the army of the Greeks in the hollow barks; since this, which they
have now devised, is not expedient for them, while I cherish my wrath.
But let Phœnix, remaining here, recline beside us, that to-morrow, if
he will, he may follow me in the ships to my dear fatherland, although
I will by no means lead him away by compulsion.”
Footnote 303: (return) This word is etymologically connected with
τρνγών. It properly signifies the moaning of the dove.
Footnote 304: (return) Schol. περισσόν τί εστι. Kennedy explains it:
“nor have all the toils which I have undergone been productive of any
superior advantage to me.”
Footnote 305: (return) See a list of these cities in Heyne’s note.
Footnote 306: (return) Observe the broken construction, well suited to
the irritability of the speaker.
Footnote 307: (return) Cf. Cicero de Div. i. 25.
Footnote 308: (return) “Εῤῥων, ἐπί φθορᾷ.” (ita etym. magn.)
παραγενόμενος. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p. 1445.
Footnote 309: (return) “Εκηλος forcibly expresses the condition of one
who is advancing imperceptibly, though surely, to final ruin.”—Kennedy.
Footnote 310: (return) See Kennedy, and Duport, Gnom. p. 52, who
compare the phrases “pilo minus amare”, “pili facere.” There is,
however, much uncertainty respecting the origin and meaning of the
proverb. Cf. Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p. 1246.
Footnote 311: (return) “Thebes was the centre of Egyptian power and
commerce, probably long before Memphis grew into importance, or before
the Delta was made suitable to the purposes of husbandry by the cutting
of canals and the raising of embankments.”—Egyptian Antiquities, vol.
i. p. 66.
Footnote 312: (return) Although Denon (see Egypt. Antt. p. 62) regards
this as an unmeaning expression, Heyne well observes: “numerus
centenarius ponitur pro magno: et portis semel memoratis, multitudo
hominum declaratur per numerum exeuntium.”
Footnote 313: (return) Cf. Müller, Dorians, vol. i. pp. 26, 268.
Thus he spoke; but they all became mute in silence, marvelling at his
speech, for he answered with much vehemence. At length, however, the
aged knight, Phœnix, addressed him, shedding tears, for he greatly
feared for the ships of the Greeks:
“If indeed, Ο illustrious Achilles, thou dost now meditate a return
within thy mind, nor art at all willing to repel the destructive fire
from the swift ships, because indignation hath fallen upon thy soul;
how then can I, my dear child, be left here alone by thee? for aged
Peleus, the breaker of steeds, sent me forth with thee on that day,
when he despatched thee from Phthia to Agamemnon, a boy, not yet
skilled either in equally-destroying war, nor in counsels where men
also become illustrious. On which account he sent me forth to teach
thee all these things, that thou mightest become both an orator in
words and a performer in deeds. Thus then, my dear child, I wish not at
length to be left by thee, not even if a god himself, having divested
me of old age, should promise that he would render me a blooming youth,
such as I was when first I quitted fair-damed Hellas, flying the
contentions of my father Amyntor, son of Ormenus; who was enraged with
me on account of a fair-haired concubine whom he himself loved, but
dishonoured his wife, my mother. But she continually would embrace my
knees in supplication, that I should first have connection with the
concubine, that she might loathe the old man. Her I obeyed, and did so;
but my father immediately perceiving it, uttered many execrations, and
invoked the hateful Erinnys, that no dear son, sprung from me, should
ever be placed upon his knees; and the gods ratified his execrations,
both infernal Jove and dread Proserpine. Then my soul within my mind
could no longer endure that I should sojourn in the palace whilst my
father was enraged. My friends, indeed, and relations, being much about
me, detained me there within the halls, entreating [me to stay]. Many
fat sheep and stamping-footed, crooked-horned oxen they slaughtered;
many swine abounding in fat were stretched out to be roasted in the
flame of Vulcan, and much of the old man’s wine was drunk out of
earthen vessels. Nine nights did they sleep around me: whilst, taking
it in turns, they kept watch; nor was the fire ever extinguished, one
in the portico of the well-fenced hall, and another in the vestibule,
before the chamber-doors. But when at length the tenth shady night had
come upon me, then indeed I rushed forth, having burst the
skilfully-joined doors of the apartment, and I easily overleaped the
fence of the hall, escaping the notice of the watchmen and the female
domestics. Afterwards I fled thence through spacious Hellas, and came
to fertile Phthia, the mother of sheep, to king Peleus; who kindly
received me, and loved me even as a father loves his only son, born in
his old age 314 to ample possessions. He made me opulent, and bestowed
upon me much people, and I inhabited the extreme shores of Phthia,
ruling over the Dolopians. Thee too, Ο godlike Achilles, have I
rendered what thou art, 315 loving thee from my soul; since thou
wouldst not go with another to the feast, nor take food in the mansion,
until I, placing thee upon my knees, satisfied thee with viands,
previously carving them, and supplied thee with wine. Often hast thou
wetted the tunic upon my breast, ejecting the wine in infant
peevishness. 316 Thus have I borne very many things from thee, and much
have I laboured, thinking this, that since the gods have not granted an
offspring to me from myself, I should at least make thee my son, O
Achilles, like unto the gods, that thou mightst yet repel from me
unworthy destiny. But O Achilles, subdue thy mighty rage; it is by no
means necessary for thee to have a merciless heart. Flexible are even
the gods themselves, whose virtue, honour, and might are greater [than
thine]. Even these, when any one transgresses and errs, do men divert
[from their wrath] by sacrifices and appeasing vows, and frankincense
and savour. For Prayers also are the daughters of supreme Jove, 317
both halt, and wrinkled, and squint-eyed; which following on Ate from
behind, are full of care. But Ate is robust and sound in limb,
wherefore she far outstrips all, and arrives first at every land, doing
injury to men; whilst these afterwards cure them. 318 Whosoever will
reverence the daughters of Jove approaching, him they are wont greatly
to aid, and hear when praying. But whosoever will deny and obstinately
refuse them, then indeed, drawing near, they entreat Saturnian Jove,
that Ate may follow along with him, that being injured [in turn], he
may pay the penalty. But Ο Achilles, do thou too yield honour to
accompany the daughters of Jove, which bends the minds of other brave
men; for if Atrides brought not gifts, and did not mention others in
futurity, but would ever rage vehemently, I for my part would not
advise that, casting away wrath, thou shouldst defend the Greeks,
although greatly in need. But now he at once gives both many
immediately, and promises others hereafter; moreover, he hath
despatched the best men to supplicate thee, having selected throughout
the Grecian army those who are dearest to thyself; whose entreaty do
not thou despise, nor their mission, although formerly fault was not to
be found with thee, because thou wert enraged. Thus also have we heard
the renown of heroes of former days, when vehement wrath came upon any,
[that] they were both appeasable by gifts, and to be reconciled by
words. I remember this ancient and by no means modern deed, of what
sort it was; and I will repeat it among you all, being friends. The
Curetes and Ætolians, obstinate in battle, fought around the city of
Calydon, and slaughtered each other; the Ætolians, in defence of lofty
Calydon, the Curetes, eager to lay it waste in war; for between them
had golden-throned Diana excited mischief, indignant because Œneus had
not offered the first-fruits in sacrifice in the fertile spot of
ground: 319 whilst the other gods feasted on hecatombs, but to the
daughter of mighty Jove alone he sacrificed not. Either he forgot, 320
or did not think of it, but he did greatly err in mind. But she, the
daughter of Jove, delighting in arrows, enraged, sent against [him] a
sylvan wild boar, with white tusks, which did much detriment, as is the
wont [of boars], to the land of Œneus. And many tall trees, one after
another, did he prostrate on the ground, with their very roots and the
blossom of their fruit. But him Meleager, son of Œneus, slew,
assembling huntsmen and dogs from many cities; for he would not have
been subdued by a few mortals: so mighty was he, and he caused many to
ascend the sad funeral-pile. Still she (Diana) excited around him 321 a
great tumult and war between the Curetes and magnanimous Ætolians, for
the head and bristly skin of the boar. 322 Whilst warlike Meleager
fought, so long were the Curetes unsuccessful; nor were they able,
although numerous, to remain without the wall. But when wrath, which
swells the minds of others, though very prudent, within their breasts,
came upon Meleager, for, enraged at heart with his dear mother Althæa,
he remained inactive beside his wedded wife, fair Cleopatra, daughter
of Marpessa, the handsome-footed child of Evenus and Idas, who was then
the bravest of earthly men, and even lifted a bow against king Phœbus
Apollo, for the sake of his fair-ankled spouse. Her [Cleopatra] then
her father and venerable mother in the palace were accustomed to call
by the surname of Alcyone, because her mother, having the plaintive
note of sad Alcyone, 323 lamented when far-darting Phœbus Apollo stole
her away. Beside her he [Meleager] remained inactive, brooding 324 over
his sad anger, enraged because of the curses of his mother, who, much
grieving, prayed to the gods on account of the murder of her brethren.
325 Often with her hands did she strike the fruitful earth, calling
upon Pluto and dread Proserpine, reclining upon her knees, whilst her
bosom was bedewed with tears, to give death to her son: but her the
Erinnys, wandering in gloom, possessing an implacable heart, heard from
Erebus. Then immediately was there noise and tumult of these 326
excited round the gates, the towers being battered. Then did the elders
of the Ætolians entreat him, and sent chosen priests to the gods, that
he would come forth and defend them, promising a great gift. Where the
soil of fertile Calydon was richest, there they ordered him to choose a
beautiful enclosure of fifty acres; the one half, of land fit for
vines, to cut off the other half of plain land, free from wood, for
tillage. Much did aged Œneus, breaker of steeds, beseech him, having
ascended to the threshold of his lofty-roofed chamber, shaking the
well-glued door-post, supplicating his son. And much also his sisters
and venerable mother entreated him, but he the more refused; and much
[prayed] the companions who were dearest and most friendly of all; but
not even thus did they persuade the soul within his breast, until his
chamber was violently assailed, and the Curetes were in the act of
scaling the ramparts, and firing the great city. Then indeed at length
his fair-girdled spouse, weeping, supplicated Meleager, and recounted
all the disasters, as many as happen to men whose city may be taken. In
the first place, they slay the men, 327 whilst fire reduces the city to
ashes; and others carry off the children and deep-zoned women. Then was
his soul disturbed when he heard of evil deeds, and he hasted to go and
gird the all-glittering armour around his body. Thus he repelled the
evil day from the Ætolians, yielding to his own inclination; but they
did not make good to him the many and pleasing gifts; but he
nevertheless warded off evil. But revolve not such things within thy
mind, O my friend, nor let the deity 328 thus turn thee, since it would
be more dishonourable to assist the ships [when already] set on fire.
Rather come for the gifts, for the Greeks will honour thee equally with
a god. If again without gifts thou enter the man-destroying battle,
thou wilt not receive equal honour, although warding off the war.”
But him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed: “Phœnix, respected
father, old man, Jove-nurtured, to me there is no need of this honour,
for I conceive that I have been honoured by the behest of Jove, which
will detain me at the crooked ships whilst breath remains in my bosom,
and my knees have the power of motion. But I will tell thee something
else, and do thou revolve it in thy mind. Disturb not my soul, weeping
and lamenting, gratifying the hero Atrides; it is not at all necessary
that thou love him, that thou mayest not be hated by me, who love thee.
It is proper for thee with me to give annoyance to him who hath annoyed
me. Rule equally with me, and receive my honour in half. 329 These will
bear back my message; but do thou, remaining here, recline upon a soft
bed, and with morn appearing let us consult whether we shall return to
our native land or remain.”
Footnote 314: (return) See, however, Buttm. Lexil. p. 510, sqq., who
considers that τηλύγετος simply means “_tenderly beloved_; only that it
is a more forcible expression for this idea, as is evident from the bad
sense in which the word is used at II. v. 470, where the meaning of a
child _spoiled_ by the love of its parents is evident.”
Footnote 315: (return) _I.e._ I reared thee to thy present age. Lit.
“I made thee so great.”
Footnote 316: (return) If any one should despise these natural details
as trifling and beneath the dignity of poetry, I can only recommend a
comparison with Æsch. Choeph. 750, sqq., and Shakspeare’s nurse in
“Romeo and Juliet.” In such passages, the age of the supposed speaker
is the best apology for the poet.
Footnote 317: (return) See Duport, Gnom. Hom. p. 57.
Footnote 318: (return) Perhaps it was from this passage that Sterne
took his sublime idea of the Recording Angel blotting out the oath
which the Accusing Spirit had carried up to heaven.
Footnote 319: (return) Cf. Hesiod, Theog. 54. Μνημοσύνη, γουνοῖσιν
ἐλευθῆρος μεδέουσα. Like οὖθαρ ἀρούρης, in ver. 141, it is an
expression denoting excessive fertility.
Footnote 320: (return) So Xenoph. de Venat. § 1. Οἴνεως δ’ ἐν γήρᾳ
ἐπιλαθομένου τῆς ϑεοῦ. See an excellent sketch of the story in Grote,
vol. i. p. 195, sqq. Cf. Hygin. Fab. clxxii.; Lactant. Arg. fab. Ovid.
viii. 4; Antonin. Lib. Met. § 2.
Footnote 321: (return) _I. e._ the boar.
Footnote 322: (return) On the legend of this war, see Apollodor. i. 8,
2; Callimach. Ib. Dian. 216; Ovid, Met. viii. 260. A catalogue of the
heroes who accompanied Meleager is given by Hyginus, Fab. clxxiii.
Footnote 323: (return) See Antonin. Liberal. Met. § 2. who follows
Homer rather closely.
Footnote 324: (return) Literally, “digesting.”
Footnote 325: (return) See n. 2, p. 41, and on the death of Meleager,
by his mother burning a fatal brand, Apollodor. i. c.; Zenobius Cent.
Adag. v. 33; Anton. Lib. Met. § 2.
Footnote 326: (return) _I. e._ the Calydonians.
Footnote 327: (return) This catalogue of the horrors of war seems to
have been in the minds of Sallust, Cat. § 51, and Cicero, Or. iv. in
Catil.
Footnote 328: (return) Rudolf on Ocellus Lucan. p. 266, well observes,
“Antiquissimis temporibus, quorum repetere memoriam possumus, δαίμων
nihil aliud erat, quam deus. Horn. Od. γ, 165, 160; Il. γ, 420; II. λ,
791. Neque in eo vocabuli discrimen est, si aut prosunt hominibus, aut
iis nocent; utroque enim modo δαίμονες dicuntur.” Kennedy and some of
the translators have erred on this point.
Footnote 329: (return) _I. e._ καϑ’ ἥμισυ. See Heyne.
He said, and in silence nodded to Patroclus from beneath his brows,
that he should strew a thick bed for Phœnix, whilst they were
meditating to withdraw as quickly as possible from the tent. But them
godlike Telamonian Ajax addressed:
“O Jove-born son of Laertes, crafty Ulysses, let us go, for the object
of our address appears not to me to be attainable, in this way at
least, and we must report the message to the Greeks with all haste,
although it be not good. They now sit expecting us; but Achilles stores
up within his breast a fierce and haughty soul, unyielding; nor does he
regard the friendship of his companions, with which we have honoured
him at the ships beyond others. Merciless one! and truly some one hath
accepted compensation even for a brother’s death, or his own son slain,
whilst [the murderer] remains at home among his people, having paid
many expiations: and the mind and noble soul of the other is appeased
upon his having received compensation. But in thy breast the gods have
put an unyielding and evil mind, for the sake of a maid only; whereas
we now offer thee seven far excelling, and many other gifts beside
them. Do thou then assume a propitious disposition; and have respect to
thy house, for we are guests beneath thy roof from the multitude of the
Greeks, and desire to be most dear and friendly to thee beyond all the
Achæans, as many as they are.”
But him swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed: “Most noble Ajax,
son of Telamon, chief of the people, thou appearest to me to have said
all this from thy soul, yet does my heart swell with indignation as
often as I recollect those things, how the son of Atreus hath rendered
me dishonoured among the Greeks, as if it were some contemptible
stranger. But go ye, and carry back my message, for I shall not think
of bloody war, before the son of warlike Priam, noble Hector,
slaughtering the Greeks, shall reach the ships of the Myrmidons, and
burn the ships with fire. But about my tent and black ship, however, I
think that Hector, although eager, will desist from combat.”
Thus he spake; but they, each having seized a double goblet, having
made libations, went back by the side of the fleet, and Ulysses led the
way. But Patroclus gave orders to his companions and female domestics
to strew, with all haste, a thick couch for Phœnix; and they, obedient,
spread a bed as he desired,—sheep-skins, coverlets, and the fine fabric
of flax: there lay the old man, and awaited heavenly Morn. But Achilles
slept in the recess of his well-made tent; and beside him lay a lady,
fair-cheeked Diomede, daughter of Phorbas, whom he had brought from
Lesbos. And Patroclus on the other side reclined: and by him also lay
fair-waisted Iphis, whom noble Achilles gave him, having taken lofty
Scyros, a city of Enyeus.
But when they were within the tents of Atrides, the sons of the Greeks,
rising one after another, received them with golden cups, and
interrogated thus. And first the king of men, Agamemnon, inquired:
“Come, tell me, O Ulysses, much praised, great glory of the Greeks,
whether does he wish to ward off the hostile fire from the ships, or
has he refused, and does wrath still posses his haughty soul?”
But him much-enduring, noble Ulysses then addressed: “Most glorious son
of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, he wills not to extinguish his
wrath, but is the more filled with anger, and despises thee as well as
thy gifts. He bids thee thyself consult with the Greeks, in what manner
thou mayest preserve both the ships and the army of the Greeks, but has
himself threatened, that with the rising dawn he will launch into the
main his well-benched, equally-plied vessels. And he has declared that
he would advise others also to sail home, since ye will not now effect
the destruction of lofty Ilium; for far-resounding Jove hath greatly
stretched forth his hand [over it], and the people have taken courage.
Thus he spoke; and here are these who followed me, Ajax, and the two
heralds, both prudent men, to tell these things. But aged Phœnix hath
lain down there, for thus he ordered, that in the morning, if he chose,
he might follow him in the ships to his dear father-land; but he will
by no means carry him off against his will.”
Thus he spake; and they all became mute in silence, marvelling at his
speech, for he harangued with great vehemence. Long were the sorrowing
sons of the Greeks mute, till at length Diomede, valiant in the din of
battle, addressed them:
“Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, would that thou
hadst not supplicated the illustrious son of Peleus, offering countless
gifts, for he is haughty even otherwise: 330 now again hast thou
excited him much more to insolence. Let us, however, leave him alone,
whether he go or remain, for he will fight again at that time when his
mind within his breast urges, and the Deity incites him. But come, let
us all obey as I shall advise: go now to rest, having satisfied your
hearts with food and wine, for this is force and vigour. But when fair
rosy-fingered morn has shone forth, draw up the infantry and cavalry
with all haste before the ships, cheering them: and do thou thyself
likewise fight in the foremost ranks.”
Thus he spake, but all the kings approved, admiring the speech of
Diomede, the breaker of steeds. Having then offered libations, they
departed each to his tent; there they lay down to to rest, and enjoyed
the boon of sleep. 331
Footnote 330: (return) I am indebted to Milton.
Footnote 331: (return) Id.