Jove orders Thetis to go to Achilles, and demand the restoration of
Hector’s body. Mercury is also sent to Priam, whom he guides in safety
through the Grecian camp, to the tent of Achilles. A pathetic interview
follows, and Priam ransoms the body of his son, and obtains a twelve
days’ truce, during which he performs his funeral obsequies.
The assembly was dissolved, and the people were dispersed, to go each
to their hollow barks. They indeed took care to indulge in the banquet
and sweet slumber; but Achilles wept, remembering his dear companion,
nor did all-subduing sleep possess him, but he was rolled here and
there, longing for the vigour and valiant might of Patroclus. And
whatever things he had accomplished with him, and hardships he had
suffered, both [encountering] the battles of heroes, and measuring the
grievous waves, remembering these things, he shed the warm tear, lying
at one time upon his sides, 773 at others again on his back, and at
other times on his face; but again starting up, he wandered about in
sadness along the shore of the sea; nor did Morn, appearing over the
sea and the shores, escape his notice. But he, when he had harnessed
his fleet steeds to his chariot, bound Hector to be dragged after his
chariot; and having drawn him thrice around the tomb of the dead son of
Menœtius, again rested in his tent; and left him there, having
stretched him on his face in the dust. But Apollo kept off all
pollution from his body, pitying the hero, although dead; and encircled
him with the golden ægis, lest that, dragging, he might lacerate him.
Footnote 773: (return) Cf. Heliodor. Ethiop. vii. p. 325: αννύχιος
γοῦν ἔκειτο, πυκνὰ μὲν πρὸς έκατέραν πλευρὰν τὸ σῶμα διαστρέφουσα.
Chariton quotes the line of Homer, when describing the uneasy rest of a
love-stricken being.
Thus he indeed, raging, was insulting noble Hector, but the blessed
gods, looking towards him, commiserated, and incited the watchful
slayer of Argus to steal him away. Now, to all the rest it was
certainly pleasing, but by no means so to Juno, to Neptune, nor to the
azure-eyed maid; but they were obstinate, 774 for sacred Ilium was
odious to them from the first, and Priam and his people, on account of
the infatuation of Paris, who had insulted the goddesses, when they
came to his cottage, and preferred her who gratified his destructive
lust. 775 But when the twelfth morning from that had arisen, then
indeed Phœbus Apollo spoke amongst the immortals:
Footnote 774: (return) After ἔχον supply τὴν διάθεσιν (with
Schol.)=“_kept their determination_.”
Footnote 775: (return) Payne Knight would reject vers. 23—30,
considering the word μαχλοσύνην as un-Homeric. If they are genuine,
they furnish the earliest mention of the judgment of Paris. Cf. Mollus
on Longus, Past. iii. 27; Intpp. on Hygin. Fab. xcii.
“Cruel ye are, O gods, [and] injurious. Has not Hector indeed formerly
burned for you the thighs of bulls and chosen goats? whom now, although
being dead, ye will not venture to take away for his wife, and mother,
his son, and his father Priam, and the people to behold; who would
quickly burn him with fire, and perform his funeral rites. But ye wish
to bestow favour, O gods, upon destructive Achilles, to whom there is
neither just disposition, nor flexible feelings in his breast; who is
skilled in savage deeds, as a lion, which, yielding to the impulse of
his mighty strength and haughty soul, attacks the flocks of men, that
he may take a repast. Thus has Achilles lost all compassion, nor in him
is there sense of shame, which greatly hurts and profits men. For
perhaps some one will lose another more dear, either a brother, or a
son; yet does he cease weeping and lamenting, for the Destinies have
placed in men an enduring mind. But this man drags godlike Hector
around the tomb of his dear companion, binding him to his chariot,
after he has taken away his dear life; yet truly this is neither more
honourable, nor better for him. [Let him beware] lest we be indignant
with him, brave as he is, because, raging, he insults even the
senseless clay.”
But him the white-armed Juno, indignant, addressed: “This truly might
be our language, O God of the silver bow, if now thou assignest equal
honour to Achilles and to Hector. Hector indeed is a mortal, and sucked
a woman’s breast; but Achilles is the offspring of a goddess, whom I
myself both nurtured and educated, and gave as a wife to the hero
Peleus, who is dear to the immortals in their heart: and ye were all
present at the nuptials, 776 O gods; and thou didst feast amongst them,
holding thy lyre, O companion of the evil, ever faithless.”
But her cloud-compelling Jove, answering, addressed:
“Ο Juno, be not now completely enraged with the gods; for their honour
shall not be at all equal: but Hector also was the dearest of mortals
to the gods, of [those] who are in Ilium; for thus was he to me; for
never did he miss [offering] pleasing gifts. For never did my altar
lack the fitting banquet, or incense, or odour: for this honour are we
allotted. Yet let us forego to steal away bold Hector; (nor is it at
all practicable without the knowledge of Achilles;) for he is ever by
him both by night and day, like as a mother. But let some of the gods
call Thetis near me, that to her I may tell prudent advice, in order
that Achilles may receive gifts from Priam, and ransom Hector.”
Thus he spoke; but Iris, swift as the whirlwind, rose up, about to bear
his message. Half way between Samos and rugged Imbrus she plunged into
the dark sea, and the ocean groaned. She sank to the bottom like unto a
leaden ball, 777 which, [placed] along the horn of a wild bull,
entering, descends, bearing death to the raw-devouring fishes. But she
found Thetis in her hollow cave, and the other sea goddesses sat around
her, assembled together; she indeed, in the midst, lamented the fate of
her own blameless son, who was about to perish in fertile Troy, far
away from his native land. But her swift-footed Iris, standing near,
addressed:
Footnote 776: (return) See Grote, vol. i. p. 257.
Footnote 777: (return) The only clear explanation of this passage
seems to be that of the traveller Clarke, quoted by Kennedy, as
follows: “The Greeks in fishing let their line, with the lead at the
end, run over a piece of horn fixed at the side of the boat,” to
prevent, as Kennedy remarks, the wear from friction. Pollux, x. 30, 31,
merely mentions the μολυβδαίνη among the implements of fishermen; but
says nothing of the manner in which it was used.
“Rise, O Thetis; Jove, skilled in imperishable counsels, calls thee.”
Her then the silver-footed goddess Thetis answered:
“Why does that mighty god call me? I am ashamed to mix with the
immortals, for I have innumerable griefs in my soul. Yet must I go; for
the word which he utters will not be in vain.”
Thus having spoken, the divine one of goddesses took her dark robe,
than which no garment is blacker. And she set out to go, whilst
wind-footed, fleet Iris led the way; and the water of the sea retired
on each side of them. 778 Next ascending the shore, they were impelled
up to heaven. They found the far-sounding son of Saturn; and all the
other blessed immortal gods sat assembled around him; but she then sat
down beside father Jove, and Minerva gave place to her. Then Juno
placed a beautiful golden goblet in her hand, and consoled her with
words; and Thetis having drunk, returned it. But to them the father of
men and gods began discourse:
“Thou hast come to Olympus, although sad, Ο goddess Thetis, having in
thy mind a grief not to be forgotten; and I know it. Yet even thus will
I speak, and on this account have I called thee hither. Nine days has a
contest already been excited amongst the immortals respecting the body
of Hector, and Achilles the destroyer of cities, and they have urged
the watchful slayer of Argus to steal him. But I bestow this glory 779
on Achilles, securing for the future thy respect and love. Descend very
speedily to the camp, and give orders to thy son. Tell him that the
gods are offended, and that I am angry above all the immortals, because
with infuriated mind he detains Hector at the crooked barks, nor has
released him: if perchance he will revere me, and restore Hector.
Meanwhile I will despatch Iris to magnanimous Priam, that, going to the
ships of the Greeks, he may ransom his beloved son, and carry offerings
to Achilles, which may melt his soul.”
Footnote 778: (return) “At Il. ψ. 231: ηλείδης δ’ άπὸ πυρκαΐης
ἑτέρωσε λιασθείς, _going away, or aside from the pyre_. And so νόσφι
λιασθείς, II. α. 349, λ. 80. One of the plainest instances of the same
sense is at Il. ω. 96, of the waves, which _make way_ for the goddesses
as they rise from the depths of the sea, which _turn aside_, and yield
them a passage.”—Buttm. Lexil. p. 404.
Footnote 779: (return) “The sense is: _I have not sanctioned the
proposal that the body of Hector should be removed furtively, in order
that an opportunity might be offered to Achilles of receiving a ransom
for it, which would redound to his glory_.”—Kennedy.
Thus he spoke; nor did the silver-footed goddess Thetis disobey; but,
rushing impetuously, she descended down from the tops of Olympus. Then
she came to the tent of her son, and found him within, moaning
continually, whilst around him his dear comrades were busily occupied,
and prepared a feast, for a great thick-fleeced sheep had been
slaughtered by them in the tent. But his venerable mother sat down very
near him, and caressed him with her hand, and spoke, and addressed him:
“O my son, how long, grieving and bewailing, wilt thou afflict thine
heart, being not at all mindful of either food or bed? But it is good
to be mingled in love with a woman; for thou shalt not live long for
me, but Death and stern Fate already stand near thee. But quickly
attend to me, for I am a messenger to thee from Jove. He says that the
gods are angry with thee, and that he himself above all the immortals
is enraged, because with furious mind thou detainest Hector at the
hollow ships, nor dost release him. But come, release him, and receive
ransoms for the dead body.”
But her swift-footed Achilles, answering, addressed:
“Let him approach hither, who may bear the ransoms, and bear away the
body, if indeed the Olympian himself now commands it with a serious
mind.” Thus they indeed, the mother and the son, amongst the assemblage
of the ships, spoke many winged words to each other; but the son of
Saturn impelled Iris towards sacred Ilium:
“Go quickly, fleet Iris, having left the seat of Olympus, order
magnanimous Priam to ransom his dear son to Ilium, going to the ships
of the Greeks; and to carry gifts to Achilles, which may appease his
mind, alone; nor let another man of the Trojans go with him. Let some
aged herald accompany him, who may guide his mules and well-wheeled
chariot, and may bear back to the city the dead body which noble
Achilles has slain; nor let death at all be a cause of anxiety to his
mind, nor at all a terror; such a conductor, the slayer of Argus, will
we give to him, who shall lead him, until, directing, he shall place
him beside Achilles. But when he shall have conducted him into the tent
of Achilles, he will not kill him himself, and he will ward off all
others; for he is neither imprudent, nor rash, nor profane; but will
very humanely spare a suppliant man.”
Thus he spoke; but wind-footed Iris rushed on, about to carry her
message. She came to [the palace] of Priam, and found wailing and
lamentation. His sons, sitting around their father within the hall,
were drenching their robes with tears; whilst the old man sat in the
midst, covered entirely 780 with a cloak; but much filth was around
upon the head and neck of the aged man, which, while rolling [on the
ground], he had abundantly collected 781 with his own hands. But his
daughters and daughters-in-law throughout the dwelling lamented,
remembering those who, many and brave, lay, having lost their lives by
the hands of the Greeks. Then the ambassadress of Jove stood beside
Priam, and addressed him in an under-tone; and tremor seized him as to
his limbs:
“Take courage, O Dardanian Priam, in thy mind, nor fear at all; for
indeed I come not hither boding 782 evil to thee, but meditating good;
for I am an ambassadress from Jove to thee, who, though being far off,
greatly cares for and pities thee. The Olympian bids thee ransom noble
Hector, and bear presents to Achilles, which may melt his soul; thee
alone, nor let another man of the Trojans go with thee. But let some
aged herald accompany thee, who may guide thy mules and well-wheeled
chariot, and bring back to the city the dead which noble Achilles has
slain. Nor let death be a cause of anxiety to thy mind, nor fear at all
such a conductor; the slayer of Argus shall attend thee, who shall lead
thee, until, guiding, he shall bring thee near Achilles. But when he
shall have led thee into the tent of Achilles, he will not slay thee
himself, and he will ward off all others; for he is neither imprudent,
nor rash, nor profane; but will very humanely spare a suppliant man.”
Footnote 780: (return) I take έντυπὰς adverbially, with Eustathius, p.
1474, and understand that he was “so completely enfolded, as to exhibit
the entire contour of his person” (Kennedy), with the Schol. Hesych.
t.i.p. 1264. Phavorinus, Suidas, and the Schol. on Appoll. Rh. 264.
Ernesti well expresses the idea: “Ἐντυπὰς κεκαλυμμένος est, qui ita
adstrinxit vestem, eique se involvit, ut tota corporis figura appareat,
quod secus est in toga et pallio aut stola.”
Footnote 781: (return) Literally, “reaped, cropped.”