Thus having spoken, swift-footed Iris departed. But he ordered his sons
to prepare his well-wheeled mule-drawn chariot, and to tie a chest upon
it; but he descended into an odoriferous chamber of cedar,
lofty-roofed, which contained many rarities, and called in his wife
Hecuba, and said:
“Unhappy one, an Olympian messenger has come to me from Jove, [that I
should] ransom my dear son, going to the ships of the Greeks, and
should bear gifts to Achilles, which may melt his soul. But come, tell
this to me, what does it appear to thee in thy mind? For my strength
and courage vehemently urge me myself to go thither to the ships, into
the wide army of the Greeks.”
Thus he spoke: but his spouse wept, and answered him in words:
“Ah me, where now is thy prudence gone, for which thou wast formerly
distinguished among foreigners, and among those whom thou dost govern?
Why dost thou wish to go alone to the ships of the Greeks, before the
eyes of the man who slew thy many and brave sons? Certainly an iron
heart is thine. For if this cruel and perfidious man shall take and
behold 783 thee with his eyes, he will not pity thee, nor will he at
all respect thee. But let us now lament him apart, 784 sitting in the
hall; but [let it be] as formerly to him, at his birth violent fate
spun his thread, when I brought him forth, that he should satiate the
swift-footed dogs at a distance from his own parents, with that fierce
man, the very middle of whose liver I wish that I had hold of, that,
clinging to it, I might devour it; then would the deeds done against my
son be repaid; for he did not slay him behaving as a coward, but
standing forth in defence of the Trojan men and deep-bosomed Trojan
dames, neither mindful of flight nor of receding.”
Footnote 783: (return) A somewhat awkward inversion of the sense.
Footnote 784: (return) _I.e._ without the body of Hector being at
hand.
But her again the aged, godlike Priam addressed:
“Do not detain me, desirous to go, nor be thou thyself an evil-omen
bird in my palaces; nor shalt thou persuade me. For if indeed any other
of earthly beings had ordered me, whether they be prophets,
soothsayers, or priests, we might have pronounced it a falsehood, and
been the more averse. But now since I myself have heard it from a
deity, and have beheld her face to face, I will go, nor shall this word
be vain and if it be my fate to die at the ships of the brazen-mailed
Greeks, I am willing; for Achilles will forthwith, slay me, embracing
my son in my arms, after I have taken away the desire of weeping.”
He spoke; and opened the beautiful lids of the chests, and took out
thence twelve beautiful mantles, twelve single cloaks, as many
tapestried rugs, and, in addition to these, as many tunics; and having
weighed it, he took out ten whole talents of gold. He took out beside
two glittering tripods, and four goblets, and a very beautiful cup,
which the Thracian men had given him when going on an embassy, a mighty
possession. Nor now did the old man spare even this in his palaces; for
he greatly wished in his mind to ransom his dear son. And he drove away
all the Trojans from his porch, chiding them with reproachful words:
“Depart, wretched, reproachful [creatures]; is there not indeed grief
to you at home, that ye should come fretting me? Or do ye esteem it of
little consequence that Jove, the son of Saturn, has sent sorrows upon
me, that I should have lost my bravest son? But ye too shall perceive
it, for ye will be much more easy for the Greeks to destroy now, he
being dead; but I will descend even to the abode of Hades, before I
behold with mine eyes the city sacked and plundered.”
He spoke; and chased away the men with his staff; but they went out,
the old man driving [them]. He indeed rebuked his own sons, reviling
Helenus, Paris, and godlike Agathon, Pammon, Antiphonus, and Polites,
brave in the din of battle, Deïphobus, Hippothous, and renowned Dius.
To these nine the old man, reproaching, gave orders:
“Haste for me, O slothful children, disgraceful; would that you had all
been slain at the swift ships, instead of Hector. Ah me! the most
unhappy of all, since I have begotten the bravest sons in wide Troy;
but none of whom I think is left: godlike Mestor, and Troulus, who
fought from his chariot, and Hector, who was a god among men, for he
did not appear to be the son of a mortal man, but of a god. These
indeed has Mars destroyed to me; but all these disgraces remain, liars,
dancers, 785 most skilled in the choirs, and public robbers of lambs
and kids. Will ye not with all haste get ready my chariot, and place
all these things upon it, that we may perform our journey?”
Footnote 785: (return) Cicero pro Muræna, vi., “Saltatorem appellat L.
Murænam Cato Maledictum est, si vere objicitur, vehementis
accusatoris.” Cf. Æn. ix. 614.
Thus he spoke; but they, dreading the reproach of their father, lifted
out the well-wheeled, mule-drawn chariot, beautiful, newly built, and
tied the chest 786 upon it. They then took down the yoke for the mules
from the pin, made of box-wood, and embossed, well fitted with rings,
and then they brought out the yoke-band, nine cubits in length, along
with the yoke. And this indeed they adjusted carefully to the pole at
its extremity, and threw the ring over the bolt. Thrice they lapped it
on either side to the boss; and when they had fastened, they turned it
evenly under the bend; then, bearing the inestimable ransoms of
Hector’s head from the chamber, they piled them upon the well-polished
car. Then they yoked the strong-hoofed mules, patient in labour, which
the Mysians formerly gave to Priam, splendid gifts. They also led under
the yoke for Priam, the horses, which the old man himself had fed at
the well-polished manger. These indeed the herald and Priam yoked in
the lofty palace, having prudent counsels in their minds. But near them
came Hecuba, with sad mind, bearing sweet wine in her right hand, in a
golden goblet, in order that having made libations, they might depart.
But she stood before the steeds, and spoke, and addressed them:
“Take, 787 offer a libation to father Jove, and pray that thou mayest
return home again from the hostile men; since indeed thy mind urges
thee to the ships, I at least not being willing. But do thou pray now
to the dark, cloud-compelling Idæan son of Saturn, who looks down upon
all Troy; but seek the fleet bird, his messenger, which to him is the
most pleasing of birds, and whose strength is very great, on thy right
hand, so that, marking him thyself with thine eyes, thou mayest go,
relying on him, to the ships of the fleet-horsed Greeks. But if
wide-viewing Jove will not give thee his own messenger, I would not at
all then, urging, advise thee to go to the ships of the Greeks, though
very eager.”
Footnote 786: (return) A kind of wicker hamper. Cf. Hesych. t. ii. p.
921.
Footnote 787: (return) See ξ. 219.
But her godlike Priam answering, addressed:
“O spouse, certainly I will not disobey thee, advising this; for it is
good to raise one’s hands to Jove, if perchance he may compassionate
me.”
The old man spoke, and bade the attending servant pour pure water upon
his hands; for a handmaid stood by, holding in her hands a basin, and
also an ewer; and having washed himself, he took the goblet from his
wife. Then he prayed, standing in the midst of the enclosure, and
poured out a libation of wine, looking towards heaven; and raising his
voice, spoke:
“O father Jove, ruling from Ida, most glorious, most great, grant me to
come acceptable and pitied to [the tent] of Achilles; and send the
swift bird, thy messenger, which is the most agreeable of birds to
thee, and whose strength is very great, on my right hand; that I
myself, perceiving him with my eyes, may go, relying on him, to the
ships of the fleet-horsed Greeks.”
Thus he spoke, praying; but to him provident Jove hearkened, and
immediately sent an eagle, the Black Hunter, the most certain augury of
birds, which they also call Percnos. 788 As large as the well-bolted,
closely-fitted door of the lofty-roofed chamber of a wealthy man, so
great were its wings on each side; and it appeared to them, rushing on
the right hand over the city. But they, having seen it, rejoiced, and
the soul was overjoyed in their bosoms. Then the old man, hastening,
mounted his polished car, and drove out of the vestibule and
much-echoing porch. Before, indeed, the mules drew the four-wheeled
car, which prudent Idæus drove; but after [came] the horses, which the
old man cheered on, driving briskly through the city with his lash; but
all his friends accompanied, greatly weeping for him, as if going to
death. But when they had descended from the city, and reached the
plain, his sons and sons-in-law then returned to Ilium. Nor did these
two, advancing on the plain, escape the notice of far-seeing Jove; but,
seeing the old man, he pitied him, and straightway addressed his
beloved son:
Footnote 788: (return) See Alberti on Hesych. t. ii. pp. 622, 941;
Villois on Apoll. Lex. p. 556.
“O Mercury (for to thee it is peculiarly grateful to associate with
man, and thou hearest whomsoever thou art willing), go now, and so
convey Priam to the hollow ships of the Greeks, that neither any one
may see him, nor indeed any of the other Greeks perceive him until he
reach the son of Peleus.”
Thus he spoke; nor did the messenger, the son of Argus. disobey. 789
Immediately then he fastened under his feet his beautiful sandals,
ambrosial, golden, which carry him as well over the sea, as over the
boundless earth, with the blasts of the wind. He also took his rod,
with which he soothes the eyes of those men whom he wishes, and again
excites others who are asleep; holding this in his hands, the powerful
slayer of Argus flew along. But he immediately reached the Troad and
the Hellespont, and hastened to go, like unto a princely youth, first
springing into youth, whose youth is very graceful. And they, when they
had driven by the great tomb of Ilus, stopped their mules and horses,
that they might drink in the river; for even now twilight had come over
the earth. But the herald, spying, observed Mercury near, and addressed
Priam, and said:
Footnote 789: (return) Compare Milton, P.L. v. 285, sqq., with
Newton’s note.
“Beware, O descendant of Dardanus; this is matter for prudent thought.
I perceive a warrior, and I think that he will soon destroy us. But
come, let us fly upon our steeds; or let us now, grasping his knees,
entreat him, if he would pity us.” Thus he spoke, but the mind of the
old man was confounded, and he greatly feared; but the hair stood
upright on his bending limbs. And he stood stupified; but Mercury
himself coming near, taking the old man’s hand, interrogated, and
addressed him:
“Whither, O father, dost thou this way direct thy horses and mules
during the ambrosial night, when other mortals are asleep? Dost thou
not fear the valour-breathing Greeks, who, enemies and hostile to thee,
are at hand? If any one of these should see thee in the dark and
dangerous night, bearing off so many valuables, what intention would
then be towards thee? Neither art thou young thyself, and this [is] an
old man who accompanies thee, to repel a warrior when first any may
molest thee. But I will not do thee injury, but will avert another from
thee, for I think thee like my dear father.”
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered:
“Surely these things are as thou sayest, my dear son. But hitherto some
one of the gods has protected me with his hand, who has sent such a
favourable conductor to meet me, so beautiful art thou in form and
appearance. And thou art also prudent in mind, and of blessed parents.”
But him again the messenger, the slayer of Argus, addressed: “O old
man, thou hast certainly spoken all these things with propriety. But
come, tell me this, and relate it truly; whither now dost thou send so
many and such valuable treasures amongst foreigners? Whether that
these, at least, may remain safe to thee? Or do ye all, now fearing,
desert sacred Ilium? For so brave a hero, was he who died, thy son; he
was not in aught inferior to the Greeks in battle.”
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered:
“But who art thou, O best one, and of what parents art thou, who
speakest so honourably to me of the death of my luckless son?”
But him again the messenger, the slayer of Argus, addressed:
“Thou triest me, old man. and inquirest concerning noble Hector; whom
I, indeed, have very often beheld with mine eyes in the glorious fight,
when, routing the Greeks, he slew them at their ships, destroying
[them] with his sharp spear; but we, standing, marvelled; for Achilles,
enraged with the son of Atreus, did not permit us to fight. But I am
his attendant, and the same well-made vessel brought us. I am [one] of
the Myrmidons; Polyetor is my father, who, indeed, is rich, but now old
as thou. To him there are six sons, but I am his seventh; with whom
casting lots, the lot occurred to me to follow [Achilles] hither. And I
came to the plain from the ships, for at dawn the rolling-eyed Greeks
will raise a fight around the city. For they are indignant sitting
quiet, nor can the chiefs of the Greeks restrain them, longing for
war.”
But him then Priam, the godlike old man, answered:
“If indeed thou art one of the servants of Achilles, the son of Peleus,
come now, tell all the truth to me, whether is my son still at the
ships, or has Achilles, tearing him limb from limb, cast him to the
dogs?”
But him the messenger, the slayer of Argus, again addressed:
“O old man, neither have the dogs yet devoured him, nor the birds, but
he still lies at the ship of Achilles, in the same plight as before, at
his tents; and it is [now] the twelfth morning him lying, yet his body
is not at all putrid, nor do the worms devour him, which consume men
slain in battle. Doubtless he will drag him cruelly around the tomb of
his dear companion when divine morn appears; but he does not defile
him. Approaching, thou indeed thyself wouldst wonder how fresh 790 he
lies, while the blood is washed away from around, nor [is he] polluted
in any part. But all his wounds are closed, whatever were inflicted;
for many thrust a spear into him. Thus do the happy gods regard thy
son, though dead; for he was dear to them in their heart.”
Thus he spoke; but the old man rejoiced, and answered in words:
“O son, surely it is good to give due gifts to the immortals, for my
son, while he was yet in being, never neglected the gods who possess
Olympus, in his palace; therefore are they mindful of him, although in
the fate of death. But come now, accept from me this beautiful goblet;
protect myself, 791 and, with the favour of the gods, conduct me until
I come into the tent of the son of Peleus.”
Footnote 790: (return) Literally, “dew-like,” See Kennedy.
Footnote 791: (return) Heyne prefers, “effect for me the ransom of the
body,” quoting Hesych., ῥύεσθαι, λοτρώσασθαι.
But him the slayer of Argus again addressed: “Old man, thou triest me,
[being] younger; nor wilt thou now persuade me; thou who orderest me to
accept thy gifts unknown to Achilles; whom indeed I dread, and scruple
in my heart to plunder, lest some evil should afterwards come upon me.
Yet would I go as a conductor to thee even to renowned Argos,
sedulously, in a swift ship, or accompanying thee on foot; nor, indeed,
would any one contend with thee, despising thy guide.”
Mercury spoke, and, leaping upon the chariot and horses, quickly took
the scourge and the reins in his hands, and breathed bold vigour into
the horses and mules. But when they had now reached the ramparts and
trench of the ships, then the guards were just employed about their
feast, and the messenger, the slayer of Argus, poured sleep upon them
all; and immediately he opened the gates and pushed back the bars, and
led in Priam, and the splendid gifts upon the car. But when they
reached the lofty tent of Achilles which the Myrmidons had reared for
their king, lopping fir timbers; and they roofed it over with a
thatched roof, mowing it from the mead, and made a great fence around,
with thick-set stakes, for their king: one bar only of fir held the
door, which, indeed, three Greeks used to fasten, and three used to
open the great fastening of the gates; but Achilles even alone used to
shoot it. Then, indeed, profitable Mercury opened it for the old man,
and led in the splendid presents to swift-footed Achilles; then he
descended to the ground, from the chariot, and said:
“O old man, I indeed come, an immortal god, Mercury, to thee; for to
thee my father sent me as companion. Yet shall I return indeed, nor be
present before the eyes of Achilles; for it would indeed be invidious
for an immortal god so openly to aid mortals. But do thou, entering,
clasp the knees of the son of Peleus, and supplicate him by his father,
and fair-haired mother, and his son; that thou mayest effect his mind.”
Thus, indeed, having spoken, Mercury went to lofty Olympus; and Priam
leaped from his chariot to the ground, and left Idæus there: but he
remained, guarding the steeds and mules; while the old man went
straight into the tent, where Achilles, dear to Jove, was sitting.
Himself he found within; but his companions sat apart; but two alone,
the hero Automedon, and Alcimus, a branch of Mars, standing near, were
ministering to him (for, eating and drinking, he had just ceased from
food, and the table still remained); but great Priam, entering, escaped
his notice, and, standing near, he clasped the knees of Achilles with
his hands, and kissed his dreadful man-slaughtering hands, which had
slain many sons to him. And as when a dread sense of guilt has seized a
man, who, having killed a man in his own country, comes to another
people, to [the abode of] some wealthy man, 792 and stupor possesses
the spectators; so Achilles wondered, seeing godlike Priam; and the
others also wondered, and looked at one another. And Priam,
supplicating, spoke [this] speech:
Footnote 792: (return) Probably for the purpose of purification,
although, as has been before observed, Homer does not mention this.
Compare my note on Æsch. Eum. p. 187, n. 5, and p. 187, n. 1, ed. Bonn.
“Remember thy own father, O Achilles, like unto the gods, of equal age
with me, upon the sad threshold of old age. And perhaps indeed his
neighbours around are perplexing him, nor is there any one to ward off
war and destruction. Yet he indeed, hearing of thee being alive, both
rejoices in his mind, and every day expects to see his dear son
returned from Troy. But I [am] every way unhappy, for I begat the
bravest sons in wide Troy, of whom I say that none are left. Fifty
there were to me, when the sons of the Greeks arrived; nineteen indeed
from one womb, but the others women bore to me in my palaces. And of
the greater number fierce Mars indeed has relaxed the knees under them;
but Hector, who was my favourite, 793 and defended the city and
ourselves, thou hast lately slain, fighting for his country; on account
of whom I now come to the ships of the Greeks, and bring countless
ransoms, in order to redeem him from thee. But revere the gods, O
Achilles, and have pity on myself, remembering thy father; for I am
even more miserable, for I have endured what no other earthly mortal
[has], to put to my mouth the hand of a man, the slayer of my son.”
Thus he spoke; but in him he excited the desire of mourning for his
father; and taking him by the hand, he gently pushed the old man from
him. But they indeed, calling to mind, the one 794 wept copiously [for]
man-slaughtering Hector, rolling [on the ground] before the feet of
Achilles; but Achilles bewailed his father, and again in turn
Patroclus; and their lamentation was aroused throughout the house. But
when noble Achilles had satiated himself with grief, and the desire
[for weeping] had departed from his heart and limbs, immediately rising
from his seat, he lifted up the old man with his hand, compassionating
both his hoary head and hoary chin; and, addressing him, spoke winged
words:
Footnote 793: (return) Literally, “my only son.”
Footnote 794: (return) Priam.
“Alas! wretched one, thou hast certainly suffered many evils in thy
mind. How hast thou dared to come alone to the ships of the Greeks,
into the sight of the man who slew thy many and brave sons? Assuredly
thy heart is iron. But come now, sit upon a seat; and let us permit
sorrows to sink to rest within thy mind, although grieved; for there is
not any use in chill grief. For so have the gods destined to unhappy
mortals, that they should live wretched; but they themselves are free
from care. 795 Two casks of gifts, 796which he bestows, lie at the
threshold of Jupiter, [the one] of evils, and the other of good. To
whom thunder-rejoicing Jove, mingling, may give them, sometimes he
falls into evil, but sometimes into good; but to whomsoever he gives of
the evil, he makes him exposed to injury; and hungry calamity pursues
him over the bounteous earth; and he wanders about, honoured neither by
gods nor men. So indeed have the gods given illustrious gifts to Peleus
from his birth; for he was conspicuous among men, both for riches and
wealth, and he ruled over the Myrmidons, and to him, being a mortal,
they gave a goddess for a wife. 797 But upon him also has a deity
inflicted evil, for there was not to him in his palaces an offspring of
kingly sons; but he begat one short-lived son; nor indeed do I cherish
him, being old, for I remain in Troy, far away from my country, causing
sorrow to thee and to thy sons. Thee too, old man, we learn to have
been formerly wealthy: as much as Lesbos, above the seat of Macar, cuts
off on the north, and Phrygia beneath, and the boundless Hellespont:
among these, O old man, they say that thou wast conspicuous for thy
wealth and thy sons. But since the heavenly inhabitants have brought
this bane upon thee, wars and the slaying of men are constantly around
thy city. Arise, nor grieve incessantly in thy mind; for thou wilt not
profit aught, afflicting thyself for thy son, nor wilt thou resuscitate
him before thou hast suffered another misfortune.”
Footnote 795: (return) This Epicurean sentiment is illustrated with
great learning by Duport, pp. 140, sqq.
Footnote 796: (return) See Duport, pp. 142, sqq.
Footnote 797: (return) Catullus, lxii. 25: “Teque adeo eximie tædis
felicibus aucte Thessaliæ columen Peleu, quoi Juppiter ipse, Ipse suos
divûm genitor concessit amores.”
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then, answered:
“Do not at all place me on a seat, Ο Jove-nurtured, whilst Hector lies
unburied in thy tents; but redeem him as soon as possible, that I may
behold him with mine eyes; and do thou receive the many ransoms which
we bring thee; and mayest thou enjoy them, and reach thy father-land,
since thou hast suffered me in the first place to live, and to behold
the light of the sun.”
But him swift-footed Achilles, sternly regarding, then addressed:
“Do not irritate me further, old man, for I also myself meditate
ransoming Hector to thee; for the mother who bore me, the daughter of
the marine old man, came as a messenger from Jove to me. And I perceive
thee also, O Priam, in my mind, nor do thou deceive me, that some one
of the gods has led thee to the swift ships of the Greeks; for a mortal
would not have dared to come into the camp, not even in very blooming
youth, for he could not have escaped the guards, nor indeed pushed back
the bars of our gates. Wherefore do not move my mind more to sorrows,
lest I leave thee not unharmed, old man, in my tents, though being a
suppliant, and violate the commands of Jove.”
Thus he spoke; but the old man feared, and obeyed. But the son of
Peleus leaped forth, like a lion, from the door of the house, not
alone; for two attendants accompanied him, the hero Automedon, and
Alcimus, whom Achilles honoured most of his companions next after the
deceased Patroclus. These then unharnessed the horses and mules from
the yoke, and led in the clear-voiced herald of the old man, and placed
him upon a seat. They also took down from the well-polished car the
countless ransoms of Hector’s head. But they left two cloaks and a
well-woven tunic, in order that, having covered the body, he might give
it to be borne home. But having called his female attendants, he
ordered them to wash and anoint all round, taking it apart, that Priam
might not see his son; lest, seeing his son, he might not restrain the
wrath in his grieving heart, and might arouse the soul of Achilles, and
he might slay him, and violate the commands of Jove. But when the
servants had washed and anointed it with oil, they then threw over him
a beautiful cloak, and a tunic; then Achilles himself, having raised
him up, placed him upon a litter, and his companions, together with
[him], lifted him upon the well-polished chariot. But he moaned, and
called upon his dear companion by name:
“O Patroclus, be not wrathful with me, if thou shouldst hear, although
being in Hades, that I have ransomed noble Hector to his beloved
father, since he has not given me unworthy ransoms. Besides even of
these will I give thee a share, whatever is just.”
Noble Achilles spoke, and returned into the tent, and sat down upon a
well-made couch, whence he had risen, at the opposite wall, and
addressed Priam:
“Thy son is indeed redeemed to thee, as thou didst desire, and lies
upon a bier; and with the early dawn thou shalt behold him, conveying
[him away]: but now let us be mindful of the feast; for even
fair-haired Niobe was mindful of food, although twelve children
perished in her palaces, six daughters and six youthful sons; these
indeed Apollo slew with his silver bow, enraged with Niobe; but those,
arrow-rejoicing Diana, because, forsooth, she had compared herself with
fair-cheeked Latona. She said that [Latona] had borne [only] two,
whereas she had borne many; yet those, though being only two, destroyed
all [her own]. Nine days indeed they lay in blood, nor was there any
one to bury them, for the son of Saturn had made the people stones; but
upon the tenth day the heavenly gods interred them. Still was she
mindful of food, when she was fatigued with weeping. Now, indeed, ever
amidst the rocks, in the desert mountains, in Sipylus, where, they say,
the beds of the goddess Nymphs are, who lead the dance around Acheloüs,
there, although being a stone, she broods over the sorrows [sent] from
the gods. But come now, O noble old man, let us likewise attend to
food, but afterwards thou mayest lament thy beloved son, conveying him
into Troy; and he will be bewailed by thee with many tears.”
Swift Achilles spoke, and leaping up, slew a white sheep, and his
companions flayed it well, and fitly dressed it; then they skilfully
cut it in pieces, pierced them with spits, roasted them diligently, and
drew them all off. Then Automedon, taking bread, distributed it over
the table in beautiful baskets; whilst Achilles helped the meat, and
they stretched out their hands to the prepared victuals lying before
them. But when they had dismissed the desire of food and drink,
Dardanian Priam indeed marvelled at Achilles, such and so great; for he
was like unto the gods; but Achilles marvelled at Dardanian Priam,
seeing his amiable countenance, and hearing his conversation. When,
however, they were satisfied with gazing at each other, him Priam, the
godlike old man, first addressed:
“Send me now to rest as soon as possible, Ο Jove-nurtured, that we,
reclining, may take our fill of sweet sleep; for never have these eyes
been closed beneath my eyelids from the time when my son lost his life
by thy hands; but I ever lament and cherish many woes, rolling in the
dust within the enclosures of my palaces. But now I have tasted food,
and poured sweet wine down my throat; for before indeed I had not
tasted it.”
He spoke; but Achilles ordered his companions, servants, and maids, to
place couches beneath the porch, and to spread beautiful purple mats on
them, and to strew embroidered carpets over them, and to lay on them
well-napped cloaks, to be drawn over all. But they went out of the
hall, having a torch in their hands, and hastening, they quickly spread
two couches. But the swift-footed Achilles, jocularly addressing him,
798 said:
Footnote 798: (return) “Achilles, in a mood partly jocular and partly
serious, reminds Priam of the real circumstances of his situation, not
for the sake of alarming him, but of accounting for his choosing the
place he did for the couch of the aged king.”—Kennedy.
“Do you lie without, O revered old man, lest some counsellor of the
Greeks come hither, who, sitting with me, constantly meditate plans, as
is just. If any of these should see thee in the dark and dangerous
night, he would forthwith tell Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people,
and perchance there would be a delay of the redemption of the body. But
come, tell me this, and tell it accurately: How many days dost thou
desire to perform the funeral rites of noble Hector, that I may myself
remain quiet so long, and restrain the people?”
But him Priam, the godlike old man, then answered:
“If indeed thou desirest me to celebrate the funeral of noble Hector,
thus doing, O Achilles, thou dost surely gratify me. For thou knowest
how we are hemmed in within the city, and it is far to carry wood from
the mountain; and the Trojans greatly dread [to do so]. Nine days
indeed we would lament him in our halls, but on the tenth would bury
him, and the people should feast; but upon the eleventh we would make a
tomb to him, and on the twelfth we will fight, if necessary.” But him
swift-footed Achilles again addressed:
“These things shall be to thee, O aged Priam, as thou desirest; for I
will prevent the fight as long a time as thou desirest.”
Thus having spoken, he grasped the right hand of the old man near the
wrist, lest he should fear in his mind. They indeed, the herald and
Priam, slept there in the porch of the house, having prudent counsels
in their mind; while Achilles slept in the interior of the well-built
tent; and beside him lay fair-cheeked Brisëis.
The other gods indeed and chariot-fighting men slept all night, subdued
by gentle slumber; but sleep seized not Mercury, the author of good,
revolving in his mind how he should convey away king Priam from the
ships, having escaped the notice of the sacred gate-keeper. Accordingly
he stood over his head, and addressed him:
“O aged man, certainly evil is not at all a care to thee, that thou
sleepest thus amongst hostile men, after Achilles has suffered thee.
Now indeed thou hast ransomed thy beloved son, and hast given much; but
the sons left behind by thee would give three times as many ransoms for
thee alive, if Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, should know of thy being
here, and all the Greeks should know of it.”
Thus he spoke; but the old man feared, and awoke the herald. Then for
them Mercury yoked the horses and mules, and quickly drove them himself
through the camp, nor did any one perceive. But when they reached the
course of the fair-flowing river, eddying Xanthus, which immortal Jove
begat, then indeed Mercury went away to lofty Olympus; and
saffron-robed Morn was diffused over the whole earth. They indeed drove
the horses towards the city with wailing and lamentation, and the mules
bore the body; nor did any other of the men and well-girdled women
previously perceive it; but Cassandra, like unto golden Venus,
ascending Pergamus, discovered her dear father standing in the
driving-seat, and the city-summoning herald. She beheld him also upon
the mules, lying on the litter; then indeed she shrieked, and cried
aloud throughout the whole city:
“O Trojans and Trojan women, going forth, behold Hector, if ever ye
rejoiced at his returning alive from battle; for he was a great joy to
the city, and to the whole people.”
Thus she spoke; nor was there any man left in the city, nor woman; for
insupportable grief came upon them all, and they met him near the gates
bringing in the body. But his wife and venerable mother first rushing
to the well-wheeled chariot, plucked out their hair, touching his head;
and the crowd stood around, weeping. And they indeed would have wept
the whole day till sunset before the gates, lamenting Hector, had not
the old man addressed the people from his chariot:
“Give way to me, to pass through with the mules; but afterwards shall
ye be satiated with weeping, after I shall carry him home.” Thus he
spoke; but they stood off, and made way for the chariot. But when they
had brought him into the illustrious palace, they laid him upon
perforated beds, and placed singers beside him, leaders of the dirges,
who indeed sang a mournful ditty, while the women also uttered
responsive groans. And amongst them white-armed Andromache began the
lamentation, holding the head of man-slaughtering Hector between her
hands:
“O husband, young in years hast thou died, and hast left me a widow in
the palace. And besides, thy son is thus an infant, to whom thou and I,
ill-fated, gave birth; nor do I think he will attain to puberty; for
before that, this city will be overthrown from its summit. Certainly
thou, the protector, art dead, who didst defend its very self, and
didst protect its venerable wives and infant children; who will soon be
carried away in the hollow ships, and I indeed amongst them. But thou,
O my son, wilt either accompany me, where thou shalt labour unworthy
tasks, toiling for a merciless lord; or some one of the Greeks,
enraged, seizing thee by the hand, will hurl thee from a tower, to sad
destruction; to whom doubtless Hector has slain a brother, or a father,
or even a son; for by the hands of Hector very many Greeks have grasped
the immense earth with their teeth. For thy father was not gentle in
the sad conflict; wherefore indeed the people lament him throughout the
city. But thou hast caused unutterable grief and sorrow to thy parents,
O Hector, but chiefly to me are bitter sorrows left. For thou didst not
stretch out thy hands to me from the couch when dying; nor speak any
prudent word [of solace], which I might for ever remember, shedding
tears night and day.”
Thus she spoke, bewailing; but the women also lamented; and to them in
turn Hecuba began her vehement lamentation:
“O Hector, far of all my sons dearest to my soul, certainly being alive
to me, thou wert beloved by the gods, who truly have had a care of
thee, even in the destiny of death. For swift-footed Achilles sold 799
all my other sons, whomsoever he seized, beyond the unfruitful sea, at
Samos, Imbrus, and Lemnos without a harbour. But when he had taken away
thy life with his long-bladed spear, he often dragged thee round the
tomb of his comrade Patroclus, whom thou slewest; but he did not thus
raise him up. But now thou liest, to my sorrow, in the palaces, fresh
800 and lately slain like him whom silver-bowed Apollo, attacking, has
slain with his mild weapons.”
Footnote 799: (return) See Grote, vol. i. p. 399.
Footnote 800: (return) See on ver. 419.
Thus she spoke, weeping; and aroused a vehement lamentation. But to
them Helen then, the third, began her lamentation:
“O Hector, far dearest to my soul of all my brothers-in-law, for
godlike Alexander is my husband, he who brought me to Troy:—would that
I had perished first. But now already this is the twentieth year to me
from the time when I came from thence, and quitted my native land; yet
have I never heard from thee a harsh or reproachful word; but if any
other of my brothers-in-law, or sisters-in-law, or well-attired
husband’s brothers’ wives, reproached me in the palaces, or my
mother-in-law (for my father-in-law was ever gentle as a father), then
thou, admonishing him with words, didst restrain him, both by thy
gentleness and thy gentle words. So that, grieved at heart, I bewail at
the same time thee and myself, unhappy; for there is not any other in
wide Troy kind and friendly to me; but all abhor me.”
Thus she spoke, weeping; and again the countless throng groaned. And
aged Priam spoke [this] speech amongst the people:
“O Trojans, now bring wood to the city, nor at all fear in your mind a
close ambuscade of the Greeks; for Achilles, dismissing me from the
dark ships, thus promised me, that he would not commence hostilities,
before the twelfth morning should arrive.”
Thus he spoke; and they yoked both oxen and mules beneath the waggons;
and then assembled before the city. For nine days indeed they brought
together an immense quantity of wood; but when now the tenth morn,
bearing light to mortals, had appeared, then indeed, weeping, they
carried out noble Hector, and placed the body on the lofty pile, and
cast in the fire.
But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered Morn, appeared, then were
the people assembled round the pile of illustrious Hector. But after
they were assembled, and collected together, first indeed they
extinguished all the pyre with dark wine, as much as the force of the
fire had possessed; but then his brothers and companions collected his
white bones, weeping, and the abundant tear streamed down their cheeks.
And, taking them, they placed them in a golden urn, covering them with
soft purple robes, and forthwith deposited it in a hollow grave; and
then strewed it above with numerous great stones. But they built up the
tomb in haste, and watches sat around on every side, lest the
well-greaved Greeks should make an attack too soon. And having heaped
up the tomb, they returned; and then being assembled together in order,
they feasted on a splendid banquet in the palaces of Priam, the
Jove-nurtured king.
Thus indeed they performed the funeral of steed-breaking Hector.