Iliad

Sing, O goddess, the anger [ mênis ] of Achilles son of Peleus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans. Many a brave soul [ psukhê ] did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs

μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρίʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγεʼ ἔθηκε,

πολλὰς δʼ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν

ἡρώων, αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν

and vultures, for so was the will of Zeus fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men, and great Achilles, first fell out with one another. And which of the gods was it that set them on to quarrel? It was the son of Zeus and Leto; for he was angry with the king

οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι, Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή,

ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε

Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

τίς τʼ ἄρ σφωε θεῶν ἔριδι ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι;

Λητοῦς καὶ Διὸς υἱός· ὃ γὰρ βασιλῆϊ χολωθεὶς

and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people, because the son of Atreus had dishonored Chryses his priest. Now Chryses had come to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and had brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the scepter of Apollo wreathed with a suppliant's wreath

νοῦσον ἀνὰ στρατὸν ὄρσε κακήν, ὀλέκοντο δὲ λαοί,

οὕνεκα τὸν Χρύσην ἠτίμασεν ἀρητῆρα

Ἀτρεΐδης· ὃ γὰρ ἦλθε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

λυσόμενός τε θύγατρα φέρων τʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,

στέμματʼ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶν ἑκηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος

and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. "Sons of Atreus," he cried, "and all other Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam, and to reach your homes in safety;

χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ, καὶ λίσσετο πάντας Ἀχαιούς,

Ἀτρεΐδα δὲ μάλιστα δύω, κοσμήτορε λαῶν·

Ἀτρεΐδαι τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί,

ὑμῖν μὲν θεοὶ δοῖεν Ὀλύμπια δώματʼ ἔχοντες

ἐκπέρσαι Πριάμοιο πόλιν, εὖ δʼ οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι·

but free my daughter, and accept a ransom for her, in reverence to Apollo, son of Zeus." On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon,

παῖδα δʼ ἐμοὶ λύσαιτε φίλην, τὰ δʼ ἄποινα δέχεσθαι,

ἁζόμενοι Διὸς υἱὸν ἑκηβόλον Ἀπόλλωνα.

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐπευφήμησαν Ἀχαιοὶ

αἰδεῖσθαί θʼ ἱερῆα καὶ ἀγλαὰ δέχθαι ἄποινα·

ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἥνδανε θυμῷ,

who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away. "Old man," said he, "let me not find you tarrying about our ships, nor yet coming hereafter. Your scepter of the god and your wreath shall profit you nothing. I will not free her. She shall grow old

ἀλλὰ κακῶς ἀφίει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·

μή σε γέρον κοίλῃσιν ἐγὼ παρὰ νηυσὶ κιχείω

ἢ νῦν δηθύνοντʼ ἢ ὕστερον αὖτις ἰόντα,

μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμῃ σκῆπτρον καὶ στέμμα θεοῖο·

τὴν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐ λύσω· πρίν μιν καὶ γῆρας ἔπεισιν

in my house at Argos far from her own home, busying herself with her loom and visiting my couch; so go, and do not provoke me or it shall be the worse for you." The old man feared him and obeyed. Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of the sounding sea

ἡμετέρῳ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ ἐν Ἄργεϊ τηλόθι πάτρης

ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένην καὶ ἐμὸν λέχος ἀντιόωσαν·

ἀλλʼ ἴθι μή μʼ ἐρέθιζε σαώτερος ὥς κε νέηαι.

ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἔδεισεν δʼ ὃ γέρων καὶ ἐπείθετο μύθῳ·

βῆ δʼ ἀκέων παρὰ θῖνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης·

and prayed apart to King Apollo whom lovely Leto had borne. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, you who protect Chryse and holy Cilla and rule Tenedos with your might, hear me O god of Sminthe. If I have ever decked your temple with garlands,

πολλὰ δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε κιὼν ἠρᾶθʼ ὁ γεραιὸς

Ἀπόλλωνι ἄνακτι, τὸν ἠΰκομος τέκε Λητώ·

κλῦθί μευ ἀργυρότοξʼ, ὃς Χρύσην ἀμφιβέβηκας

Κίλλαν τε ζαθέην Τενέδοιό τε ἶφι ἀνάσσεις,

Σμινθεῦ εἴ ποτέ τοι χαρίεντʼ ἐπὶ νηὸν ἔρεψα,

or burned for you thigh-bones in fat of bulls or goats, grant my prayer, and let your arrows avenge these my tears upon the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He came down furious from the summits of Olympus ,

ἢ εἰ δή ποτέ τοι κατὰ πίονα μηρίʼ ἔκηα

ταύρων ἠδʼ αἰγῶν, τὸ δέ μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·

τίσειαν Δαναοὶ ἐμὰ δάκρυα σοῖσι βέλεσσιν.

ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,

βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων χωόμενος κῆρ,

with his bow and his quiver upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his back with the rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the ships with a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them.

τόξʼ ὤμοισιν ἔχων ἀμφηρεφέα τε φαρέτρην·

ἔκλαγξαν δʼ ἄρʼ ὀϊστοὶ ἐπʼ ὤμων χωομένοιο,

αὐτοῦ κινηθέντος· ὃ δʼ ἤϊε νυκτὶ ἐοικώς.

ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν, μετὰ δʼ ἰὸν ἕηκε·

δεινὴ δὲ κλαγγὴ γένετʼ ἀργυρέοιο βιοῖο·

First he smote their mules and their hounds, but presently he aimed his shafts at the people themselves, and all day long the pyres of the dead were burning. For nine whole days he shot his arrows among the people, but upon the tenth day Achilles called them in assembly -

οὐρῆας μὲν πρῶτον ἐπῴχετο καὶ κύνας ἀργούς,

αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ αὐτοῖσι βέλος ἐχεπευκὲς ἐφιεὶς

βάλλʼ· αἰεὶ δὲ πυραὶ νεκύων καίοντο θαμειαί.

ἐννῆμαρ μὲν ἀνὰ στρατὸν ᾤχετο κῆλα θεοῖο,

τῇ δεκάτῃ δʼ ἀγορὴν δὲ καλέσσατο λαὸν Ἀχιλλεύς·

moved thereto by Hera, who saw the Achaeans in their death-throes and had compassion upon them. Then, when they were got together, he rose and spoke among them. "Son of Atreus," said he, "I deem that we should now

τῷ γὰρ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη·

κήδετο γὰρ Δαναῶν, ὅτι ῥα θνήσκοντας ὁρᾶτο.

οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τε γένοντο,

τοῖσι δʼ ἀνιστάμενος μετέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

Ἀτρεΐδη νῦν ἄμμε παλιμπλαγχθέντας ὀΐω

turn roving home if we would escape destruction, for we are being cut down by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some priest or seer [ mantis ], or some reader of dreams (for dreams, too, are of Zeus) who can tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say

ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, εἴ κεν θάνατόν γε φύγοιμεν,

εἰ δὴ ὁμοῦ πόλεμός τε δαμᾷ καὶ λοιμὸς Ἀχαιούς·

ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή τινα μάντιν ἐρείομεν ἢ ἱερῆα

ἢ καὶ ὀνειροπόλον, καὶ γάρ τʼ ὄναρ ἐκ Διός ἐστιν,

ὅς κʼ εἴποι ὅ τι τόσσον ἐχώσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,

whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatomb that we have not offered, and whether he will accept the savor of lambs and goats without blemish, so as to take away the plague from us." With these words he sat down, and Kalkhas son of Thestor, wisest of augurs,

εἴτʼ ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται ἠδʼ ἑκατόμβης,

αἴ κέν πως ἀρνῶν κνίσης αἰγῶν τε τελείων

βούλεται ἀντιάσας ἡμῖν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.

ἤτοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· τοῖσι δʼ ἀνέστη

Κάλχας Θεστορίδης οἰωνοπόλων ὄχʼ ἄριστος,

who knew things past present and to come, rose to speak. He it was who had guided the Achaeans with their fleet to Ilion , through the prophesyings with which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. With all sincerity and goodwill he addressed them thus: - "Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me tell you about the

ὃς ᾔδη τά τʼ ἐόντα τά τʼ ἐσσόμενα πρό τʼ ἐόντα,

καὶ νήεσσʼ ἡγήσατʼ Ἀχαιῶν Ἴλιον εἴσω

ἣν διὰ μαντοσύνην, τήν οἱ πόρε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων·

ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·

ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ κέλεαί με Διῒ φίλε μυθήσασθαι

anger [ mênis ] of King Apollo, I will therefore do so; but consider first and swear that you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, for I know that I shall offend one who rules the Argives with might, to whom all the Achaeans are in subjection.

μῆνιν Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκατηβελέταο ἄνακτος·

τοὶ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω· σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μοι ὄμοσσον

ἦ μέν μοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν καὶ χερσὶν ἀρήξειν·

ἦ γὰρ ὀΐομαι ἄνδρα χολωσέμεν, ὃς μέγα πάντων

Ἀργείων κρατέει καί οἱ πείθονται Ἀχαιοί·

A plain man cannot stand against the anger of a king, who if he swallow his displeasure now, will yet nurse revenge till he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether or no you will protect me." And Achilles answered,

κρείσσων γὰρ βασιλεὺς ὅτε χώσεται ἀνδρὶ χέρηϊ·

εἴ περ γάρ τε χόλον γε καὶ αὐτῆμαρ καταπέψῃ,

ἀλλά τε καὶ μετόπισθεν ἔχει κότον, ὄφρα τελέσσῃ,

ἐν στήθεσσιν ἑοῖσι· σὺ δὲ φράσαι εἴ με σαώσεις.

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

"Fear not, but speak as it is borne in upon you from heaven, for by Apollo, Kalkhas, to whom you pray, and whose oracles you reveal to us, not a Danaan at our ships shall lay his hand upon you, while I yet live to look upon the face of the earth -

θαρσήσας μάλα εἰπὲ θεοπρόπιον ὅ τι οἶσθα·

οὐ μὰ γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνα Διῒ φίλον, ᾧ τε σὺ Κάλχαν

εὐχόμενος Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπίας ἀναφαίνεις,

οὔ τις ἐμεῦ ζῶντος καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ δερκομένοιο

σοὶ κοίλῃς παρὰ νηυσί βαρείας χεῖρας ἐποίσει

no, not though you name Agamemnon himself, who is by far the foremost of the Achaeans." Thereon the seer [ mantis ] spoke boldly. "The god," he said, "is angry neither about vow nor hecatomb, but for his priest's sake, whom Agamemnon has dishonored,

συμπάντων Δαναῶν, οὐδʼ ἢν Ἀγαμέμνονα εἴπῃς,

ὃς νῦν πολλὸν ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν εὔχεται εἶναι.

καὶ τότε δὴ θάρσησε καὶ ηὔδα μάντις ἀμύμων·

οὔ τʼ ἄρ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται οὐδʼ ἑκατόμβης,

ἀλλʼ ἕνεκʼ ἀρητῆρος ὃν ἠτίμησʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,

in that he would not free his daughter nor take a ransom for her; therefore has he sent these evils upon us, and will yet send others. He will not deliver the Danaans from this pestilence till Agamemnon has restored the girl without fee or ransom to her father, and has sent a holy hecatomb

οὐδʼ ἀπέλυσε θύγατρα καὶ οὐκ ἀπεδέξατʼ ἄποινα,

τοὔνεκʼ ἄρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔδωκεν ἑκηβόλος ἠδʼ ἔτι δώσει·

οὐδʼ ὅ γε πρὶν Δαναοῖσιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀπώσει

πρίν γʼ ἀπὸ πατρὶ φίλῳ δόμεναι ἑλικώπιδα κούρην

ἀπριάτην ἀνάποινον, ἄγειν θʼ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην

to Chryse . Thus we may perhaps appease him." With these words he sat down, and Agamemnon rose in anger. His heart was black with rage, and his eyes flashed fire

ἐς Χρύσην· τότε κέν μιν ἱλασσάμενοι πεπίθοιμεν.

ἤτοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· τοῖσι δʼ ἀνέστη

ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ἀχνύμενος· μένεος δὲ μέγα φρένες ἀμφιμέλαιναι

πίμπλαντʼ, ὄσσε δέ οἱ πυρὶ λαμπετόωντι ἐΐκτην·

as he scowled on Kalkhas and said, "Seer [ mantis ] of evil, you never yet prophesied smooth things concerning me, but have ever loved to foretell that which was evil. You have brought me neither comfort nor performance; and now you come seeing among Danaans, and saying

Κάλχαντα πρώτιστα κάκʼ ὀσσόμενος προσέειπε·

μάντι κακῶν οὐ πώ ποτέ μοι τὸ κρήγυον εἶπας·

αἰεί τοι τὰ κάκʼ ἐστὶ φίλα φρεσὶ μαντεύεσθαι,

ἐσθλὸν δʼ οὔτέ τί πω εἶπας ἔπος οὔτʼ ἐτέλεσσας·

καὶ νῦν ἐν Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπέων ἀγορεύεις

that Apollo has plagued us because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the daughter of Chryses. I have set my heart on keeping her in my own house, for I love her better even than my own wife Clytemnestra, whose peer she is alike in

ὡς δὴ τοῦδʼ ἕνεκά σφιν ἑκηβόλος ἄλγεα τεύχει,

οὕνεκʼ ἐγὼ κούρης Χρυσηΐδος ἀγλάʼ ἄποινα

οὐκ ἔθελον δέξασθαι, ἐπεὶ πολὺ βούλομαι αὐτὴν

οἴκοι ἔχειν· καὶ γάρ ῥα Κλυταιμνήστρης προβέβουλα

κουριδίης ἀλόχου, ἐπεὶ οὔ ἑθέν ἐστι χερείων,

form and feature, in understanding and accomplishments. Still I will give her up if I must, for I would have the people live, not die; but you must find me a prize instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be without one. This is not well;

οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτέ τι ἔργα.

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἐθέλω δόμεναι πάλιν εἰ τό γʼ ἄμεινον·

βούλομʼ ἐγὼ λαὸν σῶν ἔμμεναι ἢ ἀπολέσθαι·

αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ γέρας αὐτίχʼ ἑτοιμάσατʼ ὄφρα μὴ οἶος

Ἀργείων ἀγέραστος ἔω, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ ἔοικε·

for you behold, all of you, that my prize is to go elsewhere." And Achilles answered, "Most noble son of Atreus, covetous beyond all humankind, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize? We have no common store from which to take one.

λεύσσετε γὰρ τό γε πάντες ὅ μοι γέρας ἔρχεται ἄλλῃ.

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·

Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε φιλοκτεανώτατε πάντων,

πῶς γάρ τοι δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοί;

οὐδέ τί που ἴδμεν ξυνήϊα κείμενα πολλά·

Those we took from the cities have been awarded; we cannot disallow the awards that have been made already. Give this girl, therefore, to the god, and if ever Zeus grants us to sack the city of Troy we will requite you three and fourfold."

ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν πολίων ἐξεπράθομεν, τὰ δέδασται,

λαοὺς δʼ οὐκ ἐπέοικε παλίλλογα ταῦτʼ ἐπαγείρειν.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν τήνδε θεῷ πρόες· αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ

τριπλῇ τετραπλῇ τʼ ἀποτείσομεν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς

δῷσι πόλιν Τροίην εὐτείχεον ἐξαλαπάξαι.

Then Agamemnon said, "Achilles, valiant though you be, you shall not thus get the better of me in matters of the mind [ noos ]. You shall not overreach and you shall not persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize, while I sit tamely under my loss and give up the girl at your bidding?

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·

μὴ δʼ οὕτως ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν θεοείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ

κλέπτε νόῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐ παρελεύσεαι οὐδέ με πείσεις.

ἦ ἐθέλεις ὄφρʼ αὐτὸς ἔχῃς γέρας, αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ αὔτως

ἧσθαι δευόμενον, κέλεαι δέ με τήνδʼ ἀποδοῦναι;

Let the Achaeans find me a prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of Odysseus; and he to whomsoever I may come shall rue my coming.

ἀλλʼ εἰ μὲν δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοὶ

ἄρσαντες κατὰ θυμὸν ὅπως ἀντάξιον ἔσται·

εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώωσιν ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι

ἢ τεὸν ἢ Αἴαντος ἰὼν γέρας, ἢ Ὀδυσῆος

ἄξω ἑλών· ὃ δέ κεν κεχολώσεται ὅν κεν ἵκωμαι.

But of this we will take thought hereafter; for the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly; let us put a hecatomb on board, and let us send Chryseis also; further, let some chief man among us be in command,

ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦτα μεταφρασόμεσθα καὶ αὖτις,

νῦν δʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,

ἐν δʼ ἐρέτας ἐπιτηδὲς ἀγείρομεν, ἐς δʼ ἑκατόμβην

θείομεν, ἂν δʼ αὐτὴν Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον

βήσομεν· εἷς δέ τις ἀρχὸς ἀνὴρ βουληφόρος ἔστω,

either Ajax, or Idomeneus, or yourself, son of Peleus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the anger of the god." Achilles scowled at him and answered, "You are steeped in insolence and lust of gain.

ἢ Αἴας ἢ Ἰδομενεὺς ἢ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς

ἠὲ σὺ Πηλεΐδη πάντων ἐκπαγλότατʼ ἀνδρῶν,

ὄφρʼ ἥμιν ἑκάεργον ἱλάσσεαι ἱερὰ ῥέξας.

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

ὤ μοι ἀναιδείην ἐπιειμένε κερδαλεόφρον

With what heart can any of the Achaeans do your bidding, either on foray or in open fighting? I came to make war here not because the Trojans are responsible [ aitioi ] for any wrong committed against me. I have no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses,

πῶς τίς τοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν πείθηται Ἀχαιῶν

ἢ ὁδὸν ἐλθέμεναι ἢ ἀνδράσιν ἶφι μάχεσθαι;

οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ Τρώων ἕνεκʼ ἤλυθον αἰχμητάων

δεῦρο μαχησόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιοί εἰσιν·

οὐ γὰρ πώποτʼ ἐμὰς βοῦς ἤλασαν οὐδὲ μὲν ἵππους,

nor cut down my harvests on the fertile plains of Phthia ; for between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea. We have followed you, Sir Insolence! for your pleasure, not ours - to gain satisfaction [ timê ] from the Trojans for your shameless self and for Menelaos.

οὐδέ ποτʼ ἐν Φθίῃ ἐριβώλακι βωτιανείρῃ

καρπὸν ἐδηλήσαντʼ, ἐπεὶ ἦ μάλα πολλὰ μεταξὺ

οὔρεά τε σκιόεντα θάλασσά τε ἠχήεσσα·

ἀλλὰ σοὶ ὦ μέγʼ ἀναιδὲς ἅμʼ ἑσπόμεθʼ ὄφρα σὺ χαίρῃς,

τιμὴν ἀρνύμενοι Μενελάῳ σοί τε κυνῶπα

You forget this, and threaten to rob me of the prize for which I have toiled, and which the sons of the Achaeans have given me. Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you do,

πρὸς Τρώων· τῶν οὔ τι μετατρέπῃ οὐδʼ ἀλεγίζεις·

καὶ δή μοι γέρας αὐτὸς ἀφαιρήσεσθαι ἀπειλεῖς,

ᾧ ἔπι πολλὰ μόγησα, δόσαν δέ μοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.

οὐ μὲν σοί ποτε ἶσον ἔχω γέρας ὁππότʼ Ἀχαιοὶ

Τρώων ἐκπέρσωσʼ εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον·

though it is my hands that do the better part of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your share is far the largest, and I, indeed, must go back to my ships, take what I can get and be thankful, when my labor of fighting is done. Now, therefore, I shall go back to Phthia ; it will be much better

ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν πλεῖον πολυάϊκος πολέμοιο

χεῖρες ἐμαὶ διέπουσʼ· ἀτὰρ ἤν ποτε δασμὸς ἵκηται,

σοὶ τὸ γέρας πολὺ μεῖζον, ἐγὼ δʼ ὀλίγον τε φίλον τε

ἔρχομʼ ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆας, ἐπεί κε κάμω πολεμίζων.

νῦν δʼ εἶμι Φθίην δʼ, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστιν

for me to return home with my ships, for I will not stay here dishonored to gather gold and substance for you." And Agamemnon answered, "Flee if you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay you. I have others here

οἴκαδʼ ἴμεν σὺν νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν, οὐδέ σʼ ὀΐω

ἐνθάδʼ ἄτιμος ἐὼν ἄφενος καὶ πλοῦτον ἀφύξειν.

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·

φεῦγε μάλʼ εἴ τοι θυμὸς ἐπέσσυται, οὐδέ σʼ ἔγωγε

λίσσομαι εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο μένειν· πάρʼ ἔμοιγε καὶ ἄλλοι

who will do me honor, and above all Zeus, the lord of counsel. There is no king here so hateful to me as you are, for you are ever quarrelsome and ill affected. What though you be brave? Was it not heaven that made you so? Go home, then, with your ships and comrades

οἵ κέ με τιμήσουσι, μάλιστα δὲ μητίετα Ζεύς.

ἔχθιστος δέ μοί ἐσσι διοτρεφέων βασιλήων·

αἰεὶ γάρ τοι ἔρις τε φίλη πόλεμοί τε μάχαι τε·

εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐσσι, θεός που σοὶ τό γʼ ἔδωκεν·

οἴκαδʼ ἰὼν σὺν νηυσί τε σῇς καὶ σοῖς ἑτάροισι

to lord it over the Myrmidons. I care neither for you nor for your anger; and thus will I do: since Phoebus Apollo is taking Chryseis from me, I shall send her with my ship and my followers, but I shall come to your tent and

Μυρμιδόνεσσιν ἄνασσε, σέθεν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀλεγίζω,

οὐδʼ ὄθομαι κοτέοντος· ἀπειλήσω δέ τοι ὧδε·

ὡς ἔμʼ ἀφαιρεῖται Χρυσηΐδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,

τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ σὺν νηΐ τʼ ἐμῇ καὶ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισι

πέμψω, ἐγὼ δέ κʼ ἄγω Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον

take your own prize Briseis, that you may learn how much more prestigious I am than you are, and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me." The son of Peleus felt grief [ akhos ], and his heart within his shaggy breast was divided

αὐτὸς ἰὼν κλισίην δὲ τὸ σὸν γέρας ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῇς

ὅσσον φέρτερός εἰμι σέθεν, στυγέῃ δὲ καὶ ἄλλος

ἶσον ἐμοὶ φάσθαι καὶ ὁμοιωθήμεναι ἄντην.

ὣς φάτο· Πηλεΐωνι δʼ ἄχος γένετʼ, ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ

στήθεσσιν λασίοισι διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν,

whether to draw his sword, push the others aside, and kill the son of Atreus, or to restrain himself and check his anger. While he was thus in two minds, and was drawing his mighty sword from its scabbard, Athena came down

ἢ ὅ γε φάσγανον ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ

τοὺς μὲν ἀναστήσειεν, ὃ δʼ Ἀτρεΐδην ἐναρίζοι,

ἦε χόλον παύσειεν ἐρητύσειέ τε θυμόν.

ἧος ὃ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,

ἕλκετο δʼ ἐκ κολεοῖο μέγα ξίφος, ἦλθε δʼ Ἀθήνη

οὐρανόθεν· πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη

ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·

στῆ δʼ ὄπιθεν, ξανθῆς δὲ κόμης ἕλε Πηλεΐωνα

οἴῳ φαινομένη· τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ τις ὁρᾶτο·

θάμβησεν δʼ Ἀχιλεύς, μετὰ δʼ ἐτράπετʼ, αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω

from heaven (for Hera had sent her in the love she bore to them both), and seized the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, for of the others no man could see her. Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes at once knew that she was Athena. "Why are you here," said he, "daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus? To see the pride [ hubris ] of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you - and it shall surely be -

Παλλάδʼ Ἀθηναίην· δεινὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε φάανθεν·

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·

τίπτʼ αὖτʼ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος εἰλήλουθας;

ἦ ἵνα ὕβριν ἴδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο;

ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τελέεσθαι ὀΐω·

he shall pay for this insolence with his life." And Athena said, "I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Hera has sent me, who cares for both of you alike.

ᾗς ὑπεροπλίῃσι τάχʼ ἄν ποτε θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃ.

τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·

ἦλθον ἐγὼ παύσουσα τὸ σὸν μένος, αἴ κε πίθηαι,

οὐρανόθεν· πρὸ δέ μʼ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη

ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·

Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword; rail at him if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you - and it shall surely be - that you shall hereafter receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult [ hubris ]. Hold, therefore, and obey."

ἀλλʼ ἄγε λῆγʼ ἔριδος, μηδὲ ξίφος ἕλκεο χειρί·

ἀλλʼ ἤτοι ἔπεσιν μὲν ὀνείδισον ὡς ἔσεταί περ·

ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·

καί ποτέ τοι τρὶς τόσσα παρέσσεται ἀγλαὰ δῶρα

ὕβριος εἵνεκα τῆσδε· σὺ δʼ ἴσχεο, πείθεο δʼ ἡμῖν.

"Goddess," answered Achilles, "however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them." He stayed his hand on the silver hilt of his sword,

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

χρὴ μὲν σφωΐτερόν γε θεὰ ἔπος εἰρύσσασθαι

καὶ μάλα περ θυμῷ κεχολωμένον· ὧς γὰρ ἄμεινον·

ὅς κε θεοῖς ἐπιπείθηται μάλα τʼ ἔκλυον αὐτοῦ.

ἦ καὶ ἐπʼ ἀργυρέῃ κώπῃ σχέθε χεῖρα βαρεῖαν,

and thrust it back into the scabbard as Athena bade him. Then she went back to Olympus among the other gods [ daimones ], and to the house of aegis-bearing Zeus. But the son of Peleus again began railing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage.

ἂψ δʼ ἐς κουλεὸν ὦσε μέγα ξίφος, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε

μύθῳ Ἀθηναίης· ἣ δʼ Οὔλυμπον δὲ βεβήκει

δώματʼ ἐς αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς μετὰ δαίμονας ἄλλους.

Πηλεΐδης δʼ ἐξαῦτις ἀταρτηροῖς ἐπέεσσιν

Ἀτρεΐδην προσέειπε, καὶ οὔ πω λῆγε χόλοιο·

"Wine-bibber," he cried, "with the face of a dog and the heart of a hind, you never dare to go out with the host in fight, nor yet with our chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you do death itself. You had rather go round and

οἰνοβαρές, κυνὸς ὄμματʼ ἔχων, κραδίην δʼ ἐλάφοιο,

οὔτέ ποτʼ ἐς πόλεμον ἅμα λαῷ θωρηχθῆναι

οὔτε λόχον δʼ ἰέναι σὺν ἀριστήεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν

τέτληκας θυμῷ· τὸ δέ τοι κὴρ εἴδεται εἶναι.

ἦ πολὺ λώϊόν ἐστι κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν

rob his prizes from any man who contradicts you. You devour your people, for you are king over a feeble folk; otherwise, son of Atreus, henceforward you would insult no man. Therefore I say, and swear it with a great oath - nay, by this my scepter which shall sprout neither leaf nor shoot,

δῶρʼ ἀποαιρεῖσθαι ὅς τις σέθεν ἀντίον εἴπῃ·

δημοβόρος βασιλεὺς ἐπεὶ οὐτιδανοῖσιν ἀνάσσεις·

ἦ γὰρ ἂν Ἀτρεΐδη νῦν ὕστατα λωβήσαιο.

ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμοῦμαι·

ναὶ μὰ τόδε σκῆπτρον, τὸ μὲν οὔ ποτε φύλλα καὶ ὄζους

nor bud anew from the day on which it left its parent stem upon the mountains - for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges and guardians of the decrees [ themistes ] of heaven - so surely and solemnly do I swear

φύσει, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα τομὴν ἐν ὄρεσσι λέλοιπεν,

οὐδʼ ἀναθηλήσει· περὶ γάρ ῥά ἑ χαλκὸς ἔλεψε

φύλλά τε καὶ φλοιόν· νῦν αὖτέ μιν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν

ἐν παλάμῃς φορέουσι δικασπόλοι, οἵ τε θέμιστας

πρὸς Διὸς εἰρύαται· ὃ δέ τοι μέγας ἔσσεται ὅρκος·

that hereafter they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not find him. In the day of your distress, when your men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hektor, you shall not know how to help them, and shall rend your heart with rage for the hour when you offered insult to the best [ aristos ] of the Achaeans."

ἦ ποτʼ Ἀχιλλῆος ποθὴ ἵξεται υἷας Ἀχαιῶν

σύμπαντας· τότε δʼ οὔ τι δυνήσεαι ἀχνύμενός περ

χραισμεῖν, εὖτʼ ἂν πολλοὶ ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο

θνήσκοντες πίπτωσι· σὺ δʼ ἔνδοθι θυμὸν ἀμύξεις

χωόμενος ὅ τʼ ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισας.

With this the son of Peleus dashed his gold-bestudded scepter on the ground and took his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning fiercely from his place upon the other side. Then stood up smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile speaker of the Pylians, and the words fell from his lips sweeter than honey.

ὣς φάτο Πηλεΐδης, ποτὶ δὲ σκῆπτρον βάλε γαίῃ

χρυσείοις ἥλοισι πεπαρμένον, ἕζετο δʼ αὐτός·

Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐμήνιε· τοῖσι δὲ Νέστωρ

ἡδυεπὴς ἀνόρουσε λιγὺς Πυλίων ἀγορητής,

τοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης μέλιτος γλυκίων ῥέεν αὐδή·

Two generations of men born and bred in Pylos had passed away under his rule, and he was now reigning over the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus: - "Of a truth," he said, "a great sorrow [ penthos ] has befallen the Achaean land.

τῷ δʼ ἤδη δύο μὲν γενεαὶ μερόπων ἀνθρώπων

ἐφθίαθʼ, οἵ οἱ πρόσθεν ἅμα τράφεν ἠδʼ ἐγένοντο

ἐν Πύλῳ ἠγαθέῃ, μετὰ δὲ τριτάτοισιν ἄνασσεν·

ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·

ὦ πόποι ἦ μέγα πένθος Ἀχαιΐδα γαῖαν ἱκάνει·

Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you; therefore be guided by me.

ἦ κεν γηθήσαι Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες

ἄλλοι τε Τρῶες μέγα κεν κεχαροίατο θυμῷ

εἰ σφῶϊν τάδε πάντα πυθοίατο μαρναμένοιϊν,

οἳ περὶ μὲν βουλὴν Δαναῶν, περὶ δʼ ἐστὲ μάχεσθαι.

ἀλλὰ πίθεσθʼ· ἄμφω δὲ νεωτέρω ἐστὸν ἐμεῖο·

Moreover I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Peirithoos and Dryas shepherd of his people, or as Kaineus, Exadios, godlike Polyphemus,

ἤδη γάρ ποτʼ ἐγὼ καὶ ἀρείοσιν ἠέ περ ὑμῖν

ἀνδράσιν ὡμίλησα, καὶ οὔ ποτέ μʼ οἵ γʼ ἀθέριζον.

οὐ γάρ πω τοίους ἴδον ἀνέρας οὐδὲ ἴδωμαι,

οἷον Πειρίθοόν τε Δρύαντά τε ποιμένα λαῶν

Καινέα τʼ Ἐξάδιόν τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Πολύφημον

and Theseus son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth: mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos , and went about among them,

Θησέα τʼ Αἰγεΐδην, ἐπιείκελον ἀθανάτοισιν·

κάρτιστοι δὴ κεῖνοι ἐπιχθονίων τράφεν ἀνδρῶν·

κάρτιστοι μὲν ἔσαν καὶ καρτίστοις ἐμάχοντο

φηρσὶν ὀρεσκῴοισι καὶ ἐκπάγλως ἀπόλεσσαν.

καὶ μὲν τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μεθομίλεον ἐκ Πύλου ἐλθὼν

for they would have me come, and I fought as it was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way.

τηλόθεν ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης· καλέσαντο γὰρ αὐτοί·

καὶ μαχόμην κατʼ ἔμʼ αὐτὸν ἐγώ· κείνοισι δʼ ἂν οὔ τις

τῶν οἳ νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπιχθόνιοι μαχέοιτο·

καὶ μέν μευ βουλέων ξύνιεν πείθοντό τε μύθῳ·

ἀλλὰ πίθεσθε καὶ ὔμμες, ἐπεὶ πείθεσθαι ἄμεινον·

Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be prestigious, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles; and you, Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Zeus wields a scepter has like honor [ timê ] with Agamemnon.

μήτε σὺ τόνδʼ ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν ἀποαίρεο κούρην,

ἀλλʼ ἔα ὥς οἱ πρῶτα δόσαν γέρας υἷες Ἀχαιῶν·

μήτε σὺ Πηλείδη ἔθελʼ ἐριζέμεναι βασιλῆϊ

ἀντιβίην, ἐπεὶ οὔ ποθʼ ὁμοίης ἔμμορε τιμῆς

σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, ᾧ τε Ζεὺς κῦδος ἔδωκεν.

You are strong, and have a goddess for your mother; but Agamemnon is more prestigious than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Atreus, check your anger, I implore you; end this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans."

εἰ δὲ σὺ καρτερός ἐσσι θεὰ δέ σε γείνατο μήτηρ,

ἀλλʼ ὅ γε φέρτερός ἐστιν ἐπεὶ πλεόνεσσιν ἀνάσσει.

Ἀτρεΐδη σὺ δὲ παῦε τεὸν μένος· αὐτὰρ ἔγωγε

λίσσομʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ μεθέμεν χόλον, ὃς μέγα πᾶσιν

ἕρκος Ἀχαιοῖσιν πέλεται πολέμοιο κακοῖο.

And Agamemnon answered, "Old sir, all that you have said is true, but this man wants to become our lord and master: he must be lord of all, king of all, and leader of all, and this shall hardly be.

τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα γέρον κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες·

ἀλλʼ ὅδʼ ἀνὴρ ἐθέλει περὶ πάντων ἔμμεναι ἄλλων,

πάντων μὲν κρατέειν ἐθέλει, πάντεσσι δʼ ἀνάσσειν,

πᾶσι δὲ σημαίνειν, ἅ τινʼ οὐ πείσεσθαι ὀΐω·

Granted that the gods have made him a great warrior, have they also given him the right to speak with railing?" Achilles in turn said to him: "I should be a mean coward," he cried, "were I to give in to you in all things.

εἰ δέ μιν αἰχμητὴν ἔθεσαν θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες

τοὔνεκά οἱ προθέουσιν ὀνείδεα μυθήσασθαι;

τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑποβλήδην ἠμείβετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·

ἦ γάρ κεν δειλός τε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς καλεοίμην

εἰ δὴ σοὶ πᾶν ἔργον ὑπείξομαι ὅττί κεν εἴπῃς·

Order other people about, not me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I say - and lay my saying to your heart - I shall fight neither you nor any man about this girl, for those that take were those also that gave.

ἄλλοισιν δὴ ταῦτʼ ἐπιτέλλεο, μὴ γὰρ ἔμοιγε

σήμαινʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγʼ ἔτι σοὶ πείσεσθαι ὀΐω.

ἄλλο δέ τοι ἐρέω, σὺ δʼ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ βάλλεο σῇσι·

χερσὶ μὲν οὔ τοι ἔγωγε μαχήσομαι εἵνεκα κούρης

οὔτε σοὶ οὔτέ τῳ ἄλλῳ, ἐπεί μʼ ἀφέλεσθέ γε δόντες·

But of all else that is at my ship you shall carry away nothing by force. Try, that others may see; if you do, my spear shall be reddened with your blood." When they had quarreled thus angrily,

τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ἅ μοί ἐστι θοῇ παρὰ νηῒ μελαίνῃ

τῶν οὐκ ἄν τι φέροις ἀνελὼν ἀέκοντος ἐμεῖο·

εἰ δʼ ἄγε μὴν πείρησαι ἵνα γνώωσι καὶ οἵδε·

αἶψά τοι αἷμα κελαινὸν ἐρωήσει περὶ δουρί.

ὣς τώ γʼ ἀντιβίοισι μαχεσσαμένω ἐπέεσσιν

they rose, and broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Peleus went back to his tents and ships with the son of Menoitios and his company, while Agamemnon drew a vessel into the water and chose a crew of twenty oarsmen.

ἀνστήτην, λῦσαν δʼ ἀγορὴν παρὰ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν·

Πηλεΐδης μὲν ἐπὶ κλισίας καὶ νῆας ἐΐσας

ἤϊε σύν τε Μενοιτιάδῃ καὶ οἷς ἑτάροισιν·

Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἄρα νῆα θοὴν ἅλα δὲ προέρυσσεν,

ἐν δʼ ἐρέτας ἔκρινεν ἐείκοσιν, ἐς δʼ ἑκατόμβην

He escorted Chryseis on board and sent moreover a hecatomb for the god. And Odysseus went as leader. These, then, went on board and sailed their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus bade the people purify themselves; so they purified themselves and cast their filth into the sea.

βῆσε θεῷ, ἀνὰ δὲ Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον

εἷσεν ἄγων· ἐν δʼ ἀρχὸς ἔβη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.

οἳ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀναβάντες ἐπέπλεον ὑγρὰ κέλευθα,

λαοὺς δʼ Ἀτρεΐδης ἀπολυμαίνεσθαι ἄνωγεν·

οἳ δʼ ἀπελυμαίνοντο καὶ εἰς ἅλα λύματα βάλλον,

Then they offered hecatombs of bulls and goats without blemish on the sea-shore, and the smoke with the savor of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven. Thus did they busy themselves throughout the host. But Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles,

ἕρδον δʼ Ἀπόλλωνι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας

ταύρων ἠδʼ αἰγῶν παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο·

κνίση δʼ οὐρανὸν ἷκεν ἑλισσομένη περὶ καπνῷ.

ὣς οἳ μὲν τὰ πένοντο κατὰ στρατόν· οὐδʼ Ἀγαμέμνων

λῆγʼ ἔριδος τὴν πρῶτον ἐπηπείλησʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ,

and called his trusty messengers and squires [ therapontes ] Talthybios and Eurybates. "Go," said he, "to the tent of Achilles, son of Peleus; take Briseis by the hand and bring her hither; if he will not give her I shall come

ἀλλʼ ὅ γε Ταλθύβιόν τε καὶ Εὐρυβάτην προσέειπε,

τώ οἱ ἔσαν κήρυκε καὶ ὀτρηρὼ θεράποντε·

ἔρχεσθον κλισίην Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος·

χειρὸς ἑλόντʼ ἀγέμεν Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον·

εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώῃσιν ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι

with others and take her - which will press him harder." He charged them straightly further and dismissed them, whereon they went their way sorrowfully by the seaside, till they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting by his tent and his ships,

ἐλθὼν σὺν πλεόνεσσι· τό οἱ καὶ ῥίγιον ἔσται.

ὣς εἰπὼν προΐει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·

τὼ δʼ ἀέκοντε βάτην παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο,

Μυρμιδόνων δʼ ἐπί τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας ἱκέσθην,

τὸν δʼ εὗρον παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηῒ μελαίνῃ

and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them. They stood fearfully and reverently before him, and never a word did they speak, but he knew them and said, "Welcome, heralds, messengers of gods and men;

ἥμενον· οὐδʼ ἄρα τώ γε ἰδὼν γήθησεν Ἀχιλλεύς.

τὼ μὲν ταρβήσαντε καὶ αἰδομένω βασιλῆα

στήτην, οὐδέ τί μιν προσεφώνεον οὐδʼ ἐρέοντο·

αὐτὰρ ὃ ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φώνησέν τε·

χαίρετε κήρυκες Διὸς ἄγγελοι ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν,

draw near; my quarrel is not with you but with Agamemnon who has sent you for the girl Briseis. Therefore, Patroklos, bring her and give her to them, but let them be witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men,

ἆσσον ἴτʼ· οὔ τί μοι ὔμμες ἐπαίτιοι ἀλλʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,

ὃ σφῶϊ προΐει Βρισηΐδος εἵνεκα κούρης.

ἀλλʼ ἄγε διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες ἔξαγε κούρην

καί σφωϊν δὸς ἄγειν· τὼ δʼ αὐτὼ μάρτυροι ἔστων

πρός τε θεῶν μακάρων πρός τε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων

and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger, that if ever again there be need of me to save the people from ruin, they shall seek and they shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage and knows not how to look before and after that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in safety."

καὶ πρὸς τοῦ βασιλῆος ἀπηνέος εἴ ποτε δʼ αὖτε

χρειὼ ἐμεῖο γένηται ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι

τοῖς ἄλλοις· ἦ γὰρ ὅ γʼ ὀλοιῇσι φρεσὶ θύει,

οὐδέ τι οἶδε νοῆσαι ἅμα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω,

ὅππως οἱ παρὰ νηυσὶ σόοι μαχέοιντο Ἀχαιοί.

Patroklos did as his dear comrade had bidden him. He brought Briseis from the tent and gave her over to the heralds, who took her with them to the ships of the Achaeans - and the woman was loath to go. Then Achilles went all alone

ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθεθʼ ἑταίρῳ,

ἐκ δʼ ἄγαγε κλισίης Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον,

δῶκε δʼ ἄγειν· τὼ δʼ αὖτις ἴτην παρὰ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν·

ἣ δʼ ἀέκουσʼ ἅμα τοῖσι γυνὴ κίεν· αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

δακρύσας ἑτάρων ἄφαρ ἕζετο νόσφι λιασθείς,

by the side of the hoar sea [ pontos ], weeping and looking out upon the boundless waste of waters. He raised his hands in prayer to his immortal mother, "Mother," he cried, "you bore me doomed to live but for a brief season; surely Zeus, who thunders from Olympus , might have given honor [ timê ] in return. It is not so.

θῖνʼ ἔφʼ ἁλὸς πολιῆς, ὁρόων ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα πόντον·

πολλὰ δὲ μητρὶ φίλῃ ἠρήσατο χεῖρας ὀρεγνύς·

μῆτερ ἐπεί μʼ ἔτεκές γε μινυνθάδιόν περ ἐόντα,

τιμήν πέρ μοι ὄφελλεν Ὀλύμπιος ἐγγυαλίξαι

Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης· νῦν δʼ οὐδέ με τυτθὸν ἔτισεν·

Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonor, and has robbed me of my prize by force." As he spoke he wept aloud, and his mother heard him where she was sitting in the depths of the sea hard by the Old One, her father. Forthwith she rose as it were a gray mist out of the waves,

ἦ γάρ μʼ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ἠτίμησεν· ἑλὼν γὰρ ἔχει γέρας αὐτὸς ἀπούρας.

ὣς φάτο δάκρυ χέων, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε πότνια μήτηρ

ἡμένη ἐν βένθεσσιν ἁλὸς παρὰ πατρὶ γέροντι·

καρπαλίμως δʼ ἀνέδυ πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἠΰτʼ ὀμίχλη,

sat down before him as he stood weeping, caressed him with her hand, and said, "My son, why are you weeping? What is it that gives you grief [ penthos ]? Keep it not from my thinking [ noos ], but tell me, that we may know it together." Achilles drew a deep sigh and said,

καί ῥα πάροιθʼ αὐτοῖο καθέζετο δάκρυ χέοντος,

χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·

τέκνον τί κλαίεις; τί δέ σε φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;

ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε νόῳ, ἵνα εἴδομεν ἄμφω.

τὴν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

"You know it; why tell you what you know well already? We went to Thebe the strong city of Eetion, sacked it, and brought hither the spoil. The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly among themselves, and chose lovely Chryseis as the prize of Agamemnon;

οἶσθα· τί ἤ τοι ταῦτα ἰδυίῃ πάντʼ ἀγορεύω;

ᾠχόμεθʼ ἐς Θήβην ἱερὴν πόλιν Ἠετίωνος,

τὴν δὲ διεπράθομέν τε καὶ ἤγομεν ἐνθάδε πάντα·

καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ δάσσαντο μετὰ σφίσιν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,

ἐκ δʼ ἕλον Ἀτρεΐδῃ Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον.

but Chryses, priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and brought with him a great ransom: moreover he bore in his hand the scepter of Apollo, wreathed with a suppliant's wreath, and he besought the Achaeans,

Χρύσης δʼ αὖθʼ ἱερεὺς ἑκατηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος

ἦλθε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

λυσόμενός τε θύγατρα φέρων τʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,

στέμματʼ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶν ἑκηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος

χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ, καὶ λίσσετο πάντας Ἀχαιούς,

but most of all the two sons of Atreus who were their chiefs. On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered; but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away.

Ἀτρεΐδα δὲ μάλιστα δύω κοσμήτορε λαῶν.

ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐπευφήμησαν Ἀχαιοὶ

αἰδεῖσθαί θʼ ἱερῆα καὶ ἀγλαὰ δέχθαι ἄποινα·

ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἥνδανε θυμῷ,

ἀλλὰ κακῶς ἀφίει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·

So he went back in anger, and Apollo, who loved him dearly, heard his prayer. Then the god sent a deadly dart upon the Argives, and the people died thick on one another, for the arrows went everywhere among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a seer [ mantis ]

χωόμενος δʼ ὁ γέρων πάλιν ᾤχετο· τοῖο δʼ Ἀπόλλων

εὐξαμένου ἤκουσεν, ἐπεὶ μάλα οἱ φίλος ἦεν,

ἧκε δʼ ἐπʼ Ἀργείοισι κακὸν βέλος· οἳ δέ νυ λαοὶ

θνῇσκον ἐπασσύτεροι, τὰ δʼ ἐπῴχετο κῆλα θεοῖο

πάντῃ ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν· ἄμμι δὲ μάντις

in the fullness of his knowledge declared to us the oracles of Apollo, and I was myself first to say that we should appease him. Whereon the son of Atreus rose in anger, and threatened that which he has since done. The Achaeans are now taking the girl in a ship

εὖ εἰδὼς ἀγόρευε θεοπροπίας ἑκάτοιο.

αὐτίκʼ ἐγὼ πρῶτος κελόμην θεὸν ἱλάσκεσθαι·

Ἀτρεΐωνα δʼ ἔπειτα χόλος λάβεν, αἶψα δʼ ἀναστὰς

ἠπείλησεν μῦθον ὃ δὴ τετελεσμένος ἐστί·

τὴν μὲν γὰρ σὺν νηῒ θοῇ ἑλίκωπες Ἀχαιοὶ

to Chryse , and sending gifts of sacrifice to the god; but the heralds have just taken from my tent the daughter of Briseus, whom the Achaeans had awarded to myself. Help your brave son, therefore, if you are able. Go to Olympus , and if you have ever

ἐς Χρύσην πέμπουσιν, ἄγουσι δὲ δῶρα ἄνακτι·

τὴν δὲ νέον κλισίηθεν ἔβαν κήρυκες ἄγοντες

κούρην Βρισῆος τήν μοι δόσαν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.

ἀλλὰ σὺ εἰ δύνασαί γε περίσχεο παιδὸς ἑῆος·

ἐλθοῦσʼ Οὔλυμπον δὲ Δία λίσαι, εἴ ποτε δή τι

done him service in word or deed, implore the aid of Zeus. Ofttimes in my father's house have I heard you glory in that you alone of the immortals saved the son of Kronos from ruin, when the others,

ἢ ἔπει ὤνησας κραδίην Διὸς ἠὲ καὶ ἔργῳ.

πολλάκι γάρ σεο πατρὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄκουσα

εὐχομένης ὅτʼ ἔφησθα κελαινεφέϊ Κρονίωνι

οἴη ἐν ἀθανάτοισιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι,

ὁππότε μιν ξυνδῆσαι Ὀλύμπιοι ἤθελον ἄλλοι

with Hera, Poseidon, and Pallas Athena would have put him in bonds. It was you, goddess, who delivered him by calling to Olympus the hundred-handed one whom gods call Briareus, but men Aigaion, for he has more force [ biê ] even than his father;

Ἥρη τʼ ἠδὲ Ποσειδάων καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη·

ἀλλὰ σὺ τόν γʼ ἐλθοῦσα θεὰ ὑπελύσαο δεσμῶν,

ὦχʼ ἑκατόγχειρον καλέσασʼ ἐς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,

ὃν Βριάρεων καλέουσι θεοί, ἄνδρες δέ τε πάντες

Αἰγαίωνʼ, ὃ γὰρ αὖτε βίην οὗ πατρὸς ἀμείνων·

when therefore he took his seat all-glorious beside the son of Kronos, the other gods were afraid, and did not bind him. Go, then, to him, remind him of all this, clasp his knees, and bid him give succor to the Trojans. Let the Achaeans be hemmed in at the sterns of their ships, and perish on the sea-shore,

ὅς ῥα παρὰ Κρονίωνι καθέζετο κύδεϊ γαίων·

τὸν καὶ ὑπέδεισαν μάκαρες θεοὶ οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἔδησαν.

τῶν νῦν μιν μνήσασα παρέζεο καὶ λαβὲ γούνων

αἴ κέν πως ἐθέλῃσιν ἐπὶ Τρώεσσιν ἀρῆξαι,

τοὺς δὲ κατὰ πρύμνας τε καὶ ἀμφʼ ἅλα ἔλσαι Ἀχαιοὺς

that they may reap what joy they may of their king, and that Agamemnon may rue his derangement [ atê ] in offering insult to the best [ aristos ] of the Achaeans." Thetis wept and answered, "My son, woe is me that I should have borne or suckled you.

κτεινομένους, ἵνα πάντες ἐπαύρωνται βασιλῆος,

γνῷ δὲ καὶ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων

ἣν ἄτην ὅ τʼ ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισεν.

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Θέτις κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα·

ὤ μοι τέκνον ἐμόν, τί νύ σʼ ἔτρεφον αἰνὰ τεκοῦσα;

Would indeed that you had lived your span free from all sorrow at your ships, for it is all too brief; alas, that you should be at once short of life and long of sorrow above your peers: woe, therefore, was the hour in which I bore you;

αἴθʼ ὄφελες παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀδάκρυτος καὶ ἀπήμων

ἧσθαι, ἐπεί νύ τοι αἶσα μίνυνθά περ οὔ τι μάλα δήν·

νῦν δʼ ἅμα τʼ ὠκύμορος καὶ ὀϊζυρὸς περὶ πάντων

ἔπλεο· τώ σε κακῇ αἴσῃ τέκον ἐν μεγάροισι.

τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέουσα ἔπος Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ

nevertheless I will go to the snowy heights of Olympus , and tell this tale to Zeus, if he will hear our prayer: meanwhile stay where you are with your ships, nurse your anger [ mênis ] against the Achaeans, and hold aloof from fight. For Zeus went yesterday to Okeanos, to a feast among the Ethiopians, and the other gods went with him.

εἶμʼ αὐτὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον ἀγάννιφον αἴ κε πίθηται.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν νηυσὶ παρήμενος ὠκυπόροισι

μήνιʼ Ἀχαιοῖσιν, πολέμου δʼ ἀποπαύεο πάμπαν·

Ζεὺς γὰρ ἐς Ὠκεανὸν μετʼ ἀμύμονας Αἰθιοπῆας

χθιζὸς ἔβη κατὰ δαῖτα, θεοὶ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἕποντο·

He will return to Olympus twelve days hence; I will then go to his mansion paved with bronze and will beseech him; nor do I doubt that I shall be able to persuade him." On this she left him, still furious at the loss of her

δωδεκάτῃ δέ τοι αὖτις ἐλεύσεται Οὔλυμπον δέ,

καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτά τοι εἶμι Διὸς ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ,

καί μιν γουνάσομαι καί μιν πείσεσθαι ὀΐω.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἀπεβήσετο, τὸν δὲ λίπʼ αὐτοῦ

χωόμενον κατὰ θυμὸν ἐϋζώνοιο γυναικὸς

that had been taken by force [ biê ] from him. Meanwhile Odysseus reached Chryse with the hecatomb. When they had come inside the harbor they furled the sails and laid them in the ship's hold; they slackened the forestays, lowered the mast into its place,

τήν ῥα βίῃ ἀέκοντος ἀπηύρων· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς

ἐς Χρύσην ἵκανεν ἄγων ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην.

οἳ δʼ ὅτε δὴ λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντὸς ἵκοντο

ἱστία μὲν στείλαντο, θέσαν δʼ ἐν νηῒ μελαίνῃ,

ἱστὸν δʼ ἱστοδόκῃ πέλασαν προτόνοισιν ὑφέντες

and rowed the ship to the place where they would have her lie; there they cast out their mooring-stones and made fast the hawsers. They then got out upon the sea-shore and landed the hecatomb for Apollo; Chryseis also left the ship,

καρπαλίμως, τὴν δʼ εἰς ὅρμον προέρεσσαν ἐρετμοῖς.

ἐκ δʼ εὐνὰς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔδησαν·

ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βαῖνον ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης,

ἐκ δʼ ἑκατόμβην βῆσαν ἑκηβόλῳ Ἀπόλλωνι·

ἐκ δὲ Χρυσηῒς νηὸς βῆ ποντοπόροιο.

and Odysseus led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father. "Chryses," said he, "King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child, and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danaans, that we may propitiate the god,

τὴν μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ βωμὸν ἄγων πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς

πατρὶ φίλῳ ἐν χερσὶ τίθει καί μιν προσέειπεν·

ὦ Χρύση, πρό μʼ ἔπεμψεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

παῖδά τε σοὶ ἀγέμεν, Φοίβῳ θʼ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην

ῥέξαι ὑπὲρ Δαναῶν ὄφρʼ ἱλασόμεσθα ἄνακτα,

who has now brought sorrow upon the Argives." So saying he gave the girl over to her father, who received her gladly, and they ranged the holy hecatomb all orderly round the altar of the god. They washed their hands and took up the barley-meal to sprinkle over the victims,

ὃς νῦν Ἀργείοισι πολύστονα κήδεʼ ἐφῆκεν.

ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει, ὃ δὲ δέξατο χαίρων

παῖδα φίλην· τοὶ δʼ ὦκα θεῷ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην

ἑξείης ἔστησαν ἐΰδμητον περὶ βωμόν,

χερνίψαντο δʼ ἔπειτα καὶ οὐλοχύτας ἀνέλοντο.

while Chryses lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf. "Hear me," he cried, "O god of the silver bow, you who protect Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule Tenedos with your might. Even as you did hear me aforetime when I prayed, and did press hard upon the Achaeans,

τοῖσιν δὲ Χρύσης μεγάλʼ εὔχετο χεῖρας ἀνασχών·

κλῦθί μευ ἀργυρότοξʼ, ὃς Χρύσην ἀμφιβέβηκας

Κίλλαν τε ζαθέην Τενέδοιό τε ἶφι ἀνάσσεις·

ἦ μὲν δή ποτʼ ἐμεῦ πάρος ἔκλυες εὐξαμένοιο,

τίμησας μὲν ἐμέ, μέγα δʼ ἴψαο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν·

so hear me yet again, and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danaans." Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. When they had done praying and sprinkling the barley-meal, they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them.

ἠδʼ ἔτι καὶ νῦν μοι τόδʼ ἐπικρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·

ἤδη νῦν Δαναοῖσιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἄμυνον.

ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ εὔξαντο καὶ οὐλοχύτας προβάλοντο,

αὐέρυσαν μὲν πρῶτα καὶ ἔσφαξαν καὶ ἔδειραν,

They cut out the thigh-bones, wrapped them round in two layers of fat, set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them, and then Chryses laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them, while the young men stood near him with five-pronged spits in their hands. When the thigh-bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats,

μηρούς τʼ ἐξέταμον κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψαν

δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπʼ αὐτῶν δʼ ὠμοθέτησαν·

καῖε δʼ ἐπὶ σχίζῃς ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ δʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον

λεῖβε· νέοι δὲ παρʼ αὐτὸν ἔχον πεμπώβολα χερσίν.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρε κάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,

they cut the rest up small, put the pieces upon the spits, roasted them till they were done, and drew them off: then, when they had finished their work [ ponos ] and the feast was ready, they ate it, and every man had his full share, so that all were satisfied. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink,

μίστυλλόν τʼ ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν,

ὤπτησάν τε περιφραδέως, ἐρύσαντό τε πάντα.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα

δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

pages filled the mixing-bowl with wine and water and handed it round, after giving every man his drink-offering. Thus all day long the young men worshipped the god with song, hymning him and chanting the joyous paean, and the god took pleasure in their voices;

κοῦροι μὲν κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,

νώμησαν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν·

οἳ δὲ πανημέριοι μολπῇ θεὸν ἱλάσκοντο

καλὸν ἀείδοντες παιήονα κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν

μέλποντες ἑκάεργον· ὃ δὲ φρένα τέρπετʼ ἀκούων.

but when the sun went down, and it came on dark, they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship, and when the child of morning, rosy-fingered Dawn, appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans. Apollo sent them a fair wind,

ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε,

δὴ τότε κοιμήσαντο παρὰ πρυμνήσια νηός·

ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀνάγοντο μετὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν·

τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·

so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft. As the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the seething deep water, and the foam hissed against her bows as she sped onward. When they reached the wide-stretching host of the Achaeans,

οἳ δʼ ἱστὸν στήσαντʼ ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν,

ἐν δʼ ἄνεμος πρῆσεν μέσον ἱστίον, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα

στείρῃ πορφύρεον μεγάλʼ ἴαχε νηὸς ἰούσης·

ἣ δʼ ἔθεεν κατὰ κῦμα διαπρήσσουσα κέλευθον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν,

they drew the vessel ashore, high and dry upon the sands, set her strong props beneath her, and went their ways to their own tents and ships. But Achilles stayed at his ships and nursed his anger [ mênis ].

νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἐπʼ ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν

ὑψοῦ ἐπὶ ψαμάθοις, ὑπὸ δʼ ἕρματα μακρὰ τάνυσσαν·

αὐτοὶ δʼ ἐσκίδναντο κατὰ κλισίας τε νέας τε.

αὐτὰρ ὃ μήνιε νηυσὶ παρήμενος ὠκυπόροισι

διογενὴς Πηλῆος υἱὸς πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·

He went not to the honorable assembly, and sallied not forth to fight, but gnawed at his own heart, pining for battle and the war-cry. Now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus ,

οὔτέ ποτʼ εἰς ἀγορὴν πωλέσκετο κυδιάνειραν

οὔτέ ποτʼ ἐς πόλεμον, ἀλλὰ φθινύθεσκε φίλον κῆρ

αὖθι μένων, ποθέεσκε δʼ ἀϋτήν τε πτόλεμόν τε.

ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐκ τοῖο δυωδεκάτη γένετʼ ἠώς,

καὶ τότε δὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον ἴσαν θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες

and Zeus led the way. Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her, so she rose from under the sea and went, enveloped in mist, through great heaven with early morning to Olympus , where she found the mighty son of Kronos sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges.

πάντες ἅμα, Ζεὺς δʼ ἦρχε· Θέτις δʼ οὐ λήθετʼ ἐφετμέων

παιδὸς ἑοῦ, ἀλλʼ ἥ γʼ ἀνεδύσετο κῦμα θαλάσσης.

ἠερίη δʼ ἀνέβη μέγαν οὐρανὸν Οὔλυμπόν τε.

εὗρεν δʼ εὐρύοπα Κρονίδην ἄτερ ἥμενον ἄλλων

ἀκροτάτῃ κορυφῇ πολυδειράδος Οὐλύμποιο·

She sat herself down before him, and with her left hand seized his knees, while with her right she caught him under the chin, and besought him, saying - "Father Zeus, if I ever did you service in word or deed among the immortals, hear my prayer,

καί ῥα πάροιθʼ αὐτοῖο καθέζετο, καὶ λάβε γούνων

σκαιῇ, δεξιτερῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπʼ ἀνθερεῶνος ἑλοῦσα

λισσομένη προσέειπε Δία Κρονίωνα ἄνακτα·

Ζεῦ πάτερ εἴ ποτε δή σε μετʼ ἀθανάτοισιν ὄνησα

ἢ ἔπει ἢ ἔργῳ, τόδε μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·

and do honor to my son, whose life is to be cut short so early. King Agamemnon has dishonored him by taking his prize and keeping her. Honor him then yourself, Olympian lord of counsel, and grant victory to the Trojans, till the Achaeans

τίμησόν μοι υἱὸν ὃς ὠκυμορώτατος ἄλλων

ἔπλετʼ· ἀτάρ μιν νῦν γε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων

ἠτίμησεν· ἑλὼν γὰρ ἔχει γέρας αὐτὸς ἀπούρας.

ἀλλὰ σύ πέρ μιν τῖσον Ὀλύμπιε μητίετα Ζεῦ·

τόφρα δʼ ἐπὶ Τρώεσσι τίθει κράτος ὄφρʼ ἂν Ἀχαιοὶ

give my son his due and load him with riches in requital [ timê ]." Zeus sat for a while silent, and without a word, but Thetis still kept firm hold of his knees, and besought him a second time. "Nod your head," said she, "and promise me surely,

υἱὸν ἐμὸν τίσωσιν ὀφέλλωσίν τέ ἑ τιμῇ.

ὣς φάτο· τὴν δʼ οὔ τι προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς,

ἀλλʼ ἀκέων δὴν ἧστο· Θέτις δʼ ὡς ἥψατο γούνων

ὣς ἔχετʼ ἐμπεφυυῖα, καὶ εἴρετο δεύτερον αὖτις·

νημερτὲς μὲν δή μοι ὑπόσχεο καὶ κατάνευσον

or else deny me - for you have nothing to fear - that I may learn how greatly you disdain me." At this Zeus was much troubled and answered, "I shall have trouble if you set me quarreling with Hera, for she will provoke me with her taunting speeches;

ἢ ἀπόειπʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἔπι δέος, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδέω

ὅσσον ἐγὼ μετὰ πᾶσιν ἀτιμοτάτη θεός εἰμι.

τὴν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·

ἦ δὴ λοίγια ἔργʼ ὅ τέ μʼ ἐχθοδοπῆσαι ἐφήσεις

Ἥρῃ ὅτʼ ἄν μʼ ἐρέθῃσιν ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσιν·

even now she is always railing at me before the other gods and accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans. Go back now, lest she should find out. I will consider the matter, and will bring it about as wish.

ἣ δὲ καὶ αὔτως μʼ αἰεὶ ἐν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι

νεικεῖ, καί τέ μέ φησι μάχῃ Τρώεσσιν ἀρήγειν.

ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν αὖτις ἀπόστιχε μή τι νοήσῃ

Ἥρη· ἐμοὶ δέ κε ταῦτα μελήσεται ὄφρα τελέσσω·

εἰ δʼ ἄγε τοι κεφαλῇ κατανεύσομαι ὄφρα πεποίθῃς·

See, I nod my head that you believe me. This is the most solemn act that I can offer to any god. I never recall my word, or deceive, or fail to do what I say, when I have nodded my head." As he spoke the son of Kronos bowed his dark brows, and the ambrosial locks swayed

τοῦτο γὰρ ἐξ ἐμέθεν γε μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι μέγιστον

τέκμωρ· οὐ γὰρ ἐμὸν παλινάγρετον οὐδʼ ἀπατηλὸν

οὐδʼ ἀτελεύτητον ὅ τί κεν κεφαλῇ κατανεύσω.

ἦ καὶ κυανέῃσιν ἐπʼ ὀφρύσι νεῦσε Κρονίων·

ἀμβρόσιαι δʼ ἄρα χαῖται ἐπερρώσαντο ἄνακτος

on his immortal head, till vast Olympus reeled. When the pair had thus laid their plans, they parted - Zeus to his mansion, while the goddess left the splendor of Olympus , and plunged into the depths of the sea. The gods rose from their seats, before the coming of their sire. Not one of them dared

κρατὸς ἀπʼ ἀθανάτοιο· μέγαν δʼ ἐλέλιξεν Ὄλυμπον.

τώ γʼ ὣς βουλεύσαντε διέτμαγεν· ἣ μὲν ἔπειτα

εἰς ἅλα ἆλτο βαθεῖαν ἀπʼ αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου,

Ζεὺς δὲ ἑὸν πρὸς δῶμα· θεοὶ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀνέσταν

ἐξ ἑδέων σφοῦ πατρὸς ἐναντίον· οὐδέ τις ἔτλη

to remain sitting, but all stood up as he came among them. There, then, he took his seat. But Hera, when she saw him, knew that he and silver-footed Thetis, the daughter of the Old One of the Sea, had been planning mischief, so she at once began to upbraid him.

μεῖναι ἐπερχόμενον, ἀλλʼ ἀντίοι ἔσταν ἅπαντες.

ὣς ὃ μὲν ἔνθα καθέζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου· οὐδέ μιν Ἥρη

ἠγνοίησεν ἰδοῦσʼ ὅτι οἱ συμφράσσατο βουλὰς

ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος.

αὐτίκα κερτομίοισι Δία Κρονίωνα προσηύδα·

"Trickster," she cried, "which of the gods have you been taking into your counsels now? You are always settling matters in secret behind my back, and have never yet told me, if you could help it, one word of your intentions."

τίς δʼ αὖ τοι δολομῆτα θεῶν συμφράσσατο βουλάς;

αἰεί τοι φίλον ἐστὶν ἐμεῦ ἀπὸ νόσφιν ἐόντα

κρυπτάδια φρονέοντα δικαζέμεν· οὐδέ τί πώ μοι

πρόφρων τέτληκας εἰπεῖν ἔπος ὅττι νοήσῃς.

τὴν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·

"Hera," replied the sire of gods and men, "you must not expect to be informed of all my counsels. You are my wife, but you would find it hard to understand them. When it is proper for you to hear, there is no one, god or man, who will be told sooner, but when I mean to keep a matter to myself,

Ἥρη μὴ δὴ πάντας ἐμοὺς ἐπιέλπεο μύθους

εἰδήσειν· χαλεποί τοι ἔσοντʼ ἀλόχῳ περ ἐούσῃ·

ἀλλʼ ὃν μέν κʼ ἐπιεικὲς ἀκουέμεν οὔ τις ἔπειτα

οὔτε θεῶν πρότερος τὸν εἴσεται οὔτʼ ἀνθρώπων·

ὃν δέ κʼ ἐγὼν ἀπάνευθε θεῶν ἐθέλωμι νοῆσαι

you must not pry nor ask questions." "Dread son of Kronos," answered Hera, "what are you talking about? I? Pry and ask questions? Never. I let you have your own way in everything.

μή τι σὺ ταῦτα ἕκαστα διείρεο μηδὲ μετάλλα.

τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη·

αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες;

καὶ λίην σε πάρος γʼ οὔτʼ εἴρομαι οὔτε μεταλλῶ,

ἀλλὰ μάλʼ εὔκηλος τὰ φράζεαι ἅσσʼ ἐθέλῃσθα.

Still, I have a strong misgiving that Thetis, daughter of the Old One of the Sea, has been talking you over, for she was with you and had hold of your knees this self-same morning. I believe, therefore, that you have been promising her to give glory to Achilles, and to kill many people at the ships of the Achaeans."

νῦν δʼ αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μή σε παρείπῃ

ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος·

ἠερίη γὰρ σοί γε παρέζετο καὶ λάβε γούνων·

τῇ σʼ ὀΐω κατανεῦσαι ἐτήτυμον ὡς Ἀχιλῆα

τιμήσῃς, ὀλέσῃς δὲ πολέας ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.

"Wife," said Zeus, "I can do nothing but you suspect me and find it out. You will take nothing by it, for I shall only dislike you the more, and it will go harder with you. Granted that it is as you say; I mean to have it so;

τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·

δαιμονίη αἰεὶ μὲν ὀΐεαι οὐδέ σε λήθω·

πρῆξαι δʼ ἔμπης οὔ τι δυνήσεαι, ἀλλʼ ἀπὸ θυμοῦ

μᾶλλον ἐμοὶ ἔσεαι· τὸ δέ τοι καὶ ῥίγιον ἔσται.

εἰ δʼ οὕτω τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἐμοὶ μέλλει φίλον εἶναι·

sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you for if I once begin to lay my hands about you, though all heaven were on your side it would profit you nothing." On this Hera was frightened, so she curbed her stubborn will and sat down in silence.

ἀλλʼ ἀκέουσα κάθησο, ἐμῷ δʼ ἐπιπείθεο μύθῳ,

μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμωσιν ὅσοι θεοί εἰσʼ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ

ἆσσον ἰόνθʼ, ὅτε κέν τοι ἀάπτους χεῖρας ἐφείω.

ὣς ἔφατʼ ἔδεισεν δὲ βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη,

καί ῥʼ ἀκέουσα καθῆστο ἐπιγνάμψασα φίλον κῆρ·

But the heavenly beings were disquieted throughout the house of Zeus, till the cunning workman Hephaistos began to try and pacify his mother Hera. "It will be intolerable," said he, "if you two fall to wrangling

ὄχθησαν δʼ ἀνὰ δῶμα Διὸς θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες·

τοῖσιν δʼ Ἥφαιστος κλυτοτέχνης ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν

μητρὶ φίλῃ ἐπίηρα φέρων λευκωλένῳ Ἥρῃ·

ἦ δὴ λοίγια ἔργα τάδʼ ἔσσεται οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἀνεκτά,

εἰ δὴ σφὼ ἕνεκα θνητῶν ἐριδαίνετον ὧδε,

and setting heaven in an uproar about a pack of mortals. If such ill counsels are to prevail, we shall have no pleasure at our banquet. Let me then advise my mother - and she must herself know that it will be better - to make friends with my dear father Zeus, lest he again scold her and disturb our feast.

ἐν δὲ θεοῖσι κολῳὸν ἐλαύνετον· οὐδέ τι δαιτὸς

ἐσθλῆς ἔσσεται ἦδος, ἐπεὶ τὰ χερείονα νικᾷ.

μητρὶ δʼ ἐγὼ παράφημι καὶ αὐτῇ περ νοεούσῃ

πατρὶ φίλῳ ἐπίηρα φέρειν Διί, ὄφρα μὴ αὖτε

νεικείῃσι πατήρ, σὺν δʼ ἡμῖν δαῖτα ταράξῃ.

If the Olympian Thunderer wants to hurl us all from our seats, he can do so, for he is far the strongest, so give him fair words, and he will then soon be in a good humor with us." As he spoke, he took a double cup of nectar,

εἴ περ γάρ κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν Ὀλύμπιος ἀστεροπητὴς

ἐξ ἑδέων στυφελίξαι· ὃ γὰρ πολὺ φέρτατός ἐστιν.

ἀλλὰ σὺ τὸν ἐπέεσσι καθάπτεσθαι μαλακοῖσιν·

αὐτίκʼ ἔπειθʼ ἵλαος Ὀλύμπιος ἔσσεται ἡμῖν.

ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη καὶ ἀναΐξας δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον

and placed it in his mother's hand. "Cheer up, my dear mother," said he, "and make the best of it. I love you dearly, and should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing; however grieved I might be, I could not help for there is no standing against Zeus.

μητρὶ φίλῃ ἐν χειρὶ τίθει καί μιν προσέειπε·

τέτλαθι μῆτερ ἐμή, καὶ ἀνάσχεο κηδομένη περ,

μή σε φίλην περ ἐοῦσαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδωμαι

θεινομένην, τότε δʼ οὔ τι δυνήσομαι ἀχνύμενός περ

χραισμεῖν· ἀργαλέος γὰρ Ὀλύμπιος ἀντιφέρεσθαι·

Once before when I was trying to help you, he caught me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly threshold. All day long from morn till eve, was I falling, till at sunset I came to ground in the island of Lemnos , and there I lay, with very little life left in me, till the Sintians came and tended me."

ἤδη γάρ με καὶ ἄλλοτʼ ἀλεξέμεναι μεμαῶτα

ῥῖψε ποδὸς τεταγὼν ἀπὸ βηλοῦ θεσπεσίοιο,

πᾶν δʼ ἦμαρ φερόμην, ἅμα δʼ ἠελίῳ καταδύντι

κάππεσον ἐν Λήμνῳ, ὀλίγος δʼ ἔτι θυμὸς ἐνῆεν·

ἔνθά με Σίντιες ἄνδρες ἄφαρ κομίσαντο πεσόντα.

Hera smiled at this, and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands. Then Hephaistos drew sweet nectar from the mixing-bowl, and served it round among the gods, going from left to right; and the blessed gods laughed out a loud approval

ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,

μειδήσασα δὲ παιδὸς ἐδέξατο χειρὶ κύπελλον·

αὐτὰρ ὃ τοῖς ἄλλοισι θεοῖς ἐνδέξια πᾶσιν

οἰνοχόει γλυκὺ νέκταρ ἀπὸ κρητῆρος ἀφύσσων·

ἄσβεστος δʼ ἄρʼ ἐνῶρτο γέλως μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν

as they saw him bustling about the heavenly mansion. Thus through the livelong day to the going down of the sun they feasted, and every one had his full share, so that all were satisfied. Apollo struck his lyre, and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices, taking turns.

ὡς ἴδον Ἥφαιστον διὰ δώματα ποιπνύοντα.

ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα

δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης,

οὐ μὲν φόρμιγγος περικαλλέος ἣν ἔχʼ Ἀπόλλων,

Μουσάων θʼ αἳ ἄειδον ἀμειβόμεναι ὀπὶ καλῇ.

But when the sun's glorious light had faded, they went home to bed, each in his own abode, which lame Hephaistos with his consummate skill had fashioned for them. So Zeus, the Olympian Lord of Thunder, hied him to the bed

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατέδυ λαμπρὸν φάος ἠελίοιο,

οἳ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκον δὲ ἕκαστος,

ἧχι ἑκάστῳ δῶμα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις

Ἥφαιστος ποίησεν ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσι·

Ζεὺς δὲ πρὸς ὃν λέχος ἤϊʼ Ὀλύμπιος ἀστεροπητής,

in which he always slept; and when he had got on to it he went to sleep, with Hera of the golden throne by his side.

ἔνθα πάρος κοιμᾶθʼ ὅτε μιν γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἱκάνοι·

ἔνθα καθεῦδʼ ἀναβάς, παρὰ δὲ χρυσόθρονος Ἥρη.