Odyssey

"Over these the host of the Argives built a noble tomb, on a point jutting out over the open Hellespont , that it might be seen from far out upon the sea by those now living and by them that shall be born hereafter. Your mother begged prizes from the gods, and offered them to be contended for [ agôn ] by the noblest of the Achaeans. You must have been present at the funeral of many a hero, when the young men gird themselves and make ready to contend for prizes on the death of some great chieftain, but you never saw such prizes as silver-footed Thetis offered in your honor; for the gods loved you well. Thus even in death your kleos , Achilles, has not been lost, and your name lives evermore among all humankind. But as for me, what solace had I when the days of my fighting were done? For Zeus willed my destruction on my return [ nostos ], by the hands of Aigisthos and those of my wicked wife."

OdysseyBook 24, Line 80Samuel ButlerEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Book 24

HomerProseID odyssey-odyssey-butler-en-prose-24-80