by Homer
The great God calls? My sad pow'rs feared to break th' immortal laws,
In going filed with griefs to heaven. But he sets snares for none
With coloured counsels; not a word of him but shall be done."
She said, and took a sable veil, a blacker never wore
A heavenly shoulder, and gave way. Swift Iris swum before.
About both rolled the brackish waves. They took their banks, and flew
Up to Olympus, where they found Saturaius far-of-view
Sphered with heaven's ever-being States. Minerva rose, and gave
Her place to Thetis near to Jove, and Juno did receive
Her entry with a cup of gold, in which she drank to her,
Graced her with comfort, and the cup to her hand did refer.
She drank, resigning it; and then the Sire of men and Gods
Thus entertained her : " Com'st thou up to these our blest abodes,
Fair Goddess Thetis, yet art sad; and that in so high kind
As passeth sufferance? This I know, and tried thee, and now find
Thy will by mine ruled, which is rule to all worlds' government.
Besides this trial yet, this cause sent down for thy ascent,
Nine days' contention hath been held amongst th' Immortals here
For Hector's person and thy son, and some advices were
To have our good spy Mercury steal from thy son the corse,
But that reproach I kept far off, to keep in future force
Thy former love and reverence. Haste then, and tell thy son
The Gods are angry, and myself take that wrong he hath done
To Hector in worst part of all, the rather since he still
Detains his person. Charge him then, if he respect my will
For any reason, to resign slain Hector. I will send
Iris to Priam to redeem his son, and recommend
Fit ransom to Achilles' grace, in which right he may joy
And end his vain grief." To this charge bright Thetis did employ
Instant endeavour. From heaven's tops she reached Achilles' tent,
Found him still sighing, and some friends with all their complement
Soothing his humour; other some with all contention
Dressing his dinner, all their pains and skills consumed upon
A huge wool-bearer, slaughtered there. His reverend mother then
Came near, took kindly his fair hand, and asked him : "Dear son, when
Will sorrow leave thee? How long time wilt thou thus eat thy heart,
Fed with no other food, nor rest? 'Twere good thou wouldst divert
Thy friend's love to some lady, cheer thy spirits with such kind parts
As she can quit thy grace withal. The joy of thy deserts
I shall not long have, death is near, and thy all-conquering fate,.
Whose haste thou must not haste with grief, but understand the state
Of things belonging to thy life, which quickly order. I
Am sent from Jove t' advertise thee that every deity
Is angry with thee, himself most, that rage thus reigns in thee
Still to keep Hector. Quit him then, and, for fit ransom, free
His injured person." He replied : " Let him come that shall give
The ransom, and the person take. Jove's pleasure must deprive
Men of all pleasures." This good speech, and many more, the son
And mother used in ear of all the naval station.
And now to holy Ilion Saturnius Iris sent:
“Go, swift-foot Iris, bid Troy's king bear fit gifts, and content
Achilles for his son's release; but let him greet alone
The Grecian navy, not a man, excepting such a one
As may his horse and chariot guide, a herald, or one old,'
Attending him, and let him take his Hector. Be he bold,
Discouraged nor with death nor fear; wise Mercury shall guide
His passage till the prince be near; and, he gone, let him ride
Resolved even in Achilles' tent. He shall not touch the state
Of his high person, nor admit the deadliest desperate
Of all about him; for, though fierce, he is not yet unwise,
Nor inconsiderate, nor a man past awe of deities,
But passing free and curious to do a suppliant grace."
This said, the Rainbow to her feet tied whirlwinds, and the place
Reached instantly. The heavy court Clamour and Mourning filled.
The sons all set about the sire, and there stood Grief, and 'stilled
Tears on their garments. In the midst the old king sate, his weed'
All wrinkled, head and neck dust filed; the princesses his seed,
The princesses his sons' fair wives, all mourning by; the thought
Of friends so many, and so good, being turned so soon to nought
By Grecian hands, consumed their youth, rained beauty from their eyes.
Iris came near the king, her sight shook all his faculties,
And therefore spake she soft, and said: " Be glad, Dardanides;
Of good occurrents, and none ill, am I ambassadress.
Jove greets thee, who, in care, as much as he is distant, deigns
Eye to thy sorrows, pitying thee. My ambassy contains
This charge to thee from him: He wills thou shouldst redeem thy son,
Bear gifts t' Achilles, cheer him so; but visit him alone,
None but some herald let attend, thy mules and chariot
To manage for thee. Fear nor death let daunt thee; Jove hath got
Hermes to guide thee, who as near to Thetis' son as needs
Shall guard thee; and being once with him, nor his, nor others', deeds
Stand touched with, he will all contain; nor is he mad, nor vain,
Nor impious, but with all his nerves studious to entertain
One that submits with all fit grace." Thus vanished she like wind.
He mules and chariot calls, his sons bids see them joined, and bind
A trunk behind it; he himself down to his wardrobe goes,
Built all of cedar, highly roofed, and odoriferous,
That much stuff, worth the sight, contained. To him he called his queen,
Thus greeting her : " Come, hapless dame, an angel I have seen,
Sent down from Jove, that bade me free our dear son from the fleet
With ransom pleasing to Our foe. What holds thy judgment meet?
My strength and spirit lays high charge on all my being to bear
The Greeks' worst, vent'ring through their host." The queen cried out to hear
His vent'rous purpose, and replied : " O whither now is fled
The late discretion that renowned thy grave and knowing head
In foreign and thine own ruled realms, that thus thou dar'st assay
Sight of that man, in whose brow sticks the horrible decay
Of sons so many, and so strong? Thy heart is iron I think.
If this stern man, whose thirst of blood makes cruelty his drink,
Take, or but see, thee, thou art dead. He nothing pities woe,
Nbr honours age. Without his sight, we have enough to do
To mourn with thought of him. Keep we our palace, weep we here.
Our son is past our helps. Those throes, that my deliverers were
Of his unhappy lineaments, told me they should be torn
With black-foot dogs. Almighty Fate, that black hour he was born,
Spun in his springing thread that end; far from his parents' reach,
This bloody fellow then ordained to be their mean, this wretch,
Whose stony liver would to heaven I might devour, my teeth
My son's revengers made! Cursed Greek, he gave him not his death
Doing an ill work; he alone fought for his country, he
Fled not, nor feared, but stood his worst; and cursed policy
Was his undoing." He replied : " Whate
ver was his end
Is not our question, we must now use all means to defend
His end from scandal; from which act dissuade not my just will,
Nor let me nourish in my house a bird presaging ill
To my good actions; 'tis in vain. Had any earthly spirit
Given this suggestion, if our priests, or soothsayers, challenging merit
Of prophets, I might hold it false, and be the rather moved
To keep my palace, but these ears and these self eyes approved
It was a Goddess. I will go, for not a word she spake
I know was idle. If it were, and that my fate will make
Quick riddance of me at the fleet, kill me, Achilles; come,
When getting to thee, I shall find a happy dying room
On Hector's bosom, when enough thirst of my tears finds there
Quench to his fervour." This resolved, the works most fair and dear
Of his rich screens he brought abroad; twelve veils wrought curiously;
Twelve plain gowns; and as many suits of wealthy tapestry;
As many mantles; horsemen's coats; ten talents of fine gold ]
Two tripods; caldrons four; a bowl whose value he did hold
Beyond all price, presented by th' ambassadors of Thrace.
The old king nothing held too dear to rescue from disgrace
His gracious Hector. Forth he came. At entry of his court
The Trojan citizens so pressed, that this opprobrious sort
Of check he used : " Hence, castaways! Away, ye impious crew!
Are not your griefs enough at home? What come ye here to view?
Care ye for my griefs? Would ye see how miserable I am?
Is't not enough, imagine ye? Ye might know, ere ye came,
What such a son's loss weighed with me. But know this for your pains,
Your houses have the weaker doors, the Greeks will find their gains
The easier for his loss, be sure. But, O Troy! ere I see
Thy ruin, let the doors of hell receive and ruin me!"
Thus with his sceptre set he on the crowding citizens,
Who gave back, seeing him so urge. And now he entertains
His sons as roughly, Helenus, Paris, Hippothous,
Pammon, divine Agathones, renowned Deiphobus,
Agavus, and Antiphonus, and last, not least in arms,
The strong Polites; these nine sons the violence of his harms
Helped him to vent in these sharp terms : " Haste, you infamous brood,
And get my chariot. Would to heaven that all the abject blood
In all your veins had Hector 'scused! O me, accursed man,
All my good sons are gone, my light the shades Cimmerian
Have swallowed from me. I have lost Mestor, surnamed the fair;
Troilus, that ready knight at arms, that made his field repair
Ever so prompt and joyfully, and Hector, amongst men
Esteemed a God, not from a mortal's seed, but of th' Eternal strain,
He seemed to all eyes. These are gone, you that survive are base,
Liars and common freebooters, all faulty, not a grace,
But in your heels, in all your parts, dancing companions
Ye all are excellent. Hence, ye brats! Love ye to hear my moans?
Will ye not get my chariot? Command it quickly, fly,
That I may perfect this dear work." This all did terrify,
And straight his mule-drawn chariot came, to which they fast did bind
The trunk with gifts. And then came forth, with an afflicted mind,
Old Hecuba. In her right hand a bowl of gold she bore
With sweet wine crowned, stood near, and said: " Receive this, and implore,
With sacrificing it to Jove, thy safe return. I see
Thy mind likes still to go, though mine dislikes it utterly.
Pray to the black-cloud-gathering God, Idsean Jove, that views
All Troy, and all her miseries, that he will deign to use
His most loved bird to ratify thy hopes, that, her broad wing
Spread of thy right hand, thou mayst know thy zealous offering
Accepted, and thy safe return confirmed; but if he fail,
Fail thy intent, though never so it labours to prevail."
“This I refuse not," he replied, " for no faith is so great
In Jove's high favour but it must with held-up hands intreat."
This said, the chambermaid that held the ewer and basin by
He bade pour water on his hands; when, looking to the sky,
He took the bowl, did sacrifice, and thus implored: " O Jove,
From Ida using thy commands, in all deserts above
All other Gods, vouchsafe me safe, and pity in the sight
Of great Achilles; and, for trust to that wished grace, excite
Thy swift-winged messenger, most strong, most of air's region loved,
To soar on my right hand; which sight may firmly see approved
Thy former summons, and my speed." He prayed, and heaven's King heard,
And instantly cast from his fist air's all-commanding bird,
The black-winged huntress, perfectest of all fowls, which Gods call
Percnos, the eagle. And how broad the chamber nuptial
Of any mighty man hath doors, such breadth cast either wing,
Which now she used, and spread them wide on right hand of the king.
All saw it, and rejoiced, and up to chariot he arose,
Drave forth, the portal and the porch resounding as he goes.
His friends all followed him, and mourned as if he went to die;
And bringing him past town to field, all left him; and the eye
Of Jupiter was then his guard, who pitied him, and used
These words to Hermes: " Mercury, thy help hath been profused
Ever with most grace in consorts of travellers distressed,
Now consort Priam to the fleet; but so, that not the least
Suspicion of him be attained, till at Achilles' tent
The convoy hath arrived him safe." This charge incontinent
He put in practice.' To his feet his feathered shoes he tied,
Immortal, and made all of gold, with which he used to ride
The rough sea and th' unmeasured earth, and equalled in his pace
The puffs of wind. Then took he-up. his rod that hath the grace
To shut what eyes he lists with sleep, and open them again
In strongest trances. This he held, flew forth, and did attain
To Troy and Hellespontus straight. Then like a fair young prince,
First-down-chinned, and of such a grace as makes his looks convince
Contending eyes to view him, forth, he went to meet the king.
He, having passed the mighty tomb of Ilus, watering
-His mules in Xanthus, the dark Even fell on the earth; and then
Idseus (guider of the mules) discerned this grace of men,
And spake afraid to Priamus : " Beware, Dardanides,
Our states ask counsel; 1~ discern the dangerous, access
Of some man near us; now I fear we perish. Is it best
To fly, or kiss his knees and ask his ruth of men distressed? "
Confusion strook the king, cold fear extremely quenched his veins,
Upright upon his languishing head his hair stood, and the chains
Of strong amaze bound all his pow;rs. To both which then came near
The prince-turned Deity, took his hand, and thus bespake the peer :
“To what place, father, driv'st thou out through solitary night,
When others sleep? Give not the Greeks sufficient cause of fright
To these late travels, being so near, and such vowed enemies?
Of all which, if with all: this load any should cast his eyes
On thy adventures, what would then thy mind esteem thy state,
Thyself old, and thy follow'er old? Ees
istance could not rate
At any value; as for me, be sure I mind no barm
To thy grave person, but against the hurt of others arm.
Mine own loved father did not get a greater love in me
To his good, than thou dost to thine." He answered: " The degree
Of danger in my course, fair son, is nothing less than that
Thou urgest; but some God's fair hand puts in for my safe state,
That sends so sweet a guardian in this so stern a time
Of night, and danger, as thyself, that all grace in his prime
Of body and of beauty show'st, all answered with a mind
So knowing, that it cannot be but of some blessed kind,
Thou art descended." " Not untrue/' said Hermes, " thy conceit
In all this holds; but further truth relate, if of such weight
As I conceive thy carriage be, and that thy care conveys
Thy goods of most price to more guard, or go ye all your ways
Frighted from holy Ilion, so excellent a son
As thou hast (being your special strength) fallen to destruction,
Whom no Greek bettered for his fight? " " O, what art thou," said he,
“Most worthy youth, of what race born, that thus recount'st to me
My wretched son's death with such truth?" " Now, father," he replied,
“You tempt me far, in wond'ring how the death was signified
Of your divine son to a man so mere a stranger here
As you hold me, but I am one that oft have seen him bear
His person like a God in field; and when in heaps he slew
The Greeks, all routed to their fleet, his so victorious view
Made me admire, not feel his hand, because Aeacides,
Incensed, admitted not our fight, myself being of access
To his high person, serving him, and both to Ilion
In one ship sailed. Besides, by birth I breathe a Myrmidon,
Polyctor, called the rich, my sire, declined with age like you.
Six sons he hath, and me a seventh, and all those six live now
In Phthia, since, all casting lots, my chance did only fall
To follow hither. Now for walk I left my General.
To-morrow all the sun-burned Greeks will circle Troy with arms,
The princes rage to be withheld so idly, your alarms
Not given half hot enough they think, and can contain no more."
He answered : " If you serve the prince, let me be bold t' implore
This grace of thee, and tell me true : Lies Hector here at fleet,
Or have the dogs his flesh? " He said : " Nor dogs nor fowl have yet