Complete Works of Homer

by Homer

  A pastaro broad, with fleecy flocks o'erspread,

  In a fair glade, with fold, and tents, and pens.

  There, too, the skilful artist's hand had wrought

  With curious workmanship, a mazy dance,

  Like that which Daedalus in Cnossus erst

  At fair-hair'd Ariadne's bidding fram'd.

  There, laying each on other's wrists their hand,

  Bright youths and many-suitor'd maidens danc'd:

  In fair white linen these; in tunics those,

  Well woven, shining soft with fragrant oils;

  These with fair coronets were crown'd, while those

  With golden swords from silver belts were girt.

  Now whirl'd they round with nimble practis'd feet,

  Easy, as when a potter, seated, turns

  A wheel, new fashion'd by his skilful hand,

  And spins it round, to prove if true it run;

  Now featly mov'd in well-beseeming ranks.

  A num'rous crowd, around, the lovely dance

  Survey'd, delighted; while an honour'd Bard

  Sang, as he struck the lyre, and to the strain

  Two tumblers, in the midst, were whirling round.

  About the margin of the massive shield

  Was wrought the mighty strength of th' ocean stream.

  The shield completed, vast and strong, he forg'd

  A breastplate, dazzling bright as flame of fire;

  And next, a weighty helmet for his head,

  Fair, richly wrought, with crest of gold above;

  Then last, well-fitting greaves of pliant tin.

  The skill'd artificer his works complete

  Before Achilles' Goddess-mother laid:

  She, like a falcon, from the snow-clad heights

  Of huge Olympus, darted swiftly down,

  Charg'd with the glitt'ring arms by Vulcan wrought.

  ARGUMENT

  THE RECONCILIATION OF ACHILLES AND AGAMEMNON.

  Thetis brings to her son the armour made by Vulcan. She preserves the body of his friend from corruption, and commands him to assemble the army, to declare his resentment at an end. Agamemnon and Achilles are solemnly reconciled: the speeches, presents, and ceremonies on that occasion. Achilles is with great difficulty persuaded to refrain from the battle till the troops have refreshed themselves, by the advice of Ulysses. The presents are conveyed to the tent of Achilles: where Briseis laments over the body of Patroclus. The hero obstinately refuses all repast, and gives himself up to lamentations for his friend. Minerva descends to strengthen him, by the order of Jupiter. He arms for the fight; his appearance described. He addresses himself to his horses, and reproaches them with the death of Patroclus. One of them is miraculously endued with voice, and inspired to prophesy his fate; but the hero, not astonished by that prodigy, rushes with fury to the combat.

  The thirtieth day. The scene is on the sea-shore.

  BOOK XIX.

  Now morn in saffron robe, from th' ocean stream

  Ascending, light diffus'd o'er Gods and men;

  As Thetis, to the ships returning, bore

  The gift of Vulcan; there her son she found,

  Who o'er Patroclus hung in bitter grief;

  Around him mourn'd his comrades; in the midst

  She stood, and clasp'd his hand, as thus she spoke:

  "Leave we, my son, though deep our grief, the dead;

  Here let him lie, since Heav'n hath doom'd his fall;

  But thou these arms receive, by Vulcan sent,

  Fairer than e'er on mortal breast were borne."

  The arms before Achilles, as she spoke,

  The Goddess laid; loud rang the wondrous work.

  With awe the Myrmidons beheld; nor dar'd

  Affront the sight: but as Achilles gaz'd,

  More fiery burn'd his wrath; beneath his brows

  His eyes like lightning flash'd; with fierce delight

  He seiz'd the glorious gift: and when his soul

  Had feasted on the miracle of art,

  To Thetis thus his winged words address'd:

  "Mother, the God hath giv'n me arms indeed,

  Worthy a God, and such as mortal man

  Could never forge; I go to arm me straight;

  Yet fear I for Menoetius' noble son,

  Lest in his spear-inflicted wounds the flies

  May gender worms, and desecrate the dead,

  And, life extinct, corruption reach his flesh."

  Whom answer'd thus the silver-footed Queen:

  "Let not such fears, my son, disturb thy mind:

  I will myself the swarms of flies disperse,

  That on the flesh of slaughter'd warriors prey:

  And should he here remain a year complete,

  Still should his flesh be firm and fresh as now:

  But thou to council call the chiefs of Greece;

  Against the monarch Agamemnon there,

  The leader of the host, abjure thy wrath;

  Then arm thee quickly, and put on thy might."

  Her words with dauntless courage fill'd his breast.

  She in Patroclus' nostrils, to preserve

  His flesh, red nectar and ambrosia pour'd.

  Along the ocean beach Achilles pass'd,

  And loudly shouting, call'd on all the chiefs;

  Then all who heretofore remain'd on board,

  The steersmen, who the vessels' rudders hold,

  The very stewards that serv'd the daily bread,

  All to th' assembly throng'd, when reappear'd

  Achilles, from the fight so long withdrawn.

  Two noble chiefs, two ministers of Mars,

  Ulysses sage, and valiant Diomed,

  Appear'd, yet crippled by their grievous wounds,

  Their halting steps supporting with their spears,

  And on the foremost seats their places took.

  Next follow'd Agamemnon, King of men,

  He also wounded; for Antenor's son,

  Coon, had stabb'd him in the stubborn fight.

  When all the Greeks were closely throng'd around,

  Up rose Achilles swift of foot, and said:

  "Great son of Atreus, what hath been the gain

  To thee or me, since heart-consuming strife

  Hath fiercely rag'd between us, for a girl,

  Who would to Heav'n had died by Dian's shafts

  That day when from Lyrnessus' captur'd town

  I bore her off? so had not many a Greek

  Bitten the bloody dust, by hostile hands

  Subdued, while I in anger stood aloof.

  Great was the gain to Troy; but Greeks, methinks,

  Will long retain the mem'ry of our feud.

  Yet pass we that; and though our hearts be sore,

  Still let us school our angry spirits down.

  My wrath I here abjure; it is not meet

  It burn for ever unappeas'd; do thou

  Muster to battle straight the long-hair'd Greeks;

  That, to the Trojans once again oppos'd,

  I may make trial if beside the ships

  They dare this night remain; but he, I ween,

  Will gladly rest his limbs, who safe shall fly,

  My spear escaping, from the battle-field."

  He said: the well-greav'd Greeks rejoic'd to hear

  His wrath abjur'd by Peleus' godlike son;

  And from his seat, not standing in the midst,

  Thus to th' assembly Agamemnon spoke:

  "Friends, Grecian Heroes, Ministers of Mars,

  When one stands up to speak, 'tis meet for all

  To lend a patient ear, nor interrupt;

  For e'en to practis'd speakers hard the task:

  But, in this vast assembly, who can speak

  That all may hear? the clearest voice must fail.

  To Peleus' son, Achilles, I my mind

  Will frankly open; ye among yourselves

  Impart the words I speak, that all may know.

&nb
sp; Oft hath this matter been by Greeks discuss'd,

  And I their frequent censure have incurr'd:

  Yet was not I the cause; but Jove, and Fate,

  And gloomy Erinnys, who combin'd to throw

  A strong delusion o'er my mind, that day

  I robb'd Achilles of his lawful prize.

  What could I do? a Goddess all o'er-rul'd,

  Daughter of Jove, dread Ate, baleful pow'r,

  Misleading all; with lightest step she moves,

  Not on the earth, but o'er the heads of men,

  With blighting touch; and many hath caus'd to err.

  E'en Jove, the wisest deem'd of Gods and men,

  In error she involv'd, when Juno's art

  By female stratagem the God deceiv'd,

  When in well-girdled Thebes Alcmena lay

  In travail of the might of Hercules.

  In boastful tone amid the Gods he spoke:

  'Hear all ye Gods, and all ye Goddesses,

  The words I speak, the promptings of my soul.

  This day Lucina shall to light bring forth

  A child, the future Lord of all around,

  Of mortal men, who trace to me their blood.'

  Whom answer'd Juno thus, with deep deceit:

  'Thou dost but feign, nor wilt fulfil thy word:

  Come now, Olympian, swear a solemn oath

  That he shall be the Lord of all around,

  Who on this day shall be of woman born,

  Of mortal men, who trace to thee their blood.'

  She said, and Jove, the snare unseeing, swore

  A solemn oath; but found his error soon.

  Down from Olympus' height she sped in haste

  To Argos of Achaia; for the wife

  Of Sthenelus, the son of Perseus, there,

  She knew, was sev'n months pregnant of a son;

  Whom, though untimely born, she brought to light,

  Staying meanwhile Alcmena's labour-pangs,

  To Saturn's son herself the tidings brought,

  And thus address'd him: 'Jove, the lightning's Lord,

  I bring thee news; this day a mighty man,

  By thee ordain'd to be the Argives' King,

  Is born, Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus,

  The son of Perseus, issue of thy blood;

  Well worthy he to be the Argives' King.'

  She said: keen sorrow deeply pierc'd his soul;

  Then Ate by the glossy locks he seiz'd

  In mighty wrath; and swore a solemn oath,

  That to Olympus and the starry Heav'n

  She never should return, who all misleads.

  His arm then whirling, from the starry Heav'n

  He flung her down, to vex th' affairs of men.

  Yet oft her fraud remember'd he with groans,

  When by Eurystheus' hard commands he saw

  Condemn'd to servile tasks his noble son.

  So, oft as Hector of the glancing helm

  Beside the ships the Greeks to slaughter gave,

  Back to my mind my former error came.

  I err'd, for Jove my judgment took away;

  But friendly reconcilement now I seek,

  And tender costly presents; then thyself

  Uprouse thee, and excite the rest to arms.

  While I prepare the gifts, whate'er of late

  The sage Ulysses promis'd in thy tent:

  Or, if thou wilt, though eager for the fray,

  Remain thou here awhile, till from my ship

  My followers bring the gifts; that thou mayst see

  I make my offerings with no niggard hand."

  Whom answer'd thus Achilles swift of foot:

  "Most mighty Agamemnon, King of men,

  The gifts thou deem'st befitting, 'tis for thee

  To give, or to withhold; but now at once

  Prepare we for the battle; 'tis not meet

  On trivial pretexts here to waste our time,

  Or idly loiter; much remains to do:

  Again be seen Achilles in the van,

  Scatt'ring with brazen spear the Trojan ranks;

  And ye, forget not man with man to fight."

  To whom in answer sage Ulysses thus:

  "Brave as thou art, Achilles, godlike chief,

  Yet fasting lead not forth the sons of Greece

  To fight the Trojans; for no little time

  Will last the struggle, when the serried ranks

  Are once engag'd in conflict, and the Gods

  With equal courage either side inspire:

  But bid them, by the ships, of food and wine

  (Wherein are strength and courage) first partake;

  For none throughout the day till set of sun,

  Fasting from food, may bear the toils of war;

  His spirit may still be eager for the fray;

  Yet are his limbs by slow degrees weigh'd down,

  Himself by thirst and hunger worn, his knees

  Unable, as he moves, to bear his weight.

  But he who, first with food and wine refresh'd,

  All day maintains the combat with the foe,

  His spirit retains unbroken, and his limbs

  Unwearied, till both armies quit the field.

  Disperse then now the crowd, and bid prepare

  The morning meal; meantime to public view

  Let Agamemnon, King of men, display

  His costly gifts; that all the Greeks may see,

  And that thy heart within thee melt with joy:

  And there in full assembly let him swear

  A solemn oath, that he hath ne'er approach'd

  The fair Briseis' bed, nor held with her

  Such intercourse as man with woman holds.

  Be thou propitious, and accept his oath.

  Then at a sumptuous banquet in his tent

  Let him receive thee; that thine honour due

  May nothing lack; and so, Atrides, thou

  Shalt stand in sight of all men clear of blame;

  For none can wonder that insulting speech

  Should rouse the anger of a sceptred King."

  To whom thus Agamemnon, King of men:

  "Son of Laertes, I accept thy speech

  With cordial welcome: all that thou hast said

  Is well and wisely spoken; for the oath,

  I am prepar'd, with willing mind, to swear;

  Nor in the sight of Heav'n will be forsworn.

  Let then Achilles here awhile remain,

  Though eager for the fray; ye too remain,

  Until the presents from my tent be brought,

  And we our solemn compact ratify.

  Then this command upon thyself I lay:

  That thou the noblest youths of all the Greeks

  Select, and bid them from my vessel bear

  The gifts, which, to Achilles yesternight

  We promis'd, and withal the women bring;

  And let Talthybius through the host seek out

  A boar, for sacrifice to Jove and Sol."

  Whom answer'd thus Achilles swift of foot:

  "Most mighty Agamemnon, King of men,

  These matters to some future time were best

  Deferr'd, some hour of respite from the fight,

  Of rage less fiercely burning in my breast;

  But slaughter'd now they lie, whom Priam's son,

  Hector, hath slain, by Jove to vict'ry led.

  Ye bid us take our food; if I might rule,

  I would to battle lead the sons of Greece,

  Unfed, and fasting; and at set of sun,

  Our shame aveng'd, an ample feast prepare;

  Till then, nor food nor drink shall pass my lips,

  My comrade slain; who pierc'd with mortal wounds,

  Turn'd tow'rd the doorway, lies within my tent,

  His mourning friends around; while there he lies,

  No thought have I for these or aught beside,

  Save carnage, blood, and groans of dying men."

  To whom
Ulysses, sage in council, thus:

  "O son of Peleus, noblest of the Greeks,

  How far, Achilles, thou surpassest me

  In deeds of arms, I know: but thou must yield

  To me in counsel, for my years are more,

  And my experience greater far than thine:

  Then to my words incline a patient ear.

  Men soonest weary of battle, where the sword

  The bloodiest harvest reaps; the lightest crop

  Of slaughter is where Jove inclines the scale,

  Dispenser, at his will, of human wars.

  The Greeks by fasting cannot mourn their dead;

  For day by day successive numbers fall;

  Where were the respite then from ceaseless fast?

  Behoves us bury out of sight our dead,

  Steeling our hearts, and weeping but a day;

  And we, the rest, whom cruel war has spar'd,

  Should first with food and wine recruit out strength;

  Then, girding on our arms, the livelong day

  Maintain the war, unwearied; then let none

  Require a farther summons to the field;

  (And woe to him who loit'ring by the ships

  That summons hears;) but with united force

  Against the Trojans wake the furious war."

  He said, and call'd on noble Nestor's sons,

  On Meges, Phyleus' son, Meriones,

  Thoas, and Lycomedes, Creon's son,

  And Melanippus; they together sought

  The mighty monarch Agamemnon's tent.

  Soon as the word was giv'n, the work was done;

  Sev'n tripods brought they out, the promis'd gifts;

  Twelve horses, twenty caldrons glitt'ring bright;

  Sev'n women too, well skill'd in household cares,

  With whom, the eighth, the fair Briseis came.

  Ulysses led the way, and with him brought

  Ten talents full of gold; th' attendant youths

  The other presents bore, and in the midst

  Display'd before th' assembly: then uprose

  The monarch Agamemnon; by his side,

  With voice of godlike pow'r, Talthybius stood,

  Holding the victim: then Atrides drew

  The dagger, ever hanging at his side,

  Close by the scabbard of his mighty sword,

  And from the victim's head the bristles shore.

  With hands uplifted then to Jove he pray'd;

  While all around the Greeks in silence stood,

  List'ning, decorous, to the monarch's words,

  As looking up to Heav'n he made his pray'r:

  "Be witness, Jove, thou highest, first of Gods,

  And Sun, and Earth, and ye who vengeance wreak

  Beneath the earth on souls of men forsworn,

  Furies! that never, or to love unchaste