The Iliad of Homer Part 42

[Footnote 623: Cf. iii. 164. Seneca, (Ed. 1019) "Fati ista culpa est." Cf. Duport. p. 106. aesch. Choeph. 910: ? ???a t??t??, ?

t?????, pa?a?t?a.]

[Footnote 624: "A delicate censure of Achilles."--Oxford Transl.]

[Footnote 625: Cf. Pindar, Ol. iii. 50-105, and Il. v. iii. I have followed Heyne's construing, supplying t??a.]

But him the august Juno addressed, devising guile: "Thou shalt lie, nor shalt thou insure accomplishment to thy speech. But come, swear a firm oath to me, O Olympian! that he shall indeed be ruler over all his neighbours, who shall this day fall between the feet of a woman, among those men, who are of the blood of thy family."

Thus she spoke, but Jove perceived not her crafty design, but he swore the mighty oath, and afterwards was much befooled.[626] Then Juno springing forth, quitted the top of Olympus, and came speedily to Achaean Argos, where she knew the n.o.ble spouse of Sthenelus, the son of Perseus. And she, indeed, was pregnant of her beloved son; and the seventh month was at hand; and she brought him into light, being deficient the number of months; but kept back the delivery of Alemene, and restrained the Ilithyiae; and herself bearing the message, addressed Jove, the son of Saturn:

[Footnote 626: Injured, vexed by his infatuation. Juno was thinking of Eurystheus but Jove of Hercules.]

"Father Jove, hurler of the red lightning, I will put a certain matter in thy mind. A n.o.ble man is now born, who shall rule the Argives, Eurystheus, the son of Perseus, thy offspring; nor is it unbecoming that he should govern the Argives."

"Thus she spoke; but sharp grief smote him in his deep mind; and immediately he seized Ate by her head of shining curls, enraged in his mind, and swore a powerful oath, that Ate, who injures all, should never again return to Olympus and the starry heaven.

"Thus saying, he cast her from the starry heaven, whirling her round in his hand, but she quickly reached the works of men. On her account he always groaned,[627] when he beheld his beloved son suffering unworthy toil under the labours of[628] Eurystheus.

"So I also, when the great crest-tossing Hector was thus[629] destroying the Greeks at the sterns of the ships, was not able to forget the wrong which I had formerly foolishly committed. But since I have suffered harm, and Jove has taken away my reason, I am willing again to appease thee, and to give infinite presents. But arise to the battle, and incite the other people, and I myself [will pledge myself] to furnish all the presents, as many as n.o.ble Ulysses yesterday, going to thee, promised in thy tents. Yet, if thou wilt, wait a little, although hastening to battle, and my servants, taking the presents from my ship, shall bring them, that thou mayest see that I will present [thee] with appeasing offerings."

But him swift-footed Achilles answering, addressed; "Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, whether thou wilt furnish gifts, as is meet, or keep them with thee, [will be seen]; but now let us very quickly be mindful of the contest; for it is not fitting to waste time in idle talk,[630] nor to delay; as a mighty work is yet undone. But as some one may again behold Achilles among the front ranks, destroying the phalanxes of the Trojans with his brazen spear, so also let some one of you, keeping this in mind, fight with [his] man."

[Footnote 627: On the servitude of Hercules, see Grote, vol. i.

p. 128.]

[Footnote 628: _I.e._ imposed by.]

[Footnote 629: "The parallel implied here is of the havoc occasioned by Hector, and the laborious tasks imposed by Eurystheus. Such appears to be the force of the particle."--Kennedy.]

[Footnote 630: Hesych.; ???t?pe?e?? pa?a?????es?a?......

?t?a???es?a?.]

But him Ulysses, of many wiles, answering, addressed: "Not thus, brave as thou art, O G.o.dlike Achilles, urge on the sons of the Greeks, fasting, towards Ilium, about to fight with the Trojans; for the conflict will not be for a short time only, when once the phalanxes of men shall mingle, and a G.o.d breathe might into both. But command the Greeks to be fed at the ships with food and wine, for this is might and vigour. For a man, unrefreshed by food, would not be able to fight against [the enemy] all day to the setting sun; for although he might desire in his mind to fight, yet his limbs gradually grow languid, and thirst and hunger come upon him, and his knees fail him as he goes. The man, on the other hand, who is satiated with wine and food, fights all day with hostile men, the heart within his breast is daring, nor are his limbs at all fatigued before that all retire from battle. But come, dismiss the people, and order a repast to be made ready; and let the king of men, Agamemnon, bring the gifts into the midst of the a.s.sembly, that all the Greeks may see them with their eyes, and thou mayest be delighted in thy mind. Let him, moreover, swear an oath to thee, standing up among the Greeks, that he has never ascended her bed, nor has been mingled with her, as is the custom, O king, of men and wives; and to thee thyself, also, let the soul within thy breast be placid.

Then let him next conciliate thee by a rich banquet within his tents, that thou mayest not have aught wanting of redress. And for the future, O son of Atreus, thou wilt be more just towards another; for it is by no means unworthy that a king should appease a man, when he[631] may first have given offence."

[Footnote 631: Understand as??e??.]

But him the king of men, Agamemnon, in return addressed:

"I rejoice, O son of Laertes, having heard thy speech, for with propriety hast thou gone through and enumerated all things. These things I am willing to swear, and my mind orders me, in presence of a G.o.d, nor will I perjure myself. But let Achilles remain here, at least for a little while, though hastening to battle, and do all ye others remain a.s.sembled, until they bring the gifts from my tent, and we strike faithful leagues. To thyself, however, [O Ulysses], I give this charge, and order thee, selecting the princ.i.p.al youths of all the Greeks, to bear from my ship the gifts, as many as we yesterday promised that we should give to Achilles, and to lead [hither] the women. But let Talthybius also quickly prepare for me through the wide army of the Greeks, a boar to sacrifice to Jove and the sun."

Him answering, swift-footed Achilles then addressed:

"Most glorious son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, at some other time ought they rather to attend to these things, when any cessation of battle hereafter be, and so much ardour be not in my bosom: but at present those lie mangled, whom Hector, son of Priam, subdued, when Jove gave him the glory: but ye urge [them] to food! Now indeed I should excite the sons of the Greeks to fight, fasting, but with the setting sun, to prepare a large supper, after we have revenged our disgrace.

Before that neither drink nor food shall pa.s.s down my throat, my companion being slain, who lies in my tent, torn with the sharp bra.s.s, turned towards the vestibule, whilst his comrades mourn around these things are not a care to my mind, but slaughter and bloodshed, and the dreadful groans of heroes."

But him much-scheming Ulysses answering, addressed:

"O Achilles, son of Peleus, by far the bravest of the Greeks, thou art superior indeed to me, and not a little more valiant with the spear, but I indeed excel thee much in prudence; because I was born before thee, and know more: wherefore let thy mind be restrained by my words. Soon is there a satiety of contest to the men, a most abundant crop of whom the bra.s.s pours upon the earth; but the harvest is very small, when Jove, who is the umpire of the battle of men, inclines his scales. It is by no means fit that the Greeks should lament the dead with the stomach, for in great numbers and one upon another are they every day falling; when therefore could any one respire from toil? But it is necessary to bury him, whosoever may die, having a patient mind, weeping for a day.[632]

But as many as survive the hateful combat should be mindful of drinking and of food, in order that we may ever the more ceaselessly contend with our enemies, clad as to our bodies in impenetrable bra.s.s; nor let any of the troops lie by awaiting another exhortation. For evilly will that exhortation come upon him, whoever may be left at the ships of the Greeks; but advancing in a body, let us stir up the keen battle against the horse-breaking Trojans."

[Footnote 632: Libanius, Or. ix. in Julian.: ? p???? s??????sa?

?p? sa?t? d????a, ??? ?p' ?at? ?at? t? ?p??, ???f???? t????.

See Duport, p. 111.]

He said, and chose as his companions the sons of glorious Nestor, and Meges, son of Phyleus, Thoas, and Meriones, Lycomedes, son of Creon, and Melanippus; and they proceeded to go towards the tent of Agamemnon, son of Atreus. Immediately after the word was spoken, and the work was perfected. Seven tripods they bore from the tent, which he had promised him, and twenty splendid goblets, and twelve steeds; and straightway led forth seven blameless women, skilled in works, but the eighth was fair-cheeked Brises. But Ulysses, placing[633] ten whole talents of gold, led the way, and with him the other youths of the Greeks bore the presents, and placed them in the midst of the a.s.sembly; but Agamemnon rose up; and Talthybius, like unto a G.o.d in his voice, stood beside the shepherd of the people, holding a boar in his hands. Then the son of Atreus, drawing the knife with his hands, which always hung by the great scabbard of his sword, cutting off the forelock of the boar, prayed, lifting up his hands to Jove; but all the Greeks sat in silence in the same spot, listening in a becoming manner to the king. But praying, he spoke, looking towards the wide heaven:

[Footnote 633: _I.e._ in the scale, in order to be weighed.]

"Now first let Jove be witness, the most supreme and best of G.o.ds, and Earth, and Sun, and ye Furies, who beneath the earth chastise men, whoever may swear a falsehood; never have I laid hands upon the maid Brises, needing her for the sake of the couch, or any other purpose; but inviolate has she remained in my tents. But if any of these things be false, may the G.o.ds inflict on me those very many distresses which they inflict when men sin in swearing."

He said, and cut the throat of the boar with the ruthless bra.s.s; which Talthybius, whirling round, cast into the mighty water of the h.o.a.ry sea, as food for fishes. But Achilles, rising, said among the war-loving Greeks:

"O father Jove, certainly thou givest great calamities to men; for never could Atrides have so thoroughly aroused the indignation in my bosom, nor foolish, led away the girl, I being unwilling, but Jove for some intent wished death should happen to many Greeks. But now go to the repast, that we may join battle."

Thus then he spoke, and dissolved the a.s.sembly in haste.[634]

[Footnote 634: So Od. viii. 38: T??? ??e???ete da?ta, i.e. ????.

Virg. aen. iv. 226: "Celeres defer mea dicta per auras," which Servius interprets, "celer, vel celeriter."]

They indeed were separated, each to his own ship; but the magnanimous Myrmidons were occupied about the gifts, and, bearing them, went to the ship of G.o.dlike Achilles. These they laid up in the tents, and placed the women in seats; but the ill.u.s.trious attendants drove the horses to the stud. But afterwards Brises, like unto golden Venus, when she beheld Patroclus lacerated with the sharp spear, throwing herself about him, wept aloud, and with her hands tore her breast and tender neck, and fair countenance.[635] Then the woman, like unto the G.o.ddesses, weeping, said:

"O Patroclus! most dear to my wretched soul, I left thee indeed alive, departing from my tent, but now returning, I find thee dead, O chieftain of the people! How in my case evil ever succeeds evil. The hero indeed to whom my father and venerable mother had given me,[636] I saw pierced with the sharp bra.s.s before the city; and three beloved brothers whom the same mother had brought forth to me, all drew on the destructive day. Nevertheless, thou didst not suffer me to weep, when swift Achilles slew my husband, and laid waste the city of divine Mynes, but thou saidst thou wouldst render me the wedded wife[637] of n.o.ble Achilles, lead me in the ships to Phthia, and prepare the nuptial feast amongst the Myrmidons. Therefore do I insatiably lament thee dead, being ever gentle."

[Footnote 635: On these ancient signs of lamentation cf. Virg.

aen. iv. 672; xii. 605; Silius, viii. 153; Tusc. Quaest. iii. 26.

aesch. Choeph. 22: ???pe? pa???? f??????? ??????. Eur. Hel.

1098: ?a??d? t' ????a f????? ?a?? ?????. Orest. 950: ???e?sa ?e???? ????a d?? pa???d??, a?at???? ?ta?. Artemidor. i. ?? t???

p???es? ????ta? t?? pa?e?a? ?? ?????p??. See Comm. on Petron.

cxi.]

[Footnote 636: The consent of both parents was necessary to a contract of marriage. See Feith, Antiq. Hom. ii. 13, 3.]

[Footnote 637: She appears to have been, at present, only betrothed.]

Thus she spoke, weeping; and the women lamented for Patroclus, as a pretext, but [really] each for her own ills. And around him (Achilles) were collected the elders of the Greeks, entreating him to take refreshment; but he, moaning, refused:

"I entreat [you], if any of my beloved companions would be obedient to me, bid me not satiate my heart with food or drink, since heavy grief hath invaded me; but I will wait entirely till the setting sun, and will endure."

So saying, he dismissed the other kings: but two sons of Atreus remained; and n.o.ble Ulysses, Nestor, Idomeneus, and the aged knight Phnix, constantly endeavouring to delight him sorrowing; nor was he at all delighted, before he should enter the mouth[638] of b.l.o.o.d.y war. But remembering [Patroclus], he frequently heaved [a sigh], and said:

[Footnote 638: So Ennius, p. 128. Hessel.: "Belli ferratos posteis portasque refregit." Virg. aen. i. 298: "Claudentur belli portae." Stat. Theb. v. 136: "Movet ostia belli."]

"Surely once, thou too, O unhappy one! dearest of my companions, wouldst thyself have set before me a plentiful feast, within my tent, speedily and diligently, when the Greeks hastened to make tearful war upon the horse-breaking Trojans. But now thou liest mangled; but my heart is without drink and food, though they are within, from regret for thee; for I could not suffer anything worse, not even if I were to hear of my father being dead, who now perhaps sheds the tender tear in Phthia from the want of such a son; while I, in a foreign people, wage war against the Trojans, for the sake of detested Helen: or him, my beloved son, who is nurtured for me at Scyros, if indeed he still lives, G.o.dlike Neoptolemus. For formerly the mind within my bosom hoped that I alone should perish here in Troy, far from steed-nourishing Argos, and that thou shouldst return to Phthia, that thou mightst lead back my son in thy black ship from Scyros, and mightst show him everything, my property, my servants, and my great, lofty-domed abode. For now I suppose that Peleus is either totally deceased, or that he, barely alive, suffers pain from hateful old age, and that he is continually expecting bad news respecting me, when he shall hear of my being dead."

Thus he spoke, weeping; and the elders also groaned, remembering, each of them, the things which they had left in their dwellings. But the son of Saturn felt compa.s.sion, seeing them weeping, and immediately to Minerva addressed winged words:

"O daughter mine, thou entirely now desertest thy valiant hero. Is Achilles then no longer at all a care to thee in thy mind? He himself is sitting before his lofty-beaked ships, bewailing his dear companion; while the others have gone to a banquet; but he is unrefreshed and unfed. Go, therefore, instil into his breast nectar and delightful ambrosia, that hunger may come not upon him."