(Original installments with notes and commentary: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X)
O goddess, sing of the son of Peleus: Of the wrath of Achilles, and the countless pains It heaped on the Achaeans; and of heroes' shades It hurled, untimely, into Hades' depths, And gave their bodies – through the God's design – To the fluttering birds, and to the feasting dogs; For that a violent word-war had forced asunder Divine Achilles from the king of men. Which of the gods engaged them in strife? Leto's son and Zeus's. He was stoked to rage, Incensed at the king; a sickness raised he – A plague upon the host – and piled up corpses; For the son of Atreus had dishonoured his priest, Venerable Chryses, when he came to the fleet With riches to ransom his rapted daughter – And the laurel garland that graced his hand Upon the gold sceptre of farshóoting Apollo. He entreated all, to reobtain his girl, In the host of Achaeans; but chiefly two: The sons of Atreus, on high commanding. "Ye two Atrides, and ye throng of Greeks, "Well-gréaved Achaeans; may the gods of Olympus "Grant ye the plundering of Priam's city "And a safe return. But take my gifts "And restore me my darling, for the sake of honour "To the son of Zeus, farshóoting Apollo." The rest of the Achaeans cried assent then To reverence the priest, and the ransom take; But displeased was Atrides, and repulsed him harshly, And sent him away with a stark decree: "Get thee hence, old man, from these hollow barques, "And nor loiter in this place not later return, "Lest the god's garland – if again I should find thee! "And his gold-decked staff should not save thy life. "The maid is mine now; I'll dismiss her not "From my home at Argos; till age should take her, "In bed she'll partner me, and ply the loom, "And everywhere she fares shall be far from her country. "Move me no more now. While thou mayst, begone!" The old man trembled, and in haste obeyed, And in silence mourned by the tumultuous sea. He went in solitude, and ceaseless prayed To the Fulgent, whose birth was of fair-locked Leto: "Hear me, O god of the argent bow! "Who bestrideth Chrysa, and Cilla divine, "And reigneth over Tenedos as rightful lord! "O Mousebane Apollo! If it pleased thy heart "When I built thy temple up, and burned the thigh-fat "Of bulls and goats to thee, then bring my wish about: "Strike the Danaeans for thy servant's tears!" So Chryses prayed; and Apollo heard him, And strode from Olympus with his shining bow And quiver o'er his shoulders, that clashed as he marched, And rattled with arrows; enraged in heart And bent on vengeance. To the fleet he came As dark as the night; and he knelt apart, And loosed off an arrow – with a lash and clang Of the doom-knelling string upon the silver bow. He struck the mules first, and swift-limbed dogs, Then full vengeful at men sent his venomed darts – And the dead were mounded on cremation-pyres. Nine nights the army from his arrows suffered; 'Til Achilles, on the tenth day, called a meeting Of the whole war-host. White-armed Hera Had sent that thought to him to seed his mind – For she most dearly pitied those dying before her.
So they gathered in council, together assembling, And swift-foot Achilles stood to spéak amóng them: "It seems, Atrides, if we scape with life "From the war and pestilence that wastes our host, "We must pell-mell homeward, repelled and routed, "In defeat, from this fight! But let's first consult "Some prophet, or priest, or prober of dreams – "For dreams are from Zeus – for to show what cause "Has so incensed the archer-god: what act or fault? "Let us offer hecatombs; let altars smoke; "So that for vows we have broken he may blame us not, "And thus soothed by the smouldering of spotless lambs "And blemishless goats, his bane may turn from us." He spake, and sat; and the son of Thestor, Calchas the augur – who all things knew Of what was, and what is, and what will be after – Who was best of bird-seers, blessed by Apollo As a soothsaying oracle – whose arts had guided The ships of Achaea to the shores of Troy – This sage stood up now, and spake goodwillingly: "God-loved Achilles! I would gladly tell thee "What has caused the choler of the king Apollo "Who shoots from on high. But I will say it only "If thou swear'st me a pact – that with speech and hand, "With word and with deed, thou wilt do me aid – "And with thy might defend me. 'Less I miss my guess, "The Argives' ruler, who reigns supreme – "He who sways this host – will be incensed to hear it. "And woe to the underling who angers a king! "Today he might bite back the bile in his chest, "But his vengeance will fester, be fulfilled in time – "So tell me for truth: wilt thou protect my life?" Fleet-foot Achilles fitly answered: "Take courage, Calchas, declare what prophecy "Thou learnedst from the god – belov'd of his father, "Far-shot Apollo – whom in prayers thou seek'st, "And discover'st knowledge, for Danaeans' sake, "Of divine foresight. In this force of troops "None shall boldly dare – while I breathe the air "And look on the light – to lay upon thee "His heavy hand at the hollow ships – "Not e'en if thou namest Ágamémnon, "Who boasts himself above us as the best of Greeks." And so blameless the seer, emboldened, spake: "'Tis nor for vow nor hecatomb he harries us, "And with pains oppresses us. His priest was wronged "When Agamémnon dishonoured him – his maiden's ransom "He scorned to take, and did not set her free; "And thus affronted, the afar-shooter "Afflicts us with arrows; and no end will come "To the horrid murrain; he'll withhold no shames, "'Til unpurchased, unransomed, with no price exacted – "The bright-eyed girl goes back to her father, "And a blessed hecatomb bleeds in Chrysa. "We might thus be pardoned, and appease the god."
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So he spake, and sat; and the son of Atreus Arose, heroic wide-rúling Agamemnon – Baleful black wrath overboiled his heart, And his eyes were like embers, hotly blazing. Ill-stáring at Calchas, he bespake him thus: "Oracle of evils! Not e'er has come "Any good for me from thy grievous tongue; "Ill-tidings are thy joy; and tidings glad "From thy words and works have never ónce come forth. "'Midst Danaeans divining, thou announc'st to all "That the far-shooting one afflicts us so "For the sake of his priest; for that the splendid ransom "For Chryseis the virgin I refused to trade; "For I much prefer the maid to have "And hold in my house; for in every way "She more charms me than my wed wife, Clýtemnéstra; "In no wise is she worse: in her woman's form, "In her mind, in her works – a matchless girl! "Yet I'll loose her regardless – for I'm loath to watch "My people keep perishing in pyre-smoulders – "Ye must see, at once, though, that reward is found, "For to make amends to me. Unmeet 'twould be "If it were I alone in the Argive troop "Who should want an honour-prize; as all ye witness, "The prize that was mine own now elsewhere wends." Swift-foot Achilles responded thus: "Son of Atreus, overstanding all, "And as greedy for gain as thou art great in rank: "How ought us greathearts to grant thee a prize? "None are lying about here! The loot from cities "That we captured and sacked has been claimed and doled, "Distributed generally; unjust 'twould be "To regather it again from all the Grecian host. "But for the moment send the maid to her god, "And thou shalt take repayment – three or fourfold – "When the walls have fallen round the well-fenced Troy, "And Zeus has granted us to sack and to gut her." But answered the lordly one, Agamemnon: "O divine Achilles, who art valiant, truly, "Do not steal to subtlety! Deceitful wit "Shall not persuade or escape me; thou shalt slip not past me! "Thou wishest, haply, to be well-repaid, "While I sit down emptily and sore with lack? "Thou demand'st I give her; our greatheart host "Must then compensate me with equivalent prize, "Their king to gratify. I'll grasp it myself "Should they scorn to grant it! I shall set my hands "Upon the prize allotted thee, and lead her away; "Or the prize of Odysseus, or the prize of Ajax, "And whomever I visit shall be filled with gall. "But this matter may wait until a meeter time. "So now come, let us haul to the heaven-bright brine "A sable ship, staffed with rowers, "Stuffed with a hecatomb; and set on board "Fair-chéeked Chryseis – and let charge be taken "By some man of counsel who shall make the trip: "Idomeneus or Ajax; or deific Odysseus, "Or thee, Pelides – our terriblest man – "By making sacrifice to seek appeasement "Of the long-armed god, and to lift his scourge." Yet he responded scowl-browed, swift-foot Achilles: "O my, so covetous, cloaked in shamelessness "With loot on the brain! Who would liefly serve thee "In this host of Achaeans? Thy hest obey? "At thy command wage war? Or wend on a mission? "I came not for vengeance on these foreign spearmen! "No Trojan has touched me; none thither drove "My horses or beeves; none has harmed or plundered "Any fruit of field in my fertile Phthia, "Nurse of mighty men. Remote she lies, "Protected by territories between us standing: "The deep-valed mountains and redounding sea. "O grossly shameless one, we gathered behind thee, "Dog-eyed ingrate, to do thee honour – "Thyself and thy brother – to settle wrongs "That ye suffered from those Trojans, that thou turn'st not to heed. "And at that thou threat'st me that thou'lt take my prize "That I earned by mine efforts, and the Argives gave me! "I have never taken from the throng-filled cities "Sacked on our ventures, any share thine equal: "Though my hands ever brunt the hardest fighting, "When we fall to dividing, by far the greater "Of the prizes is thine; and with paltry winnings – "Yet dear-beloved – to my dark-tarred ships, "Wearied by war-works, my way I take. "But my course I'll turn now, with my curve-prowed boats, "To my home Phthia; and I hardly think "That thou shalt gather such treasures as might glut thine avarice "When I, the dishonoured, aid thee no more." And the host-king answered, Agamemnon: "Well then fly, and fleetly, if thou feel'st in heart "Such ardent urging to be out and gone. "Do not stay for my sake; I'll beseech thee not; "I have others around me who will honour me more, "As will the highest Counsellor, the all-wise Zeus. "I regard thee loathest among God-kept kings: "For in strife thou joyest and in shedding blood – "In combat and carnage. Yet perchance thy might "Is the gift of some god, and thus no ground to boast on. "So hence thee homeward, with thy house-companions, "To lord the Myrmidons. No loss I count thee, "And I reck thy wrath not a wretched jot. "But I threat thee thus: just as taken hence "By Apollo the Fulgent is my prize Chryseis, "And I send her on sea with my sworn companions, "Fair-cheeked Briseis will surely be mine. "I shall move on thy camp and demand thy prize. "Thou shalt learn, thus lessoned, thy lower place; "And that shall cow the next man – who shall know far better "Than face-to-face with me to vaunt his peerhood!"
He so bespake him; and the shaggy breast Of the son of Peleus was seized by pain; Divided, debating: if to force a path With his blade unsheathed, through the standers-round, For to take the life of the lord of men; Or if to stop his gall up and restrain his heart. As in his mind he doubted, and drew, unscabbarding, His trenchant sword, Athena came, From heaven descending; snow-armed Hera Had sent her swiftly, for the striving pair She dually regarded as dear to her spirit. So the Spear-Shaker stood behind him – And appeared to none of them, apart from him – And grasped his gold locks. Jarred, he turned then, And knew, instantly, those eyes that flashed With a terrible light. He thus bespake her With feather-fletched words: "O why hast thou come, "Thou child of the Aegis-Bearer, all-wise Zeus? "Hast thou come to witness the wanton insolence "Atrides foists on me? I tell thee soothly: "That forceful bombast might just burst the life from him." Owl-eyed Athena returned these words: "From heaven I've been sent for to stay thine anger – "So wilt thou obey me? White-armed Hera "Dually regards ye as dear to her spirit. "So halt thy hand now, and heft no sword; "With thy tongue retort to him – let that suffice. "I foretell to thee truly that the time will come "When thou shalt take for this outrage a threefold payment "In splendid bounty-gifts! Stay, obey us!" Swift-foot Achilles responded thus: "O Goddess I will hear thee, though galled in heart, "For 'tis always best to obey thy words: "Who hears the gods is heard by them too." Just so he spake; and on the silvered hilt Laid his heavy hand, and homeward thrust His sword to its sheath; he did not scorn obedience To the word of Athena. She went Olympusward To mix with her kindred, the immortal gods, In the high halls of Zeus, the Aegis-Bearer. But with rage unceasing 'gainst the son of Atreus, Pelides spoke out with scathing words: "Thou stout sack of wine, with the shameless eyes "And aspect of a dog, and the heart of a deer! "When the host takes arms, I've not ever seen thee "Arm for battle; or an ambush dare "With the doughtest Greeks; the din of war "Is like the call of death to thee, and cows thy heart. "Much rather wouldst thou range through the rear of the host "To steal from whomever dares dispúte thy words. "Thou art a people-eater, who oppresses nobodies "Tamed to abuses – or else they would make "This loathsome outrage thy last of all. "But I'll speak against thee; and I'll swear an oath "By this very sceptre – that will sprout no buds, "Nor bear more leaves, nor boughs bring forth – "Since from its source 'twas severed, on the slopes of mountains; "Lopped by the bronze blade of leaves and bark; "And is carried by justicers, Achaeans' sons, "Those who guard the ordinances got from Zeus – "By this sign I swear now a resounding oath: "That Achilles will be missed by Achaeans' sons; "And the time shall come when thou shalt crave his aid; "When thou hapless grievest; cannot help thy men; "When man-slaying Hector mows down droves of them; "Thou'lt rend thy heart then, and rue the day "That thou didst no honour to the doughtest in arms!" Then hard to the earth he hurled his scepter, Studded with gold nails, and sat back down; And yet Atrides seethed upon the side opposing; So arose another: Nestor of Pylos, Sweet-tongued orator; sheer eloquence Dripped from him dulcetly like delicate honey; In his long lifetime there had lived and perished Two generations that were reared and born with him In godly Pylos; now he governed the third. Up he stood in their midst, and spake goodwilling:
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"O what shame and disaster has struck Achaea, "And how Priam and sons would be pleased to hear it! "All the other Trojans would at heart rejoice "Were they to hear the two of ye in heated quarrel, "Who in battle and counsel are the best of Greeks! "But yield to persuasion: ye are younger, both of ye, "Than I, who in old days oft consorted "With much nobler men – and yet was ne'er disdained by them. "I've seen none like them, nor will see the like again "Of King Pirithous, who ruled the Lapiths; "Or that people's herdsman, the hero Dryas; "Caeneus, Exadius, noble warriors; "Polyphemus the Lapith, who was like an immortal; "Theseus son of Aegeus, who was equal to gods. "They were the mightiest bred among us mortal earthborns: "The mightiest indeed, and with the mightiest fought – "With the mountain Centaurs, and crushed them utterly! "With such I consorted, coming straight from Pylos, "When they called me forth from my far-off land; "And I fought my part – although to fight with them "Would overmatch the might of any man alive. "Yet they observed my counsels, to my speech yielding – "So yield ye also, since to yield is best. "Agamemnon – though thou mighty art – "Do not seize the girl that the Greeks awarded him; "And thee, Pelides – do not think to set "Thy face against his – for no higher glory "Has been granted by Zeus to a sceptred king. "Although thy strength be great – though thou be goddess-born – "Yet he stands the lordlier in lands and men. "Son of Atreus! Cease thine anger, "And leave it to me, by polite entreaties, "To calm the choler of Achilles here, "Who is the bulwark of our side in this bitter war." The kingly one answered, Agamemnon: "Indeed, elder, on all these things "Thou hast fitly spoken; but this fellow here "Will not sate his desire 'til he stands o'er all: "Over all lording, over all commanding, "And all deeds dictating; but I doubt that one "Will abide his lordship or obey his words. "The immortal gods have made him a spearman, "But they gave him no license for disgraceful insults –" He cut in and answered, deific Achilles: "I'd be called a coward, and a cheap nonentity, "If everywhere, in everything, unresistingly "I bow to thy bidding. Let thy beck and call "Be laid on others – I'll no longer yield. "But now hark, and hold this in thy heart and mind: "I'll not strive for the girl – I'll not set my hands "On thee, or any other who intends to come "And remove once more what to me ye gave – "But of what sundries are mine beside my swift black boats, "I'll not suffer one to be seized unwilling: "Should thou come and try me, let this crowd observe "Thy black blood billow round the blade of my spear!"
So having battled back and forth with bitter words, They stood, and dissolved the assembly-host By the Achaean ships. The son of Peleus Went, with his warriors, to his well-planed boats – And with the son of Menoetius – to his sheltered camp. Meanwhile the son of Atreus to the sea-waves dragged A thrusting ship; took twenty rowers; Put on board, for the god, a blessed hecatomb; And led to her chair fair-chéeked Chryseis, Consigned her to the charge of resourceful Odysseus. And as away they sailed, upon the watery roads, Agamemnon commanded the men of the host To purge themselves from the plague's defilements. They washed the filth off; to the waters cast it; And pledged to Apollo perfect hecatombs – Both bulls and goats – beside the briny furrows, Barren and harvestless. To heaven rose The smoke and the savour in spiral-coils. Thus the army bustled; and yet Agamemnon Ne'er relented the threats he had laid on Achilles; So he spoke to his heralds, who esquired him always – Talthybius, Eurybates – ready attendants: "Now go to the camp of Achilles Pelides, "And take by the hand and hither lead "Fair-cheeked Briseis; if he quits her not, "Then I shall go to take her with a troop of men – "And that shall chill him colder than his quitting the girl." So he spake, and sent them with that stark decree; And they full trepidly traipsed by the untillable brine; 'Til when they came to the ships and the camp of Myrmidons, By shelter and black ship they saw him there: Achilles sitting; and the sight of them Did not at all please him. They promptly stopped – Frozen stock-still in fright and awe – And nor accosted nor questioned the king before them. Yet he understood, and he bespake them thus: "Hail and welcome, ye heralds of Zeus, "And messengers of men. Move ye closer; "No fault do I find with ye; fully culpable "I hold the one who has hither sent ye "For the sake of Briseis, to seize her from me. "God-sprung Patroclus! Go in haste now "To lead the girl out; and let them take her, "And lead her away; and let them henceforth "Bear their witness – before blessed gods, "Before mortal men; and more besides, "Before that heartless king – if e'er again "My help be needed, the host to save "From a wretched ruin! He rages and fumes, "Seethes and smoulders, in destructive mind, "With nor hind nor foresight – and heeds not a whit "How the Greeks, by their fleet, may fight unscathed." He thusly spake; Patroclus obeyed His beloved friend; and led the girl, Fair-cheeked Briseis, from the camp's shelter.
She was given, taken – and the two went back, Returned to their king, by the Achaean ships; And as away they led her, she, reluctant, went with them, A woman unwilling. Then went Achilles Away from his comrades, and wept in sorrow On the shore of the hoar sea, staring outward On the ocean's endlessness. And as he did so, He cast his hands forth, and called in prayer Upon his dear mother, with many a word: "Mother who bore me! In my minimal time "I might have looked for honour to Olympian Zeus, "Who thunders on high; but not a titch he grants me, "And I'm thus dishonoured by Agamemnon, "Who my prize possesses, having seized her away." Thus he spake, and wept, and it went to the lady Who bides under brine, in abyssal depths With her aged father. From the hoary sea She ascended swiftly like a shroud of mist – And she sat before him as he shed his tears; And with her hand she stroked him, and she spake and named him: "Why weeps my child? What has sorrowed thee? "Speak, do not hide it; share it between us." He sighed, and responded, swift-foot Achilles: "Why should I tell thee what thou wost and seest? "At the city of Eëtion, sacred Thebe, "We struck and we sacked, and with spoil returned; "It was distributed fairly; and the sons of Achaeans "Chose for Atrides fair-cheeked Chryseis. "Then came Chryses, the priest of Apollo the far-shot, "To the speedy boats of the bronze-clad Greeks "With riches to ransom his rapted daughter, "And the laurel garland that graced his hand "Upon the gold sceptre of farshooting Apollo. "He entreated all to reobtain his girl, "In the host of Achaeans; but chiefly two: "The sons of Atreus, on high commanding. "The rest of the Achaeans cried assent then "To reverence the priest, and the ransom take; "But displeased was Atrides, and repulsed him harshly, "And sent him away with a stark decree. "Thereafter, in anger, the old man prayed – "And Apollo harkened, for he held him dear, "And took at us Argives a terrible shot. "The dead fell in droves; the darts of the god "Went whizzing all ways throughout the width of our camp. "Then a seer explained to us the Shooter's will: "It was I who urged, ahead of the rest, "The god's appeasement; but, gripped by anger, "The son of Atreus, swiftly rising, "Spake a threat at me – and soon fulfilled it. "For the bright-eyed Achaeans to Chryse send "The girl on a swift ship, with gifts for the Lord; "But just now the heralds from my huts have led "Briseus's daughter, whom the sons of Achaeans, "The Grecian host, to my hand had given. "But now succour thy son, if thou hast sway to do so! "Ascend to Olympus, with Zeus to plead, "If by speech or deed thou ever servedst or gladdenedst him. "I frequent heard thee, in my father's hall, "Exultant, telling of the time thou helpedst him: "Lone 'midst Olympians, thou liftedst ruin "From the cloud-murking Thunderer, Cronus's scion. "When many immortals had a mind to bind him – "Hera, Poseidon, and Spear-Shake Athena – "Thou unloosedst his bonds, and to th' Olympian heights "The Hundred-Hander to his help thou calledst – "Whom gods call Briareus, but all mortals "Know as Aegaeon – for that giant's strength "Exceeds his sire, [Poseidon Aegaeon.] "When he sat by Cronides, in exultant glory, "He cowed the blessed ones; they rebelled no more. "Go clasp his knees, and recount all that, "So that haply he helps the host of Troy – "So to ships and sea-shore they may shove the Greeks back, "With terrible slaughters; they may thank their king, "Wide-ruling Agamemnon – who shall reck the folly "Of doing no honour to the doughtest in arms!" Thetis answered – there were tears in her eyes – "O woe, my son – why did I bear thee? "So bitter-born, and so bound to sorrow! "I wish thou couldst sit without weep or pain "By thy ships, since thy life-lot is short indeed! "Thou art fleet-fated, and now far exceedest "Others in sadness – and so, therefore, "I bore thee in the hall to an evil fate! "But to thundering Zeus I will take thy suit – "To snowy Olympus I myself will go, "And try to persuade him. Till that time should come, "By the ships swift-travelling, sit continually, "Rage at th' Achaeans, and quit their war. "For Zeus has departed to the circling Ocean, "With the faultless Ethiopians a feast to hold, "Yesterday going – and the gods all followed. "Days twelve will pass ere they return to heaven. "To his bronze-founded house I shall hasten then, "And clasp his knees with cozening prayers, "Entreat him humbly, and hope he will listen." So she spoke, and departed from that place, and left him, With a heart full of gall for the well-girdled woman They had taken unwilling. By that time, Odysseus Had sailed to Chrysa with the sacred oxen. To the deep-hollowed harbour they drew full nigh Until they fared within; then they furled their sails, And in the swart ship stowed them. Then the standing mast Was to the mast-crutch lowered to lock it aft – Loosing the forestays that aloft had fixed it, Quickly and nimbly. Then they caught the oars up, And rowed her forth until she reached her moorings. They cast the anchor-stones; secured the ropes At the stern of the ship; then stepped they out Upon the shore of the sea, amidst the surf of waves, And led the hecatomb for longshot Apollo. And Chryseis stepped out of the sea-crosser – And was guided to th' altar, and the arms of her father, By resourceful Odysseus, who spoke these words: "I am come, O Chryses, from the king of men – "From high Agamemnon – to home thy child, "And to the Fulgent sacrifice these sacred oxen, "For the sake of the Greeks; to assuage the Lord "Who has heaped us Argives with hard-groaned pains." Thus he spake, and sent her to her sire's hands – And he received, rejoicingly, his sweet-loved child. Then they swiftly arrayed the sacred oxen In ordered wise around the well-built altar. Then they laved their hands, laid hold of the barley, And loud prayed the priest, his palms uplifting: "Hear me, O god of the argent bow, "Who bestrideth Chrysa, and Cilla divine, "And reigneth o'er Tenedos in regal might! "Thou hast honoured me once: to my words didst harken, "And hard didst thou harrow the host of Achaeans! "Fulfill my wish now; ward from Danaeans "That wrack and ruin, and rescue their host!" So he spake in prayer – and Apollo listened – And they prayed, and then sprinkled the seeds of barley 'Twixt the horns of the beeves; bent back their heads, And slit their throats; and skinned the carcasses. They cut the thighs away, and cowled them in fat, And enfolded them doubly; and flesh laid on, Red-raw morsels from the rest of the body. The elder burned them on billets of wood, And made flowing libations of the flambent wine, As with five-pronged forks stood the flanking youths. When the thighs were cindered, and they'd tasted the entrails, They sliced the portions up, on spits transfixed them, And roasted them thoroughly; and took the meat off.
When the work was finished, and the fest prepared, They feasted to the full – with none found to be wanting. Once they'd driven off their lust for the drinking and eating, Boys brought mixing-bowls that brimmed with wine; And they poured libations, and then passed the cups round. The Achaean youths, throughout that day, Sang splendid paeans to appease the god, The Far-Worker; as their voices rose, He heard their hymning, and his heart rejoiced. When the sun went down, and darkness came, By their ships' stern-ropes to sleep they lay; And when rose-fingered Eos – the early-born one – Shining, showed herself, to sea they took, Towards the wide host of the war-Achaeans – And the Far-doer graced them with a favouring wind. When they raised up the mast, and unrolled the sail, White and wide-spread, the wind outbillowed it – Filled full its middle; by the foreprow parted, The purple sea-waves pealed full loudly As the ship o'er the swell went, speeding homeward. When they came to the Achaeans' encampèd host, They dragged on the mainland the dark-tarred ship, High on the shore-sands – and held her fast With the lengths of wood that they laid beneath her. Then they scattered each way to their ships and camps. Still in wrath sat the other by his rapid ships: Divine Peleus' son, fleet-foot Achilles. Nor came he to council, where chiefs win glory, Nor went he to war; but wasted his heart out In sitting idle – yearning wistfully For combat and battle-cry. There came at last The twelfth day's dawn; the eternal gods Returned to Olympus, led by the Thunderer, All together. Unforgetful was Thetis Of her son's request; from the sea-waves rising In the mists of the morning, she mounted the sky And the tip of Olympus; and there she found Far-seeing Zeus, son of Cronus – Who was sat apart from the sundry gods Of many-ridged Olympus, on the loftiest peak.
Down she sat beside him, and seized his knees With the left of her arms; lifted her right hand To cup his chin; in supplication, spake To Zeus son of Kronos, the king of gods: "O Father Zeus, if I have favour done thee "By my words or actions, in the host of immortals, "Grant my wish now; give my son now – "Who is swiftest-fated – succour of honour; "For the host-king dishonours him, Agamemnon, "Who has seized his prize for himself to hold. "But at least, thou honour him, all-wise Olympian – "Until the hour when the humbled Greeks "Shall heap him with honours, help the Trojans – "Fill them full of force upon the field of battle!" Just so she spake; but Zeus the cloud-drover Sat in silence, and responded not. So having taken his knees, Thetis clasped them; Clung to him closely; requested again: "Give me sure promise – an assenting nod – "Or refuse me fully, since thou fearest nothing; "I shall know full well then to what degree "I am the least in honour midst the host of gods." And so the cloud-gatherer, aggrieved in mood, Now answered thus: "What thou ask'st of me "Is a baneful doing; I shall brunt the odium "Of Hera, who is ever stirring up disputes "With provokeful reproaches – calls me partial, always, "With aid to the Ilians, 'midst the host of gods. "Hasten homeward, lest Hera spy thee; "Leave thy case in my care, 'til I should carry this out; "And I shall nod my head, that thou mayst have my surety: "'For this, from me, is the mightiest pledge, "And whate'er I nod to is never found "To be false, revoked, or unfulfilled in time." Thus spake Cronides, and nodded assent With his blue-black brows; the ambrosial locks Upon his deathless head swept down in ripples, And Olympus shook beneath its sovran lord. So the two now parted, having taken counsel; She plunged from Olympus, to plumb the sea-depths; But Zeus went homewards to the hall of gods, Where the immortals sat. To meet their sire They arose at once; not one could bear To stay and await him; they stood together, As he sat on his throne. But his sister-wife Had seen and was wise to his sharing counsels With silver-footed Thetis, the sea-elder's daughter. So without delay, she thus bespake him – Zeus son of Cronus – with snithing words: "O all-wily one! Which other god "Has shared thy counsels? Such is beloved of thee: "To plan and to ponder, apart from me, "And never venture frankly to divulge thy mind to me."
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He answered, the father of humans and gods: "Do not hope, Hera, to wholly know "My words and purposes; that will not be; "'Twould be hard for thee, although thou art my consort. "What is fit to thy knowledge thou art first to know "Among mortal men and the immortal gods. "Of what I plan by myself, sitting apart from ye, "Pry not and probe not with pestering questions!" And his queen requoth to him, cow-eyed Hera: "Dread son of Cronus, how comes this speech? "In the past, truly, I've not pressed thee much "With prying and quarrying; as it pleases thee, "At ease, quiescent, thou work'st out thy plans. "But I fear, dreadfully, thou fall'st to the sway "Of silver-footed Thetis, the sea-elder's daughter. "In the mists of the morning, she made her way here, "And sat beside thee, and seized thy knees; "And methinks thou didst nod, and thy troth didst seal, "To honour Achilles, and help the Trojans "To slaughter scores beside the ships of Greece." Zeus the cloud-drover spake in answer: "O dear, O dear! Does no doing of mine "Escape thy suspicion? Yet this serves thee ill: "For it avails thee nought but to further drive thee "From my heart away; and that shall harrow thee worse. "If what thou say'st be sooth, then as such I willed it; "So now sit in silence, and my speech obey – "Lest I lay these hands on thee – unwithstandable – "And none on Olympus in the least might help thee!" Just so he spake; and, shocked to fright, Cow-eyed Hera curbed her high heart And sat down in silence. Sorely troubled Was the host celestial in the house of Zeus. So Hephaestus spoke, famous craftsman; Did favour to his mother, fair-armed Hera. "What a horrid business! And how hard to bear, "If ye two should quarrel on account of mortals, "And bring a brawl about! The banquet of gods "Would fall to the fouler, and be void of pleasure! "Let me warn my mother – though full wise she is – "To gratify our father, lest again he scold her, "And stir disturbance up to spoil our feast. "Should the Olympian lightning-wielder list to round on us "And strike us from our seats, none could stand athwart him; "But with soft words soothe him – who is strongest of all – "And the Olympian will graciously be gentle with us." Just so he spake – and sprang to his feet, Took the double goblet, which he dealt to the hands Of his dear mother, and addressed her thus: "Forbear, mother, and abide, though vexed; "Lest mine eyes should see thee being struck – and I, "As dear as thou art to me, might aid thee not, "For to vie with the Olympian would be far too painful. "Once I tried it, wishing to help thee – "And was caught by the foot; and he cast me down "Past the sublime threshold – and long I hurtled, "All day, through air; with the downing sun "I landed in Lemnos, and my life was ebbing; "But I soon had succour from the Sintian folk." Just so he spake; and a smile appeared Upon the face of the goddess, fair-armed Hera; And smiling, from her son she received the goblet. Then he rounded, rightwise, the room of gods, And drew from the mixing-bowl the dulcet nectar. As they looked on Hephaestus, lame and awkward, Huffing and bustling through the hall to serve them, The blessed ones were stirred to unstinting laughter. 'Til the sun went under, for all that day, To the full they feasted, with nought found to be wanting – Not the sheen lyre in the sway of Apollo, Nor the singing in exchange of the sweet-voiced Muses. When low sank the light of the lucent sun, Each left for his house, for to lay him down – For the famed Hephaestus had framed such homes for them With learned artfulness, the list-limbed god. So Zeus the lightning-wielder sought the rest-bed He'd sought oft before when sweet sleep came; He went up and lay there, with his lady next to him – Gold-throned Hera by the great Olympian.