The Iliad of Homer. Homer

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СКАЧАТЬ 017 Blooming Brisëis, whom if he withhold,

       Not her alone, but other spoil myself

       Will take in person—He shall rue the hour.410

      With such harsh message charged he them dismissed

       They, sad and slow, beside the barren waste

       Of Ocean, to the galleys and the tents

       Moved of the Myrmidons. Him there they found

       Beneath the shadow of his bark reclined,415

       Nor glad at their approach. Trembling they stood,

       In presence of the royal Chief, awe-struck,

       Nor questioned him or spake. He not the less

       Knew well their embassy, and thus began.

      Ye heralds, messengers of Gods and men,420

       Hail, and draw near! I bid you welcome both.

       I blame not you; the fault is his alone

       Who sends you to conduct the damsel hence

       Brisëis. Go, Patroclus, generous friend!

       Lead forth, and to their guidance give the maid.425

       But be themselves my witnesses before

       The blessed Gods, before mankind, before

       The ruthless king, should want of me be felt

       To save the host from havoc[25]—Oh, his thoughts Are madness all; intelligence or skill,430 Forecast or retrospect, how best the camp May be secured from inroad, none hath he.

      He ended, nor Patroclus disobey'd,

       But leading beautiful Brisëis forth

       Into their guidance gave her; loth she went435

       From whom she loved, and looking oft behind.

       Then wept Achilles, and apart from all,

       With eyes directed to the gloomy Deep

       And arms outstretch'd, his mother suppliant sought.

      Since, mother, though ordain'd so soon to die,440

       I am thy son, I might with cause expect

       Some honor at the Thunderer's hands, but none

       To me he shows, whom Agamemnon, Chief

       018 Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced,

       Seizing by violence my just reward.445

      So prayed he weeping, whom his mother heard

       Within the gulfs of Ocean where she sat

       Beside her ancient sire. From the gray flood

       Ascending sudden, like a mist she came,

       Sat down before him, stroked his face, and said.450

      Why weeps my son? and what is thy distress?

       Hide not a sorrow that I wish to share.

      To whom Achilles, sighing deep, replied.

       Why tell thee woes to thee already known?

       At Thebes, Eëtion's city we arrived,455

       Smote, sack'd it, and brought all the spoil away.

       Just distribution made among the Greeks,

       The son of Atreus for his lot received

       Blooming Chrysëis. Her, Apollo's priest

       Old Chryses followed to Achaia's camp,460

       That he might loose his daughter. Ransom rich

       He brought, and in his hands the hallow'd wreath

       And golden sceptre of the Archer God

       Apollo, bore; to the whole Grecian host,

       But chiefly to the foremost in command465

       He sued, the sons of Atreus; then, the rest

       All recommended reverence of the Seer,

       And prompt acceptance of his costly gifts.

       But Agamemnon might not so be pleased,

       Who gave him rude dismission; he in wrath470

       Returning, prayed, whose prayer Apollo heard,

       For much he loved him. A pestiferous shaft

       He instant shot into the Grecian host,

       And heap'd the people died. His arrows swept

       The whole wide camp of Greece, 'till at the last475

       A Seer, by Phœbus taught, explain'd the cause.

       I first advised propitiation. Rage

       Fired Agamemnon. Rising, he denounced

       Vengeance, and hath fulfilled it. She, in truth,

       Is gone to Chrysa, and with her we send480

       Propitiation also to the King

       019 Shaft-arm'd Apollo. But my beauteous prize

       Brisëis, mine by the award of all,

       His heralds, at this moment, lead away.

       But thou, wherein thou canst, aid thy own son!485

       Haste hence to Heaven, and if thy word or deed

       Hath ever gratified the heart of Jove,

       With earnest suit press him on my behalf.

       For I, not seldom, in my father's hall

       Have heard thee boasting, how when once the Gods,490

       With Juno, Neptune, Pallas at their head,

       Conspired to bind the Thunderer, thou didst loose

       His bands, O Goddess! calling to his aid

       The Hundred-handed warrior, by the Gods

       Briareus, but by men, Ægeon named.[26]495 For he in prowess and in might surpassed 020 His father Neptune, who, enthroned sublime, Sits second only to Saturnian Jove, Elate with glory and joy. Him all the Gods Fearing from that bold enterprise abstained.500 Now, therefore, of these things reminding Jove, Embrace his knees; entreat him that he give The host of Troy his succor, and shut fast The routed Grecians, prisoners in the fleet, That all may find much solace[27] in their King,505 And that the mighty sovereign o'er them all, Their Agamemnon, СКАЧАТЬ