The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by...

Achilles sing, O Goddess! Peleus’ son; His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes Caused to Achaia’s host, sent many a soul Illustrious into Ades premature, And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove)5 To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey, When fierce dispute had separated once The noble Chief Achilles from the son Of Atreus, Agamemnon, King of men.

Who them to strife impell’d? What power divine?10 Latona’s son and Jove’s.[1] For he, incensed Against the King, a foul contagion raised In all the host, and multitudes destroy’d, For that the son of Atreus had his priest Dishonored, Chryses. To the fleet he came15 Bearing rich ransom glorious to redeem His daughter, and his hands charged with the wreath And golden sceptre[2] of the God shaft-arm’d.

Ye gallant Chiefs, and ye their gallant host, (So may the Gods who in Olympus dwell Give Priam’s treasures to you for a spoil And ye return in safety,) take my gifts25 And loose my child, in honor of the son Of Jove, Apollo, archer of the skies.[3]

Beware, old man! that at these hollow barks I find thee not now lingering, or henceforth Returning, lest the garland of thy God And his bright sceptre should avail thee nought.35 I will not loose thy daughter, till old age Steal on her. From her native country far, In Argos, in my palace, she shall ply The loom, and shall be partner of my bed. Move me no more. Begone; hence while thou may’st.40

God of the silver bow, who with thy power45 Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign’st supreme In Tenedos and Cilla the divine, Sminthian[5] Apollo![6] If I e’er adorned Thy beauteous fane, or on the altar burn’d The fat acceptable of bulls or goats,50 Grant my petition. With thy shafts avenge On the Achaian host thy servant’s tears.

Such prayer he made, and it was heard.[7] The God, Down from Olympus with his radiant bow And his full quiver o’er his shoulder slung,55 Marched in his anger; shaken as he moved His rattling arrows told of his approach. Gloomy he came as night; sat from the ships Apart, and sent an arrow. Clang’d the cord [8]Dread-sounding, bounding on the silver bow.[9]60 Mules first and dogs he struck,[10] but at themselves Dispatching soon his bitter arrows keen, Smote them. Death-piles on all sides always blazed. Nine days throughout the camp his arrows flew; The tenth, Achilles from all parts convened65 The host in council. Juno the white-armed Moved at the sight of Grecians all around Dying, imparted to his mind the thought.[11] The full assembly, therefore, now convened, Uprose Achilles ardent, and began.70

Atrides! Now, it seems, no course remains For us, but that the seas roaming again, We hence return; at least if we survive; But haste, consult we quick some prophet here Or priest, or even interpreter of dreams,75 (For dreams are also of Jove,) that we may learn By what crime we have thus incensed Apollo, What broken vow, what hecatomb unpaid He charges on us, and if soothed with steam Of lambs or goats unblemish’d, he may yet80 Be won to spare us, and avert the plague.

He spake and sat, when Thestor’s son arose Calchas, an augur foremost in his art, Who all things, present, past, and future knew, And whom his skill in prophecy, a gift85 Conferred by Phœbus on him, had advanced To be conductor of the fleet to Troy; He, prudent, them admonishing, replied.[12]

Jove-loved Achilles! Wouldst thou learn from me What cause hath moved Apollo to this wrath,90 The shaft-arm’d King? I shall divulge the cause. But thou, swear first and covenant on thy part That speaking, acting, thou wilt stand prepared To give me succor; for I judge amiss, Or he who rules the Argives, the supreme95 O’er all Achaia’s host, will be incensed. Wo to the man who shall provoke the King For if, to-day, he smother close his wrath, He harbors still the vengeance, and in time Performs it. Answer, therefore, wilt thou save me?100

To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. What thou hast learn’d in secret from the God That speak, and boldly. By the son of Jove, Apollo, whom thou, Calchas, seek’st in prayer Made for the Danaï, and who thy soul105 Fills with futurity, in all the host The Grecian lives not, who while I shall breathe, And see the light of day, shall in this camp Oppress thee; no, not even if thou name Him, Agamemnon, sovereign o’er us all.110

Then was the seer embolden’d, and he spake. Nor vow nor hecatomb unpaid on us He charges, but the wrong done to his priest Whom Agamemnon slighted when he sought His daughter’s freedom, and his gifts refused.115 He is the cause. Apollo for his sake Afflicts and will afflict us, neither end Nor intermission of his heavy scourge Granting, till unredeem’d, no price required, The black-eyed maid be to her father sent,120 And a whole hecatomb in Chrysa bleed. Then, not before, the God may be appeased.

Prophet of mischief! from whose tongue no note Of grateful sound to me, was ever heard; Ill tidings are thy joy, and tidings glad130 Thou tell’st not, or thy words come not to pass. And now among the Danaï thy dreams Divulging, thou pretend’st the Archer-God For his priest’s sake, our enemy, because I scorn’d his offer’d ransom of the maid135 Chrysëis, more desirous far to bear Her to my home, for that she charms me more Than Clytemnestra, my own first espoused, With whom, in disposition, feature, form, Accomplishments, she may be well compared.140 Yet, being such, I will return her hence If that she go be best. Perish myself— But let the people of my charge be saved Prepare ye, therefore, a reward for me, And seek it instant. It were much unmeet145 That I alone of all the Argive host Should want due recompense, whose former prize Is elsewhere destined, as ye all perceive.

To whom Achilles, matchless in the race. Atrides, glorious above all in rank,150 And as intent on gain as thou art great, Whence shall the Grecians give a prize to thee? The general stock is poor; the spoil of towns Which we have taken, hath already passed In distribution, and it were unjust155 To gather it from all the Greeks again. But send thou back this Virgin to her God, And when Jove’s favor shall have given us Troy, A threefold, fourfold share shall then be thine.

To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.160 Godlike Achilles, valiant as thou art, Wouldst thou be subtle too? But me no fraud Shall overreach, or art persuade, of thine. Wouldst thou, that thou be recompensed, and I Sit meekly down, defrauded of my due?165 And didst thou bid me yield her? Let the bold Achaians give me competent amends, Such as may please me, and it shall be well. Else, if they give me none, I will command Thy prize, the prize of Ajax, or the prize170 It may be of Ulysses to my tent, And let the loser chafe. But this concern Shall be adjusted at convenient time. Come—launch we now into the sacred deep A bark with lusty rowers well supplied;175 Then put on board Chrysëis, and with her The sacrifice required. Go also one High in authority, some counsellor, Idomeneus, or Ajax, or thyself, Thou most untractable of all mankind;180 And seek by rites of sacrifice and prayer To appease Apollo on our host’s behalf.

Achilles eyed him with a frown, and spake. Ah! clothed with impudence as with a cloak, And full of subtlety, who, thinkest thou—185 What Grecian here will serve thee, or for thee Wage covert war, or open? Me thou know’st, Troy never wronged; I came not to avenge Harm done to me; no Trojan ever drove My pastures, steeds or oxen took of mine,190 Or plunder’d of their fruits the golden fields Of Phthia[13] the deep-soil’d. She lies remote, And obstacles are numerous interposed, Vale-darkening mountains, and the dashing sea. No, [14]Shameless Wolf! For thy good pleasure’s sake195 We came, and, [15]Face of flint! to avenge the wrongs By Menelaus and thyself sustain’d, On the offending Trojan—service kind, But lost on thee, regardless of it all. And now—What now? Thy threatening is to seize200 Thyself, the just requital of my toils, My prize hard-earn’d, by common suffrage mine. I never gain, what Trojan town soe’er We ransack, half thy booty. The swift march And furious onset—these I largely reap,205 But, distribution made, thy lot exceeds Mine far; while I, with any pittance pleased, Bear to my ships the little that I win After long battle, and account it much. But I am gone, I and my sable barks210 (My wiser course) to Phthia, and I judge, Scorn’d as I am, that thou shalt hardly glean Without me, more than thou shalt soon consume.[16]

He ceased, and Agamemnon thus replied Fly, and fly now; if in thy soul thou feel215 Such ardor of desire to go—begone! I woo thee not to stay; stay not an hour On my behalf, for I have others here Who will respect me more, and above all All-judging Jove. There is not in the host220 King or commander whom I hate as thee, For all thy pleasure is in strife and blood, And at all times; yet valor is no ground Whereon to boast, it is the gift of Heaven Go, get ye back to Phthia, thou and thine!225 There rule thy Myrmidons.[17] I need not thee, Nor heed thy wrath a jot. But this I say, Sure as Apollo takes my lovely prize Chrysëis, and I shall return her home In mine own bark, and with my proper crew,230 So sure the fair Brisëis shall be mine. I shall demand her even at thy tent. So shalt thou well be taught, how high in power I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me.235

He ended, and the big, disdainful heart Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued And sore perplex’d him, whether forcing wide A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed To lay Atrides breathless at his foot,240 Or to command his stormy spirit down. So doubted he, and undecided yet Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo! Down sent by Juno, to whom both alike Were dear, and who alike watched over both,245 Pallas descended. At his back she stood To none apparent, save himself alone, And seized his golden locks. Startled, he turned, And instant knew Minerva. Flashed her eyes Terrific;[18] whom with accents on the wing250 Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus.

To whom the blue-eyed Deity. From heaven Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear, Thine anger. Juno the white-arm’d alike To him and thee propitious, bade me down: Restrain thy wrath. Draw not thy falchion forth.260 Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice. For I foretell thee true. Thou shalt receive, Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss For this day’s wrong. Cease, therefore, and be still.

He said; and on his silver hilt the force Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade270 Home to its rest, nor would the counsel scorn Of Pallas. She to heaven well-pleased return’d, And in the mansion of Jove Ægis[20]-armed Arriving, mingled with her kindred Gods. But though from violence, yet not from words275 Abstained Achilles, but with bitter taunt Opprobrious, his antagonist reproached.

Oh charged with wine, in steadfastness of face Dog unabashed, and yet at heart a deer! Thou never, when the troops have taken arms,280 Hast dared to take thine also; never thou Associate with Achaia’s Chiefs, to form The secret ambush.[21] No. The sound of war Is as the voice of destiny to thee. Doubtless the course is safer far, to range285 Our numerous host, and if a man have dared Dispute thy will, to rob him of his prize. King! over whom? Women and spiritless— Whom therefore thou devourest; else themselves Would stop that mouth that it should scoff no more.290 But hearken. I shall swear a solemn oath. By this same sceptre,[22] which shall never bud, Nor boughs bring forth as once, which having left Its stock on the high mountains, at what time The woodman’s axe lopped off its foliage green,295 And stript its bark, shall never grow again; Which now the judges of Achaia bear, Who under Jove, stand guardians of the laws, By this I swear (mark thou the sacred oath) Time shall be, when Achilles shall be missed;300 When all shall want him, and thyself the power To help the Achaians, whatsoe’er thy will; When Hector at your heels shall mow you down: The Hero-slaughtering Hector! Then thy soul, Vexation-stung, shall tear thee with remorse,305 That thou hast scorn’d, as he were nothing worth, A Chief, the soul and bulwark of your cause.

So saying, he cast his sceptre on the ground Studded with gold, and sat. On the other side The son of Atreus all impassion’d stood,310 When the harmonious orator arose Nestor, the Pylian oracle, whose lips Dropped eloquence—the honey not so sweet. Two generations past of mortals born In Pylus, coëtaneous with himself,315 He govern’d now the third—amid them all He stood, and thus, benevolent, began.

Ah! what calamity hath fall’n on Greece! Now Priam and his sons may well exult, Now all in Ilium shall have joy of heart320 Abundant, hearing of this broil, the prime Of Greece between, in council and in arms. But be persuaded; ye are younger both Than I, and I was conversant of old With Princes your superiors, yet from them325 No disrespect at any time received. Their equals saw I never; never shall; Exadius, Cœneus, and the Godlike son Of Ægeus, mighty Theseus; men renown’d For force superior to the race of man,330 Brave Chiefs they were, and with brave foes they fought, With the rude dwellers on the mountain-heights The Centaurs,[23] whom with havoc such as fame Shall never cease to celebrate, they slew. With these men I consorted erst, what time335 From Pylus, though a land from theirs remote, They called me forth, and such as was my strength, With all that strength I served them. Who is he? What Prince or Chief of the degenerate race Now seen on earth who might with these compare?340 Yet even these would listen and conform To my advice in consultation given, Which hear ye also; for compliance proves Oft times the safer and the manlier course. Thou, Agamemnon! valiant as thou art,345 Seize not the maid, his portion from the Greeks, But leave her his; nor thou, Achilles, strive With our imperial Chief; for never King Had equal honor at the hands of Jove With Agamemnon, or was throned so high.350 Say thou art stronger, and art Goddess-born, How then? His territory passes thine, And he is Lord of thousands more than thou. Cease, therefore, Agamemnon; calm thy wrath;

To whom the sovereign of the Greeks replied, The son of Atreus. Thou hast spoken well, Old Chief, and wisely. But this wrangler here—360 Nought will suffice him but the highest place: He must control us all, reign over all, Dictate to all; but he shall find at least One here, disposed to question his commands. If the eternal Gods have made him brave,365 Derives he thence a privilege to rail?

Whom thus Achilles interrupted fierce. Could I be found so abject as to take The measure of my doings at thy lips, Well might they call me coward through the camp,370 A vassal, and a fellow of no worth. Give law to others. Think not to control Me, subject to thy proud commands no more. Hear yet again! And weigh what thou shalt hear. I will not strive with thee in such a cause,375 Nor yet with any man; I scorn to fight For her, whom having given, ye take away. But I have other precious things on board; Of those take none away without my leave. Or if it please thee, put me to the proof380 Before this whole assembly, and my spear Shall stream that moment, purpled with thy blood.

Thus they long time in opposition fierce Maintained the war of words; and now, at length, (The grand consult dissolved,) Achilles walked385 (Patroclus and the Myrmidons his steps Attending) to his camp and to his fleet. But Agamemnon order’d forth a bark, A swift one, manned with twice ten lusty rowers; He sent on board the Hecatomb:[24] he placed390 Chrysëis with the blooming cheeks, himself, And to Ulysses gave the freight in charge. So all embarked, and plow’d their watery way. Atrides, next, bade purify the host; The host was purified, as he enjoin’d,395 And the ablution cast into the sea.

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 Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced, Seizing by violence my just reward.445