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

To whom the herald Mercury replied. Thy questions, venerable sire! proposed Concerning noble Hector, are design’d To prove me. Him, not seldom, with these eyes In man-ennobling fight I have beheld495 Most active; saw him when he thinn’d the Greeks With his sharp spear, and drove them to the ships. Amazed we stood to notice him; for us, Incensed against the ruler of our host, Achilles suffer’d not to share the fight.500 I serve Achilles; the same gallant bark Brought us, and of the Myrmidons am I, Son of Polyctor; wealthy is my sire, And such in years as thou; six sons he hath, Beside myself the seventh, and (the lots cast505 Among us all) mine sent me to the wars. That I have left the ships, seeking the plain, The cause is this; the Greeks, at break of day, Will compass, arm’d, the city, for they loathe To sit inactive, neither can the chiefs510 Restrain the hot impatience of the host.

Him answer’d then the herald of the skies. Oh venerable sir! him neither dogs Have eaten yet, nor fowls, but at the ships His body, and within Achilles’ tent520 Neglected lies. Twelve days he so hath lain; Yet neither worm which diets on the brave In battle fallen, hath eaten him, or taint Invaded. He around Patroclus’ tomb Drags him indeed pitiless, oft as day525 Reddens the east, yet safe from blemish still His corse remains. Thou wouldst, thyself, admire Seeing how fresh the dew-drops, as he lies, Rest on him, and his blood is cleansed away That not a stain is left. Even his wounds530 (For many a wound they gave him) all are closed, Such care the blessed Gods have of thy son, Dead as he is, whom living much they loved.

So he; then, glad, the ancient King replied. Good is it, oh my son! to yield the Gods535 Their just demands. My boy, while yet he lived, Lived not unmindful of the worship due To the Olympian powers, who, therefore, him Remember, even in the bands of death. Come then—this beauteous cup take at my hand—540 Be thou my guard, and, if the Gods permit, My guide, till to Achilles’ tent I come.

Whom answer’d then the messenger of heaven. Sir! thou perceivest me young, and art disposed To try my virtue; but it shall not fail.545 Thou bidd’st me at thine hand a gift accept, Whereof Achilles knows not; but I fear Achilles, and on no account should dare Defraud him, lest some evil find me next. But thee I would with pleasure hence conduct550 Even to glorious Argos, over sea Or over land, nor any, through contempt Of such a guard, should dare to do thee wrong.

So Mercury, and to the chariot seat Upspringing, seized at once the lash and reins,555 And with fresh vigor mules and steeds inspired. Arriving at the foss and towers, they found The guard preparing now their evening cheer, All whom the Argicide with sudden sleep Oppress’d, then oped the gates, thrust back the bars,560 And introduced, with all his litter-load Of costly gifts, the venerable King. But when they reached the tent for Peleus’ son Raised by the Myrmidons (with trunks of pine They built it, lopping smooth the boughs away,555 Then spread with shaggy mowings of the mead Its lofty roof, and with a spacious court Surrounded it, all fenced with driven stakes; One bar alone of pine secured the door, Which ask’d three Grecians with united force570 To thrust it to its place, and three again To thrust it back, although Achilles oft Would heave it to the door himself alone;) Then Hermes, benefactor of mankind, That bar displacing for the King of Troy,575 Gave entrance to himself and to his gifts For Peleus’ son design’d, and from the seat Alighting, thus his speech to Priam turn’d.

Oh ancient Priam! an immortal God Attends thee; I am Hermes, by command580 Of Jove my father thy appointed guide. But I return. I will not, entering here, Stand in Achilles’ sight; immortal Powers May not so unreservedly indulge Creatures of mortal kind. But enter thou,585 Embrace his knees, and by his father both And by his Goddess mother sue to him, And by his son, that his whole heart may melt.

So Hermes spake, and to the skies again Ascended. Then leap’d Priam to the ground,590 Leaving Idæus; he, the mules and steeds Watch’d, while the ancient King into the tent Proceeded of Achilles dear to Jove. Him there he found, and sitting found apart His fellow-warriors, of whom two alone595 Served at his side, Alcimus, branch of Mars And brave Automedon; he had himself Supp’d newly, and the board stood unremoved. Unseen of all huge Priam enter’d, stood Near to Achilles, clasp’d his knees, and kiss’d600 Those terrible and homicidal hands That had destroy’d so many of his sons. As when a fugitive for blood the house Of some chief enters in a foreign land, All gaze, astonish’d at the sudden guest,605 So gazed Achilles seeing Priam there, And so stood all astonish’d, each his eyes In silence fastening on his fellow’s face. But Priam kneel’d, and suppliant thus began.

Think, oh Achilles, semblance of the Gods!610 On thy own father full of days like me, And trembling on the gloomy verge of life.[12] Some neighbor chief, it may be, even now Oppresses him, and there is none at hand, No friend to suocor him in his distress.615 Yet, doubtless, hearing that Achilles lives, He still rejoices, hoping, day by day, That one day he shall see the face again Of his own son from distant Troy return’d. But me no comfort cheers, whose bravest sons,620 So late the flower of Ilium, all are slain. When Greece came hither, I had fifty sons; Nineteen were children of one bed, the rest Born of my concubines. A numerous house! But fiery Mars hath thinn’d it. One I had,625 One, more than all my sons the strength of Troy, Whom standing for his country thou hast slain— Hector—his body to redeem I come Into Achaia’s fleet, bringing, myself, Ransom inestimable to thy tent.630 Reverence the Gods, Achilles! recollect Thy father; for his sake compassion show To me more pitiable still, who draw Home to my lips (humiliation yet Unseen on earth) his hand who slew my son.635

So saying, he waken’d in his soul regret Of his own sire; softly he placed his hand On Priam’s hand, and push’d him gently away. Remembrance melted both. Rolling before Achilles’ feet, Priam his son deplored640 Wide-slaughtering Hector, and Achilles wept By turns his father, and by turns his friend Patroclus; sounds of sorrow fill’d the tent. But when, at length satiate, Achilles felt His heart from grief, and all his frame relieved,645 Upstarting from his seat, with pity moved Of Priam’s silver locks and silver beard, He raised the ancient father by his hand, Whom in wing’d accents kind he thus bespake.

Wretched indeed! ah what must thou have felt!650 How hast thou dared to seek alone the fleet Of the Achaians, and his face by whom So many of thy valiant sons have fallen? Thou hast a heart of iron, terror-proof. Come—sit beside me—let us, if we may,665 Great mourners both, bid sorrow sleep awhile. There is no profit of our sighs and tears; For thus, exempt from care themselves, the Gods Ordain man’s miserable race to mourn. Fast by the threshold of Jove’s courts are placed660 Two casks, one stored with evil, one with good, From which the God dispenses as he wills. For whom the glorious Thunderer mingles both, He leads a life checker’d with good and ill Alternate; but to whom he gives unmixt665 The bitter cup, he makes that man a curse, His name becomes a by-word of reproach, His strength is hunger-bitten, and he walks The blessed earth, unblest, go where he may. So was my father Peleus at his birth670 Nobly endow’d with plenty and with wealth Distinguish’d by the Gods past all mankind, Lord of the Myrmidons, and, though a man, Yet match’d from heaven with an immortal bride. But even him the Gods afflict, a son675 Refusing him, who might possess his throne Hereafter; for myself, his only heir, Pass as a dream, and while I live, instead Of solacing his age, here sit, before Your distant walls, the scourge of thee and thine.680 Thee also, ancient Priam, we have heard Reported, once possessor of such wealth As neither Lesbos, seat of Macar, owns, Nor eastern Phrygia, nor yet all the ports Of Hellespont, but thou didst pass them all685 In riches, and in number of thy sons.

But since the Powers of heaven brought on thy land This fatal war, battle and deeds of death Always surround the city where thou reign’st. Cease, therefore, from unprofitable tears,690 Which, ere they raise thy son to life again Shall, doubtless, find fresh cause for which to flow.

To whom the ancient King godlike replied. Hero, forbear. No seat is here for me, While Hector lies unburied in your camp.695 Loose him, and loose him now, that with these eyes I may behold my son; accept a price Magnificent, which may’st thou long enjoy, And, since my life was precious in thy sight, May’st thou revisit safe thy native shore!700

To whom Achilles, lowering, and in wrath.[13] Urge me no longer, at a time like this, With that harsh note; I am already inclin’d To loose him. Thetis, my own mother came Herself on that same errand, sent from Jove.705 Priam! I understand thee well. I know That, by some God conducted, thou hast reach’d Achaia’s fleet; for, without aid divine, No mortal even in his prime of youth, Had dared the attempt; guards vigilant as ours710 He should not easily elude, such gates, So massy, should not easily unbar. Thou, therefore, vex me not in my distress, Lest I abhor to see thee in my tent, And, borne beyond all limits, set at nought715 Thee, and thy prayer, and the command of Jove.

He said; the old King trembled, and obey’d. Then sprang Pelides like a lion forth, Not sole, but with his two attendant friends Alcimus and Automedon the brave,720 For them (Patroclus slain) he honor’d most Of all the Myrmidons. They from the yoke Released both steeds and mules, then introduced And placed the herald of the hoary King. They lighten’d next the litter of its charge725 Inestimable, leaving yet behind Two mantles and a vest, that, not unveil’d, The body might be borne back into Troy. Then, calling forth his women, them he bade Lave and anoint the body, but apart,730 Lest haply Priam, noticing his son, Through stress of grief should give resentment scope, And irritate by some affront himself To slay him, in despite of Jove’s commands.[14] They, therefore, laving and anointing first735 The body, cover’d it with cloak and vest; Then, Peleus’ son disposed it on the bier, Lifting it from the ground, and his two friends Together heaved it to the royal wain. Achilles, last, groaning, his friend invoked.740

Priam! at thy request thy son is loosed,750 And lying on his bier; at dawn of day Thou shalt both see him and convey him hence Thyself to Troy. But take we now repast; For even bright-hair’d Niobe her food Forgat not, though of children twelve bereft,755 Of daughters six, and of six blooming sons. Apollo these struck from his silver bow, And those shaft-arm’d Diana, both incensed That oft Latona’s children and her own Numbering, she scorn’d the Goddess who had borne760 Two only, while herself had twelve to boast. Vain boast! those two sufficed to slay them all. Nine days they welter’d in their blood, no man Was found to bury them, for Jove had changed To stone the people; but themselves, at last,765 The Powers of heaven entomb’d them on the tenth. Yet even she, once satisfied with tears, Remember’d food; and now the rocks among And pathless solitudes of Sipylus, The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance770 On Acheloüs’ banks, although to stone Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes. Come, then, my venerable guest! take we Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep775 Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause.

So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d, And busily and with much skill their task Administ’ring, first scored the viands well,780 Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again. And now, Automedon dispensed around The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled, Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each785 His share, and all assail’d the ready feast. But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt, Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven) Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held790 Not less in admiration of his looks Benign, and of his gentle converse wise, Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length (The eyes of each gratified to the full) The ancient King thus to Achilles spake.795

Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed, That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed Since Hector fell and died, but without cease I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes,800 Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts. But I have now both tasted food, and given Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee.

So he, and at his word Achilles bade His train beneath his portico prepare805 With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs, And arras, and warm mantles over all. Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,[15] Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d.810

My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without; Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me) Hither repair; of whom should any chance To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once815 Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear, Whence hindrance might arise, and the release Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d. But answer me with truth. How many days Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites820 Of noble Hector, for so long I mean Myself to rest, and keep the host at home?

Then thus the ancient King godlike replied. If thou indeed be willing that we give Burial to noble Hector, by an act825 So generous, O Achilles! me thou shalt Much gratify; for we are shut, thou know’st, In Ilium close, and fuel must procure From Ida’s side remote; fear, too, hath seized On all our people. Therefore thus I say.830 Nine days we wish to mourn him in the house; To his interment we would give the tenth, And to the public banquet; the eleventh Shall see us build his tomb; and on the twelfth (If war we must) we will to war again.835

He spake, and at his wrist the right hand grasp’d Of the old sovereign, to dispel his fear.840 Then in the vestibule the herald slept And Priam, prudent both, but Peleus’ son In the interior tent, and at his side Brisëis, with transcendent beauty adorn’d.

Now all, all night, by gentle sleep subdued,845 Both Gods and chariot-ruling warriors lay, But not the benefactor of mankind, Hermes; him sleep seized not, but deep he mused How likeliest from amid the Grecian fleet He might deliver by the guard unseen850 The King of Ilium; at his head he stood In vision, and the senior thus bespake.

Ah heedless and secure! hast thou no dread Of mischief, ancient King, that thus by foes Thou sleep’st surrounded, lull’d by the consent855 And sufferance of Achilles? Thou hast given Much for redemption of thy darling son, But thrice that sum thy sons who still survive Must give to Agamemnon and the Greeks For thy redemption, should they know thee here.860

Soon as the windings of the stream they reach’d,865 Deep-eddied Xanthus, progeny of Jove, Mercury the Olympian summit sought, And saffron-vested morn o’erspread the earth. They, loud lamenting, to the city drove Their steeds; the mules close follow’d with the dead.870 Nor warrior yet, nor cinctured matron knew Of all in Ilium aught of their approach, Cassandra sole except. She, beautiful As golden Venus, mounted on the height Of Pergamus, her father first discern’d,875 Borne on his chariot-seat erect, and knew: The herald heard so oft in echoing Troy; Him also on his bier outstretch’d she mark’d, Whom the mules drew. Then, shrieking, through the streets She ran of Troy, and loud proclaim’d the sight.880 Ye sons of Ilium and ye daughters, haste, Haste all to look on Hector, if ye e’er With joy beheld him, while he yet survived, From fight returning; for all Ilium erst In him, and all her citizens rejoiced.885

She spake. Then neither male nor female more In Troy remain’d, such sorrow seized on all. Issuing from the city-gate, they met Priam conducting, sad, the body home, And, foremost of them all, the mother flew890 And wife of Hector to the bier, on which Their torn-off tresses with unsparing hands They shower’d, while all the people wept around. All day, and to the going down of day They thus had mourn’d the dead before the gates,895 Had not their Sovereign from his chariot-seat Thus spoken to the multitude around.

He said; they, opening, gave the litter way. Arrived within the royal house, they stretch’d The breathless Hector on a sumptuous bed, And singers placed beside him, who should chant The strain funereal; they with many a groan905 The dirge began, and still, at every close, The female train with many a groan replied. Then, in the midst, Andromache white-arm’d Between her palms the dreadful Hector’s head Pressing, her lamentation thus began.910

[17]My hero! thou hast fallen in prime of life, Me leaving here desolate, and the fruit Of our ill-fated loves, a helpless child, Whom grown to manhood I despair to see. For ere that day arrive, down from her height915 Precipitated shall this city fall, Since thou hast perish’d once her sure defence, Faithful protector of her spotless wives, And all their little ones. Those wives shall soon In Grecian barks capacious hence be borne,920 And I among the rest. But thee, my child! Either thy fate shall with thy mother send Captive into a land where thou shalt serve In sordid drudgery some cruel lord, Or haply some Achaian here, thy hand925 Seizing, shall hurl thee from a turret-top To a sad death, avenging brother, son, Or father by the hands of Hector slain; For he made many a Grecian bite the ground. Thy father, boy, bore never into fight930 A milky mind, and for that self-same cause Is now bewail’d in every house of Troy. Sorrow unutterable thou hast caused Thy parents, Hector! but to me hast left Largest bequest of misery, to whom,935 Dying, thou neither didst thy arms extend Forth from thy bed, nor gavest me precious word To be remember’d day and night with tears.

Ah Hector! dearest to thy mother’s heart Of all her sons, much must the Gods have loved Thee living, whom, though dead, they thus preserve. What son soever of our house beside945 Achilles took, over the barren deep To Samos, Imbrus, or to Lemnos girt With rocks inhospitable, him he sold; But thee, by his dread spear of life deprived, He dragg’d and dragg’d around Patroclus’ tomb,950 As if to raise again his friend to life Whom thou hadst vanquish’d; yet he raised him not. But as for thee, thou liest here with dew Besprinkled, fresh as a young plant,[18] and more Resemblest some fair youth by gentle shafts955 Of Phœbus pierced, than one in battle slain.

[19]Ah dearer far than all my brothers else960 Of Priam’s house! for being Paris’ spouse, Who brought me (would I had first died!) to Troy, I call thy brothers mine; since forth I came From Sparta, it is now the twentieth year, Yet never heard I once hard speech from thee,965 Or taunt morose, but if it ever chanced, That of thy father’s house female or male Blamed me, and even if herself the Queen (For in the King, whate’er befell, I found Always a father) thou hast interposed970 Thy gentle temper and thy gentle speech To soothe them; therefore, with the same sad drops Thy fate, oh Hector! and my own I weep; For other friend within the ample bounds Of Ilium have I none, nor hope to hear975 Kind word again, with horror view’d by all.

All, then, their mules and oxen to the wains985 Join’d speedily, and under Ilium’s walls Assembled numerous; nine whole days they toil’d, Bringing much fuel home, and when the tenth Bright morn, with light for human kind, arose, Then bearing noble Hector forth, with tears990 Shed copious, on the summit of the pile They placed him, and the fuel fired beneath.