Book XXIV

Homeric Greek

1λῦτο δ' ἀγών, λαοὶ δὲ θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας ἕκαστοι

ἐσκίδναντ' ἰέναι. τοὶ μὲν δόρποιο μέδοντο

ὕπνου τε γλυκεροῦ ταρπήμεναι: αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

κλαῖε φίλου ἑτάρου μεμνημένος, οὐδέ μιν ὕπνος

5ᾕρει πανδαμάτωρ, ἀλλ' ἐστρέφετ' ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα

Transliteration

1lyto d' agōn, laoi de thoas epi nēas hekastoi

eskidnant' ienai. toi men dorpoio medonto

hypnou te glykerou tarpēmenai: autar Achilleus

klaie philou hetarou memnēmenos, oude min hypnos

5hēirei pandamatōr, all' estrephet' entha kai entha

English

The assembly now broke up and the people went their ways each to his own ship. There they made ready their supper, and then bethought them of the blessed boon of sleep; but Achilles still wept for thinking of his dear comrade, and sleep, before whom all things bow, could take no hold upon him.

Homeric Greek

Πατρόκλου ποθέων ἀνδροτῆτά τε καὶ μένος ἠύ̈,

ἠδ' ὁπόσα τολύπευσε σὺν αὐτῷ καὶ πάθεν ἄλγεα

ἀνδρῶν τε πτολέμους ἀλεγεινά τε κύματα πείρων:

τῶν μιμνησκόμενος θαλερὸν κατὰ δάκρυον εἶβεν,

10ἄλλοτ' ἐπὶ πλευρὰς κατακείμενος, ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε

Transliteration

Patroklou potheōn androtēta te kai menos ēÿ,

ēd' hoposa tolypeuse syn autōi kai pathen algea

andrōn te ptolemous alegeina te kymata peirōn:

tōn mimnēskomenos thaleron kata dakryon eiben,

10allot' epi pleuras katakeimenos, allote d' aute

English

This way and that did he turn as he yearned after the might and manfulness of Patroklos; he thought of all they had done together, and all they had gone through both on the field of battle and on the waves of the weary sea. As he dwelt on these things he wept bitterly and lay now on

Homeric Greek

ὕπτιος, ἄλλοτε δὲ πρηνής: τοτὲ δ' ὀρθὸς ἀναστὰς

δινεύεσκ' ἀλύων παρὰ θῖν' ἁλός: οὐδέ μιν ἠὼς

φαινομένη λήθεσκεν ὑπεὶρ ἅλα τ' ἠϊόνας τε.

ἀλλ' ὅ γ' ἐπεὶ ζεύξειεν ὑφ' ἅρμασιν ὠκέας ἵππους,

15Ἕκτορα δ' ἕλκεσθαι δησάσκετο δίφρου ὄπισθεν,

Transliteration

hyptios, allote de prēnēs: tote d' orthos anastas

dineuesk' alyōn para thin' halos: oude min ēōs

phainomenē lēthesken hypeir hala t' ēïonas te.

all' ho g' epei zeuxeien hyph' harmasin ōkeas hippous,

15Hektora d' helkesthai dēsasketo diphrou opisthen,

English

his side, now on his back, and now face downwards, till at last he rose and went out as one distraught to wander upon the seashore. Then, when he saw dawn breaking over beach and sea, he yoked his horses to his chariot, and bound the body of Hektor behind it that he might drag it about.

Homeric Greek

τρὶς δ' ἐρύσας περὶ σῆμα Μενοιτιάδαο θανόντος

αὖτις ἐνὶ κλισίῃ παυέσκετο, τὸν δέ τ' ἔασκεν

ἐν κόνι ἐκτανύσας προπρηνέα: τοῖο δ' Ἀπόλλων

πᾶσαν ἀεικείην ἄπεχε χροὶ̈ φῶτ' ἐλεαίρων

20καὶ τεθνηότα περ: περὶ δ' αἰγίδι πάντα κάλυπτε

Transliteration

tris d' erysas peri sēma Menoitiadao thanontos

autis eni klisiēi pauesketo, ton de t' easken

en koni ektanysas proprēnea: toio d' Apollōn

pasan aeikeiēn apeche chroï phōt' eleairōn

20kai tethnēota per: peri d' aigidi panta kalypte

English

Thrice did he drag it round the tomb of the son of Menoitios, and then went back into his tent, leaving the body on the ground full length and with its face downwards. But Apollo would not suffer it to be disfigured, for he pitied the man, dead though he now was;

Homeric Greek

χρυσείῃ, ἵνα μή μιν ἀποδρύφοι ἑλκυστάζων.

ὣς ὃ μὲν Ἕκτορα δῖον ἀείκιζεν μενεαίνων:

τὸν δ' ἐλεαίρεσκον μάκαρες θεοὶ εἰσορόωντες,

κλέψαι δ' ὀτρύνεσκον ἐύ̈σκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην.

25ἔνθ' ἄλλοις μὲν πᾶσιν ἑήνδανεν, οὐδέ ποθ' Ἥρῃ

Transliteration

chryseiēi, hina mē min apodryphoi helkystazōn.

hōs ho men Hektora dion aeikizen meneainōn:

ton d' eleaireskon makares theoi eisoroōntes,

klepsai d' otryneskon eÿskopon argeïphontēn.

25enth' allois men pasin heēndanen, oude poth' Hērēi

English

therefore he shielded him with his golden aegis continually, that he might take no hurt while Achilles was dragging him. Thus shamefully did Achilles in his fury dishonor Hektor; but the blessed gods looked down in pity from heaven, and urged Hermes, slayer of Argos, to steal the body. All were of this mind save only Hera, Poseidon, and Zeus' gray-eyed daughter,

Homeric Greek

οὐδὲ Ποσειδάων' οὐδὲ γλαυκώπιδι κούρῃ,

ἀλλ' ἔχον ὥς σφιν πρῶτον ἀπήχθετο Ἴλιος ἱρὴ

καὶ Πρίαμος καὶ λαὸς Ἀλεξάνδρου ἕνεκ' ἄτης,

ὃς νείκεσσε θεὰς ὅτε οἱ μέσσαυλον ἵκοντο,

30τὴν δ' ᾔνησ' ἥ οἱ πόρε μαχλοσύνην ἀλεγεινήν.

Transliteration

oude Poseidaōn' oude glaukōpidi kourēi,

all' echon hōs sphin prōton apēchtheto Ilios hirē

kai Priamos kai laos Alexandrou henek' atēs,

hos neikesse theas hote hoi messaulon hikonto,

30tēn d' ēinēs' hē hoi pore machlosynēn alegeinēn.

English

who persisted in the hate which they had ever borne towards Ilion with Priam and his people; for they forgave not the wrong done them by Alexander in disdaining the goddesses who came to him when he was in his sheepyards, and preferring her who had offered him a wanton to his ruin.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ὅτε δή ῥ' ἐκ τοῖο δυωδεκάτη γένετ' ἠώς,

καὶ τότ' ἄρ' ἀθανάτοισι μετηύδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων:

σχέτλιοί ἐστε θεοί, δηλήμονες: οὔ νύ ποθ' ὑμῖν

Ἕκτωρ μηρί' ἔκηε βοῶν αἰγῶν τε τελείων;

35τὸν νῦν οὐκ ἔτλητε νέκυν περ ἐόντα σαῶσαι

Transliteration

all' hote dē rh' ek toio dyōdekatē genet' ēōs,

kai tot' ar' athanatoisi metēuda Phoibos Apollōn:

schetlioi este theoi, dēlēmones: ou ny poth' hymin

Hektōr mēri' ekēe boōn aigōn te teleiōn;

35ton nyn ouk etlēte nekyn per eonta saōsai

English

When, therefore, the morning of the twelfth day had now come, Phoebus Apollo spoke among the immortals saying, "You gods ought to be ashamed of yourselves; you are cruel and hard-hearted. Did not Hektor burn you thigh-bones of heifers and of unblemished goats?

Homeric Greek

ᾗ τ' ἀλόχῳ ἰδέειν καὶ μητέρι καὶ τέκεϊ ᾧ

καὶ πατέρι Πριάμῳ λαοῖσί τε, τοί κέ μιν ὦκα

ἐν πυρὶ κήαιεν καὶ ἐπὶ κτέρεα κτερίσαιεν.

ἀλλ' ὀλοῷ Ἀχιλῆϊ θεοὶ βούλεσθ' ἐπαρήγειν,

40ᾧ οὔτ' ἂρ φρένες εἰσὶν ἐναίσιμοι οὔτε νόημα

Transliteration

hēi t' alochōi ideein kai mēteri kai tekeï hōi

kai pateri Priamōi laoisi te, toi ke min ōka

en pyri kēaien kai epi kterea kterisaien.

all' oloōi Achilēï theoi boulesth' eparēgein,

40hōi out' ar phrenes eisin enaisimoi oute noēma

English

And now dare you not rescue even his dead body, for his wife to look upon, with his mother and child, his father Priam, and his people, who would forthwith commit him to the flames, and give him his due funeral rites? So, then, you would all be on the side of mad Achilles, who knows neither right nor ruth?

Homeric Greek

γναμπτὸν ἐνὶ στήθεσσι, λέων δ' ὣς ἄγρια οἶδεν,

ὅς τ' ἐπεὶ ἂρ μεγάλῃ τε βίῃ καὶ ἀγήνορι θυμῷ

εἴξας εἶσ' ἐπὶ μῆλα βροτῶν ἵνα δαῖτα λάβῃσιν:

ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς ἔλεον μὲν ἀπώλεσεν, οὐδέ οἱ αἰδὼς

45γίγνεται, ἥ τ' ἄνδρας μέγα σίνεται ἠδ' ὀνίνησι.

Transliteration

gnampton eni stēthessi, leōn d' hōs agria oiden,

hos t' epei ar megalēi te biēi kai agēnori thymōi

eixas eis' epi mēla brotōn hina daita labēisin:

hōs Achileus eleon men apōlesen, oude hoi aidōs

45gignetai, hē t' andras mega sinetai ēd' oninēsi.

English

He is like some savage lion that in the pride of his great strength and spirit springs upon men's flocks and gorges on them. Even so has Achilles flung aside all pity, and all that decency which at once so greatly banes yet greatly boons him that will heed it.

Homeric Greek

μέλλει μέν πού τις καὶ φίλτερον ἄλλον ὀλέσσαι

ἠὲ κασίγνητον ὁμογάστριον ἠὲ καὶ υἱόν:

ἀλλ' ἤτοι κλαύσας καὶ ὀδυράμενος μεθέηκε:

τλητὸν γὰρ Μοῖραι θυμὸν θέσαν ἀνθρώποισιν.

50αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' Ἕκτορα δῖον, ἐπεὶ φίλον ἦτορ ἀπηύρα,

Transliteration

mellei men pou tis kai philteron allon olessai

ēe kasignēton homogastrion ēe kai huion:

all' ētoi klausas kai odyramenos metheēke:

tlēton gar Moirai thymon thesan anthrōpoisin.

50autar ho g' Hektora dion, epei philon ētor apēura,

English

man may lose one far dearer than Achilles has lost- a son, it may be, or a brother born from his own mother's womb; yet when he has mourned him and wept over him he will let him bide, for it takes much sorrow to kill a man;

Homeric Greek

ἵππων ἐξάπτων περὶ σῆμ' ἑτάροιο φίλοιο

ἕλκει: οὐ μήν οἱ τό γε κάλλιον οὐδέ τ' ἄμεινον.

μὴ ἀγαθῷ περ ἐόντι νεμεσσηθέωμέν οἱ ἡμεῖς:

κωφὴν γὰρ δὴ γαῖαν ἀεικίζει μενεαίνων.

55τὸν δὲ χολωσαμένη προσέφη λευκώλενος Ἥρη:

Transliteration

hippōn exaptōn peri sēm' hetaroio philoio

helkei: ou mēn hoi to ge kallion oude t' ameinon.

mē agathōi per eonti nemessētheōmen hoi hēmeis:

kōphēn gar dē gaian aeikizei meneainōn.

55ton de cholōsamenē prosephē leukōlenos Hērē:

English

whereas Achilles, now that he has slain noble Hektor, drags him behind his chariot round the tomb of his comrade. It were better of him, and for him, that he should not do so, for brave though he be we gods may take it ill that he should vent his fury upon dead clay." Hera spoke up in a rage.

Homeric Greek

εἴη κεν καὶ τοῦτο τεὸν ἔπος ἀργυρότοξε

εἰ δὴ ὁμὴν Ἀχιλῆϊ καὶ Ἕκτορι θήσετε τιμήν.

Ἕκτωρ μὲν θνητός τε γυναῖκά τε θήσατο μαζόν:

αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεύς ἐστι θεᾶς γόνος, ἣν ἐγὼ αὐτὴ

60θρέψά τε καὶ ἀτίτηλα καὶ ἀνδρὶ πόρον παράκοιτιν

Transliteration

eiē ken kai touto teon epos argyrotoxe

ei dē homēn Achilēï kai Hektori thēsete timēn.

Hektōr men thnētos te gynaika te thēsato mazon:

autar Achilleus esti theas gonos, hēn egō autē

60threpsa te kai atitēla kai andri poron parakoitin

English

"This were well," she cried, "O lord of the silver bow, if you would give like honor to Hektor and to Achilles; but Hektor was mortal and suckled at a woman's breast, whereas Achilles is the offspring of a goddess whom I myself reared and brought up. I married her to Peleus, who is above measure dear to the immortals;

Homeric Greek

Πηλέϊ, ὃς περὶ κῆρι φίλος γένετ' ἀθανάτοισι.

πάντες δ' ἀντιάασθε θεοὶ γάμου: ἐν δὲ σὺ τοῖσι

δαίνυ' ἔχων φόρμιγγα κακῶν ἕταρ', αἰὲν ἄπιστε.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς:

65Ἥρη μὴ δὴ πάμπαν ἀποσκύδμαινε θεοῖσιν:

Transliteration

Pēleï, hos peri kēri philos genet' athanatoisi.

pantes d' antiaasthe theoi gamou: en de sy toisi

dainy' echōn phorminga kakōn hetar', aien apiste.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē nephelēgereta Zeus:

65Hērē mē dē pampan aposkydmaine theoisin:

English

you gods came all of you to her wedding; you feasted along with them yourself and brought your lyre - false, and fond of low company, that you have ever been." Then said Zeus, "Hera, be not so bitter.

Homeric Greek

οὐ μὲν γὰρ τιμή γε μί' ἔσσεται: ἀλλὰ καὶ Ἕκτωρ

φίλτατος ἔσκε θεοῖσι βροτῶν οἳ ἐν Ἰλίῳ εἰσίν:

ὣς γὰρ ἔμοιγ', ἐπεὶ οὔ τι φίλων ἡμάρτανε δώρων.

οὐ γάρ μοί ποτε βωμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐί̈σης

70λοιβῆς τε κνίσης τε: τὸ γὰρ λάχομεν γέρας ἡμεῖς.

Transliteration

ou men gar timē ge mi' essetai: alla kai Hektōr

philtatos eske theoisi brotōn hoi en Iliōi eisin:

hōs gar emoig', epei ou ti philōn hēmartane dōrōn.

ou gar moi pote bōmos edeueto daitos eïsēs

70loibēs te knisēs te: to gar lachomen geras hēmeis.

English

Their honor shall not be equal, but of all that dwell in Ilion, Hektor was dearest to the gods, as also to myself, for his offerings never failed me. Never was my altar stinted of its dues, nor of the drink-offerings and savor of sacrifice which we claim of right.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἤτοι κλέψαι μὲν ἐάσομεν, οὐδέ πῃ ἔστι,

λάθρῃ Ἀχιλλῆος θρασὺν Ἕκτορα: ἦ γάρ οἱ αἰεὶ

μήτηρ παρμέμβλωκεν ὁμῶς νύκτάς τε καὶ ἦμαρ.

ἀλλ' εἴ τις καλέσειε θεῶν Θέτιν ἆσσον ἐμεῖο,

75ὄφρά τί οἱ εἴπω πυκινὸν ἔπος, ὥς κεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

Transliteration

all' ētoi klepsai men easomen, oude pēi esti,

lathrēi Achillēos thrasyn Hektora: ē gar hoi aiei

mētēr parmemblōken homōs nyktas te kai ēmar.

all' ei tis kaleseie theōn Thetin asson emeio,

75ophra ti hoi eipō pykinon epos, hōs ken Achilleus

English

I shall therefore permit the body of mighty Hektor to be stolen; and yet this may hardly be without Achilles coming to know it, for his mother keeps night and day beside him. Let some one of you, therefore, send Thetis to me, and I will impart my counsel to her, namely that Achilles is

Homeric Greek

δώρων ἐκ Πριάμοιο λάχῃ ἀπό θ' Ἕκτορα λύσῃ.

ὣς ἔφατ', ὦρτο δὲ Ἶρις ἀελλόπος ἀγγελέουσα,

μεσσηγὺς δὲ Σάμου τε καὶ Ἴμβρου παιπαλοέσσης

ἔνθορε μείλανι πόντῳ: ἐπεστονάχησε δὲ λίμνη.

80ἣ δὲ μολυβδαίνῃ ἰκέλη ἐς βυσσὸν ὄρουσεν,

Transliteration

dōrōn ek Priamoio lachēi apo th' Hektora lysēi.

hōs ephat', ōrto de Iris aellopos angeleousa,

messēgys de Samou te kai Imbrou paipaloessēs

enthore meilani pontōi: epestonachēse de limnē.

80hē de molybdainēi ikelē es bysson orousen,

English

to accept a ransom from Priam, and give up the body." On this Iris fleet as the wind went forth to carry his message. Down she plunged into the dark sea midway between Samos and rocky Imbros; the waters hissed as they closed over her, and she sank into the bottom

Homeric Greek

ἥ τε κατ' ἀγραύλοιο βοὸς κέρας ἐμβεβαυῖα

ἔρχεται ὠμηστῇσιν ἐπ' ἰχθύσι κῆρα φέρουσα.

εὗρε δ' ἐνὶ σπῆϊ γλαφυρῷ Θέτιν, ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρ' ἄλλαι

εἵαθ' ὁμηγερέες ἅλιαι θεαί: ἣ δ' ἐνὶ μέσσῃς

85κλαῖε μόρον οὗ παιδὸς ἀμύμονος, ὅς οἱ ἔμελλε

Transliteration

hē te kat' agrauloio boos keras embebauia

erchetai ōmēstēisin ep' ichthysi kēra pherousa.

heure d' eni spēï glaphyrōi Thetin, amphi d' ar' allai

heiath' homēgerees haliai theai: hē d' eni messēis

85klaie moron hou paidos amymonos, hos hoi emelle

English

as the lead at the end of an ox-horn, that is sped to carry death to fishes. She found Thetis sitting in a great cave with the other sea-goddesses gathered round her; there she sat in the midst of them weeping for her noble son who was to fall far from his own land, on the fertile plains of Troy.

Homeric Greek

φθίσεσθ' ἐν Τροίῃ ἐριβώλακι τηλόθι πάτρης.

ἀγχοῦ δ' ἱσταμένη προσέφη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις:

ὄρσο Θέτι: καλέει Ζεὺς ἄφθιτα μήδεα εἰδώς.

τὴν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα:

90τίπτέ με κεῖνος ἄνωγε μέγας θεός; αἰδέομαι δὲ

Transliteration

phthisesth' en Troiēi eribōlaki tēlothi patrēs.

anchou d' histamenē prosephē podas ōkea Iris:

orso Theti: kaleei Zeus aphthita mēdea eidōs.

tēn d' ēmeibet' epeita thea Thetis argyropeza:

90tipte me keinos anōge megas theos; aideomai de

English

Iris went up to her and said, "Rise Thetis; Zeus, whose counsels fail not, bids you come to him." And Thetis answered, "Why does the mighty god so bid me? I am in great grief, and shrink from going in and out among the immortals.

Homeric Greek

μίσγεσθ' ἀθανάτοισιν, ἔχω δ' ἄχε' ἄκριτα θυμῷ.

εἶμι μέν, οὐδ' ἅλιον ἔπος ἔσσεται ὅττί κεν εἴπῃ.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασα κάλυμμ' ἕλε δῖα θεάων

κυάνεον, τοῦ δ' οὔ τι μελάντερον ἔπλετο ἔσθος.

95βῆ δ' ἰέναι, πρόσθεν δὲ ποδήνεμος ὠκέα Ἶρις

Transliteration

misgesth' athanatoisin, echō d' ache' akrita thymōi.

eimi men, oud' halion epos essetai hotti ken eipēi.

hōs ara phōnēsasa kalymm' hele dia theaōn

kyaneon, tou d' ou ti melanteron epleto esthos.

95bē d' ienai, prosthen de podēnemos ōkea Iris

English

Still, I will go, and the word that he may speak shall not be spoken in vain." The goddess took her dark veil, than which there can be no robe more somber, and went forth with fleet Iris leading the way before her.

Homeric Greek

ἡγεῖτ': ἀμφὶ δ' ἄρα σφι λιάζετο κῦμα θαλάσσης.

ἀκτὴν δ' ἐξαναβᾶσαι ἐς οὐρανὸν ἀϊχθήτην,

εὗρον δ' εὐρύοπα Κρονίδην, περὶ δ' ἄλλοι ἅπαντες

εἵαθ' ὁμηγερέες μάκαρες θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες.

100ἣ δ' ἄρα πὰρ Διὶ πατρὶ καθέζετο, εἶξε δ' Ἀθήνη.

Transliteration

hēgeit': amphi d' ara sphi liazeto kyma thalassēs.

aktēn d' exanabasai es ouranon aïchthētēn,

heuron d' euryopa Kronidēn, peri d' alloi hapantes

heiath' homēgerees makares theoi aien eontes.

100hē d' ara par Dii patri kathezeto, eixe d' Athēnē.

English

The waves of the sea opened them a path, and when they reached the shore they flew up into the heavens, where they found the all-seeing son of Kronos with the blessed gods that live for ever assembled near him. Athena gave up her seat to her, and she sat down by the side of father Zeus.

Homeric Greek

Ἥρη δὲ χρύσεον καλὸν δέπας ἐν χερὶ θῆκε

καί ῥ' εὔφρην' ἐπέεσσι: Θέτις δ' ὤρεξε πιοῦσα.

τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε:

ἤλυθες Οὔλυμπον δὲ θεὰ Θέτι κηδομένη περ,

105πένθος ἄλαστον ἔχουσα μετὰ φρεσίν: οἶδα καὶ αὐτός:

Transliteration

Hērē de chryseon kalon depas en cheri thēke

kai rh' euphrēn' epeessi: Thetis d' ōrexe piousa.

toisi de mythōn ērche patēr andrōn te theōn te:

ēlythes Oulympon de thea Theti kēdomenē per,

105penthos alaston echousa meta phresin: oida kai autos:

English

Hera then placed a fair golden cup in her hand, and spoke to her in words of comfort, whereon Thetis drank and gave her back the cup; and the sire of gods and men was the first to speak. "So, goddess Thetis," said he, "for all your sorrow, and the grief that I well know reigns ever in your heart, you have

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἐρέω τοῦ σ' εἵνεκα δεῦρο κάλεσσα.

ἐννῆμαρ δὴ νεῖκος ἐν ἀθανάτοισιν ὄρωρεν

Ἕκτορος ἀμφὶ νέκυι καὶ Ἀχιλλῆϊ πτολιπόρθῳ:

κλέψαι δ' ὀτρύνουσιν ἐύ̈σκοπον ἀργεϊφόντην:

110αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ τόδε κῦδος Ἀχιλλῆϊ προτιάπτω

Transliteration

alla kai hōs ereō tou s' heineka deuro kalessa.

ennēmar dē neikos en athanatoisin orōren

Hektoros amphi nekui kai Achillēï ptoliporthōi:

klepsai d' otrynousin eÿskopon argeïphontēn:

110autar egō tode kydos Achillēï protiaptō

English

come hither to Olympus, and I will tell you why I have sent for you. This nine days past the immortals have been quarreling about Achilles waster of cities and the body of Hektor. The gods would have Hermes slayer of Argos steal the body, but in furtherance of our decency and sense of being near-and-dear henceforward, I

Homeric Greek

αἰδῶ καὶ φιλότητα τεὴν μετόπισθε φυλάσσων.

αἶψα μάλ' ἐς στρατὸν ἐλθὲ καὶ υἱέϊ σῷ ἐπίτειλον:

σκύζεσθαί οἱ εἰπὲ θεούς, ἐμὲ δ' ἔξοχα πάντων

ἀθανάτων κεχολῶσθαι, ὅτι φρεσὶ μαινομένῃσιν

115Ἕκτορ' ἔχει παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν οὐδ' ἀπέλυσεν,

Transliteration

aidō kai philotēta teēn metopisthe phylassōn.

aipsa mal' es straton elthe kai huieï sōi epiteilon:

skyzesthai hoi eipe theous, eme d' exocha pantōn

athanatōn kecholōsthai, hoti phresi mainomenēisin

115Hektor' echei para nēusi korōnisin oud' apelysen,

English

will concede such honor to your son as I will now tell you. Go, then, to the host and lay these commands upon him; say that the gods are angry with him, and that I am myself more angry than them all, in that he keeps Hektor at the ships and will not give him up.

Homeric Greek

αἴ κέν πως ἐμέ τε δείσῃ ἀπό θ' Ἕκτορα λύσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ Πριάμῳ μεγαλήτορι Ἶριν ἐφήσω

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντ' ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

δῶρα δ' Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν, τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ.

120ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε θεὰ Θέτις ἀργυρόπεζα,

Transliteration

ai ken pōs eme te deisēi apo th' Hektora lysēi.

autar egō Priamōi megalētori Irin ephēsō

lysasthai philon huion iont' epi nēas Achaiōn,

dōra d' Achillēï pheremen, ta ke thymon iēnēi.

120hōs ephat', oud' apithēse thea Thetis argyropeza,

English

He may thus fear me and let the body go. At the same time I will send Iris to great Priam to bid him go to the ships of the Achaeans, and ransom his son, taking with him such gifts for Achilles as may give him satisfaction. Silver-footed Thetis did as the god had told her, and forthwith down she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus.

Homeric Greek

βῆ δὲ κατ' Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων ἀί̈ξασα,

ἷξεν δ' ἐς κλισίην οὗ υἱέος: ἔνθ' ἄρα τόν γε

εὗρ' ἁδινὰ στενάχοντα: φίλοι δ' ἀμφ' αὐτὸν ἑταῖροι

ἐσσυμένως ἐπένοντο καὶ ἐντύνοντο ἄριστον:

125τοῖσι δ' ὄϊς λάσιος μέγας ἐν κλισίῃ ἱέρευτο.

Transliteration

bē de kat' Oulympoio karēnōn aïxasa,

hixen d' es klisiēn hou huieos: enth' ara ton ge

heur' hadina stenachonta: philoi d' amph' auton hetairoi

essymenōs epenonto kai entynonto ariston:

125toisi d' oïs lasios megas en klisiēi hiereuto.

English

She went to her son's tents where she found him grieving bitterly, while his trusty comrades round him were busy preparing their morning meal, for which they had killed a great woolly sheep. His mother sat down beside him and caressed him with her hand saying,

Homeric Greek

ἣ δὲ μάλ' ἄγχ' αὐτοῖο καθέζετο πότνια μήτηρ,

χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

τέκνον ἐμὸν τέο μέχρις ὀδυρόμενος καὶ ἀχεύων

σὴν ἔδεαι κραδίην μεμνημένος οὔτέ τι σίτου

130οὔτ' εὐνῆς; ἀγαθὸν δὲ γυναικί περ ἐν φιλότητι

Transliteration

hē de mal' anch' autoio kathezeto potnia mētēr,

cheiri te min katerexen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

teknon emon teo mechris odyromenos kai acheuōn

sēn edeai kradiēn memnēmenos oute ti sitou

130out' eunēs; agathon de gynaiki per en philotēti

English

"My son, how long will you keep on thus grieving and making moan? You are gnawing at your own heart, and think neither of food nor of woman's embraces; and yet these too were well, for you have no long time to live, and death with the strong hand of fate are already close beside you.

Homeric Greek

μίσγεσθ': οὐ γάρ μοι δηρὸν βέῃ, ἀλλά τοι ἤδη

ἄγχι παρέστηκεν θάνατος καὶ μοῖρα κραταιή.

ἀλλ' ἐμέθεν ξύνες ὦκα, Διὸς δέ τοι ἄγγελός εἰμι:

σκύζεσθαι σοί φησι θεούς, ἑὲ δ' ἔξοχα πάντων

135ἀθανάτων κεχολῶσθαι, ὅτι φρεσὶ μαινομένῃσιν

Transliteration

misgesth': ou gar moi dēron beēi, alla toi ēdē

anchi parestēken thanatos kai moira krataiē.

all' emethen xynes ōka, Dios de toi angelos eimi:

skyzesthai soi phēsi theous, hee d' exocha pantōn

135athanatōn kecholōsthai, hoti phresi mainomenēisin

English

Now, therefore, heed what I say, for I come as a messenger from Zeus; he says that the gods are angry with you, and himself more angry than them all, in that you keep Hektor at the ships and will not give him up.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορ' ἔχεις παρὰ νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν οὐδ' ἀπέλυσας.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ λῦσον, νεκροῖο δὲ δέξαι ἄποινα.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

τῇδ' εἴη: ὃς ἄποινα φέροι καὶ νεκρὸν ἄγοιτο,

140εἰ δὴ πρόφρονι θυμῷ Ὀλύμπιος αὐτὸς ἀνώγει.

Transliteration

Hektor' echeis para nēusi korōnisin oud' apelysas.

all' age dē lyson, nekroio de dexai apoina.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

tēid' eiē: hos apoina pheroi kai nekron agoito,

140ei dē prophroni thymōi Olympios autos anōgei.

English

Therefore let him go, and accept a ransom for his body." And Achilles answered, "So be it. If Olympian Zeus of his own motion thus commands me, let him that brings the ransom bear the body away."

Homeric Greek

ὣς οἵ γ' ἐν νηῶν ἀγύρει μήτηρ τε καὶ υἱὸς

πολλὰ πρὸς ἀλλήλους ἔπεα πτερόεντ' ἀγόρευον.

Ἶριν δ' ὄτρυνε Κρονίδης εἰς Ἴλιον ἱρήν:

βάσκ' ἴθι Ἶρι ταχεῖα λιποῦσ' ἕδος Οὐλύμποιο

145ἄγγειλον Πριάμῳ μεγαλήτορι Ἴλιον εἴσω

Transliteration

hōs hoi g' en nēōn agyrei mētēr te kai huios

polla pros allēlous epea pteroent' agoreuon.

Irin d' otryne Kronidēs eis Ilion hirēn:

bask' ithi Iri tacheia lipous' hedos Oulympoio

145angeilon Priamōi megalētori Ilion eisō

English

Thus did mother and son talk together at the ships in long discourse with one another. Meanwhile the son of Kronos sent Iris to the strong city of Ilion. "Go," said he, "fleet Iris, from the mansions of Olympus, and tell King Priam in Ilion, that he is

Homeric Greek

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντ' ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

δῶρα δ' Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ

οἶον, μὴ δέ τις ἄλλος ἅμα Τρώων ἴτω ἀνήρ.

κῆρύξ τίς οἱ ἕποιτο γεραίτερος, ὅς κ' ἰθύνοι

150ἡμιόνους καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐύ̈τροχον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὖτις

Transliteration

lysasthai philon huion iont' epi nēas Achaiōn,

dōra d' Achillēï pheremen ta ke thymon iēnēi

oion, mē de tis allos hama Trōōn itō anēr.

kēryx tis hoi hepoito geraiteros, hos k' ithynoi

150hēmionous kai amaxan eÿtrochon, ēde kai autis

English

to go to the ships of the Achaeans and free the body of his dear son. He is to take such gifts with him as shall give satisfaction to Achilles, and he is to go alone, with no other Trojan, save only some honored servant who may drive

Homeric Greek

νεκρὸν ἄγοι προτὶ ἄστυ, τὸν ἔκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

μὴ δέ τί οἱ θάνατος μελέτω φρεσὶ μὴ δέ τι τάρβος:

τοῖον γάρ οἱ πομπὸν ὀπάσσομεν ἀργεϊφόντην,

ὃς ἄξει εἷός κεν ἄγων Ἀχιλῆϊ πελάσσῃ.

155αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἀγάγῃσιν ἔσω κλισίην Ἀχιλῆος,

Transliteration

nekron agoi proti asty, ton ektane dios Achilleus.

mē de ti hoi thanatos meletō phresi mē de ti tarbos:

toion gar hoi pompon opassomen argeïphontēn,

hos axei heios ken agōn Achilēï pelassēi.

155autar epēn agagēisin esō klisiēn Achilēos,

English

his mules and wagon, and bring back the body of him whom noble Achilles has slain. Let him have no thought nor fear of death in his heart, for we will send the slayer of Argos to escort him, and bring him within the tent of Achilles.

Homeric Greek

οὔτ' αὐτὸς κτενέει ἀπό τ' ἄλλους πάντας ἐρύξει:

οὔτε γάρ ἐστ' ἄφρων οὔτ' ἄσκοπος οὔτ' ἀλιτήμων,

ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἐνδυκέως ἱκέτεω πεφιδήσεται ἀνδρός.

ὣς ἔφατ', ὦρτο δὲ Ἶρις ἀελλόπος ἀγγελέουσα.

160ἷξεν δ' ἐς Πριάμοιο, κίχεν δ' ἐνοπήν τε γόον τε.

Transliteration

out' autos kteneei apo t' allous pantas eryxei:

oute gar est' aphrōn out' askopos out' alitēmōn,

alla mal' endykeōs hiketeō pephidēsetai andros.

hōs ephat', ōrto de Iris aellopos angeleousa.

160hixen d' es Priamoio, kichen d' enopēn te goon te.

English

Achilles will not kill him nor let another do so, for he will take heed to his ways and err not, and he will entreat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy." On this Iris, fleet as the wind, sped forth to deliver her message. She went to Priam's house, and found weeping and lamentation therein.

Homeric Greek

παῖδες μὲν πατέρ' ἀμφὶ καθήμενοι ἔνδοθεν αὐλῆς

δάκρυσιν εἵματ' ἔφυρον, ὃ δ' ἐν μέσσοισι γεραιὸς

ἐντυπὰς ἐν χλαίνῃ κεκαλυμμένος: ἀμφὶ δὲ πολλὴ

κόπρος ἔην κεφαλῇ τε καὶ αὐχένι τοῖο γέροντος

165τήν ῥα κυλινδόμενος καταμήσατο χερσὶν ἑῇσι.

Transliteration

paides men pater' amphi kathēmenoi endothen aulēs

dakrysin heimat' ephyron, ho d' en messoisi geraios

entypas en chlainēi kekalymmenos: amphi de pollē

kopros eēn kephalēi te kai aucheni toio gerontos

165tēn rha kylindomenos katamēsato chersin heēisi.

English

His sons were seated round their father in the outer courtyard, and their raiment was wet with tears: the old man sat in the midst of them with his mantle wrapped close about his body, and his head and neck all covered with the filth which he had clutched as he lay groveling in the mire.

Homeric Greek

θυγατέρες δ' ἀνὰ δώματ' ἰδὲ νυοὶ ὠδύροντο

τῶν μιμνησκόμεναι οἳ δὴ πολέες τε καὶ ἐσθλοὶ

χερσὶν ὑπ' Ἀργείων κέατο ψυχὰς ὀλέσαντες.

στῆ δὲ παρὰ Πρίαμον Διὸς ἄγγελος, ἠδὲ προσηύδα

170τυτθὸν φθεγξαμένη: τὸν δὲ τρόμος ἔλλαβε γυῖα:

Transliteration

thygateres d' ana dōmat' ide nyoi ōdyronto

tōn mimnēskomenai hoi dē polees te kai esthloi

chersin hyp' Argeiōn keato psychas olesantes.

stē de para Priamon Dios angelos, ēde prosēuda

170tytthon phthenxamenē: ton de tromos ellabe guia:

English

His daughters and his sons' wives went wailing about the house, as they thought of the many and brave men who lost their life-breath, slain by the Argives. The messenger of Zeus stood by Priam and spoke softly to him, but fear fell upon him as she did so. "Take heart," she said, "Priam offspring of Dardanos, take heart and fear not.

Homeric Greek

θάρσει Δαρδανίδη Πρίαμε φρεσί, μὴ δέ τι τάρβει:

οὐ μὲν γάρ τοι ἐγὼ κακὸν ὀσσομένη τόδ' ἱκάνω

ἀλλ' ἀγαθὰ φρονέουσα: Διὸς δέ τοι ἄγγελός εἰμι,

ὅς σευ ἄνευθεν ἐὼν μέγα κήδεται ἠδ' ἐλεαίρει.

175λύσασθαί σ' ἐκέλευσεν Ὀλύμπιος Ἕκτορα δῖον,

Transliteration

tharsei Dardanidē Priame phresi, mē de ti tarbei:

ou men gar toi egō kakon ossomenē tod' hikanō

all' agatha phroneousa: Dios de toi angelos eimi,

hos seu aneuthen eōn mega kēdetai ēd' eleairei.

175lysasthai s' ekeleusen Olympios Hektora dion,

English

I bring no evil tidings, but am minded well towards you. I come as a messenger from Zeus, who though he be not near, takes thought for you and pities you. The lord of Olympus bids you go and ransom noble Hektor, and take with you such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles.

Homeric Greek

δῶρα δ' Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ

οἶον, μὴ δέ τις ἄλλος ἅμα Τρώων ἴτω ἀνήρ.

κῆρύξ τίς τοι ἕποιτο γεραίτερος, ὅς κ' ἰθύνοι

ἡμιόνους καὶ ἄμαξαν ἐύ̈τροχον, ἠδὲ καὶ αὖτις

180νεκρὸν ἄγοι προτὶ ἄστυ, τὸν ἔκτανε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.

Transliteration

dōra d' Achillēï pheremen ta ke thymon iēnēi

oion, mē de tis allos hama Trōōn itō anēr.

kēryx tis toi hepoito geraiteros, hos k' ithynoi

hēmionous kai amaxan eÿtrochon, ēde kai autis

180nekron agoi proti asty, ton ektane dios Achilleus.

English

You are to go alone, with no Trojan, save only some honored servant who may drive your mules and wagon, and bring back to the city the body of him whom noble Achilles has slain.

Homeric Greek

μὴ δέ τί τοι θάνατος μελέτω φρεσὶ μηδέ τι τάρβος:

τοῖος γάρ τοι πομπὸς ἅμ' ἕψεται ἀργεϊφόντης,

ὅς σ' ἄξει εἷός κεν ἄγων Ἀχιλῆϊ πελάσσῃ.

αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν ἀγάγῃσιν ἔσω κλισίην Ἀχιλῆος,

185οὔτ' αὐτὸς κτενέει ἀπό τ' ἄλλους πάντας ἐρύξει:

Transliteration

mē de ti toi thanatos meletō phresi mēde ti tarbos:

toios gar toi pompos ham' hepsetai argeïphontēs,

hos s' axei heios ken agōn Achilēï pelassēi.

autar epēn agagēisin esō klisiēn Achilēos,

185out' autos kteneei apo t' allous pantas eryxei:

English

You are to have no thought, nor fear of death, for Zeus will send the slayer of Argos to escort you. When he has brought you within Achilles' tent, Achilles will not kill you nor let another do so, for he will take

Homeric Greek

οὔτε γάρ ἔστ' ἄφρων οὔτ' ἄσκοπος οὔτ' ἀλιτήμων,

ἀλλὰ μάλ' ἐνδυκέως ἱκέτεω πεφιδήσεται ἀνδρός.

ἣ μὲν ἄρ' ὣς εἰποῦσ' ἀπέβη πόδας ὠκέα Ἶρις,

αὐτὰρ ὅ γ' υἷας ἄμαξαν ἐύ̈τροχον ἡμιονείην

190ὁπλίσαι ἠνώγει, πείρινθα δὲ δῆσαι ἐπ' αὐτῆς.

Transliteration

oute gar est' aphrōn out' askopos out' alitēmōn,

alla mal' endykeōs hiketeō pephidēsetai andros.

hē men ar' hōs eipous' apebē podas ōkea Iris,

autar ho g' huias amaxan eÿtrochon hēmioneiēn

190hoplisai ēnōgei, peirintha de dēsai ep' autēs.

English

heed to his ways and err not, and he will entreat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy." Iris went her way when she had thus spoken, and Priam told his sons to get a mule-wagon ready, and to make the body of the wagon fast upon the top of its bed.

Homeric Greek

αὐτὸς δ' ἐς θάλαμον κατεβήσετο κηώεντα

κέδρινον ὑψόροφον, ὃς γλήνεα πολλὰ κεχάνδει:

ἐς δ' ἄλοχον Ἑκάβην ἐκαλέσσατο φώνησέν τε:

δαιμονίη Διόθεν μοι Ὀλύμπιος ἄγγελος ἦλθε

195λύσασθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἰόντ' ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν,

Transliteration

autos d' es thalamon katebēseto kēōenta

kedrinon hypsorophon, hos glēnea polla kechandei:

es d' alochon Hekabēn ekalessato phōnēsen te:

daimoniē Diothen moi Olympios angelos ēlthe

195lysasthai philon huion iont' epi nēas Achaiōn,

English

Then he went down into his fragrant store-room, high-vaulted, and made of cedar-wood, where his many treasures were kept, and he called Hecuba his wife. "Wife," said he, "a messenger has come to me from Olympus, and has told me to go to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom

Homeric Greek

δῶρα δ' Ἀχιλλῆϊ φερέμεν τά κε θυμὸν ἰήνῃ.

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ τί τοι φρεσὶν εἴδεται εἶναι;

αἰνῶς γάρ μ' αὐτόν γε μένος καὶ θυμὸς ἄνωγε

κεῖσ' ἰέναι ἐπὶ νῆας ἔσω στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν.

200ὣς φάτο, κώκυσεν δὲ γυνὴ καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ:

Transliteration

dōra d' Achillēï pheremen ta ke thymon iēnēi.

all' age moi tode eipe ti toi phresin eidetai einai;

ainōs gar m' auton ge menos kai thymos anōge

keis' ienai epi nēas esō straton euryn Achaiōn.

200hōs phato, kōkysen de gynē kai ameibeto mythōi:

English

my dear son, taking with me such gifts as shall give satisfaction to Achilles. What think you of this matter? for my own part I am greatly moved to pass through the of the Achaeans and go to their ships." His wife cried aloud as she heard him, and said,

Homeric Greek

ὤ μοι πῇ δή τοι φρένες οἴχονθ', ᾗς τὸ πάρος περ

ἔκλε' ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους ξείνους ἠδ' οἷσιν ἀνάσσεις;

πῶς ἐθέλεις ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν ἐλθέμεν οἶος

ἀνδρὸς ἐς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὅς τοι πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺς

205υἱέας ἐξενάριξε: σιδήρειόν νύ τοι ἦτορ.

Transliteration

ō moi pēi dē toi phrenes oichonth', hēis to paros per

ekle' ep' anthrōpous xeinous ēd' hoisin anasseis;

pōs etheleis epi nēas Achaiōn elthemen oios

andros es ophthalmous hos toi poleas te kai esthlous

205huieas exenarixe: sidēreion ny toi ētor.

English

"Alas, what has become of that judgment for which you have been ever famous both among strangers and your own people? How can you venture alone to the ships of the Achaeans, and look into the face of him who has slain so many of your brave sons?

Homeric Greek

εἰ γάρ σ' αἱρήσει καὶ ἐσόψεται ὀφθαλμοῖσιν

ὠμηστὴς καὶ ἄπιστος ἀνὴρ ὅ γε οὔ σ' ἐλεήσει,

οὐδέ τί σ' αἰδέσεται. νῦν δὲ κλαίωμεν ἄνευθεν

ἥμενοι ἐν μεγάρῳ: τῷ δ' ὥς ποθι Μοῖρα κραταιὴ

210γιγνομένῳ ἐπένησε λίνῳ, ὅτε μιν τέκον αὐτή,

Transliteration

ei gar s' hairēsei kai esopsetai ophthalmoisin

ōmēstēs kai apistos anēr ho ge ou s' eleēsei,

oude ti s' aidesetai. nyn de klaiōmen aneuthen

hēmenoi en megarōi: tōi d' hōs pothi Moira krataiē

210gignomenōi epenēse linōi, hote min tekon autē,

English

You must have iron courage, for if the cruel savage sees you and lays hold on you, he will know neither respect nor pity. Let us then weep Hektor from afar here in our own house, for when I gave him birth the threads of overruling fate were spun for him

Homeric Greek

ἀργίποδας κύνας ἆσαι ἑῶν ἀπάνευθε τοκήων

ἀνδρὶ πάρα κρατερῷ, τοῦ ἐγὼ μέσον ἧπαρ ἔχοιμι

ἐσθέμεναι προσφῦσα: τότ' ἄντιτα ἔργα γένοιτο

παιδὸς ἐμοῦ, ἐπεὶ οὔ ἑ κακιζόμενόν γε κατέκτα,

215ἀλλὰ πρὸ Τρώων καὶ Τρωϊάδων βαθυκόλπων

Transliteration

argipodas kynas asai heōn apaneuthe tokēōn

andri para kraterōi, tou egō meson hēpar echoimi

esthemenai prosphysa: tot' antita erga genoito

paidos emou, epei ou he kakizomenon ge katekta,

215alla pro Trōōn kai Trōïadōn bathykolpōn

English

that dogs should eat his flesh far from his parents, in the house of that terrible man on whose liver I would fain fasten and devour it. Thus would I avenge my son, who showed no cowardice when Achilles slew him, and thought neither of Right nor of avoiding battle as

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότ' οὔτε φόβου μεμνημένον οὔτ' ἀλεωρῆς.

τὴν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

μή μ' ἐθέλοντ' ἰέναι κατερύκανε, μὴ δέ μοι αὐτὴ

ὄρνις ἐνὶ μεγάροισι κακὸς πέλευ: οὐδέ με πείσεις.

220εἰ μὲν γάρ τίς μ' ἄλλος ἐπιχθονίων ἐκέλευεν,

Transliteration

hestaot' oute phobou memnēmenon out' aleōrēs.

tēn d' aute proseeipe gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

mē m' ethelont' ienai katerykane, mē de moi autē

ornis eni megaroisi kakos peleu: oude me peiseis.

220ei men gar tis m' allos epichthoniōn ekeleuen,

English

he stood in defense of Trojan men and Trojan women." Then Priam said, "I would go, do not therefore stay me nor be as a bird of ill omen in my house, for you will not move me. Had it been some mortal man who had sent me some seer or priest who divines from sacrifice

Homeric Greek

ἢ οἳ μάντιές εἰσι θυοσκόοι ἢ ἱερῆες,

ψεῦδός κεν φαῖμεν καὶ νοσφιζοίμεθα μᾶλλον:

νῦν δ', αὐτὸς γὰρ ἄκουσα θεοῦ καὶ ἐσέδρακον ἄντην,

εἶμι καὶ οὐχ ἅλιον ἔπος ἔσσεται. εἰ δέ μοι αἶσα

225τεθνάμεναι παρὰ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων

Transliteration

ē hoi manties eisi thyoskooi ē hierēes,

pseudos ken phaimen kai nosphizoimetha mallon:

nyn d', autos gar akousa theou kai esedrakon antēn,

eimi kai ouch halion epos essetai. ei de moi aisa

225tethnamenai para nēusin Achaiōn chalkochitōnōn

English

- I should have deemed him false and have given him no heed; but now I have heard the goddess and seen her face to face, therefore I will go and her saying shall not be in vain. If it be my fate to die at the ships of the Achaeans even so would I have it;

Homeric Greek

βούλομαι: αὐτίκα γάρ με κατακτείνειεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

ἀγκὰς ἑλόντ' ἐμὸν υἱόν, ἐπὴν γόου ἐξ ἔρον εἵην.

ἦ καὶ φωριαμῶν ἐπιθήματα κάλ' ἀνέῳγεν:

ἔνθεν δώδεκα μὲν περικαλλέας ἔξελε πέπλους,

230δώδεκα δ' ἁπλοί̈δας χλαίνας, τόσσους δὲ τάπητας,

Transliteration

boulomai: autika gar me katakteineien Achilleus

ankas helont' emon huion, epēn goou ex eron heiēn.

ē kai phōriamōn epithēmata kal' aneōigen:

enthen dōdeka men perikalleas exele peplous,

230dōdeka d' haploïdas chlainas, tossous de tapētas,

English

let Achilles slay me, if I may but first have taken my son in my arms and mourned him to my heart's comforting." So saying he lifted the lids of his chests, and took out twelve goodly vestments. He took also twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve rugs, twelve fair mantles, and an equal number of shirts.

Homeric Greek

τόσσα δὲ φάρεα λευκά, τόσους δ' ἐπὶ τοῖσι χιτῶνας.

χρυσοῦ δὲ στήσας ἔφερεν δέκα πάντα τάλαντα,

ἐκ δὲ δύ' αἴθωνας τρίποδας, πίσυρας δὲ λέβητας,

ἐκ δὲ δέπας περικαλλές, ὅ οἱ Θρῇκες πόρον ἄνδρες

235ἐξεσίην ἐλθόντι μέγα κτέρας: οὐδέ νυ τοῦ περ

Transliteration

tossa de pharea leuka, tosous d' epi toisi chitōnas.

chrysou de stēsas epheren deka panta talanta,

ek de dy' aithōnas tripodas, pisyras de lebētas,

ek de depas perikalles, ho hoi Thrēikes poron andres

235exesiēn elthonti mega kteras: oude ny tou per

English

He weighed out ten talents of gold, and brought moreover two burnished tripods, four cauldrons, and a very beautiful cup which the Thracians had given him when he had gone to them on an embassy; it was very precious, but he grudged not even this, so eager was he to ransom the body of his son.

Homeric Greek

φείσατ' ἐνὶ μεγάροις ὃ γέρων, περὶ δ' ἤθελε θυμῷ

λύσασθαι φίλον υἱόν. ὃ δὲ Τρῶας μὲν ἅπαντας

αἰθούσης ἀπέεργεν ἔπεσσ' αἰσχροῖσιν ἐνίσσων:

ἔρρετε λωβητῆρες ἐλεγχέες: οὔ νυ καὶ ὑμῖν

240οἴκοι ἔνεστι γόος, ὅτι μ' ἤλθετε κηδήσοντες;

Transliteration

pheisat' eni megarois ho gerōn, peri d' ēthele thymōi

lysasthai philon huion. ho de Trōas men hapantas

aithousēs apeergen epess' aischroisin enissōn:

errete lōbētēres elenchees: ou ny kai hymin

240oikoi enesti goos, hoti m' ēlthete kēdēsontes;

English

Then he chased all the Trojans from the court and rebuked them with words of anger. "Out," he cried, "shame and disgrace to me that you are. Have you no grief in your own homes that you are come to plague me here?

Homeric Greek

ἦ ὀνόσασθ' ὅτι μοι Κρονίδης Ζεὺς ἄλγε' ἔδωκε

παῖδ' ὀλέσαι τὸν ἄριστον; ἀτὰρ γνώσεσθε καὶ ὔμμες:

ῥηί̈τεροι γὰρ μᾶλλον Ἀχαιοῖσιν δὴ ἔσεσθε

κείνου τεθνηῶτος ἐναιρέμεν. αὐτὰρ ἔγωγε

245πρὶν ἀλαπαζομένην τε πόλιν κεραϊζομένην τε

Transliteration

ē onosasth' hoti moi Kronidēs Zeus alge' edōke

paid' olesai ton ariston; atar gnōsesthe kai ymmes:

rhēïteroi gar mallon Achaioisin dē esesthe

keinou tethnēōtos enairemen. autar egōge

245prin alapazomenēn te polin keraïzomenēn te

English

Is it a small thing, think you, that the son of Kronos has sent this sorrow upon me, to lose the bravest of my sons? Nay, you shall prove it in person, for now he is gone the Achaeans will have easier work in killing you.

Homeric Greek

ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἰδεῖν βαίην δόμον Ἄϊδος εἴσω.

ἦ καὶ σκηπανίῳ δίεπ' ἀνέρας: οἳ δ' ἴσαν ἔξω

σπερχομένοιο γέροντος: ὃ δ' υἱάσιν οἷσιν ὁμόκλα

νεικείων Ἕλενόν τε Πάριν τ' Ἀγάθωνά τε δῖον

250Πάμμονά τ' Ἀντίφονόν τε βοὴν ἀγαθόν τε Πολίτην

Transliteration

ophthalmoisin idein baiēn domon Aïdos eisō.

ē kai skēpaniōi diep' aneras: hoi d' isan exō

sperchomenoio gerontos: ho d' huiasin hoisin homokla

neikeiōn Helenon te Parin t' Agathōna te dion

250Pammona t' Antiphonon te boēn agathon te Politēn

English

As for me, let me go down within the house of Hades, ere mine eyes behold the sacking and wasting of the city." He drove the men away with his staff, and they went forth as the old man sped them. Then he called to his sons, upbraiding Helenos, Paris, noble Agathon, Pammon, Antiphonos, Polites of the loud battle-cry, Deiphobos, Hippothoos, and Dios.

Homeric Greek

Δηί̈φοβόν τε καὶ Ἱππόθοον καὶ δῖον Ἀγαυόν:

ἐννέα τοῖς ὃ γεραιὸς ὁμοκλήσας ἐκέλευε:

σπεύσατέ μοι κακὰ τέκνα κατηφόνες: αἴθ' ἅμα πάντες

Ἕκτορος ὠφέλετ' ἀντὶ θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶ πεφάσθαι.

255ὤ μοι ἐγὼ πανάποτμος, ἐπεὶ τέκον υἷας ἀρίστους

Transliteration

Dēïphobon te kai Hippothoon kai dion Agauon:

ennea tois ho geraios homoklēsas ekeleue:

speusate moi kaka tekna katēphones: aith' hama pantes

Hektoros ōphelet' anti thoēis epi nēusi pephasthai.

255ō moi egō panapotmos, epei tekon huias aristous

English

These nine did the old man call near him. "Come to me at once," he cried, "worthless sons who do me shame; would that you had all been killed at the ships rather than Hektor.

Homeric Greek

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ, τῶν δ' οὔ τινά φημι λελεῖφθαι,

Μήστορά τ' ἀντίθεον καὶ Τρωί̈λον ἱππιοχάρμην

Ἕκτορά θ', ὃς θεὸς ἔσκε μετ' ἀνδράσιν, οὐδὲ ἐῴκει

ἀνδρός γε θνητοῦ πάϊς ἔμμεναι ἀλλὰ θεοῖο.

260τοὺς μὲν ἀπώλεσ' Ἄρης, τὰ δ' ἐλέγχεα πάντα λέλειπται

Transliteration

Troiēi en eureiēi, tōn d' ou tina phēmi leleiphthai,

Mēstora t' antitheon kai Trōïlon hippiocharmēn

Hektora th', hos theos eske met' andrasin, oude eōikei

andros ge thnētou païs emmenai alla theoio.

260tous men apōles' Arēs, ta d' elenchea panta leleiptai

English

Miserable man that I am, I have had the bravest sons in all Troy - noble Nestor, Troilus the dauntless charioteer, and Hektor who was a god among men, so that one would have thought he was son to an immortal - yet there is not one of them left. Ares has slain them and those of whom I am ashamed are alone left me.

Homeric Greek

ψεῦσταί τ' ὀρχησταί τε χοροιτυπίῃσιν ἄριστοι

ἀρνῶν ἠδ' ἐρίφων ἐπιδήμιοι ἁρπακτῆρες.

οὐκ ἂν δή μοι ἄμαξαν ἐφοπλίσσαιτε τάχιστα,

ταῦτά τε πάντ' ἐπιθεῖτε, ἵνα πρήσσωμεν ὁδοῖο;

265ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ἄρα πατρὸς ὑποδείσαντες ὁμοκλὴν

Transliteration

pseustai t' orchēstai te choroitypiēisin aristoi

arnōn ēd' eriphōn epidēmioi harpaktēres.

ouk an dē moi amaxan ephoplissaite tachista,

tauta te pant' epitheite, hina prēssōmen hodoio;

265hōs ephath', hoi d' ara patros hypodeisantes homoklēn

English

Liars, and light of foot, heroes of the dance, robbers of lambs and kids from your own people, why do you not get a wagon ready for me at once, and put all these things upon it that I may set out on my way?" Thus did he speak, and they feared the rebuke of their father.

Homeric Greek

ἐκ μὲν ἄμαξαν ἄειραν ἐύ̈τροχον ἡμιονείην

καλὴν πρωτοπαγέα, πείρινθα δὲ δῆσαν ἐπ' αὐτῆς,

κὰδ δ' ἀπὸ πασσαλόφι ζυγὸν ᾕρεον ἡμιόνειον

πύξινον ὀμφαλόεν εὖ οἰήκεσσιν ἀρηρός:

270ἐκ δ' ἔφερον ζυγόδεσμον ἅμα ζυγῷ ἐννεάπηχυ.

Transliteration

ek men amaxan aeiran eÿtrochon hēmioneiēn

kalēn prōtopagea, peirintha de dēsan ep' autēs,

kad d' apo passalophi zygon hēireon hēmioneion

pyxinon omphaloen eu oiēkessin arēros:

270ek d' epheron zygodesmon hama zygōi enneapēchy.

English

They brought out a strong mule-wagon, newly made, and set the body of the wagon fast on its bed. They took the mule-yoke from the peg on which it hung, a yoke of boxwood with a knob on the top of it and rings for the reins to go through.

Homeric Greek

καὶ τὸ μὲν εὖ κατέθηκαν ἐϋξέστῳ ἐπὶ ῥυμῷ

πέζῃ ἔπι πρώτῃ, ἐπὶ δὲ κρίκον ἕστορι βάλλον,

τρὶς δ' ἑκάτερθεν ἔδησαν ἐπ' ὀμφαλόν, αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

ἑξείης κατέδησαν, ὑπὸ γλωχῖνα δ' ἔκαμψαν.

275ἐκ θαλάμου δὲ φέροντες ἐϋξέστης ἐπ' ἀπήνης

Transliteration

kai to men eu katethēkan eÿxestōi epi rhymōi

pezēi epi prōtēi, epi de krikon hestori ballon,

tris d' hekaterthen edēsan ep' omphalon, autar epeita

hexeiēs katedēsan, hypo glōchina d' ekampsan.

275ek thalamou de pherontes eÿxestēs ep' apēnēs

English

Then they brought a yoke-band eleven cubits long, to bind the yoke to the pole; they bound it on at the far end of the pole, and put the ring over the upright pin making it fast with three turns of the band on either side the knob, and bending the thong of the yoke beneath it.

Homeric Greek

νήεον Ἑκτορέης κεφαλῆς ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα,

ζεῦξαν δ' ἡμιόνους κρατερώνυχας ἐντεσιεργούς,

τούς ῥά ποτε Πριάμῳ Μυσοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα.

ἵππους δὲ Πριάμῳ ὕπαγον ζυγόν, οὓς ὃ γεραιὸς

280αὐτὸς ἔχων ἀτίταλλεν ἐϋξέστῃ ἐπὶ φάτνῃ.

Transliteration

nēeon Hektoreēs kephalēs apereisi' apoina,

zeuxan d' hēmionous kraterōnychas entesiergous,

tous rha pote Priamōi Mysoi dosan aglaa dōra.

hippous de Priamōi hypagon zygon, hous ho geraios

280autos echōn atitallen eÿxestēi epi phatnēi.

English

This done, they brought from the store-chamber the rich ransom that was to purchase the body of Hektor, and they set it all orderly on the wagon; then they yoked the strong harness-mules which the Mysians had on a time given as a goodly present to Priam; but for Priam himself they yoked horses which the old king had bred, and kept for own use.

Homeric Greek

τὼ μὲν ζευγνύσθην ἐν δώμασιν ὑψηλοῖσι

κῆρυξ καὶ Πρίαμος πυκινὰ φρεσὶ μήδε' ἔχοντες:

ἀγχίμολον δέ σφ' ἦλθ' Ἑκάβη τετιηότι θυμῷ

οἶνον ἔχουσ' ἐν χειρὶ μελίφρονα δεξιτερῆφι

285χρυσέῳ ἐν δέπαϊ, ὄφρα λείψαντε κιοίτην:

Transliteration

tō men zeugnysthēn en dōmasin hypsēloisi

kēryx kai Priamos pykina phresi mēde' echontes:

anchimolon de sph' ēlth' Hekabē tetiēoti thymōi

oinon echous' en cheiri meliphrona dexiterēphi

285chryseōi en depaï, ophra leipsante kioitēn:

English

Thus heedfully did Priam and his servant see to the yoking of their cars at the palace. Then Hecuba came to them all sorrowful, with a golden goblet of wine in her right hand, that they might make a drink-offering before they set out.

Homeric Greek

στῆ δ' ἵππων προπάροιθεν ἔπος τ' ἔφατ' ἔκ τ' ὀνόμαζε:

τῆ σπεῖσον Διὶ πατρί, καὶ εὔχεο οἴκαδ' ἱκέσθαι

ἂψ ἐκ δυσμενέων ἀνδρῶν, ἐπεὶ ἂρ σέ γε θυμὸς

ὀτρύνει ἐπὶ νῆας ἐμεῖο μὲν οὐκ ἐθελούσης.

290ἀλλ' εὔχεο σύ γ' ἔπειτα κελαινεφέϊ Κρονίωνι

Transliteration

stē d' hippōn proparoithen epos t' ephat' ek t' onomaze:

tē speison Dii patri, kai eucheo oikad' hikesthai

aps ek dysmeneōn andrōn, epei ar se ge thymos

otrynei epi nēas emeio men ouk ethelousēs.

290all' eucheo sy g' epeita kelainepheï Kroniōni

English

She stood in front of the horses and said, "Take this, make a drink-offering to father Zeus, and since you are minded to go to the ships in spite of me, pray that you may come safely back from the hands of your enemies.

Homeric Greek

Ἰδαίῳ, ὅς τε Τροίην κατὰ πᾶσαν ὁρᾶται,

αἴτει δ' οἰωνὸν ταχὺν ἄγγελον, ὅς τέ οἱ αὐτῷ

φίλτατος οἰωνῶν, καί εὑ κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον,

δεξιόν, ὄφρά μιν αὐτὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι νοήσας

295τῷ πίσυνος ἐπὶ νῆας ἴῃς Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων.

Transliteration

Idaiōi, hos te Troiēn kata pasan horatai,

aitei d' oiōnon tachyn angelon, hos te hoi autōi

philtatos oiōnōn, kai heu kratos esti megiston,

dexion, ophra min autos en ophthalmoisi noēsas

295tōi pisynos epi nēas iēis Danaōn tachypōlōn.

English

Pray to the son of Kronos lord of the whirlwind, who sits on Ida and looks down over all Troy, pray him to send his swift messenger on your right hand, the bird of omen which is strongest and most dear to him of all birds, that you may see it with your own eyes and trust it as you go forth to the ships of the Danaans.

Homeric Greek

εἰ δέ τοι οὐ δώσει ἑὸν ἄγγελον εὐρύοπα Ζεύς,

οὐκ ἂν ἔγωγέ σ' ἔπειτα ἐποτρύνουσα κελοίμην

νῆας ἐπ' Ἀργείων ἰέναι μάλα περ μεμαῶτα.

τὴν δ' ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

300ὦ γύναι οὐ μέν τοι τόδ' ἐφιεμένῃ ἀπιθήσω.

Transliteration

ei de toi ou dōsei heon angelon euryopa Zeus,

ouk an egōge s' epeita epotrynousa keloimēn

nēas ep' Argeiōn ienai mala per memaōta.

tēn d' apameibomenos prosephē Priamos theoeidēs:

300ō gynai ou men toi tod' ephiemenēi apithēsō.

English

If all-seeing Zeus will not send you this messenger, however set upon it you may be, I would not have you go to the ships of the Argives." And Priam answered, "Wife, I will do as you desire me; it is well to lift hands in prayer to Zeus, if so be he may have mercy upon me."

Homeric Greek

ἐσθλὸν γὰρ Διὶ χεῖρας ἀνασχέμεν αἴ κ' ἐλεήσῃ.

ἦ ῥα καὶ ἀμφίπολον ταμίην ὄτρυν' ὃ γεραιὸς

χερσὶν ὕδωρ ἐπιχεῦαι ἀκήρατον: ἣ δὲ παρέστη

χέρνιβον ἀμφίπολος πρόχοόν θ' ἅμα χερσὶν ἔχουσα.

305νιψάμενος δὲ κύπελλον ἐδέξατο ἧς ἀλόχοιο:

Transliteration

esthlon gar Dii cheiras anaschemen ai k' eleēsēi.

ē rha kai amphipolon tamiēn otryn' ho geraios

chersin hydōr epicheuai akēraton: hē de parestē

chernibon amphipolos prochoon th' hama chersin echousa.

305nipsamenos de kypellon edexato hēs alochoio:

English

With this the old man bade the serving-woman pour pure water over his hands, and the woman came, bearing the water in a bowl. He washed his hands and took the cup from his wife; then he made the drink-offering and prayed, standing in the middle of the courtyard and turning his eyes to heaven.

Homeric Greek

εὔχετ' ἔπειτα στὰς μέσῳ ἕρκεϊ, λεῖβε δὲ οἶνον

οὐρανὸν εἰσανιδών, καὶ φωνήσας ἔπος ηὔδα:

Ζεῦ πάτερ Ἴδηθεν μεδέων κύδιστε μέγιστε

δός μ' ἐς Ἀχιλλῆος φίλον ἐλθεῖν ἠδ' ἐλεεινόν,

310πέμψον δ' οἰωνὸν ταχὺν ἄγγελον, ὅς τε σοὶ αὐτῷ

Transliteration

euchet' epeita stas mesōi herkeï, leibe de oinon

ouranon eisanidōn, kai phōnēsas epos ēuda:

Zeu pater Idēthen medeōn kydiste megiste

dos m' es Achillēos philon elthein ēd' eleeinon,

310pempson d' oiōnon tachyn angelon, hos te soi autōi

English

"Father Zeus," he said, "you who rule from Ida, most glorious and most great, grant that I may be received kindly and compassionately in the tents of Achilles; and send your swift messenger upon my right hand, the bird of omen which is strongest and most

Homeric Greek

φίλτατος οἰωνῶν, καί εὑ κράτος ἐστὶ μέγιστον,

δεξιόν, ὄφρά μιν αὐτὸς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσι νοήσας

τῷ πίσυνος ἐπὶ νῆας ἴω Δαναῶν ταχυπώλων.

ὣς ἔφατ' εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δ' ἔκλυε μητίετα Ζεὺς

315αὐτίκα δ' αἰετὸν ἧκε τελειότατον πετεηνῶν

Transliteration

philtatos oiōnōn, kai heu kratos esti megiston,

dexion, ophra min autos en ophthalmoisi noēsas

tōi pisynos epi nēas iō Danaōn tachypōlōn.

hōs ephat' euchomenos, tou d' eklye mētieta Zeus

315autika d' aieton hēke teleiotaton peteēnōn

English

dear to you of all birds, that I may see it with my own eyes and trust it as I go forth to the ships of the Danaans." So did he pray, and Zeus the lord of counsel heard his prayer.

Homeric Greek

μόρφνον θηρητῆρ' ὃν καὶ περκνὸν καλέουσιν.

ὅσση δ' ὑψορόφοιο θύρη θαλάμοιο τέτυκται

ἀνέρος ἀφνειοῖο ἐὺ̈ κληῖ̈σ' ἀραρυῖα,

τόσσ' ἄρα τοῦ ἑκάτερθεν ἔσαν πτερά: εἴσατο δέ σφι

320δεξιὸς ἀί̈ξας διὰ ἄστεος: οἳ δὲ ἰδόντες

Transliteration

morphnon thērētēr' hon kai perknon kaleousin.

hossē d' hypsorophoio thyrē thalamoio tetyktai

aneros aphneioio eÿ klēïs' araruia,

toss' ara tou hekaterthen esan ptera: eisato de sphi

320dexios aïxas dia asteos: hoi de idontes

English

Forthwith he sent an eagle, the most unerring portent of all birds that fly, the dusky hunter that men also call the Black Eagle. His wings were spread abroad on either side as wide as the well-made and well-bolted door of a rich man's chamber. He came to them flying over the city upon their right hands, and when

Homeric Greek

γήθησαν, καὶ πᾶσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἰάνθη.

σπερχόμενος δ' ὃ γεραιὸς ἑοῦ ἐπεβήσετο δίφρου,

ἐκ δ' ἔλασε προθύροιο καὶ αἰθούσης ἐριδούπου.

πρόσθε μὲν ἡμίονοι ἕλκον τετράκυκλον ἀπήνην,

325τὰς Ἰδαῖος ἔλαυνε δαί̈φρων: αὐτὰρ ὄπισθεν

Transliteration

gēthēsan, kai pasin eni phresi thymos ianthē.

sperchomenos d' ho geraios heou epebēseto diphrou,

ek d' elase prothyroio kai aithousēs eridoupou.

prosthe men hēmionoi helkon tetrakyklon apēnēn,

325tas Idaios elaune daïphrōn: autar opisthen

English

they saw him they were glad and their hearts took comfort within them. The old man made haste to mount his chariot, and drove out through the inner gateway and under the echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Before him went the mules drawing the four-wheeled wagon, and driven by wise Idaios;

Homeric Greek

ἵπποι, τοὺς ὃ γέρων ἐφέπων μάστιγι κέλευε

καρπαλίμως κατὰ ἄστυ: φίλοι δ' ἅμα πάντες ἕποντο

πόλλ' ὀλοφυρόμενοι ὡς εἰ θάνατον δὲ κιόντα.

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν πόλιος κατέβαν, πεδίον δ' ἀφίκοντο,

330οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἄψορροι προτὶ Ἴλιον ἀπονέοντο

Transliteration

hippoi, tous ho gerōn ephepōn mastigi keleue

karpalimōs kata asty: philoi d' hama pantes heponto

poll' olophyromenoi hōs ei thanaton de kionta.

hoi d' epei oun polios kateban, pedion d' aphikonto,

330hoi men ar' apsorroi proti Ilion aponeonto

English

behind these were the horses, which the old man lashed with his whip and drove swiftly through the city, while his friends followed after, wailing and lamenting for him as though he were on his road to death. As soon as they had come down from the city and had reached the plain, his sons and sons-in-law who had followed him went back to Ilion.

Homeric Greek

παῖδες καὶ γαμβροί, τὼ δ' οὐ λάθον εὐρύοπα Ζῆν

ἐς πεδίον προφανέντε: ἰδὼν δ' ἐλέησε γέροντα,

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' Ἑρμείαν υἱὸν φίλον ἀντίον ηὔδα:

Ἑρμεία, σοὶ γάρ τε μάλιστά γε φίλτατόν ἐστιν

335ἀνδρὶ ἑταιρίσσαι, καί τ' ἔκλυες ᾧ κ' ἐθέλῃσθα,

Transliteration

paides kai gambroi, tō d' ou lathon euryopa Zēn

es pedion prophanente: idōn d' eleēse geronta,

aipsa d' ar' Hermeian huion philon antion ēuda:

Hermeia, soi gar te malista ge philtaton estin

335andri hetairissai, kai t' eklyes hōi k' ethelēistha,

English

But Priam and Idaios as they showed out upon the plain did not escape the ken of all-seeing Zeus, who looked down upon the old man and pitied him; then he spoke to his son Hermes and said, "Hermes, for it is you who are the most disposed to escort men on their way, and to hear those whom

Homeric Greek

βάσκ' ἴθι καὶ Πρίαμον κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

ὣς ἄγαγ', ὡς μήτ' ἄρ τις ἴδῃ μήτ' ἄρ τε νοήσῃ

τῶν ἄλλων Δαναῶν, πρὶν Πηλεί̈ωνα δ' ἱκέσθαι.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδ' ἀπίθησε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης.

340αὐτίκ' ἔπειθ' ὑπὸ ποσσὶν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα

Transliteration

bask' ithi kai Priamon koilas epi nēas Achaiōn

hōs agag', hōs mēt' ar tis idēi mēt' ar te noēsēi

tōn allōn Danaōn, prin Pēleïōna d' hikesthai.

hōs ephat', oud' apithēse diaktoros argeïphontēs.

340autik' epeith' hypo possin edēsato kala pedila

English

you will hear, go, and so conduct Priam to the ships of the Achaeans that no other of the Danaans shall see him nor take note of him until he reach the son of Peleus." Thus he spoke and Hermes, guide and guardian, slayer of Argos, did as he was told.

Homeric Greek

ἀμβρόσια χρύσεια, τά μιν φέρον ἠμὲν ἐφ' ὑγρὴν

ἠδ' ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν ἅμα πνοιῇς ἀνέμοιο:

εἵλετο δὲ ῥάβδον, τῇ τ' ἀνδρῶν ὄμματα θέλγει

ὧν ἐθέλει, τοὺς δ' αὖτε καὶ ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρει:

345τὴν μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχων πέτετο κρατὺς ἀργεϊφόντης.

Transliteration

ambrosia chryseia, ta min pheron ēmen eph' hygrēn

ēd' ep' apeirona gaian hama pnoiēis anemoio:

heileto de rhabdon, tēi t' andrōn ommata thelgei

hōn ethelei, tous d' aute kai hypnōontas egeirei:

345tēn meta chersin echōn peteto kratys argeïphontēs.

English

Forthwith he bound on his glittering golden sandals with which he could fly like the wind over land and sea; he took the wand with which he seals men's eyes in sleep, or wakes them just as he pleases, and flew holding it in his hand till he came to Troy and to the Hellespont.

Homeric Greek

αἶψα δ' ἄρα Τροίην τε καὶ Ἑλλήσποντον ἵκανε,

βῆ δ' ἰέναι κούρῳ αἰσυμνητῆρι ἐοικὼς

πρῶτον ὑπηνήτῃ, τοῦ περ χαριεστάτη ἥβη.

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν μέγα σῆμα παρὲξ Ἴλοιο ἔλασσαν,

350στῆσαν ἄρ' ἡμιόνους τε καὶ ἵππους ὄφρα πίοιεν

Transliteration

aipsa d' ara Troiēn te kai Hellēsponton hikane,

bē d' ienai kourōi aisymnētēri eoikōs

prōton hypēnētēi, tou per chariestatē hēbē.

hoi d' epei oun mega sēma parex Iloio elassan,

350stēsan ar' hēmionous te kai hippous ophra pioien

English

To look at, he was like a young man of noble birth in the hey-day of his youth and beauty with the down just coming upon his face. Now when Priam and Idaios had driven past the great tomb of Ilion, they stayed their mules and horses that they might

Homeric Greek

ἐν ποταμῷ: δὴ γὰρ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἤλυθε γαῖαν.

τὸν δ' ἐξ ἀγχιμόλοιο ἰδὼν ἐφράσσατο κῆρυξ

Ἑρμείαν, ποτὶ δὲ Πρίαμον φάτο φώνησέν τε:

φράζεο Δαρδανίδη: φραδέος νόου ἔργα τέτυκται.

355ἄνδρ' ὁρόω, τάχα δ' ἄμμε διαρραίσεσθαι ὀί̈ω.

Transliteration

en potamōi: dē gar kai epi knephas ēlythe gaian.

ton d' ex anchimoloio idōn ephrassato kēryx

Hermeian, poti de Priamon phato phōnēsen te:

phrazeo Dardanidē: phradeos noou erga tetyktai.

355andr' horoō, tacha d' amme diarraisesthai oïō.

English

drink in the river, for the shades of night were falling, when, therefore, Idaios saw Hermes standing near them he said to Priam, "Take heed, descendant of Dardanos; here is matter which demands consideration. I see a man who I think will presently fall upon us;

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ φεύγωμεν ἐφ' ἵππων, ἤ μιν ἔπειτα

γούνων ἁψάμενοι λιτανεύσομεν αἴ κ' ἐλεήσῃ.

ὣς φάτο, σὺν δὲ γέροντι νόος χύτο, δείδιε δ' αἰνῶς,

ὀρθαὶ δὲ τρίχες ἔσταν ἐνὶ γναμπτοῖσι μέλεσσι,

360στῆ δὲ ταφών: αὐτὸς δ' ἐριούνιος ἐγγύθεν ἐλθὼν

Transliteration

all' age dē pheugōmen eph' hippōn, ē min epeita

gounōn hapsamenoi litaneusomen ai k' eleēsēi.

hōs phato, syn de geronti noos chyto, deidie d' ainōs,

orthai de triches estan eni gnamptoisi melessi,

360stē de taphōn: autos d' eriounios engythen elthōn

English

let us flee with our horses, or at least embrace his knees and implore him to take compassion upon us? When he heard this the old man's heart failed him, and he was in great fear; he stayed where he was as one dazed, and the hair stood on end over his whole body;

Homeric Greek

χεῖρα γέροντος ἑλὼν ἐξείρετο καὶ προσέειπε:

πῇ πάτερ ὧδ' ἵππους τε καὶ ἡμιόνους ἰθύνεις

νύκτα δι' ἀμβροσίην, ὅτε θ' εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι;

οὐδὲ σύ γ' ἔδεισας μένεα πνείοντας Ἀχαιούς,

365οἵ τοι δυσμενέες καὶ ἀνάρσιοι ἐγγὺς ἔασι;

Transliteration

cheira gerontos helōn exeireto kai proseeipe:

pēi pater hōd' hippous te kai hēmionous ithyneis

nykta di' ambrosiēn, hote th' heudousi brotoi alloi;

oude sy g' edeisas menea pneiontas Achaious,

365hoi toi dysmenees kai anarsioi engys easi;

English

but the bringer of good luck came up to him and took him by the hand, saying, "Whither, father, are you thus driving your mules and horses in the dead of night when other men are asleep? Are you not afraid of the fierce Achaeans who are hard by you, so cruel and relentless?

Homeric Greek

τῶν εἴ τίς σε ἴδοιτο θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν

τοσσάδ' ὀνείατ' ἄγοντα, τίς ἂν δή τοι νόος εἴη;

οὔτ' αὐτὸς νέος ἐσσί, γέρων δέ τοι οὗτος ὀπηδεῖ,

ἄνδρ' ἀπαμύνασθαι, ὅτε τις πρότερος χαλεπήνῃ.

370ἀλλ' ἐγὼ οὐδέν σε ῥέξω κακά, καὶ δέ κεν ἄλλον

Transliteration

tōn ei tis se idoito thoēn dia nykta melainan

tossad' oneiat' agonta, tis an dē toi noos eiē;

out' autos neos essi, gerōn de toi houtos opēdei,

andr' apamynasthai, hote tis proteros chalepēnēi.

370all' egō ouden se rhexō kaka, kai de ken allon

English

Should some one of them see you bearing so much treasure through the darkness of the fleeing night, what would not your state of mind then be? You are no longer young, and he who is with you is too old to protect you from those who would attack you.

Homeric Greek

σεῦ ἀπαλεξήσαιμι: φίλῳ δέ σε πατρὶ ἐί̈σκω.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

οὕτω πῃ τάδε γ' ἐστὶ φίλον τέκος ὡς ἀγορεύεις.

ἀλλ' ἔτι τις καὶ ἐμεῖο θεῶν ὑπερέσχεθε χεῖρα,

375ὅς μοι τοιόνδ' ἧκεν ὁδοιπόρον ἀντιβολῆσαι

Transliteration

seu apalexēsaimi: philōi de se patri eïskō.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

houtō pēi tade g' esti philon tekos hōs agoreueis.

all' eti tis kai emeio theōn hypereschethe cheira,

375hos moi toiond' hēken hodoiporon antibolēsai

English

For myself, I will do you no harm, and I will defend you from any one else, for you remind me of my own father." And Priam answered, "It is indeed as you say, my dear son; nevertheless some god has held his hand over me, in that he has sent such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so Opportunely;

Homeric Greek

αἴσιον, οἷος δὴ σὺ δέμας καὶ εἶδος ἀγητός,

πέπνυσαί τε νόῳ, μακάρων δ' ἔξεσσι τοκήων.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα γέρον κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.

380ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

Transliteration

aision, hoios dē sy demas kai eidos agētos,

pepnysai te noōi, makarōn d' exessi tokēōn.

ton d' aute proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:

nai dē tauta ge panta geron kata moiran eeipes.

380all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

English

you are so comely in mien and figure, and your judgment is so excellent that you must come of blessed parents." Then said the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, "Sir, all that you have said is right;

Homeric Greek

ἠέ πῃ ἐκπέμπεις κειμήλια πολλὰ καὶ ἐσθλὰ

ἄνδρας ἐς ἀλλοδαποὺς ἵνα περ τάδε τοι σόα μίμνῃ,

ἦ ἤδη πάντες καταλείπετε Ἴλιον ἱρὴν

δειδιότες: τοῖος γὰρ ἀνὴρ ὤριστος ὄλωλε

385σὸς πάϊς: οὐ μὲν γάρ τι μάχης ἐπιδεύετ' Ἀχαιῶν.

Transliteration

ēe pēi ekpempeis keimēlia polla kai esthla

andras es allodapous hina per tade toi soa mimnēi,

ē ēdē pantes kataleipete Ilion hirēn

deidiotes: toios gar anēr ōristos olōle

385sos païs: ou men gar ti machēs epideuet' Achaiōn.

English

but tell me and tell me true, are you taking this rich treasure to send it to a foreign people where it may be safe, or are you all leaving strong Ilion in dismay now that your son has fallen who was the bravest man among you and was never lacking in battle with the Achaeans?"

Homeric Greek

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

τίς δὲ σύ ἐσσι φέριστε τέων δ' ἔξεσσι τοκήων;

ὥς μοι καλὰ τὸν οἶτον ἀπότμου παιδὸς ἔνισπες.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

390πειρᾷ ἐμεῖο γεραιὲ καὶ εἴρεαι Ἕκτορα δῖον.

Transliteration

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

tis de sy essi pheriste teōn d' exessi tokēōn;

hōs moi kala ton oiton apotmou paidos enispes.

ton d' aute proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:

390peirāi emeio geraie kai eireai Hektora dion.

English

And Priam said, "Who are you, my friend, and who are your parents, that you speak so truly about the fate of my unhappy son?" The slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, answered him, "Sir, you would prove me, that you question me about noble Hektor.

Homeric Greek

τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ μάλα πολλὰ μάχῃ ἔνι κυδιανείρῃ

ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ὄπωπα, καὶ εὖτ' ἐπὶ νηυσὶν ἐλάσσας

Ἀργείους κτείνεσκε δαί̈ζων ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ:

ἡμεῖς δ' ἑσταότες θαυμάζομεν: οὐ γὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

395εἴα μάρνασθαι κεχολωμένος Ἀτρεί̈ωνι.

Transliteration

ton men egō mala polla machēi eni kydianeirēi

ophthalmoisin opōpa, kai eut' epi nēusin elassas

Argeious kteineske daïzōn oxeï chalkōi:

hēmeis d' hestaotes thaumazomen: ou gar Achilleus

395eia marnasthai kecholōmenos Atreïōni.

English

Many a time have I set eyes upon him in battle when he was driving the Argives to their ships and putting them to the sword. We stood still and marveled, for Achilles in his anger with the son of Atreus suffered us not to fight.

Homeric Greek

τοῦ γὰρ ἐγὼ θεράπων, μία δ' ἤγαγε νηῦς εὐεργής:

Μυρμιδόνων δ' ἔξειμι, πατὴρ δέ μοί ἐστι Πολύκτωρ.

ἀφνειὸς μὲν ὅ γ' ἐστί, γέρων δὲ δὴ ὡς σύ περ ὧδε,

ἓξ δέ οἱ υἷες ἔασιν, ἐγὼ δέ οἱ ἕβδομός εἰμι:

400τῶν μέτα παλλόμενος κλήρῳ λάχον ἐνθάδ' ἕπεσθαι.

Transliteration

tou gar egō therapōn, mia d' ēgage nēus euergēs:

Myrmidonōn d' exeimi, patēr de moi esti Polyktōr.

aphneios men ho g' esti, gerōn de dē hōs sy per hōde,

hex de hoi huies easin, egō de hoi hebdomos eimi:

400tōn meta pallomenos klērōi lachon enthad' hepesthai.

English

I am his squire, and came with him in the same ship. I am a Myrmidon, and my father's name is Polyktor: he is a rich man and about as old as you are; he has six sons besides myself, and I am the seventh. We cast lots, and it fell upon me to sail hither with Achilles.

Homeric Greek

νῦν δ' ἦλθον πεδίον δ' ἀπὸ νηῶν: ἠῶθεν γὰρ

θήσονται περὶ ἄστυ μάχην ἑλίκωπες Ἀχαιοί.

ἀσχαλόωσι γὰρ οἵδε καθήμενοι, οὐδὲ δύνανται

ἴσχειν ἐσσυμένους πολέμου βασιλῆες Ἀχαιῶν.

405τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

Transliteration

nyn d' ēlthon pedion d' apo nēōn: ēōthen gar

thēsontai peri asty machēn helikōpes Achaioi.

aschaloōsi gar hoide kathēmenoi, oude dynantai

ischein essymenous polemou basilēes Achaiōn.

405ton d' ēmeibet' epeita gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

English

I am now come from the ships on to the plain, for with daybreak the Achaeans will set battle in array about the city. They chafe at doing nothing, and are so eager that their princes cannot hold them back." Then answered Priam, "If you are indeed the squire of Achilles son of Peleus, tell me now the Whole truth.

Homeric Greek

εἰ μὲν δὴ θεράπων Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος

εἴς, ἄγε δή μοι πᾶσαν ἀληθείην κατάλεξον,

ἢ ἔτι πὰρ νήεσσιν ἐμὸς πάϊς, ἦέ μιν ἤδη

ᾗσι κυσὶν μελεϊστὶ ταμὼν προύθηκεν Ἀχιλλεύς.

410τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

Transliteration

ei men dē therapōn Pēlēïadeō Achilēos

eis, age dē moi pasan alētheiēn katalexon,

ē eti par nēessin emos païs, ēe min ēdē

hēisi kysin meleïsti tamōn prouthēken Achilleus.

410ton d' aute proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:

English

Is my son still at the ships, or has Achilles hewn him limb from limb, and given him to his hounds?" "Sir," replied the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, "neither hounds nor vultures have yet devoured him;

Homeric Greek

ὦ γέρον οὔ πω τόν γε κύνες φάγον οὐδ' οἰωνοί,

ἀλλ' ἔτι κεῖνος κεῖται Ἀχιλλῆος παρὰ νηὶ̈

αὔτως ἐν κλισίῃσι: δυωδεκάτη δέ οἱ ἠὼς

κειμένῳ, οὐδέ τί οἱ χρὼς σήπεται, οὐδέ μιν εὐλαὶ

415ἔσθουσ', αἵ ῥά τε φῶτας ἀρηϊφάτους κατέδουσιν.

Transliteration

ō geron ou pō ton ge kynes phagon oud' oiōnoi,

all' eti keinos keitai Achillēos para nēï

autōs en klisiēisi: dyōdekatē de hoi ēōs

keimenōi, oude ti hoi chrōs sēpetai, oude min eulai

415esthous', hai rha te phōtas arēïphatous katedousin.

English

he is still just lying at the tents by the ship of Achilles, and though it is now twelve days that he has lain there, his flesh is not wasted nor have the worms eaten him although they feed on warriors.

Homeric Greek

ἦ μέν μιν περὶ σῆμα ἑοῦ ἑτάροιο φίλοιο

ἕλκει ἀκηδέστως ἠὼς ὅτε δῖα φανήῃ,

οὐδέ μιν αἰσχύνει: θηοῖό κεν αὐτὸς ἐπελθὼν

οἷον ἐερσήεις κεῖται, περὶ δ' αἷμα νένιπται,

420οὐδέ ποθι μιαρός: σὺν δ' ἕλκεα πάντα μέμυκεν

Transliteration

ē men min peri sēma heou hetaroio philoio

helkei akēdestōs ēōs hote dia phanēēi,

oude min aischynei: thēoio ken autos epelthōn

hoion eersēeis keitai, peri d' haima neniptai,

420oude pothi miaros: syn d' helkea panta memyken

English

At daybreak Achilles drags him cruelly round the sepulcher of his dear comrade, but it does him no hurt. You should come yourself and see how he lies fresh as dew, with the blood all washed away, and his wounds every one of them closed though many pierced him with their spears.

Homeric Greek

ὅσσ' ἐτύπη: πολέες γὰρ ἐν αὐτῷ χαλκὸν ἔλασσαν.

ὥς τοι κήδονται μάκαρες θεοὶ υἷος ἑῆος

καὶ νέκυός περ ἐόντος, ἐπεί σφι φίλος περὶ κῆρι.

ὣς φάτο, γήθησεν δ' ὃ γέρων, καὶ ἀμείβετο μύθῳ:

425ὦ τέκος, ἦ ῥ' ἀγαθὸν καὶ ἐναίσιμα δῶρα διδοῦναι

Transliteration

hoss' etypē: polees gar en autōi chalkon elassan.

hōs toi kēdontai makares theoi huios heēos

kai nekyos per eontos, epei sphi philos peri kēri.

hōs phato, gēthēsen d' ho gerōn, kai ameibeto mythōi:

425ō tekos, ē rh' agathon kai enaisima dōra didounai

English

Such care have the blessed gods taken of your brave son, for he was dear to them beyond all measure." The old man was comforted as he heard him and said, "My son, see what a good thing it is to have made due offerings to the immortals;

Homeric Greek

ἀθανάτοις, ἐπεὶ οὔ ποτ' ἐμὸς πάϊς, εἴ ποτ' ἔην γε,

λήθετ' ἐνὶ μεγάροισι θεῶν οἳ Ὄλυμπον ἔχουσι:

τώ οἱ ἀπεμνήσαντο καὶ ἐν θανάτοιό περ αἴσῃ.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ τόδε δέξαι ἐμεῦ πάρα καλὸν ἄλεισον,

430αὐτόν τε ῥῦσαι, πέμψον δέ με σύν γε θεοῖσιν,

Transliteration

athanatois, epei ou pot' emos païs, ei pot' eēn ge,

lēthet' eni megaroisi theōn hoi Olympon echousi:

tō hoi apemnēsanto kai en thanatoio per aisēi.

all' age dē tode dexai emeu para kalon aleison,

430auton te rhysai, pempson de me syn ge theoisin,

English

for as sure as that he was born my son never forgot the gods that hold Olympus, and now they requite it to him even in death. Accept therefore at my hands this goodly chalice;

Homeric Greek

ὄφρά κεν ἐς κλισίην Πηληϊάδεω ἀφίκωμαι.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης:

πειρᾷ ἐμεῖο γεραιὲ νεωτέρου, οὐδέ με πείσεις,

ὅς με κέλῃ σέο δῶρα παρὲξ Ἀχιλῆα δέχεσθαι.

435τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ δείδοικα καὶ αἰδέομαι περὶ κῆρι

Transliteration

ophra ken es klisiēn Pēlēïadeō aphikōmai.

ton d' aute proseeipe diaktoros argeïphontēs:

peirāi emeio geraie neōterou, oude me peiseis,

hos me kelēi seo dōra parex Achilēa dechesthai.

435ton men egō deidoika kai aideomai peri kēri

English

guard me and with heaven's help guide me till I come to the tent of the son of Peleus." Then answered the slayer of Argos, guide and guardian, "Sir, you are tempting me and playing upon my youth, but you shall not move me, for you are offering me presents without the knowledge of Achilles whom I fear and hold it great guiltless to defraud, lest some evil presently befall me;

Homeric Greek

συλεύειν, μή μοί τι κακὸν μετόπισθε γένηται.

σοὶ δ' ἂν ἐγὼ πομπὸς καί κε κλυτὸν Ἄργος ἱκοίμην,

ἐνδυκέως ἐν νηὶ̈ θοῇ ἢ πεζὸς ὁμαρτέων:

οὐκ ἄν τίς τοι πομπὸν ὀνοσσάμενος μαχέσαιτο.

440ἦ καὶ ἀναί̈ξας ἐριούνιος ἅρμα καὶ ἵππους

Transliteration

syleuein, mē moi ti kakon metopisthe genētai.

soi d' an egō pompos kai ke klyton Argos hikoimēn,

endykeōs en nēï thoēi ē pezos homarteōn:

ouk an tis toi pompon onossamenos machesaito.

440ē kai anaïxas eriounios harma kai hippous

English

but as your guide I would go with you even to Argos itself, and would guard you so carefully whether by sea or land, that no one should attack you through making light of him who was with you." The bringer of good luck then sprang on to the chariot,

Homeric Greek

καρπαλίμως μάστιγα καὶ ἡνία λάζετο χερσίν,

ἐν δ' ἔπνευσ' ἵπποισι καὶ ἡμιόνοις μένος ἠύ̈.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πύργους τε νεῶν καὶ τάφρον ἵκοντο,

οἳ δὲ νέον περὶ δόρπα φυλακτῆρες πονέοντο,

445τοῖσι δ' ἐφ' ὕπνον ἔχευε διάκτορος ἀργεϊφόντης

Transliteration

karpalimōs mastiga kai hēnia lazeto chersin,

en d' epneus' hippoisi kai hēmionois menos ēÿ.

all' hote dē pyrgous te neōn kai taphron hikonto,

hoi de neon peri dorpa phylaktēres poneonto,

445toisi d' eph' hypnon echeue diaktoros argeïphontēs

English

and seizing the whip and reins he breathed fresh spirit into the mules and horses. When they reached the trench and the wall that was before the ships, those who were on guard had just been getting their suppers, and the slayer of Argos threw them all into a deep sleep.

Homeric Greek

πᾶσιν, ἄφαρ δ' ὤϊξε πύλας καὶ ἀπῶσεν ὀχῆας,

ἐς δ' ἄγαγε Πρίαμόν τε καὶ ἀγλαὰ δῶρ' ἐπ' ἀπήνης.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ κλισίην Πηληϊάδεω ἀφίκοντο

ὑψηλήν, τὴν Μυρμιδόνες ποίησαν ἄνακτι

450δοῦρ' ἐλάτης κέρσαντες: ἀτὰρ καθύπερθεν ἔρεψαν

Transliteration

pasin, aphar d' ōïxe pylas kai apōsen ochēas,

es d' agage Priamon te kai aglaa dōr' ep' apēnēs.

all' hote dē klisiēn Pēlēïadeō aphikonto

hypsēlēn, tēn Myrmidones poiēsan anakti

450dour' elatēs kersantes: atar kathyperthen erepsan

English

Then he drew back the bolts to open the gates, and took Priam inside with the treasure he had upon his wagon. Ere long they came to the lofty dwelling of the son of Peleus for which the Myrmidons had cut pine and which they had built for their king;

Homeric Greek

λαχνήεντ' ὄροφον λειμωνόθεν ἀμήσαντες:

ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ μεγάλην αὐλὴν ποίησαν ἄνακτι

σταυροῖσιν πυκινοῖσι: θύρην δ' ἔχε μοῦνος ἐπιβλὴς

εἰλάτινος, τὸν τρεῖς μὲν ἐπιρρήσσεσκον Ἀχαιοί,

455τρεῖς δ' ἀναοίγεσκον μεγάλην κληῖ̈δα θυράων

Transliteration

lachnēent' orophon leimōnothen amēsantes:

amphi de hoi megalēn aulēn poiēsan anakti

stauroisin pykinoisi: thyrēn d' eche mounos epiblēs

eilatinos, ton treis men epirrēsseskon Achaioi,

455treis d' anaoigeskon megalēn klēïda thyraōn

English

when they had built it they thatched it with coarse tussock-grass which they had mown out on the plain, and all round it they made a large courtyard, which was fenced with stakes set close together. The gate was barred with a single bolt of pine which it took three men to force into

Homeric Greek

τῶν ἄλλων: Ἀχιλεὺς δ' ἄρ' ἐπιρρήσσεσκε καὶ οἶος:

δή ῥα τόθ' Ἑρμείας ἐριούνιος ᾦξε γέροντι,

ἐς δ' ἄγαγε κλυτὰ δῶρα ποδώκεϊ Πηλεί̈ωνι,

ἐξ ἵππων δ' ἀπέβαινεν ἐπὶ χθόνα φώνησέν τε:

460ὦ γέρον ἤτοι ἐγὼ θεὸς ἄμβροτος εἰλήλουθα

Transliteration

tōn allōn: Achileus d' ar' epirrēsseske kai oios:

dē rha toth' Hermeias eriounios ōixe geronti,

es d' agage klyta dōra podōkeï Pēleïōni,

ex hippōn d' apebainen epi chthona phōnēsen te:

460ō geron ētoi egō theos ambrotos eilēloutha

English

its place, and three to draw back so as to open the gate, but Achilles could draw it by himself. Hermes opened the gate for the old man, and brought in the treasure that he was taking with him for the son of Peleus.

Homeric Greek

Ἑρμείας: σοὶ γάρ με πατὴρ ἅμα πομπὸν ὄπασσεν.

ἀλλ' ἤτοι μὲν ἐγὼ πάλιν εἴσομαι, οὐδ' Ἀχιλῆος

ὀφθαλμοὺς εἴσειμι: νεμεσσητὸν δέ κεν εἴη

ἀθάνατον θεὸν ὧδε βροτοὺς ἀγαπαζέμεν ἄντην:

465τύνη δ' εἰσελθὼν λαβὲ γούνατα Πηλεί̈ωνος,

Transliteration

Hermeias: soi gar me patēr hama pompon opassen.

all' ētoi men egō palin eisomai, oud' Achilēos

ophthalmous eiseimi: nemessēton de ken eiē

athanaton theon hōde brotous agapazemen antēn:

465tynē d' eiselthōn labe gounata Pēleïōnos,

English

Then he sprang from the chariot on to the ground and said, "Sir, it is I, immortal Hermes, that am come with you, for my father sent me to escort you. I will now leave you, and will not enter into the presence of Achilles, for it might anger him that a god should befriend mortal men thus openly.

Homeric Greek

καί μιν ὑπὲρ πατρὸς καὶ μητέρος ἠϋκόμοιο

λίσσεο καὶ τέκεος, ἵνα οἱ σὺν θυμὸν ὀρίνῃς.

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον

Ἑρμείας: Πρίαμος δ' ἐξ ἵππων ἆλτο χαμᾶζε,

470Ἰδαῖον δὲ κατ' αὖθι λίπεν: ὃ δὲ μίμνεν ἐρύκων

Transliteration

kai min hyper patros kai mēteros ēÿkomoio

lisseo kai tekeos, hina hoi syn thymon orinēis.

hōs ara phōnēsas apebē pros makron Olympon

Hermeias: Priamos d' ex hippōn alto chamaze,

470Idaion de kat' authi lipen: ho de mimnen erykōn

English

Go you within, and embrace the knees of the son of Peleus: beseech him by his father, his lovely mother, and his son; thus you may move him." With these words Hermes went back to high Olympus. Priam sprang from his chariot to the ground, leaving Idaios where he was, in charge of the mules and horses.

Homeric Greek

ἵππους ἡμιόνους τε: γέρων δ' ἰθὺς κίεν οἴκου,

τῇ ῥ' Ἀχιλεὺς ἵζεσκε Διὶ̈ φίλος: ἐν δέ μιν αὐτὸν

εὗρ', ἕταροι δ' ἀπάνευθε καθήατο: τὼ δὲ δύ' οἴω

ἥρως Αὐτομέδων τε καὶ Ἄλκιμος ὄζος Ἄρηος

475ποίπνυον παρεόντε: νέον δ' ἀπέληγεν ἐδωδῆς

Transliteration

hippous hēmionous te: gerōn d' ithys kien oikou,

tēi rh' Achileus hizeske Diï philos: en de min auton

heur', hetaroi d' apaneuthe kathēato: tō de dy' oiō

hērōs Automedōn te kai Alkimos ozos Arēos

475poipnyon pareonte: neon d' apelēgen edōdēs

English

The old man went straight into the house where Achilles, loved of the gods, was sitting. There he found him with his men seated at a distance from him: only two, the hero Automedon, and Alkimos of the race of Ares, were busy in attendance about his person, for he had but just done eating and drinking, and the table was still there.

Homeric Greek

ἔσθων καὶ πίνων: ἔτι καὶ παρέκειτο τράπεζα.

τοὺς δ' ἔλαθ' εἰσελθὼν Πρίαμος μέγας, ἄγχι δ' ἄρα στὰς

χερσὶν Ἀχιλλῆος λάβε γούνατα καὶ κύσε χεῖρας

δεινὰς ἀνδροφόνους, αἵ οἱ πολέας κτάνον υἷας.

480ὡς δ' ὅτ' ἂν ἄνδρ' ἄτη πυκινὴ λάβῃ, ὅς τ' ἐνὶ πάτρῃ

Transliteration

esthōn kai pinōn: eti kai parekeito trapeza.

tous d' elath' eiselthōn Priamos megas, anchi d' ara stas

chersin Achillēos labe gounata kai kyse cheiras

deinas androphonous, hai hoi poleas ktanon huias.

480hōs d' hot' an andr' atē pykinē labēi, hos t' eni patrēi

English

King Priam entered without their seeing him, and going right up to Achilles he clasped his knees and kissed the dread murderous hands that had slain so many of his sons. As when some cruel spite has befallen a man that he

Homeric Greek

φῶτα κατακτείνας ἄλλων ἐξίκετο δῆμον

ἀνδρὸς ἐς ἀφνειοῦ, θάμβος δ' ἔχει εἰσορόωντας,

ὣς Ἀχιλεὺς θάμβησεν ἰδὼν Πρίαμον θεοειδέα:

θάμβησαν δὲ καὶ ἄλλοι, ἐς ἀλλήλους δὲ ἴδοντο.

485τὸν καὶ λισσόμενος Πρίαμος πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε:

Transliteration

phōta katakteinas allōn exiketo dēmon

andros es aphneiou, thambos d' echei eisoroōntas,

hōs Achileus thambēsen idōn Priamon theoeidea:

thambēsan de kai alloi, es allēlous de idonto.

485ton kai lissomenos Priamos pros mython eeipe:

English

should have killed some one in his own country, and must flee to a great man's protection in a land of strangers, and all marvel who see him, even so did Achilles marvel as he beheld Priam. The others looked one to another and marveled also, but Priam besought Achilles saying, "Think of your father,

Homeric Greek

μνῆσαι πατρὸς σοῖο θεοῖς ἐπιείκελ' Ἀχιλλεῦ,

τηλίκου ὥς περ ἐγών, ὀλοῷ ἐπὶ γήραος οὐδῷ:

καὶ μέν που κεῖνον περιναιέται ἀμφὶς ἐόντες

τείρουσ', οὐδέ τίς ἐστιν ἀρὴν καὶ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.

490ἀλλ' ἤτοι κεῖνός γε σέθεν ζώοντος ἀκούων

Transliteration

mnēsai patros soio theois epieikel' Achilleu,

tēlikou hōs per egōn, oloōi epi gēraos oudōi:

kai men pou keinon perinaietai amphis eontes

teirous', oude tis estin arēn kai loigon amynai.

490all' ētoi keinos ge sethen zōontos akouōn

English

O Achilles like unto the gods, who is such even as I am, on the sad threshold of old age. It may be that those who dwell near him harass him, and there is none to keep war and ruin from him. Yet when he hears of you being still alive, he is glad, and

Homeric Greek

χαίρει τ' ἐν θυμῷ, ἐπί τ' ἔλπεται ἤματα πάντα

ὄψεσθαι φίλον υἱὸν ἀπὸ Τροίηθεν ἰόντα:

αὐτὰρ ἐγὼ πανάποτμος, ἐπεὶ τέκον υἷας ἀρίστους

Τροίῃ ἐν εὐρείῃ, τῶν δ' οὔ τινά φημι λελεῖφθαι.

495πεντήκοντά μοι ἦσαν ὅτ' ἤλυθον υἷες Ἀχαιῶν:

Transliteration

chairei t' en thymōi, epi t' elpetai ēmata panta

opsesthai philon huion apo Troiēthen ionta:

autar egō panapotmos, epei tekon huias aristous

Troiēi en eureiēi, tōn d' ou tina phēmi leleiphthai.

495pentēkonta moi ēsan hot' ēlython huies Achaiōn:

English

his days are full of hope that he shall see his dear son come home to him from Troy; but I, wretched man that I am, had the bravest in all Troy for my sons, and there is not one of them left. I had fifty sons when the Achaeans came here;

Homeric Greek

ἐννεακαίδεκα μέν μοι ἰῆς ἐκ νηδύος ἦσαν,

τοὺς δ' ἄλλους μοι ἔτικτον ἐνὶ μεγάροισι γυναῖκες.

τῶν μὲν πολλῶν θοῦρος Ἄρης ὑπὸ γούνατ' ἔλυσεν:

ὃς δέ μοι οἶος ἔην, εἴρυτο δὲ ἄστυ καὶ αὐτούς,

500τὸν σὺ πρῴην κτεῖνας ἀμυνόμενον περὶ πάτρης

Transliteration

enneakaideka men moi iēs ek nēdyos ēsan,

tous d' allous moi etikton eni megaroisi gynaikes.

tōn men pollōn thouros Arēs hypo gounat' elysen:

hos de moi oios eēn, eiryto de asty kai autous,

500ton sy prōiēn kteinas amynomenon peri patrēs

English

nineteen of them were from a single womb, and the others were borne to me by the women of my household. The greater part of them has fierce Ares laid low, and Hektor, him who was alone left, him who was the guardian of the city and ourselves, him have you lately slain;

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορα: τοῦ νῦν εἵνεχ' ἱκάνω νῆας Ἀχαιῶν

λυσόμενος παρὰ σεῖο, φέρω δ' ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα.

ἀλλ' αἰδεῖο θεοὺς Ἀχιλεῦ, αὐτόν τ' ἐλέησον

μνησάμενος σοῦ πατρός: ἐγὼ δ' ἐλεεινότερός περ,

505ἔτλην δ' οἷ' οὔ πώ τις ἐπιχθόνιος βροτὸς ἄλλος,

Transliteration

Hektora: tou nyn heinech' hikanō nēas Achaiōn

lysomenos para seio, pherō d' apereisi' apoina.

all' aideio theous Achileu, auton t' eleēson

mnēsamenos sou patros: egō d' eleeinoteros per,

505etlēn d' hoi' ou pō tis epichthonios brotos allos,

English

therefore I am now come to the ships of the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with a great ransom. Fear, O Achilles, the wrath of heaven; think on your own father and have compassion upon me, who am the more pitiable, for I have steeled myself as no man yet has ever steeled himself before me, and have

Homeric Greek

ἀνδρὸς παιδοφόνοιο ποτὶ στόμα χεῖρ' ὀρέγεσθαι.

ὣς φάτο, τῷ δ' ἄρα πατρὸς ὑφ' ἵμερον ὦρσε γόοιο:

ἁψάμενος δ' ἄρα χειρὸς ἀπώσατο ἦκα γέροντα.

τὼ δὲ μνησαμένω ὃ μὲν Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο

510κλαῖ' ἁδινὰ προπάροιθε ποδῶν Ἀχιλῆος ἐλυσθείς,

Transliteration

andros paidophonoio poti stoma cheir' oregesthai.

hōs phato, tōi d' ara patros hyph' himeron ōrse gooio:

hapsamenos d' ara cheiros apōsato ēka geronta.

tō de mnēsamenō ho men Hektoros androphonoio

510klai' hadina proparoithe podōn Achilēos elystheis,

English

raised to my lips the hand of him who slew my son." Thus spoke Priam, and the heart of Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his father. He took the old man's hand and moved him gently away. The two wept bitterly - Priam, as he lay at Achilles' feet, weeping for Hektor, and Achilles now

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς κλαῖεν ἑὸν πατέρ', ἄλλοτε δ' αὖτε

Πάτροκλον: τῶν δὲ στοναχὴ κατὰ δώματ' ὀρώρει.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥα γόοιο τετάρπετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

καί οἱ ἀπὸ πραπίδων ἦλθ' ἵμερος ἠδ' ἀπὸ γυίων,

515αὐτίκ' ἀπὸ θρόνου ὦρτο, γέροντα δὲ χειρὸς ἀνίστη

Transliteration

autar Achilleus klaien heon pater', allote d' aute

Patroklon: tōn de stonachē kata dōmat' orōrei.

autar epei rha gooio tetarpeto dios Achilleus,

kai hoi apo prapidōn ēlth' himeros ēd' apo guiōn,

515autik' apo thronou ōrto, geronta de cheiros anistē

English

for his father and now for Patroklos, till the house was filled with their lamentation. But when Achilles was now sated with grief and had unburdened the bitterness of his sorrow, he left his seat and raised the old man by the hand, in pity for his white hair and beard;

Homeric Greek

οἰκτίρων πολιόν τε κάρη πολιόν τε γένειον,

καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα:

ἆ δείλ', ἦ δὴ πολλὰ κάκ' ἄνσχεο σὸν κατὰ θυμόν.

πῶς ἔτλης ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν ἐλθέμεν οἶος

520ἀνδρὸς ἐς ὀφθαλμοὺς ὅς τοι πολέας τε καὶ ἐσθλοὺς

Transliteration

oiktirōn polion te karē polion te geneion,

kai min phōnēsas epea pteroenta prosēuda:

a deil', ē dē polla kak' anscheo son kata thymon.

pōs etlēs epi nēas Achaiōn elthemen oios

520andros es ophthalmous hos toi poleas te kai esthlous

English

then he said, "Unhappy man, you have indeed been greatly daring; how could you venture to come alone to the ships of the Achaeans, and enter the presence of him who has slain so many of your brave sons? You must have iron courage:

Homeric Greek

υἱέας ἐξενάριξα; σιδήρειόν νύ τοι ἦτορ.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ κατ' ἄρ' ἕζευ ἐπὶ θρόνου, ἄλγεα δ' ἔμπης

ἐν θυμῷ κατακεῖσθαι ἐάσομεν ἀχνύμενοί περ:

οὐ γάρ τις πρῆξις πέλεται κρυεροῖο γόοιο:

525ὡς γὰρ ἐπεκλώσαντο θεοὶ δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσι

Transliteration

huieas exenarixa; sidēreion ny toi ētor.

all' age dē kat' ar' hezeu epi thronou, algea d' empēs

en thymōi katakeisthai easomen achnymenoi per:

ou gar tis prēxis peletai kryeroio gooio:

525hōs gar epeklōsanto theoi deiloisi brotoisi

English

sit now upon this seat, and for all our grief we will hide our sorrows in our hearts, for weeping will not avail us. The immortals know no care, yet the lot they spin for man is full of sorrow; on the floor of Zeus' palace there stand two urns, the one filled with evil gifts, and the other with good ones.

Homeric Greek

ζώειν ἀχνυμένοις: αὐτοὶ δέ τ' ἀκηδέες εἰσί.

δοιοὶ γάρ τε πίθοι κατακείαται ἐν Διὸς οὔδει

δώρων οἷα δίδωσι κακῶν, ἕτερος δὲ ἑάων:

ᾧ μέν κ' ἀμμίξας δώῃ Ζεὺς τερπικέραυνος,

530ἄλλοτε μέν τε κακῷ ὅ γε κύρεται, ἄλλοτε δ' ἐσθλῷ:

Transliteration

zōein achnymenois: autoi de t' akēdees eisi.

doioi gar te pithoi katakeiatai en Dios oudei

dōrōn hoia didōsi kakōn, heteros de heaōn:

hōi men k' ammixas dōēi Zeus terpikeraunos,

530allote men te kakōi ho ge kyretai, allote d' esthlōi:

English

He for whom Zeus the lord of thunder mixes the gifts he sends, will meet now with good and now with evil fortune; but he to whom Zeus sends none but evil gifts will be pointed at by the finger of scorn, the hand of famine will pursue him to the ends of the world,

Homeric Greek

ᾧ δέ κε τῶν λυγρῶν δώῃ, λωβητὸν ἔθηκε,

καί ἑ κακὴ βούβρωστις ἐπὶ χθόνα δῖαν ἐλαύνει,

φοιτᾷ δ' οὔτε θεοῖσι τετιμένος οὔτε βροτοῖσιν.

ὣς μὲν καὶ Πηλῆϊ θεοὶ δόσαν ἀγλαὰ δῶρα

535ἐκ γενετῆς: πάντας γὰρ ἐπ' ἀνθρώπους ἐκέκαστο

Transliteration

hōi de ke tōn lygrōn dōēi, lōbēton ethēke,

kai he kakē boubrōstis epi chthona dian elaunei,

phoitāi d' oute theoisi tetimenos oute brotoisin.

hōs men kai Pēlēï theoi dosan aglaa dōra

535ek genetēs: pantas gar ep' anthrōpous ekekasto

English

and he will go up and down the face of the earth, respected neither by gods nor men. Even so did it befall Peleus; the gods endowed him with all good things from his birth upwards, for he reigned over the Myrmidons excelling all men in prosperity and wealth, and mortal though he was they gave him a goddess for his bride.

Homeric Greek

ὄλβῳ τε πλούτῳ τε, ἄνασσε δὲ Μυρμιδόνεσσι,

καί οἱ θνητῷ ἐόντι θεὰν ποίησαν ἄκοιτιν.

ἀλλ' ἐπὶ καὶ τῷ θῆκε θεὸς κακόν, ὅττί οἱ οὔ τι

παίδων ἐν μεγάροισι γονὴ γένετο κρειόντων,

540ἀλλ' ἕνα παῖδα τέκεν παναώριον: οὐδέ νυ τόν γε

Transliteration

olbōi te ploutōi te, anasse de Myrmidonessi,

kai hoi thnētōi eonti thean poiēsan akoitin.

all' epi kai tōi thēke theos kakon, hotti hoi ou ti

paidōn en megaroisi gonē geneto kreiontōn,

540all' hena paida teken panaōrion: oude ny ton ge

English

But even on him too did heaven send misfortune, for there is no race of royal children born to him in his house, save one son who is doomed to die all untimely; nor may I take care of him now that he is growing old, for I must stay here at Troy to be the bane of you and your children.

Homeric Greek

γηράσκοντα κομίζω, ἐπεὶ μάλα τηλόθι πάτρης

ἧμαι ἐνὶ Τροίῃ, σέ τε κήδων ἠδὲ σὰ τέκνα.

καὶ σὲ γέρον τὸ πρὶν μὲν ἀκούομεν ὄλβιον εἶναι:

ὅσσον Λέσβος ἄνω Μάκαρος ἕδος ἐντὸς ἐέργει

545καὶ Φρυγίη καθύπερθε καὶ Ἑλλήσποντος ἀπείρων,

Transliteration

gēraskonta komizō, epei mala tēlothi patrēs

hēmai eni Troiēi, se te kēdōn ēde sa tekna.

kai se geron to prin men akouomen olbion einai:

hosson Lesbos anō Makaros hedos entos eergei

545kai Phrygiē kathyperthe kai Hellēspontos apeirōn,

English

And you too, O Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime happy. They say that in wealth and plenitude of offspring you surpassed all that is in Lesbos, the realm of Makar to the northward, Phrygia that is more inland, and those that dwell upon the great Hellespont;

Homeric Greek

τῶν σε γέρον πλούτῳ τε καὶ υἱάσι φασὶ κεκάσθαι.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεί τοι πῆμα τόδ' ἤγαγον Οὐρανίωνες

αἰεί τοι περὶ ἄστυ μάχαι τ' ἀνδροκτασίαι τε.

ἄνσχεο, μὴ δ' ἀλίαστον ὀδύρεο σὸν κατὰ θυμόν:

550οὐ γάρ τι πρήξεις ἀκαχήμενος υἷος ἑῆος,

Transliteration

tōn se geron ploutōi te kai huiasi phasi kekasthai.

autar epei toi pēma tod' ēgagon Ouraniōnes

aiei toi peri asty machai t' androktasiai te.

anscheo, mē d' aliaston odyreo son kata thymon:

550ou gar ti prēxeis akachēmenos huios heēos,

English

but from the day when the dwellers in heaven sent this evil upon you, war and slaughter have been about your city continually. Bear up against it, and let there be some intervals in your sorrow. Mourn as you may for your brave son, you will take nothing by it.

Homeric Greek

οὐδέ μιν ἀνστήσεις, πρὶν καὶ κακὸν ἄλλο πάθῃσθα.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

μή πω μ' ἐς θρόνον ἵζε διοτρεφὲς ὄφρά κεν Ἕκτωρ

κεῖται ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ἀκηδής, ἀλλὰ τάχιστα

555λῦσον ἵν' ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδω: σὺ δὲ δέξαι ἄποινα

Transliteration

oude min anstēseis, prin kai kakon allo pathēistha.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

mē pō m' es thronon hize diotrephes ophra ken Hektōr

keitai eni klisiēisin akēdēs, alla tachista

555lyson hin' ophthalmoisin idō: sy de dexai apoina

English

You cannot raise him from the dead, ere you do so yet another sorrow shall befall you." And Priam answered, "O king, bid me not be seated, while Hektor is still lying uncared for in your tents, but accept the great ransom which I have brought you, and give him to me at once that I may look upon him.

Homeric Greek

πολλά, τά τοι φέρομεν: σὺ δὲ τῶνδ' ἀπόναιο, καὶ ἔλθοις

σὴν ἐς πατρίδα γαῖαν, ἐπεί με πρῶτον ἔασας

αὐτόν τε ζώειν καὶ ὁρᾶν φάος ἠελίοιο.

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

560μηκέτι νῦν μ' ἐρέθιζε γέρον: νοέω δὲ καὶ αὐτὸς

Transliteration

polla, ta toi pheromen: sy de tōnd' aponaio, kai elthois

sēn es patrida gaian, epei me prōton easas

auton te zōein kai horan phaos ēelioio.

ton d' ar' hypodra idōn prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

560mēketi nyn m' erethize geron: noeō de kai autos

English

May you prosper with the ransom and reach your own land in safety, seeing that you have suffered me to live and to look upon the light of the sun." Achilles looked at him sternly and said, "Vex me, sir, no longer; I am of myself minded to give up the body of Hektor.

Homeric Greek

Ἕκτορά τοι λῦσαι, Διόθεν δέ μοι ἄγγελος ἦλθε

μήτηρ, ἥ μ' ἔτεκεν, θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος.

καὶ δέ σε γιγνώσκω Πρίαμε φρεσίν, οὐδέ με λήθεις,

ὅττι θεῶν τίς σ' ἦγε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.

565οὐ γάρ κε τλαίη βροτὸς ἐλθέμεν, οὐδὲ μάλ' ἡβῶν,

Transliteration

Hektora toi lysai, Diothen de moi angelos ēlthe

mētēr, hē m' eteken, thygatēr halioio gerontos.

kai de se gignōskō Priame phresin, oude me lētheis,

hotti theōn tis s' ēge thoas epi nēas Achaiōn.

565ou gar ke tlaiē brotos elthemen, oude mal' hēbōn,

English

My mother, daughter of the old man of the sea, came to me from Zeus to bid me deliver it to you. Moreover I know well, O Priam, and you cannot hide it, that some god has brought you to the ships of the Achaeans, for else, no man however strong and in his prime would dare to come to our host;

Homeric Greek

ἐς στρατόν: οὐδὲ γὰρ ἂν φυλάκους λάθοι, οὐδέ κ' ὀχῆα

ῥεῖα μετοχλίσσειε θυράων ἡμετεράων.

τὼ νῦν μή μοι μᾶλλον ἐν ἄλγεσι θυμὸν ὀρίνῃς,

μή σε γέρον οὐδ' αὐτὸν ἐνὶ κλισίῃσιν ἐάσω

570καὶ ἱκέτην περ ἐόντα, Διὸς δ' ἀλίτωμαι ἐφετμάς.

Transliteration

es straton: oude gar an phylakous lathoi, oude k' ochēa

rheia metochlisseie thyraōn hēmeteraōn.

tō nyn mē moi mallon en algesi thymon orinēis,

mē se geron oud' auton eni klisiēisin easō

570kai hiketēn per eonta, Dios d' alitōmai ephetmas.

English

he could neither pass our guard unseen, nor draw the bolt of my gates thus easily; therefore, provoke me no further, lest I err against the word of Zeus, and suffer you not, suppliant though you are, within my tents."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατ', ἔδεισεν δ' ὃ γέρων καὶ ἐπείθετο μύθῳ.

Πηλεί̈δης δ' οἴκοιο λέων ὣς ἆλτο θύραζε

οὐκ οἶος, ἅμα τῷ γε δύω θεράποντες ἕποντο

ἥρως Αὐτομέδων ἠδ' Ἄλκιμος, οὕς ῥα μάλιστα

575τῖ' Ἀχιλεὺς ἑτάρων μετὰ Πάτροκλόν γε θανόντα,

Transliteration

hōs ephat', edeisen d' ho gerōn kai epeitheto mythōi.

Pēleïdēs d' oikoio leōn hōs alto thyraze

ouk oios, hama tōi ge dyō therapontes heponto

hērōs Automedōn ēd' Alkimos, hous rha malista

575ti' Achileus hetarōn meta Patroklon ge thanonta,

English

The old man feared him and obeyed. Then the son of Peleus sprang like a lion through the door of his house, not alone, but with him went his two squires Automedon and Alkimos who were closer to him than any others of his comrades now that Patroklos was no more.

Homeric Greek

οἳ τόθ' ὑπὸ ζυγόφιν λύον ἵππους ἡμιόνους τε,

ἐς δ' ἄγαγον κήρυκα καλήτορα τοῖο γέροντος,

κὰδ δ' ἐπὶ δίφρου εἷσαν: ἐϋξέστου δ' ἀπ' ἀπήνης

ᾕρεον Ἑκτορέης κεφαλῆς ἀπερείσι' ἄποινα.

580κὰδ δ' ἔλιπον δύο φάρε' ἐύ̈ννητόν τε χιτῶνα,

Transliteration

hoi toth' hypo zygophin lyon hippous hēmionous te,

es d' agagon kēryka kalētora toio gerontos,

kad d' epi diphrou heisan: eÿxestou d' ap' apēnēs

hēireon Hektoreēs kephalēs apereisi' apoina.

580kad d' elipon dyo phare' eÿnnēton te chitōna,

English

These unyoked the horses and mules, and bade Priam's herald and attendant be seated within the house. They lifted the ransom for Hektor's body from the wagon. but they left two mantles and a goodly shirt, that Achilles might wrap the body in them when he gave it to be taken home.

Homeric Greek

ὄφρα νέκυν πυκάσας δοίη οἶκον δὲ φέρεσθαι.

δμῳὰς δ' ἐκκαλέσας λοῦσαι κέλετ' ἀμφί τ' ἀλεῖψαι

νόσφιν ἀειράσας, ὡς μὴ Πρίαμος ἴδοι υἱόν,

μὴ ὃ μὲν ἀχνυμένῃ κραδίῃ χόλον οὐκ ἐρύσαιτο

585παῖδα ἰδών, Ἀχιλῆϊ δ' ὀρινθείη φίλον ἦτορ,

Transliteration

ophra nekyn pykasas doiē oikon de pheresthai.

dmōias d' ekkalesas lousai kelet' amphi t' aleipsai

nosphin aeirasas, hōs mē Priamos idoi huion,

mē ho men achnymenēi kradiēi cholon ouk erysaito

585paida idōn, Achilēï d' orintheiē philon ētor,

English

Then he called to his servants and ordered them to wash the body and anoint it, but he first took it to a place where Priam should not see it, lest if he did so, he should break out in the bitterness of his grief, and enrage Achilles, who might then kill him and err against the word of Zeus.

Homeric Greek

καί ἑ κατακτείνειε, Διὸς δ' ἀλίτηται ἐφετμάς.

τὸν δ' ἐπεὶ οὖν δμῳαὶ λοῦσαν καὶ χρῖσαν ἐλαίῳ,

ἀμφὶ δέ μιν φᾶρος καλὸν βάλον ἠδὲ χιτῶνα,

αὐτὸς τόν γ' Ἀχιλεὺς λεχέων ἐπέθηκεν ἀείρας,

590σὺν δ' ἕταροι ἤειραν ἐϋξέστην ἐπ' ἀπήνην.

Transliteration

kai he katakteineie, Dios d' alitētai ephetmas.

ton d' epei oun dmōiai lousan kai chrisan elaiōi,

amphi de min pharos kalon balon ēde chitōna,

autos ton g' Achileus lecheōn epethēken aeiras,

590syn d' hetaroi ēeiran eÿxestēn ep' apēnēn.

English

When the servants had washed the body and anointed it, and had wrapped it in a fair shirt and mantle, Achilles himself lifted it on to a bier, and he and his men then laid it on the wagon.

Homeric Greek

ᾤμωξέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα, φίλον δ' ὀνόμηνεν ἑταῖρον:

μή μοι Πάτροκλε σκυδμαινέμεν, αἴ κε πύθηαι

εἰν Ἄϊδός περ ἐὼν ὅτι Ἕκτορα δῖον ἔλυσα

πατρὶ φίλῳ, ἐπεὶ οὔ μοι ἀεικέα δῶκεν ἄποινα.

595σοὶ δ' αὖ ἐγὼ καὶ τῶνδ' ἀποδάσσομαι ὅσσ' ἐπέοικεν.

Transliteration

ōimōxen t' ar' epeita, philon d' onomēnen hetairon:

mē moi Patrokle skydmainemen, ai ke pythēai

ein Aïdos per eōn hoti Hektora dion elysa

patri philōi, epei ou moi aeikea dōken apoina.

595soi d' au egō kai tōnd' apodassomai hoss' epeoiken.

English

He cried aloud as he did so and called on the name of his dear comrade, "Be not angry with me, Patroklos," he said, "if you hear even in the house of Hades that I have given Hektor to his father for a ransom. It has been no unworthy one, and I will share it equitably with you."

Homeric Greek

ἦ ῥα, καὶ ἐς κλισίην πάλιν ἤϊε δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς,

ἕζετο δ' ἐν κλισμῷ πολυδαιδάλῳ ἔνθεν ἀνέστη

τοίχου τοῦ ἑτέρου, ποτὶ δὲ Πρίαμον φάτο μῦθον:

υἱὸς μὲν δή τοι λέλυται γέρον ὡς ἐκέλευες,

600κεῖται δ' ἐν λεχέεσσ': ἅμα δ' ἠοῖ φαινομένηφιν

Transliteration

ē rha, kai es klisiēn palin ēïe dios Achilleus,

hezeto d' en klismōi polydaidalōi enthen anestē

toichou tou heterou, poti de Priamon phato mython:

huios men dē toi lelytai geron hōs ekeleues,

600keitai d' en lecheess': hama d' ēoi phainomenēphin

English

Achilles then went back into the tent and took his place on the richly inlaid seat from which he had risen, by the wall that was at right angles to the one against which Priam was sitting. "Sir," he said, "your son is now laid upon his bier and is ransomed according to desire;

Homeric Greek

ὄψεαι αὐτὸς ἄγων: νῦν δὲ μνησώμεθα δόρπου.

καὶ γάρ τ' ἠύ̈κομος Νιόβη ἐμνήσατο σίτου,

τῇ περ δώδεκα παῖδες ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ὄλοντο

ἓξ μὲν θυγατέρες, ἓξ δ' υἱέες ἡβώοντες.

605τοὺς μὲν Ἀπόλλων πέφνεν ἀπ' ἀργυρέοιο βιοῖο

Transliteration

opseai autos agōn: nyn de mnēsōmetha dorpou.

kai gar t' ēÿkomos Niobē emnēsato sitou,

tēi per dōdeka paides eni megaroisin olonto

hex men thygateres, hex d' huiees hēbōontes.

605tous men Apollōn pephnen ap' argyreoio bioio

English

you shall look upon him when you him away at daybreak; for the present let us prepare our supper. Even lovely Niobe had to think about eating, though her twelve children - six daughters and six lusty sons - had been all slain in her house.

Homeric Greek

χωόμενος Νιόβῃ, τὰς δ' Ἄρτεμις ἰοχέαιρα,

οὕνεκ' ἄρα Λητοῖ ἰσάσκετο καλλιπαρῄῳ:

φῆ δοιὼ τεκέειν, ἣ δ' αὐτὴ γείνατο πολλούς:

τὼ δ' ἄρα καὶ δοιώ περ ἐόντ' ἀπὸ πάντας ὄλεσσαν.

610οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἐννῆμαρ κέατ' ἐν φόνῳ, οὐδέ τις ἦεν

Transliteration

chōomenos Niobēi, tas d' Artemis iocheaira,

hounek' ara Lētoi isasketo kalliparēiōi:

phē doiō tekeein, hē d' autē geinato pollous:

tō d' ara kai doiō per eont' apo pantas olessan.

610hoi men ar' ennēmar keat' en phonōi, oude tis ēen

English

Apollo killed the sons with arrows from his silver bow, to punish Niobe, and Artemis slew the daughters, because Niobe had vaunted herself against Leto; she said Leto had borne two children only, whereas she had herself borne many - whereon the two killed the many.

Homeric Greek

κατθάψαι, λαοὺς δὲ λίθους ποίησε Κρονίων:

τοὺς δ' ἄρα τῇ δεκάτῃ θάψαν θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες.

ἣ δ' ἄρα σίτου μνήσατ', ἐπεὶ κάμε δάκρυ χέουσα.

νῦν δέ που ἐν πέτρῃσιν ἐν οὔρεσιν οἰοπόλοισιν

615ἐν Σιπύλῳ, ὅθι φασὶ θεάων ἔμμεναι εὐνὰς

Transliteration

katthapsai, laous de lithous poiēse Kroniōn:

tous d' ara tēi dekatēi thapsan theoi Ouraniōnes.

hē d' ara sitou mnēsat', epei kame dakry cheousa.

nyn de pou en petrēisin en ouresin oiopoloisin

615en Sipylōi, hothi phasi theaōn emmenai eunas

English

Nine days did they lie weltering, and there was none to bury them, for the son of Kronos turned the people into stone; but on the tenth day the gods in heaven themselves buried them, and Niobe then took food, being worn out with weeping. They say that somewhere among the rocks on the mountain pastures of Sipylos, where the

Homeric Greek

νυμφάων, αἵ τ' ἀμφ' Ἀχελώϊον ἐρρώσαντο,

ἔνθα λίθος περ ἐοῦσα θεῶν ἐκ κήδεα πέσσει.

ἀλλ' ἄγε δὴ καὶ νῶϊ μεδώμεθα δῖε γεραιὲ

σίτου: ἔπειτά κεν αὖτε φίλον παῖδα κλαίοισθα

620Ἴλιον εἰσαγαγών: πολυδάκρυτος δέ τοι ἔσται.

Transliteration

nymphaōn, hai t' amph' Achelōïon errōsanto,

entha lithos per eousa theōn ek kēdea pessei.

all' age dē kai nōï medōmetha die geraie

sitou: epeita ken aute philon paida klaioistha

620Ilion eisagagōn: polydakrytos de toi estai.

English

nymphs live that haunt the river Akheloos, there, they say, she lives in stone and still nurses the sorrows sent upon her by the hand of heaven. Therefore, noble sir, let us two now take food; you can weep for your dear son hereafter as you are bearing him back to Ilion - and many a tear will he cost you."

Homeric Greek

ἦ καὶ ἀναί̈ξας ὄϊν ἄργυφον ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς

σφάξ': ἕταροι δ' ἔδερόν τε καὶ ἄμφεπον εὖ κατὰ κόσμον,

μίστυλλόν τ' ἄρ' ἐπισταμένως πεῖράν τ' ὀβελοῖσιν,

ὄπτησάν τε περιφραδέως, ἐρύσαντό τε πάντα.

625Αὐτομέδων δ' ἄρα σῖτον ἑλὼν ἐπένειμε τραπέζῃ

Transliteration

ē kai anaïxas oïn argyphon ōkys Achilleus

sphax': hetaroi d' ederon te kai amphepon eu kata kosmon,

mistyllon t' ar' epistamenōs peiran t' obeloisin,

optēsan te periphradeōs, erysanto te panta.

625Automedōn d' ara siton helōn epeneime trapezēi

English

With this Achilles sprang from his seat and killed a sheep of silvery whiteness, which his followers skinned and made ready all in due order. They cut the meat carefully up into smaller pieces, spitted them, and drew them off again when they were well roasted.

Homeric Greek

καλοῖς ἐν κανέοισιν: ἀτὰρ κρέα νεῖμεν Ἀχιλλεύς.

οἳ δ' ἐπ' ὀνείαθ' ἑτοῖμα προκείμενα χεῖρας ἴαλλον.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,

ἤτοι Δαρδανίδης Πρίαμος θαύμαζ' Ἀχιλῆα

630ὅσσος ἔην οἷός τε: θεοῖσι γὰρ ἄντα ἐῴκει:

Transliteration

kalois en kaneoisin: atar krea neimen Achilleus.

hoi d' ep' oneiath' hetoima prokeimena cheiras iallon.

autar epei posios kai edētyos ex eron hento,

ētoi Dardanidēs Priamos thaumaz' Achilēa

630hossos eēn hoios te: theoisi gar anta eōikei:

English

Automedon brought bread in fair baskets and served it round the table, while Achilles dealt out the meat, and they laid their hands on the good things that were before them. As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Priam, descendant of Dardanos, marveled at the strength

Homeric Greek

αὐτὰρ ὃ Δαρδανίδην Πρίαμον θαύμαζεν Ἀχιλλεὺς

εἰσορόων ὄψίν τ' ἀγαθὴν καὶ μῦθον ἀκούων.

αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ τάρπησαν ἐς ἀλλήλους ὁρόωντες,

τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

635λέξον νῦν με τάχιστα διοτρεφές, ὄφρα καὶ ἤδη

Transliteration

autar ho Dardanidēn Priamon thaumazen Achilleus

eisoroōn opsin t' agathēn kai mython akouōn.

autar epei tarpēsan es allēlous horoōntes,

ton proteros proseeipe gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

635lexon nyn me tachista diotrephes, ophra kai ēdē

English

and beauty of Achilles for he was as a god to see, and Achilles marveled at Priam as he listened to him and looked upon his noble presence. When they had gazed their fill Priam spoke first. "And now, O king," he said, "take me to my couch that we may lie down and enjoy the blessed boon of sleep.

Homeric Greek

ὕπνῳ ὕπο γλυκερῷ ταρπώμεθα κοιμηθέντες:

οὐ γάρ πω μύσαν ὄσσε ὑπὸ βλεφάροισιν ἐμοῖσιν

ἐξ οὗ σῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶν ἐμὸς πάϊς ὤλεσε θυμόν,

ἀλλ' αἰεὶ στενάχω καὶ κήδεα μυρία πέσσω

640αὐλῆς ἐν χόρτοισι κυλινδόμενος κατὰ κόπρον.

Transliteration

hypnōi hypo glykerōi tarpōmetha koimēthentes:

ou gar pō mysan osse hypo blepharoisin emoisin

ex hou sēis hypo chersin emos païs ōlese thymon,

all' aiei stenachō kai kēdea myria pessō

640aulēs en chortoisi kylindomenos kata kopron.

English

Never once have my eyes been closed from the day your hands took the life of my son; I have groveled without ceasing in the mire of my stable-yard, making moan and brooding over my countless sorrows. Now, moreover, I have eaten bread and drunk wine;

Homeric Greek

νῦν δὴ καὶ σίτου πασάμην καὶ αἴθοπα οἶνον

λαυκανίης καθέηκα: πάρος γε μὲν οὔ τι πεπάσμην.

ἦ ῥ', Ἀχιλεὺς δ' ἑτάροισιν ἰδὲ δμῳῇσι κέλευσε

δέμνι' ὑπ' αἰθούσῃ θέμεναι καὶ ῥήγεα καλὰ

645πορφύρε' ἐμβαλέειν, στορέσαι τ' ἐφύπερθε τάπητας,

Transliteration

nyn dē kai sitou pasamēn kai aithopa oinon

laukaniēs katheēka: paros ge men ou ti pepasmēn.

ē rh', Achileus d' hetaroisin ide dmōiēisi keleuse

demni' hyp' aithousēi themenai kai rhēgea kala

645porphyre' embaleein, storesai t' ephyperthe tapētas,

English

hitherto I have tasted nothing." As he spoke Achilles told his men and the women-servants to set beds in the room that was in the gatehouse, and make them with good red rugs, and spread coverlets on the top of them with woolen cloaks for Priam and Idaios to wear.

Homeric Greek

χλαίνας τ' ἐνθέμεναι οὔλας καθύπερθεν ἕσασθαι.

αἳ δ' ἴσαν ἐκ μεγάροιο δάος μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσαι,

αἶψα δ' ἄρα στόρεσαν δοιὼ λέχε' ἐγκονέουσαι.

τὸν δ' ἐπικερτομέων προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς:

650ἐκτὸς μὲν δὴ λέξο γέρον φίλε, μή τις Ἀχαιῶν

Transliteration

chlainas t' enthemenai oulas kathyperthen hesasthai.

hai d' isan ek megaroio daos meta chersin echousai,

aipsa d' ara storesan doiō leche' enkoneousai.

ton d' epikertomeōn prosephē podas ōkys Achilleus:

650ektos men dē lexo geron phile, mē tis Achaiōn

English

So the maids went out carrying a torch and got the two beds ready in all haste. Then Achilles said laughingly to Priam, "Dear sir, you shall lie outside, lest some counselor of those who, as is right, keep coming

Homeric Greek

ἐνθάδ' ἐπέλθῃσιν βουληφόρος, οἵ τέ μοι αἰεὶ

βουλὰς βουλεύουσι παρήμενοι, ἣ θέμις ἐστί:

τῶν εἴ τίς σε ἴδοιτο θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν,

αὐτίκ' ἂν ἐξείποι Ἀγαμέμνονι ποιμένι λαῶν,

655καί κεν ἀνάβλησις λύσιος νεκροῖο γένηται.

Transliteration

enthad' epelthēisin boulēphoros, hoi te moi aiei

boulas bouleuousi parēmenoi, hē themis esti:

tōn ei tis se idoito thoēn dia nykta melainan,

autik' an exeipoi Agamemnoni poimeni laōn,

655kai ken anablēsis lysios nekroio genētai.

English

to advise with me should see you here in the darkness of the fleeing night, and tell it to Agamemnon. This might cause delay in the delivery of the body.

Homeric Greek

ἀλλ' ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον,

ποσσῆμαρ μέμονας κτερεϊζέμεν Ἕκτορα δῖον,

ὄφρα τέως αὐτός τε μένω καὶ λαὸν ἐρύκω.

τὸν δ' ἠμείβετ' ἔπειτα γέρων Πρίαμος θεοειδής:

660εἰ μὲν δή μ' ἐθέλεις τελέσαι τάφον Ἕκτορι δίῳ,

Transliteration

all' age moi tode eipe kai atrekeōs katalexon,

possēmar memonas ktereïzemen Hektora dion,

ophra teōs autos te menō kai laon erykō.

ton d' ēmeibet' epeita gerōn Priamos theoeidēs:

660ei men dē m' etheleis telesai taphon Hektori diōi,

English

And now tell me and tell me true, for how many days would you celebrate the funeral rites of noble Hektor? Tell me, that I may hold aloof from war and restrain the host." And Priam answered, "Since, then, you suffer me to bury my noble son with all due rites, do thus, Achilles, and I shall be grateful.

Homeric Greek

ὧδέ κέ μοι ῥέζων Ἀχιλεῦ κεχαρισμένα θείης.

οἶσθα γὰρ ὡς κατὰ ἄστυ ἐέλμεθα, τηλόθι δ' ὕλη

ἀξέμεν ἐξ ὄρεος, μάλα δὲ Τρῶες δεδίασιν.

ἐννῆμαρ μέν κ' αὐτὸν ἐνὶ μεγάροις γοάοιμεν,

665τῇ δεκάτῃ δέ κε θάπτοιμεν δαινῦτό τε λαός,

Transliteration

hōde ke moi rhezōn Achileu kecharismena theiēs.

oistha gar hōs kata asty eelmetha, tēlothi d' hylē

axemen ex oreos, mala de Trōes dediasin.

ennēmar men k' auton eni megarois goaoimen,

665tēi dekatēi de ke thaptoimen dainyto te laos,

English

You know how we are pent up within our city; it is far for us to fetch wood from the mountain, and the people live in fear. Nine days, therefore, will we mourn Hektor in my house; on the tenth day we will bury him and there shall be a public feast in his honor;

Homeric Greek

ἑνδεκάτῃ δέ κε τύμβον ἐπ' αὐτῷ ποιήσαιμεν,

τῇ δὲ δυωδεκάτῃ πολεμίξομεν εἴ περ ἀνάγκη.

τὸν δ' αὖτε προσέειπε ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς:

ἔσται τοι καὶ ταῦτα γέρον Πρίαμ' ὡς σὺ κελεύεις:

670σχήσω γὰρ πόλεμον τόσσον χρόνον ὅσσον ἄνωγας.

Transliteration

hendekatēi de ke tymbon ep' autōi poiēsaimen,

tēi de dyōdekatēi polemixomen ei per anankē.

ton d' aute proseeipe podarkēs dios Achilleus:

estai toi kai tauta geron Priam' hōs sy keleueis:

670schēsō gar polemon tosson chronon hosson anōgas.

English

on the eleventh we will build a mound over his ashes, and on the twelfth, if there be need, we will fight." And Achilles answered, "All, King Priam, shall be as you have said. I will stay our fighting for as long a time as you have named."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἄρα φωνήσας ἐπὶ καρπῷ χεῖρα γέροντος

ἔλλαβε δεξιτερήν, μή πως δείσει' ἐνὶ θυμῷ.

οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἐν προδόμῳ δόμου αὐτόθι κοιμήσαντο

κῆρυξ καὶ Πρίαμος πυκινὰ φρεσὶ μήδε' ἔχοντες,

675αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς εὗδε μυχῷ κλισίης ἐϋπήκτου:

Transliteration

hōs ara phōnēsas epi karpōi cheira gerontos

ellabe dexiterēn, mē pōs deisei' eni thymōi.

hoi men ar' en prodomōi domou autothi koimēsanto

kēryx kai Priamos pykina phresi mēde' echontes,

675autar Achilleus heude mychōi klisiēs eÿpēktou:

English

As he spoke he laid his hand on the old man's right wrist, in token that he should have no fear; thus then did Priam and his attendant sleep there in the forecourt, full of thought, while Achilles lay in an inner room

Homeric Greek

τῷ δὲ Βρισηὶ̈ς παρελέξατο καλλιπάρῃος.

ἄλλοι μέν ῥα θεοί τε καὶ ἀνέρες ἱπποκορυσταὶ

εὗδον παννύχιοι μαλακῷ δεδμημένοι ὕπνῳ:

ἀλλ' οὐχ Ἑρμείαν ἐριούνιον ὕπνος ἔμαρπτεν

680ὁρμαίνοντ' ἀνὰ θυμὸν ὅπως Πρίαμον βασιλῆα

Transliteration

tōi de Brisēïs parelexato kalliparēios.

alloi men rha theoi te kai aneres hippokorystai

heudon pannychioi malakōi dedmēmenoi hypnōi:

all' ouch Hermeian eriounion hypnos emarpten

680hormainont' ana thymon hopōs Priamon basilēa

English

of the house, with fair Briseis by his side. And now both gods and mortals were fast asleep through the livelong night, but upon Hermes alone, the bringer of good luck, sleep could take no hold for he was thinking all the time how to get King Priam away from the ships without his being seen by the strong force of sentinels.

Homeric Greek

νηῶν ἐκπέμψειε λαθὼν ἱεροὺς πυλαωρούς.

στῆ δ' ἄρ' ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς καί μιν πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπεν:

ὦ γέρον οὔ νύ τι σοί γε μέλει κακόν, οἷον ἔθ' εὕδεις

ἀνδράσιν ἐν δηί̈οισιν, ἐπεί σ' εἴασεν Ἀχιλλεύς.

685καὶ νῦν μὲν φίλον υἱὸν ἐλύσαο, πολλὰ δ' ἔδωκας:

Transliteration

nēōn ekpempseie lathōn hierous pylaōrous.

stē d' ar' hyper kephalēs kai min pros mython eeipen:

ō geron ou ny ti soi ge melei kakon, hoion eth' heudeis

andrasin en dēïoisin, epei s' eiasen Achilleus.

685kai nyn men philon huion elysao, polla d' edōkas:

English

He hovered therefore over Priam's head and said, "Sir, now that Achilles has spared your life, you seem to have no fear about sleeping in the thick of your foes. You have paid a great ransom, and have received the body of your son;

Homeric Greek

σεῖο δέ κε ζωοῦ καὶ τρὶς τόσα δοῖεν ἄποινα

παῖδες τοὶ μετόπισθε λελειμμένοι, αἴ κ' Ἀγαμέμνων

γνώῃ σ' Ἀτρεί̈δης, γνώωσι δὲ πάντες Ἀχαιοί.

ὣς ἔφατ', ἔδεισεν δ' ὃ γέρων, κήρυκα δ' ἀνίστη.

690τοῖσιν δ' Ἑρμείας ζεῦξ' ἵππους ἡμιόνους τε,

Transliteration

seio de ke zōou kai tris tosa doien apoina

paides toi metopisthe leleimmenoi, ai k' Agamemnōn

gnōēi s' Atreïdēs, gnōōsi de pantes Achaioi.

hōs ephat', edeisen d' ho gerōn, kēryka d' anistē.

690toisin d' Hermeias zeux' hippous hēmionous te,

English

were you still alive and a prisoner the sons whom you have left at home would have to give three times as much to free you; and so it would be if Agamemnon and the other Achaeans were to know of your being here." When he heard this the old man was afraid and roused his servant.

Homeric Greek

ῥίμφα δ' ἄρ' αὐτὸς ἔλαυνε κατὰ στρατόν, οὐδέ τις ἔγνω.

ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ πόρον ἷξον ἐϋρρεῖος ποταμοῖο

Ξάνθου δινήεντος, ὃν ἀθάνατος τέκετο Ζεύς,

Ἑρμείας μὲν ἔπειτ' ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,

695Ἠὼς δὲ κροκόπεπλος ἐκίδνατο πᾶσαν ἐπ' αἶαν,

Transliteration

rhimpha d' ar' autos elaune kata straton, oude tis egnō.

all' hote dē poron hixon eÿrreios potamoio

Xanthou dinēentos, hon athanatos teketo Zeus,

Hermeias men epeit' apebē pros makron Olympon,

695Ēōs de krokopeplos ekidnato pasan ep' aian,

English

Hermes then yoked their horses and mules, and drove them quickly through the host so that no man perceived them. When they came to the ford of eddying Xanthos, begotten of immortal Zeus, Hermes went back to high Olympus, and dawn in robe of saffron began to break over all the land.

Homeric Greek

οἳ δ' εἰς ἄστυ ἔλων οἰμωγῇ τε στοναχῇ τε

ἵππους, ἡμίονοι δὲ νέκυν φέρον. οὐδέ τις ἄλλος

ἔγνω πρόσθ' ἀνδρῶν καλλιζώνων τε γυναικῶν,

ἀλλ' ἄρα Κασσάνδρη ἰκέλη χρυσῇ Ἀφροδίτῃ

700Πέργαμον εἰσαναβᾶσα φίλον πατέρ' εἰσενόησεν

Transliteration

hoi d' eis asty elōn oimōgēi te stonachēi te

hippous, hēmionoi de nekyn pheron. oude tis allos

egnō prosth' andrōn kallizōnōn te gynaikōn,

all' ara Kassandrē ikelē chrysēi Aphroditēi

700Pergamon eisanabasa philon pater' eisenoēsen

English

Priam and Idaios then drove on toward the city lamenting and making moan, and the mules drew the body of Hektor. No one neither man nor woman saw them, till Cassandra, fair as golden Aphrodite standing on Pergamos, caught sight of her dear father in his chariot, and his servant that was the city's herald with him.

Homeric Greek

ἑσταότ' ἐν δίφρῳ, κήρυκά τε ἀστυβοώτην:

τὸν δ' ἄρ' ἐφ' ἡμιόνων ἴδε κείμενον ἐν λεχέεσσι:

κώκυσέν τ' ἄρ' ἔπειτα γέγωνέ τε πᾶν κατὰ ἄστυ:

ὄψεσθε Τρῶες καὶ Τρῳάδες Ἕκτορ' ἰόντες,

705εἴ ποτε καὶ ζώοντι μάχης ἐκνοστήσαντι

Transliteration

hestaot' en diphrōi, kēryka te astyboōtēn:

ton d' ar' eph' hēmionōn ide keimenon en lecheessi:

kōkysen t' ar' epeita gegōne te pan kata asty:

opsesthe Trōes kai Trōiades Hektor' iontes,

705ei pote kai zōonti machēs eknostēsanti

English

Then she saw him that was lying upon the bier, drawn by the mules, and with a loud cry she went about the city saying, "Come hither Trojans, men and women, and look on Hektor; if ever you rejoiced to see him coming from battle when he was alive, look now on

Homeric Greek

χαίρετ', ἐπεὶ μέγα χάρμα πόλει τ' ἦν παντί τε δήμῳ.

ὣς ἔφατ', οὐδέ τις αὐτόθ' ἐνὶ πτόλεϊ λίπετ' ἀνὴρ

οὐδὲ γυνή: πάντας γὰρ ἀάσχετον ἵκετο πένθος:

ἀγχοῦ δὲ ξύμβληντο πυλάων νεκρὸν ἄγοντι.

710πρῶται τόν γ' ἄλοχός τε φίλη καὶ πότνια μήτηρ

Transliteration

chairet', epei mega charma polei t' ēn panti te dēmōi.

hōs ephat', oude tis autoth' eni ptoleï lipet' anēr

oude gynē: pantas gar aascheton hiketo penthos:

anchou de xymblēnto pylaōn nekron agonti.

710prōtai ton g' alochos te philē kai potnia mētēr

English

him that was the glory of our city and all our." At this there was not man nor woman left in the city, so great a sorrow had possessed them. Hard by the gates they met Priam as he was bringing in the body. Hektor's wife and his mother were the first to mourn him:

Homeric Greek

τιλλέσθην ἐπ' ἄμαξαν ἐύ̈τροχον ἀί̈ξασαι

ἁπτόμεναι κεφαλῆς: κλαίων δ' ἀμφίσταθ' ὅμιλος.

καί νύ κε δὴ πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα

Ἕκτορα δάκρυ χέοντες ὀδύροντο πρὸ πυλάων,

715εἰ μὴ ἄρ' ἐκ δίφροιο γέρων λαοῖσι μετηύδα:

Transliteration

tillesthēn ep' amaxan eÿtrochon aïxasai

haptomenai kephalēs: klaiōn d' amphistath' homilos.

kai ny ke dē propan ēmar es ēelion katadynta

Hektora dakry cheontes odyronto pro pylaōn,

715ei mē ar' ek diphroio gerōn laoisi metēuda:

English

they flew towards the wagon and laid their hands upon his head, while the crowd stood weeping round them. They would have stayed before the gates, weeping and lamenting the livelong day to the going down of the sun, had not Priam spoken to them from the chariot and said, "Make way for the mules to pass you.

Homeric Greek

εἴξατέ μοι οὐρεῦσι διελθέμεν: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

ἄσεσθε κλαυθμοῖο, ἐπὴν ἀγάγωμι δόμον δέ.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δὲ διέστησαν καὶ εἶξαν ἀπήνῃ.

οἳ δ' ἐπεὶ εἰσάγαγον κλυτὰ δώματα, τὸν μὲν ἔπειτα

720τρητοῖς ἐν λεχέεσσι θέσαν, παρὰ δ' εἷσαν ἀοιδοὺς

Transliteration

eixate moi oureusi dielthemen: autar epeita

asesthe klauthmoio, epēn agagōmi domon de.

hōs ephath', hoi de diestēsan kai eixan apēnēi.

hoi d' epei eisagagon klyta dōmata, ton men epeita

720trētois en lecheessi thesan, para d' heisan aoidous

English

Afterwards when I have taken the body home you shall have your fill of weeping." On this the people stood asunder, and made a way for the wagon. When they had borne the body within the house they laid it upon a bed and

Homeric Greek

θρήνων ἐξάρχους, οἵ τε στονόεσσαν ἀοιδὴν

οἳ μὲν ἄρ' ἐθρήνεον, ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γυναῖκες.

τῇσιν δ' Ἀνδρομάχη λευκώλενος ἦρχε γόοιο

Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο κάρη μετὰ χερσὶν ἔχουσα:

725ἆνερ ἀπ' αἰῶνος νέος ὤλεο, κὰδ δέ με χήρην

Transliteration

thrēnōn exarchous, hoi te stonoessan aoidēn

hoi men ar' ethrēneon, epi de stenachonto gynaikes.

tēisin d' Andromachē leukōlenos ērche gooio

Hektoros androphonoio karē meta chersin echousa:

725aner ap' aiōnos neos ōleo, kad de me chērēn

English

seated minstrels round it to lead the dirge, whereon the women joined in the sad music of their lament. Foremost among them all Andromache led their wailing as she clasped the head of mighty Hektor in her embrace. "Husband," she cried, "you have died young, and leave me in your house a widow;

Homeric Greek

λείπεις ἐν μεγάροισι: πάϊς δ' ἔτι νήπιος αὔτως

ὃν τέκομεν σύ τ' ἐγώ τε δυσάμμοροι, οὐδέ μιν οἴω

ἥβην ἵξεσθαι: πρὶν γὰρ πόλις ἥδε κατ' ἄκρης

πέρσεται: ἦ γὰρ ὄλωλας ἐπίσκοπος, ὅς τέ μιν αὐτὴν

730ῥύσκευ, ἔχες δ' ἀλόχους κεδνὰς καὶ νήπια τέκνα,

Transliteration

leipeis en megaroisi: païs d' eti nēpios autōs

hon tekomen sy t' egō te dysammoroi, oude min oiō

hēbēn hixesthai: prin gar polis hēde kat' akrēs

persetai: ē gar olōlas episkopos, hos te min autēn

730rhyskeu, eches d' alochous kednas kai nēpia tekna,

English

he of whom we are the ill-starred parents is still a mere child, and I fear he may not reach manhood. Ere he can do so our city will be razed and overthrown, for you who watched over it are no more - you who were its savior, the guardian of our wives and children.

Homeric Greek

αἳ δή τοι τάχα νηυσὶν ὀχήσονται γλαφυρῇσι,

καὶ μὲν ἐγὼ μετὰ τῇσι: σὺ δ' αὖ τέκος ἢ ἐμοὶ αὐτῇ

ἕψεαι, ἔνθά κεν ἔργα ἀεικέα ἐργάζοιο

ἀθλεύων πρὸ ἄνακτος ἀμειλίχου, ἤ τις Ἀχαιῶν

735ῥίψει χειρὸς ἑλὼν ἀπὸ πύργου λυγρὸν ὄλεθρον

Transliteration

hai dē toi tacha nēusin ochēsontai glaphyrēisi,

kai men egō meta tēisi: sy d' au tekos ē emoi autēi

hepseai, entha ken erga aeikea ergazoio

athleuōn pro anaktos ameilichou, ē tis Achaiōn

735rhipsei cheiros helōn apo pyrgou lygron olethron

English

Our women will be carried away captives to the ships, and I among them; while you, my child, who will be with me will be put to some unseemly tasks, working for a cruel master. Or, may be,

Homeric Greek

χωόμενος, ᾧ δή που ἀδελφεὸν ἔκτανεν Ἕκτωρ

ἢ πατέρ' ἠὲ καὶ υἱόν, ἐπεὶ μάλα πολλοὶ Ἀχαιῶν

Ἕκτορος ἐν παλάμῃσιν ὀδὰξ ἕλον ἄσπετον οὖδας.

οὐ γὰρ μείλιχος ἔσκε πατὴρ τεὸς ἐν δαὶ̈ λυγρῇ:

740τὼ καί μιν λαοὶ μὲν ὀδύρονται κατὰ ἄστυ,

Transliteration

chōomenos, hōi dē pou adelpheon ektanen Hektōr

ē pater' ēe kai huion, epei mala polloi Achaiōn

Hektoros en palamēisin odax helon aspeton oudas.

ou gar meilichos eske patēr teos en daï lygrēi:

740tō kai min laoi men odyrontai kata asty,

English

some Achaean will hurl you (O miserable death) from our walls, to avenge some brother, son, or father whom Hektor slew; many of them have indeed bitten the dust at his hands, for your father's hand in battle was no light one. Therefore do the people mourn him.

Homeric Greek

ἀρητὸν δὲ τοκεῦσι γόον καὶ πένθος ἔθηκας

Ἕκτορ: ἐμοὶ δὲ μάλιστα λελείψεται ἄλγεα λυγρά.

οὐ γάρ μοι θνῄσκων λεχέων ἐκ χεῖρας ὄρεξας,

οὐδέ τί μοι εἶπες πυκινὸν ἔπος, οὗ τέ κεν αἰεὶ

745μεμνῄμην νύκτάς τε καὶ ἤματα δάκρυ χέουσα.

Transliteration

arēton de tokeusi goon kai penthos ethēkas

Hektor: emoi de malista leleipsetai algea lygra.

ou gar moi thnēiskōn lecheōn ek cheiras orexas,

oude ti moi eipes pykinon epos, hou te ken aiei

745memnēimēn nyktas te kai ēmata dakry cheousa.

English

You have left, O Hektor, sorrow unutterable to your parents, and my own grief is greatest of all, for you did not stretch forth your arms and embrace me as you lay dying, nor say to me any words that might have lived with me in my tears night and day for evermore."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσ', ἐπὶ δὲ στενάχοντο γυναῖκες.

τῇσιν δ' αὖθ' Ἑκάβη ἁδινοῦ ἐξῆρχε γόοιο:

Ἕκτορ ἐμῷ θυμῷ πάντων πολὺ φίλτατε παίδων,

ἦ μέν μοι ζωός περ ἐὼν φίλος ἦσθα θεοῖσιν:

750οἳ δ' ἄρα σεῦ κήδοντο καὶ ἐν θανάτοιό περ αἴσῃ.

Transliteration

hōs ephato klaious', epi de stenachonto gynaikes.

tēisin d' auth' Hekabē hadinou exērche gooio:

Hektor emōi thymōi pantōn poly philtate paidōn,

ē men moi zōos per eōn philos ēstha theoisin:

750hoi d' ara seu kēdonto kai en thanatoio per aisēi.

English

Bitterly did she weep the while, and the women joined in her lament. Hecuba in her turn took up the strains of woe. "Hektor," she cried, "dearest to me of all my children. So long as you were alive the gods loved you well, and even in death they have not been utterly unmindful of you;

Homeric Greek

ἄλλους μὲν γὰρ παῖδας ἐμοὺς πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεὺς

πέρνασχ' ὅν τιν' ἕλεσκε πέρην ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο,

ἐς Σάμον ἔς τ' Ἴμβρον καὶ Λῆμνον ἀμιχθαλόεσσαν:

σεῦ δ' ἐπεὶ ἐξέλετο ψυχὴν ταναήκεϊ χαλκῷ,

755πολλὰ ῥυστάζεσκεν ἑοῦ περὶ σῆμ' ἑτάροιο

Transliteration

allous men gar paidas emous podas ōkys Achilleus

pernasch' hon tin' heleske perēn halos atrygetoio,

es Samon es t' Imbron kai Lēmnon amichthaloessan:

seu d' epei exeleto psychēn tanaēkeï chalkōi,

755polla rhystazesken heou peri sēm' hetaroio

English

for when Achilles took any other of my sons, he would sell him beyond the seas, to Samos Imbros or rugged Lemnos; and when he had taken away with his sword your life-breath as well, many a time did he drag you round

Homeric Greek

Πατρόκλου, τὸν ἔπεφνες: ἀνέστησεν δέ μιν οὐδ' ὧς.

νῦν δέ μοι ἑρσήεις καὶ πρόσφατος ἐν μεγάροισι

κεῖσαι, τῷ ἴκελος ὅν τ' ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων

οἷς ἀγανοῖσι βέλεσσιν ἐποιχόμενος κατέπεφνεν.

760ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσα, γόον δ' ἀλίαστον ὄρινε.

Transliteration

Patroklou, ton epephnes: anestēsen de min oud' hōs.

nyn de moi hersēeis kai prosphatos en megaroisi

keisai, tōi ikelos hon t' argyrotoxos Apollōn

hois aganoisi belessin epoichomenos katepephnen.

760hōs ephato klaiousa, goon d' aliaston orine.

English

the sepulcher of his comrade - though this could not give him life - yet here you lie all fresh as dew, and comely as one whom Apollo has slain with his painless shafts." Thus did she too speak through her tears with bitter moan,

Homeric Greek

τῇσι δ' ἔπειθ' Ἑλένη τριτάτη ἐξῆρχε γόοιο:

Ἕκτορ ἐμῷ θυμῷ δαέρων πολὺ φίλτατε πάντων,

ἦ μέν μοι πόσις ἐστὶν Ἀλέξανδρος θεοειδής,

ὅς μ' ἄγαγε Τροίηνδ': ὡς πρὶν ὤφελλον ὀλέσθαι.

765ἤδη γὰρ νῦν μοι τόδε εἰκοστὸν ἔτος ἐστὶν

Transliteration

tēisi d' epeith' Helenē tritatē exērche gooio:

Hektor emōi thymōi daerōn poly philtate pantōn,

ē men moi posis estin Alexandros theoeidēs,

hos m' agage Troiēnd': hōs prin ōphellon olesthai.

765ēdē gar nyn moi tode eikoston etos estin

English

and then Helen for a third time took up the strain of lamentation. "Hektor," said she, "dearest of all my brothers-in-law-for I am wife to Alexander who brought me hither to Troy - would that I had died ere he did so - twenty years are come and gone since I left my

Homeric Greek

ἐξ οὗ κεῖθεν ἔβην καὶ ἐμῆς ἀπελήλυθα πάτρης:

ἀλλ' οὔ πω σεῦ ἄκουσα κακὸν ἔπος οὐδ' ἀσύφηλον:

ἀλλ' εἴ τίς με καὶ ἄλλος ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἐνίπτοι

δαέρων ἢ γαλόων ἢ εἰνατέρων εὐπέπλων,

770ἢ ἑκυρή, ἑκυρὸς δὲ πατὴρ ὣς ἤπιος αἰεί,

Transliteration

ex hou keithen ebēn kai emēs apelēlytha patrēs:

all' ou pō seu akousa kakon epos oud' asyphēlon:

all' ei tis me kai allos eni megaroisin eniptoi

daerōn ē galoōn ē einaterōn eupeplōn,

770ē hekyrē, hekyros de patēr hōs ēpios aiei,

English

home and came from over the sea, but I have never heard one word of insult or unkindness from you. When another would chide with me, as it might be one of your brothers or sisters or of your brothers' wives, or my mother-in-law - for Priam was as kind to me as though

Homeric Greek

ἀλλὰ σὺ τὸν ἐπέεσσι παραιφάμενος κατέρυκες

σῇ τ' ἀγανοφροσύνῃ καὶ σοῖς ἀγανοῖς ἐπέεσσι.

τὼ σέ θ' ἅμα κλαίω καὶ ἔμ' ἄμμορον ἀχνυμένη κῆρ:

οὐ γάρ τίς μοι ἔτ' ἄλλος ἐνὶ Τροίῃ εὐρείῃ

775ἤπιος οὐδὲ φίλος, πάντες δέ με πεφρίκασιν.

Transliteration

alla sy ton epeessi paraiphamenos katerykes

sēi t' aganophrosynēi kai sois aganois epeessi.

tō se th' hama klaiō kai em' ammoron achnymenē kēr:

ou gar tis moi et' allos eni Troiēi eureiēi

775ēpios oude philos, pantes de me pephrikasin.

English

he were my own father - you would rebuke and check them with words of gentleness and goodwill. Therefore my tears flow both for you and for my unhappy self, for there is no one else in Troy who is kind to me, but all shrink and shudder as they go by me."

Homeric Greek

ὣς ἔφατο κλαίουσ', ἐπὶ δ' ἔστενε δῆμος ἀπείρων.

λαοῖσιν δ' ὃ γέρων Πρίαμος μετὰ μῦθον ἔειπεν:

ἄξετε νῦν Τρῶες ξύλα ἄστυ δέ, μὴ δέ τι θυμῷ

δείσητ' Ἀργείων πυκινὸν λόχον: ἦ γὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς

780πέμπων μ' ὧδ' ἐπέτελλε μελαινάων ἀπὸ νηῶν

Transliteration

hōs ephato klaious', epi d' estene dēmos apeirōn.

laoisin d' ho gerōn Priamos meta mython eeipen:

axete nyn Trōes xyla asty de, mē de ti thymōi

deisēt' Argeiōn pykinon lochon: ē gar Achilleus

780pempōn m' hōd' epetelle melainaōn apo nēōn

English

She wept as she spoke and the vast population that was gathered round her joined in her lament. Then King Priam spoke to them saying, "Bring wood, O Trojans, to the city, and fear no cunning ambush of the Argives, for Achilles when he dismissed me from the ships gave me his word that they

Homeric Greek

μὴ πρὶν πημανέειν πρὶν δωδεκάτη μόλῃ ἠώς.

ὣς ἔφαθ', οἳ δ' ὑπ' ἀμάξῃσιν βόας ἡμιόνους τε

ζεύγνυσαν, αἶψα δ' ἔπειτα πρὸ ἄστεος ἠγερέθοντο.

ἐννῆμαρ μὲν τοί γε ἀγίνεον ἄσπετον ὕλην:

785ἀλλ' ὅτε δὴ δεκάτη ἐφάνη φαεσίμβροτος ἠώς,

Transliteration

mē prin pēmaneein prin dōdekatē molēi ēōs.

hōs ephath', hoi d' hyp' amaxēisin boas hēmionous te

zeugnysan, aipsa d' epeita pro asteos ēgerethonto.

ennēmar men toi ge agineon aspeton hylēn:

785all' hote dē dekatē ephanē phaesimbrotos ēōs,

English

should not attack us until the morning of the twelfth day." Forthwith they yoked their oxen and mules and gathered together before the city. Nine days long did they bring in great heaps wood, and on the morning of the tenth day with many tears

Homeric Greek

καὶ τότ' ἄρ' ἐξέφερον θρασὺν Ἕκτορα δάκρυ χέοντες,

ἐν δὲ πυρῇ ὑπάτῃ νεκρὸν θέσαν, ἐν δ' ἔβαλον πῦρ.

ἦμος δ' ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,

τῆμος ἄρ' ἀμφὶ πυρὴν κλυτοῦ Ἕκτορος ἔγρετο λαός.

790αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥ' ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τ' ἐγένοντο

Transliteration

kai tot' ar' exepheron thrasyn Hektora dakry cheontes,

en de pyrēi hypatēi nekron thesan, en d' ebalon pyr.

ēmos d' ērigeneia phanē rhododaktylos Ēōs,

tēmos ar' amphi pyrēn klytou Hektoros egreto laos.

790autar epei rh' ēgerthen homēgerees t' egenonto

English

they took brave Hektor forth, laid his dead body upon the summit of the pile, and set the fire thereto. Then when the child of morning rosy-fingered dawn appeared on the eleventh day, the people again assembled, round the pyre of mighty Hektor.

Homeric Greek

πρῶτον μὲν κατὰ πυρκαϊὴν σβέσαν αἴθοπι οἴνῳ

πᾶσαν, ὁπόσσον ἐπέσχε πυρὸς μένος: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

ὀστέα λευκὰ λέγοντο κασίγνητοί θ' ἕταροί τε

μυρόμενοι, θαλερὸν δὲ κατείβετο δάκρυ παρειῶν.

795καὶ τά γε χρυσείην ἐς λάρνακα θῆκαν ἑλόντες

Transliteration

prōton men kata pyrkaïēn sbesan aithopi oinōi

pasan, hoposson epesche pyros menos: autar epeita

ostea leuka legonto kasignētoi th' hetaroi te

myromenoi, thaleron de kateibeto dakry pareiōn.

795kai ta ge chryseiēn es larnaka thēkan helontes

English

When they were got together, they first quenched the fire with wine wherever it was burning, and then his brothers and comrades with many a bitter tear gathered his white bones, wrapped them in soft robes of purple, and laid them in a

Homeric Greek

πορφυρέοις πέπλοισι καλύψαντες μαλακοῖσιν.

αἶψα δ' ἄρ' ἐς κοίλην κάπετον θέσαν, αὐτὰρ ὕπερθε

πυκνοῖσιν λάεσσι κατεστόρεσαν μεγάλοισι:

ῥίμφα δὲ σῆμ' ἔχεαν, περὶ δὲ σκοποὶ ἥατο πάντῃ,

800μὴ πρὶν ἐφορμηθεῖεν ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί.

Transliteration

porphyreois peploisi kalypsantes malakoisin.

aipsa d' ar' es koilēn kapeton thesan, autar hyperthe

pyknoisin laessi katestoresan megaloisi:

rhimpha de sēm' echean, peri de skopoi hēato pantēi,

800mē prin ephormētheien eÿknēmides Achaioi.

English

golden urn, which they placed in a grave and covered over with large stones set close together. Then they built a tomb hurriedly over it keeping guard on every side lest the Achaeans should attack them before they had finished.

Homeric Greek

χεύαντες δὲ τὸ σῆμα πάλιν κίον: αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα

εὖ συναγειρόμενοι δαίνυντ' ἐρικυδέα δαῖτα

δώμασιν ἐν Πριάμοιο διοτρεφέος βασιλῆος.

ὣς οἵ γ' ἀμφίεπον τάφον Ἕκτορος ἱπποδάμοιο.

Transliteration

cheuantes de to sēma palin kion: autar epeita

eu synageiromenoi dainynt' erikydea daita

dōmasin en Priamoio diotrepheos basilēos.

hōs hoi g' amphiepon taphon Hektoros hippodamoio.

English

When they had heaped up the barrow they went back again into the city, and being well assembled they held high feast in the house of Priam their king. Thus, then, did they celebrate the funeral of Hektor tamer of horses.