 Section 1 of the Iliad of Homer. The present translation of the Iliad will, it is hoped, be found to convey more accurately than any which has preceded it, the words and thoughts of the original. It is based upon a careful examination of whatever has been contributed by scholars of every age towards the elucidation of the text, including the ancient Scholiists and elexicographers, the exegetical labors of Barnes and Clark, and the elaborate criticisms of Hain, Wolfe, and their successors. The necessary brevity of the notes has prevented the full discussion of many passages where there is great room for difference of opinion, and hence several interpretations are adopted without question which, had the editor's object been to write a critical commentary, would have undergone a more lengthened examination. The same reason has compelled him, in many instances, to substitute references for extracts, indicating rather than quoting those storehouses of information from whose abundant contents he would gladly have drawn more copious supplies. Among the numerous works to which he has had recourse, the following deserve particular mention. Alberti's invaluable edition of Hezekius, the commentary of Eustathius, and Buttman's Legzilagus. In the succeeding volume, the Odyssey, hymns, and minor poems will be produced in a similar manner. Theodore, Alois Buckley, Christchurch, Oxford. Second of the preface. Apollo, enraged at the insult offered to his priest Chrysys, sends a pestilence upon the Greeks. His counsel is called, and Agamemnon, being compelled to restore the daughter of Chrysys, whom he had taken from him, in revenge, deprives Achilles of epidemia. Achilles resigns her, but refuses to aid the Greeks in battle, and at his request, his mother, Thetis, petitions Jove to honour her offended son at the expense of the Greeks. Jupiter, despite the opposition of Juno, grants her request. King, O goddess, the destructive wrath of Achilles, son of Pellius, which brought countless woes upon the Greeks, and hurled many valiant souls of heroes down to Hades, and made themselves a prey to dogs and to all birds. But the will of Jove was being accomplished, from the time when a treatise king of men and noble Achilles, first contending, were disunited. Which then of the gods engaged these two in strife, so that they should fight? The son of Letona and Jove, for he enraged with the king, stirred up an evil pestilence through the army, and the people kept perishing. Because the son of Atreus had dishonoured the priest Chrysys, for he came to the swift ships of the Greeks to ransom his daughter, and bringing invaluable ransoms, having in his hands the fillets of far-darting Apollo on his golden scepter. And he supplicated all the Greeks, but chiefly the two sons of Atreus, the leaders of the people. Ye sons of Atreus, and the other well-grieved Greeks, to you indeed may the gods possessing the heavenly dwellings grant to destroy the city of Priam, and to return home safely, but for me liberate my beloved daughter, and accept the ransoms, reverencing the son of Jove, far-darting Apollo. Upon this all the other Greeks shouted assent that the priest should be reverenced, and the splendid ransoms accepted. Yet was it not pleasing in his mind to Agamemnon, son of Atreus, but he dismissed him evilly, and added a harsh mandate, let me not find the old man at the hollow barks, either now loitering, or hereafter returning, lest the staff and fillet of the god avail thee not. For her I will not set free, sooner shall old age come upon her, at home in Argos, far away from her native land, employed in offices of the loom, and preparing my bed. But away, irritate me not, that thou mayest return the safer. Thus he spoke, but the old man was afraid, and obeyed the command, and he went in silence along the shore of the loud resounding sea, but then going apart the aged man prayed much to King Apollo, whom fair-haired Latona bore. Hear me, God of the silver bow, who art want to protect Crissa and divine Silla, and whom mightily rulest over Tenedos, O smintheous, if ever I have roofed thy graceful temple, or if moreover at any time I have verned to thee the fat thies of bulls or of goats, accomplish this in treaty for me, let the Greeks pay for my tears by thy arrows. Thus he spoke praying, but to him Phoebus Apollo hearkened, and he descended from the summits of Olympus, enraged in heart, having upon his shoulders his bow and quiver covered on all sides. But as he moved the shafts rattled forthwith upon the shoulders of him enraged, but he went along like unto the night, then he sat down apart from the ships, and sent among them an arrow, and terrible arose the clang of the silver bow. First he attacked the mules and the swift dogs, but afterwards, dispatching a pointed arrow against the Greeks themselves, he smote them, and frequent funeral piles of the dead were continually burning. Nine days through the army went the arrows of the God, but on the tenth Achilles called the people to an assembly, for to his mind the white armed goddess Juno had suggested it, for she was anxious concerning the Greeks, because she saw them perishing. But one day accordingly were assembled, and were met together, swift footed Achilles, rising up amidst them, thus spoke. O son of Atreus, now do I think that we would consent to return, having been defeated in our purpose, if we should not but escape death, since at the same time war and pestilence subdued the Greeks. But come now, let us consult some prophet or priest, or even one who is informed by dreams, for dream also is from Job, who would tell us on what account Phoebus Apollo is so much enraged with us, whether he blames us on account of a vow, unperformed, or a hecatomb unoffered, and whether happily he may be willing, having partaken of the savor of lambs and unblemished goats, to avert from us the pestilence. He indeed, thus having spoken, sat down, but to them there arose by far the best of Ogres, Calcas, son of Thester, who knew the present, the future, and the past, and who guided the ships of the Greeks to Ilium by his prophetic art, which Phoebus Apollo gave him, who, being well-disposed, addressed them and said, O Achilles, dear to Job, thou bidst me to declare the wrath of Apollo, the far-darting king. Therefore will I declare it, but do thou on thy part covenant, and swear to me, that thou wilt promptly assist me in word and hand, for me thinks I shall irritate a man who widely rules over all the argives, and whom the Greeks obey, for a king is more powerful when he is enraged with an inferior man, for though he may repress his wrath for that same day, yet he afterwards retains his anger in his heart, until he accomplishes it, but do thou consider whether thou wilt protect me? But him, swift-footed Achilles, answering addressed, taking full confidence to declare the divine oracle whatsoever thou knowest, for by Apollo, dear to Job, to whom thou, praying O Alchys, dost disclose predictions to the Greeks. No one of all the Greeks, while I am alive, and have sight upon the earth, shall lay heavy hands upon thee at the hollow ships, not even if thou was to name Agamemnon, who now boasts himself to be much the most powerful of the Greeks. And upon this the blameless prophet then took confidence and spoke, neither is he enraged on account of a vow unperformed, nor of a hecatum unoffered, but on account of his priest, whom Agamemnon dishonored, neither did he liberate his daughter, nor did he receive her ransom, wherefore has the far daughter given woes, and still will he give them, nor will he withhold his heavy hands from the pestilence, before that Agamemnon restore to her dear father the bright-eyed maid, unpurchased, unransomed, and conduct a sacred hecatum to Chrissa, then perhaps having appeased we might persuade him. He indeed, having thus spoken, sat down, but to them arose the hero, the son of Atreus, made ruling Agamemnon agitated, and his all-gloomy heart was greatly filled with wrath, and his eyes were like unto gleaming fire, sternly regarding Calchus most of all he addressed, Prophet of Ilz, not at any time hast thou spoken anything good for me, but evils are always gratifying to thy soul to prophesy, and never yet hast thou offered one good word nor accomplished one, and now, prophesying among the Greeks, thou harangest that forsooth the far daughter works griefs to them upon this account, because I was unwilling to accept the splendid ransom of the virgin daughter of Crises, since I much prefer to have her at home, and my reason is I prefer her even to Clytemnestra. My lawful wife, for she is not inferior to her, either in person, or in figure, or in mind, or by any means accomplishments, but even thus I am willing to restore her, if it be better, for I wish the people to be safe rather than to perish. But do thou immediately prepare a prize for me, that I may not alone of the Argives be without a prize, since it is not fitting, for ye all see this that my prize is going elsewhere. But him, swift-footed godlike Achilles, then answered, Most noble, son of Atreus, most avaricious of all, for how shall the magnanimous Greeks assign the prize, nor do we know of many common stores laid up anywhere, but what we plundered from the cities these have been divided, and it is not fitting that the troops should collect these brought together again. But do thou now let her go to the god, and we Greeks will compensate the thrice, or poorfold, if happily jove grant to us to sack the well fortified city of Troy. But him answering, King Agamemnon addressed, Do not thus excellent thou though be, godlike Achilles, practice deceit in thy mind, since thou shalt not overreach, nor yet persuade me. Does thou wish that thou thyself mayest have a prize whilst I sit down idly, wanting one? And dost thou bid me to restore her, if, however, the magnanimous Greeks will give me a prize, having suited it to my mind, so that it shall be an equivalent it is well? But if they will not give it, then I myself coming will seize your prize, or that of Ajax, or Ulysses, and will bear it away, and he to whom I may come shall have cause for anger. On these things, however, we will consult afterwards. But now come, let us launch a sabership into the boundless sea, and let us collect into it rowers in sufficient number, and place on board a hechatome, and let us make the fair-cheeked daughter of Crises to embark, and let someone noble man be commander, Ajax, or Edomineus, or divine Ulysses, or thyself, son of Palaeus, most terrible of all men, that thou mayest appease for us the far daughter, having offered sacrifices. But him, swift-footed Achilles, sternly regarding, addressed, Ha! Thou clad in impudence, thou bent on gain, how can any of the Greeks willingly obey thy orders, either to undertake a mission, or to fight bravely with men? For I did not come hither to fight on account of the warlike Trojans, seeing that they are blameless as respects me, since they have never driven away my oxen, nor my horses, either nor ever injured my crops in fertile and populous Pythia, for very many shadowy mountains and the resounding sea are between us. But thee, O most shameless man, we follow, that thou mayest rejoice, seeking satisfaction from the Trojans, for Mendeleus, and for thy pleasure, shameless one, for which things thou hast neither respect nor care, and now, thou hast threatened, that thou wilt in person rest from me my prize, for which I have toiled much, and which the sons of the Greeks have given me. Whenever the Greeks sacked a well-inhabited city of the Trojans, I never have had a prize equal to thine. Although my hands perform the greater portion of the tumultuous conflict, yet when the division of spoil may come, a much greater prize is given to thee, while I come to my ships, when I am fatigued with fighting, having one small and agreeable, but now I will go to Pythia, for it is much better to return home with our curved ships, for I do not think that thou shalt amass wealth and treasures while I am dishonored here. But him, the king of men Agamemnon then answered, Fly by all means, if thy mind urges thee, nor will I entreat thee to remain on my account. There are others with me who will honor me, but chiefly the all-wise Job. Or to me thou art the most odious of the Job-nourished princes, for ever is contention agreeable to thee, and wars and battles, if thou be very bold, why doubtless a deity has given this to thee. Going home with thy ships and thy companions rule over the myrmidons, for I do not regard thee, nor care for thee and thy wrath, but thus will I threaten thee, since Phoebus Apollo is depriving me of the daughter of Crises, her indeed I will send, with my own ship and with my own friends, but I myself, going to thy tent, will lead away the fair-cheeked daughter of Bryces, thy prize, that thou mayest well know how much more powerful I am than thou, and that another may dread to pronounce himself equal to me and to liken himself openly to me. Thus he spake, and grief arose to the son of Palaeus, and the heart within, in his hairy breast, was pondering upon two courses. Whether drawing his sharp sword from his thigh he should dismiss them, and should kill the son of Atreus, or should put a stop to his wrath and restrain his passion. While he was thus pondering in his heart and soul, and was drawing his mighty sword from the scabbard, came Minerva from heaven. From her the white, armed goddess Juno had sent forward, equally loving, and regarding both from her soul, and she stood behind and caught the son of Palaeus by his yellow hair, appearing to him alone, but none of the others beheld her. But Achilles was amazed, and turned himself around, and immediately recognized Palaeus Minerva, and awe-inspiring her eyes appeared to him, and addressing her he spoke winged words. Why, O offspring of ages bearing Job, has thou come hither? Is it that thou mayest witness the insolence of Agamemnon, the son of Atreus? But I tell thee, what I think will be accomplished, that he will probably soon lose his life by his haughtiness. But him, in turn, the azure-eyed goddess Minerva addressed, I came from heaven to assuage thy wrath, if thou wilt obey me, for the white, armed goddess Juno sent me forward, equally loving, and regarding both from her soul. But come, cease from strife, nor draw the sword with thine hand, but reproach thy words, as he occasion may suggest, for thus I declare, and it shall be accomplished, that thrice as many splendid gifts shall be presented to thee, because of this insolent act, only restrain thyself, and obey us. But her answering, swift-footed Achilles addressed, it behoves me to observe the command of you, both, O goddess, although much enraged in my soul, for so it is better, whosoever obeys a god to him they hearken propitiously. He spoke, and held still his heavy hand upon the silvery hilt, and thrust back the great sword into the scabbard, nor did he disobey the mandate of Minerva. But she had gone to Olympus, to the mansions of Aegis Bering Jove, amongst the other deities. But the son of Palaeus again addressed a treatise, with injurious words, nor as yet ceased from anger, whine-biber, having the countenance of a dog, but the heart of a stag, never has thou at any time dared in soul to arm thyself with the people for war, nor to go to ambuscade with the chiefs of the Greeks, for this always appears to thee to be death. Certainly it is much better, through the wide army of the Icaeans, to take away the rewards of whoever may speak against thee, a people devouring king art thou, since thou rulest over fellows of no account. For assuredly, son of Atreus, thou otherwise wouldst have insulted now for the last time. But I will tell thee, that I will further swear a great oath, yea, by this scepter, which will never bear leaves and branches, nor will bud again after it has once left its trunk on the mountains, for the axe has lopped it all around of its leaves and bark. But now, the sons of the Greeks, the judges, they who protect the laws recede from Job, bear it in their hands, and this will be a great oath to thee. Surely will a longing desire for Achilles come upon all the sons of the Icaeans at some future day, and thou, although much grieved, will be unable to assist them, and many dying shall fall by the hand of man slaying Hector. Then enraged, wilt thou inwardly fret thy soul, that thou ditched in no way honour the bravest of the Greeks. Thus spoke the son of Pelaeus, and he cast upon the earth his scepter, studded with golden nails, and sat down. But on the other hand, the son of Atreus was enraged, therefore to them arose the sweet-voiced Nestor, the harmonious orator of the Pelaeans, from whose tongue flowed language sweeter than honey. During his life, two generations of articulately speaking men had become extinct, who, formerly, were reared and lived with him in divine pylos. But he was now ruling over the third, who wisely counseling addressed them and said, O gods, surely a greater sorrow comes upon the Grecian land. Verily Priam would exult, and the sons of Priam and the other Trojans would greatly rejoice in their souls, if they were to hear these things of you twain contending. You who encounseled and in fighting surpassed the Greeks, but be persuaded, for ye are both younger than I am. For already in former times I have associated with men braver than you, and they never disdained me. I never saw nor shall I see such men as Pyrithus, and Dryas, shepherd other people, and Canus, and Exodus, and Godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus, the son of Aegeus, like unto the immortals. Bravest indeed were they trained up of earthly men, bravest they were, and they fought with the bravest centaurs of the mountain caves, and terribly slew them. With these was I conversant, coming from Pylos, far from the Apian land, for they invited me, and I fought to the best of my power. But with them none of these who now are mortals upon the earth could fight, and even they heard my counsels and obeyed my words. But do ye also obey, since it is better to be obedient, nor do thou, although being powerful, take away the maid from him, but leave it so, seeing that the sons of the Greeks first gave her as a prize on him. Nor do thou, O son of Pylos, feel inclined to contend against the king, since never yet has any scepter-bearing king, to whom Jove has given glory, been allotted an equal share of dignity. But though thou be of superior strength, and a goddess mother has given thee birth, yet he is superior in power, inasmuch as he rules more people. Do thou, son of Atreus, repress thine anger, for it is I that entreat thee to forego thy resentment on behalf of Achilles, who is the great pull-work of destructive war to all the Achaeans. But him, King Agamemnon, answering addressed, Of a truth thou hast said all these things, old man, according to what is right. But this man is desirous to be above all other men. He wishes to have the mastery and lord it over all, and to prescribe to all, with which his desires I think someone will not comply. But if the ever-existing gods have made him a warrior, do they therefore give him the right to utter insults? But him, noble Achilles, interruptingly answered, Yea, for sooth I may be called a coward and a man of no worth, if now I yield to thee and everything, whatever thou mayest say. Enjoying these things to other men, for dictate not to me, for I think that I shall no longer obey thee. But another thing will I tell thee, and do thou store it in thy mind, I will not contend with thy hands, neither with thee, nor with others, on account of this maid, since ye the donors take her away. But of the other effects which I have at my swift black ship, of those thou shalt not remove one, taking them away, I being unwilling. What of thou wilt come? Make trial, that these also may know, quickly shall thy black blood flow around my lance. Thus these twain, striving with contrary words, arose, and they broke up the assembly at the ships of the Greeks. The son of Palaeus on his part repaired to his tents and the well-proportioned ships, with the son of Menatius and his companions. But the son of Atreus lodged his swift ship into the sea, and selected and put into it twenty rowers, and embarked a hecatomb for the god, and he led the fair daughter of Crises and placed her on board. And the very wise Ulysses embarked as conductor. They then embarking sailed over the watery paths, but the son of Atreus ordered the armies to purify themselves, and they were purified, and cast forth the ablutions into the sea, and they sacrificed to Apollo perfect hecatombs of bulls and goats, along the shore of the barren sea, and the savor involved in smoke ascended to heaven. Thus were they employed in these things through the army, nor did Agamemnon cease from the contention which at first he threatened against Achilles, but he thus addressed Talthybius and Euribides, who were his heralds and zealous attendants. Going to the tent of Achilles, the son of Palaeus lead away fair Vreceus, having taken her by the hand, but if he will not give her, then I myself, coming with great numbers, will take her, and this will be more grievous to him. Thus speaking he dispatched them, having added a harsh command, but they reluctantly went along the shore of the barren sea, and came to the tents and ships of the Mermidans, and they found him sitting at his tent and his black ship, nor did Achilles seeing them rejoice. But they, confused and reverencing the king, stood still, nor addressed him at all, nor spoke their bidding. But he perceived it in his mind, and said, Hail heralds, messenger of Job, and also of men, come near, for you are not blamable to me in the least, but Agamemnon who has sent you on account of the maid Bresaus. However, come, noble Petroclus, lead forth the maid, and give her to them to conduct. But let these be witnesses of the insult offered me, both before the blessed God and before mortal men, and before the merciless king, but ever again there shall be need of me to avert unseemly destruction from the rest, appeal to me shall be in vain, for surely he rages with an infatuated mind, nor knows at all how to view the future and the past in order that the Greeks may fight in safety at their ships. Thus he spake, and Petroclus obeyed his dear companion, and led forth fair cheeked Bresaus from the tent, and gave her to them to conduct. And they returned along by the ships of the Greeks, but the woman went with them reluctantly, while Sicilis, weeping, immediately sat down, removed apart from his companions upon the shore of the Hori Sea, gazing on the darkling main, and much he besought his dear mother, stretching forth his hands. O mother, since thou hast borne me to be but short-lived, at least an otai thundering Olympian jove to have vouchshift honour to me, but now he has not honoured me ever so little, for the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, has dishonoured me, for he, taking away my prize, possesses it, himself having rested it from me. Thus he spoke weeping, but to him his venerable mother hearkened, sitting in the depths of the ocean beside her aged sire, and immediately she rose up from the Hori deep, like a mist, and then she sat before him weeping, and soothed him with her hand, and addressed him, and spoke aloud, Son, why weepest thou, on account of what has grief a come upon thy mind? declare it, nor hide it in thy soul, that we both may know it. But her, sighing deeply, swift-footed Achilles addressed, thou knowest, why should I tell all these things to thee, already knowing them? We went against Thebes, the sacred city of Etion, and this we plundered, and brought hither all the spoil, and these things indeed the sons of the Greeks fairly divided among themselves, and selected for Agamemnon the fair-cheeked daughter of Chrysys. But Chrysys, priests of the far-darting Apollo, came afterwards to the fleet of ships of the brazen, mailed Greeks, about to ransom his daughter, and bringing invaluable ransoms, having in his hand the filets of far-darting Apollo on his golden scepter, and he sublocated all the Greeks, but chiefly the two sons of Atreus, the leaders of the people. Even this all the other Greeks shouted, ascent, that the priests should be referenced, and the splendid ransoms accepted, yet it was not pleasing to Agamemnon, son of Atreus, in his mind, but he dismissed him evilly, and added a harsh mandate. The old man, therefore, went back enraged, but Apollo hearkened to him, praying, for he was very dear to him, and he sent a destructive arrow against the Greeks, and the forces were now dying one upon another, and the shafts of the God went on all sides through the wide army of the Greeks, but to us the skilful seer unfolded the divine will of the far-darter. Straightway I first exhorted that we should appease the God, but then rage seized upon the son of Atreus, and instantly rising he uttered a threatening speech which is now accomplished, for the rolling-eyed Greeks attend her to Chrissa with a swift bark, and bring presence to the king. But the heralds have just now gone from my tent, conducting the virgin daughter of Bersaeus, whom the sons of the Greeks gave to me, but do thou, if thou art able, aid thy son. Going to Olympus supplicate Job, if ever thou didst delight the heart of Job, as to anything, by word or deed. For I frequently heard thee boasting in the palaces of my sire, when thou saidest that thou alone amongst the immortals didst avert unworthy destruction from the cloud-collecting son of Saturn, when the other Olympian inhabitants, Juno and Neptune and Palas Manerva, wished to bind him. But thou, O Goddess, having approached, freed him from his chains, having quickly summoned to lofty Olympus the hundred-handed whom the gods call Brierius and all men Agion, because he was superior to his father in strength, who then sat by the son of Saturn exulting in renown. Him then the blessed gods dreaded, nor did they bind Job. Of these things now reminding him sit beside him and embrace his knees, if in any wise he may consent to aid the Trojans, and him in at their ships and along the sea, the Greeks, while they get slaughtered, that all may enjoy their king, and that the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, may know his baleful folly, when he, in no wise, honored the bravest of the Greeks. But him Thetis then answered, shedding down a tear, Alas, my son, wherefore have I reared thee, having brought thee forth in an evil hour, would that thou wert seated at the ships tearless and uninjured, for thy destined life is but for a very short period, nor very long, but now art thou both swift-fated and wretched above all mortals, therefore I have brought thee forth in my palace under an evil fate. However, to tell thy words to thunder-delighting Job, I myself will go to snow-clad Olympus, if by chance he will be persuaded. But do thou, now sitting at the swift ships, wade resentments against the Greeks, and totally abstain from war, for yesterday Job went to Oceanus, to the blameless Ethiopians, to a banquet, and with him went all the gods, but on the twelfth day he will return to Olympus, and then will I go to the brazen, floored palace of Job, and suppliantly embrace his knees, and I think that he will be persuaded. Thus having said, she departed, and left him there wrathful in his soul for his well-girded maid whom they had taken from him against his will. But Ulysses, meantime, came to Chrissa, bringing the sacred Hecatum, but they, when they had entered the deep haven, first furled their sails, and stowed them in a sable bark. They next brought the mast to its receptacle, lowering it quickly by its stays, and then rode the vessel forwards with oars into its moorage. They heaved out the sleepers, and tied the hossars. They themselves then went forth on the breakers of the sea, and disembarked the Hecatum to far darting Apollo, and then they made the daughter of Chrissies descend from the sea, traversing bark. Then wise Ulysses, leading her to the altar, placed her in the hands of her dear father, and addressed him, O Chrissies! Like a memnon king of men, sent me forth to conduct to thee thy daughter, and to sacrifice a sacred Hecatum to Phoebus for the Greeks, that we may appease the king, who now has sent evils fraught with groanings upon the Argives. Thus having spoken, he placed her in his hands. As he rejoicing received his beloved daughter, then they immediately placed in order the splendid Hecatum for the god around the well-built altar. After that they washed their hands and held up the pounded barley. But for them, Chrissies, uplifting his hands, prayed with loud voice, Hear me, O thou of the silver bow, who art want to protect Chrissa and divine Scylla, and whom mightily rulest over Tenedos, already indeed at a former time didst thou hear me praying, and didst honor me, and didst very much afflict the people of the Greeks, now also accomplish for me this further request, even now avert from the Greeks this unseemly pestilence. Thus he spoke praying, and him Phoebus Apollo heard. But after they had prayed and sprinkled the pounded barley, they first bent back the neck of the victims, killed them, and flayed them, and cut out the thighs, and wrapped them round with the fat, having arranged it in double folds, then laid the raw flesh upon them. Then the old man burned them on billets, and poured sparkling wine upon them, and near him the youths held five pronged spits in their hands. But after the thighs were roasted, and they had tasted the entrails, they then cut the rest of them into small pieces, and fixed them on spits, and roasted them skillfully, as drew all the vians off the spits. But when they had ceased from their labor, and had repaired the banquet, they feasted, nor did their soul in any wise lack a dual allowance of the feast. But when they had dismissed the desire of drink and food, the youths on the one hand filled the goblets with wine to the brim, and handed round the wine to all, having poured the first of the wine into the cups. But the grecian youths throughout the day were appeasing the gods by song, chanting the joyous peon, hymning the far-darter, and he was delighted in his mind as he listened. But when the sun had set, and the darkness came on, then they slept near the haussers of their ships. But when the mother of Don, rosy-fingered mourning appeared, straight away then they set sail for the spacious camp of the Achaeans, and to them far-darting Apollo sent a favorable gale. But they erected the mast and expanded the white sails, the wind streamed into the bosom of the sail, and as the vessel briskly ran, the dark wave roared loudly around the keel. But she scutted through the wave, holding on her way. But when they reached the wide armament of the Greeks, they drew up the black ship on the continent, far upon the sand, and stretched long props under it. But they dispersed themselves through their tents and ships. But the jove-sprung son of Palaeus, swift-footed Achilles, continued his wrath, sitting at his swift ships, nor ever did he frequent the assembly of noble heroes, nor the fight, but he pined away his dear heart, remaining there, although he longed for the din and the battle. Now when the twelfth mourning from that time arose, then indeed all the gods who are forever went together to Olympus, but Jupiter proceeded. But Thetis was not forgetful of the charges of her son, but she emerged from the wave of the sea, and at dawn ascended lofty heaven and Olympus, and she found the far-seeing son of Saturn sitting apart from the others on the highest summit of many-peaked Olympus, and then she sat down before him and embraced his knees with her left hand, but with the right taking him by the chin imploring she thus addressed King Jov, the son of Saturn. O Father Jov, if ever I have aided thee among the immortals, either in word or deed, accomplish for me this desire. Honor my son, who is the most short-lived of others, for now indeed Agamemnon the king of men has disgraced him, for he possesses his prize, he himself having borne it away. Do thou at least, Olympian Jov, all counseling, honor him, and so long grant victory to the Trojans until the Greek shall reference my son, and shall advance him in honor. Thus she spoke, but cloud-compelling Jov answered her nothing, but sat silent for a long time, and as Thetis seized his knees, fast clinging she held them, and thus again entreated. Do but now promise to me explicitly, and grant or refuse, for in thee there is no dread that I may well know how far I am the most dishonored goddess amongst all. What her cloud-compelling Jov deeply moved addressed, truly now this will be a grievous matter, since thou wilt cause me to give offense to Juno, when she shall irritate me with her poachful words. For even without reason she is perpetually chiding me amongst the immortal gods, and also says that I aid the Trojans in battle. But do thou on thy part now depart, lest Juno behold thee, but these things shall be my care until I perform them. But if thou wilt have it thus, so be it. I will nod to thee with my head, that thou mayest feel confidence. For this from me is the greatest pledge among the immortals. For my pledge, even whatsoever I shall sanction by nod, is not to be retracted, neither fallacious nor unfulfilled. The son of Saturn spoke, and nodded thereupon with his dark eyebrows, and then the ambrosial locks of the king were shaken over him from his immortal head, and he made mighty Olympus tremble. Thus having conferred, they separated. She at once plunged from splendid Olympus into the profound sea, but Job on the other hand returned to his palace. But all the gods rose up together from their seats to meet their sire, nor did any dare to await him approaching. But all rose in his presence. Thus indeed he sat there on his throne. Nor was Juno unconscious, having seen that silver-footed Thetis, the daughter of the marine old man, had joined in deliberation with him. Forthwith with reproaches she accosted Saturnian Job. Each of the gods again, O deceitful one, has spent concerning measures with thee. Ever is it agreeable to thee, being apart from me, plotting secret things to decide thereon? Nor has thou ever yet deigned willingly to tell me one word of that of what thou dost meditate? To her then replied the father of men and gods, O Juno, build up no hopes of knowing all my councils. Difficult would they be for thee, although thou art my consort. But whatever it may be fit for thee to hear, none then either of gods or men shall know it before thee. But whatever I wish to consider apart from the gods, do thou neither inquire into any of these things, nor investigate them. But him the large-eyed venerable Juno then answered, Most dread, son of Saturn, what a word hast thou spoken? Here too have I ever questioned thee much, nor pride into thy words, but thou mayest very quietly deliberate on those things which thou desirest. But at present I greatly fear in my soul, lest silver-footed Thedas, the daughter of the marine old man, may have influenced thee. For at dawn she sat by thee and embraced thy knees. To her I suspect thou didst plainly promise that thou wouldest honor Achilles, and destroy many at the ships of the Greeks. But her answering, cloud-compelling jove addressed, Perverse one, thou art always suspecting, nor do I escape thee. Nevertheless thou shalt produce no effect at all, but thou shalt be farther from my heart, and this will be more bitter to thee. But granted this be so, it appears to be my pleasure. But sit down in peace, and obey my mandate, lest as many deities as are in Olympus avail thee not against me, I drawing near, when I shall lay my resistless hands upon thee. Thus he spoke, but venerable, large-eyed Juno feared, and sat down silent, having bent her heart to submission. But the heavenly gods murmured throughout the palace of jove, and the renowned artificer Vulcan began to harangue them, doing kind offices to his beloved mother, white-armed Juno. Truly now these will be grievous matters, and no longer tolerable if ye twain contend thus on account of mortals and excite uproar among the deities, nor will there be any enjoyment in the delightful banquet, since the worst things prevail. But to my mother I advise, she herself being intelligent, to gratify my dear father jove, lest my sire may again reprove her and disturb our banquet, for if the Olympian thunderer wishes to hurl us from our seats, for he is much the most powerful, but do thou sooth him with gentle words, then will the Olympian king straightway be propitious to us. Thus then he spoke, and rising he placed the double cup in the hand of his dear mother, and addressed her, Be patient, my mother, and restrain thyself, although grieved, lest with my own eyes I behold thee beaten, being very dear to me, nor then indeed should I be able, though full of grief, to assist thee. Olympian jove is difficult to be opposed, for here to four having seized me by the foot, he cast me, desiring at one time to assist you down from the heavenly threshold. All day I was carried down through the air, and I fell on lemnus with the setting sun, and but little life was in me by that time. There the Sintian men forthwith received and tended me, having fallen. Thus he spoke, but the white-armed goddess Juno smiled, and smiling, she received the cup from the hand of her son, but he, beginning from the left to right, kept pouring out for all the other gods, drawing nectar from the goblet, and then in extinguishable laughter arose among the immortal gods, when they saw Vulcan bustling about through the mansion. Thus then they feasted the entire day till the setting sun, nor did the soul want anything of the equal feast, nor of the beautiful harp which Apollo held, nor of the muses who accompanied him, responding in turn with delicious voice. But when the splendid light of the sun was sunk, they retired to repose each one to his home, where renowned Vulcan lame of both legs, with cunning skill, had built a house for each. But the Olympian thunderer Jove went to his couch, where he lay before when sweet sleep came upon him. There having ascended, he lay down to rest, and beside him golden-throined Juno. Thirst cities is punished for his insolent speech, and the troops are restrained from seeking a return homewards. The catalogue of the ships and the forces of the Confederates follows. The rest then, both gods and horse-arraying men, slept all the night, but Jove sweet sleep possessed not. But he was pondering in his mind how he might honour Achilles, and destroy many at the ships of the Greeks. But this device appeared best to him in his mind, to send a fatal dream to Agamemnon, the son of Atreus. And addressing him, he spoke winged words, Haste away, pernicious dream, to the swift ships of the Greeks. Going into the tent of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, utter very accurately everything as I shall command, the bid him arm the long-haired Achaeans with all their array. For now perhaps he may take the wide-wade city of the Trojans, for the immortals who possessed the Olympian mansion no longer think dividedly, for Juno, supplicating, hath bent all to her will, and woes are impending over the Trojans. Thus he spake, and the dream accordingly departed, as soon as it heard the mandate. And quickly it came to the swift ships of the Greeks, and went to Agamemnon, the son of Atreus. But him it found sleeping in his tent, and ambrosial slumber was diffused around. And he stood over his head, like unto Nestor, the son of Nelius, him to wit, whom Agamemnon honored most of the old men. To him assimilating himself, the divine dream addressed him. Sleepest thou, son of the warrior, horse-taming Atreus? It becomes not a counsel-giving man to whom the people have been entrusted, and to whom so many things are a care to sleep all night. But now quickly attend to me, for I am a messenger to thee from Jov, who, although far distant, greatly regards and pities thee. He orders thee to arm the long-haired Greeks with all their array, for now mayest thou take the wide-wade city of the Trojans, as the immortals who possess the Olympian mansions no longer think dividedly. For Juno, supplicating, hath bent all to her will, and woes from Jov are impending over the Trojans. But do thou preserve this in thy recollection, nor let forgetfulness possess thee, when sweet sleep shall desert thee. Thus then having spoken, he departed, and left him there pondering these things in his mind which were not destined to be accomplished. For he, foolish, thought that he would take the city of Priam on that day, nor knew he the deeds which Jupiter was really devising, for even he was about yet to impose additional hardships and sorrows upon both Trojans and Greeks, through mighty conflicts. But he awoke from his sleep, and the heavenly voice was diffused around him. He sat up erect, and put on his soft tunic, beautiful, new, and around him he threw his large cloak, and he bound his beautiful sandals on his shining feet, and slung from his shoulders a silver-studded sword. He also took his paternal scepter, ever imperishable, with which he went to the ships of the brazen, mailed Greeks. The goddess Aurora now ascended wide Olympus, announcing the dawn to Jov and the other immortals. But he, on his part, ordered the clear-voiced heralds to summon the long-haired Achaeans to an assembly. They therefore summoned them, and the people were very speedily assembled. First the assembly of the magnanimous elder sat at the ship of Nestor, the pylus-born king. Having called them together, he propounded a prudent counsel. Hear me, my friends, a divine dream came to me in sleep during the ambrosial night, very like unto the noble Nestor, in form, in stature, and in mean. And it stood above my head, and addressed me, sleepest thou, son of the warrior, horse-taming Atreus. It becomes not a counselor, to whom the people have been entrusted, and to whom so many things are a care, to sleep all night. But now quickly attend to me, for I am a messenger to thee from Jov, who, although far distant, greatly regards and pities thee. He orders thee to arm the long-haired Greeks with all their array, for now mayest thou take the wide-waid city of the Trojans, for the immortals who possess the Olympian mansions no longer think dividedly. For Juno, supplicating, has bent all to her will, and woes from Jov are impending over the Trojans. But do thou preserve this in thy thoughts? Thus having spoken, flying away it departed, but sweet sleep resigned me. But come, let us try if by any means we can arm the sons of the Greeks. But first with words will I sound their inclinations as is right, and I will command them to fly with their many benched ships. But do you restrain them with words, one in one place, another in another. He indeed, having thus spoken, sat down. But Nestor, who was king of the sandy pilus, rose up, who wisely counseling, harangued them and said, O friends, generals and counselors of the Argives, if any other of the Greeks had told this dream we should have pronounced it of fabrication and withdrawn ourselves from the reciter. But now he has seen it, who boasts himself to be by far the greatest man in the army, but come on, if by any means we can arm the sons of the Greeks. Thus, then having spoken, he began to depart from the assembly. And they, the scepter-bearing princes, arose and obeyed the shepherd of the tribes, and the hosts rushed forward, even as the swarms of clustering bees issuing ever anew from the hollow rock go forth and fly in troops over the vernal flowers, and some having flitted in bodies here and some there. Thus of these Greeks, many nations from the ship and tents kept marching in troops in front of the steep shore to the assembly, and in the midst of them blazed rumour, messenger of Job, urging them to proceed, and they kept collecting together. The assembly was tumultuous, and the earth groaned beneath as the people seated themselves, and there was a clamour, but nine heralds of a sifer rating restrained themselves, if by any means they would cease from clamour and hear the Job-nurtured princes. With difficulty at length the people sat down and were kept to their respective seats, having desisted from their clamour. When King Agamemnon arose, holding the scepter which Vulcan had laboriously wrought, Vulcan in the first place gave it to King Job, the son of Saturn, and Job in turn gave it to his messenger, the slayer of Argus. But King Mercury gave it to steed-taming Pelops, and Pelops again gave it to Atreus, shepherd of the people. But Atreus dying left it to Thaestes, rich in flocks. But Thaestes again left it to Agamemnon to be born, that he might wriggle over many islands and all Argus. Leaning upon this he spoke words amongst the Greeks. O friends, Grecian heroes, servants of Mars, Job, the son of Saturn has entangled me in a heavy misfortune, cruel who before indeed promised to me, and vouchsafed by his nod, that I should return home, having destroyed well fortified Ilium. But now he has devised an evil deception, and commands me to return to Argus inglorious after I have lost many of my people. So for sooth it appears to be agreeable to all powerful Job, who has already overthrown the citadels of many cities, yea, and will even yet overthrow them, for transcendent is his power, for this were disgraceful even for posterity to hear, that so brave and so numerous a people of the Greeks warred an ineffectual war, and fought with fewer men. But as yet, no end has appeared. For if we Greeks and Trojans having struck a faithful league wished that both should be numbered, and wished to select the Trojans, on the one hand as many as our townsmen, and if we Greeks on the other hand were to be divided into decades, and to choose a single man of the Trojans to pour out wine for each decade, many decades would be without a cup-bearer. So much more numerous I say the sons of the Greeks are than the Trojans who dwell in the city, but there are spear-wielding auxiliaries from many cities who greatly stand in my way, and do not permit me wishing to destroy the well-inhabited city. Already have nine years of mighty Job passed away. And now the timbers of our ships have rotted, and the ropes have become untwisted. Our wives and infant-children sit in our dwellings expecting us, but to us the work for which we came hither remains unaccomplished, contrary to expectation. But come, as I shall recommend, let us all obey. Let us fly with the ships to our dear native land, for at no future time shall we take wide-wayed Troy. Thus he spoke, and to them he aroused the heart in their breasts, to all throughout the multitude, whoever had not heard his scheme, and the assembly was moved as the great ways of the Akarian sea, which indeed both the southeast wind and the south are wont to raise, rushing from the clouds of Father Jove. And as when the west wind agitates the thick-standing corn, rushing down upon it impetuous, and it the crop bends with its ears, so was all the assembly agitated. Some with shouting rust to the ships, but from beneath their feet the dust stood suspended aloft, and some exhorted one another to seize the vessels, and drag them to the great ocean, and they began to clear the channels. The shout of them, eager to return home, rose to the sky, and they withdrew the stays from beneath the vessels. Then truly a return had happened to the Argyves, had not Juneau addressed herself to Minerva. Alas, indomitable daughter of ages bearing Jove, thus now shall the Argyves fly home to their dear native land, over the broad back of the deep, and live to preem glory, and to their Trojan's Argyve Helen, on whose account many Greeks have perished at Troy far from their dear native land, but go now to the people of the brazen mailed Greeks, and restrain each man with their own flattering words, nor suffer them to launch to the sea their evenly plied barks. Thus she spoke, nor did the Azur-eyed goddess Minerva refuse compliance, but she, hastening, descended down from the summits of Olympus, and quickly reached the swift ships of the Achaeans. Then she found a Ulysses of equal weight with Joven council, standing still, nor was he touching his well-benched sablebark, since regret affected him in his heart and mind. But standing near him, Azur eyed Minerva said, Joves sprung sun of laertes, Ulysses of many wiles, thus then will ye fly home to your dear native land, embarking on your many benched ships, and will ye then leave to preem glory, and to the Trojan's Argyve Helen, on whose accounts many Greek have fallen at Troy far from their dear native land, but go now to the people of the Greeks, delay not, and restrain each man by thine own flattering words, nor suffer them to launch to the sea their evenly plied barks. Thus she spoke, but he knew the voice of the goddess speaking. Then he hastened to run, and cast away his cloak, but the herald Euribides, the Ithacensian who followed him, took it up, but he, meeting Agamemnon, son of Atreus, received from him the ever-imperishable paternal scepter with which he went through the ships of the brazen, mailed Greeks. Whatsoever king, indeed, or distinguished man he chanced to find standing beside him, he checked him with gentle words. Strange man, it ill becomes thee, cowardlike to be intrepidation, but both sit down myself and make the other people sit down. For thou hast not as yet clearly ascertained what the intention of Atreides is, he is now making trial of, and will quickly punish the sons of the Greeks. We have not all heard what he said in council. Take care, lest he, being in sense, do some mischief to the sons of the Greeks. For the anger of a jove-nurtured king is great. His honour, too, is from Jove, and great counselling Jove loves him. But on the other hand, whatever man of the common people he chanced to see, or find shouting out, him would he strike with the scepter and reprove with words. Fellow, sit quietly and listen to the voice of others who are better than thou, for thou art un-warlike and weak, nor ever of any account, either in war or in council. We Greeks cannot all by any means govern here, for a government of many is not a good thing. Let there be but one chief, one king, to whom the son of Wiley Saturn has given a scepter, and laws that he may govern among them. Thus he, acting as chief, was arranging the army. They again rushed with tummelt from the ships and tensed to an assembly, as when the waves of the much-resounding sea roared against the lofty beach and the deep resounds. The others indeed sat down and were kept to their respective seats, but their cities alone, immediate in words, was wrangling, who, to wit, knew in his mind expressions both unseemly and numerous, so as idly, and not according to discipline, to wrangle with the princes, but to blurt out whatever seemed to him to be matter of laughter to the Greeks. And he was the ugliest man who came to Ilium. He was bandy-legged and lame of one foot. His shoulders were crooked and contracted towards his breast, and his head was peaked towards the top, and thin woolly hair was scattered over it. To Achilles and Ulysses he was particularly hostile, for these two he used to revile. But on this occasion, shouting out shrilly, he uttered bitter taunts against noble Agamemnon, but the Greeks were greatly irritated against him, and were indignant in their minds. But, vociferating aloud, he reviled Agamemnon with words, Son of Atreus, of what dost thou now complain? Of what dost thou want? Thy tents are full of brass, and many chosen women are in thy tents, whom we Greeks bestow on thee the first of all, whenever we capture a city. Thus thou still require gold, which some one of the horse-taming Trojans shall bring from Troy as a ransom for his son, whom I or some other of the Greeks having bound may lead away, or a young maid that thou mayest be mingled in dalliance, and whom thou for thyself mayest retain apart from the rest? Indeed, it becomes not a man who is chief in command to lead the sons of the Greeks into evil. O ye soft ones, vile disgraces, Grecian dames, no longer Grecian men, let us return home, home with our ships, and let us leave him here to digest his honors at Troy, that he may know whether we really aid him in anything or not. He, who but just now has dishonored Achilles, a man much more valiant than himself, for taking away he retains his prize, he himself having seized it. But assuredly there is not much anger in the heart of Achilles, but he is forbearing. For truly were it not so, O son of Atreus, thou wouldest have insulted now for the last time. Thus spoke their cities, reviling, I command on, the shepherd of the people. But God like Ulysses immediately stood beside him, and eyeing him with scowling brow, reproached him with harsh language. Their cities, reckless babbler, noising declaimer thou though be, refrain nor be forward singly to strive with princes, for I affirm that there is not another mortal more base than thou, as many as came with the son of Atreus to Ilium. Wherefore do not harang, having kings in thy mouth, nor cast reproaches against them, nor be on the watch for a return. Not as yet indeed do we certainly know how these matters will turn out, whether we sons of the Greeks shall return to our advantage or disadvantage. Wherefore now thou sittest reviling, I command on, son of Atreus, the leader of the people, because the Grecian heroes give him very many gifts, whilst thou insulting dost harang. But I declare to thee which shall also be accomplished. If ever again I catch thee raving as now thou art, no longer may the head of Ulysses rest upon his shoulders, and no longer may I be called the father of Telemachus, unless I, seizing thee, divest thee of thy very garment, thy coat, thy cloak, and those which cover thy loins, and send thyself weeping to the swift ships, having beaten thee out of the assembly with severe blows. Thus he spoke and smote him with a scepter upon the back and the shoulders, but he writhed, and plentious tears fell from him, and a bloody wheel arose under the scepter upon his back, but he sat down and trembled, and grieving, looking foolish, he wiped away the tears. They, although chagrin'd, laughed heartily at him, and thus one would say, looking towards the person next to him, Oh, strange, surely ten thousand good things has Ulysses already performed, both originating good counsellors and arousing the war? But now has he done this by far the best deed among the Greeks, in that he has restrained this foul mouth reviler from his harangues? Surely his petulant mind will not again urge him to chide the kings with scurrilous language? Thus spake the multitude, but Ulysses, the sacchar of cities, arose, holding the scepter, and beside him as your eyed Minerva, likened unto a herald, ordered the people to be silent, that at the same time the sons of the Greeks, both first and last, might hear his speech and weigh his counsel. He, wisely counselling, addressed them and said, Oh, son of Atreus, the Greeks wish to render thee now, O King, the meanest among articulately speaking men, nor perform their promise to thee, a hundred which they held forth, coming hither from steed nourishing Argos, that thou shouldest return home, having destroyed well fortified Ilium. For, like tender boys or widowed men, they bewail unto one another to return home, and truly it is a hardship to return so, having been grieved. For he is impatient who is absent even for a single month from his wife, remaining with his many benched ship, though wintery storms and the boisterous sea may be hemming in, but to us it is now the ninth revolving year since we have been lingering here. Wherefore I am not indignant that the Greeks are growing impatient by their curved ships, but still it would be disgraceful both to remain here so long, and to return ineffectually, endure, my friends, and remain yet a while, that we may know whether Calcus prophesies truly or not. For this we well know, and ye are all witnesses, whom the fates of death carried not off yesterday and the day before, when the ships of the Greeks were collected at Aulis, bearing evils to Priam and the Trojans, and we round the fountain at the sacred altars, offered perfect hecatombs to the immortals beneath a beauteous plain tree, once flowed limpid water. There a great prodigy appeared, a serpent spotted on the back, horrible, which the Olympian himself had sent forth into the light, having glided out from beneath the altar, proceeded forthwith to the plain tree, and there were the young of a sparrow on a topmost branch, cowering amongst the foliage, eight in number, but the mother which had brought forth the young ones was the ninth. Thereupon he devoured them, twittering piteously, while the mother kept fluttering about, lamenting her dear young, but then having turned himself about, he seized her by the wing, screaming around, but after he had devoured the young of the sparrow and herself, the god who had displayed him rendered him very portentous, for the son of Wiley Saturn changed him into a stone, but we standing by were astonished at what happened, thus therefore the dreadful portents of the gods approached the hecatombs. Calcas then immediately addressed us, revealing from the gods, why are ye become silent ye waving crested Greeks? For us indeed, Providence Jove has shown a great sign of late accomplishment, the renown of which shall never perish, as this serpent has devoured the young of the sparrow, eight in number, and herself, the mother which brought out the brood, was the ninth, so must we for as many years wage war here, but in the tenth we shall take the wide wade city. He indeed thus harangued, and all these things are now in course of accomplishment, but come, ye well-greaved Greeks, remain all here until we shall take the great city of Priam. Thus he, Ulysses, spoke, and the Greeks loudly shouted, applauding the speech of divine Ulysses, but all around the ships echoed fearfully, by reason of the Greek shouting, then the Jerenian knight Nestor addressed them, O strange, assuredly now ye are talking like infant children, with whom war-like achievements are of no account, whether then will your compacts and oaths depart? Into the fire now must the councils and thoughts of men have sunk, and the unmixed libations and the right hands in which we trusted, for in vain do we dispute with words, nor can we discover any resource, although we have been here a long time, but do thou, O son of Atreus, maintaining as before thy purpose firm, command the Greeks in the hard-fought conflicts, and abandon those to perish, one and both, who, separated from the Greeks, are meditating, but success shall not attend them to return back to Argos, before they know whether the promise of ages bearing Jove be false or not. For I say that the powerful son of Saturn assented on that day, when the Argives embarked in their swift ships, bearing death and fate to the Trojans, flashing his lightning on the right, and showing propitious signs. Let not any one therefore hasten to return home, before each has slept with a Trojan wife, and has avenged the cares and griefs of Helen. But if any one is extravagantly eager to return home, let him lay hands upon his well-benched black ship, that he may draw on death and fate before others. But do thou thyself deliberate well, O king, and attend to another, nor shall the advice, which I am about to utter be discarded, separate the troops, Agamemnon, according to their tribes and clans, that kindred may support kindred and clan, if thou wilt thus act and the Greeks obey, thou wilt then ascertain which of the generals and which of the soldiers is a dastard, and which of them may be brave, for they will fight their best, and thou wilt likewise learn whether it is by the divine interposition that thou art destined not to dismantle the city, or by the cowardice of the troops, and their unskillfulness in war. But him answering, King Agamemnon addressed, Old man, now indeed, as at other times dost thou excel the sons of the Greeks and Council, for would, O Father Jov, Minerva, and Apollo, that I were possessed of ten such fellow counsellors among the Greeks, so should the city of Priam quickly fall, captured and destroyed by our hands, but upon me hath Aegis bearing Jov, the son of Saturn, sent Sorrow, who casts me into unavailing strife and contingent, for I and Achilles have quarrelled on account of a maid with opposing words, but I began whorling. But if ever we shall consult in common, no longer then shall there be a respite from evil to the Trojans. No, not for ever so short a time. Now go to your repast, that we may join the battle, but let each one well sharpen his spear, and well prepare his shield. Let him give fodder to his swift-footed steeds, and let each one, looking well to his chariot, get ready for war, that we may contend all day in the dreadful battle, nor shall there be a cessation, not for ever so short a while, until night coming on shall part the wrath of the heroes. The belt of the man protecting shield shall be moist with sweat around the breasts of each one, and he shall weary his hand round his spear, and each one's horse shall sweat, dragging the well-polished chariot. But whomsoever I shall perceive desirous to remain at the beaked ships, apart from the battle, it will not be possible for him afterwards to escape the dogs and the birds. Thus he spoke, but the Argives shouted aloud, as when a wave roars against the seep shore, when the south wind urges it, coming against an out-jutting rock, for this the billows from all kinds of winds never forsake, when they may be here or there, and rising up the people hastened forth, scattered from ship to ship, and raised up smoke among the tents, and took repast, and one sacrificed to some one of the immortal gods, and another to another, praying to escape death and the slaughter of war. But King Agabemnon offered up a fat ox of five years old to the powerful son of Saturn, and summoned the elder chiefs of all the Greeks, Nestor first of all, and King Dominaeus, but next the two Ajaxes, and the son of Tideus, and sixth Ulysses of equal weight with Joven Council, but Menelaus, valiant in the din of war, came of his own accord, for he knew his brother in his heart, how he was oppressed. Then they stood around the ox, and raised up the pounded barley cakes, and King Agamemnon, praying amidst them, said, O joy's most glorious, most great dark cloud collector dwelling in the air, may not the sunset nor darkness come on, before I have laid prostrate Priam's hall, blazing, and consumed its gates with the hostile fire, and cut away Hector's coat of mail around his breast, split asunder with the brass, and around him may many comrades, prone in the dust, seize the earth with their teeth. Thus he spoke, nor as yet did the son of Saturn assent, but he accepted the offering, and increased abundant toil, but after they had prayed, and thrown forward the bruised barley, they first drew back the neck of the victim, slew it, and flayed it, then cut out the thighs, and covered them in the fat, having arranged it in a double-fold, and then laid the raw flesh upon them, and they roasted them upon leafless billets, next having pierced the entrails with spits, they held them over the fire, but then after the thighs were roasted, and they had tasted the entrails, they cut the rest of them into small pieces, and fixed them on the spits, and roasted them skillfully, and drew them all off the spits, but when they had ceased from labor, and had prepared the banquet, they feasted, nor did their soul in any wise lack a due allowance of the feast, but when they had dismissed the desire of drink and food, them the Jirenian knight Nestor began to address, Most glorious, son of Atreus, like a memnon, king of men, let us now no longer sit waiting here, nor let us long defer the work which the deity now delivers into our hands, but come, let the heralds of the brazen, mailed Greeks summoning the people, assemble them at the ships, and let us thus in a body pass through the wide army of the Greeks, that we may the sooner awaken keen warfare. Thus he spoke, nor did Agamemnon king of men refuse compliance, immediately he ordered the clear-voiced heralds to summon the waving-crested Greeks to battle. These then gave the summons, and they were hastily assembled, and the Jove-nurtured kings, who were with the son of Atreus, kept hurrying about arranging them, but amongst them was Azur-Aid Minerva, holding the inestimable Aegis, which grows not old, and is immortal, from which one hundred golden fringes were suspended, all well-woven, and each worth a hundred oxen in price, with this she, looking fiercely about, traversed the host of the Greeks, inciting them to advance, and kindled strength in the breast of each to fight, and contend unceasingly. Thus war became instantly sweeter to them than the return in the hollow ships to their dear native land. As when a destructive fire consumes an immense forest upon the tops of a mountain, and the gleam is seen from afar, so as they advanced, the radiance from the beaming brass glittering on all sides reached heaven through the air, and of these, like as the numerous nations of winged fowl, of geese, or cranes, or long-necked swans on the Asian mead by the waters of Caster, fly on this side and on that, desporting with their wings, alighting beside each other, clamorously, and the meadow resounds, so the numerous nations of these, the Greeks, from the ships and tents, poured themselves forth into the plain of Scamander, countless, as the flowers and leaves are produced in spring. As the numerous swarms of clustering flies which congregate round the shepherd's pen in the spring season, when, too, the milk overflows the pails, so numerous stood the headcrested Greeks upon the plain against the Trojans, eager to break their lines, and these, as goat herds easily separate the broad flocks of the goats, when they are mingled in the pasture, so did the generals here and there marshal them to go to battle, and among them commander Agamemnon resembling as to his eyes and head the thunder-delighting Job, as to his middle Mars, and as to his rest Neptune. As a bull in the herd is greatly eminent above all, for he surpasses the collected cattle, such on that they did Job render Agamemnon distinguished amongst many, and conspicuous amongst heroes. Tell me now ye muses who possess the Olympian mansions, for ye are goddesses and are ever present, and can all things, whilst we hear but a rumour, nor know anything, who were the leaders and chiefs of the Greeks. For I could not recount nor tell the multitude, not even if ten tongues and ten mouths were mine, not though a voice unwearied, and the brazen heart were within me, unless the Olympic muses, daughters of agesbearing Job, reminded me of how many came to Ilium. However, I will rehearse the cabanders of the ships, and all the ships. The catalogue of the ships. Phineleus and Lytus, and Archeselaus, and Prothaeonor, and Clonius commanded the Bialtians, both those who tilled Hyrie, and Rocky Aulus, and Shurnus, and Sholos, and Hilly Aetaeonus, Thespia, Greia, and the ample plain of Mycalisus, and those who dwell about Harma, and Elessius, and Erythra, and those who possessed Eleon, Hyle, Pateon, Ocalaea, and the well-built city Medaeon, Copeia, Eutresus, and Thysbe, abounding in doves, and those who possessed Coronaea, and Grassy, Hilartus, and Plataea, and those who inhabited Glyssa, and those who dwelt in Hypothabia, the well-built city, and in sacred Oncestus, the beauteous grove of Neptune, and those who inhabited Grapeclustered Arna, and those who inhabited Medea, and Divine Nyssa, and Remote Anthodon, fifty ships of these went to Troy, and in each embarked a hundred and twenty Boeotian youths, those who inhabited Asplodon, and the Minaeon, or Commonus, these Aescalophus and Aelmenus, the sons of Mars, led, whom Estioki bore to powerful Mars in the house of actor, Son of Azis, a modest virgin, when she ascended the upper part of her father's house, but the god secretly embraced her, of these thirty hollow ships went in order. Moreover, Sceedius and Epistrophus, sons of Magnanimus, Iphetus, the son of Noblesus, led the Focians, who possessed Soparesus, and Rocky Python, and Divine Crissa, and Daulus, and Panopaea, and those who dwelt round Anemoria and Hyampolus, and near the sacred river Cephasus, and those who possessed Lelea at the sources of Cephasus, with these forty dark ships followed, they indeed, going round, arranged the lines of the Focians, and they were drawn up in array near the Boeotians, and towards the left wing. Swift-footed Ajax, the son of Oileus, was leader of the Locrians, less in stature than, and not so tall as Ajax, the son of Telemon, but much less. He was small indeed, wearing a linen coarselet, but in the use of the spear he surpassed all the Hellenys and Achaeans, who inhabited Sinus, Opus, Chelyaris, Bessa, Scarpha, and the Pleasant Ogia, and Tarpha, and Thronium, around the streams of Boagreus. But with him, forty dark ships of the Locrians followed, who dwelt beyond the sacred Euboea. The Abantes, breathing strength, who possessed Euboea and Chalchus, and Eretria, and grape-clustered Histaea, and Maritime Serendus, and the towering city of Dium, and those who inhabited Caristus and Styra, the leader of these was Elephanor, of the line of Mars, the son of Chalcadon, the magnanimous prince of the Abantes. With him, the swift Abantes followed, with flowing locks behind, warriors killed with pretended spears of ash, to break the coarselets on the breasts of their enemies. With him, forty dark ships followed. Those besides who possessed Athens, the well-built city, the state of the magnanimous Eurethius, whom Minerva, the daughter of Jove, formerly nursed, but him the bounteous earth brought forth, and settled at Athens in her own rich temple. There the sons of the Athenians, in revolving years, appease her with sacrifices of bowls and lambs. Them, Anestheus, son of Pateus commanded. No man upon the earth was equal to him, in marshaling steeds, and shielded warriors in battle. Nestor alone abide with him, for he was elder. With him, fifty dark ships followed. But Ajax led twelve ships from Salamis, and leading arranged them where the phalanxies of the Athenians were drawn up. Those who possessed Argus and well-fortified Tyrens, Hermione, and which encircled the assigned deep bay, Troazine, and Aeonia, and vine-planted Epidaurus, and those who possessed Aegina and Macy's Achaean youths. Their leader was then Diomedes, brave in war, and Suthenolus, the dear son of much-renowned Copaeneus. And with these went Uryllus, the third, god-like man, the son of Mesistius, Thelaus's son, and all these Diomedes brave in war commanded. With these, eighty dark ships followed. Those who possessed Mycenae, the well-built city, and the wealthy Corinth, and well-built Cleonea, and those who inhabited Ornia, and Pleasant Euryythria, and Sisyon, were adrastus first reigned, and those who possessed Hyperessia, and Lafti Gonoessa, and Pelene, and those who inhabited Aegeum, and all along the sea coast, and about spacious Helicy, of these, King Agamemnon, the son of Atreus commanded a hundred ships, and with him by far the most and bravest troops followed. And he had clothed himself in dazzling brass, exulting in his glory, that he shone conspicuous amongst all heroes, for he was the most eminent, and led by far the most numerous troops. But those who possessed Great Lysidamon, full of clefs, and pharise, and sparta, and dove-abounding messa, and Brzeea, and Pleasant Ogeia, and those who possessed Mycleia and Helos, a maritime city, and those who possessed Laas, and dwelt around Oetilus, of these, his brother Menelaus, brave in battle, commanded sixty ships, but they were armed apart from Agamemnon's forces, amidst them he himself went, confiding in his valor, inciting them to war, but especially he desired in his soul to avenge the remorse of Helen and her groans. Those who inhabited Pylos, and Pleasant Oreni, and Thryos, by the fort of Alvoius, and well-built Api, and Cyprus, and Amphigenia, and Plataeum, and Helos, and Dorium, and there it was amuses meeting the Thracian Thamyrus, as he was coming from the Euclidean Eurytus, caused him to cease his song, for he avared, boasting, that he could obtain the victory, even though the muses themselves, the daughters of Aegis-bearing Jove, should sing. But they, enraged, made him blind, and moreover deprived him of his power of singing, and caused him to forget the minstrel These, the Jirenian horsemen, Nestor commanded, and with him, ninety hollow ships proceeded in order. Those who possessed Arcadia, under the breezy mountain of Seleni, near the tomb of Aepitus, where are close fighting heroes, those who inhabited Phenaeus, and sheep abounding Orca Manus, and Strati, and windswept Anispe, and who possessed Hagueia, and Pleasants and Tineia, and those who held Stamphalus, and dwelt in Pahesi. Of these, King Agapanor, the son of Ancaeus, commanded sixty ships, but aboard each ship went many Arcadian heroes skilled in war, but the son of Atreus Agamemnon himself, the king of heroes, gave them the well-benched ships to pass over the Dark Sea, since they had no care of naval works. Those who inhabited Upracium and Noble Elis, as much as Germany, and distant merceness, and the Elenian rock and Elysium contained within, of these leaders were four, but ten swift ships followed each hero, and many Apaians went to aboard them. Amphimicus and Thalpeus, sons the one of Cetatus, and the other of Eurytus, actor's son, commanded some. Brave Diorus, son of Amyrannicius, commanded others, and godlike Polyxonus, son of Agastonis, the son of Augeus, commanded the fourth division. Those from Dalychium and the Echinades, sacred islands which lie beyond the sea, facing Elys. Over these presided Magus, son of Phileus, equal to Mars, whom the knight Phileus, beloved by Jov Begat, who, enraged against his father, once on a time, removed to Dalychium, with him forty dark ships followed. Moreover, Ulysses led the magnanimous Cephalanians, those who possessed Ithaca and leaf-quivering Niritos, and who dwelt in Croclea and rugged Aegylips, and those who possessed Zachynthus, and those who inhabited Samos, and those who possessed the continent and dwelt in the places lying opposite. These, Ulysses commanded, equal to Joven Council, with him, followed twelve red-sided ships. Thoas, son of Andreumon, led the Aetolians, those who inhabited Pluron and Olinus and Pylini, and Maritime Chalcus and Rocky Caledon, for the sons of magnanimous Olinus were no more, nor was he himself surviving. Moreover, fair-haired Malagar was dead, to him Thoas, therefore, was entrusted the chief command to rule the Aetolians, and with him forty dark ships followed. Spear-renowned Edomeneus commanded the Cretans, those who possessed Gnosis and well-walled Gortyna, and Lyctos, and Miletus, and White Lycastus, and Faistus, and Reteum, well-inhabited cities, and others who inhabited the Hundred-towned Crete, these spear-famed Edomeneus commanded, and Mirionus, equal to Manslaying Mars, with these followed eighty dark ships. But Telepolemus, the brave and great descendant of Hercules, led from Rhodes, nine ships of the haughty Rodians, those who inhabited Rhodes, arranged in three bands, Lindus, and Ilysis, and White Cameras. These spear-famed Telepolemus led, he whom Astiokia brought forth to the might of Hercules, whom Astiokia he, Hercules, carried out of Ephrae. From the river Celeus, after having laid waste to many cities of nobly descended youths, now Telepolemus, after he had been trained up in the well-built palaces, straightway, slew the beloved uncle of his father, Lycemenius, now grown old, a branch of Mars, and instantly he built a fleet, and having collected many troops, he departed, flying over the ocean, for him the sons and grandsons of the might of Hercules had threatened. And he indeed came wandering to Rhodes, suffering woes, and they, divided into three parts, dwelt in tribes, and were beloved of Job, who rules over gods and men, and on them the Son of Saturn poured down immense wealth. Nairius, moreover, led three equal ships from Siami, Nairius, Son of Aglaea, and King Charopus, Nairius, the fairest of men that came to Ilium, of all the other Greeks, next to the unblemished son of Palaeus, but he was feeble, and few troops followed him. But those who possessed Nyserus and Crapathus, and Cossus and Cossus, the city of Eurypilus, and the Calednae Isles, Fidipus and Antiphus, both sons of the Thessalian king, the sons of Hercules commanded, thirty hollow ships of these went in order. But now, omus, recount those, as many as inhabited, Pallasgian Argos, both those who dwelt in allos and allope, and Trecin, and those who possessed Futhia, and Helus, famous for fair dames. But they are called Myrmidons, and Helenees, and Achaeans, of fifty ships of these was Achilles' chief. But they remembered not dire-sounding war. For there was no one who might lead them to their ranks, for swift-footed Achilles lay at the ships, enraged on account of the fair-haired maids, Brzeus, whom he carried away from Lernesus, after having suffered many labours, and having laid waste Lernesus, and the walls of Thebes, and he killed Mynetes, and Spear killed Epistrophus, sons of King Evernus, the son of Celepius. On her account, he lay grieving, but speedily, was he about to be roused. Those who possessed Fleissa and Flore Pyrrhasus, the consecrated ground of Ceres, and Aethon, the mother of sheep, Maritime Antron, and Grasi Ptellon. These wore like Prothesilaus whilst he lived commanded, but him the black earth then possessed. His wife, lacerated all around, had been left at Fleissi, and his palace half-finished, for a Trojan man slew him as he leapt ashore from his ship much the first of the Greeks. Nor were they, however, without a leader, although they longed for their own leader, for Gallant Podarses marshalled them. Podarses, son of sheep-abounding Iphiclus, the son of Elasus, own a brother of magnanimous Prothesilaus, younger by birth, but the warlike hero Prothesilaus was older and braver. His troops wanted not a leader, but lamented him, being brave, with him forty dark ships followed. Those who inhabited Fyre, by the lake Boeibis, Boeibi, and Glyphreia, and well-built Iolkis, these Eumilis, the beloved son of Admetus, commanded in eleven ships, whom Alchestis, divine amongst women, most beautiful in form of the daughters of Pelias, brought forth by Admetus. Those who inhabited Methoni, and Thalmasia, and possessed Meleboea, and rugged Olizon, these Philoctetes, well-skilled in archery, commanded in seven ships. Fifty sailors well-skilled in archery went on board each to fight valiantly, but he lay in an island enduring bitter pangs in divine Lemnos, where the sons of the Greeks had left him suffering with the evil sting of a deadly serpent. There he lay grieving, but soon were the archives at the ships destined to remember their king Philoctetes, nor were they, however, without a leader, though they longed for their own leader. But Medon, the bastard son of Olias, whom Reina brought forth by city-wasting Olias, marshalled them. Those who possessed Thricca and Heli-ithomi, and those who possessed Oeculia, the city of the Oeculian Eurytis, Podolarius and Machaun, two excellent physicians, both sons of Esculapius, led these, with them thirty hollow ships went in order. Those who possessed Ormanium and the Fountain Hyperia, and those who possessed Asterium and the White Tops of Titanus, these Euripilus, the brave son of Avaman, commanded, with him forty dark ships followed. Those who possessed Argusa and inhabited Gertoni and Orthae and Elone and the White City of Luson, these, the Stout Warrior Polypoitus, son of Pyrethus, whom immortal Jovbegat commanded, him renowned Hippodamia brought forth by Pyrethus on the day when he took vengeance on the Shaggy centaurs, and drove them from Mount Pelion and chased them to the Aethicians. He was not the only leader, with him commanded warlike Leontius, son of Magnanimus Coronus, the son of Coenius, with these forty dark ships followed. But Cainius led two and twenty ships from Cyprus, him the Aeneanus followed, and the Parabii, Stout warriors, who placed their habitations by Chilly Dodona, and those who tilled the fields about delightful Titerusius, which pours its fair flowing stream into the Penaeus, nor is it mingled with silver-edied Penaeus, but flows on the surface of it like oil. For it is a streamlet of the Stygian wave, the dreadful pledge of oath. For those, son of Tenthredon, commanded the Magnetes, who dwell about the Penaeus and leaf-quivering Pelion, these, swift Prothous led, and with him forty dark ships followed. These then were the leaders and chieftains of the Greeks. Do thou then, O Muse, tell me who was the most excellent of these, of the kings and their steeds, who followed the son of Atreus to Troy, the steeds of the descendant of Ferris, were indeed by far the most excellent, which Emulus drove, swift as birch, like in hair, like in age, and level in height of back by the plum-line, these, bearing with them the terror of Mars both mares, silver-boat Apollo fed in Pyrrhea. Of the heroes, Telemonian Ajax was by far the best, whilst Achilles continued wrathful, for he was by far the bravest, and the steeds which bore the irreproachable son of Pelius surpassed those of Emulus, but he, on his part, lay in his dark sea traversing ships, breathing wrath against the son of Atreus Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people. But his forces, meantime, amused themselves with coits and javelins, hurling them and with their bows, and their steeds stood, each near his chariot, feeding on lotus and lake-fed parsley, and the well-faceted chariots lay in the tents of their lords, but they, longing for their war-like chief, wandered hither and thither through the camp, and did not fight. But they went along as if the whole earth was being fed upon by fire, and the earth groaned beneath, as in honor of thunder rejoicing Jove when angry, when he strikes the earth around Typhoeus and Aramea, where they say is the tomb of Typhoeus. Thus indeed beneath their feet the earth groaned mightily, as they went, and very swift they passed over the plain. But swift-footed Iris came from Aegisbearing Jove, a messenger to the Trojans, with a woeful announcement. They all, collected together, both young and old, were holding councils at the gates of Priam. But swift-footed Iris, standing near, accosted them, and she likened herself in voice to the Polites, son of Priam, who, trusting to the swiftness of his feet, sat at watch for the Trojans on the top of the tomb of old Aesaitus, watching when the Greeks should set forth from the ships. To him, having likened herself, swift-footed Iris addressed them, Old man, ever are injudicious words pleasing to thee, as formerly in time of peace, but now has an inevitable war arisen. Truly I have already very often been present at the conflicts of heroes, but never have I beheld such brave and numerous forces, for very like unto the leaves or the sand proceed they through the plain about to fight for the city. Hector, for it is to thee, in particular I give advice, and do thou act thus. For many are the allies through the great city of Priam, and different are the languages of the widely-spread men. Let then each hero command those of whom he is the chief, but do thou, marshaling the citizens, be leader of them. Thus she said, but Hector was not ignorant of the voice of the goddess, and he instantly dismissed the council, and they rushed to arms, and the portals were opened and the troops rushed out, both foot and horse, and much tumult arose. Now there is a certain lofty mound before the city, far in the plain, that may be run round, which men indeed call Batia, but the immortals, the tomb of Nimbly springing Marina. There the Trojans and their allies were then marshalled separately. The Trojans, in the first place, great helmet nodding Hector, son of Priam, commanded, with him far the most numerous and the bravest troops were armed, ardent with their spears. The Dardanians, in the next place Aenus, the gallant son of Ankeses, commanded him to the Ankeses the divine goddess Venus Bohr, couched with him a mortal on the tops of Ida. Not alone, but with him the two sons of Antonor, Archilochus and Achimus, skilled in every kind of fight. But the Trojans who inhabited Zelaya, beneath the lowest foot of Ida, wealthy and drinking the dark water of Asipus, these, Pandaris, the valiant son of Lechaion, commanded, to whom even Apollo himself gave his bow. Those who possessed Andrastae and the city of Apestus and possessed Pitya and the lofty mountain Tirsia, these Andrastas and linen-mailed Ampheus, commanded, the two sons of Prakosian Merobs, who was skilled in prophecy above all others, nor was he willing to suffer his sons to go into the man-destroying fight. But they did not obey him, for the fates of sable death impelled them. Those who dwelt around Prakoti and Prakteus, and possessed Cestus and Avidus and divine Orizbe, these Aseus, son of Hirtakus, prince of heroes, commanded, Aseus, son of Hirtakus, whom large and fiery steeds bore from Orizbe, from the river Selaus. Hippothoas led the tribes of the spear-skilled Plesgians of those who inhabited Fertil Larissa. Hippothoas and Palaeus of the line of Mars, the two sons of Plesgian Lethus, son of Tutamus, commanded these. But Akamas and the hero Peros led the Thracians, all that the rapidly flowing Hellespont confines within. Ephemis, son of the heaven-descended Trozenus, son of Seas, was commander of the war-like Cessonis. But Pyrechmes led the Paeonians, who used darts fastened by a thong, far from Amidon, from wide-flowing Axeus, from Axeus, whose stream is diffused, the fairest over the earth. But the sturdy heart of Palaemones, from the Aneti, whence is the race of wild mules, led the Paflagonians, those who possessed Cytorus, and dwelt around Cessimus, and inhabited the famous dwellings around the river Parthenius, and Chromna, Aegealis, and the lofty Erythony Hills. But Hodeus and Epistropus, far from Alibi, whence is a rich product of silver, commanded the Hellazonians. Chromus and the Augur Anomus commanded the Mycians, but he avoided not-sable death through his skill and augury, for he was laid low by the hands of Achilles in the river, where he made havoc of the other Trojans also. Forces and godlike Ascanius, far from the Ascania, led the Phrygians, and the eagerly desired to engage in battle. But Mesthales and Antiphas led the Maeonians, both sons of Telemeneus, whom the lake Gaegia bore, these led the Maeonians, born beneath Mount Tumulus. Nasties commanded the barbarus-voiced Carians, who possessed Miletus, and the leaf-topped mountain of Perthiri, and the streams of Meander, and the lofty tops of Mycali. These indeed, Amphimachus, and Nasties commanded. Nasties and Manphimachus, the famous sons of Nomeon, who foolish, went to battle decked with gold, like a young girl, nor did this by any means ward off bitter death. But he was laid low by the hands of the swift-footed son of Achus at the river, and warlike Achilles took away the gold. But Sarpodon and Galant Glaucus from Lycea afar, from the Eddying Xanthus, led the Lyceans.