Book 1 of the Iliad This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Iliad by Homer Translated by Samuel Butler Book 1 Recording by Joshua Christensen The Quarrel between Agamemnon and Achilles Achilles withdraws from the war and sends his mother Thedas to ask Jove to help the Trojans, seen between Jove and Juno on Olympus. Seeing, O goddess, the anger of Achilles, son of Palaeus, that brought countless ills upon the Achaeans, many a brave soul did it send hurrying down to Hades, and many a hero did it yield a prey to dogs and vultures, for so were the councils of Jove fulfilled from the day on which the son of Atreus, king of men and great Achilles, first fill out with one another. And which of the gods was it that set them on to Quarrel? It was the son of Joven Leto, for he was angry with the king and sent a pestilence upon the host to plague the people, because the son of Atreus had dishonored Crises, his priest. Now Crises had come to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and had brought with him a great ransom. Moreover, he bore in his hand the scepter of Apollo, wreathed with the suppliant's wreath, and he besought the Achaeans, but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who were their chiefs. Sons of Atreus, he cried, and all other Achaeans, may the gods who dwell in Olympus grant you to sack the city of Priam and to reach your homes in safety, but free my daughter and accept a ransom for her in reverence to Apollo, son of Jove. On this, the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered, but not so Agamemnon, who spoke fiercely to him, and sent him roughly away. Old man, said he, let me not find you terrying about our ships, nor yet coming hereafter.  I will not free her. She shall grow old in my house at Argos, far from her own home, busying herself with her loom and visiting my couch. So go, and do not provoke me, or it shall be the worse for you. The old man feared him and obeyed. Not a word he spoke, but went by the shore of the sounding sea and prayed apart to King Apollo, whom lovely Leto had borne. Hear me, he cried, O God of the silver bow, the protectist, Chrissy, and holy Scylla, and ruleous Tenedos with thy might. Hear me, O thou of Smyntha.  Thus did he pray, and Apollo heard his prayer. He came down furious from the summits of Olympus, with his bow and his quiver upon his shoulder, and the arrows rattled on his back with the rage that trembled within him. He sat himself down away from the ships, with a face as dark as night, and his silver bow rang death as he shot his arrow in the midst of them. First he smote their mules and their hounds, but presently he aimed his shafts at the people themselves, and all day long the pyres of the dead were burning. For nine whole days he shot his arrows among the people, but upon the tenth day Achilles called them in assembly, moved there too by Juno, who saw the Achaeans in their deathrows and had compassion upon them. Then, when they were got together, he rose and spoke among them. Son of Atreus said he, I deem that we should now turn roving home if we would escape destruction, for we are being cut down by war and pestilence at once. Let us ask some priest or prophet, or some reader of dreams, for dreams too are of Jove, who can tell us why Phoebus Apollo is so angry, and say whether it is for some vow that we have broken, or hecatome that we have not offered, and whether he will accept the savor of lambs and goats without blemish so as to take away the plague from us. With these words he sat down, and Calcas, son of Thastor, wisest of augurs, who knew things past, present, and to come, rose to speak. He it was who he guided the Achaeans with their fleet to Ilias, through the prophesies of which Phoebus Apollo had inspired him. With all sincerity and good will he addressed them thus. Achilles, loved of heaven, you bid me tell you about the anger of King Apollo. I will therefore do so, but consider first and swear that you will stand by me heartily in word and deed, for I know that I shall offend one who rules the Argives with might, to whom all the Achaeans are in subjection. A plain man cannot stand against the anger of a king, who if he swallow his displeasure now, will yet nurse revenge till he has wreaked it. Consider, therefore, whether or no you will protect me.  No, not though you name Agamemnon himself, who is by far the foremost of the Achaeans. Thereon the Seer spoke boldly. The God, he said, is angry neither about thou nor Hecatom, but for his priests' sake, whom Agamemnon has dishonored, in that he would not free his daughter nor take a ransom for her. Therefore he has sent these evils upon us, and will yet send others. He will not deliver the Deneans from this pestilence, till Agamemnon has restored the girl without fee or ransom to her father, and has sent a holy Hecatom to Chrissy. Thus we may perhaps appease him. With these words he sat down, and Agamemnon rose in anger.  You have brought me neither comfort nor performance, and now you come seeing among the Deneans, and saying that Apollo has plagued us because I would not take a ransom for this girl, the daughter of Crysis. I have set my heart on keeping her in my own house, for I love her better even than my own wife Clemenestra, whose peer she is alike in form and feature, in understanding and accomplishments. Still, I will give her up if I must, for I would have the people live not die, but you must find me a prize instead, or I alone among the Argives shall be without one. This is not well, for you behold, all of you, that my prize is to go else with her. And Achilles answered, Most noble son of Atreus, covetous beyond all mankind, how shall the Achaeans find you another prize? We have no common store from which to take one. Those we took from the cities have been awarded. We cannot disallow the awards that have been made already. Give this girl therefore to the God, and if ever Jove grants us to sack the city of Troy, we will requite you three and fourfold. Then Agamemnon said, Achilles, valiant though you be, you shall not thus outwith me. You shall not overreach, and you shall not persuade me. Are you to keep your own prize, while I sit tamely under my loss, and give up the girl at your bidding? Let the Achaeans find me a prize in fair exchange to my liking, or I will come and take your own, or that of Ajax or of Ulysses, and he to whomsoever I may come shall rue my coming. But of this we will take thought hereafter. For the present, let us draw a ship into the sea, and find a crew for her expressly. Let us put a hecatom on board, and let us send Chryseus also. Further, let some chief man among us be in command, either Ajax, or Idominius, or yourself, son of Palaeus, mighty warrior that you are, that we may offer sacrifice and appease the anger of the God. Achilles scowled at him and answered, you are steeped in insolence and lust of gain, with what heart can any of the Achaeans do your bidding, either on foray or in open fighting? I came not warring here for any ill the Trojans had done me, I had no quarrel with them. They have not raided my cattle nor my horses, nor cut down my harvests on the rich plains of Pythia. For between me and them there is a great space, both mountain and sounding sea. We have followed you, sir insolence, for your pleasure, not ours, to gain satisfaction from the Trojans for your shameless self and for Menelaus. You forget this and threaten to rob me of the prize for which I have toiled and which the sons of the Achaeans have given me. Never when the Achaeans sack any rich city of the Trojans do I receive so good a prize as you do, though it is my hands that do the better part of the fighting. When the sharing comes, your share is far the largest and I, forsooth, must go back to my ships, take what I can get and be thankful when my labor of fighting is done. Now, therefore, I shall go back to Pythia. It will be much better for me to return home with my ships, for I will not stay here dishonored to gather gold and substance for you. And Agamemnon answered, Fly, if you will, I shall make you no prayers to stay you. I have others here who will do me honour and above all Jove, the Lord of Council.  What, though you be brave, was it not heaven that made you so? Go home, then, with your ships and comrades to lord it over the Mermidans. I care neither for you nor for your anger, and thus will I do. Since Phoebus Apollo is taking Craceus from me, I shall centre with my ship and my followers, but I shall come to your tent and take your own prize, Braceus, that you may learn how much stronger I am than you are and that another may fear to set himself up as equal or comparable with me.  While he was thus in two minds and was drawing his mighty sword from its scabbard, Minerva came down from heaven, for Juno had centre in the love she bore to them both, and seized the son of Palaeus by his yellow hair, visible to him alone, for of the others no man could see her. Achilles turned in amaze, and by the fire that flashed from her eyes it once knew that she was Minerva. Why are you here, said he, daughter of Aegeus Beringjove, to see the pride of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? Let me tell you, and it shall surely be, he shall pay for this insolence with his life. And Minerva said, I come from heaven, if you will hear me, to bid you stay your anger. Juno has sent me, who cares for both of you alike. Cease, then, this brawling, and do not draw your sword. Rail at him, if you will, and your railing will not be vain, for I tell you, and it shall surely be, that you shall hear after receive gifts three times as splendid by reason of this present insult. Hold, therefore, and obey. God is, answered Achilles, however angry a man may be, he must do as you two command him. This will be best, for the gods ever hear the prayers of him who has obeyed them. He stayed his hand on the silver hilt of his sword, and thrust it back into the scabbard as Minerva bait him. Then she went back to Olympus among the other gods, and to the house of Aegeus Beringjove. But the son of Palaeus again began railing at the son of Atreus, for he was still in a rage. Wine-bibber, he cried, with the face of a dog and the heart of a hind, you never dared to go out with a host in fight, nor yet with our chosen men in ambuscade. You shun this as you do death itself.   Otherwise, son of Atreus, henceforward you would insult no man. Therefore I say, and swear it with a great oath. Nay, by this my scepter which shall sprout neither leaf nor shoot, nor but anew from the day on which it left its parent's stem upon the mountains, for the axe stripped it of leaf and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans bear it as judges and guardians of the decrees of heaven. So surely and solemnly do I swear that hereafter they shall look fondly for Achilles and shall not find him. In the day of your distress, when your men fall dying by the murderous hand of Hector, you shall not know how to help them, and shall rend your heart with rage for the hour when you offered insult to the bravest of the Achaeans. With this, the son of Palaeus dashed his gold-bestudded scepter on the ground and took his seat, while the son of Atreus was beginning fiercely from his place upon the other side. Then up rose smooth-tongued Nestor, the facile speaker of the Palaeans, and the words fell from his lips sweeter than honey. Two generations of men, born and bred in Pylos, had passed away under his rule, and he was now reigning over the third. With all sincerity and goodwill, therefore, he addressed them thus. Of a truth, he said, a great sorrow has befallen the Achaean land. Surely Priam with his sons would rejoice, and the Trojans be glad at heart if they could hear this quarrel between you two, who are so excellent in fight and counsel. I am older than either of you, therefore be guided by me. Moreover, I have been the familiar friend of men even greater than you are, and they did not disregard my counsels. Never again can I behold such men as Pyrethus and Dryas, shepherd of his people, or as Caneus, Exadius, godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus, son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. These were the mightiest men ever born upon this earth. Mightiest were they, and when they fought the fiercest tribes of mountain savages, they utterly overthrew them. I came from distant Pylos, and went about among them, for they would have me come, and I fought as was in me to do. Not a man now living could withstand them, but they heard my words, and were persuaded by them. So be it also with yourselves, for this is the more excellent way. Therefore, Agamemnon, though you be strong, take not this girl away, for the sons of the Achaeans have already given her to Achilles. And you Achilles, strive not further with the king, for no man who by the grace of Jove wields a scepter has like honor with Agamemnon. You are strong and have a goddess for your mother, but Agamemnon is stronger than you, for he has more people under him. Son of Aetreus, check your anger I implore you. End this quarrel with Achilles, who in the day of battle is a tower of strength to the Achaeans. And Agamemnon answered, Sir, all that you have said is true, but this fellow must needs become our lord and master.  Granted that the gods have made him a great warrior, have they also given him the right to speak with railing? Achilles interrupted him. I should be a mean coward, he cried, were I to give in to you in all things? Order other people about, not me, for I shall obey no longer. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, I shall fight neither you nor any man about this girl, for those that take were those also that gave. But of all else that is at my ship, you shall carry away nothing by force. Try that others may see, if you do my spear shall be reddened with your blood. When they had quarrelled thus angrily, they rose and broke up the assembly at the ships of the Achaeans. The son of Pilius went back to his tents and ships with the son of Menouetius and his company, while Agamemnon drew a vessel into the water and chose a crew of twenty oarsmen. He escorted Chrisaeus on board and sent more over a hecatome for the god, and Ulysses went as captain. These then went on board and sailed their ways over the sea. But the son of Atreus bade the people purify themselves. So they purified themselves and cast their filth into the sea. Then they offered hecatomes of bulls and goats without blemish on the seashore and the smoke with the savor of their sacrifice rose curling up towards heaven. Thus did they busy themselves to the host. But Agamemnon did not forget the threat that he had made Achilles and called his trusty messengers and squires Talthybius and Euribides. Go, said he, to the tent of Achilles, son of Pilius. Take Briseaeus by the hand and bring her hither. If he will not give her, I shall come with others and take her, which will press him harder. He charged them straightly further and dismissed them, whereon they went their way sorrowfully by the seaside till they came to the tents and ships of the myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting by his tent in his ships and ill-pleased he was when he beheld them. They stood fearfully and reverently before him and never a word did they speak, but he knew them and said, Welcome, heralds, messengers of gods and men. Draw near. My quarrel is not with you, but with Agamemnon, who has sent you for the girl Briseaeus. Therefore, Patroclus, bring her and give her to them, but let them be witnesses by the blessed gods, by mortal men and by the fierceness of Agamemnon's anger, that if ever again there be need of me to save the people from ruin, they shall seek and they shall not find. Agamemnon is mad with rage and knows not how to look before and after that the Achaeans may fight by their ships in safety. Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him. He brought Briseaeus from the tent and gave her over to the heralds, who took her with them to the ships of the Achaeans and the woman was lost to go. Then Achilles went all alone by the side of the hoarse sea, weeping and looking out upon the boundless waste of waters. He raised his hands in prayer to his immortal mother. Mother, he cried, you bore me doomed to live but for a little season. Surely Jo, who thunders from Olympus, might have made that little glorious. It is not so. Agamemnon, son of Atreus, has done me dishonor and has robbed me of my prize by force. As he spoke he wept aloud and his mother heard him where she was sitting in the depths of the sea hard by the old man her father. Forthwith she rose as it were a grey mist out of the waves, sat down before him as he stood weeping, caressed him with her hand and said, my son, why are you weeping? What is it that grieves you? Keep it not from me but tell me that we may know it together. Achilles drew a deep sigh and said, you know it, why tell you what you know well already? We went to Thebes, the strong city of Etion, sacked it and brought hither the spoil. The sons of the Achaeans shared it duly among themselves and chose lovely Criseus as the mead of Agamemnon. But Crises, priest of Apollo, came to the ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter and brought with him a great ransom. Moreover he bore in his hand the scepter of Apollo, wreathed with a suppliant wreath and he besought the Achaeans but most of all the two sons of Atreus who were their chiefs. On this the rest of the Achaeans with one voice were for respecting the priest and taking the ransom that he offered. But not so Agamemnon who spoke fiercely to him and sent him roughly away.  Then the gods sent a deadly dart upon the Argives and the people died thick on one another for the arrows went every wither among the wide host of the Achaeans. At last a seer and the fullness of his knowledge declared to us the Oracles of Apollo and I was myself first to say that we should appease him whereon the son of Atreus rose in anger and threatened that which he has since done. The Achaeans are now taking the girl and a ship to Chrysé and sending gifts of sacrifice to the god. But the heralds have just taken from my tent the daughter of Brizios whom the Achaeans had awarded to myself. Help your brave son therefore if you are able. Go to Olympus and if you have ever done him service in word or deed implore the aid of Job. Oftentimes in my father's house have I heard you glory in that you alone of the immortals saved the son of Saturn from ruin when the others with Juno, Neptune and Pallas, Minerva would have put him in bombs. It was you goddess who delivered him by calling to Olympus the hundred-handed monster whom gods call Brizios but men Aegean for he is stronger even than his father when therefore he took his seat all glorious beside the son of Saturn the other gods were afraid and did not bind him. Go then to him remind him of all this clasp his knees and bid him give succor to the Trojans let the Achaeans be hemmed in at the sterns of their ships and perish on the seashore that they may reap what joy they may of their king and that Aegean menon may rue his blindness in offering insult to the foremost of the Achaeans. Thedas wept and answered my son woe is me that I should have borne or suckled you would indeed that you had lived your span free from all sorrow at your ships for it is all too brief alas that you should be at once short of life and long of sorrow above your peers woe therefore was the hour in which I bore you nevertheless I will go to the snowy heights of Olympus and tell this tale to Jove if he will hear our prayer meanwhile stay where you are with your ships nurse your anger against the Achaeans and hold aloof from fight for Jove went yesterday to Oceanos to a feast among the Ethiopians and the other gods went with him he will return to Olympus 12 days hence I will then go to his mansion paved with bronze and will beseech him nor do I doubt that I shall be able to persuade him on this she left him still furious at the loss of her that had been taken from him meanwhile Ulysses reached Chrysie with the hecatome when they had come inside the harbor they furled the sails and laid them in the ship's hold they slackened the forest days lowered the mast into its place and rode the ship to the place where they would have her lie there they cast out their morning stones and made fast the hausers then they got out upon the seashore and landed the hecatome for Apollo Chrysieus also left the ship and Ulysses led her to the altar to deliver her into the hands of her father Chrysieus said he King Agamemnon has sent me to bring you back your child and to offer sacrifice to Apollo on behalf of the Danayans that we may propitiate the god who has now brought sorrow upon the archives so saying he gave the girl over to her father who received her gladly and they ranged the holy hecatome all orderly round the altar of the god they washed their hands and took up the barley meal to sprinkle over the victims while Chrysieus lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf hear me he cried oh god of the silver bow that protects us Chrysieus and holy Scylla and rule us Tenedos with thy might even as thou didst hear me a foretime when I prayed and it's pressed hardly upon the Achaeans so hear me yet again and stay this fearful pestilence from the Danayans thus did he pray and Apollo heard his prayer when they had done praying and sprinkling the barley meal they drew back the heads of the victims and killed and flayed them they cut out the thigh bones wrapped them round in two layers of fat set some pieces of raw meat on the top of them and then Chrysieus laid them on the wood fire and poured wine over them while the young man stood near him with five pronged spits in their hands when the thigh bones were burnt and they had tasted the inward meats they cut the rest of small put the pieces upon the spits roasted them till they were done and drew them off then when they had finished their work and the feast was ready they ate it and every man had his full share so that all were satisfied as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink Pages filled the mixing bowl with wine and water and handed it round after giving every man his drink offering thus all day long the young men worshipped the God with song hymning him and chanting the joyous Paeaean and the God took pleasure in their voices but when the sun went down and it came on dark they laid themselves down to sleep by the stern cables of the ship and when the child of morning rosy finger dawn appeared they again set sail for the host of the Achaeans Apollo sent them a fair wind so they raised their mast and hoisted their white sails aloft as the sail bellied with the wind the ship flew through the deep blue water and the foam hissed against her boughs as she sped onward when they reached the wide stretching host of the Achaeans they drew the vessel ashore high and dry upon the sands set her strong props beneath her and went their ways to their own tents and ships but Achaeans aboded his ships and nursed his anger he went not to the honourable assembly and sallied not forth to fight but nodded his own heart pining for battle and the war cry now after twelve days the immortal gods came back in a body to Olympus and Jove led the way Thetis was not unmindful of the charge her son had laid upon her so she rose from under the sea and went through great heaven with early mourning to Olympus where she found the mighty son of Saturn sitting all alone upon its topmost ridges she sat herself down before him and with her left hand seized his knees while with her right she caught him under the chin and we saw him saying Father Jove if I ever did you service in word or deed among the immortals hear my prayer and do honour to my son whose life is to be cut short so early King Agamemnon has dishonoured him by taking his prize and keeping her honour him then yourself Olympian Lord of Council and grant victory to the Trojans till the Achaeans give my son his dew and load him with riches and requital Jove sat for a while silent and without word but Thetis still kept firm hold of his knees and besought him a second time incline your head said she and promise me surely or else deny me for you have nothing to fear that I may learn how greatly you disdain me at this Jove was much troubled and answered I shall have trouble if you set me quarrelling with Juno for she will provoke me with her taunting speeches even now she is always railing at me before the other gods and accusing me of giving aid to the Trojans go back now lest she should find out I will consider the matter and will bring it about as you wish see I incline my head that you may believe me this is the most solemn promise that I can give to any god I never recall my word or deceive or fail to do what I say when I have nodded my head as he spoke the son of Saturn bowed his dark brows and the Ambrosial locks swayed on his immortal head till vast Olympus reeled when the pair had thus laid their plans they parted Jove to his house while the goddess quitted the splendor of Olympus and plunged into the depths of the sea the gods rose from their seats before the coming of their sire not one of them dared to remain sitting but all stood up as he came among them there then he took his seat but Juno when she saw him knew that he and the old Merman's daughter Silverfooted Thetis had been hatching mischief so she had once began to abrade him trickster she cried which are the gods have you been taking into your councils now you are always settling matters in secret behind my back and have never yet told me if you could help it one word of your intentions Juno replied the sire of gods and men you must not expect to be informed of all my councils you are my wife but you would find it hard to understand them when it is proper for you to hear there is no one god or man who will be told sooner but when I mean to keep a matter to myself you must not prine or ask questions dread son of Saturn answered Juno what are you talking about I pry and ask questions never I let you have your own way in everything still I have strong misgivings that the old Merman's daughter Thetis has been talking you over for she was with you and at whole of your knees this self same morning I believe therefore that you have been promising her to give glory to Achilles and to kill much people at the ships of the Achaeans wife said Jo I can do nothing but you suspect me and find it out you will take nothing by it for I shall only dislike you the more and it will go harder with you granted that it is as you say I mean to have it so sit down and hold your tongue as I bid you for if I once begin to lay my hands about you though all heaven were on your side it would profit you nothing on this Juno was frightened so she curbed her stubborn will and sat down in silence but the heavenly beings were disquieted throughout the House of Job till the cunning workman Vulcan began to try and pacify his mother Juno it will be intolerable said he if you two fall to wrangling and setting heaven in an uproar about a pack of mortals if such ill councils are to prevail we shall have no pleasure at our banquet let me then advise my mother and she must herself know that it will be better to make friends with my dear father Jo lest he again scold her and disturb our feast if the Olympian thunderer wants to hurl us all from our seats he can do so for he is far the strongest so give him fair words and he then will soon be in a good humor with us as he spoke he took a double cup of nectar and placed it in his mother's hand cheer up my dear mother said he and make the best of it I love you dearly and should be very sorry to see you get a thrashing however grieved I might be I could not help for there is no standing against Jov once before when I was trying to help you he caught me by the foot and flung me from the heavenly threshold all day long from morn till eve was I falling till its sunset I came to ground in the island of Lemnos and there I lay with very little life left in me till the Sintians came and tended me Juno smiled at this and as she smiled she took the cup from her son's hands then Vulcan drew sweet nectar from the mixing bowl and served it round among the gods going from left to right and the blessed gods laughed out a loud applause as they saw him bustling about the heavenly mansion thus through the live long day to the going down of the sun they feasted and every one had his full share so that all were satisfied Apollo struck his lyre and the Muses lifted up their sweet voices calling and answering one another but when the sun's glorious light had faded they went home to bed each in his own abode which lame Vulcan with his consummate skill had fashioned for them so Jov, the Olympian lord of thunder hide him to the bed in which he always slept and when he had got onto it he went to sleep with Juno of the golden throne by his side end of book one Book two of the Iliad This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Iliad by Homer translated by Samuel Butler Book two Recorded by ML Cohen Jov sends a lying dream to Agamemnon who thereon calls the chiefs in assembly and proposes to sound the mind of his army in the end they march to fight the catalogue of the Achaian and Trojan forces now the other gods and the armed warriors on the plane step soundly but Jov was wakeful for he was thinking how to do honors to Achilles and destroyed much people at the ships of the Achaians in the end he deemed it would be best to send a lying dream to King Agamemnon so he called one to him and said lying dream go to the ships of the Achaians into the tent of Agamemnon and say to him word for word as I now bid you tell him to get the Achaians instantly under armed for he shall take Troy there are no longer divided councils among the gods Juno has brought them to her own mind and woe betides the Trojans the dream went when it had heard its message and soon reached the ships of the Achaians it sought Agamemnon son of Atreus and found him in his tent wrapped in a profound slumber it hovered over his head in the likeness of Nestor son of Nelius whom Agamemnon honored above all his counselors and said you are sleeping son of Atreus one who has the welfare of his host and so much other care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep hear me at once for I come as a messenger from Jove who though he be not near yet takes thought for you and bids you he bids you to get the Achaians instantly under arms for you shall take Troy there are no longer divided councils among the gods Juno has bought them over to her own mind and woe betide the Trojans at the hand of Jove remember this and when you wake see that it does not escape you the dream then left him and he thought of things that were surely not to be accomplished he thought that on the same day he was to take the city of Priam but he knew little what was in the mind of Jove who had many other hard fought fight in store like for Danans and Trojans then presently he woke the divine message still ringing in his ears so he sat upright and put on a soft shirt so fair and new and over this his heavy cloak he bound his sandals onto his comely feet and slung his silver studded sword about his shoulders then he took the imperishable staff of his father and sallied forth to the ships of the Achaians the goddess Dawn now wended her way to vast Olympus that she might herald the day to Jove and to the other immortals and Agamemnon sent the criers round to the people in assembly so they called them and the people gathered there on but first he summoned the meeting of the elders at the ship of Nestor King of Pylos and when they were assembled he laid a cunning council before them my friends said he I have had a dream from heaven in the dead of night and its face and figure resembled none but Nestors it hovered over my head and said you are sleeping son of Atreus one who has the welfare of his host and so much of the care upon his shoulders should dock his sleep hear me at once for I am a messenger from Jove who though he be not near it takes thought for you and pities you he bids you to get the Achaians instantly under arms for you shall take Troy there are no longer divided councils among the gods Juno has bought them over to her own mind and woe betides the Trojans at the hand of Jove remember this the dream then vanished and I awoke let us now therefore arm the sons of the Achaians but it will be well that I should first sound them and to this end I will tell them to fly with their ships but do you others go about them among the host and prevent their doing so he then sat down and Nestor the Prince of Pylos with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus my friends said he princes and counselors of the Argives if any other man of the Achaians had told us of this dream we should have declared it false and would have had nothing to do with it but he who has seen it is the foremost man among us we must therefore set about getting the people under arms with this he led the way from the assembly and the other sceptred kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon but the people pressed forward to hear they swarmed like bees that sally from some hollow cave and flit and countless throng among the spring flowers bunched in knots and clusters even so did the mighty multitude pour from ships and tents to the assembly and range themselves upon the wide-watered shore while among them ran wildfire rumor messenger of Jove urging them ever to the fore thus they gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion and the earth groaned under the tramp of men as the people sought their places nine heralds went crying about among them to stay their tumult and build them listen to the kings till at last they were got into their several places and ceased their clamor then king Agamemnon rose holding his scepter this was the work of Vulcan who gave it to Jove, the son of Saturn Jove gave it to Mercury slayer of Argus, guide and guardian King Mercury gave it to Pelops the mighty charioteer and Pelops to Atreus, shepherd of his people Atreus, when he died left it to Thaestes, rich in flocks and Thaestes in his turn left it to be borne by Agamemnon that he might be the lord of all Argos and of the Isles leaning then on his scepter he addressed the Argives my friends he said heroes, servants of Mars the hand of heaven has been laid heavily upon me cruel Jove gave me his solemn promise that I should sack the city of Priam before returning but he has played me false and is now bidding me go ingloriously back to Argos with the loss of much people such as the will of Jove who has laid many a proud city in the dust as he will yet lay others for his power is above all it will be a sorry tell hereafter that an Achaean host at once so great and valiant battled in vain against men fewer a number than themselves but as yet, the end is not in sight think that the Achaeans and Trojans have sworn to a solemn covenant and that they have each been numbered the Trojans by the role of their householders be by companies of ten think further that each of our companies desired to have a Trojan householder to pour out their wine we are so much greatly more in number than full many company would have us go without the cup-bearer but they have in the town allies from other places and it is these that hinder me from being able to sack the rich city of Ilias nine of Jove's years are gone the timbers of our ships have rotted their tackling is sound no longer our wives and little ones at home look anxiously for our coming but the work that we came hither to do has not been done now therefore let us all do as I say let us sell back to our own land for we shall not take Troy with these words he moved the hearts of the multitude so many of them as knew not the cunning council of Agamemnon they surged to and fro like waves to the sea when the east and south winds break from heaven's cloud to lash them or as when the west winds sweeps over a field of corn in the ears bow beneath the blast even so are they swayed as they flew with loud cries towards the ships and the dust from under their feet rose heavenward they cheered each other on to draw the ships into the sea they cleared the channels in front of them they began taking away the stage from underneath them and the welcome rang with their glad cries so eager were the Arguides would have returned after a fashion that was not faded but Juno said to Minerva alas daughter of a just bearing jove unwearable shall the Arguides fly home to their own land over the broad sea and leave pre-em in the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died to Troy far from their homes go about it once among the host and speak fairly to them man by man that they draw but not their ships into the sea Minerva was not slack to do her bidding down she darted from the top most summits of Olympus and in a moment she was at the ships of the Achaeans there she found Ulysses a peer of joven council standing alone he had not yet as laid a hand upon his ship for he was grieved and sorry so she went close up to him and said Ulysses noble son of Laertes are you going to fling your shelf to your ships and be off home to your own land in this way will you leave pre-em in the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen for whose sake so many of the Achaeans have died at Troy far from their homes go about at once among the host and speak fairly to them man by man that they draw not their ships into the sea Ulysses knew the voice of that goddess he flung his cloak from him and set off to run his servant Euribides and took charge of the cloak where on Ulysses went straight up to Agamemnon and received from him his ancestral imperishable staff with this he went among the ships of the Achaeans whenever he met a king or chieftain he stood by him and spoke fairly sir said he this flight is cowardly and unworthy stand to your post and bid your people also keep their places you do not yet know the full mind of Agamemnon he was sounding us and ere long will visit the Achaeans we were not all of us at the council to hear what he then said see to it lest he be angry and do us a mischief for the pride of kings is great and the hand of joe is with them but when he came across any common man who was making a noise he struck him with a staff and rebuked him saying sir ah hold your peace and listen to better men than yourself you are a coward and no soldier you are nobody either in fight or council we cannot all be kings it is not well that there should be so many masters one man must be supreme one king to whom the son of scheming Saturn has given the scepter of sovereignty over you all thus masterfully did he go about among the host and the people hurried back to the council from their tents and ships with the sound of the thunder of surf when it comes crashing down upon the shore and all the sea is in an uproar the rest now took their seats and kept to their own several places but their sight he still went on wagging his unbridled tongue a man of many words and those unseemly a monger of sedition a railer against all who were in authority who cared not what he said so that he might set the Achaeans in a laugh he was the ugliest man of all those that came before Troy bandy-legged, lame of one foot with his two shoulders rounded and hunched over his chest his head ran up to a point but there was little hair on top of it Achilles and Ulysses hated him worst of all for it was with them that he was most want to wrangle now however with a squill squeaky voice he began heaping his abuse on Agamemnon the Achaeans were angry and disgusted yet nonetheless he kept on brawling and bawling at the son of Atreus Agamemnon he cried what else you now and what more do you want your tents are filled with bronze and with fair women for whenever we take the town we give you the pick of them would you have yet more gold which some Trojan is to give you his ransom for his son when I or another gain has taken him prisoner or is it some young girl to hide and lie with it is not well that you, the ruler of the Achaeans should bring them into such misery weakling cowards women rather than men let us sail home and leave this fellow here at Troy to stew in his own meads of honor and discover whether we were any service to him or no Achilles is a much better man than he is and see how he has treated him robbing him of his prize and keeping it to himself Achilles takes it meekly and shows no fight if he did son of Atreus you would never again insult him thus rail Thursides but Ulysses at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly check your glib tongue Thursides said to be and babble not a word further chide not with princes when you have none to back you there is no vile creature come before Troy with the son of Atreus drop this chatter about kings and neither revile them nor keep harping about going home we do not yet know how things are going to be nor whether the Achaeans are to return with good success or evil how dare you jibed Agamemnon because the Danans have awarded him so many prizes I tell you therefore and it shall surely be that if I again catch you talking such nonsense I will either forfeit my own head and be called no more father of Telemachus or I will take you strip you stark naked and whip you out of the assembly till you go blubbering back to the ships on this he beat him with his staff about the back and shoulders till he dropped and fellow weeping the golden scepter raised the bloody wheel on his back so he sat down frightened and in pain looking foolish as he wiped the tears from his eyes the people were sorry for him yet they laughed hardly and what would turn to his neighbor saying Ulysses has done many a good thing air now in fighting council but he never did the archives a better turn than when he stopped this fellow a mouth from prattling further he will give the kings no more of his insolence thus said the people then Ulysses rose scepter in hand and maneuver in the likeness of a herald bathed the people be still that those who were far off might hear him and consider his council he therefore with all sincerity and good will address them thus King Agamemnon the Achaens are from making you a byword among all mankind they forget the promise they made you when they set out to Margos that you should not return till you had sacked a town of Troy and like children or widowed women they murmured and would set off homeward true it is that they have had toil enough to be disheartened a man chafes at having to stay away from his wife either for a single month when he's on shipboard at the mercy of wind and sea but now it is nine long years that we have been kept here I cannot therefore blame the Achaens if they turn restive still we shall be shamed if we go home empty after so long a stay therefore my friends be patient yet a little longer that we may learn whether the prophecings of Calches were false or true all who have not since Paris must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before how the ships the Achaens were destined and outless while we are on our way hither to make war on premium and atrogens we were ranged about a fountain offering hecatomes to the gods upon their holy altars and there was a fine plain tree from beneath and there were well to stream pure water then we saw a prodigy for Jove sent a fearful serpent out of the ground with blood ran stains upon his back and it darted from under the altar onto the plain tree now there was a brood of young sparrows quite small upon the topmost bow peeping out from under the leaves eight and all and their mother that hatched made them nine the serpent ate the poor cheeping things while the old bird flew about lamenting her little ones but the serpent threw his coils about her and caught her by the wing as she was screaming then when he had eaten both the sparrow and her young the god who had sent him made him become a sign for the son of scheming Saturn turned him into stone and we stood wondering if that which had come to pass seeing then that such a fearful potent had broken upon our hecatomes couches for which declared to us the oracles of heaven why Achaens said he are you thus speechless Jove has sent us this sign long in coming and long ere it be fulfilled though its fame shall last forever as the serpent ate the eight fledglings and the sparrow that hatched them which makes nine so shall we fight nine years atroi but in the tenth shall take the town this was what he said and now it is all coming true stay here therefore all of you till we take the city of Priam on this the Argyve raised a shout till the ships rang again with the uproar nester night of Jareen then addressed them shame on you he cried to stay here talking like children when you should fight like men where are our covenants now and where are the oaths that we have taken shall our councils be flung into the fire with our drink offerings at the right hands of fellowships wherein we are put our trust we waste our time in words and for all our talking here shall be no further forward stand therefore son of Atreus by your own steadfast purpose lead the Argyves on to battle the people of Mentorat who scheme and scheme in vain to get back to Argos ere they have learned whether the job be true or liar for the mighty son of Saturn surely promised that we should succeed and when we Argyves set sail to bring death and destruction upon the Trojans he showed us favorable signs by flashing his lightning on our right hands therefore let none make haste to go till he is first lain with the wife of some Trojan and avenge the toil and sorrow that he has suffered for the sake of Helen nevertheless if any man is in such haste to be at home again let him lay his hand to his ship that he may meet his doom in the sight of all but O King consider and give ear to my council for the word that I say may not be neglected lightly divide your men agamemnon into the several tribes and clans that clans and tribes may stand by and help one another if you do this and if the Achaeans obey you you will find out who both chiefs and people are brave and who are cowards or they will vie against the other thus you shall also learn whether it is through the council of heaven or the cowardice of man that you shall fail to take the town and agamemnon answered Nestor you have again outdone the sons of the Achaeans and council would by Father Joe, Minerva and Apollo that I had among them ten more such counsellors for the city of King Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands and we should sack it but the son of Saturn afflicts me with bootless wranglings and strife Achilles and I are quarreling about this girl in which matter I was the first to offend if we can be of one mind again the Trojans will not stave off destruction for a day now therefore get your morning meal that our hosts join us and fight wet well your spears see well to the ordering of your shields give good feasts to your horses and look your chariots carefully over that we may do battle the live long day for we shall have no rest not for a moment till night falls depart us the bands that bear your shields shall be wet with sweat upon your shoulders your hands shall be weary upon your spears your horses shall steam in front of your chariots and if I see any man shirking the fight or trying to keep out of it at ships there shall be no help for him but he shall be prey to dogs and vultures thus he spoke and the Achaeans roared applause as when the waves run high before the blast of the south wind and break on some lofty headland dashing against it and buffeting without ceasing as the storms from every quarter drive them even so the Achaeans rise and hurry in all directions to their ships then they lighted their fires at their tents and got dinner offering sacrifice every man to one or other of the gods and praying each one of them that he might live to come out of the fight Agamemnon king of men sacrificed a fat five year old bull to the mighty son of Saturn and invited the princes and elders of his host first he asked Nestor and king Idomeneus then the two Ajaxes and the son of Tides and six the Ulysses pure of gods and council but Menelaus came of his own accord for he knew how busy his brother was then they stood round the bull with the barley meal in their hands and Agamemnon prayed saying Job most glorious supreme that dwellest in heaven and wroughtest upon the storm cloud grant that the sun may not go down nor the night fall till the palace of premium is laid low and its gates are consumed with fire grant that my sword may pierce the shirt of hector about his heart and that full many of his comrades may bite the dust as they fall dying round him thus he prayed but the son of Saturn would not fulfill his prayer he accepted the sacrifice yet none the less increased their toil continually when they had done praying and sprinkling the barley meal upon the victim they drew back its head killed it and then fladed they cut out thigh bones wrapped them round in two layers of fat and set pieces of raw meat on top of them these they burned upon the split logs of firewood but they spitted the inward meats and held them to the flames to cook when the thigh bones were burned and they had tasted the inward meats they cut the rest up small put the pieces upon the spits roasted them till they were done and drew them off then when they had finished their work and the feast was ready they ate of it and every man had his full share so that all were satisfied as soon as they had had enough to eat and drink nester Knight of Jereen began to speak King Agamemnon said he let us not stay talking here nor be slack in the work that heaven has put into our hands let the heralds summon the people to gather at their several ships we will then go about among the host that we may begin fighting at once thus did he speak and Agamemnon heeded his words he at once sent the choirs around to call the people in assembly so they called them and the people gathered thereon the chiefs about the son of Atreus chose their men and marsaled them while Minerva went among them holding her priceless ages that knows neither age nor death from it there waved a hundred tassels of pure gold all deftly woven and each one of them worth a hundred oxen with this she darted furiously everywhere and when the host of the Achaeans urging them forward and putting courage into the heart of each though they might fight and do battle without ceasing thus war became sweeter in their eyes even then returning home in their ships as when some great forest fires raging upon a mountain top in its lightest scene afar even so as they marched the gleam of their armor flashed up the Fermanent of Heaven they were like great flocks of geese or cranes or swans on the plane about the waters of Caster that winged their way hither and thither gloring in the pride of flight and crying as they settled to the Venice alive with their screaming even thus did the tribes pour from the ships intents on the plan of Scamander and the ground rang as brass under the feet of men and horses they stood as thick upon the flower bespangled field as leaves that bloom in summer as countless swarms of flies buzz round a herdsman homestead in a time of spring when pales are drenched with milk even so did the Achaeans swarm on the plane to charge the Trojans and destroy them the chiefs disposed their men this way and that before the fight began drafting them out as easily as goat herds draft their flocks when they have gotten mixed while feeding and among them when king Agamemnon with a head and face like Job the Lord of Thunder a waist like Mara is in a chest like that of Neptune as some great bull that lords it over the herds upon the plane even so did Job make the son of Atreus down peerless among the multitude of heroes and now, O muses dwellers in the mansions of Olympus tell me for you are the goddesses and are all places that you see all things while we know nothing but by report who were the chiefs and princes of the Danans as for the common soldiers they were so that I could not name every single one of them though I had ten tongues and though my voice failed not and my heart were bronze within me unless you, O Olympium muses daughters of the Aegis bearing Job were to recount them to me nevertheless I will tell the captains of the ships and all the fleet together Penelos, Laetis Archicelius, Prothanar and Clonius were the captains of the Boethians these were they that dwelt in Hyria and Rockiaeolus who held Shonus Scolus in the highlands of Aetonius with Thespia, Greia, and the Pharisee of Mycolasus they also held Harma, Elysium, and Arithrae and they had Elion, Hyal, and Petion Ocelea and the strong fortress of Medion Copia, Eutreses and Thisby the haunt of Doves Caronia and the pastures of Haleartus Platoea and Glicis the fortress of Thebes Aless Holyon Kestis was a famous grown with nectune Arnean, rich in vineyards Medea, sacred Nyssa, and Anthedon upon the sea from these came the fifty ships and in each they were a hundred and twenty young men of the Boethians Ascalophus and Islemas, son of Mars led to people that dwell in the Splendon in the midst of the realm of Minas Astiochi, a noble maiden bore them in the house of actor son of Asias for she had gone with Mars secretly into an upper chamber and he had lain with her with these there came thirty ships the Phocians were led of Pseidus and Epistrophus, son of Muddaeophatis the son of Nabulus these were those that truly held Cyperisus, Rocky Pytho, Holy Christ Adalus, and Panapias they also that dwelt in Animora and Hyampolis and about the waters Psephysis and Lalea by the springs of Psephysis with their chieftains came forty ships and they marshaled the fortions of the Phocians which were stationed next to the Boetians on their left Ajax, the fleet son of Oileus commanded the Locrians he was not so great nor nearly so great as Ajax to Sulliv Telemann he was a little man and his breastplate was made of linen but in use of the spear he excelled all the Helenes and the Achaeans these dwelt in Sinus Apopius, Calerius, Bessus, Scarfae, Fair Algiae, Tarfae, and Thronium about the River Bogrias with him there came forty ships of the Locrians who dwelt beyond Euboea the fierce Sabantes held Euboea with its cities Chalcis, Eritrea, Histaea rich in vines, Sarynthes upon the rock and the rock perch town of Diam with them were also men of Caristus and Styra Elefiniar of the race of Mars was his command of these he was son of Chalcadon and chief over all the Abantes with him they came fleet of foot and wearing their hair long behind brave warriors who would ever strive to tear open the courselets of their foes with their long ash and spears of these there came fifty ships and they that held the strong city of Athens the people of great Eryktheus who were born of the soil itself but Job's daughter Minerva fostered him and established him at Athens in her own rich sanctuary there year by year the Atheneus worshiped him with sacrifices of bulls and rams these were commanded by Minestheus son of Pideos no man living could equal him in marshalling of chariots and footsolders Nestor could alone rival him for he was older with him there came fifty ships Ajax bought twelve ships from Salamis and stationed them alongside those of the Athenians the men of Argos again and those who held the wall of Tyreans with Hermione and assigned upon the gulf Trozene, Ileane and the vineyard lands of Epidaurus the Acane use more over who came from Agena and Masses these were led by Diomed of the law Bottlecry and Stannisthenes son fame of Cephenius with them in command was Euralius son of King Macedus son of Talus but Diomed was chief over them all with these there came eighty ships those who held the strong city of Mycenae rich Corinth and Cleontae Ornair, Arathia and Lycean where a drastic reign of old Hyperesia, Hygonessa and Pelene Aegean and all the coast land around about the Hellas these set a hundred ships under the command of King Agumemnon son of Atreus his force was far both finest and most numerous and in their midst was the king himself all glorious in his armor of gleaming bronze foremost among the heroes for he was the greatest king and had the most men under him and those that dwelt in Lassidamon lying low among the hills far as Sparta would messy the haunt of doves Bresciae, Augeae, Amaclae and Helos upon the sea Laus Morover and Otolus these were led by Menelaus of the Loud Battlecry brother to Agumemnon and of them there were sixty ships drawn apart from the others among them went Menelaus himself strong and zeal urging his men to fight for he longed to avenge the toil and sorrow that he had suffered for the sake of Helen the men of Pylos and Aurean and Theorium were at the Fort of the River Altheus strong ap, Cypheresis and Amphigenaea Pylium, Helos and Dorium where the muses met Thrymius and stilled as minsterly forever he was returning from Ocallalia where Eutraeus lived and reigned and boasted that he would surpass even the muses daughters of a just bearing jove if they should sing against him whereon they were angry and maimed him they robbed him of his divine power of song and thenceforth he could strike the lyre no more these were commanded by Nestor Knight of Jareen and with him there came 90 ships and those that held Arcadia under the high mountain of Silene near the tomb of Eoptis where the people fight hand-to-hand the men of Phineus also and Arcomenus rich in flocks of Raipae Strydae the bleak of Inespa of Tegea and Feremantania of Stemphialis and Paryhassa of these king Agepnore son of Anseus was commander of 60 ships many Arcadians good soldiers came in each one of them but Agamemnon found them the ships in which to cross the sea for they were not a people that occupied their business upon the waters the men moreover of Eupraeus and Avelis so much of it is enclosed between Hermene and Myrsinus upon the seashore the Rock of Olien and Elysium these had four leaders and each of them had ten ships with many Appians on board their captains were Amphimarchus the one son of Cetaceus and the other of Eurytus both of the race of actor the two others were Dioris son of Amarynces and Polyxonus son of King Agastonis son of Algeus and those of Dolceum were the sacred Akinian islands who dwelt beneath the sea of Elys these were led by Meges Pyrr of Mars and the son of Valiant Phileus steered a jove who quarreled with his father and went to Sedlan Dolceurium with him there came Elyses led the brave Cephalanians who held Ithaca Nureedon with his forest Crocolia, rugged Egyptus, Samos and Zachneus with the mainland also that was over against the islands these were led by Elyses Pyrr of Joven council and with them there came twelve ships Thaos son of Andromion commanded the Aetolians who dwelled and Pluron only as Pylene, Chalcis by the sea and Rocky Caledon for the great king Phileus had now no sons living and was himself dead as was also the golden haired Malagar who had been sent over the Aetolians to be their king and with Thaos there came forty ships the famous spearsmen Idomenaeus led the Cretans who held Croces and the well-walled city of Gordus led to Sosso, Maletus and Lycastes that lies upon the jock the populous town of Phileus and Rydium with all the other peoples that dwell in the hundred cities of Cretan all these were led by Idomenaeus and by Marionis Pyrr of Murtis Mars and with these there came eighty ships Clepolimus son of Hercules a man both brave and large of stature bought nine ships of lordly warriors from Rhodes these dwelton Rhodes which is divided among the three cities of Lendus Aeses and Camarinas that lie upon the jock these were commanded by Clepolimus son of Hercules by Astiocia and he had carried off from Epheria on the river Cileus after sacking many cities of valent warriors when Clepolimus grew up he killed his father's uncle Lysimenaeus who had been a famous warrior in his time but was then grown old on this he built himself a fleet gathered the great following and fled beyond the sea for he was menaced by the other sons and grandsons of Hercules after a voyage during which he suffered great hardship and was divided into three communities according to their tribes and were dearly loved by Jo the lord of gods and men wherefore the son of Saturn showered down great riches upon them and Nereus bought three ships from Sime, Nereus who was the handsomest man that came up under Ilius of all the Danans after the son of Pilius but he was a man of no substance and had but a small following and those that held Nysiris Crapathus and Cassus with cost the city of Euripolis and the Chaldenian islands these were commanded by Phedippus and Antiphas two sons of King Thessalus the son of Hercules and with them there came 30 ships those again who held Pelagacic, Argos, Allos, Ellupius and those of 50th and Hellest the land of fair women who were called Imuridans, Helenes, and Achaeans these had 50 ships over which Achilles was in command but now they took no part in the war in as much as there was no one to marshal them and they stayed by his ships furious about the loss of the girl Bryceus whom he had taken from Lernesus at his own great peril when he had sacked Lannus and Theb in an overthrown Minus and a Pethistrophus son of King Evenor son of Celepus for her sake Achilles was still grieving but ere long he was again to join them and those that held place in the foul remittals of Pursiris sanctuary of Sirius Aiton the mother of sleep entram upon the sea on the grasslands of these brave Protosselius had been captain while he was yet alive but he was now lying under the earth he had left the wife behind him and Phylas to tear her cheeks in sorrow and his house was only half finished for he was slain by a Dardanian warrior while leaping for most of the Achaeans upon the soil of Troy still though as people mourned their chieftain they were not without a leader for Podoreses the race of Mars marshaled them he was son of Ifeclis, rich and sheep who was the son of Phylacius and he was own brother to Protosselius only younger Protosselius being at once the elder and more valiant so the people were not without a leader though they mourned him whom they had lost with him there came forty ships and those that held fury by the bobean length with bobea, glathria and a populous city of Ioccus those with their eleven ships were led by Eumelius son of Adametius with Alcestes bore to him the second list of the daughters of Pilius and those that held Mithon and Thalmasia with Melobia and Rugged Olizon these were led by the skill for archer Phylacetides and they had seven ships each with fifty oresmen all of them good archers but Phylacetides was lying in great pain in the island of Lemnos where the sons of the Achaeans left him for he had been bitten by a poisonous water snake there he lay sick and sorry and full soon did the archives come to miss him but his people though they felt his loss were not leaderless for Medon the bastard son of Olius by reign set them in array those again of Tricca and the Stony region of Ithomy and they that held Ocalaeus the city of Ocalaean Eurythus these were commanded by the two sons of Asclepius skilled in the art of healing Podolarius and Machion and with them came thirty ships the men moreover of Arminius and by the fountain of Ipiria with those that held Osterius and the white crests of Titanus these were led by Eurypolis the son of Eumeon and with them there came forty ships those that held Egrissa and Gyton or Theoloni the city of Ulyssan of those brave Pelopodes was the leader he was the son of Perithius who was the son of Jove himself for Hippodimea bore him to Perithius on the day when he took his revenge on the shaggy mountain savages and drove them from Mount Pelion to the Aethes but Polypius was not Solon command for with him was Leontius of the race of Mars who was son of Cronus the son of Canius and with these there came forty ships Guneius bought two and twenty ships from Scythus and he was followed by the Muneus and the valent Parabi who dwelt about the wintry Dodona and held the lands round the lovely river of Titarius which sends its waters into Pinaeus they do not mingle with the silver eddies of the Pinaeus but flow on top of them like oil for the Tartaricius is a branch of Dread Orcus and of the river Styx of the magnities Prothas son of Tethridon was commander they were they that dwelt about the river Pinaeus and Mount Pelion Prothos fleet of foot was their leader and with them there came forty ships such were the chiefs and princes of the Danins who then Omuse was the foremost were there man or horse among those that followed to the sons of Atreus of the horses those of the son of Ferris were by far the finest they were driven by Eumalis and were fleet as birds they were the same age and color and perfectly matched in height Apollo of the silver bow had bred them in Piraea both of them mayors and terrible as Mars in battle of men Ajax son of Telemon was much the foremost so long as Achilles anger lasted for Achilles exiled him greatly when he also had better horses but Achilles was now holding aloof at his ship by reason of his quarrel with Agamemnon and his people passed their time upon the seashore throwing gifts or aiming with spears at Mark and in archery their horses stood each by his own chariot jumping lotus and wild celery the chariots were housed undercover but their owners for lack of leadership wanted hither and thither about the host and went not forth to fight thus marched the host like a consuming fire and the earth groaned beneath them when the lord of thunder is angry and lashes about the land of Typhoeus among the Arimee where they say Typhoeus lies even so did the earth groan beneath them as they sped over the plain and now Iris fleet as the wind was sent by Jove to tell the bad news among the Trojans they were gathered in assembly old and young at Priam's gates and Iris came close up to Priam speaking with the voice of Priam's son Polites who being fleet was stationed as watchmen for the Trojans on the tome of Old Aestes to look out for any sally of the Achaeans in his likeness Iris spoke saying old man you talk idly as in times of peace while war is at hand I have been in many a battle but never yet saw such a host as is now advancing they are crossing the plain to attack the city as thick as leaves or as the sands of the sea Hector I charge you above all orders do as I say there are many allies dispersed about the city of Priam from distant places and speaking diverse tongues therefore let each chief give orders to his own people setting them severly in array and leading them forth to battle thus she spoke but Hector knew that it was the goddess and at once broke up the assembly the men flew to arms all the gates were open and the people thronged through them horse and foot with a tramp as of a great multitude now there is a high mound before the city rising by itself upon the plain men called it Pataïa but the gods know that it is the tomb of Lythe Myrnene here the Trojans and their allies divided their forces Priam's son great Hector of the gleaming helmet commanded the Trojans and with him were arrayed by far the greatest number and most valiant of those who were longing for the fray the Dardanians were led by Bravenius whom Venus bore to Ancaisis when she, goddess though she was, had lain with him upon the mountain slopes of Aida he was not alone for with him were the two sons of Antinor, Achaeclochus and Achaemus both skilled in the arts of war they that dwelt in Tilia under the lowest spurs of Marn Aida men of substance who drank the limpid waters of the Cipus and are of Trojan blood these were led by Pandorus son of Lycion whom Apollo had taught to use the bow called Adrastea at the land of Apecius with Paitidia in the high mountain of Tarea these were led by Adrestus and Ampheus whose breastplate was of linen these were the sons of Mirops of Percote who excelled in all kinds of divination he told them not to take part in the war but they gave him no heed for fate lured them to destruction they that dwelt about Percote and Prakthius with Cestos, Albedos and Arispey these were led by Asias son of Hercticus a brave commander Asias the son of Hercticus whom his powerful dark base deeds of the breed that comes from the River Cilius had brought from Arispey Hippothos led the tribes of Pelagzi and Spearman who dwelt in Fertilorissa Hippothos and Pyleus of the race of Mars two sons of Pelagian Lethis son of Tutimus a commiss in the warriors Perius commanded the Thracians and those that came from beyond the mighty stream of the Hells Spont son of Troesius the son of Cios was captain of the Seronium Spearman Pyrachemies led the Pionian archers from distant Amidon by the broad waters of the River Axias the fairest that flow upon the earth the Palfagonians were commanded by Stouthardus Pylemaeus from Entae where the mules run wild and herds these were they that held Cytaurus in the country around Caesimus with the cities by the river Parthenius, Chromna, Agilus and Lofti Erythani Odeus and Epistrophus were captains over the Halzonai from distant Alibi where there are mines of silver Chromus and Enimus the Auger led the Mycians but his skill and augury avowed him not to save him for destruction for he fell by the hand of the fleet descended the Vachius in the river where he slew other of the Trojans Forces again and noble Ascanius led the Fridians from the far country of Ascania and the Vachians were eager for the fray Mesthes and Antephas commanded the Myonians son of Telemines born to him of the Gideon Lake these led the Myonians who dwelt under Mt. Tmolus Nastes led the Carians men of strange speech these held Melidus in the wooden mountain of Phaetheires with the water in the river Melander and the Lofti crest of Mt. Mycali these were commanded by Nastes and Epimacius, brave son of Nomean he came into the fight and led him like a girl fooled that he was his gold was no avail to save him for he fell in the river by the hand of the fleet descended of Achaeus and Achilles bore away his gold Sarpodon and Glaucus led the Lycians from their distant land by the eddying waters of Xanthus End of Book 2 Recording by M. L. Cohen Cleveland, Ohio www.mojomu411.com This is a Librivox recording All Librivox recordings are in the public domain For further information or to volunteer please visit Librivox.org The Iliad by Homer in Samuel Butler's translation Book 3 Alexandrus also called Paris challenges Menelaus Helen and Priam view the Achaeans from the wall the Covenant Menelaus fight and Paris is worsted Venus carries him off to save him seen between him and Helen When the companies with us arrived each under its own captain the Trojans advanced as a flight of wildfowl or cranes that scream overhead when rain and winter drive them over the flowing waters of Oceanus to bring death and destruction on the pygmies and they wrangle in the air as they fly but the Achaeans march silently in high heart and minded to stand by one another as when the south wind spreads a curtain of mist upon the mountain tops bad for shepherds but better than night for thieves and a man can see no further than he can throw a stone even so rose the dust from under their feet as they made all speed over the plain When they were close up with one another Menelaus went forward as champion on the Trojan side on his shoulders he bore the skin of a panther his bow and his sword and he brandished two spears shod with bronze as a challenge to the bravest of the Achaeans to meet him in single fight Menelaus saw him thus stride out before the ranks and was glad as a hungry lion that lights on the carcass of some goat or horned stag and devours it there and then though dogs and youths set upon him even thus was Menelaus glad when his eyes caught sight of Alexanderus for he deemed that now he should be revenge he sprang therefore from his chariot clad in his suit of armour Alexanderus quailed as this old Menelaus come forward and shrank in fear of his life under cover of his men as one who starts back a fright trembling and pale when he comes suddenly upon a serpent in some mountain glade even so did Alexanderus plunge into the throng of Trojan warriors terror-stricken at the sight of the son of Aetreus then Hector up braided him Paris said he evil-hearted Paris fair to see but woman mad and false of tongue would that you had never been born or that you had died unwed better so than live to be disgraced and look to scants at will not the Achaeans mock at us and say that we have sent one to champion us fair to see but who has neither wit nor courage did you not such as you are get your following together and sail beyond the seas did you not from a far country carry off a lovely woman wedded among a people of warriors to bring sorrow upon your father your city and your whole country but joy to your enemies and hang dog shame facedness to yourself and now can you not dare face Menelaus and learn what manner of man he is whose wife you have stolen where indeed would be your liar and your love tricks your comely locks and your fair favor when you were lying in the dust before him the Trojans are a weak-kneed people or ere this you would have had a shirt of stones for the wrongs you have done them and Alexandre answered Hector your rebuke is just you are hard as the axe which is shipwright wields at his work and cleaves the timber to his miking as the axe in his hand so keen is the edge of your scorn still taunt me not with the gifts that golden venus has given me they are precious let not a man disdain them for the gods give them where they are minded and none can have them for the asking if you would have me do battle with Menelaus bid the Trojans and Achaeans take their seats while he and I fight in their midst for Helen and all her wealth let him who shall be victorious and have to be the better man take the woman and all she has to bear them to his home but let the rest swear a solemn covenant of peace whereby you Trojans shall stay here in Troy while the others go home to Argus and the land of the Achaeans when Hector heard this he was glad and went about among the Trojan ranks holding his spear by the middle to keep them back and they all sat down at his bidding but the Achaeans still aimed at him with stones and arrows till the big amendment shouted to them saying hold Argus shoot not sons of the Achaeans Hector desires to speak they ceased taking aim and were still where on Hector spoke here from my mouth said he Trojans and Achaeans the saying of Alexandrus through whom this quarrel has come about he bids the Trojans and Achaeans lay their armor upon the ground while he and Menelaus fight in the midst of you for Helen and all her wealth let him who shall be victorious and prove to be the better man take the woman and all she has to bear them to his own home but let the rest swear to a solemn covenant of peace thus he spoke and they all held their peace till Menelaus of the loud battle cry addressed them and now he said hear me too for it is I who am the most aggrieved I deem that the parting of Achaeans and Trojans is at hand as well it may be seeing how much they have suffered the quarrel with Alexandrus and the wrong he did me let him who shall die die and let the others fight no more bring then two lambs a white ram and a black you for earth and sun and we will bring a third for Jove moreover you shall bid prime come that he may swear to the covenant himself for his sons are high handed and ill to trust and the oaths of Jove must not be transgressed or taken in vain young men's minds are light as air but when an old man comes he looks before and after deeming that which shall be the fairest upon both sides the Trojans and Achaeans were glad when they heard this for they thought that they should now have rest they backed their chariots toward the ranks got out of them and put off their armor laying it down upon the ground and the hosts were near to one another with a little space between them Hector sent two messengers to the city to fetch the other lambs and to bid prime come while Agamemnon told Talthibius to fetch the other lambs from the ships and he did as Agamemnon had said meanwhile Iris went to Helen in the form of her sister-in-law wife of the son of Antina for Helicion son of Antina had married Laodike the fairest of prime's daughters she found her in her own room working at a great web of purple linen on which she was embroidering circles between Trojans and Achaeans that Mars had made them fight for her sake Iris then came close up to her and said come hither child and see the strange doings of the Trojans and Achaeans till now they've been warring upon the plane mad with lust of battle but now they have left off fighting and are leaning upon their shields sitting still with their spears planted beside them Alexandra and Manilaus are going to fight about yourself and you are to be the life of him who is the victor thus spoke the goddess and Helen's heart yearned after her former husband her city and her parents she threw a white mantle over her head and hurried from the room weeping as she went not alone but attended by two of her handmaids aethrai daughter of Pithaeus and Krimini in straight way they were up the ski and gates the two sages Antino, elders of the people were seated by the ski and gates with Priam, Panthoas Thimoetes, Lampus Klaetius and Hiketion of the race of Mars these were too old to fight but they were fluent orators and sat on the tower like cicadas that chirp delicately from the bowels of some high tree in the wood when they saw Helen coming towards the tower they said softly to one another it's more wonder that Trojans and Achaeans should endure so much and so long for the sake of a woman so marvellously and divinely lovely still, fair though she be let them take her and go or she will breed sorrow for us and for our children after us but Priam bad her draw nigh my child said he take your seat in front of me that you may see your former husband your kinsmen and your friends it is them upon you it is the gods, not you who are to blame it is they that have brought about this terrible war with the Achaeans tell me then who is yonder huge hero so great and goodly I have seen men taller by head but none so comely and so royal surely he must be a king sir answered Helen father of my husband dear and reverend in my eyes would that I had chosen death and then to have come here with your son far from my bridal chamber my friends, my darling daughter and all the companions of my girlhood but it was not to be and my lot is one of tears and sorrow as for your question the hero of whom you ask is Agamemnon son of Atreus a good king and a brave soldier brother in law as surely as that he lives to my abhorred and miserable self the old man marveled at him and said happy son of Atreus child of good fortune I see that the Achaeans are subject to you in great multitudes when I was in Phrygia I saw much horsemen the people of Ultreus and Migdon who were camping upon the banks of the river Sangarius I was their ally and with them when the Amazons peers of men came up against them but even they were not so many as the Achaeans the old man next looked upon Ulysses tell me he said who is that other shorter by head than Agamemnon but broader across the chest and shoulders his armour is laid upon the ground and he stalks in front of the ranks as if it were some great woolly ram ordering his use and Helen answered he is Ulysses a man of great craft son of Laertes he was born in rugged Ithaca and excels in all manner of stratagems and subtle cunning on this and Tina said Madam you have spoken truly Ulysses once came here as an envoy about yourself and Menelaus with him I received them in my own house and therefore know both of them by sight and conversation when they stood up in the presence of the assembled Trojans Menelaus was the broader shoulder but when both were seated Ulysses had the more royal presence after a time they delivered their message and the speech of Menelaus ran trippingly on the tongue he did not say much for he was a man of few words but he spoke very clearly and to the point though he was the younger man of the two Ulysses on the other hand when he rose to speak was at first silent and kept his eyes fixed upon the ground there was no plain or graceful movement of his scepter he kept it straight and stiff like a man unpracticed in oratory one might have taken him for a mere chir or simpleton he raised his voice and the words came driving from his deep chest like winter snow before the wind then there was none to touch him and no man thought further of what he looked like Prime then caught sight of Ajax and asked who is that great and goodly warrior whose head and broad shoulders tower above the rest of the Argyves that answered Helen his huge Ajax bulwark of the Achaeans and on the other side of him among the Cretans stands Idominaeus looking like a god and with the captains of the Cretans around him often did Menelaus receive him as a guest in our house when he came visiting us from Crete I see moreover many other Achaeans whose names I could tell you but there are two whom I can nowhere find Caster Breaker of Horses and Pollux the mighty boxer they are children of my mother and own brothers to myself either they have not left Lassidemen or else though they have brought their ships they will not show themselves in battle for the shame and disgrace that I have brought upon them she knew not that both these heroes were already lying under the earth in their own land of Lassidemen meanwhile the Herods were bringing the holy oath offerings through the city two lambs and a goat skin of wine the gift of earth and Ideas brought the mixing bowl and the cups of gold said to Prime and said son of Leomidon the princes of the Trojans and Achaeans bid you come down onto the plain and swear to a solemn covenant Alexandra and Menelaus are to fight for Helen in single combat that she and all her wealth may go with him who is the victor we are to swear to a solemn covenant of peace whereby we others shall dwell here in Troy while the Achaeans return to Argos and the land of the Achaeans the old man trembled as he heard but bad his followers yoke the horses and they made all haste to do so he mounted the chariot gathered the reins in his hand and Antina took his seat beside him they then drove through the ski and gates onto the plain when they reached the ranks of the Trojans and Achaeans they left the chariot and with measured pace advanced into the space between the hosts Agamemnon and Ulysses both rose to meet them the attendants brought on the oath offerings and mixed the wine in the mixing bowls they poured water over the hands of the chieftains and the son of Atreus drew the dagger that hung by his sword and cut wool from the lamb's heads this the men servants gave about among the Trojan and Achaean princes and the son of Atreus lifted up his hands in prayer Father Jov he cried that rulest in ida most glorious in power and thou O son that seest and giveest ear to all things earth and rivers and ye who in the realms below chastise the soul of him that has broken his oath witness his rights and guard them that they be not vain if Alexandrus kills Menelaus let him keep Helen and all her wealth while we sail home with our ships but if Menelaus kills Alexandrus let the Trojans give back Helen that she has let them moreover pay such fine to the Achaeans as shall be agreed upon in testimony among those that shall be born hereafter and if Prime and his sons refuse such fine when Alexandrus has fallen then will I stay here and fight on till I've got satisfaction as he spoke he drew his knife across the throats of the victims and laid them down gasping and dying upon the ground and reffed them of their strength then they poured wine from the mixing bowl into the cups and prayed to the everlasting gods saying Trojans and Achaeans among one another Jove most great and glorious and ye other everlasting gods grant that the brains of them who shall first sin against their oaths of them and their children may be shed upon the ground even as this wine and let their wives become the slaves of strangers thus they prayed but not as yet would Jove grant them their prayer then Prime, descending of Dardanus spoke saying hear me Trojans and Achaeans I will now go back to the wind beaten city of Ilius I dare not with my own eyes witness this fight between my son and Menelaus for Jove and the other immortals alone know which shall fall on this he laid the two lambs on his chariot and took his seat he gathered the reins in his hand and Antina sat beside him the two then went back to Ilius Hector and Ulysses measured the ground and cast lots from a helmet of bronze to see which should take aim first meanwhile the two hosts lifted up their hands and prayed saying Father Jove that rulest from Ida most glorious in power grant that he who first brought about this war between us may die and enter the house of Hades we others remain at peace and abide by our oaths great Hector now turned his head aside while he shook the helmet and the lot of Paris flew out first the others took their several stations each by his horse and the place where his arms were lying while Alexandrus, husband of lovely Helen put on his goodly armour first he grieved his legs with grieves of good make and fitted with ankle clasps of silver after this he donned the curass of his brother Lecaion and fitted it to his own body he hung his silver studded sword of bronze about his shoulders and then his mighty shield on his comely head he set his helmet well wrought with a crest of horse hair that nodded menacingly above it and he grasped the redoubtable spear that suited his hands in like fashion Menelaus also put on his armour when they had thus armed each amid his own people they strode, fierce of aspect into the open space and both Trojans and Achaeans were struck with awe as they beheld them they stood near one another on the measured ground brandishing their spears and each furious against the other Alexandrus aimed first and struck the round shield of the son of Atreus but the spear did not pierce it for the shield turned its point Menelaus next took aim and drove he said grant me revenge on Alexandrus who has wronged me subdue him under my hand that in ages yet to come a man may shrink from doing ill deeds in the house of his host he poised his spear as he spoke and hurled it at the shield of Alexandrus through shield and cuirass it went and tore the shirt by his flank but Alexandrus swerved aside and thus saved his life then the son of Atreus was ejecting part of his helmet but the sword fell shivered in three or four pieces from his hand and he cried looking towards heaven Father Jove of all gods thou art the most despiteful I made sure of my revenge but the sword has broken in my hand my spear has been hurled in vain and I have not killed him with this he flew at Alexandrus caught him by the horsehair plume of his helmet and began dragging him towards the Achaeans the strap of the helmet that went under his chin was choking him and Menelaus would have dragged him off to his own great glory had not Jove's daughter Venus been quick to mark and break the strap of Oxide so that the empty helmet came away in his hand this he flung to his comrades among the Achaeans and was again springing upon Alexandrus to run him through with a spear but Venus snatched him up in a moment as a god can do hid him under a cloud of darkness and conveyed him to his own bed chamber then she went to call Helen and found her on a high tower with the Trojan women crowding about her she took the form of an old woman who used to dress wool for her when she was still in Lacedaemon and of whom she was very fond thus disguised she plucked her by perfumed robe and said come hither Alexandrus says you are to go to the house he is on his bed in his own room radiant with beauty and dressed in gorgeous apparel no one would think he had just come from fighting but rather that he was going to a dance or had done dancing and was sitting down with these words she moved the heart of Helen to anger when she marked the beautiful neck of the goddess her lovely bosom and sparkling eyes she marveled at her and said goddess why do you thus beguile me are you going to send me a field still further to some man whom you have taken up in Phrygia or Fermeonia Menelaus has just vanquished Alexandrus and is to take my hateful self back with him you will come here to betray me go sit with Alexandrus yourself henceforth be a goddess no longer never let your feet carry you back to Olympus worry about him and look after him till he make you his wife or for the matter of that his slave but me I shall not go I can garnish his bed no longer I should be a byword among all the women of Troy besides I have trouble on my mind Venus was very angry and said bold Hussie do not provoke me if you do I shall leave you to your fate and hate you as much as I have loved you I will stir up fierce hatred between Trojans and Achaeans and you shall come to a bad end but this Helen was frightened she rapped her mantle about her and went in silence following the goddess and unnoticed by the Trojan women when they came to the house of Alexandrus the maid servants set about their work Helen went into her own room and the laughter loving goddess took a seat and set it for her facing Alexandrus on this Helen daughter of Aegis bearing Jove sat down and with eyes of scance braided her husband so you will come from the fight said she would that you had fallen rather by the hand of that brave man who was my husband used to brag that you were a better man with hands and spear than Menelaus go then and challenge him again but I should advise you not to do so for if you are foolish enough to meet him in single combat you will soon fall by his spear and Paris answered wife do not vex me with your reproaches this time with the help of Minerva Menelaus has vanquished me another time I may myself be victor for I too have gods that will stand by me come let us lie down together and make friends never yet was I so passionately enamored of you as at this moment not even when I first carried you off from Lassa demon and sailed away with you not even when I had converse with you on the couch of love in the island of Cranai was I so enthralled by desire of you as now on this he led her towards the bed and his wife went with him thus they laid themselves on the bed together but the son of Atreus strode amongst the throng looking everywhere for Alexandrus and no man neither of the Trojans nor of the allies could find him if they had seen him they were in no mind to hide him for they all of them hated him as they did death itself then Agamemnon king of men spoke saying hear me Trojans, Dardanians and allies the victory has been with Menelaus therefore give back Helen with all her wealth and pay such fine as shall be agreed upon in testimony among them that shall be born hereafter thus spoke the son of Atreus and the Achaean shouted in applause End of book three