Assignment of Hum101(check attach file to make sure you can handle it)

The Ilia d By H om er Writ te n 8 00 B .C .E Tra nsla te d b y S am uel B utle r Ta ble o f C onte nts Book X XIV The a sse m bly n ow b ro ke u p a nd th e p eople w ent th eir w ays e ach to h is o w n sh ip . T here th ey m ade re ady th eir s u pper, a nd th en b eth ought th em o f th e ble sse d b oon o f s le ep; b ut A ch ille s s till w ept fo r th in kin g o f h is d ear co m ra de, a nd s le ep, b efo re w hom a ll th in gs b ow , c o uld ta ke n o h old u pon him .

This w ay a nd th at d id h e tu rn a s h e y e arn ed a fte r th e m ig ht a nd m anfu ln ess of P atr o clu s; h e th ought of a ll th ey h ad d one to geth er, a nd a ll th ey h ad gone th ro ugh b oth o n th e fie ld o f b attle a nd o n th e wave s o f th e w eary se a. A s h e d w elt o n th ese th in gs h e w ept b it te rly a nd la y n ow o n h is s id e, now o n his b ack, a nd n ow fa ce d ow nw ard s, till a t la st h e r o se a nd w ent out a s o ne d is tr a ught to w ander u pon th e s e ash ore . T hen, w hen h e s a w d aw n bre akin g o ve r b each a nd s e a, h e y o ke d h is h ors e s to h is ch ario t, a nd b ound th e b ody o f H ecto r b ehin d it th at h e m ig ht d ra g it a bout. T hric e d id h e dra g it ro und th e to m b o f th e s o n o f M enoetiu s, a nd th en w ent b ack in to his te nt, le avin g th e b ody o n th e gro und fu ll le ngth a nd w it h it s fa ce dow nw ard s. B ut A pollo w ould n ot s u ffe r it to b e d is fig ure d, fo r h e pit ie d th e m an, d ead th ough h e n ow w as; th ere fo re h e s h ie ld ed h im w it h h is g old en aegis c o ntin ually , th at h e m ig ht ta ke n o h urt w hile A ch ille s w as d ra ggin g him .

Thus s h am efu lly d id A ch ille s in h is fu ry d is h onour H ecto r; b ut th e b le sse d g ods lo oke d d ow n in p it y fr o m h eave n, a nd u rg ed M erc u ry , s la ye r of A rg us, to s te al th e b ody. A ll w ere o f th is m in d s a ve o nly Ju no, N eptu ne, and J o ve 's g re y-e ye d d aughte r, w ho p ers is te d in th e h ate w hic h th ey h ad eve r b orn e to w ard s Iliu s w it h P ria m a nd h is p eople ; fo r th ey fo rg ave n ot th e w ro ng d one th em b y A le xa ndru s in dis d ain in g th e g oddesse s w ho c a m e to h im w hen h e w as in h is s h eepya rd s, a nd p re fe rrin g h er w ho had o ffe re d him a w anto n to h is r u in .

When, th ere fo re , th e m orn in g o f th e tw elf th d ay h ad n ow c o m e, P hoebus Apollo s p oke a m ong th e im morta ls s a yin g, " Y ou g ods o ught to b e a sh am ed of y o urs e lv e s; y o u a re c ru el a nd h ard -h earte d. D id not H ecto r b urn y o u th ig h-b ones o f h eif e rs a nd o f u nble m is h ed g oats ? A nd n ow d are y o u n ot r e scu e eve n h is d ead b ody, fo r h is w if e to lo ok u pon, w it h h is m oth er a nd c h ild , his fa th er P ria m , a nd h is people , w ho w ould fo rth w it h c o m mit h im to th e fla m es, a nd g iv e h im h is d ue fu nera l r it e s? S o, th en, yo u w ould a ll b e on th e s id e o f m ad A ch ille s, w ho k n ow s n eit h er r ig ht n or r u th ? H e is lik e so m e sa va ge lio n th at in th e p rid e o f h is g re at s tr e ngth a nd d arin g s p rin gs upon m en's flo cks a nd g org es 1/1 1 on th em . E ve n s o h as A ch ille s flu ng a sid e all p it y , a nd a ll th at c o nscie nce w hic h a t o nce s o g re atly banes y e t g re atly boons h im th at w ill h eed it . m an m ay lo se o ne fa r d eare r th an A ch ille s has lo st- a so n, it m ay b e, o r a b ro th er b orn fr o m h is o w n m oth er's w om b; ye t w hen h e h as m ourn ed h im a nd wept o ve r h im h e w ill le t h im b id e, fo r it ta ke s m uch s o rro w to k ill a m an; w here as A ch ille s, n ow th at he h as s la in noble H ecto r, d ra gs h im b ehin d h is c h ario t r o und th e to m b o f h is c o m ra de.

It w ere b ette r of h im , a nd fo r h im , th at h e s h ould n ot d o s o , fo r b ra ve th ough h e b e w e g ods m ay ta ke it ill th at h e sh ould v e nt h is fu ry u pon dead c la y." Ju no s p oke u p in a r a ge. " T his w ere w ell, " s h e c rie d, " O lo rd o f th e s ilv e r b ow , if y o u w ould g iv e lik e honour to H ecto r a nd to A ch ille s; but H ecto r w as m orta l a nd s u ckle d a t a w om an's b re ast, w here as Ach ille s is th e o ffs p rin g o f a g oddess w hom I m yse lf r e are d a nd b ro ught u p. I m arrie d her to P ele us, who is a bove m easu re d ear to th e im morta ls ; y o u g ods c a m e all o f y o u to h er w eddin g; y o u fe aste d alo ng w it h th em y o urs e lf a nd b ro ught yo ur ly re - fa ls e , a nd fo nd o f lo w c o m pany, th at y o u h ave e ve r been." Then s a id J o ve , " J u no, b e n ot s o b it te r. T heir h onour s h all n ot be e qual, b ut o f a ll th at d w ell in Iliu s, Hecto r w as d eare st to th e g ods, as a ls o to m yse lf , fo r h is o ffe rin gs n eve r fa ile d m e. N eve r w as m y alt a r stin te d o f it s d ues, n or o f th e d rin k-o ffe rin gs a nd s a vo ur o f s a crif ic e whic h w e c la im o f r ig ht. I sh all th ere fo re p erm it th e b ody o f m ig hty H ecto r to b e s to le n; a nd y e t th is m ay h ard ly b e w it h out Ach ille s c o m in g to k n ow it , fo r h is m oth er k e eps n ig ht a nd d ay b esid e h im . L et s o m e o ne o f y o u, th ere fo re , s e nd T hetis to m e, a nd I w ill im part m y c o unse l to h er, n am ely th at A ch ille s is to a cce pt a ra nso m fr o m P ria m , a nd g iv e u p th e body." On th is Ir is fle et a s th e w in d w ent fo rth to c a rry h is m essa ge.

Dow n s h e p lu nged in to th e d ark s e a mid w ay b etw een S am os a nd r o cky Im bru s; th e w ate rs h is se d a s th ey c lo se d o ve r h er, a nd s h e s a nk in to th e b otto m as th e le ad a t th e e nd o f a n o x-h orn , th at is s p ed to c a rry d eath to fis h es.

She fo und Thetis s it tin g in a g re at c a ve w it h th e o th er s e a-g oddesse s g ath ere d ro und h er; th ere s h e s a t in th e mid st o f th em w eepin g fo r h er n oble s o n who w as to fa ll fa r fr o m h is o w n la nd, o n th e r ic h p la in s o f Tro y. Ir is went u p to h er a nd s a id , " R is e T hetis ; J o ve , w hose c o unse ls fa il n ot, b id s yo u c o m e to h im ." And T hetis a nsw ere d, " W hy d oes th e m ig hty g od s o b id me? I a m in g re at g rie f, a nd s h rin k fr o m goin g in a nd o ut a m ong th e im morta ls .

Still, I w ill g o, a nd th e w ord th at h e m ay s p eak s h all n ot b e sp oke n in va in ." The g oddess to ok h er d ark v e il, th an w hic h th ere c a n b e n o r o be more s o m bre , a nd w ent fo rth w it h fle et Ir is le adin g th e w ay b efo re h er. The w ave s o f th e s e a o pened th em a p ath , a nd w hen th ey re ach ed th e s h ore th ey fle w u p in to th e h eave ns, w here th ey fo und th e a ll- s e ein g s o n o f S atu rn wit h th e b le sse d g ods th at liv e fo r e ve r a sse m ble d n ear h im . M in erv a g ave up h er s e at to h er, a nd s h e s a t dow n b y th e s id e o f fa th er J o ve . J u no th en pla ce d a fa ir g old en c u p in h er h and, a nd s p oke to h er in word s o f c o m fo rt, where on T hetis d ra nk a nd g ave h er b ack th e c u p; a nd th e s ir e o f g ods a nd men was th e fir s t to s p eak.

"S o, g oddess," s a id h e, " fo r a ll y o ur s o rro w , a nd th e g rie f th at I w ell k n ow r e ig ns e ve r in y o ur h eart, yo u h ave c o m e h it h er to O ly m pus, and I w ill te ll y o u w hy I h ave s e nt fo r y o u. T his n in e d ays p ast th e im morta ls have b een q uarre llin g a bout A ch ille s w aste r o f c it ie s a nd th e b ody o f H ecto r. The g ods would h ave M erc u ry s la ye r o f A rg us s te al th e b ody, b ut in fu rth era nce of o ur p eace a nd a m it y hence fo rw ard , I w ill c o nce de s u ch h onour to y o ur so n a s I w ill n ow te ll y o u. G o, th en, to th e h ost a nd la y th ese c o m mands upon h im ; s a y th at th e g ods a re a ngry w it h h im , a nd th at I a m m yse lf m ore angry th an th em a ll, in th at h e k e eps H ecto r a t th e s h ip s a nd w ill n ot giv e h im u p. H e m ay th us fe ar me a nd le t th e b ody g o. A t th e s a m e tim e I w ill s e nd Ir is to g re at P ria m to b id h im g o to th e s h ip s o f th e Ach aeans, and r a nso m h is s o n, ta kin g w it h h im s u ch g if ts fo r A ch ille s a s m ay g iv e him s a tis fa ctio n.

Silv e r-fo ote d T hetis d id a s th e g od h ad to ld h er, a nd fo rth w it h dow n s h e d arte d fr o m th e to pm ost 2/1 1 su m mit s o f O ly m pus. S he w ent to h er s o n's te nts w here s h e fo und h im g rie vin g b it te rly , w hile h is tr u sty c o m ra des ro und h im w ere b usy p re parin g th eir m orn in g m eal, fo r w hic h th ey h ad k ille d a g re at woolly s h eep. H is m oth er s a t d ow n b esid e h im a nd c a re sse d h im w it h her h and s a yin g, " M y s o n, h ow lo ng w ill y o u k e ep o n th us g rie vin g a nd m akin g moan? Y ou a re g naw in g a t y o ur o w n h eart, a nd th in k neit h er o f fo od n or of w om an's e m bra ce s; a nd y e t th ese to o w ere w ell, fo r y o u h ave n o lo ng tim e to liv e , a nd d eath w it h th e s tr o ng h and o f fa te a re a lr e ady c lo se besid e y o u. N ow , th ere fo re , h eed w hat I sa y, fo r I c o m e a s a m esse nger fr o m J o ve ; h e s a ys th at th e g ods a re a ngry w it h y o u, a nd h im se lf more a ngry th an th em a ll, in th at y o u k e ep H ecto r a t th e s h ip s a nd w ill n ot g iv e h im up. T here fo re le t him g o, a nd a cce pt a r a nso m fo r h is body." And A ch ille s a nsw ere d, " S o b e it . If O ly m pia n J o ve o f h is o w n m otio n th us c o m mands m e, le t h im th at brin gs th e r a nso m b ear th e b ody aw ay." Thus d id m oth er a nd s o n ta lk to geth er a t th e s h ip s in lo ng d is co urs e wit h o ne a noth er. M eanw hile th e so n o f S atu rn s e nt Ir is to th e s tr o ng c it y of Iliu s. " G o," s a id h e, " fle et Ir is , fr o m th e m ansio ns o f Oly m pus, a nd te ll K in g P ria m in Iliu s, th at h e is to g o to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans and fr e e th e b ody of h is d ear s o n. H e is to ta ke s u ch g if ts w it h h im a s sh all g iv e s a tis fa ctio n to A ch ille s, a nd h e is to g o alo ne, w it h n o o th er Tro ja n, s a ve o nly s o m e h onoure d s e rv a nt w ho m ay d riv e h is m ule s a nd w aggon, and b rin g b ack th e b ody o f h im w hom n oble A ch ille s h as s la in . L et h im h ave no th ought n or fe ar o f death in h is h eart, fo r w e w ill s e nd th e s la ye r of A rg us to e sco rt h im , a nd b rin g h im w it h in th e te nt o f Ach ille s. A ch ille s will n ot k ill h im n or le t a noth er d o s o , fo r h e w ill ta ke h eed to h is w ays and s in n ot, and h e w ill e ntr e at a s u pplia nt w it h a ll h onoura ble co urte sy." On th is Ir is , fle et a s th e w in d, s p ed fo rth to d eliv e r h er m essa ge.

She w ent to P ria m 's h ouse , a nd fo und w eepin g a nd la m enta tio n th ere in . H is so ns w ere s e ate d r o und th eir fa th er in th e o ute r co urty a rd , a nd th eir r a im ent was w et w it h te ars : th e o ld m an s a t in th e m id st o f th em w it h h is m antle wra pped c lo se a bout h is b ody, a nd h is h ead a nd n eck a ll c o ve re d w it h th e filt h w hic h h e h ad c lu tc h ed as h e la y g ro ve llin g in th e m ir e . H is d aughte rs and h is s o ns' w iv e s w ent w ailin g a bout th e h ouse , a s th ey th ought o f th e many a nd b ra ve m en w ho la y d ead, s la in b y th e A rg iv e s. T he m esse nger o f Jo ve sto od b y P ria m a nd s p oke s o ftly to h im , b ut fe ar fe ll u pon h im a s sh e d id s o . " T a ke h eart," s h e s a id , "P ria m o ffs p rin g o f D ard anus, ta ke heart a nd fe ar n ot. I b rin g n o e vil tid in gs, b ut a m m in ded w ell to w ard s yo u. I c o m e a s a m esse nger fr o m J o ve , w ho th ough h e b e n ot n ear, ta ke s th ought fo r y o u and p it ie s y o u. T he lo rd o f O ly m pus b id s y o u g o a nd r a nso m noble H ecto r, a nd ta ke w it h y o u s u ch gif ts a s s h all g iv e s a tis fa ctio n to Ach ille s. Y ou a re to g o a lo ne, w it h n o T ro ja n, s a ve o nly s o m e honoure d se rv a nt w ho m ay d riv e y o ur m ule s a nd w aggon, a nd b rin g b ack to th e c it y th e b ody o f h im whom n oble A ch ille s h as s la in . Y ou a re to h ave n o th ought, nor fe ar o f d eath , fo r J o ve w ill s e nd th e sla ye r o f A rg us to e sco rt y o u.

When h e h as b ro ught y o u w it h in A ch ille s' te nt, A ch ille s w ill n ot k ill y o u nor le t a noth er d o s o , fo r h e w ill ta ke h eed to h is w ays a nd s in n ot, a nd he w ill e ntr e at a s u pplia nt w it h all h onoura ble c o urte sy." Ir is w ent h er w ay w hen s h e h ad th us s p oke n, a nd P ria m to ld h is so ns to g et a m ule -w aggon r e ady, and to m ake th e b ody o f th e w aggon fa st upon th e to p o f it s b ed. T hen h e w ent d ow n in to h is fr a gra nt sto re -ro om , hig h-v a ult e d, a nd m ade o f c e dar-w ood, w here h is m any tr e asu re s w ere k e pt, and h e ca lle d H ecu ba h is w if e . " W if e ," s a id h e, " a m esse nger h as c o m e to me fr o m O ly m pus, a nd h as to ld me to g o to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans to ra nso m m y d ear s o n, ta kin g w it h m e s u ch g if ts a s s h all g iv e sa tis fa ctio n to A ch ille s. W hat th in k y o u o f th is m atte r? fo r m y o w n p art I a m g re atly move d to p ass th ro ugh th e o f th e A ch aeans a nd g o to th eir sh ip s." His w if e c rie d a lo ud a s s h e h eard h im , a nd s a id , " A la s, w hat h as beco m e o f th at ju dgem ent fo r w hic h yo u h ave b een e ve r fa m ous b oth a m ong str a ngers a nd y o ur o w n p eople ? H ow c a n y o u v e ntu re a lo ne to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans, a nd lo ok in to th e fa ce o f h im w ho h as s la in s o m any o f y o ur bra ve s o ns?

3/1 1 You m ust h ave ir o n c o ura ge, fo r if th e c ru el s a va ge s e es y o u and la ys h old o n y o u, h e w ill k n ow neit h er r e sp ect n or p it y . L et u s th en weep H ecto r fr o m a fa r h ere in o ur o w n h ouse , fo r w hen I g ave him b ir th th e th re ads o f o ve rru lin g fa te w ere s p un fo r h im th at d ogs s h ould e at h is fle sh fa r fr o m h is pare nts , in th e h ouse o f th at te rrib le m an o n w hose liv e r I w ould fa in fa ste n a nd d evo ur it . T hus w ould I a ve nge m y s o n, w ho sh ow ed n o c o w ard ic e w hen A ch ille s s le w h im , a nd th ought n eit h er o f R ig ht nor of a vo id in g b attle a s h e s to od in d efe nce o f T ro ja n m en a nd T ro ja n wom en." Then P ria m s a id , " I w ould g o, d o n ot th ere fo re s ta y m e n or b e a s a b ir d o f ill o m en in m y h ouse , fo r yo u w ill n ot m ove m e. H ad it b een s o m e morta l m an w ho h ad s e nt m e s o m e p ro phet o r p rie st w ho div in es fr o m s a crif ic e - I s h ould h ave d eem ed h im fa ls e a nd h ave g iv e n h im n o h eed; b ut n ow I h ave heard th e g oddess a nd s e en h er fa ce to fa ce , th ere fo re I w ill g o a nd h er sa yin g s h all n ot b e in v a in . If it b e m y fa te to d ie a t th e s h ip s o f th e Ach aeans e ve n s o w ould I h ave it ; le t A ch ille s s la y m e, if I m ay but fir s t have ta ke n m y s o n in m y a rm s a nd m ourn ed h im to m y h eart's co m fo rtin g." So s a yin g h e lif te d th e lid s o f h is c h ests , a nd to ok o ut tw elv e goodly v e stm ents . H e to ok a ls o tw elv e clo aks o f s in gle fo ld , tw elv e r u gs, tw elv e fa ir m antle s, a nd a n e qual n um ber o f s h ir ts . H e w eig hed o ut te n ta le nts o f g old , a nd b ro ught m ore ove r tw o b urn is h ed tr ip ods, fo ur c a uld ro ns, and a v e ry b eautif u l cu p w hic h th e T hra cia ns h ad g iv e n h im w hen h e h ad gone to th em o n a n e m bassy; it w as v e ry pre cio us, b ut h e g ru dged n ot e ve n th is , s o e ager w as h e to r a nso m th e b ody o f h is s o n. T hen h e ch ase d a ll th e T ro ja ns fr o m th e c o urt a nd r e buke d th em w it h w ord s o f a nger. " O ut," he c rie d, " s h am e and d is g ra ce to m e th at y o u a re . H ave y o u n o g rie f in yo ur o w n h om es th at y o u a re c o m e to p la gue me h ere ? Is it a s m all th in g, th in k y o u, th at th e s o n o f S atu rn h as s e nt th is s o rro w u pon m e, to lo se th e b ra ve st o f m y s o ns? N ay, y o u s h all p ro ve it in p ers o n, fo r n ow h e is gone th e A ch aeans w ill h ave easie r w ork in k illin g y o u. A s fo r m e, le t me g o d ow n w it h in th e h ouse o f H ades, e re m in e e ye s b ehold th e s a ckin g and w astin g o f th e c it y ." He d ro ve th e m en a w ay w it h h is s ta ff, a nd th ey w ent fo rth a s th e old m an s p ed th em . T hen h e c a lle d to h is s o ns, u pbra id in g H ele nus, P aris , noble A gath on, P am mon, A ntip honus, P olit e s o f th e lo ud battle -c ry , D eip hobus, Hip poth ous, a nd D iu s. T hese n in e d id th e o ld m an c a ll n ear h im . " C om e to me at o nce ," h e c rie d, " w orth le ss s o ns w ho d o m e s h am e; w ould th at y o u had a ll b een k ille d a t th e s h ip s ra th er th an H ecto r. M is e ra ble m an th at I a m , I h ave h ad th e b ra ve st s o ns in a ll T ro y- n oble N esto r, Tro ilu s th e dauntle ss c h ario te er, a nd H ecto r w ho w as a g od a m ong m en, s o th at o ne w ould have th ought h e w as s o n to a n im morta l- y e t th ere is n ot o ne o f th em le ft.

Mars h as s la in th em a nd th ose o f whom I a m a sh am ed a re a lo ne le ft m e. L ia rs , and lig ht o f fo ot, h ero es o f th e d ance , r o bbers o f la m bs and k id s fr o m yo ur o w n p eople , w hy d o y o u n ot g et a w aggon r e ady fo r m e a t o nce , a nd put a ll th ese th in gs u pon it th at I m ay s e t o ut o n m y way? " Thus d id h e s p eak, a nd th ey fe are d th e r e buke o f th eir fa th er. They b ro ught o ut a s tr o ng m ule - waggon, n ew ly m ade, a nd s e t th e b ody o f th e w aggon fa st o n it s b ed. T hey to ok th e m ule -y o ke fr o m th e p eg o n w hic h it h ung, a y o ke o f b oxw ood w it h a k n ob o n th e to p o f it a nd r in gs fo r th e re in s to g o th ro ugh. T hen th ey b ro ught a y o ke -b and e le ve n c u bit s lo ng, to b in d th e y o ke to th e p ole ; th ey b ound it o n a t th e fa r e nd o f th e p ole , and p ut th e r in g o ve r th e u prig ht p in m akin g it fa st w it h th re e tu rn s o f th e b and o n e it h er s id e th e k n ob, a nd b endin g th e th ong o f th e y o ke b eneath it . T his d one, th ey bro ught fr o m th e s to re -c h am ber th e r ic h r a nso m th at was to p urc h ase th e b ody o f H ecto r, a nd th ey se t it a ll o rd erly o n th e waggon; th en th ey y o ke d th e s tr o ng h arn ess-m ule s w hic h th e M ysia ns h ad on a tim e g iv e n a s a g oodly p re se nt to P ria m ; b ut fo r P ria m h im se lf th ey yo ke d h ors e s w hic h th e o ld k in g had b re d, a nd k e pt fo r o w n use .

Thus h eedfu lly d id P ria m a nd h is s e rv a nt s e e to th e y o lk in g o f th eir c a rs a t th e p ala ce . T hen H ecu ba ca m e to th em a ll s o rro w fu l, w it h a g old en g oble t o f w in e in h er r ig ht h and, th at th ey m ig ht m ake a drin k-o ffe rin g befo re th ey s e t o ut. S he s to od in fr o nt o f th e h ors e s a nd s a id , " T a ke th is , make a d rin k- 4/1 1 offe rin g to fa th er J o ve , a nd s in ce y o u a re m in ded to g o to th e s h ip s in s p it e o f m e, p ra y th at y o u m ay co m e s a fe ly b ack fr o m th e h ands of y o ur e nem ie s. P ra y to th e s o n o f S atu rn lo rd o f th e w hir lw in d, who s it s on Id a a nd lo oks d ow n o ve r a ll T ro y, p ra y h im to s e nd h is s w if t m esse nger on y o ur r ig ht hand, th e b ir d o f o m en w hic h is s tr o ngest a nd m ost d ear to him o f a ll b ir d s, th at y o u m ay s e e it w it h yo ur o w n e ye s a nd tr u st it a s yo u g o fo rth to th e s h ip s o f th e D anaans. If a ll- s e ein g J o ve w ill n ot s e nd yo u th is m esse nger, h ow eve r s e t u pon it y o u m ay b e, I w ould n ot h ave y o u go to th e s h ip s o f th e Arg iv e s." And P ria m a nsw ere d, " W if e , I w ill d o a s y o u d esir e m e; it is w ell to lif t h ands in p ra ye r to J o ve , if s o be h e m ay h ave m erc y u pon me." Wit h th is th e o ld m an b ade th e s e rv in g-w om an p our p ure w ate r o ve r his h ands, a nd th e w om an ca m e, b earin g th e w ate r in a b ow l. H e w ash ed h is hands a nd to ok th e c u p fr o m h is w if e ; th en h e made th e d rin k-o ffe rin g a nd pra ye d, s ta ndin g in th e m id dle o f th e c o urty a rd a nd tu rn in g h is e ye s to heave n. " F ath er J o ve ," h e s a id , " th at r u le st fr o m Id a, m ost g lo rio us a nd most g re at, g ra nt th at I m ay be r e ce iv e d k in dly a nd c o m passio nate ly in th e te nts o f A ch ille s; a nd s e nd y o ur s w if t m esse nger u pon my r ig ht h and, th e b ir d o f o m en w hic h is s tr o ngest a nd m ost d ear to y o u o f a ll b ir d s, th at I m ay s e e it wit h m y o w n e ye s a nd tr u st it a s I g o fo rth to th e s h ip s of th e D anaans." So d id h e p ra y, a nd J o ve th e lo rd o f c o unse l h eard h is p ra ye r. Forth w it h h e s e nt a n e agle , th e m ost unerrin g p orte nt o f a ll b ir d s th at fly , th e d usky h unte r th at m en a ls o c a ll th e B la ck E agle . H is w in gs were sp re ad a bro ad o n e it h er s id e a s w id e a s th e w ell- m ade a nd w ell- b olt e d d oor of a r ic h m an's ch am ber. H e c a m e to th em fly in g o ve r th e c it y u pon th eir rig ht h ands, a nd w hen th ey s a w h im th ey were g la d a nd th eir h earts to ok co m fo rt w it h in th em . T he o ld m an m ade h aste to m ount h is c h ario t, and d ro ve out th ro ugh th e in ner g ate w ay a nd u nder th e e ch oin g g ate house o f th e o ute r co urt. B efo re him w ent th e m ule s d ra w in g th e fo ur-w heele d w aggon, a nd d riv e n by w is e Id aeus; b ehin d th ese w ere th e h ors e s, w hic h th e o ld m an la sh ed wit h h is w hip a nd d ro ve s w if tly th ro ugh th e c it y , w hile h is fr ie nds fo llo w ed afte r, w ailin g a nd la m entin g fo r h im a s th ough h e w ere o n h is r o ad to d eath .

As s o on as th ey h ad c o m e d ow n fr o m th e c it y a nd h ad r e ach ed th e p la in , his s o ns a nd s o ns-in -la w w ho h ad fo llo w ed h im w ent b ack to Iliu s.

But P ria m a nd Id aeus a s th ey s h ow ed o ut u pon th e p la in d id n ot esca pe th e k e n o f a ll- s e ein g J o ve , who lo oke d d ow n u pon th e o ld m an a nd pit ie d h im ; th en h e s p oke to h is s o n M erc u ry a nd s a id , "M erc u ry , fo r it is y o u w ho a re th e m ost d is p ose d to e sco rt m en o n th eir w ay, a nd to h ear th ose w hom yo u w ill h ear, g o, a nd s o c o nduct P ria m to th e s h ip s o f th e Ach aeans th at n o o th er o f th e D anaans sh all s e e h im n or ta ke n ote o f h im until h e r e ach th e s o n o f P ele us." Thus h e s p oke a nd M erc u ry , g uid e a nd g uard ia n, s la ye r o f A rg us, did a s h e w as to ld . F orth w it h h e bound o n h is g lit te rin g g old en s a ndals wit h w hic h h e c o uld fly lik e th e w in d o ve r la nd a nd s e a; h e to ok th e w and wit h w hic h h e s e als m en's e ye s in s le ep, o r w ake s th em ju st a s h e p le ase s, and fle w hold in g it in h is h and till h e c a m e to T ro y a nd to th e H elle sp ont.

To lo ok a t, h e w as lik e a y o ung m an of n oble b ir th in th e h ey-d ay o f h is yo uth a nd b eauty w it h th e d ow n ju st c o m in g u pon h is fa ce .

Now w hen P ria m a nd Id aeus h ad d riv e n p ast th e g re at to m b o f Iliu s, th ey s ta ye d th eir m ule s a nd hors e s th at th ey m ig ht d rin k in th e r iv e r, fo r th e s h ades o f n ig ht w ere fa llin g, w hen, th ere fo re , Id aeus sa w M erc u ry sta ndin g n ear th em h e s a id to P ria m , " T a ke h eed, d esce ndant o f D ard anus; here is matte r w hic h d em ands c o nsid era tio n. I s e e a m an w ho I th in k w ill pre se ntly fa ll u pon u s; le t u s fly wit h o ur h ors e s, o r a t le ast e m bra ce his k n ees a nd im plo re h im to ta ke c o m passio n u pon u s?

When h e h eard th is th e o ld m an's h eart fa ile d h im , a nd h e w as in gre at fe ar; h e s ta ye d w here h e w as as o ne d aze d, a nd th e h air s to od o n end o ve r h is w hole b ody; b ut th e b rin ger o f g ood lu ck c a m e u p to him a nd to ok h im b y th e h and, s a yin g, " W hit h er, fa th er, a re y o u th us d riv in g y o ur mule s a nd h ors e s in 5/1 1 th e d ead o f n ig ht w hen o th er m en a re a sle ep? A re y o u not a fr a id o f th e fie rc e A ch aeans w ho a re h ard by y o u, s o c ru el a nd r e le ntle ss? Should s o m e o ne o f th em s e e y o u b earin g s o m uch tr e asu re th ro ugh th e d ark n ess of th e fly in g n ig ht, w hat w ould n ot y o ur s ta te th en b e? Y ou a re n o lo nger yo ung, a nd h e who is w it h y o u is to o o ld to p ro te ct y o u fr o m th ose w ho would a tta ck y o u. F or m yse lf , I w ill d o y o u n o harm , a nd I w ill d efe nd yo u fr o m a ny o ne e ls e , fo r y o u r e m in d m e o f m y o w n fa th er. " And P ria m a nsw ere d, " It is in deed a s y o u s a y, m y d ear s o n; n eve rth ele ss so m e g od h as h eld h is hand o ve r m e, in th at h e h as s e nt s u ch a w ayfa re r as y o urs e lf to m eet m e s o O pportu nely ; y o u a re s o co m ely in m ie n a nd fig ure , and y o ur ju dgem ent is s o e xce lle nt th at y o u m ust c o m e o f b le sse d pare nts ." Then s a id th e s la ye r o f A rg us, g uid e a nd g uard ia n, " S ir , a ll th at yo u h ave s a id is r ig ht; b ut te ll m e a nd te ll m e tr u e, a re y o u ta kin g th is ric h tr e asu re to s e nd it to a fo re ig n p eople w here it m ay b e s a fe , o r are yo u a ll le avin g s tr o ng Iliu s in d is m ay n ow th at y o ur s o n h as fa lle n w ho was th e b ra ve st m an am ong y o u a nd w as n eve r la ckin g in b attle w it h th e Ach aeans? " And P ria m s a id , " W o a re y o u, m y fr ie nd, a nd w ho a re y o ur p are nts , th at y o u s p eak s o tr u ly a bout th e fa te o f m y u nhappy so n?" The s la ye r o f A rg us, g uid e a nd g uard ia n, a nsw ere d h im , " S ir , y o u would p ro ve m e, th at y o u q uestio n me a bout n oble H ecto r. M any a tim e h ave I s e t e ye s u pon h im in b attle w hen h e w as d riv in g th e Arg iv e s to th eir sh ip s a nd p uttin g th em to th e s w ord . W e s to od s till a nd m arv e lle d, fo r Ach ille s in h is anger w it h th e s o n o f A tr e us s u ffe re d u s n ot to fig ht.

I a m h is s q uir e , a nd c a m e w it h h im in th e s a m e sh ip . I a m a M yrm id on, a nd my fa th er's n am e is P oly cto r: h e is a r ic h m an a nd a bout a s o ld a s y o u are ; h e h as s ix s o ns b esid es m yse lf , a nd I a m th e s e ve nth . W e c a st lo ts , and it fe ll u pon m e to s a il hit h er w it h A ch ille s. I a m n ow c o m e fr o m th e sh ip s o n to th e p la in , fo r w it h d ayb re ak th e A ch aeans w ill se t b attle in arra y a bout th e c it y . T hey c h afe a t d oin g n oth in g, a nd a re s o e ager th at th eir p rin ce s ca nnot h old th em b ack." Then a nsw ere d P ria m , " If y o u a re in deed th e s q uir e o f A ch ille s so n o f P ele us, te ll m e n ow th e W hole tr u th . Is m y s o n s till a t th e s h ip s, or h as A ch ille s h ew n h im lim b fr o m lim b, a nd g iv e n h im to h is hounds? " "S ir , " r e plie d th e s la ye r o f A rg us, g uid e a nd g uard ia n, " n eit h er hounds n or v u lt u re s h ave y e t d evo ure d him ; h e is s till ju st ly in g a t th e te nts b y th e s h ip o f A ch ille s, a nd th ough it is n ow tw elv e d ays th at h e has la in th ere , h is fle sh is n ot w aste d n or h ave th e w orm s e ate n h im a lt h ough th ey fe ed o n w arrio rs .

At d ayb re ak A ch ille s d ra gs h im c ru elly r o und th e se pulc h re o f h is d ear c o m ra de, b ut it d oes h im n o hurt. Y ou s h ould c o m e yo urs e lf a nd s e e h ow h e lie s fr e sh a s d ew , w it h th e b lo od a ll w ash ed a w ay, and h is w ounds e ve ry o ne o f th em c lo se d th ough m any p ie rc e d h im w it h th eir sp ears . S uch c a re have th e b le sse d g ods ta ke n o f y o ur b ra ve s o n, fo r h e was d ear to th em b eyo nd a ll m easu re ." The o ld m an w as c o m fo rte d a s h e h eard h im a nd s a id , " M y s o n, s e e what a g ood th in g it is to h ave made d ue o ffe rin gs to th e im morta ls ; fo r as s u re a s th at h e w as b orn m y s o n n eve r fo rg ot th e g ods th at h old O ly m pus, and n ow th ey r e quit e it to h im e ve n in d eath . A cce pt th ere fo re a t m y h ands th is goodly c h alic e ; g uard m e a nd w it h h eave n's h elp g uid e m e till I c o m e to th e te nt o f th e s o n o f P ele us." Then a nsw ere d th e s la ye r o f A rg us, g uid e a nd g uard ia n, " S ir , y o u are te m ptin g m e a nd p la yin g u pon my y o uth , b ut y o u s h all n ot m ove m e, fo r yo u a re o ffe rin g m e p re se nts w it h out th e k n ow le dge o f Ach ille s w hom I fe ar and h old it g re at g uilt le ss to d efr a ud, le st s o m e e vil p re se ntly b efa ll me; b ut a s yo ur g uid e I w ould g o w it h y o u e ve n to A rg os it s e lf , a nd w ould guard y o u s o c a re fu lly w heth er b y s e a or la nd, th at n o o ne s h ould a tta ck yo u th ro ugh m akin g lig ht o f h im w ho w as w it h y o u." 6/1 1 The b rin ger o f g ood lu ck th en s p ra ng o n to th e c h ario t, a nd s e iz in g th e w hip a nd r e in s h e b re ath ed fr e sh s p ir it in to th e m ule s a nd h ors e s.

When th ey r e ach ed th e tr e nch a nd th e w all th at w as b efo re th e sh ip s, th ose who w ere o n g uard h ad ju st b een g ettin g th eir s u ppers , a nd th e s la ye r o f Arg us th re w th em a ll in to a d eep s le ep. T hen h e d re w b ack th e b olt s to open th e g ate s, a nd to ok P ria m in sid e w it h th e tr e asu re h e h ad u pon h is waggon. E re lo ng th ey c a m e to th e lo fty d w ellin g o f th e s o n o f P ele us fo r whic h th e M yrm id ons h ad c u t p in e a nd w hic h th ey h ad b uilt fo r th eir k in g; when th ey h ad b uilt it th ey th atc h ed it w it h c o ars e tu sso ck-g ra ss w hic h th ey h ad m ow n o ut o n th e p la in , a nd a ll r o und it th ey made a la rg e c o urty a rd , whic h w as fe nce d w it h s ta ke s s e t c lo se to geth er. T he g ate w as b arre d w it h a sin gle b olt o f p in e w hic h it to ok th re e m en to fo rc e in to it s p la ce , and th re e to d ra w b ack s o a s to o pen th e g ate , b ut A ch ille s c o uld d ra w it b y h im se lf . M erc u ry o pened th e g ate fo r th e o ld m an, a nd b ro ught in th e tr e asu re th at h e w as ta kin g w it h h im fo r th e s o n o f P ele us. T hen h e sp ra ng fr o m th e c h ario t o n to th e g ro und a nd s a id , " S ir , it is I, im morta l Merc u ry , th at a m c o m e w it h y o u, fo r m y fa th er s e nt m e to esco rt y o u. I will n ow le ave y o u, a nd w ill n ot e nte r in to th e p re se nce o f A ch ille s, fo r it m ig ht a nger h im th at a g od s h ould b efr ie nd m orta l m en th us o penly . G o yo u w it h in , a nd e m bra ce th e k n ees o f th e s o n of P ele us: b ese ech h im b y his fa th er, h is lo ve ly m oth er, a nd h is s o n; th us y o u m ay m ove him ." Wit h th ese w ord s M erc u ry w ent b ack to h ig h O ly m pus. P ria m s p ra ng fr o m h is c h ario t to th e g ro und, le avin g Id aeus w here h e w as, in c h arg e of th e m ule s a nd h ors e s. T he o ld m an w ent s tr a ig ht in to th e house w here Ach ille s, lo ve d o f th e g ods, w as s it tin g. T here h e fo und h im w it h h is m en se ate d a t a dis ta nce fr o m h im : o nly tw o, th e h ero A uto m edon, a nd A lc im us of th e r a ce o f M ars , w ere b usy in atte ndance a bout h is p ers o n, fo r h e h ad but ju st d one e atin g a nd d rin kin g, a nd th e ta ble w as s till th ere . K in g Pria m e nte re d w it h out th eir s e ein g h im , a nd g oin g r ig ht u p to A ch ille s he c la sp ed h is kn ees a nd k is se d th e d re ad m urd ero us h ands th at h ad s la in so m any o f h is s o ns.

As w hen s o m e c ru el s p it e h as b efa lle n a m an th at h e s h ould h ave kille d s o m e o ne in h is o w n c o untr y , and m ust fly to a g re at m an's p ro te ctio n in a la nd o f s tr a ngers , a nd a ll m arv e l w ho s e e h im , e ve n s o did A ch ille s marv e l a s h e b eheld P ria m . T he o th ers lo oke d o ne to a noth er a nd m arv e lle d als o , b ut Pria m b eso ught A ch ille s s a yin g, " T hin k o f y o ur fa th er, O A ch ille s lik e u nto th e g ods, w ho is s u ch e ve n as I a m , o n th e s a d th re sh old o f o ld age. It m ay b e th at th ose w ho d w ell n ear h im h ara ss h im , a nd th ere is n one to k e ep w ar a nd r u in fr o m h im . Y et w hen h e h ears o f y o u b ein g s till a liv e , he is g la d, a nd his d ays a re fu ll o f h ope th at h e s h all s e e h is d ear s o n co m e h om e to h im fr o m T ro y; b ut I, w re tc h ed man th at I a m , h ad th e b ra ve st in a ll T ro y fo r m y s o ns, a nd th ere is n ot o ne o f th em le ft. I h ad fif ty so ns w hen th e A ch aeans c a m e h ere ; n in ete en o f th em w ere fr o m a s in gle w om b, and th e o th ers w ere born e to m e b y th e w om en o f m y h ouse hold . T he g re ate r part o f th em h as fie rc e M ars la id lo w , a nd Hecto r, h im w ho w as a lo ne le ft, him w ho w as th e g uard ia n o f th e c it y a nd o urs e lv e s, h im h ave y o u la te ly sla in ; th ere fo re I a m n ow c o m e to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans to r a nso m h is body fr o m y o u w it h a gre at r a nso m . F ear, O A ch ille s, th e w ra th o f h eave n; th in k o n y o ur o w n fa th er a nd h ave c o m passio n upon m e, w ho a m th e m ore p it ia ble , fo r I h ave s te ele d m yse lf a s n o m an y e t h as e ve r s te ele d h im se lf befo re me, a nd h ave r a is e d to m y lip s th e h and o f h im w ho s le w m y so n." Thus s p oke P ria m , a nd th e h eart o f A ch ille s y e arn ed a s h e b eth ought him o f h is fa th er. H e to ok th e old m an's h and a nd m ove d h im g ently a w ay.

The tw o w ept b it te rly - P ria m , a s h e la y a t A ch ille s' fe et, weepin g fo r Hecto r, a nd A ch ille s n ow fo r h is fa th er a nd n ow fo r P atr o clo us, till th e house w as fille d wit h th eir la m enta tio n. B ut w hen A ch ille s w as n ow s a te d wit h g rie f a nd h ad u nburth ened th e bit te rn ess o f h is s o rro w , h e le ft h is se at a nd r a is e d th e o ld m an b y th e h and, in p it y fo r h is w hit e h air and beard ; th en h e s a id , " U nhappy m an, y o u h ave in deed b een g re atly d arin g; how c o uld y o u ve ntu re to c o m e a lo ne to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans, a nd e nte r th e p re se nce o f h im w ho h as s la in s o many o f y o ur b ra ve s o ns? Y ou m ust have ir o n c o ura ge: s it n ow u pon th is s e at, a nd fo r a ll o ur g rie f w e will hid e o ur s o rro w s in o ur h earts , fo r w eepin g w ill n ot a va il u s. T he im morta ls kn ow n o c a re , y e t th e lo t th ey s p in fo r m an is fu ll o f s o rro w ; o n th e flo or of J o ve 's p ala ce th ere s ta nd tw o u rn s, th e o ne fille d wit h e vil g if ts , and th e o th er w it h g ood o nes. H e fo r w hom J o ve th e lo rd o f th under m ix e s th e g if ts h e 7/1 1 se nds, w ill m eet n ow w it h g ood a nd n ow w it h e vil fo rtu ne; but h e to w hom J o ve s e nds n one b ut e vil gif ts w ill b e p oin te d a t b y th e fin ger o f s co rn , th e h and o f fa m in e w ill p urs u e h im to th e e nds o f th e world , a nd h e w ill g o u p a nd d ow n th e fa ce o f th e e arth , r e sp ecte d n eit h er by g ods n or m en. E ve n s o did it b efa ll P ele us; th e g ods e ndow ed h im w it h all g ood th in gs fr o m h is b ir th u pw ard s, fo r h e r e ig ned ove r th e M yrm id ons exce llin g a ll m en in p ro sp erit y a nd w ealt h , a nd m orta l th ough h e w as th ey gave him a g oddess fo r h is b rid e. B ut e ve n o n h im to o d id h eave n s e nd m is fo rtu ne, fo r th ere is n o r a ce o f ro ya l c h ild re n b orn to h im in h is h ouse , s a ve o ne so n w ho is d oom ed to d ie a ll u ntim ely ; n or m ay I ta ke c a re o f h im n ow th at he is g ro w in g o ld , fo r I m ust s ta y h ere a t T ro y to b e th e b ane o f y o u a nd yo ur c h ild re n. A nd y o u to o, O P ria m , I h ave h eard th at y o u w ere a fo re tim e happy. T hey s a y th at in wealt h a nd p le nit u de o f o ffs p rin g y o u s u rp asse d all th at is in L esb os, th e r e alm o f M aka r to th e north w ard , P hry g ia th at is m ore in la nd, a nd th ose th at d w ell u pon th e g re at H elle sp ont; b ut fr o m th e day w hen th e d w elle rs in h eave n s e nt th is e vil u pon y o u, w ar a nd s la ughte r have b een a bout y o ur cit y c o ntin ually . B ear u p a gain st it , a nd le t th ere be s o m e in te rv a ls in y o ur s o rro w . M ourn a s y o u m ay fo r y o ur b ra ve s o n, yo u w ill ta ke n oth in g b y it . Y ou c a nnot r a is e h im fr o m th e d ead, e re y o u do s o y e t anoth er s o rro w s h all b efa ll y o u." And P ria m a nsw ere d, " O k in g, b id m e n ot b e s e ate d, w hile H ecto r is s till ly in g u nca re d fo r in y o ur te nts , b ut a cce pt th e g re at r a nso m w hic h I h ave b ro ught y o u, a nd g iv e h im to m e a t o nce th at I m ay lo ok u pon h im .

May y o u p ro sp er w it h th e r a nso m a nd r e ach y o ur o w n la nd in s a fe ty , s e ein g th at y o u have s u ffe re d m e to liv e a nd to lo ok u pon th e lig ht o f th e su n." Ach ille s lo oke d a t h im s te rn ly a nd s a id , " V ex m e, s ir , n o lo nger; I a m o f m yse lf m in ded to g iv e u p th e body o f H ecto r. M y m oth er, d aughte r of th e o ld m an o f th e s e a, c a m e to m e fr o m J o ve to b id m e deliv e r it to yo u. M ore ove r I k n ow w ell, O P ria m , a nd y o u c a nnot h id e it , th at s o m e g od has b ro ught yo u to th e s h ip s o f th e A ch aeans, fo r e ls e , n o m an h ow eve r str o ng a nd in h is p rim e w ould d are to co m e to o ur h ost; h e c o uld n eit h er pass o ur g uard u nse en, n or d ra w th e b olt o f m y g ate s th us e asily ; th ere fo re , pro vo ke m e n o fu rth er, le st I s in a gain st th e w ord o f J o ve , a nd s u ffe r yo u n ot, s u pplia nt th ough y o u a re , w it h in m y te nts ." The o ld m an fe are d h im a nd o beye d. T hen th e s o n o f P ele us s p ra ng lik e a lio n th ro ugh th e d oor o f his h ouse , n ot a lo ne, b ut w it h h im w ent his tw o s q uir e s A uto m edon a nd A lc im us w ho w ere c lo se r to him th an a ny o th ers of h is c o m ra des n ow th at P atr o clu s w as n o m ore . T hese u nyo ke d th e h ors e s and m ule s, a nd b ade P ria m 's h era ld a nd a tte ndant b e s e ate d w it h in th e h ouse .

They lif te d th e ra nso m fo r H ecto r's b ody fr o m th e w aggon. b ut th ey le ft tw o m antle s a nd a g oodly s h ir t, th at A ch ille s mig ht w ra p th e b ody in th em when h e g ave it to b e ta ke n h om e. T hen h e c a lle d to h is s e rv a nts a nd ord ere d th em to w ash th e b ody a nd a noin t it , b ut h e fir s t to ok it to a p la ce w here Pria m s h ould n ot s e e it , le st if h e d id s o , h e s h ould b re ak o ut in th e bit te rn ess o f h is g rie f, a nd e nra ge A ch ille s, w ho m ig ht th en k ill h im a nd sin a gain st th e w ord o f J o ve . W hen th e s e rv a nts h ad w ash ed th e b ody a nd anoin te d it , a nd h ad w ra pped it in a fa ir s h ir t a nd m antle , A ch ille s h im se lf lif te d it o n to a b ie r, a nd h e a nd h is men th en la id it o n th e w aggon.

He c rie d a lo ud a s h e d id s o a nd c a lle d o n th e n am e o f h is d ear co m ra de, "B e n ot a ngry w it h m e, P atr o clu s," h e s a id , " if y o u h ear e ve n in th e h ouse of H ades th at I have g iv e n H ecto r to h is fa th er fo r a r a nso m . It h as b een no u nw orth y o ne, a nd I w ill s h are it equit a bly w it h yo u." Ach ille s th en w ent b ack in to th e te nt a nd to ok h is p la ce o n th e ric h ly in la id s e at fr o m w hic h h e h ad ris e n, b y th e w all th at w as a t r ig ht angle s to th e o ne a gain st w hic h P ria m w as s it tin g. " S ir , " h e s a id , "y o ur so n is n ow la id u pon h is b ie r a nd is r a nso m ed a cco rd in g to d esir e ; y o u sh all lo ok u pon h im when y o u h im a w ay a t d ayb re ak; fo r th e p re se nt le t us p re pare o ur s u pper. E ve n lo ve ly N io be h ad to th in k a bout e atin g, th ough her tw elv e c h ild re n- s ix d aughte rs a nd s ix lu sty s o ns- h ad b een a ll s la in in her h ouse . A pollo k ille d th e s o ns w it h a rro w s fr o m h is s ilv e r b ow , to punis h N io be, a nd D ia na s le w th e daughte rs , b eca use N io be h ad v a unte d h ers e lf again st L eto ; s h e s a id L eto h ad b orn e tw o c h ild re n 8/1 1 only , w here as s h e h ad hers e lf b orn e m any- w here on th e tw o k ille d th e m any. N in e d ays d id th ey lie welt e rin g, a nd th ere w as n one to b ury th em , fo r th e s o n o f S atu rn tu rn ed th e p eople in to s to ne; b ut o n th e te nth d ay th e g ods in h eave n th em se lv e s burie d th em , a nd N io be th en to ok fo od, b ein g w orn o ut wit h w eepin g. T hey sa y th at s o m ew here a m ong th e r o cks o n th e m ounta in p astu re s o f S ip ylu s, where th e n ym phs liv e th at h aunt th e r iv e r A ch elo us, th ere , th ey s a y, s h e liv e s in s to ne a nd s till nurs e s th e s o rro w s s e nt u pon h er b y th e h and o f heave n. T here fo re , n oble s ir , le t u s tw o n ow ta ke fo od; y o u c a n w eep fo r yo ur d ear s o n h ere afte r a s y o u a re b earin g h im b ack to Iliu s- a nd m any a te ar will h e c o st y o u." Wit h th is A ch ille s s p ra ng fr o m h is s e at a nd k ille d a s h eep o f s ilv e ry whit e ness, w hic h h is fo llo w ers skin ned a nd m ade r e ady a ll in d ue o rd er. They c u t th e m eat c a re fu lly u p in to s m alle r p ie ce s, s p it te d th em , a nd d re w th em o ff a gain w hen th ey w ere w ell r o aste d. A uto m edon b ro ught b re ad in fa ir baske ts a nd s e rv e d it r o und th e ta ble , w hile A ch ille s d ealt o ut th e meat, a nd th ey la id th eir h ands o n th e g ood th in gs th at w ere b efo re th em .

As s o on a s th ey h ad h ad e nough to e at a nd d rin k, P ria m , desce ndant o f D ard anus, marv e lle d a t th e s tr e ngth a nd b eauty o f A ch ille s fo r h e w as a s a g od to se e, and A ch ille s m arv e lle d a t P ria m a s h e lis te ned to h im a nd lo oke d u pon his n oble p re se nce . W hen th ey h ad g aze d th eir fill P ria m s p oke fir s t. " A nd now , O k in g," h e s a id , " ta ke m e to m y c o uch th at w e may lie d ow n a nd e njo y th e b le sse d b oon o f s le ep. N eve r o nce h ave m y e ye s b een c lo se d fr o m th e day y o ur h ands to ok th e lif e o f m y s o n; I h ave g ro ve lle d w it h out c e asin g in th e m ir e o f m y s ta ble -y a rd , makin g m oan a nd b ro odin g o ve r m y c o untle ss so rro w s. N ow , m ore ove r, I h ave e ate n b re ad a nd dru nk w in e; h it h erto I h ave ta ste d n oth in g." As h e s p oke A ch ille s to ld h is m en a nd th e w om en-s e rv a nts to s e t beds in th e r o om th at w as in th e gate house , a nd m ake th em w it h g ood r e d ru gs, a nd s p re ad c o ve rle ts o n th e to p o f th em w it h w oolle n clo aks fo r P ria m and Id aeus to w ear. S o th e m aid s w ent o ut c a rry in g a to rc h a nd g ot th e tw o b eds re ady in a ll h aste . T hen A ch ille s s a id la ughin gly to P ria m , " D ear sir , y o u s h all lie o uts id e, le st s o m e co unse llo r o f th ose w ho in d ue c o urs e ke ep c o m in g to a dvis e w it h m e s h ould s e e y o u h ere in th e dark n ess o f th e fly in g n ig ht, a nd te ll it to A gam em non. T his m ig ht c a use d ela y in th e d eliv e ry of th e body. A nd n ow te ll m e a nd te ll m e tr u e, fo r h ow m any d ays w ould yo u c e le bra te th e fu nera l r it e s o f noble H ecto r? T e ll m e, th at I m ay h old alo of fr o m w ar a nd r e str a in th e h ost." And P ria m a nsw ere d, " S in ce , th en, y o u s u ffe r m e to b ury m y n oble so n w it h a ll d ue r it e s, d o th us, Ach ille s, a nd I s h all b e g ra te fu l. Y ou kn ow h ow w e a re p ent u p w it h in o ur c it y ; it is fa r fo r u s to fe tc h wood fr o m th e m ounta in , a nd th e p eople liv e in fe ar. N in e d ays, th ere fo re , w ill we m ourn H ecto r in m y house ; o n th e te nth d ay w e w ill b ury h im a nd th ere sh all b e a p ublic fe ast in h is h onour; o n th e ele ve nth w e w ill b uild a mound o ve r h is a sh es, a nd o n th e tw elf th , if th ere b e n eed, w e w ill fig ht." And A ch ille s a nsw ere d, " A ll, K in g P ria m , s h all b e a s y o u h ave s a id .

I w ill s ta y o ur fig htin g fo r a s lo ng a tim e a s y o u h ave nam ed." As h e s p oke h e la id h is h and o n th e o ld m an's r ig ht w ris t, in to ke n th at h e s h ould h ave n o fe ar; th us th en d id P ria m a nd h is a tte ndant s le ep th ere in th e fo re co urt, fu ll o f th ought, w hile A ch ille s la y in a n in ner ro om o f th e h ouse , w it h fa ir B ris e is b y h is s id e.

And n ow b oth g ods a nd m orta ls w ere fa st a sle ep th ro ugh th e liv e lo ng nig ht, b ut u pon M erc u ry a lo ne, th e b rin ger o f g ood lu ck, s le ep c o uld ta ke no h old fo r h e w as th in kin g a ll th e tim e h ow to g et K in g Pria m a w ay fr o m th e s h ip s w it h out h is b ein g s e en b y th e s tr o ng fo rc e o f s e ntin els . H e h ove re d th ere fo re o ve r P ria m 's h ead a nd s a id , " S ir , n ow th at A ch ille s h as s p are d yo ur lif e , y o u s e em to h ave no fe ar a bout s le epin g in th e th ic k o f y o ur fo es. Y ou h ave p aid a g re at r a nso m , a nd h ave r e ce iv e d th e body o f y o ur so n; w ere y o u s till a liv e a nd a p ris o ner th e s o ns w hom y o u h ave le ft a t hom e w ould h ave to g iv e th re e tim es a s m uch to fr e e y o u; a nd s o it w ould be if A gam em non a nd th e o th er A ch aeans were to k n ow o f y o ur b ein g here ." 9/1 1 When h e h eard th is th e o ld m an w as a fr a id a nd r o use d h is s e rv a nt.

Merc u ry th en y o ke d th eir h ors e s and m ule s, a nd d ro ve th em q uic kly th ro ugh th e h ost s o th at n o m an p erc e iv e d th em . W hen th ey ca m e to th e fo rd o f e ddyin g Xanth us, b egotte n o f im morta l J o ve , M erc u ry w ent b ack to h ig h O ly m pus, and d aw n in r o be o f s a ffr o n b egan to b re ak o ve r a ll th e la nd. P ria m a nd Id aeus th en d ro ve o n to w ard th e c it y la m entin g a nd m akin g m oan, a nd th e mule s d re w th e b ody o f H ecto r. N o o ne n eit h er m an n or wom an s a w th em , till Cassa ndra , fa ir a s g old en V enus s ta ndin g o n P erg am us, c a ught s ig ht o f h er dear fa th er in h is c h ario t, a nd h is s e rv a nt th at w as th e c it y 's h era ld wit h h im . T hen s h e s a w h im th at was ly in g u pon th e b ie r, d ra w n b y th e m ule s, and w it h a lo ud c ry s h e w ent a bout th e c it y s a yin g, "C om e h it h er T ro ja ns, men a nd w om en, a nd lo ok o n H ecto r; if e ve r y o u r e jo ic e d to s e e h im c o m in g fr o m b attle w hen h e w as a liv e , lo ok n ow o n h im th at w as th e g lo ry o f o ur cit y a nd a ll o ur p eople ." At th is th ere w as n ot m an n or w om an le ft in th e c it y , s o g re at a s o rro w h ad p osse sse d th em . H ard b y th e g ate s th ey m et P ria m a s h e w as brin gin g in th e b ody. H ecto r's w if e a nd h is m oth er w ere th e fir s t to m ourn him : th ey fle w to w ard s th e w aggon a nd la id th eir h ands u pon h is h ead, w hile th e c ro w d sto od w eepin g r o und th em . T hey w ould h ave s ta ye d b efo re th e g ate s, weepin g a nd la m entin g th e liv e lo ng d ay to th e g oin g d ow n o f th e s u n, h ad not P ria m s p oke n to th em fr o m th e c h ario t a nd s a id , "M ake w ay fo r th e m ule s to p ass y o u. A fte rw ard s w hen I h ave ta ke n th e b ody h om e y o u s h all h ave yo ur fill o f w eepin g." On th is th e p eople s to od a su nder, a nd m ade a w ay fo r th e w aggon.

When th ey h ad b orn e th e b ody wit h in th e h ouse th ey la id it u pon a b ed a nd se ate d m in str e ls r o und it to le ad th e d ir g e, w here on th e wom en jo in ed in th e s a d m usic o f th eir la m ent. F ore m ost a m ong th em a ll A ndro m ach e le d th eir wailin g a s s h e c la sp ed th e h ead o f m ig hty H ecto r in h er e m bra ce . " H usb and," sh e c rie d, " y o u h ave die d y o ung, a nd le ave m e in y o ur h ouse a w id ow ; h e of w hom w e a re th e ill- s ta rre d p are nts is s till a mere c h ild , a nd I fe ar he m ay n ot r e ach m anhood. E re h e c a n d o s o o ur c it y w ill b e r a ze d a nd ove rth ro w n, fo r y o u w ho w atc h ed o ve r it a re n o m ore - y o u w ho w ere it s s a vio ur, th e guard ia n o f o ur wiv e s a nd c h ild re n. O ur w om en w ill b e c a rrie d a w ay c a ptiv e s to th e s h ip s, a nd I a m ong th em ; w hile yo u, m y c h ild , w ho w ill b e w it h m e will b e p ut to s o m e u nse em ly ta sks, w ork in g fo r a c ru el m aste r. O r, may be, s o m e A ch aean w ill h url y o u ( O m is e ra ble d eath ) fr o m o ur w alls , to a ve nge so m e b ro th er, so n, o r fa th er w hom H ecto r s le w ; m any o f th em h ave in deed bit te n th e d ust a t h is h ands, fo r y o ur fa th er's h and in b attle w as n o lig ht one. T here fo re d o th e p eople m ourn h im . Y ou h ave le ft, O H ecto r, so rro w unutte ra ble to y o ur p are nts , a nd m y o w n g rie f is g re ate st o f a ll, fo r y o u did n ot s tr e tc h fo rth yo ur a rm s a nd e m bra ce m e a s y o u la y d yin g, n or s a y to m e a ny w ord s th at m ig ht h ave liv e d w it h m e in m y te ars n ig ht a nd d ay fo r e ve rm ore ." Bit te rly d id s h e w eep th e w hile , a nd th e w om en jo in ed in h er la m ent.

Hecu ba in h er tu rn to ok u p th e str a in s o f w oe. " H ecto r, " s h e c rie d, " d eare st to m e o f a ll m y c h ild re n. S o lo ng a s y o u w ere a liv e th e gods lo ve d y o u well, a nd e ve n in d eath th ey h ave n ot b een u tte rly u nm in dfu l o f y o u; fo r when A ch ille s to ok a ny o th er o f m y s o ns, h e w ould s e ll h im b eyo nd th e s e as, to S am os Im bru s o r r u gged L em nos; and w hen h e h ad s la in y o u to o w it h h is sw ord , m any a tim e d id h e d ra g y o u r o und th e s e pulc h re o f his c o m ra de- th ough th is c o uld n ot g iv e h im lif e - y e t h ere y o u lie a ll fr e sh a s d ew , and c o m ely a s o ne whom A pollo h as s la in w it h h is p ain le ss sh afts ." Thus d id s h e to o s p eak th ro ugh h er te ars w it h b it te r m oan, a nd th en H ele n fo r a th ir d tim e to ok u p th e str a in o f la m enta tio n. " H ecto r, " sa id s h e, " d eare st o f a ll m y b ro th ers -in -la w -fo r I a m w if e to A le xa ndru s who b ro ught m e h it h er to T ro y- w ould th at I h ad d ie d e re h e d id s o - tw enty ye ars a re c o m e a nd g one sin ce I le ft m y h om e a nd c a m e fr o m o ve r th e s e a, but I h ave n eve r h eard o ne w ord o f in su lt o r unkin dness fr o m y o u. W hen anoth er w ould c h id e w it h m e, a s it m ig ht b e o ne o f y o ur b ro th ers o r sis te rs or o f y o ur b ro th ers ' w iv e s, o r m y m oth er-in -la w - fo r P ria m w as a s k in d to m e a s th ough h e were m y o w n fa th er- y o u w ould r e buke a nd c h eck th em wit h w ord s o f g entle ness a nd g oodw ill.

There fo re m y te ars flo w b oth fo r yo u a nd fo r m y u nhappy s e lf , fo r th ere is n o o ne e ls e in T ro y w ho is 10/1 1 kin d to m e, b ut a ll s h rin k a nd s h udder a s th ey g o b y m e." She w ept a s s h e s p oke a nd th e v a st c ro w d th at w as g ath ere d r o und her jo in ed in h er la m ent. T hen Kin g P ria m s p oke to th em s a yin g, " B rin g wood, O T ro ja ns, to th e c it y , a nd fe ar n o c u nnin g a m bush o f th e A rg iv e s, fo r A ch ille s w hen h e d is m is se d m e fr o m th e s h ip s g ave m e h is w ord th at th ey s h ould n ot atta ck u s u ntil th e m orn in g o f th e tw elf th day." Forth w it h th ey y o ke d th eir o xe n a nd m ule s a nd g ath ere d to geth er befo re th e c it y . N in e d ays lo ng d id th ey b rin g in g re at h eaps w ood, a nd on th e m orn in g o f th e te nth d ay w it h m any te ars th ey to ok tr a ve Hecto r fo rth , la id h is d ead b ody u pon th e s u m mit o f th e p ile , a nd s e t th e fir e th ere to . T hen w hen th e ch ild o f m orn in g r o sy-fin gere d d aw n a ppeare d o n th e e le ve nth d ay, th e p eople a gain a sse m ble d, ro und th e p yre o f m ig hty Hecto r. W hen th ey w ere g ot to geth er, th ey fir s t q uench ed th e fir e w it h win e where ve r it w as b urn in g, a nd th en h is b ro th ers a nd c o m ra des w it h m any a b it te r te ar g ath ere d h is whit e b ones, w ra pped th em in s o ft r o bes o f p urp le , and la id th em in a g old en u rn , w hic h th ey p la ce d in a g ra ve a nd c o ve re d ove r w it h la rg e s to nes s e t c lo se to geth er. T hen th ey b uilt a b arro w h urrie dly ove r it k e epin g g uard o n e ve ry s id e le st th e A ch aeans s h ould a tta ck th em befo re th ey h ad fin is h ed.

When th ey h ad h eaped u p th e b arro w th ey w ent back a gain in to th e c it y , a nd b ein g w ell a sse m ble d th ey h eld h ig h fe ast in th e h ouse o f P ria m th eir k in g.

Thus, th en, d id th ey c e le bra te th e fu nera l o f H ecto r ta m er o f hors e s.

TH E E N D Ta ble o f C onte nts 11 /1 1