Priam

Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 21 Sep 2011 12:08 and updated at 21 Sep 2011 12:08

ILIAD NOUN

ild.01 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.
ild.01 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.
ild.02 He thought that on that same day he was to take the city of Priam, but he little knew what was in the mind of Jove, who had many another hard fought fight in store alike for Danaans and Trojans.
ild.02 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.
ild.02 But Juno said to Minerva, "Alas, daughter of aegis bearing Jove, unweariable, shall the Argives fly home to their own land over the broad sea, and leave Priam and 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.
ild.02 He had not as yet 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 yourselves into your ships and be off home to your own land in this way? Will you leave Priam and 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.
ild.02 "All who have not since perished must remember as though it were yesterday or the day before, how the ships of the Achaeans were detained in Aulis when we were on our way hither to make war on Priam and the Trojans.
ild.02 Stay here, therefore, all of you, till we take the city of Priam.
ild.02 Would, by Father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, that I had among them Ten more such councillors, for the city of King Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands, and we should sack it.
ild.02 They stood round the Bull with the barley meal in their hands, and Agamemnon prayed, saying, Jove", most glorious, supreme, that dwellest in heaven, and ridest upon the storm cloud, grant that the sun may not go down, nor the night fall, till the palace of Priam is laid low, and its gates are consumed with fire.
ild.02 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 of foot, was stationed as watchman for the Trojans on the tomb of old Aesyetes, to look out for any sally of the Achaeans.
ild.02 There are many allies dispersed about the city of Priam from distant places and speaking divers tongues.
ild.02 Priam s son, great Hector of the gleaming helmet, commanded the Trojans, and with him were arrayed by far the greater number and most valiant of those who were longing for the fray.
ild.03 Moreover, you shall bid Priam 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.
ild.03 Hector sent two messengers to the city to bring the lambs and to bid Priam come, while Agamemnon told Talthybius to fetch the other lamb from the ships, and he did as Agamemnon had said.
ild.03 Meanwhile Iris went to Helen in the form of her sister in law, wife of the son of Antenor, for Helicaon, son of Antenor, had married Laodice, the fairest of Priam s daughters.
ild.03 The two sages, Ucalegon and Antenor, elders of the people, were seated by the Scaean gates, with Priam, Panthous, Thymoetes, Lampus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the race of Mars.
ild.03 But Priam bade her draw nigh.
ild.03 Priam 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 Argives?"
ild.03 He went up to Priam and said, Son" of Laomedon, the princes of the Trojans and Achaeans bid you come down on to the plain and swear to a solemn covenant.
ild.03 Aid if Priam and his sons refuse such fine when Alexandrus has fallen, then will I stay here and fight on till I have got satisfaction.
ild.03 Then Priam, descendant 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.
ild.04 We must consider what we shall do about all this; shall we set them fighting anew or make peace between them? If you will agree to this last Menelaus can take back Helen and the city of Priam may remain still inhabited.
ild.04 Dread" son of Saturn," said she, "what, pray, is the meaning of all this? Is my trouble, then, to go for nothing, and the sweat that I have sweated, to say nothing of my Horses, while getting the people together against Priam and his children? Do as you will, but we other Gods shall not all of us approve your counsel.
ild.04 Jove was angry and answered, "My dear, what harm have Priam and his sons done you that you are so hotly bent on sacking the city of Ilius? Will nothing do for you but you must within their walls and eat Priam raw, with his sons and all the other Trojans to boot? Have it your own way then; for I would not have this matter become a bone of contention between us.
ild.04 Of all inhabited cities under the sun and stars of heaven, there was none that I so much respected as Ilius with Priam and his whole people.
ild.04 The day will surely come when mighty Ilius shall be laid low, with Priam and Priam s people, when the son of Saturn from his high throne shall overshadow them with his awful aegis in punishment of their present treachery.
ild.04 We shall leave Priam and the Trojans the glory of still keeping Helen, and the earth will rot your bones as you lie here at Troy with your purpose not fulfilled.
ild.04 Would, by father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo that all were so minded as you are, for the city of Priam would then soon fall beneath our hands, and we should sack it.
ild.04 Thereon Antiphus of the gleaming corslet, son of Priam, hurled a spear at Ajax from amid the crowd and missed him, but he hit Leucus, the brave comrade of Ulysses, in the groin, as he was dragging the body of Simoeisius over to the other side; so he fell upon the body and loosed his hold upon it.
ild.04 His dart was not sped in vain, for it struck Democoon, the bastard son of Priam, who had come to him from Abydos, where he had charge of his father s mares.
ild.05 Then he came upon two sons of Priam, Echemmon and Chromius, as they were both in one Chariot.
ild.05 Sons" of Priam," said he, "how long will you let your people be thus slaughtered by the Achaeans? Would you wait till they are at the walls of Troy? Aeneas the son of Anchises has fallen, he whom we held in as high honour as Hector himself.
ild.05 As he spoke he hurled his spear and hit one of those who were in the front rank, the comrade of Aeneas, Deicoon son of Pergasus, whom the Trojans held in no less honour than the sons of Priam, for he was ever quick to place himself among the foremost.
ild.05 Ajax son of Telamon pitied them in their fall; he came close up and hurled his spear, hitting Amphius the son of Selagus, a man of great wealth who lived in Paesus and owned much corn growing land, but his lot had led him to come to the aid of Priam and his sons.
ild.05 Sarpedon was glad when he saw him coming, and besought him, saying, Son" of Priam, let me not he here to fall into the hands of the Danaans.
ild.06 And now the Trojans would have been routed and driven back into Ilius, had not Priam s son Helenus, wisest of augurs, said to Hector and Aeneas, Hector" and Aeneas, you two are the mainstays of the Trojans and Lycians, for you are foremost at all times, alike in fight and counsel; hold your ground here, and go about among the host to rally them in front of the gates, or they will fling themselves into the arms of their wives, to the great joy of our foes.
ild.06 Presently he reached the splendid palace of King Priam, adorned with colonnades of hewn stone.
ild.06 In it there were Fifty bedchambers all of hewn stone built near one another, where the sons of Priam slept, each with his wedded wife.
ild.06 Opposite these, on the other side the courtyard, there were Twelve upper rooms also of hewn stone for Priam s daughters, built near one another, where his sons in law slept with their wives.
ild.06 Would that the earth might open her jaws and swallow him, for Jove bred him to be the bane of the Trojans, and of Priam and Priam s sons.
ild.06 They had built him his house, storehouse, and courtyard near those of Priam and Hector on the acropolis.
ild.06 Well do I know that the day will surely come when mighty Ilius shall be destroyed with Priam and Priam s people, but I grieve for none of these not even for Hecuba, nor King Priam, nor for my brothers many and brave who may fall in the dust before their foes for none of these do I grieve as for yourself when the day shall come on which some one of the Achaeans shall rob you for ever of your freedom, and bear you weeping away.
ild.07 Minerva assented, and Helenus son of Priam divined the counsel of the Gods; he therefore went up to Hector and said, Hector" son of Priam, peer of Gods in counsel, I am your brother, let me then persuade you.
ild.07 Be patient in spite of passion, do not think of fighting a man so much stronger than yourself as Hector son of Priam, who is feared by many another as well as you.
ild.07 Would that I were still young and strong as I then was, for the son of Priam would then soon find one who would face him.
ild.07 Then Ajax threw in his turn, and struck the round shield of the son of Priam.
ild.07 They then each of them drew out the spear from his shield, and fell on one another like savage Lions or wild boars of great strength and endurance: the son of Priam struck the middle of Ajax s shield, but the Bronze did not break, and the point of his dart was turned.
ild.07 Gladden, then, the hearts of the Achaeans at your ships, and more especially those of your own followers and clansmen, while I, in the great city of King Priam, bring comfort to the Trojans and their Women, who vie with one another in their prayers on my behalf.
ild.07 Meanwhile the Trojans held a council, angry and full of discord, on the acropolis by the gates of King Priam s palace; and wise Antenor spoke.
ild.07 On this, when Paris had spoken and taken his seat, Priam of the race of Dardanus, peer of Gods in council, rose and with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "Hear me, Trojans, Dardanians, and allies, that I may speak even as I am minded.
ild.07 Son" of Atreus," he said, "and princes of the Achaean host, Priam and the other noble Trojans have sent me to tell you the saying of Alexandrus through whom this quarrel has come about, if so be that you may find it acceptable.
ild.07 Priam bade me inquire further if you will cease fighting till we burn our dead; hereafter we will fight anew, till heaven decide between us and give victory to one or to the other.
ild.07 Priam had forbidden the Trojans to wail aloud, so they heaped their dead sadly and silently upon the pyre, and having burned them went back to the city of Ilius.
ild.08 Thus did they converse; but the whole space enclosed by the ditch, from the ships even to the wall, was filled with Horses and warriors, who were pent up there by Hector son of Priam, now that the hand of Jove was with him.
ild.08 As he spoke he aimed another arrow straight at Hector, for he was bent on hitting him; nevertheless he missed him, and the arrow hit Priam s brave son Gorgythion in the breast.
ild.08 Hector the son of Priam rages with intolerable fury, and has already done great mischief.
ild.08 Get our Horses ready, while I go within the house of aegis bearing Jove and put on my armour; we shall then find out whether Priam s son Hector will be glad to meet us in the highways of battle, or whether the Trojans will glut hounds and Vultures with the fat of their flesh as they he dead by the ships of the Achaeans.
ild.08 They then offered unblemished Hecatombs to the immortals, and the wind carried the sweet savour of sacrifice to heaven but the blessed Gods partook not thereof, for they bitterly hated Ilius with Priam and Priam s people.
ild.09 "All these things will I give him now down, and if hereafter the Gods vouchsafe me to sack the city of Priam, let him come when we Achaeans are dividing the spoil, and load his ship with Gold and Bronze to his liking; furthermore let him take Twenty Trojan Women, the loveliest after Helen herself.
ild.09 All these things will he give you now down, and if hereafter the gods vouchsafe him to sack the city of Priam, you can come when we Achaeans are dividing the spoil, and load your ship with Gold and Bronze to your liking.
ild.09 Go, then, and deliver your message; say that I will have no concern with fighting till Hector, son of noble Priam, reaches the tents of the Myrmidons in his murderous course, and flings fire upon their ships.
ild.11 He then went on to kill Isus and Antiphus two sons of Priam, the one a bastard, the other born in wedlock; they were in the same Chariot the bastard driving, while noble Antiphus fought beside him.
ild.11 Down she went to strong Ilius from the crests of Ida, and found Hector son of Priam standing by his Chariot and Horses.
ild.11 Then she said, Hector" son of Priam, peer of Gods in counsel, father Jove has sent me to bear you this message so long as you see Agamemnon heading his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, you are to keep aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of the battle, but when Agamemnon is wounded either by spear or arrow, and takes to his Chariot, then will Jove vouchsafe you strength to slay till you reach the ships, and till night falls at the going down of the sun.
ild.11 What, then is the full tale of those whom Hector son of Priam killed in the hour of triumph which Jove then vouchsafed him? First Asaeus, Autonous, and Opites; Dolops son of Clytius, Opheltius and Agelaus; Aesymnus, Orus and Hipponous steadfast in battle; these chieftains of the Achaeans did Hector slay, and then he fell upon the rank and file.
ild.11 Menelaus took Ulysses by the hand, and led him out of the press while his squire brought up his Chariot, but Ajax rushed furiously on the Trojans and killed Doryclus, a bastard son of Priam; then he wounded Pandocus, Lysandrus, Pyrasus, and Pylartes; as some swollen torrent comes rushing in full flood from the mountains on to the plain, big with the rain of heaven many a dry oak and many a pine does it engulf, and much mud does it bring down and cast into the sea even so did brave Ajax chase the foe furiously over the plain, slaying both men and Horses.
ild.12 So long as Hector lived and Achilles nursed his anger, and so long as the city of Priam remained untaken, the great wall of the Achaeans stood firm; but when the bravest of the Trojans were no more, and many also of the Argives, though some were yet left alive when, moreover, the city was sacked in the tenth year, and the Argives had gone back with their ships to their own country then Neptune and Apollo took counsel to destroy the wall, and they turned on to it the streams of all the rivers from Mount Ida into the sea, Rhesus, Heptaporus, Caresus, Rhodius, Grenicus, Aesopus, and goodly Scamander, with Simois, where many a shield and helm had fallen, and many a hero of the race of demigods had bitten the dust.
ild.12 The next company was led by Paris, Alcathous, and Agenor; the third by Helenus and Deiphobus, two sons of Priam, and with them was the hero Asius Asius the son of Hyrtacus, whose great black Horses of the breed that comes from the river Selleis had brought him from Arisbe.
ild.12 But even so the Trojans could not rout the Achaeans, who still held on; and as some honest hard working Woman weighs wool in her balance and sees that the scales be true, for she would gain some pitiful earnings for her little ones, even so was the fight balanced evenly between them till the time came when Jove gave the greater glory to Hector son of Priam, who was first to spring towards the wall of the Achaeans.
ild.13 But King Neptune had kept no blind look out; he had been looking admiringly on the battle from his seat on the topmost crests of wooded Samothrace, whence he could see all Ida, with the city of Priam and the ships of the Achaeans.
ild.13 Now the Trojans followed Hector son of Priam in close array like a storm cloud or flame of fire, fighting with might and main and raising the cry battle; for they deemed that they should take the ships of the Achaeans and kill all their chiefest heroes then and there.
ild.13 And Ajax son of Telamon answered, "I too feel my hands grasp my spear more firmly; my strength is greater, and my feet more nimble; I long, moreover, to meet furious Hector son of Priam, even in single combat.
ild.13 Deiphobus son of Priam went about among them intent on deeds of daring with his round shield before him, under cover of which he strode quickly forward.
ild.13 Until the Achaeans came he had lived in Pedaeum, and had married Medesicaste a bastard daughter of Priam; but on the arrival of the Danaan fleet he had gone back to Ilius, and was a great man among the Trojans, dwelling near Priam himself, who gave him like honour with his own sons.
ild.13 These will give Hector son of Priam enough to do; fight as he may, he will find it hard to vanquish their indomitable fury, and fire the ships, unless the son of Saturn fling a firebrand upon them with his own hand.
ild.13 He sought Cassandra the fairest of Priam s daughters in marriage, but offered no gifts of wooing, for he promised a great thing, to wit, that he would drive the sons of the Achaeans willy nilly from Troy; old King Priam had given his consent and promised her to him, whereon he fought on the strength of the promises thus made to him.
ild.13 Then Idomeneus vaunted over him saying, Othryoneus", there is no one in the world whom I shall admire more than I do you, if you indeed perform what you have promised Priam son of Dardanus in return for his daughter.
ild.13 In the end, he deemed it best to go and fetch Aeneas, whom he found standing in the rear, for he had long been aggrieved with Priam because in spite his brave deeds he did not give him his due share of honour.
ild.13 The son of Priam hit the breastplate of Menelaus s corslet, but the arrow glanced from off it.
ild.13 The way was led by Hector son of Priam, peer of murderous Mars, with his round shield before him his shield of ox hides covered with plates of Bronze and his gleaming helmet upon his temples.
ild.14 He darted forward among the first ranks and shouted saying, Argives", shall we let Hector son of Priam have the triumph of taking our ships and covering himself with glory? This is what he says that he shall now do, seeing that Achilles is still in dudgeon at his ship; We shall get on very well without him if we keep each other in heart and stand by one another.
ild.14 Let us each take the best and largest shield we can lay hold of, put on our helmets, and sally forth with our longest spears in our hands; will lead you on, and Hector son of Priam, rage as he may, will not dare to hold out against us.
ild.15 Apollo stood beside him and said, Hector", son of Priam, why are you so faint, and why are you here away from the others? Has any mishap befallen you?"
ild.15 The two then made towards him to strip him of his armour, but Hector called on all his brothers for help, and he especially upbraided brave Melanippus son of Hiketaon, who erewhile used to pasture his herds of Cattle in Percote before the war broke out; but when the ships of the Danaans came, he went back to Ilius, where he was eminent among the Trojans, and lived near Priam who treated him as one of his own sons.
ild.15 For he meant giving glory to Hector son of Priam, and letting him throw fire upon the ships, till he had fulfilled the unrighteous prayer that Thetis had made him; Jove, therefore, bided his time till he should see the glare of a blazing ship.
ild.15 With this purpose he inspired Hector son of Priam, who was cager enough already, to assail the ships.
ild.16 He stood still and threw it, nor did it go far without hitting some one; the cast was not in vain, for the stone struck Cebriones, Hector s Charioteer, a bastard son of Priam, as he held the reins in his hands.
ild.16 As when a Lion has fought some fierce wild boar and worsted him the two fight furiously upon the mountains over some little fountain at which they would both drink, and the Lion has beaten the boar till he can hardly breathe even so did Hector son of Priam take the life of the brave son of Menoetius who had killed so many, striking him from close at hand, and vaunting over him the while.
ild.17 Could we get this dead man away and bring him into the city of Priam, the Argives would readily give up the armour of Sarpedon, and we should get his body to boot.
ild.17 He wagged his head, and muttered to himself, saying, "Poor things, why did we give you to King Peleus who is a mortal, while you are yourselves ageless and immortal? Was it that you might share the sorrows that befall mankind? for of all creatures that live and move upon the earth there is none so pitiable as he is still, Hector son of Priam shall drive neither you nor your Chariot.
ild.17 He turned to his trusty comrade Alcimedon and said, Alcimedon", keep your Horses so close up that I may feel their breath upon my back; I doubt that we shall not stay Hector son of Priam till he has killed us and mounted behind the Horses; he will then either spread panic among the ranks of the Achaeans, or himself be killed among the foremost.
ild.18 Thus, then, did her feet bear the Goddess to Olympus, and meanwhile the Achaeans were flying with loud cries before murderous Hector till they reached the ships and the Hellespont, and they could not draw the body of Mars s servant Patroclus out of reach of the weapons that were showered upon him, for Hector son of Priam with his host and Horsemen had again caught up to him like the flame of a fiery furnace; thrice did brave Hector seize him by the feet, striving with might and main to draw him away and calling loudly on the Trojans, and thrice did the two Ajaxes, clothed in valour as with a garment, beat him from off the body; but all undaunted he would now charge into the thick of the fight, and now again he would stand still and cry aloud, but he would give no ground.
ild.18 As upland shepherds that cannot chase some famished Lion from a carcase, even so could not the two Ajaxes scare Hector son of Priam from the body of Patroclus.
ild.18 Have you not had enough of being cooped up behind walls? In the old days the city of Priam was famous the whole world over for its wealth of Gold and Bronze, but our treasures are wasted out of our houses, and much goods have been sold away to Phrygia and fair Meonia, for the hand of Jove has been laid heavily upon us.
ild.19 Would you have men eat while the bodies of those whom Hector son of Priam slew are still lying mangled upon the plain? Let the sons of the Achaeans, say I, fight fasting and without food, till we have avenged them; afterwards at the going down of the sun let them eat their fill.
ild.20 But the heart of Achilles was set on meeting Hector son of Priam, for it was with his blood that he longed above all things else to glut the stubborn lord of battle.
ild.20 Meanwhile Apollo set Aeneas on to attack the son of Peleus, and put courage into his heart, speaking with the voice of Lycaon son of Priam.
ild.20 Aeneas"," said he, "why do you stand thus out before the host to fight me? Is it that you hope to reign over the Trojans in the seat of Priam? Nay, though you kill me Priam will not hand his kingdom over to you.
ild.20 Ilus begat Laomedon, and Laomedon begat Tithonus, Priam, Lampus, Clytius, and Hiketaon of the stock of Mars.
ild.20 But Assaracus was father to Capys, and Capys to Anchises, who was my father, while Hector is son to Priam.
ild.20 For now indeed has Jove hated the blood of Priam, while Aeneas shall reign over the Trojans, he and his children s children that shall be born hereafter.
ild.20 Achilles then went in pursuit of Polydorus son of Priam, whom his father had always forbidden to fight because he was the youngest of his sons, the one he loved best, and the fastest runner.
ild.21 There he found Lycaon, son of Priam seed of Dardanus, as he was escaping out of the water; he it was whom he had once taken prisoner when he was in his father s vineyard, having set upon him by night, as he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig tree to make the wicker sides of a Chariot.
ild.21 Priam married his daughter along with many other Women and two sons were born of her, both of whom you will have slain.
ild.21 With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles; but Achilles answered him sternly.
ild.21 Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive; but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilius and of all Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam.
ild.21 He lifted his waters into a high crest and cried aloud to Simois saying, "Dear brother, let the two of us unite to save this man, or he will sack the mighty city of King Priam, and the Trojans will not hold out against him.
ild.21 Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall looking down on huge Achilles as the Trojans fled panic stricken before him, and there was none to help them.
ild.22 King Priam was first to note him as he scoured the plain, all radiant as the star which men call Orion s Hound, and whose beams blaze forth in time of harvest more brilliantly than those of any other that shines by night; brightest of them all though he be, he yet bodes ill for mortals, for he brings fire and fever in his train even so did Achilles armour gleam on his breast as he sped onwards.
ild.22 Priam raised a cry and beat his head with his hands as he lifted them up and shouted out to his dear son, imploring him to return; but Hector still stayed before the gates, for his heart was set upon doing battle with Achilles.
ild.22 As Horses in a Chariot race speed round the turning posts when they are running for some great prize a tripod or Woman at the games in honour of some dead hero, so did these two run full speed three times round the city of Priam.
ild.22 "Alas," said he, "my eyes behold a man who is dear to me being pursued round the walls of Troy; my heart is full of pity for Hector, who has burned the thigh bones of many a heifer in my honour, at one while on the of many valleyed Ida, and again on the citadel of Troy; and now I see noble Achilles in full pursuit of him round the city of Priam.
ild.22 She came close up to him and said, "Dear brother, I see you are hard pressed by Achilles who is chasing you at full speed round the city of Priam, let us await his onset and stand on our defence.
ild.22 And Hector answered, Deiphobus", you have always been dearest to me of all my brothers, children of Hecuba and Priam, but henceforth I shall rate you yet more highly, inasmuch as you have ventured outside the wall for my sake when all the others remain inside.
ild.22 Three times have I fled round the mighty city of Priam, without daring to withstand you, but now, let me either slay or be slain, for I am in the mind to face you.
ild.22 Though Priam son of Dardanus should bid them offer me your weight in Gold, even so your mother shall never lay you out and make lament over the son she bore, but Dogs and Vultures shall eat you utterly up.
ild.22 Hardly could the people hold Priam back in his hot haste to rush without the gates of the city.
ild.22 Two" of you," she said, "come with me that I may learn what it is that has befallen; I heard the voice of my husband s honoured mother; my own heart beats as though it would come into my mouth and my limbs refuse to carry me; some great misfortune for Priam s children must be at hand.
ild.22 Her husband s sisters and the wives of his brothers crowded round her and supported her, for she was fain to die in her distraction; when she again presently breathed and came to herself, she sobbed and made lament among the Trojans saying, Woe is me, O Hector; woe, indeed, that to share a common lot we were born, you at Troy in the house of Priam, and I at Thebes under the wooded mountain of Placus in the house of Eetion who brought me up when I was a child ill starred sire of an ill starred daughter would that he had never begotten me.
ild.23 Twelve brave sons of noble Trojans shall the flames consume along with yourself, but Dogs, not fire, shall devour the flesh of Hector son of Priam.
ild.23 Eueneus son of jason had given it to Patroclus in ransom of Priam s son Lycaon, and Achilles now offered it as a prize in honour of his comrade to him who should be the swiftest runner.
ild.24 All were of this mind save only Juno, Neptune, and Jove s grey eyed daughter, who persisted in the hate which they had ever borne towards Ilius with Priam and his people; for they forgave not the wrong done them by Alexandrus in disdaining the Goddesses who came to him when he was in his Sheepyards, and preferring her who had offered him a wanton to his ruin.
ild.24 Did not Hector burn you thigh bones of heifers and of unblemished Goats? And now dare you not rescue even his dead body, for his wife to look upon, with his mother and child, his father Priam, and his people, who would forthwith commit him to the flames, and give him his due funeral rites? So, then, you would all be on the side of mad Achilles, who knows neither right nor ruth? He is like some savage Lion that in the pride of his great strength and daring springs upon men s flocks and gorges on them.
ild.24 Let some one of you, therefore, send Thetis to me, and I will impart my counsel to her, namely that Achilles is to accept a ransom from Priam, and give up the body.
ild.24 At the same time I will send Iris to great Priam to bid him go to the ships of the Achaeans, and ransom his son, taking with him such gifts for Achilles as may give him satisfaction.
ild.24 "Go," said he, "fleet Iris, from the mansions of Olympus, and tell King Priam in Ilius, that he is to go to the ships of the Achaeans and free the body of his dear son.
ild.24 She went to Priam s house, and found weeping and lamentation therein.
ild.24 The messenger of Jove stood by Priam and spoke softly to him, but fear fell upon him as she did so.
ild.24 "Take heart," she said, Priam" offspring of Dardanus, take heart and fear not.
ild.24 Iris went her way when she had thus spoken, and Priam told his sons to get a Mule waggon ready, and to make the body of the waggon fast upon the top of its bed.
ild.24 Then Priam said, "I would go, do not therefore stay me nor be as a bird of ill omen in my house, for you will not move me.
ild.24 This done, they brought from the store chamber the rich ransom that was to purchase the body of Hector, and they set it all orderly on the waggon; then they yoked the strong harness Mules which the Mysians had on a time given as a goodly present to Priam; but for Priam himself they yoked Horses which the old king had bred, and kept for own use.
ild.24 Thus heedfully did Priam and his servant see to the yolking of their cars at the palace.
ild.24 And Priam answered, Wife", I will do as you desire me; it is well to lift hands in prayer to Jove, if so be he may have mercy upon me.
ild.24 But Priam and Idaeus as they showed out upon the plain did not escape the ken of all seeing Jove, who looked down upon the old man and pitied him; then he spoke to his son Mercury and said, Mercury", for it is you who are the most disposed to escort men on their way, and to hear those whom you will hear, go, and so conduct Priam to the ships of the Achaeans that no other of the Danaans shall see him nor take note of him until he reach the son of Peleus.
ild.24 Now when Priam and Idaeus had driven past the great tomb of Ilius, they stayed their Mules and Horses that they might drink in the river, for the shades of night were falling, when, therefore, Idaeus saw Mercury standing near them he said to Priam, "Take heed, descendant of Dardanus; here is matter which demands consideration.
ild.24 And Priam answered, "It is indeed as you say, my dear son; nevertheless some God has held his hand over me, in that he has sent such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so Opportunely; you are so comely in mien and figure, and your judgement is so excellent that you must come of blessed parents.
ild.24 And Priam said, "Wo are you, my friend, and who are your parents, that you speak so truly about the fate of my unhappy son?"
ild.24 Then answered Priam, "If you are indeed the squire of Achilles son of Peleus, tell me now the Whole truth.
ild.24 Then he drew back the bolts to open the gates, and took Priam inside with the treasure he had upon his waggon.
ild.24 Priam sprang from his Chariot to the ground, leaving Idaeus where he was, in charge of the Mules and Horses.
ild.24 King Priam entered without their seeing him, and going right up to Achilles he clasped his knees and kissed the dread murderous hands that had slain so many of his sons.
ild.24 As when some cruel spite has befallen a man that he should have killed some one in his own country, and must fly to a great man s protection in a land of strangers, and all marvel who see him, even so did Achilles marvel as he beheld Priam.
ild.24 The others looked one to another and marvelled also, but Priam besought Achilles saying, "Think of your father, O Achilles like unto the Gods, who is such even as I am, on the sad threshold of old age.
ild.24 Thus spoke Priam, and the heart of Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his father.
ild.24 The two wept bitterly Priam, as he lay at Achilles feet, weeping for Hector, and Achilles now for his father and now for Patroclous, till the house was filled with their lamentation.
ild.24 And you too, O Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime happy.
ild.24 And Priam answered, "O king, bid me not be seated, while Hector is still lying uncared for in your tents, but accept the great ransom which I have brought you, and give him to me at once that I may look upon him.
ild.24 Moreover I know well, O Priam, and you cannot hide it, that some God has brought you to the ships of the Achaeans, for else, no man however strong and in his prime would dare to come to our host; he could neither pass our guard unseen, nor draw the bolt of my gates thus easily; therefore, provoke me no further, lest I sin against the word of Jove, and suffer you not, suppliant though you are, within my tents.
ild.24 These unyoked the Horses and Mules, and bade Priam s herald and attendant be seated within the house.
ild.24 Then he called to his servants and ordered them to wash the body and anoint it, but he first took it to a place where Priam should not see it, lest if he did so, he should break out in the bitterness of his grief, and enrage Achilles, who might then kill him and sin against the word of Jove.
ild.24 Achilles then went back into the tent and took his place on the richly inlaid seat from which he had risen, by the wall that was at right angles to the one against which Priam was sitting.
ild.24 As soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Priam, descendant of Dardanus, marvelled at the strength and beauty of Achilles for he was as a God to see, and Achilles marvelled at Priam as he listened to him and looked upon his noble presence.
ild.24 When they had gazed their fill Priam spoke first.
ild.24 As he spoke Achilles told his men and the Women servants to set beds in the room that was in the gatehouse, and make them with good red rugs, and spread coverlets on the top of them with woollen cloaks for Priam and Idaeus to wear.
ild.24 Then Achilles said laughingly to Priam, "Dear sir, you shall lie outside, lest some counsellor of those who in due course keep coming to advise with me should see you here in the darkness of the flying night, and tell it to Agamemnon.
ild.24 And Priam answered, "Since, then, you suffer me to bury my noble son with all due rites, do thus, Achilles, and I shall be grateful.
ild.24 And Achilles answered, "All, King Priam, shall be as you have said.
ild.24 As he spoke he laid his hand on the old man s right wrist, in token that he should have no fear; thus then did Priam and his attendant sleep there in the forecourt, full of thought, while Achilles lay in an inner room of the house, with fair Briseis by his side.
ild.24 And now both Gods and mortals were fast asleep through the livelong night, but upon Mercury alone, the bringer of good luck, sleep could take no hold for he was thinking all the time how to get King Priam away from the ships without his being seen by the strong force of sentinels.
ild.24 He hovered therefore over Priam s head and said, Sir", now that Achilles has spared your life, you seem to have no fear about sleeping in the thick of your foes.
ild.24 Priam and Idaeus then drove on toward the city lamenting and making moan, and the Mules drew the body of Hector.
ild.24 Hard by the gates they met Priam as he was bringing in the body.
ild.24 They would have stayed before the gates, weeping and lamenting the livelong day to the going down of the sun, had not Priam spoken to them from the Chariot and said, "Make way for the Mules to pass you.
ild.24 When another would chide with me, as it might be one of your brothers or sisters or of your brothers wives, or my mother in law for Priam was as kind to me as though he were my own father you would rebuke and check them with words of gentleness and goodwill.
ild.24 Then King Priam spoke to them saying, "Bring wood, O Trojans, to the city, and fear no cunning ambush of the Argives, for Achilles when he dismissed me from the ships gave me his word that they should not attack us until the morning of the twelfth day.
ild.24 When they had heaped up the barrow they went back again into the city, and being well assembled they held high feast in the house of Priam their king.

Arise Greece! from thy silent sleep, 2000 years long it is! Forget not, thy ancient culture, beautiful and marvelous it is!

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