Homer ILIAD : Rhapsody 1

Page 20

"Going to the tent of Achilles, the son of Peleus, lead away fair Briseis, having taken her by the hand; but if he will not give her, then I myself, coming with great numbers, will take her, and this will be more grievous[41] to him."

Thus speaking, he despatched them, having added[42] a harsh command. But they reluctantly went along the shore of the barren sea, and came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. And they found him sitting at his tent and his black ship: nor did Achilles, seeing them, rejoice. But they, confused, and reverencing the king, stood still, nor addressed him at all, nor spoke [their bidding]. But he perceived [it] in his mind, and said:

"Hail, heralds, messengers of Jove,[43] and also of men, come near, for ye are not blamable to me in the least, but Agamemnon, who has sent you on account of the maid Briseis. However, come, noble Patroclus, lead forth the maid, and give her to them to conduct; but let these be witnesses [of the insult offered me], both before the blessed gods, and before mortal men, and before the merciless king. But if ever again there shall be need of me to avert unseemly destruction from the rest, [appeal to me shall be in vain],[44] for surely he rages with an infatuated mind, nor knows at all how to view the future and the past, in order that the Greeks may fight in safety at their ships."

Thus he spoke. And Patroclus obeyed his dear companion, and led forth fair-cheeked Briseis from the tent, and gave her to them to conduct; and they returned along by the ships of the Greeks. But the woman went with them reluctantly, whilst Achilles, weeping,[45] immediately sat down, removed apart from his companions, upon the shore of the hoary sea, gazing on the darkling main; and much he be sought his dear mother, stretching forth his hands:

[Footnote 41: Hesych. [Greek: rigion phoberoteron chalepoteron].]

[Footnote 42: "Misit eos, minaci jusso dato."—Heyne.]

[Footnote 43: So called from their inviolability,--[Greek: asylon gar kai theion to genos to kerykon].—Schol. [Greek: Kai ezen antois pantachose adeos ienai].—Pollux, viii. They were properly sacred to Mercury (id. iv. 9. Cf. Feith, Antiq. Homer, iv. 1), but are called the messengers of Jove, as being under his special protection, with a reference to the supporting of regal authority.]

[Footnote 44: Observe the aposiopesis.]

[Footnote 45: Not for the loss of Briseis, but on account of the affront.]

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