1 The wrath sing, O goddess, of Peleus’ son, Achilles, that baneful wrath which brought countless woes upon the Achaeans, and sent forth to Hades many valiant souls of warriors, and made themselves to be a spoil for dogs and all manner of birds; and thus the will of Zeus was being brought to fulfilment;—sing of it 5 from the time when at the first there parted in strife Atreus’ son, king of men, and noble Achilles. Who then of the gods was it that brought these two together to contend? The son of Leto and Zeus; for he in wrath against the king roused throughout the host an evil pestilence, and the folk were perishing, 10 because upon the man Chryses, his priest, the son of Atreus had wrought dishonour. For he had come to the swift ships of the Achaeans to free his daughter, and he bore with him ransom past counting; and in his hands he held the fillets of Apollo, who strikes afar, on a staff of gold, and he made prayer to all the Achaeans, 15 but most of all the two sons of Atreus, the marshallers of the host: “You sons of Atreus, and you other well-greaved Achaeans, to you may the gods who have homes upon Olympus grant that you sack the city of Priam, and return safe to your homes; but set my dear child free for me, and accept the ransom 20 out of awe for the son of Zeus, Apollo, who strikes afar.” Then all the rest of the Achaeans shouted assent, bidding them reverence the priest and accept the glorious ransom, yet the thing did not please the heart of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, but he sent him away harshly, and laid upon him a stern command: 25 “Let me not find you, old man, by the hollow ships, either lingering now or coming back hereafter, lest your staff and the fillet of the god fail to protect you. But her I will not set free: before that, old age shall come upon her in our house, in Argos, far from her country, 30 as she walks to and fro before the loom and tends my couch. No, be gone; do not anger me, so that you may go the safer.” So he spoke, and the old man was seized with fear and heeded his word. Forth he went in silence along the shore of the loud-resounding sea, and earnestly thereafter, when he had gone apart, did the old man pray 35 to the prince, Apollo, whom fair-haired Leto bore: “Hear me, you of the silver bow, who stand over Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule mightily over Tenedos, you Sminthian, if ever I roofed over a shrine to your pleasing, or if ever I burned to you fat thigh-pieces of bulls or goats, 40 fulfil for me this prayer: let the Danaans pay for my tears by your shafts.” So he spoke in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Down from the peaks of Olympus he strode, angry at heart, bearing on his shoulders his bow and covered quiver.⁠a 45 The arrows rattled on the shoulders of the angry god, as he moved; and his coming was like the night. Then he sat down apart from the ships and let fly a shaft: terrible was the twang of the silver bow. The mules he assailed first and the swift dogs, 50 but thereafter on the men themselves he let fly his stinging arrows, and struck; and always the pyres of the dead burned thick. For nine days the missiles of the god went throughout the host, but on the tenth Achilles called the folk to the place of gathering, for so had the goddess, white-armed Hera, put it in his heart; 55 since she pitied the Danaans, because she saw them dying. So, when they were assembled and met together, among them arose and spoke Achilles, swift of foot: “Son of Atreus, now I think we shall be driven back and return with baffled purpose, should we even escape death, 60 if war and pestilence alike are to waste the Achaeans. But come, let us ask some prophet or priest, yes, or some reader of dreams—for a dream too is from Zeus—who may perhaps tell us for what cause Phoebus Apollo has conceived such anger, whether it is because of a vow that he blames us, or of a hecatomb; 65 in hope that perhaps he may accept the savour of lambs and unblemished goats, and be minded to ward off from us the pestilence.” When he had thus spoken he sat down, and among them rose up Calchas, son of Thestor, far the best of diviners, who had knowledge of all things that were, and that were to be, and that had been before, 70 and who had guided the ships of the Achaeans to Ilios by his soothsaying that Phoebus Apollo had bestowed upon him. He with good intent addressed their gathering, and spoke among them: “Achilles, dear to Zeus, you bid me declare the wrath of Apollo, who strikes afar. 75 Therefore I will speak; but take thought, and swear that truly with a ready heart you will defend me with word and with might of hand; for I think I shall anger a man who rules mightily over all the Argives, and whom the Achaeans obey. For mightier is a king, when he is angry at a baser man. 80 Even if he swallows down his wrath for the one day, yet thereafter he cherishes resentment in his heart till he brings all to pass. Consider, then, whether you will keep me safe.” Then in answer to him spoke Achilles, swift of foot: “Take good heart, and speak out whatever oracle you know, 85 for by Apollo, dear to Zeus, to whom you pray, Calchas, and declare oracles to the Danaans, no one, while I live and have sight on the earth, shall lay heavy hands on you beside the hollow ships, no one of the whole host of the Danaans, 90 not even if it is Agamemnon you mean, who now declares himself far the best of the Achaeans.” Then the blameless prophet took heart, and spoke, saying: “It is not then because of a vow that he blames us, nor a hecatomb, but because of the priest to whom Agamemnon did dishonour, and did not release his daughter nor accept the ransom. 95 For this cause the god who strikes afar has given woes, yes, and will give them, nor will he drive off from the Danaans the loathsome pestilence, until we give back to her father the bright-eyed maiden, unbought,— unransomed, and lead a sacred hecatomb to Chryse: then perhaps we might appease his wrath and persuade him.” 100 When he had thus spoken he sat down, and among them rose up the warrior, son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, deeply vexed; and with rage was his black heart wholly filled, and his eyes were like blazing fire. To Calchas first of all he spoke, and his look boded ill: 105 “Prophet of evil, never yet have you spoken to me the thing that is good; ever is evil dear to your heart to prophesy, but a word of good you have never yet spoken, nor brought to pass. And now in the midst of the gathering of the Danaans you utter your prophecies, and declare, if you please, that it is for this cause that the god who strikes afar is bringing woes upon them, 110 because I would not accept the glorious ransom for the maid, the daughter of Chryses, since I am minded far rather to keep her in my home. For, know this, I prefer her before Clytemnestra, my wedded wife, since she is in no way inferior to her, either in form or in stature, or in mind, or at all in handiwork. 115 Yet even so I will give her back, if that is better; I would rather have the folk safe than perishing. But for me make ready a prize at once, that I may not alone of the Argives be without a prize, since that would not even be seemly; for you all see this, that my prize goes from me elsewhere.” 120 Then in answer to him spoke noble Achilles, swift of foot: “Most glorious son of Atreus, you most covetous of all men, how shall the great-souled Achaeans give you a prize? Nothing do we know of wealth laid up in common store, but whatever we took by pillage from the cities has been apportioned, 125 and it would not be fitting to gather these things back from the folk. No, give her up at the god’s behest, and we Achaeans will recompense you threefold and fourfold, if ever Zeus grants us to sack the well-walled city of Troy.” Then in answer to him spoke lord Agamemnon: 130 “Not in this way, valiant though you are, godlike Achilles, seek to beguile me by your wit; for you shall not outstrip me nor persuade me. Would you, so that you yourself may keep your prize, yet have me abide thus in want, while you bid me give her back? No; if the great-souled Achaeans give me a prize, 135 suiting it to my mind, so that the recompense be equal!—but if they do not give it, then I will come myself and take your prize or that of Aias, or that of Odysseus I will seize and bear away. Angry will he be to whomever I shall come. However, of these things we will take thought hereafter; for the present 140 let us launch a black ship into the bright sea, and gather in it a due number of rowers, and place on board a hecatomb, and embark on it the fair-cheeked daughter of Chryses herself. And let one who is a counsellor take command, Aias perhaps, or Idomeneus, or noble Odysseus, 145 or you, son of Peleus, of all men most dread, that you may offer sacrifice and appease him who works afar.” Then with an angry glance from beneath his brows spoke to him Achilles, swift of foot: “Ah me, you clothed in shamelessness, you of crafty mind, how shall any man of the Achaeans obey your bidding with a ready heart 150 either to go on a journey or to fight in force against warriors? I did not come here to fight because of the spearmen of Troy, since they are in no way at fault toward me. Never have they in any way harried my cattle or my horses, nor ever in deep-soiled Phthia, nurse of men, 155 did they lay waste the grain, for very many things lie between us—shadowy mountains and sounding sea. But you, you shameless one, we followed here, that you might be glad, seeking to win recompense for Menelaus and for you, you dog-face, at the hands of the Trojans. This you do not regard, nor take thought of it; 160 and now you even threaten that you will yourself take from me the prize for which I toiled much, and which the sons of the Achaeans gave me. Never have I a prize like yours, when the Achaeans sack a well-peopled citadel of the Trojans; no, the brunt of tumultuous war 165 do my hands bear, but if ever an apportionment comes, your prize is greater far, while I go to my ships with some small thing, yet my own, when I have grown weary with fighting. Now I will go from here to Phthia, since it is better far to return home with my beaked ships, nor 170 am I minded to stay here in dishonour and draw for you your fill of goods and wealth.” Then made answer the king of men, Agamemnon: “Yes, flee, if your heart bids you; I do not beg you to remain for my sake. With me are others who will do me honour, and above all Zeus, the lord of counsel. 175 Most hateful to me are you of the kings nurtured by Zeus, for always is strife dear to you, and wars and fightings. Though you are very valiant, a god, I think, gave you this. Go home with your ships and your men, and lord it over your Myrmidons; for you I do not care, 180 nor do I heed your wrath. And this shall be my threat to you: since Phoebus Apollo takes from me the daughter of Chryses, her with a ship of mine and men of mine I will send back, but I will myself come to your hut and take the fair-cheeked Briseis, that prize of yours; so that you may know full well 185 how far mightier I am than you, and another too may shrink from declaring himself my peer and likening himself to me to my face.” So he spoke, and grief came upon the son of Peleus, and within his shaggy breast his heart was divided in counsel, whether he should draw his sharp sword from beside his thigh, 190 and break up the gathering, and himself slay the son of Atreus, or should stay his wrath and curb his spirit. While he pondered thus in mind and heart, and was drawing from its sheath his great sword, Athene came from heaven, sent forth by the goddess, white-armed Hera, 195 for in her heart she loved them both alike and had care for them. She took her stand behind him, and caught the son of Peleus by his golden hair, letting herself be seen by him alone, and of the rest no man beheld her. And Achilles was seized with wonder, and turned around, and at once knew Pallas Athene; and terribly did her eyes flash. 200 Then he spoke to her with winged words, and said: “Why now have you come again, daughter of Zeus, who bears the aegis? Was it that you might see the insolence of Agamemnon, son of Atreus? No, I will tell you, and I think this shall truly be brought to pass: through his own overweening pride shall he soon lose his life.” 205 Then the goddess, flashing-eyed Athene, answered him: “To stay your anger, if you will obey, I came from heaven, and the goddess, white-armed Hera, sent me forth, for in her heart she loves you both alike, and has care for you. But come, cease from strife, and do not let your hand draw the sword. 210 With words indeed taunt him, even as it shall be; for thus I will speak, and truly this thing shall be brought to pass: hereafter shall glorious gifts three and four times as many be brought to you because of this outrage. Refrain, therefore, and obey us.” Then in answer to her spoke Achilles, swift of foot: 215 “A man must, goddess, observe the words of you two, however angry he may be at heart, for so it is better. Whoever obeys the gods, to him they gladly give ear.” He spoke, and stayed his heavy hand on the silver hilt, and back into its sheath thrust the great sword, and did not disobey 220 the word of Athene; and she had at once gone to Olympus to the palace of Zeus, who bears the aegis, to join the company of the other gods. But the son of Peleus again addressed with violent words the son of Atreus, and in no way ceased from his wrath: “You heavy with wine, you with the face of a dog but the heart of a deer, 225 never have you had courage to arm for battle with your folk, or go forth to an ambush with the chiefs of the Achaeans. That seems to you even as death. In truth it is better far throughout the wide camp of the Achaeans to take for yourself the prize of whoever speaks against you. 230 Folk-devouring king, since you rule over men of no worth; else, son of Atreus, you would now work insolence for the last time. But I will declare my word to you, and will swear to it a mighty oath: by this staff, that shall no more put forth leaves or shoots since first it left its stump among the mountains, 235 nor shall it again grow green, because the bronze has stripped it of leaves and bark, and now the sons of the Achaeans who give judgment bear it in their hands, even those who guard the judgments by ordinance of Zeus; and this shall be for you a mighty oath:—surely a longing for Achilles shall some day come upon the sons of the Achaeans 240 one and all, and on that day you shall in no way be able to help them for all your grief, when many shall fall in death before man-slaying Hector. But you shall gnaw your heart within you in wrath that you in no way honoured the best of the Achaeans.” So spoke the son of Peleus, and down to the earth he dashed 245 the staff studded with golden nails, and himself sat down; while over against him the son of Atreus continued to vent his wrath. Then among them rose up Nestor, sweet of speech, the clear-voiced orator of the men of Pylos, he from whose tongue flowed speech sweeter than honey. Two generations of mortal men had he before now seen pass away, 250 who of old had been born and reared with him in sacred Pylos, and he was king among the third. He with good intent addressed their gathering and spoke among them: “For shame! In truth great grief has come upon the land of Achaea. Priam truly would rejoice and the sons of Priam, 255 and the rest of the Trojans would be right glad at heart were they to hear all this tale of the strife of you two who are foremost of all the Danaans in counsel and foremost in war. But listen to me; you are both younger than I. Before now I have consorted with warriors who were better men than you, 260 and never did they make light of me. Such warriors I have never since seen, nor shall see, as Peirithous was and Dryas, shepherd of the host, and Caeneus and Exadius and godlike Polyphemus, and Theseus, son of Aegeus, peer of the immortals. 265 Mightiest were these of all men reared upon the earth; mightiest were they, and with the mightiest did they fight, even with the centaurs that had their lairs among the mountains, and terribly did they destroy them. With these men I had fellowship, when I had come from Pylos, from afar, from a distant land; for they themselves called me. 270 And in fight I took my part as my own man; but with them could no man fight of all mortals that now are upon the earth. Yes, and they listened to my counsel, and gave ear to my words. So you also must listen, for to listen is better. Do not, mighty though you are, seek to take from him the girl, 275 but let her be, even as at the first the sons of the Achaeans gave her to him as a prize; nor, son of Peleus, be minded to strive with a king, might against might, for it is no common honour that is the portion of a sceptred king to whom Zeus gives glory. Though you are valiant, and a goddess mother bore you, 280 yet he is the mightier, since he is king over more. Son of Atreus, check your rage; indeed, I myself beg you to let go your anger against Achilles, who is for all the Achaeans a mighty bulwark against evil war.” Then in answer to him spoke lord Agamemnon: 285 “Yes, truly, old sire, all this you have spoken according to right. But this man is minded to be above all others; over all he is minded to hold sway and be king among all, and to give orders to all; and in this there is one, I think, who will not obey him. If the gods who are for ever made him a warrior, 290 do they therefore set him on to utter revilings?” Then noble Achilles broke in upon him, and said: “Yes, for I should bear the name of coward and man of no account, if I am to yield to you in every matter, however you bid. On others lay these commands, but give no orders to me, 295 for I think I shall obey you no more. And another thing I will tell you, and lay it to heart: by might of hand I will strive for the girl’s sake neither with you nor with any other, since you do but take away what you gave. But of all else that is mine by my swift black ship, 300 you shall take or bear away nothing against my will. But come, make trial, that these too may know: at once shall your dark blood flow forth about my spear.” So when the two had made an end of contending with violent words, they rose, and broke up the gathering beside the ships of the Achaeans. 305 The son of Peleus went his way to his huts and his shapely ships together with the son of Menoetius, and with his men; but the son of Atreus had a swift ship launched on the sea, and chose for it twenty rowers, and drove on board a hecatomb for the god, and brought the fair-cheeked daughter of Chryses and set her in the ship; 310 and Odysseus of many wiles went on board to take command. So these embarked and sailed over the watery ways; but the son of Atreus ordered the host to purify itself. And they purified themselves, and cast the defilement into the sea, and offered to Apollo acceptable hecatombs 315 of bulls and goats by the shore of the unresting sea; and the savour of them went up to heaven, eddying amid the smoke. Thus were they busied throughout the camp; yet Agamemnon did not cease from the strife with which he had at first threatened Achilles, but called to Talthybius and Eurybates, 320 who were his heralds and ready squires, saying: “Go to the hut of Achilles, Peleus’ son, and take by the hand the fair-cheeked Briseis, and lead her here; and if he does not give her, I will myself go with a larger company and take her; that will be even the worse for him.” 325 So saying, he sent them forth, and laid upon them a stern command. Unwilling went the two along the shore of the unresting sea, and came to the huts and the ships of the Myrmidons. Him they found sitting beside his hut and his black ship; nor was Achilles glad at sight of them. And 330 the two, seized with dread, and in awe of the king, stood, and spoke no word to him, nor asked any question; but he knew in his heart, and spoke, saying: “Hail, heralds, messengers of Zeus and men, draw near. It is not you who are guilty in my sight, but Agamemnon, 335 who sent you forth for the sake of the girl, Briseis. But come, Patroclus, sprung from Zeus, bring forth the girl, and give her to them to lead away. Yet let these two themselves be witnesses before the blessed gods and mortal men, yes, and before him, that ruthless king, if hereafter 340 there shall be need of me to ward off shameful ruin from the host. In truth he rages with baneful mind, and does not know at all how to look both before and after, so that his Achaeans might wage war in safety beside their ships.” So he spoke, and Patroclus gave ear to his dear comrade, 345 and led forth from the hut the fair-cheeked Briseis, and gave her to them to lead away. So the two went back beside the ships of the Achaeans, and with them, all unwilling, went the woman. But Achilles at once burst into tears, and withdrew apart from his comrades, and sat down on the shore of the grey sea, looking forth over the wine-dark deep; 350 and earnestly did he pray to his dear mother with hands outstretched: “My mother, since you bore me, though to so brief a span of life, honour surely ought the Olympian to have given into my hands, even Zeus who thunders on high; but now he has honoured me, no, not in the least. Yes, truly, the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon 355 has done me dishonour; for he has taken away and holds my prize through his own arrogant act.” So he spoke, weeping, and his queenly mother heard him, as she sat in the depths of the sea beside the old man, her father. And speedily she came forth from the grey sea like a mist, and sat down before his face, as he wept; 360 and she stroked him with her hand, and spoke to him, and called him by name: “My child, why do you weep? What sorrow has come upon your heart? Speak out; do not hide it in your mind, that we both may know.” Then with heavy moaning spoke to her Achilles, swift of foot: “You know. Why, in truth, should I tell the tale to you who know all? 365 We went forth to Thebe, the sacred city of Eëtion, and laid it waste, and brought here all the spoil. This the sons of the Achaeans duly divided among themselves, but for the son of Atreus they chose out the fair-cheeked daughter of Chryses. Yet Chryses, priest of Apollo, who strikes afar, 370 came to the swift ships of the brazen-coated Achaeans, to win freedom for his daughter, and he brought ransom past counting, bearing in his hands the fillets of Apollo, who strikes afar, on a staff of gold, and he made prayer to all the Achaeans, but most of all to the two sons of Atreus, the marshallers of the host. 375 Then all the rest of the Achaeans shouted assent, bidding them reverence the priest and accept the glorious ransom; yet the thing did not please the heart of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, but he sent him away harshly, and laid upon him a stern command. So the old man went back again in wrath; and Apollo 380 heard his prayer, for he was very dear to him, and sent against the Argives an evil dart. Then the folk began to die thick and fast, and the shafts of the god ranged everywhere throughout the wide camp of the Achaeans. But to us the prophet with sure knowledge declared the oracles of the god who strikes afar. 385 At once, then, I was the first to urge them to propitiate the god, but thereafter wrath laid hold of the son of Atreus, and immediately he arose and spoke a threatening word, that has now been brought to pass. For the bright-eyed Achaeans are taking the maiden in a swift ship to Chryse, and are bearing gifts to the god; 390 while that other the heralds have but now taken from my hut and led away, even the daughter of Briseus, whom the sons of the Achaeans gave me. But, if you have power, guard your own son; go to Olympus and make prayer to Zeus, if ever you have made his heart glad by word or deed. 395 Often have I heard you glorying in the halls of my father, and declaring that you alone among the immortals warded off shameful ruin from the son of Cronos, lord of the dark clouds, on the day when the other Olympians were eager to put him in bonds, even Hera and Poseidon and Pallas Athene. 400 But you came, goddess, and loosed him from his bonds, when you had with speed called to high Olympus him of the hundred hands, whom the gods call Briareus, but all men Aegaeon; for he is mightier than his father. He sat down by the side of the son of Cronos, exulting in his glory, 405 and the blessed gods were seized with fear of him, and did not bind Zeus. Bring this now to his remembrance, and sit by his side, and clasp his knees, in hope that he may perhaps be minded to succour the Trojans, and for those others, the Achaeans, to pen them in among the sterns of their ships and around the sea as they are slain, so that they may all have profit of their king, 410 and that the son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, may know his blindness in that he in no way honoured the best of the Achaeans.” Then Thetis made answer to him, shedding tears as she spoke: “Ah me, my child, why did I rear you, cursed in my child-bearing? Would that it had been your lot to remain by your ships without tears and without grief, 415 since your span of life is brief and endures no long time; but now you are doomed to a speedy death and besides are beset with sorrow above all men; therefore to an evil fate did I bear you in our halls. Yet to tell this saying of yours to Zeus who hurls the thunderbolt I will myself go to snowy Olympus, in hope that he may listen. 420 But remain by your swift, sea-faring ships, and continue your wrath against the Achaeans, and refrain utterly from battle; for Zeus went yesterday to Oceanus, to the blameless Ethiopians for a feast, and all the gods followed with him; but on the twelfth day he will come back again to Olympus, 425 and then I will go to the house of Zeus with threshold of bronze, and will clasp his knees in prayer, and I think I shall win him.” So saying, she went her way and left him where he was, angry at heart for the fair-girdled woman’s sake, whom they had taken from him by force against his will; and meanwhile Odysseus 430 came to Chryse bringing the holy hecatomb. When they had now come within the deep harbour, they furled the sail, and stowed it in the black ship, and the mast they lowered by the forestays and brought it to the crutch with speed, and rowed her with oars to the place of anchorage. 435 Then they cast out the mooring-stones and made fast the stern cables, and themselves went forth upon the shore of the sea. Forth they brought the hecatomb for Apollo, who strikes afar, and forth stepped also the daughter of Chryses from the sea-faring ship. Her then did Odysseus of many wiles lead to the altar, 440 and place in the arms of her dear father, saying to him: “Chryses, Agamemnon, king of men, sent me forth to bring you your daughter, and to offer to Phoebus a holy hecatomb on the Danaans’ behalf, that with it we may propitiate the king, who has now brought upon the Argives woes and lamentation.” 445 So saying he placed her in his arms, and he joyfully took his dear child; but they made haste to set in array for the god the holy hecatomb around the well-built altar, and thereafter they washed their hands, and took up the barley grains. Then Chryses lifted up his hands, and prayed aloud for them: 450 “Hear me, you of the silver bow, who stand over Chryse and holy Cilla, and rule mightily over Tenedos. Even as before you heard me when I prayed—me you honoured, and mightily struck the host of the Achaeans—even so now fulfil for me this my desire: 455 ward off now from the Danaans the loathsome pestilence.” So he spoke in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Then, when they had prayed, and had sprinkled the barley grains, they first drew back the victims’ heads, and cut their throats, and flayed them, and cut out the thighs and covered them 460 with a double layer of fat, and laid raw flesh upon them. And the old man burned them on billets of wood, and made libation over them of flaming wine; and beside him the young men held in their hands the five-pronged forks. But when the thigh-pieces were wholly burned, and they had tasted the inner parts, they cut up the rest and spitted it, 465 and roasted it carefully, and drew all off the spits. Then, when they had ceased from their labour and had made ready the meal, they feasted, nor did their hearts lack anything of the equal feast. But when they had put from them the desire of food and drink, the youths filled the bowls brim full of drink 470 and served out to all, first pouring drops for libation into the cups. So the whole day long they sought to appease the god with song, singing the beautiful paean, the sons of the Achaeans, hymning the god who works afar; and his heart was glad, as he heard. But when the sun set and darkness came on, 475 they lay down to rest by the stern cables of the ship, and as soon as early Dawn appeared, the rosy-fingered, then they set sail for the wide camp of the Achaeans. And Apollo, who works afar, sent them a favouring wind, and they set up the mast and spread the white sail. 480 So the wind filled the belly of the sail, and the dark wave sang loudly about the stem of the ship, as she went, and she sped over the wave, accomplishing her way. But when they had come to the wide camp of the Achaeans, they drew the black ship up on the shore, 485 high upon the sands, and set in line the long props beneath, and themselves scattered among the huts and ships. But he in his wrath remained beside his swift-faring ships, the heaven-sprung son of Peleus, Achilles, swift of foot. Never did he go forth to the place of gathering, where men win glory, 490 nor ever to war, but let his own heart waste away, as he lingered where he was; and he longed for the war-cry and the battle. Now when the twelfth morning thereafter had come, then to Olympus went the gods who are for ever, all in one company, and Zeus led the way. And Thetis did not forget the behest 495 of her son, but rose up from the wave of the sea, and at early morning mounted up to great heaven and Olympus. There she found the son of Cronos, whose voice is borne afar, as he sat apart from the rest upon the topmost peak of many-ridged Olympus. So she sat down before him, and laid hold of his knees 500 with her left hand, while with her right she clasped him beneath the chin, and she spoke in prayer to king Zeus, son of Cronos: “Father Zeus, if ever amid the immortals I gave you aid by word or deed, fulfil for me this prayer: do honour to my son, who is doomed to a speedy death beyond all other men; 505 yet now Agamemnon, king of men, has put dishonour upon him, for he has taken and keeps his prize by his own arrogant act. But show him honour, Olympian Zeus, lord of counsel; and for so long give might to the Trojans, even until the Achaeans do honour to my son, and magnify him with recompense.” 510 So she spoke; but Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, spoke no word to her, but sat a long time in silence. Yet Thetis, even as she had clasped his knees, so held to him, clinging close, and questioned him again a second time: “Promise me now this thing in very truth and bow your head to it, or else deny me, for there is nothing to make you afraid; so that I may know full well 515 how far I among all the gods am honoured the least.” Then, greatly troubled, Zeus, the cloud-gatherer, spoke to her: “Truly here will be sorry work, since you will set me on to engage in strife with Hera, whenever she shall anger me with taunting words. Even now she is always upbraiding me among the immortal gods, 520 and declaring that I give aid to the Trojans in battle. But for the present depart again, lest Hera notice anything; and I will take thought for these things to bring all to pass. Come, I will bow my head to you, that you may be certain, for this from me is the surest token among the immortals; 525 no word of mine may be recalled, nor is false, nor unfulfilled, to which I bow my head.” The son of Cronos spoke, and bowed his dark brow in assent, and the ambrosial locks waved from the king’s immortal head; and he made great Olympus quake. 530 When the two had taken counsel together in this fashion, they parted; she leapt at once into the deep sea from gleaming Olympus, and Zeus went to his own palace. All the gods together rose from their seats before the face of their father; nor did any dare to await his coming, but they all rose up before him. 535 So he sat down there upon his throne; but Hera saw, and did not fail to notice how silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the old man of the sea, had taken counsel with him. At once then she spoke to Zeus, son of Cronos, with mocking words: “Who of the gods, you crafty one, has now again taken counsel with you? 540 Always is it your good pleasure to hold aloof from me, and to give judgments which you have pondered in secret, nor have you ever brought yourself with a ready heart to declare to me the matter which you purpose.” Then made answer to her the father of men and gods: “Hera, do not think that you shall know all my words: 545 hard will they prove for you, my wife though you are. No, whatever it is fitting for you to hear, this none other shall know before you, whether of gods or men; but what I am minded to purpose apart from the gods, of all this do not in any way question me, nor ask about it.” 550 Then made answer to him the ox-eyed, queenly Hera: “Most dread son of Cronos, what a word you have said! Yes, truly, in the past I have not been used to ask you nor question you, but at your ease you devise all things whatever you will. But now I have wondrous dread at heart, lest 555 silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the old man of the sea, may have beguiled you; for at early dawn she sat by you and clasped your knees. To her, I think, you bowed your head in sure token that you will honour Achilles, and bring many to death beside the ships of the Achaeans.” Then in answer to her spoke Zeus, the cloud-gatherer: 560 “Strange queen, you are always imagining, and I do not escape you; yet you shall in no way have power to accomplish anything, but shall be the further from my heart; and that shall be even the worse for you. If this thing is as you say, then it must be my good pleasure. No, sit down in silence, and obey my word, 565 lest all the gods that are in Olympus be of no avail to you against my drawing near, when I put forth upon you my irresistible hands.” He spoke, and ox-eyed, queenly Hera was seized with fear, and sat down in silence, curbing her heart. Then troubled were the gods of heaven throughout the palace of Zeus, 570 and among them Hephaestus, the famed craftsman, was first to speak, doing pleasure to his dear mother, white-armed Hera: “Truly here will be sorry work, that is no more to be borne, if you two are to wrangle thus for mortals’ sakes, and set the gods in tumult; nor will there be any joy in the fine feast, 575 since worse things prevail. And I give counsel to my mother, wise though she is herself, to do pleasure to our dear father Zeus, so that the father may not upbraid her again, and bring confusion upon our feast. What if the Olympian, the lord of the lightning, should be minded 580 to dash us from our seats! for he is mightiest far. No, speak to him with gentle words; so shall the Olympian at once be gracious to us.” So saying, he sprang up and placed in his dear mother’s hand the double cup, and spoke to her: 585 “Be of good cheer, my mother, and endure for all your grief, lest, dear as you are to me, my eyes behold you struck, and then I shall in no way be able to succour you for all my sorrow; for a hard foe is the Olympian to meet in strife. Yes, once before this, when I was eager to save you, 590 he caught me by the foot and hurled me from the heavenly threshold; the whole day long I was borne headlong, and at set of sun I fell in Lemnos, and but little life was in me. There the Sintian folk made haste to tend me for my fall.” So he spoke, and the goddess, white-armed Hera, smiled, 595 and smiling took in her hand the cup from her son. Then he poured wine for all the other gods from left to right, drawing forth sweet nectar from the bowl. And laughter unquenchable arose among the blessed gods, as they saw Hephaestus puffing through the palace. 600 Thus the whole day long till set of sun they feasted, nor did their heart lack anything of the equal feast, nor of the beautiful lyre, that Apollo held, nor yet of the Muses, who sang, replying one to the other with sweet voices. But when the bright light of the sun had set, 605 they went each to his own house to take their rest, where for each one a palace had been built with cunning skill by the famed Hephaestus, the god of the two strong arms; and Zeus, the Olympian, lord of the lightning, went to his couch, where of old he was accustomed to take his rest, when sweet sleep came upon him. 610 There he went up and slept, and beside him lay Hera of the golden throne.