SCROLL I-1
Translators' Introduction: 1. Same word translated the same way each time. 2. For words in glossary, one form of the Greek word for all derivatives 3. Include plus verses. 4. We try to follow Greek word order. 5. We substitute names for pronouns when the reference is not obvious. 6. We respect the integrity of the line even at the expense of the distinction between active and passive voice.
1
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Translation
The anger [mēnis] of Peleus’ son Achilles, goddess, perform its song --
2
οὐλομένην, ἣ μυρίʼ Ἀχαιοῖς ἄλγεʼ ἔθηκε,
Translation
disastrous anger that made countless sufferings [algos pl.] for the Achaeans,
3
πολλὰς δʼ ἰφθίμους ψυχὰς Ἄϊδι προΐαψεν
Translation
and many steadfast lives [psukhē pl.; n:v.l. heads] it drove down to Hades,
4
ἡρώων, αὐτοὺς δὲ ἑλώρια τεῦχε κύνεσσιν
Translation
heroes’ lives, but their selves it made prizes for dogs
¹
Editorial note needed about body vs. soul and identity
5
οἰωνοῖσί τε πᾶσι, Διὸς δʼ ἐτελείετο βουλή,
Translation
and for all birds, and the plan of Zeus was being fulfilled [telos] --
¹
Variant v.l. a feast for birds
6
ἐξ οὗ δὴ τὰ πρῶτα διαστήτην ἐρίσαντε
Translation
sing starting from the point where the two first clashed [eris],
7
Ἀτρεΐδης τε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν καὶ δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς.
Translation
the son of Atreus, lord of men, and radiant Achilles.
8
τίς τʼ ἄρ σφωε θεῶν ἔριδι ξυνέηκε μάχεσθαι;
Translation
So, which of the gods was it that pushed the two to clash [eris] and fight?
9
Λητοῦς καὶ Διὸς υἱός· ὃ γὰρ βασιλῆϊ χολωθεὶς
Translation
It was the son of Leto and Zeus. Infuriated [kholos] at the king,
10
νοῦσον ἀνὰ στρατὸν ὄρσε κακήν, ὀλέκοντο δὲ λαοί,
Translation
he stirred up an evil pestilence throughout the mass of warriors, and the warriors kept on dying,
11
οὕνεκα τὸν Χρύσην ἠτίμασεν ἀρητῆρα
Translation
because Chryse>s, the one who prays and curses, was dishonored [timē]
¹
Note Chryse>s is the name of the man; Chryse is the name of the city
12
Ἀτρεΐδης· ὃ γὰρ ἦλθε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
by the son of Atreus. For Chryse>s came to the swift ships of the Achaeans
13
λυσόμενός τε θύγατρα φέρων τʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,
Translation
to get his daughter’s release, bringing with him a ransom [apoina] beyond telling, [1.372]
14
στέμματʼ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶν ἑκηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος
Translation
holding in his hands the suppliant wreaths of far-shooting Apollo [1.373]
15
χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ, καὶ λίσσετο πάντας Ἀχαιούς,
Translation
wound around a golden scepter, and he supplicated all the Achaeans,
16
Ἀτρεΐδα δὲ μάλιστα δύω, κοσμήτορε λαῶν·
Translation
but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who marshal the warriors.
17
Ἀτρεΐδαι τε καὶ ἄλλοι ἐϋκνήμιδες Ἀχαιοί,
Translation
Sons of Atreus and you other well-greaved Achaeans,
18
ὑμῖν μὲν θεοὶ δοῖεν Ὀλύμπια δώματʼ ἔχοντες
Translation
may the gods who possess homes on Olympus grant to you
19
ἐκπέρσαι Πριάμοιο πόλιν, εὖ δʼ οἴκαδʼ ἱκέσθαι·
Translation
that you destroy the city [polis] of Priam and that you have a good homecoming;
20
παῖδα δʼ ἐμοὶ λύσαιτε φίλην, τὰ δʼ ἄποινα δέχεσθαι,
Translation
but you, release to me my dear [philē] daughter, and accept a ransom [apoina],
21
ἁζόμενοι Διὸς υἱὸν ἑκηβόλον Ἀπόλλωνα.
Translation
in awe of the son of Zeus, far-shooting Apollo.“
22
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐπευφήμησαν Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
At this point all the other Achaeans voiced their assent,
23
αἰδεῖσθαί θʼ ἱερῆα καὶ ἀγλαὰ δέχθαι ἄποινα·
Translation
to show respect [aidōs] to the priest [hiereus] and to accept the splendid ransom;
24
ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἥνδανε θυμῷ,
Translation
but this was not pleasing to the son of Atreus, Agamemnon, in his heart [thumos].
25
ἀλλὰ κακῶς ἀφίει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·
Translation
Instead, dismissing him -- a bad thing to do -- he set in motion overpowering words [muthos]:
26
μή σε γέρον κοίλῃσιν ἐγὼ παρὰ νηυσὶ κιχείω
Translation
Don’t let me find you, old man, near the hollow ships,
27
ἢ νῦν δηθύνοντʼ ἢ ὕστερον αὖτις ἰόντα,
Translation
either lingering now or coming back again later.
28
μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμῃ σκῆπτρον καὶ στέμμα θεοῖο·
Translation
The scepter and the wreath of the god will not help you.
29
τὴν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐ λύσω· πρίν μιν καὶ γῆρας ἔπεισιν
Translation
I will not release her. Before that happens, old age will come to her
30
ἡμετέρῳ ἐνὶ οἴκῳ ἐν Ἄργεϊ τηλόθι πάτρης
Translation
in my house at Argos, far away from her ancestral home,
31
ἱστὸν ἐποιχομένην καὶ ἐμὸν λέχος ἀντιόωσαν·
Translation
going to the upright loom and coming to my bed.
32
ἀλλʼ ἴθι μή μʼ ἐρέθιζε σαώτερος ὥς κε νέηαι.
Translation
So go, don’t provoke me, or you won’t get home safely.“
33
ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἔδεισεν δʼ ὃ γέρων καὶ ἐπείθετο μύθῳ·
Translation
So he spoke, and the old man was frightened and heeded the words [muthos].
34
βῆ δʼ ἀκέων παρὰ θῖνα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης·
Translation
He went in silence along the shore of the resounding sea.
35
πολλὰ δʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε κιὼν ἠρᾶθʼ ὁ γεραιὸς
Translation
Then, moving apart from the rest, the old man prayed intensely
36
Ἀπόλλωνι ἄνακτι, τὸν ἠΰκομος τέκε Λητώ·
Translation
to lord Apollo, to whom Leto with beautiful hair gave birth.
37
κλῦθί μευ ἀργυρότοξʼ, ὃς Χρύσην ἀμφιβέβηκας
Translation
Hear me, you with the silver bow, you who stand over Chryse>
38
Κίλλαν τε ζαθέην Τενέδοιό τε ἶφι ἀνάσσεις,
Translation
and holy Killa and lord over Tenedos with might,
39
Σμινθεῦ εἴ ποτέ τοι χαρίεντʼ ἐπὶ νηὸν ἔρεψα,
Translation
Apollo Smintheus, if I have ever built a temple pleasing [kharis] to you all the way to the top,
¹
Note augment
40
ἢ εἰ δή ποτέ τοι κατὰ πίονα μηρίʼ ἔκηα
Translation
or if ever I have burned for you fat thigh-pieces
¹
Note augment
41
ταύρων ἠδʼ αἰγῶν, τὸ δέ μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·
Translation
of bulls and goats, bring to fulfillment this wish for me:
42
τίσειαν Δαναοὶ ἐμὰ δάκρυα σοῖσι βέλεσσιν.
Translation
Let the Danaans pay for my tears with your arrows.“
¹
Note Achaeans, Danaans, and Argives are synonyms
43
ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
Translation
So he spoke praying, and Phoebus Apollo heard him,
44
βῆ δὲ κατʼ Οὐλύμποιο καρήνων χωόμενος κῆρ,
Translation
and he came down from the heights of Olympus, furious in his heart.
45
τόξʼ ὤμοισιν ἔχων ἀμφηρεφέα τε φαρέτρην·
Translation
On his shoulders he had a bow and a covered quiver,
46
ἔκλαγξαν δʼ ἄρʼ ὀϊστοὶ ἐπʼ ὤμων χωομένοιο,
Translation
and the arrows made a noise on his shoulders, furious as he was,
47
αὐτοῦ κινηθέντος· ὃ δʼ ἤϊε νυκτὶ ἐοικώς.
Translation
as his body moved; and he came looking like the night .
¹
Variant v.l. wrapped up in the night
48
ἕζετʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀπάνευθε νεῶν, μετὰ δʼ ἰὸν ἕηκε·
Translation
Then he sat apart from the ships and let loose an arrow.
49
δεινὴ δὲ κλαγγὴ γένετʼ ἀργυρέοιο βιοῖο·
Translation
Terrible was the noise from the silver bow.
50
οὐρῆας μὲν πρῶτον ἐπῴχετο καὶ κύνας ἀργούς,
Translation
First he went after the mules and the keen hounds,
51
αὐτὰρ ἔπειτʼ αὐτοῖσι βέλος ἐχεπευκὲς ἐφιεὶς
Translation
and then he let fly a sharp arrow at the people themselves,
52
βάλλʼ· αἰεὶ δὲ πυραὶ νεκύων καίοντο θαμειαί.
Translation
and he was hitting them; without end the pyres of the dead kept on burning, one after another.
53
ἐννῆμαρ μὲν ἀνὰ στρατὸν ᾤχετο κῆλα θεοῖο,
Translation
Nine days the arrows of the god went throughout the mass of warriors,
54
τῇ δεκάτῃ δʼ ἀγορὴν δὲ καλέσσατο λαὸν Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
and on the tenth day Achilles called the warriors together to assembly,
55
τῷ γὰρ ἐπὶ φρεσὶ θῆκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη·
Translation
for the white-armed goddess Hera put it in his heart [phrēn pl.];
56
κήδετο γὰρ Δαναῶν, ὅτι ῥα θνήσκοντας ὁρᾶτο.
Translation
for she was worried [kēdos] about the Danaans, because she saw them dying continually.
57
οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ἤγερθεν ὁμηγερέες τε γένοντο,
Translation
So when they came to assembly and were assembled together,
58
τοῖσι δʼ ἀνιστάμενος μετέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
swift-footed Achilles stood up among them and spoke,
59
Ἀτρεΐδη νῦν ἄμμε παλιμπλαγχθέντας ὀΐω
Translation
Son of Atreus, I guess that now, set back and driven off course,
60
ἂψ ἀπονοστήσειν, εἴ κεν θάνατόν γε φύγοιμεν,
Translation
we really will return home [nostos] -- if we manage to escape death at least --
61
εἰ δὴ ὁμοῦ πόλεμός τε δαμᾷ καὶ λοιμὸς Ἀχαιούς·
Translation
seeing that war and plague together are subduing the Achaeans.
62
ἀλλʼ ἄγε δή τινα μάντιν ἐρείομεν ἢ ἱερῆα
Translation
But come, let us ask some seer [mantis] or priest [hiereus]
63
ἢ καὶ ὀνειροπόλον, καὶ γάρ τʼ ὄναρ ἐκ Διός ἐστιν,
Translation
or even a diviner of dreams -- in fact a dream is also from Zeus --
64
ὅς κʼ εἴποι ὅ τι τόσσον ἐχώσατο Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
Translation
who could say why Phoebus Apollo has become so furious,
¹
Note augment
65
εἴτʼ ἄρʼ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται ἠδʼ ἑκατόμβης,
Translation
whether he finds fault with a prayer or a hecatomb [note on what this is],
66
αἴ κέν πως ἀρνῶν κνίσης αἰγῶν τε τελείων
Translation
in the hope that somehow, when the savor of lambs and perfect goats
67
βούλεται ἀντιάσας ἡμῖν ἀπὸ λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι.
Translation
reaches him, he may want to ward off devastation for us.“
68
69
Κάλχας Θεστορίδης οἰωνοπόλων ὄχʼ ἄριστος,
Translation
Calchas, son of Thestor, best [aristos] by far among diviners of birds,
70
ὃς ᾔδη τά τʼ ἐόντα τά τʼ ἐσσόμενα πρό τʼ ἐόντα,
Translation
who knew things that are, things that will be, and things that were before.
71
καὶ νήεσσʼ ἡγήσατʼ Ἀχαιῶν Ἴλιον εἴσω
Translation
He guided the ships of the Achaeans to Ilion,
¹
Note Ilion is a synonym of Troy
72
ἣν διὰ μαντοσύνην, τήν οἱ πόρε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων·
Translation
through his skill as a seer [mantis], which Phoebus Apollo gave him.
73
ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·
Translation
With good intentions [phrēn] toward them, he spoke in assembly and said,
74
ὦ Ἀχιλεῦ κέλεαί με Διῒ φίλε μυθήσασθαι
Translation
Achilles, you call on me, you who are dear to Zeus, to speak about [muthos]
75
μῆνιν Ἀπόλλωνος ἑκατηβελέταο ἄνακτος·
Translation
the anger [mēnis] of lord Apollo, the far-shooter.
76
τοὶ γὰρ ἐγὼν ἐρέω· σὺ δὲ σύνθεο καί μοι ὄμοσσον
Translation
So I will speak, but I want you to understand and swear to me
77
ἦ μέν μοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν καὶ χερσὶν ἀρήξειν·
Translation
that hereby you will readily protect me with words [epos] and with force of hands.
78
ἦ γὰρ ὀΐομαι ἄνδρα χολωσέμεν, ὃς μέγα πάντων
Translation
I am guessing that I will really infuriate [kholos] the man who has great power over all
79
Ἀργείων κρατέει καί οἱ πείθονται Ἀχαιοί·
Translation
the Argives in his dominance [kratos], and the Achaeans heed him.
¹
Note Achaeans, Danaans, and Argives are synonyms
80
κρείσσων γὰρ βασιλεὺς ὅτε χώσεται ἀνδρὶ χέρηϊ·
Translation
A king has more power when he gets infuriated at a weaker man.
81
εἴ περ γάρ τε χόλον γε καὶ αὐτῆμαρ καταπέψῃ,
Translation
For even if he swallows and nurses his fury [kholos] today,
82
ἀλλά τε καὶ μετόπισθεν ἔχει κότον, ὄφρα τελέσσῃ,
Translation
in the future he will still have a grudge [kotos], until he brings it to fulfillment [telos],
83
ἐν στήθεσσιν ἑοῖσι· σὺ δὲ φράσαι εἴ με σαώσεις.
Translation
keeping it inside his breast. But you, consider whether you are willing to save me [sōzō].
¹
Variant v.l. tell
84
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Swift-footed Achilles answered him and said,
85
θαρσήσας μάλα εἰπὲ θεοπρόπιον ὅ τι οἶσθα·
Translation
Be very bold and tell whatever divine sign you know.
86
οὐ μὰ γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνα Διῒ φίλον, ᾧ τε σὺ Κάλχαν
Translation
For I swear by Apollo, dear [philos] to Zeus, to whom you, Calchas,
87
εὐχόμενος Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπίας ἀναφαίνεις,
Translation
pray, and you bring to light the divine signs for the Danaans,
88
οὔ τις ἐμεῦ ζῶντος καὶ ἐπὶ χθονὶ δερκομένοιο
Translation
that no one while I am alive on earth and have eyes to see
89
σοὶ κοίλῃς παρὰ νηυσί βαρείας χεῖρας ἐποίσει
Translation
will set heavy hands on you near the hollow ships,
90
συμπάντων Δαναῶν, οὐδʼ ἢν Ἀγαμέμνονα εἴπῃς,
Translation
not a single one of all the Danaans, not even if you mean Agamemnon,
91
ὃς νῦν πολλὸν ἄριστος Ἀχαιῶν εὔχεται εἶναι.
Translation
who now boasts that he is best [aristos] by far of the Achaeans.“
92
καὶ τότε δὴ θάρσησε καὶ ηὔδα μάντις ἀμύμων·
Translation
At that point, the faultless seer [mantis] became bold and said,
93
οὔ τʼ ἄρ ὅ γʼ εὐχωλῆς ἐπιμέμφεται οὐδʼ ἑκατόμβης,
Translation
The god does not find fault with a prayer or a hecatomb.
94
ἀλλʼ ἕνεκʼ ἀρητῆρος ὃν ἠτίμησʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,
Translation
It is about the man who prays and curses, whom Agamemnon has dishonored [timē] --
¹
Note augment
95
οὐδʼ ἀπέλυσε θύγατρα καὶ οὐκ ἀπεδέξατʼ ἄποινα,
Translation
he has not released his daughter and has not accepted a ransom [apoina] for her.
¹
Note augment²
Note augment
96
τοὔνεκʼ ἄρʼ ἄλγεʼ ἔδωκεν ἑκηβόλος ἠδʼ ἔτι δώσει·
Translation
For this reason the far-shooter has given these sufferings [algos pl.], and will give still more,
¹
Note augment
97
οὐδʼ ὅ γε πρὶν Δαναοῖσιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀπώσει
Translation
and he will not keep away the heavy hands of plague
¹
Variant v.l. and he will not push away hideous devastation for the Danaans
98
πρίν γʼ ἀπὸ πατρὶ φίλῳ δόμεναι ἑλικώπιδα κούρην
Translation
until Agamemnon gives back the girl with the dancing eyes to her dear [philos] father
¹
Editorial needs note in commentary
99
ἀπριάτην ἀνάποινον, ἄγειν θʼ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
Translation
without price or ransom, and drives a sacred hecatomb of cattle
100
ἐς Χρύσην· τότε κέν μιν ἱλασσάμενοι πεπίθοιμεν.
Translation
to Chryse. At that point, we might appease and persuade him.“
101
ἤτοι ὅ γʼ ὣς εἰπὼν κατʼ ἄρʼ ἕζετο· τοῖσι δʼ ἀνέστη
Translation
So he spoke and sat down. Then stood up among them
102
ἥρως Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
the hero, son of Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon,
103
ἀχνύμενος· μένεος δὲ μέγα φρένες ἀμφιμέλαιναι
Translation
and he was aggrieved [akhos]. His heart [phrēn pl.] became black with anger [menos],
104
πίμπλαντʼ, ὄσσε δέ οἱ πυρὶ λαμπετόωντι ἐΐκτην·
Translation
full of rage [menos], and his two eyes looked like glowing fire.
105
Κάλχαντα πρώτιστα κάκʼ ὀσσόμενος προσέειπε·
Translation
Giving an evil look first of all to Calchas, he spoke,
106
μάντι κακῶν οὐ πώ ποτέ μοι τὸ κρήγυον εἶπας·
Translation
Seer [mantis] of evil, you have never yet told me what is real.
¹
Note augment
107
αἰεί τοι τὰ κάκʼ ἐστὶ φίλα φρεσὶ μαντεύεσθαι,
Translation
Prophesying [mantis] evil things is endlessly dear [philos] to your heart [phrēn],
108
ἐσθλὸν δʼ οὔτέ τί πω εἶπας ἔπος οὔτʼ ἐτέλεσσας·
Translation
but you have never yet spoken a good [esthlos] word [epos] nor seen it to fulfillment [telos].
¹
Note augment
109
καὶ νῦν ἐν Δαναοῖσι θεοπροπέων ἀγορεύεις
Translation
Now once again you come giving divine signs, speaking in assembly among the Danaans,
110
ὡς δὴ τοῦδʼ ἕνεκά σφιν ἑκηβόλος ἄλγεα τεύχει,
Translation
saying that for this reason the far-shooter makes sufferings for them,
111
οὕνεκʼ ἐγὼ κούρης Χρυσηΐδος ἀγλάʼ ἄποινα
Translation
that the splendid ransom [apoina] for the daughter of Chryse>s
112
οὐκ ἔθελον δέξασθαι, ἐπεὶ πολὺ βούλομαι αὐτὴν
Translation
I was not willing to accept, since I want very much
113
οἴκοι ἔχειν· καὶ γάρ ῥα Κλυταιμνήστρης προβέβουλα
Translation
to keep her at home. In fact, I have come to prefer her to Clytemnestra,
114
κουριδίης ἀλόχου, ἐπεὶ οὔ ἑθέν ἐστι χερείων,
Translation
the bride of my youth, since she is not inferior to her
115
οὐ δέμας οὐδὲ φυήν, οὔτʼ ἂρ φρένας οὔτέ τι ἔργα.
Translation
in build or physique, or in feeling [phrēn pl.] or skills.
116
ἀλλὰ καὶ ὧς ἐθέλω δόμεναι πάλιν εἰ τό γʼ ἄμεινον·
Translation
But even so I am willing to give her back, if that is better.
117
βούλομʼ ἐγὼ λαὸν σῶν ἔμμεναι ἢ ἀπολέσθαι·
Translation
I do want the warriors to be safe [sōzō], and not perish.
118
αὐτὰρ ἐμοὶ γέρας αὐτίχʼ ἑτοιμάσατʼ ὄφρα μὴ οἶος
Translation
Now prepare for me immediately a prize [geras], so that I alone
119
Ἀργείων ἀγέραστος ἔω, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ ἔοικε·
Translation
of the Argives will not be without a prize [geras], since that doesn’t look good.
120
λεύσσετε γὰρ τό γε πάντες ὅ μοι γέρας ἔρχεται ἄλλῃ.
Translation
For you all see this, that my prize [geras] is going somewhere else.“
121
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ποδάρκης δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Then swift-footed radiant Achilles answered him,
122
Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε φιλοκτεανώτατε πάντων,
Translation
Son of Atreus, most glorious [kudos], avaricious beyond all mankind,
123
πῶς γάρ τοι δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοί;
Translation
how in the world will the great-hearted [thumos] Achaeans give you another prize [geras]?
124
οὐδέ τί που ἴδμεν ξυνήϊα κείμενα πολλά·
Translation
We don’t know of many common possessions stored anywhere.
125
ἀλλὰ τὰ μὲν πολίων ἐξεπράθομεν, τὰ δέδασται,
Translation
The things we plundered from the cities [polis], those have been distributed,
126
λαοὺς δʼ οὐκ ἐπέοικε παλίλλογα ταῦτʼ ἐπαγείρειν.
Translation
and it wouldn’t look good for the warriors to gather up those things and collect them again.
127
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν τήνδε θεῷ πρόες· αὐτὰρ Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
But you now, send forth this girl for the god, and then we Achaeans
128
τριπλῇ τετραπλῇ τʼ ἀποτείσομεν, αἴ κέ ποθι Ζεὺς
Translation
will pay you back three and four times over, if in fact Zeus
129
δῷσι πόλιν Τροίην εὐτείχεον ἐξαλαπάξαι.
Translation
gives us the well-walled city [polis] of Troy to destroy.“
130
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·
Translation
The ruler Agamemnon answered him and said,
131
μὴ δʼ οὕτως ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν θεοείκελʼ Ἀχιλλεῦ
Translation
Don’t you try, valiant [agathos] though you are, godlike Achilles,
132
κλέπτε νόῳ, ἐπεὶ οὐ παρελεύσεαι οὐδέ με πείσεις.
Translation
to be deceptive in intention [noos]. You won’t get ahead of me or convince me.
133
ἦ ἐθέλεις ὄφρʼ αὐτὸς ἔχῃς γέρας, αὐτὰρ ἔμʼ αὔτως
Translation
Are you really willing, so that you can hold on to your prize [geras], to let me
134
ἧσθαι δευόμενον, κέλεαι δέ με τήνδʼ ἀποδοῦναι;
Translation
sit here deprived like this, and are you telling me to give this girl back?
135
ἀλλʼ εἰ μὲν δώσουσι γέρας μεγάθυμοι Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
Well, if the great-hearted [thumos] Achaeans give me a prize [geras]
136
ἄρσαντες κατὰ θυμὸν ὅπως ἀντάξιον ἔσται·
Translation
fit to my liking [thumos], to be of matching value . . .
137
εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώωσιν ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι
Translation
But if they won’t give it, then I might get one myself,
138
ἢ τεὸν ἢ Αἴαντος ἰὼν γέρας, ἢ Ὀδυσῆος
Translation
going for either your prize [geras] or Ajax’s, or Odysseus’s
139
ἄξω ἑλών· ὃ δέ κεν κεχολώσεται ὅν κεν ἵκωμαι.
Translation
I will seize it and drive it off; and whichever man I come to, he will be furious [kholos].
140
ἀλλʼ ἤτοι μὲν ταῦτα μεταφρασόμεσθα καὶ αὖτις,
Translation
But we certainly can think these things over later on.
141
νῦν δʼ ἄγε νῆα μέλαιναν ἐρύσσομεν εἰς ἅλα δῖαν,
Translation
At the moment, we must drag a dark ship into the radiant sea,
142
ἐν δʼ ἐρέτας ἐπιτηδὲς ἀγείρομεν, ἐς δʼ ἑκατόμβην
Translation
and in it put rowers as needed, and on it let a hecatomb
143
θείομεν, ἂν δʼ αὐτὴν Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον
Translation
be placed, and onboard it the fine-cheeked daughter of Chryse>s
144
βήσομεν· εἷς δέ τις ἀρχὸς ἀνὴρ βουληφόρος ἔστω,
Translation
will step. Some man of rank, one who can call a council, should be in charge,
145
ἢ Αἴας ἢ Ἰδομενεὺς ἢ δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς
Translation
either Ajax or Idomeneus or radiant Odysseus,
146
ἠὲ σὺ Πηλεΐδη πάντων ἐκπαγλότατʼ ἀνδρῶν,
Translation
or even you, son of Peleus, most shocking of all men,
147
ὄφρʼ ἥμιν ἑκάεργον ἱλάσσεαι ἱερὰ ῥέξας.
Translation
so that you can make sacrifices and appease on our behalf the one who works from afar .“
148
τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Then swift-footed Achilles gave him a fierce look and addressed him,
149
ὤ μοι ἀναιδείην ἐπιειμένε κερδαλεόφρον
Translation
Unbelievable! you are clothed in shamelessness, and your wily heart [phrēn] is set on profit .
¹
Note I-4.339 4.339
150
πῶς τίς τοι πρόφρων ἔπεσιν πείθηται Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
How could any of the Achaeans readily be persuaded by your words [epos],
151
ἢ ὁδὸν ἐλθέμεναι ἢ ἀνδράσιν ἶφι μάχεσθαι;
Translation
either to come in the first place or to fight mightily with men?
152
οὐ γὰρ ἐγὼ Τρώων ἕνεκʼ ἤλυθον αἰχμητάων
Translation
I did not come here on account of Trojan spearmen,
153
δεῦρο μαχησόμενος, ἐπεὶ οὔ τί μοι αἴτιοί εἰσιν·
Translation
to fight them, since they are not at all responsible [aitios] as far as I’m concerned.
154
οὐ γὰρ πώποτʼ ἐμὰς βοῦς ἤλασαν οὐδὲ μὲν ἵππους,
Translation
They have never driven off my cattle, not to mention my horses,
¹
Note augment
155
οὐδέ ποτʼ ἐν Φθίῃ ἐριβώλακι βωτιανείρῃ
Translation
and never in fertile Phthia that nourishes men
156
καρπὸν ἐδηλήσαντʼ, ἐπεὶ ἦ μάλα πολλὰ μεταξὺ
Translation
have they destroyed my crops, since many things lie between us,
¹
Note augment
157
οὔρεά τε σκιόεντα θάλασσά τε ἠχήεσσα·
Translation
shadowy mountains and echoing sea.
158
ἀλλὰ σοὶ ὦ μέγʼ ἀναιδὲς ἅμʼ ἑσπόμεθʼ ὄφρα σὺ χαίρῃς,
Translation
But we have accompanied you, you shameless man, just to please [kharis] you,
159
τιμὴν ἀρνύμενοι Μενελάῳ σοί τε κυνῶπα
Translation
striving to get honor [timē] for Menelaos and for you, dog eyes,
160
πρὸς Τρώων· τῶν οὔ τι μετατρέπῃ οὐδʼ ἀλεγίζεις·
Translation
from the Trojans. Not one of these things do you regard or care about;
¹
Variant v.l. Zen. did not read
161
καὶ δή μοι γέρας αὐτὸς ἀφαιρήσεσθαι ἀπειλεῖς,
Translation
in fact, you threaten that you will take away my prize [geras] yourself,
162
ᾧ ἔπι πολλὰ μόγησα, δόσαν δέ μοι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.
Translation
the prize for which I toiled much, and which the sons of the Achaeans gave me.
163
οὐ μὲν σοί ποτε ἶσον ἔχω γέρας ὁππότʼ Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
I never have a prize [geras] equal to yours, anytime the Achaeans
¹
Variant v.l. not even when, Zen.
164
Τρώων ἐκπέρσωσʼ εὖ ναιόμενον πτολίεθρον·
Translation
destroy a well placed citadel of the Trojans.
¹
Note the, if variant in 163 is accepted
165
ἀλλὰ τὸ μὲν πλεῖον πολυάϊκος πολέμοιο
Translation
But the greater part of quick-moving war
166
χεῖρες ἐμαὶ διέπουσʼ· ἀτὰρ ἤν ποτε δασμὸς ἵκηται,
Translation
my hands tend to; yet once the moment of distribution comes
167
σοὶ τὸ γέρας πολὺ μεῖζον, ἐγὼ δʼ ὀλίγον τε φίλον τε
Translation
you get the greater prize [geras] by far, and I with a smaller but dear [philon] one
168
ἔρχομʼ ἔχων ἐπὶ νῆας, ἐπεί κε κάμω πολεμίζων.
Translation
go back to the ships, when I am worn out from making war.
¹
Variant v.l. whenever
169
νῦν δʼ εἶμι Φθίην δʼ, ἐπεὶ ἦ πολὺ φέρτερόν ἐστιν
Translation
Now I am going to Phthia, since it’s really much better
170
οἴκαδʼ ἴμεν σὺν νηυσὶ κορωνίσιν, οὐδέ σʼ ὀΐω
Translation
to go home with the curved ships, and I do not think that for you
171
ἐνθάδʼ ἄτιμος ἐὼν ἄφενος καὶ πλοῦτον ἀφύξειν.
Translation
I will serve up wealth and riches while I am dishonored [timē] here.“
172
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·
Translation
Then lord of men Agamemnon answered him,
173
φεῦγε μάλʼ εἴ τοι θυμὸς ἐπέσσυται, οὐδέ σʼ ἔγωγε
Translation
Go ahead, run away, if your heart [thumos] is in a rush . I am not
¹
Variant v.l. desires
174
λίσσομαι εἵνεκʼ ἐμεῖο μένειν· πάρʼ ἔμοιγε καὶ ἄλλοι
Translation
supplicating you to stay for my sake. There are others on my side
175
οἵ κέ με τιμήσουσι, μάλιστα δὲ μητίετα Ζεύς.
Translation
who will honor [timē] me, and most of all Zeus the deviser [mētis].
176
ἔχθιστος δέ μοί ἐσσι διοτρεφέων βασιλήων·
Translation
You are most hateful to me of the kings nurtured by the gods.
177
αἰεὶ γάρ τοι ἔρις τε φίλη πόλεμοί τε μάχαι τε·
Translation
178
εἰ μάλα καρτερός ἐσσι, θεός που σοὶ τό γʼ ἔδωκεν·
Translation
If you’re so strong, some god must have given this to you.
179
οἴκαδʼ ἰὼν σὺν νηυσί τε σῇς καὶ σοῖς ἑτάροισι
Translation
Go home with your ships and your comrades,
180
Μυρμιδόνεσσιν ἄνασσε, σέθεν δʼ ἐγὼ οὐκ ἀλεγίζω,
Translation
go be lord over the Myrmidons, I don’t care about you,
181
οὐδʼ ὄθομαι κοτέοντος· ἀπειλήσω δέ τοι ὧδε·
Translation
and I pay no attention to you and your grudge [kotos]. Here is my threat to you:
182
ὡς ἔμʼ ἀφαιρεῖται Χρυσηΐδα Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων,
Translation
Since Phoebus Apollo deprives me of the daughter of Chryse>s,
183
τὴν μὲν ἐγὼ σὺν νηΐ τʼ ἐμῇ καὶ ἐμοῖς ἑτάροισι
Translation
her I will send back with my ship and my comrades.
184
πέμψω, ἐγὼ δέ κʼ ἄγω Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον
Translation
I’ll send her, but I am taking the fine-cheeked daughter of Briseus,
185
αὐτὸς ἰὼν κλισίην δὲ τὸ σὸν γέρας ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδῇς
Translation
your prize [geras], going in person to your tent, so that you know well
186
ὅσσον φέρτερός εἰμι σέθεν, στυγέῃ δὲ καὶ ἄλλος
Translation
how much I am superior to you, and any other man may shrink
187
ἶσον ἐμοὶ φάσθαι καὶ ὁμοιωθήμεναι ἄντην.
Translation
to speak as my equal and liken himself to me face to face.“
188
ὣς φάτο· Πηλεΐωνι δʼ ἄχος γένετʼ, ἐν δέ οἱ ἦτορ
Translation
So he spoke. Anguish [akhos] came over the son Peleus, and his heart within
189
στήθεσσιν λασίοισι διάνδιχα μερμήριξεν,
Translation
his shaggy breast was divided
190
ἢ ὅ γε φάσγανον ὀξὺ ἐρυσσάμενος παρὰ μηροῦ
Translation
whether he should draw his sharp sword from alongside his thigh,
191
τοὺς μὲν ἀναστήσειεν, ὃ δʼ Ἀτρεΐδην ἐναρίζοι,
Translation
make the rest get up and slay the son of Atreus
192
ἦε χόλον παύσειεν ἐρητύσειέ τε θυμόν.
Translation
or whether he should check his fury [kholos] and restrain his heart [thumos].
193
ἧος ὃ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα καὶ κατὰ θυμόν,
Translation
While he was pondering in his mind [phrēn] and heart [thumos],
194
ἕλκετο δʼ ἐκ κολεοῖο μέγα ξίφος, ἦλθε δʼ Ἀθήνη
Translation
and he was drawing the great sword from its scabbard, Athena came
195
οὐρανόθεν· πρὸ γὰρ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη
Translation
from the sky. For the white-armed goddess Hera sent her forth,
196
ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·
Translation
loving and caring [kēdos] for them both alike in her heart [thumos].
197
στῆ δʼ ὄπιθεν, ξανθῆς δὲ κόμης ἕλε Πηλεΐωνα
Translation
She stood behind him, and grabbed the son of Peleus by his golden hair,
198
οἴῳ φαινομένη· τῶν δʼ ἄλλων οὔ τις ὁρᾶτο·
Translation
appearing only to him. None of the others saw her.
199
θάμβησεν δʼ Ἀχιλεύς, μετὰ δʼ ἐτράπετʼ, αὐτίκα δʼ ἔγνω
Translation
Achilles was amazed, turned around, and immediately recognized
200
Παλλάδʼ Ἀθηναίην· δεινὼ δέ οἱ ὄσσε φάανθεν·
Translation
Pallas Athena. Terrible was the shining of her eyes.
201
καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·
Translation
He spoke out and addressed to her winged words [epos]
202
τίπτʼ αὖτʼ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος εἰλήλουθας;
Translation
Why have you come this time, child of aegis-shaking Zeus?
203
ἦ ἵνα ὕβριν ἴδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονος Ἀτρεΐδαο;
Translation
To see the outrage [hubris] done by Agamemnon, son of Atreus?
204
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τελέεσθαι ὀΐω·
Translation
But I will speak out to you, and I think this will be fulfilled [telos].
205
ᾗς ὑπεροπλίῃσι τάχʼ ἄν ποτε θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃ.
Translation
By his own acts of outrage, sometime soon he might lose his life [thumos].“
206
τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε θεὰ γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη·
Translation
Now the owl-radiant goddess Athena addressed him,
207
ἦλθον ἐγὼ παύσουσα τὸ σὸν μένος, αἴ κε πίθηαι,
Translation
I came to stop your rage [menos], if you will be persuaded,
208
οὐρανόθεν· πρὸ δέ μʼ ἧκε θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη
Translation
down from the sky. For the white-armed goddess Hera sent me forth
209
ἄμφω ὁμῶς θυμῷ φιλέουσά τε κηδομένη τε·
Translation
loving and caring [kēdos] for you both alike in her heart [thumos].
210
ἀλλʼ ἄγε λῆγʼ ἔριδος, μηδὲ ξίφος ἕλκεο χειρί·
Translation
But come, stop clashing [eris] with him, don’t draw your sword with your hand;
211
ἀλλʼ ἤτοι ἔπεσιν μὲν ὀνείδισον ὡς ἔσεταί περ·
Translation
instead, insult him with words [epos], telling him how it will be.
212
ὧδε γὰρ ἐξερέω, τὸ δὲ καὶ τετελεσμένον ἔσται·
Translation
Now I, too, will speak out, and it will be a thing fulfilled [telos].
213
καί ποτέ τοι τρὶς τόσσα παρέσσεται ἀγλαὰ δῶρα
Translation
At some point you will have three times as many shining gifts
214
ὕβριος εἵνεκα τῆσδε· σὺ δʼ ἴσχεο, πείθεο δʼ ἡμῖν.
Translation
because of this outrage [hubris]. But hold back, and be persuaded by us.“
215
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Swift-footed Achilles answered and said,
216
χρὴ μὲν σφωΐτερόν γε θεὰ ἔπος εἰρύσσασθαι
Translation
One ought to keep to what you two say [epos], goddess,
217
καὶ μάλα περ θυμῷ κεχολωμένον· ὧς γὰρ ἄμεινον·
Translation
even when so infuriated [kholos] at heart [thumos]. It is better that way.
218
ὅς κε θεοῖς ἐπιπείθηται μάλα τʼ ἔκλυον αὐτοῦ.
Translation
Whoever is persuaded by the gods, the gods hear him.“
219
ἦ καὶ ἐπʼ ἀργυρέῃ κώπῃ σχέθε χεῖρα βαρεῖαν,
Translation
He spoke, and he stopped his firm hand on the silver handle,
220
ἂψ δʼ ἐς κουλεὸν ὦσε μέγα ξίφος, οὐδʼ ἀπίθησε
Translation
thrust the great sword back into the scabbard, and did not disobey
221
μύθῳ Ἀθηναίης· ἣ δʼ Οὔλυμπον δὲ βεβήκει
Translation
the words [muthos] of Athena. But she was gone to Olympus
222
δώματʼ ἐς αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς μετὰ δαίμονας ἄλλους.
Translation
to the home of aegis-shaking Zeus to join the other gods [daimōn].
223
Πηλεΐδης δʼ ἐξαῦτις ἀταρτηροῖς ἐπέεσσιν
Translation
The son of Peleus once again with harmful words [epos]
224
Ἀτρεΐδην προσέειπε, καὶ οὔ πω λῆγε χόλοιο·
Translation
addressed the son of Atreus and did not yet cease from fury.
225
οἰνοβαρές, κυνὸς ὄμματʼ ἔχων, κραδίην δʼ ἐλάφοιο,
Translation
You drunkard, with a dog’s eyes and a deer’s heart,
226
οὔτέ ποτʼ ἐς πόλεμον ἅμα λαῷ θωρηχθῆναι
Translation
whenever it comes to arming yourself for war with the rest of the warriors [laos]
227
οὔτε λόχον δʼ ἰέναι σὺν ἀριστήεσσιν Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
or going on an ambush with the champions of the Achaeans,
228
τέτληκας θυμῷ· τὸ δέ τοι κὴρ εἴδεται εἶναι.
Translation
you don’t have the heart [thumos] for it. That looks like death to you.
229
ἦ πολὺ λώϊόν ἐστι κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
It’s much better throughout the massed expanse of Achaean warriors
230
δῶρʼ ἀποαιρεῖσθαι ὅς τις σέθεν ἀντίον εἴπῃ·
Translation
to take away gifts from anyone who talks back to you.
231
δημοβόρος βασιλεὺς ἐπεὶ οὐτιδανοῖσιν ἀνάσσεις·
Translation
There you are, a king fattening himself on his people, and you are lord over worthless nobodies.
232
ἦ γὰρ ἂν Ἀτρεΐδη νῦν ὕστατα λωβήσαιο.
Translation
This could be the last time, son of Atreus, that you outrage someone.
233
ἀλλʼ ἔκ τοι ἐρέω καὶ ἐπὶ μέγαν ὅρκον ὀμοῦμαι·
Translation
But I will speak out and, more than that, I will swear a great oath:
234
ναὶ μὰ τόδε σκῆπτρον, τὸ μὲν οὔ ποτε φύλλα καὶ ὄζους
Translation
I swear by this scepter--never will leaves and branches
235
φύσει, ἐπεὶ δὴ πρῶτα τομὴν ἐν ὄρεσσι λέλοιπεν,
Translation
sprout from it, now that it has left behind its stump in the mountains,
236
οὐδʼ ἀναθηλήσει· περὶ γάρ ῥά ἑ χαλκὸς ἔλεψε
Translation
nor will it bloom again. For a bronze ax has stripped it of
237
φύλλά τε καὶ φλοιόν· νῦν αὖτέ μιν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
leaves and bark. But now the sons of the Achaeans
238
ἐν παλάμῃς φορέουσι δικασπόλοι, οἵ τε θέμιστας
Translation
carry it in their hands when each offers judgment, and the ordinances [themis]
239
πρὸς Διὸς εἰρύαται· ὃ δέ τοι μέγας ἔσσεται ὅρκος·
Translation
from Zeus are kept by them. This will be a great oath.
240
ἦ ποτʼ Ἀχιλλῆος ποθὴ ἵξεται υἷας Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
Some day a longing [pothē] for Achilles will come upon the sons of the Achaeans,
241
σύμπαντας· τότε δʼ οὔ τι δυνήσεαι ἀχνύμενός περ
Translation
all of them together. But at that point you will not be able, even though in great sorrow,
¹
Note reading of Aristarchus, v.l. tois = "them"
242
χραισμεῖν, εὖτʼ ἂν πολλοὶ ὑφʼ Ἕκτορος ἀνδροφόνοιο
Translation
to help it, when many men at the hands of man-slaying Hektor
¹
Variant v.l. delete "it" if v.l. in 241 is accepted
243
θνήσκοντες πίπτωσι· σὺ δʼ ἔνδοθι θυμὸν ἀμύξεις
Translation
fall dying. And you will tear your heart out inside,
244
χωόμενος ὅ τʼ ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισας.
Translation
angry because you did not honor the best [aristos] of the Achaeans.“
245
ὣς φάτο Πηλεΐδης, ποτὶ δὲ σκῆπτρον βάλε γαίῃ
Translation
So spoke the son of Peleus and he threw the scepter to the ground,
246
χρυσείοις ἥλοισι πεπαρμένον, ἕζετο δʼ αὐτός·
Translation
the scepter pierced with golden nails, and he himself sat down.
247
Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἑτέρωθεν ἐμήνιε· τοῖσι δὲ Νέστωρ
Translation
Opposite him the son of Atreus raged [mēnis]. Among them Nestor
248
ἡδυεπὴς ἀνόρουσε λιγὺς Πυλίων ἀγορητής,
Translation
the man of sweet words [epos] sprang up, the clear-voiced [ligus] speaker of the Pylians,
249
τοῦ καὶ ἀπὸ γλώσσης μέλιτος γλυκίων ῥέεν αὐδή·
Translation
from whose tongue the voice flowed sweeter than honey.
250
τῷ δʼ ἤδη δύο μὲν γενεαὶ μερόπων ἀνθρώπων
Translation
In his lifetime already two generations of mortal men
251
ἐφθίαθʼ, οἵ οἱ πρόσθεν ἅμα τράφεν ἠδʼ ἐγένοντο
Translation
had perished, those who were raised and born with him before
252
ἐν Πύλῳ ἠγαθέῃ, μετὰ δὲ τριτάτοισιν ἄνασσεν·
Translation
in holy Pylos, and he lorded over the third one.
253
ὅ σφιν ἐὺ φρονέων ἀγορήσατο καὶ μετέειπεν·
Translation
With good intentions towards all he addressed the assembly and spoke among them
254
ὦ πόποι ἦ μέγα πένθος Ἀχαιΐδα γαῖαν ἱκάνει·
Translation
What?! I see a great anguish [penthos] coming over the Achaean land.
255
ἦ κεν γηθήσαι Πρίαμος Πριάμοιό τε παῖδες
Translation
I can just see Priam and the sons of Priam rejoicing
256
ἄλλοι τε Τρῶες μέγα κεν κεχαροίατο θυμῷ
Translation
and the others Trojans being greatly pleased in their hearts [thumos]
257
εἰ σφῶϊν τάδε πάντα πυθοίατο μαρναμένοιϊν,
Translation
if they found out about you two fighting over all these things --
258
οἳ περὶ μὲν βουλὴν Δαναῶν, περὶ δʼ ἐστὲ μάχεσθαι.
Translation
you who excel among the Danaans in planning and fighting.
259
ἀλλὰ πίθεσθʼ· ἄμφω δὲ νεωτέρω ἐστὸν ἐμεῖο·
Translation
But be persuaded. You two are both younger than I am.
260
ἤδη γάρ ποτʼ ἐγὼ καὶ ἀρείοσιν ἠέ περ ὑμῖν
Translation
In the past with even better men than you
¹
Variant v.l. us
261
ἀνδράσιν ὡμίλησα, καὶ οὔ ποτέ μʼ οἵ γʼ ἀθέριζον.
Translation
I kept company, and those men, at least, never slighted me.
262
οὐ γάρ πω τοίους ἴδον ἀνέρας οὐδὲ ἴδωμαι,
Translation
I never saw such men, nor am I likely to see
263
οἷον Πειρίθοόν τε Δρύαντά τε ποιμένα λαῶν
Translation
men like Perithoos and Dryas, who shepherded the warriors,
264
Καινέα τʼ Ἐξάδιόν τε καὶ ἀντίθεον Πολύφημον
Translation
Kaineus and Exadios and Polyphemos, a match for the gods,
265
Θησέα τʼ Αἰγεΐδην, ἐπιείκελον ἀθανάτοισιν·
Translation
and Theseus son of Aegeus, who looked like the immortals.
¹
Note bracketed in most texts
266
κάρτιστοι δὴ κεῖνοι ἐπιχθονίων τράφεν ἀνδρῶν·
Translation
Most powerful [kratos] were those of men raised on earth,
267
κάρτιστοι μὲν ἔσαν καὶ καρτίστοις ἐμάχοντο
Translation
most powerful [[kratos]] they were and they fought with the most powerful kratos,
268
φηρσὶν ὀρεσκῴοισι καὶ ἐκπάγλως ἀπόλεσσαν.
Translation
with mountain-dwelling beasts, and it was shocking the way they destroyed them.
269
καὶ μὲν τοῖσιν ἐγὼ μεθομίλεον ἐκ Πύλου ἐλθὼν
Translation
I went from Pylos and joined their throng
270
τηλόθεν ἐξ ἀπίης γαίης· καλέσαντο γὰρ αὐτοί·
Translation
from faraway, coming from a distant land; they called for me.
271
καὶ μαχόμην κατʼ ἔμʼ αὐτὸν ἐγώ· κείνοισι δʼ ἂν οὔ τις
Translation
And I fought on my own, single-handed. Against those beasts no one
272
τῶν οἳ νῦν βροτοί εἰσιν ἐπιχθόνιοι μαχέοιτο·
Translation
of mortals now raised on earth would fight.
273
καὶ μέν μευ βουλέων ξύνιεν πείθοντό τε μύθῳ·
Translation
The warriors heeded my counsels and were persuaded by my words [muthos].
274
ἀλλὰ πίθεσθε καὶ ὔμμες, ἐπεὶ πείθεσθαι ἄμεινον·
Translation
So you, too, be persuaded -- it’s better to be persuaded.
275
μήτε σὺ τόνδʼ ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν ἀποαίρεο κούρην,
Translation
But you, valiant though you are, don’t you go taking the girl away from this man,
276
ἀλλʼ ἔα ὥς οἱ πρῶτα δόσαν γέρας υἷες Ἀχαιῶν·
Translation
let her be, as a prize [geras] the way the sons of the Achaeans first gave her to him,
277
μήτε σὺ Πηλείδη ἔθελʼ ἐριζέμεναι βασιλῆϊ
Translation
and you, son of Peleus, don’t wish to clash [eris] with a king
278
ἀντιβίην, ἐπεὶ οὔ ποθʼ ὁμοίης ἔμμορε τιμῆς
Translation
with matching might, since never is there the same share of honor allotted
279
σκηπτοῦχος βασιλεύς, ᾧ τε Ζεὺς κῦδος ἔδωκεν.
Translation
to a scepter-bearing king, to whom Zeus grants radiant glory [kudos].
¹
Note augment
280
εἰ δὲ σὺ καρτερός ἐσσι θεὰ δέ σε γείνατο μήτηρ,
Translation
If you are powerful [kratos], a goddess mother bore you;
281
ἀλλʼ ὅ γε φέρτερός ἐστιν ἐπεὶ πλεόνεσσιν ἀνάσσει.
Translation
but he is superior, since he lords over more.
282
Ἀτρεΐδη σὺ δὲ παῦε τεὸν μένος· αὐτὰρ ἔγωγε
Translation
But you, son of Atreus, put a stop to your rage [menos] -- I
283
λίσσομʼ Ἀχιλλῆϊ μεθέμεν χόλον, ὃς μέγα πᾶσιν
Translation
supplicate you to let go of your fury [kholos] at Achilles, who for all
284
ἕρκος Ἀχαιοῖσιν πέλεται πολέμοιο κακοῖο.
Translation
the Achaeans is a great wall against evil war.“
285
τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·
Translation
The ruler Agamemnon answered him and said,
286
ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα γέρον κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες·
Translation
Of course, as far as all of that goes, old man, you have spoken in good measure [moira].
¹
Note augment
287
ἀλλʼ ὅδʼ ἀνὴρ ἐθέλει περὶ πάντων ἔμμεναι ἄλλων,
Translation
But this man wants to be above everyone,
288
πάντων μὲν κρατέειν ἐθέλει, πάντεσσι δʼ ἀνάσσειν,
Translation
he wants to be powerful over everyone, he wants to be lord over everyone,
289
πᾶσι δὲ σημαίνειν, ἅ τινʼ οὐ πείσεσθαι ὀΐω·
Translation
he wants to give the signal [sēma] to everyone, which I don’t think anyone will be persuaded to obey.
290
εἰ δέ μιν αἰχμητὴν ἔθεσαν θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες
Translation
If the gods who are forever made him a spearman,
291
τοὔνεκά οἱ προθέουσιν ὀνείδεα μυθήσασθαι;
Translation
does that mean they give him permission to utter [muthos] insults at us?“
292
τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑποβλήδην ἠμείβετο δῖος Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Radiant Achilles took his turn and answered him,
293
ἦ γάρ κεν δειλός τε καὶ οὐτιδανὸς καλεοίμην
Translation
I would certainly be called a coward and a worthless nobody
294
εἰ δὴ σοὶ πᾶν ἔργον ὑπείξομαι ὅττί κεν εἴπῃς·
Translation
if I yield to you and do everything you say.
295
ἄλλοισιν δὴ ταῦτʼ ἐπιτέλλεο, μὴ γὰρ ἔμοιγε
Translation
Give these commands to others, not to me,
296
σήμαινʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἔγωγʼ ἔτι σοὶ πείσεσθαι ὀΐω.
Translation
don’t give me signals [sēma]; I don’t think I will be persuaded to obey you any longer.
297
298
χερσὶ μὲν οὔ τοι ἔγωγε μαχήσομαι εἵνεκα κούρης
Translation
I, at least, will not fight you with the force of my hands for the girl,
299
οὔτε σοὶ οὔτέ τῳ ἄλλῳ, ἐπεί μʼ ἀφέλεσθέ γε δόντες·
Translation
neither you nor anyone else, now that you all who gave her have taken her away from me.
¹
Variant v.l. since you want to take her away, Zen.
300
τῶν δʼ ἄλλων ἅ μοί ἐστι θοῇ παρὰ νηῒ μελαίνῃ
Translation
As for the other things which I have next to my swift black ship,
301
τῶν οὐκ ἄν τι φέροις ἀνελὼν ἀέκοντος ἐμεῖο·
Translation
none of it could you pick up and carry off against my will.
302
εἰ δʼ ἄγε μὴν πείρησαι ἵνα γνώωσι καὶ οἵδε·
Translation
Just go ahead and try. That way all these people too will find out.
303
αἶψά τοι αἷμα κελαινὸν ἐρωήσει περὶ δουρί.
Translation
Right away your dark blood will spurt around the point of my spear.“
304
ὣς τώ γʼ ἀντιβίοισι μαχεσσαμένω ἐπέεσσιν
Translation
So the two fought with words [epos] that match might for might,
305
ἀνστήτην, λῦσαν δʼ ἀγορὴν παρὰ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν·
Translation
and they both stood up, dissolving the assembly beside the ships of the Achaeans.
306
Πηλεΐδης μὲν ἐπὶ κλισίας καὶ νῆας ἐΐσας
Translation
The son of Peleus heading for the tents and balanced ships
307
ἤϊε σύν τε Μενοιτιάδῃ καὶ οἷς ἑτάροισιν·
Translation
set out with the son of Menoitios and his comrades.
308
Ἀτρεΐδης δʼ ἄρα νῆα θοὴν ἅλα δὲ προέρυσσεν,
Translation
But the son of Atreus began dragging a swift ship down to the sea,
309
ἐν δʼ ἐρέτας ἔκρινεν ἐείκοσιν, ἐς δʼ ἑκατόμβην
Translation
for it he picked out twenty rowers, and in it a hecatomb
310
βῆσε θεῷ, ἀνὰ δὲ Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον
Translation
for the god he placed, and on it the fine-cheeked daughter of Chryse>s
311
εἷσεν ἄγων· ἐν δʼ ἀρχὸς ἔβη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς.
Translation
he led and seated. Odysseus, who is crafty in many ways, went aboard as leader.
312
οἳ μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἀναβάντες ἐπέπλεον ὑγρὰ κέλευθα,
Translation
Then they went aboard and sailed over the waterways,
313
λαοὺς δʼ Ἀτρεΐδης ἀπολυμαίνεσθαι ἄνωγεν·
Translation
and the son of Atreus ordered the warriors to purify themselves.
314
οἳ δʼ ἀπελυμαίνοντο καὶ εἰς ἅλα λύματα βάλλον,
Translation
Each one purified himself and threw the impurities into the sea;
315
ἕρδον δʼ Ἀπόλλωνι τεληέσσας ἑκατόμβας
Translation
they sacrificed to Apollo perfect hecatombs
316
ταύρων ἠδʼ αἰγῶν παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο·
Translation
of bulls and goats along the shore of the rumbling sea.
317
κνίση δʼ οὐρανὸν ἷκεν ἑλισσομένη περὶ καπνῷ.
Translation
The savor reached the sky swirling around the smoke.
318
ὣς οἳ μὲν τὰ πένοντο κατὰ στρατόν· οὐδʼ Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
So they were busy with these things throughout the mass of warriors. Nor did Agamemnon
319
λῆγʼ ἔριδος τὴν πρῶτον ἐπηπείλησʼ Ἀχιλῆϊ,
Translation
leave off from the strife [eris] which he had first threatened against Achilles
¹
Note augment
320
ἀλλʼ ὅ γε Ταλθύβιόν τε καὶ Εὐρυβάτην προσέειπε,
Translation
but he addressed Talthybios and Eurybates,
321
τώ οἱ ἔσαν κήρυκε καὶ ὀτρηρὼ θεράποντε·
Translation
the two who were his heralds and alert attendants [therapōn],
322
ἔρχεσθον κλισίην Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος·
Translation
Both of you, go to the tent of Peleus’ son Achilles.
323
χειρὸς ἑλόντʼ ἀγέμεν Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον·
Translation
Seize the fine-cheeked daughter of Briseus by the hand and bring her here.
324
εἰ δέ κε μὴ δώῃσιν ἐγὼ δέ κεν αὐτὸς ἕλωμαι
Translation
If he does not give her, I myself will seize her,
325
ἐλθὼν σὺν πλεόνεσσι· τό οἱ καὶ ῥίγιον ἔσται.
Translation
and I’ll come with more men. That will be even more chilling for him.“
326
ὣς εἰπὼν προΐει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·
Translation
So he spoke and sent them forth, setting in motion his overpowering words [muthos].
327
τὼ δʼ ἀέκοντε βάτην παρὰ θῖνʼ ἁλὸς ἀτρυγέτοιο,
Translation
The two of them went unwillingly along the shore of the rumbling sea,
328
Μυρμιδόνων δʼ ἐπί τε κλισίας καὶ νῆας ἱκέσθην,
Translation
and the two of them came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons.
329
τὸν δʼ εὗρον παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηῒ μελαίνῃ
Translation
They found him beside his tent and black ship,
330
ἥμενον· οὐδʼ ἄρα τώ γε ἰδὼν γήθησεν Ἀχιλλεύς.
Translation
sitting there. You could tell that Achilles was not happy to see the two of them.
331
τὼ μὲν ταρβήσαντε καὶ αἰδομένω βασιλῆα
Translation
The two were afraid and in awe [aidōs] of the king,
332
στήτην, οὐδέ τί μιν προσεφώνεον οὐδʼ ἐρέοντο·
Translation
and they stood there. They did not speak out to him at all nor ask any questions.
333
αὐτὰρ ὃ ἔγνω ᾗσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ φώνησέν τε·
Translation
But he understood in his heart [phrēn] and spoke out,
334
χαίρετε κήρυκες Διὸς ἄγγελοι ἠδὲ καὶ ἀνδρῶν,
Translation
Welcome [kharis] to you, heralds, mediators sacred to Zeus and men,
¹
Note genitive conveys idea of protection, Odyssey parallel
335
ἆσσον ἴτʼ· οὔ τί μοι ὔμμες ἐπαίτιοι ἀλλʼ Ἀγαμέμνων,
Translation
come closer: you are not at all responsible [aitios] in my eyes, but Agamemnon is,
336
ὃ σφῶϊ προΐει Βρισηΐδος εἵνεκα κούρης.
Translation
who sent you two forth for the daughter of Briseus.
337
ἀλλʼ ἄγε διογενὲς Πατρόκλεες ἔξαγε κούρην
Translation
But come, Patroklos descended from the gods, bring the girl out
338
καί σφωϊν δὸς ἄγειν· τὼ δʼ αὐτὼ μάρτυροι ἔστων
Translation
and give her to these two to take away. Let the two of them themselves be eyewitnesses
339
πρός τε θεῶν μακάρων πρός τε θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων
Translation
in the sight of the blessed gods and mortal men
340
καὶ πρὸς τοῦ βασιλῆος ἀπηνέος εἴ ποτε δʼ αὖτε
Translation
and in the sight of that aloof king, if ever again
341
χρειὼ ἐμεῖο γένηται ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι
Translation
there is a need for me to ward off hideous devastation
342
τοῖς ἄλλοις· ἦ γὰρ ὅ γʼ ὀλοιῇσι φρεσὶ θύει,
Translation
for the others: I swear, he is raging with his destructive mind [phrēn]
343
οὐδέ τι οἶδε νοῆσαι ἅμα πρόσσω καὶ ὀπίσσω,
Translation
and he doesn’t at all know how to take note of what comes before and what comes after
344
ὅππως οἱ παρὰ νηυσὶ σόοι μαχέοιντο Ἀχαιοί.
Translation
so that the Achaeans fight in safety beside the ships.“
345
ὣς φάτο, Πάτροκλος δὲ φίλῳ ἐπεπείθεθʼ ἑταίρῳ,
Translation
So he spoke, and Patroklos was persuaded to obey his dear [philos] comrade.
346
ἐκ δʼ ἄγαγε κλισίης Βρισηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον,
Translation
He led out from the tent the fine-cheeked daughter of Briseus,
347
δῶκε δʼ ἄγειν· τὼ δʼ αὖτις ἴτην παρὰ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν·
Translation
and he gave her to them to lead away. The two of them went back beside the ships of the Achaeans.
348
ἣ δʼ ἀέκουσʼ ἅμα τοῖσι γυνὴ κίεν· αὐτὰρ Ἀχιλλεὺς
Translation
The woman went together with them against her will. And then Achilles,
349
δακρύσας ἑτάρων ἄφαρ ἕζετο νόσφι λιασθείς,
Translation
weeping, at once withdrew far from his comrades and sat
350
θῖνʼ ἔφʼ ἁλὸς πολιῆς, ὁρόων ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα πόντον·
Translation
on the shore of the gray sea, looking out upon the boundless expanse [pontos].
¹
Variant v.l. that reflects like wine
351
πολλὰ δὲ μητρὶ φίλῃ ἠρήσατο χεῖρας ὀρεγνύς·
Translation
He prayed intensely to his dear [philē] mother raising up his hands.
352
μῆτερ ἐπεί μʼ ἔτεκές γε μινυνθάδιόν περ ἐόντα,
Translation
Mother, since you bore me, although for only a short life,
353
τιμήν πέρ μοι ὄφελλεν Ὀλύμπιος ἐγγυαλίξαι
Translation
the Olympian ought to secure me honor [timē],
354
Ζεὺς ὑψιβρεμέτης· νῦν δʼ οὐδέ με τυτθὸν ἔτισεν·
Translation
Zeus who thunders on high. But now he has honored me not even a little.
¹
Note augment
355
ἦ γάρ μʼ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
I swear, the son Atreus, wide ruling Agamemnon
356
357
ὣς φάτο δάκρυ χέων, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε πότνια μήτηρ
Translation
So he spoke, shedding tears, and his revered mother heard him
358
ἡμένη ἐν βένθεσσιν ἁλὸς παρὰ πατρὶ γέροντι·
Translation
sitting in the depths of the sea beside the old man, her father.
359
καρπαλίμως δʼ ἀνέδυ πολιῆς ἁλὸς ἠΰτʼ ὀμίχλη,
Translation
Quickly she emerged from the gray sea like a mist
360
καί ῥα πάροιθʼ αὐτοῖο καθέζετο δάκρυ χέοντος,
Translation
and she sat before him as he shed tears,
361
χειρί τέ μιν κατέρεξεν ἔπος τʼ ἔφατʼ ἔκ τʼ ὀνόμαζε·
Translation
and she caressed him with her hand, and spoke a word [epos] and called out his name,
362
τέκνον τί κλαίεις; τί δέ σε φρένας ἵκετο πένθος;
Translation
Child, why do you lament? What sorrow [penthos] has come upon your heart [phrēn]?
363
ἐξαύδα, μὴ κεῦθε νόῳ, ἵνα εἴδομεν ἄμφω.
Translation
Speak out, don’t hide it in your mind [noos], so that we may both know.“
364
τὴν δὲ βαρὺ στενάχων προσέφη πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
Groaning deeply swift-footed Achilles addressed her,
365
οἶσθα· τί ἤ τοι ταῦτα ἰδυίῃ πάντʼ ἀγορεύω;
Translation
You know. Why should I tell you when you know all these things?
366
ᾠχόμεθʼ ἐς Θήβην ἱερὴν πόλιν Ἠετίωνος,
Translation
We went to Thebe, the sacred city [polis] of Eetion;
367
τὴν δὲ διεπράθομέν τε καὶ ἤγομεν ἐνθάδε πάντα·
Translation
we utterly ravaged it and we brought everything here.
368
καὶ τὰ μὲν εὖ δάσσαντο μετὰ σφίσιν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν,
Translation
The sons of the Achaeans properly divided everything else among themselves
369
ἐκ δʼ ἕλον Ἀτρεΐδῃ Χρυσηΐδα καλλιπάρῃον.
Translation
but they picked out for the son of Atreus the fine-cheeked daughter of Chryse>s.
370
Χρύσης δʼ αὖθʼ ἱερεὺς ἑκατηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος
Translation
But then Chryse>s, the priest [hiereus] of far-shooting Apollo
371
ἦλθε θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων
Translation
came to the swift ships of the bronze-khitoned Achaeans
372
λυσόμενός τε θύγατρα φέρων τʼ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα,
Translation
to get his daughter’s release, bringing with him a ransom [apoina] beyond telling, [1.13]
373
στέμματʼ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶν ἑκηβόλου Ἀπόλλωνος
Translation
holding in his hands the suppliant wreaths of far-shooting Apollo [1.14]
374
χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ, καὶ λίσσετο πάντας Ἀχαιούς,
Translation
wound around a golden scepter, and he supplicated all the Achaeans, [1.15]
375
Ἀτρεΐδα δὲ μάλιστα δύω κοσμήτορε λαῶν.
Translation
but most of all the two sons of Atreus, who marshal the warriors. [1.16]
376
ἔνθʼ ἄλλοι μὲν πάντες ἐπευφήμησαν Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
At this point all the other Achaeans voiced their assent [1.22]
377
αἰδεῖσθαί θʼ ἱερῆα καὶ ἀγλαὰ δέχθαι ἄποινα·
Translation
378
ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδῃ Ἀγαμέμνονι ἥνδανε θυμῷ,
Translation
but this was not pleasing to the son of Atreus, Agamemnon, in his heart [thumos]. [1.24]
379
ἀλλὰ κακῶς ἀφίει, κρατερὸν δʼ ἐπὶ μῦθον ἔτελλε·
Translation
Instead, dismissing him -- a bad thing to do -- he set in motion overpowering words [muthos]. [1.25]
380
χωόμενος δʼ ὁ γέρων πάλιν ᾤχετο· τοῖο δʼ Ἀπόλλων
Translation
The old man went back angry, and him Apollo
381
εὐξαμένου ἤκουσεν, ἐπεὶ μάλα οἱ φίλος ἦεν,
Translation
heard praying, since he was very dear [philos] to him.
382
ἧκε δʼ ἐπʼ Ἀργείοισι κακὸν βέλος· οἳ δέ νυ λαοὶ
Translation
Apollo let loose an evil arrow at the Argives. And the warriors
383
θνῇσκον ἐπασσύτεροι, τὰ δʼ ἐπῴχετο κῆλα θεοῖο
Translation
were dying one after the other. The arrows of the god went after them
384
πάντῃ ἀνὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν· ἄμμι δὲ μάντις
Translation
everywhere throughout the massed expanse of Achaean warriors. To us the seer [mantis]
385
εὖ εἰδὼς ἀγόρευε θεοπροπίας ἑκάτοιο.
Translation
who understands them well announced in assembly the divine signs of the far-shooter.
386
αὐτίκʼ ἐγὼ πρῶτος κελόμην θεὸν ἱλάσκεσθαι·
Translation
Immediately I was the first to bid them to appease the god.
387
Ἀτρεΐωνα δʼ ἔπειτα χόλος λάβεν, αἶψα δʼ ἀναστὰς
Translation
But then fury [kholos] seized the son of Atreus, and right away he stood up
388
ἠπείλησεν μῦθον ὃ δὴ τετελεσμένος ἐστί·
Translation
and spoke threatening words [muthos], and, now I see, they have come to fulfillment [telos].
¹
Note Bakker's explanation that de> is when the speaker sees something for the first time
389
τὴν μὲν γὰρ σὺν νηῒ θοῇ ἑλίκωπες Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
For now the one girl the Achaeans with the dancing eyes with a swift ship
390
ἐς Χρύσην πέμπουσιν, ἄγουσι δὲ δῶρα ἄνακτι·
Translation
are escorting to Chryse>, and they are bringing gifts to the lord [Apollo].
391
τὴν δὲ νέον κλισίηθεν ἔβαν κήρυκες ἄγοντες
Translation
The other girl just now heralds went and led from the tent,
392
κούρην Βρισῆος τήν μοι δόσαν υἷες Ἀχαιῶν.
Translation
the daughter of Briseus, the one the sons of the Achaeans gave me.
393
ἀλλὰ σὺ εἰ δύνασαί γε περίσχεο παιδὸς ἑῆος·
Translation
But you, if you have the power, stand by a worthy child .
¹
Variant v.l. your child
394
ἐλθοῦσʼ Οὔλυμπον δὲ Δία λίσαι, εἴ ποτε δή τι
Translation
Go to Olympus and supplicate Zeus, if ever at any time
395
ἢ ἔπει ὤνησας κραδίην Διὸς ἠὲ καὶ ἔργῳ.
Translation
you enriched the heart of Zeus either by word [epos] or also by deed.
396
πολλάκι γάρ σεο πατρὸς ἐνὶ μεγάροισιν ἄκουσα
Translation
For many times in the halls of my father I heard you
397
εὐχομένης ὅτʼ ἔφησθα κελαινεφέϊ Κρονίωνι
Translation
making a solemn statement; you said about the dark-clouded son of Kronos
398
οἴη ἐν ἀθανάτοισιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἀμῦναι,
Translation
that you alone among the immortals warded off hideous devastation for him
399
ὁππότε μιν ξυνδῆσαι Ὀλύμπιοι ἤθελον ἄλλοι
Translation
when the other Olympians wanted to bind him,
400
Ἥρη τʼ ἠδὲ Ποσειδάων καὶ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη·
Translation
Hera and also Poseidon and Pallas Athena .
¹
Variant v.l. Phoebus Apollo
401
ἀλλὰ σὺ τόν γʼ ἐλθοῦσα θεὰ ὑπελύσαο δεσμῶν,
Translation
But you, goddess, in this instance went and released him from the bonds;
402
ὦχʼ ἑκατόγχειρον καλέσασʼ ἐς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπον,
Translation
quickly you summoned the hundred-hander to tall Olympus.
403
ὃν Βριάρεων καλέουσι θεοί, ἄνδρες δέ τε πάντες
Translation
The gods call him “Briareos,” but all men
404
Αἰγαίωνʼ, ὃ γὰρ αὖτε βίην οὗ πατρὸς ἀμείνων·
Translation
say “Aigaion” -- in his own right he is better in might [biē] than his father -- [n:v.l. the one who is by far the best in might [biē] among all those who inhabit dank Tartaros below]
405
ὅς ῥα παρὰ Κρονίωνι καθέζετο κύδεϊ γαίων·
Translation
and he sat at the side of the son of Kronos glorying in his radiance [kudos: note Aigaiōn and kudei gaiōn].
406
τὸν καὶ ὑπέδεισαν μάκαρες θεοὶ οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἔδησαν.
Translation
At the sight of him the blessed gods froze with fear and stopped binding him .
¹
Note rhyming hupedeisan and oud' et ede>san
407
τῶν νῦν μιν μνήσασα παρέζεο καὶ λαβὲ γούνων
Translation
Now is the time to remind him of these things: sit at his side and take hold of his knees,
408
αἴ κέν πως ἐθέλῃσιν ἐπὶ Τρώεσσιν ἀρῆξαι,
Translation
to ask if in any way he would be willing to give aid to the Trojans
409
τοὺς δὲ κατὰ πρύμνας τε καὶ ἀμφʼ ἅλα ἔλσαι Ἀχαιοὺς
Translation
and to hem in the Achaeans along the sterns, up against the sea.
410
κτεινομένους, ἵνα πάντες ἐπαύρωνται βασιλῆος,
Translation
As they are being killed, then they will enjoy the benefits of their king,
411
γνῷ δὲ καὶ Ἀτρεΐδης εὐρὺ κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
and even the son of Atreus wide ruling Agamemnon will recognize
412
ἣν ἄτην ὅ τʼ ἄριστον Ἀχαιῶν οὐδὲν ἔτισεν.
Translation
his own derangement [atē], in that in no way has he honored the best of the Achaeans.“ [1.244]
¹
Note augment
413
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Θέτις κατὰ δάκρυ χέουσα·
Translation
Then Thetis answered him shedding a tear,
414
ὤ μοι τέκνον ἐμόν, τί νύ σʼ ἔτρεφον αἰνὰ τεκοῦσα;
Translation
Oh my child, what woes I have had in raising you since the moment I bore you.
415
αἴθʼ ὄφελες παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀδάκρυτος καὶ ἀπήμων
Translation
If only you were beside the ships without tears and without pain,
416
ἧσθαι, ἐπεί νύ τοι αἶσα μίνυνθά περ οὔ τι μάλα δήν·
Translation
sitting there, since the measure of your lifetime [aisa] is very short, not at all long.
417
νῦν δʼ ἅμα τʼ ὠκύμορος καὶ ὀϊζυρὸς περὶ πάντων
Translation
But as it is now a swift death and misery beyond all others
418
ἔπλεο· τώ σε κακῇ αἴσῃ τέκον ἐν μεγάροισι.
Translation
has come to be your fate. That is why I say your measure of life was wretched from the moment I bore you in the halls.
419
τοῦτο δέ τοι ἐρέουσα ἔπος Διὶ τερπικεραύνῳ
Translation
In order to say this word [epos] on your behalf to Zeus who delights in thunder
420
εἶμʼ αὐτὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον ἀγάννιφον αἴ κε πίθηται.
Translation
I myself will go to snowy Olympus to see if he will be persuaded.
421
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν νηυσὶ παρήμενος ὠκυπόροισι
Translation
But, you now, sit beside the swift-traversing ships
422
μήνιʼ Ἀχαιοῖσιν, πολέμου δʼ ἀποπαύεο πάμπαν·
Translation
and continue your anger [mēnis] at the Achaeans, and cease from war entirely.
423
Ζεὺς γὰρ ἐς Ὠκεανὸν μετʼ ἀμύμονας Αἰθιοπῆας
Translation
Zeus went to Okeanos among the faultless Aithiopians,
424
χθιζὸς ἔβη κατὰ δαῖτα, θεοὶ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἕποντο·
Translation
he went yesterday for a feast, and all the gods accompanied him.
425
δωδεκάτῃ δέ τοι αὖτις ἐλεύσεται Οὔλυμπον δέ,
Translation
On the twelfth day he will come back to Olympus,
426
καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτά τοι εἶμι Διὸς ποτὶ χαλκοβατὲς δῶ,
Translation
and then at that time, I will go to the bronze-paved house of Zeus,
427
καί μιν γουνάσομαι καί μιν πείσεσθαι ὀΐω.
Translation
and I will take hold of his knees, and I think he will be persuaded to obey.“
428
ὣς ἄρα φωνήσασʼ ἀπεβήσετο, τὸν δὲ λίπʼ αὐτοῦ
Translation
So she spoke and went away. She left him there,
429
χωόμενον κατὰ θυμὸν ἐϋζώνοιο γυναικὸς
Translation
furious in his heart [thumos] over the woman with the beautiful waist,
430
τήν ῥα βίῃ ἀέκοντος ἀπηύρων· αὐτὰρ Ὀδυσσεὺς
Translation
the one whom they took away by force [biē] against his will. Meanwhile Odysseus
431
ἐς Χρύσην ἵκανεν ἄγων ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην.
Translation
arrived at Chryse> bringing the sacred hecatomb.
432
οἳ δʼ ὅτε δὴ λιμένος πολυβενθέος ἐντὸς ἵκοντο
Translation
When they arrived inside the very deep harbor,
433
ἱστία μὲν στείλαντο, θέσαν δʼ ἐν νηῒ μελαίνῃ,
Translation
they took down the sails and placed them in the black ship;
434
ἱστὸν δʼ ἱστοδόκῃ πέλασαν προτόνοισιν ὑφέντες
Translation
lowering the mast with the ropes, they made it lie flat against the deck
435
καρπαλίμως, τὴν δʼ εἰς ὅρμον προέρεσσαν ἐρετμοῖς.
Translation
and they were quick about it; then they rowed the ship with the oars to the anchoring place.
436
ἐκ δʼ εὐνὰς ἔβαλον, κατὰ δὲ πρυμνήσιʼ ἔδησαν·
Translation
They threw overboard the anchor-stones, and they tied down the stern cables.
437
ἐκ δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ βαῖνον ἐπὶ ῥηγμῖνι θαλάσσης,
Translation
They got out where the waves of the sea break,
438
ἐκ δʼ ἑκατόμβην βῆσαν ἑκηβόλῳ Ἀπόλλωνι·
Translation
and they moved out the hecatomb for far-shooting Apollo.
439
ἐκ δὲ Χρυσηῒς νηὸς βῆ ποντοπόροιο.
Translation
Then the daughter of Chryse>s got out of the ship that traverses the sea.
440
τὴν μὲν ἔπειτʼ ἐπὶ βωμὸν ἄγων πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς
Translation
Next, leading her to the sacrificial altar, Odysseus who is crafty in many ways
441
πατρὶ φίλῳ ἐν χερσὶ τίθει καί μιν προσέειπεν·
Translation
placed her in her dear father’s hands and addressed him.
442
ὦ Χρύση, πρό μʼ ἔπεμψεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
Chryse>s, I have been sent by lord of men Agamemnon
443
παῖδά τε σοὶ ἀγέμεν, Φοίβῳ θʼ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
Translation
to lead your child back to you, and as for Apollo, to perform for him a sacred hecatomb,
444
ῥέξαι ὑπὲρ Δαναῶν ὄφρʼ ἱλασόμεσθα ἄνακτα,
Translation
performing it on behalf of the Danaans, in order that we may appease the lord Apollo,
¹
Variant v.l. Aristarchus athetized 444
445
ὃς νῦν Ἀργείοισι πολύστονα κήδεʼ ἐφῆκεν.
Translation
who has now let fly at the Argives cares [kēdos] that bring many laments.“
¹
Note augment
446
ὣς εἰπὼν ἐν χερσὶ τίθει, ὃ δὲ δέξατο χαίρων
Translation
So he spoke and placed her in his hands, and Chryse>s received with pleasure [kharis]
447
παῖδα φίλην· τοὶ δʼ ὦκα θεῷ ἱερὴν ἑκατόμβην
Translation
his dear child. Quickly the famous hecatomb for the god
¹
Variant v.l. sacred²
Variant v.l. 446-447 So he spoke. Quickly the sacred hecatomb for the god, Zen.
448
ἑξείης ἔστησαν ἐΰδμητον περὶ βωμόν,
Translation
was set up in due order around the well-built sacrificial altar.
449
χερνίψαντο δʼ ἔπειτα καὶ οὐλοχύτας ἀνέλοντο.
Translation
Next they washed their hands and they took up handfuls of barley for sprinkling,
450
τοῖσιν δὲ Χρύσης μεγάλʼ εὔχετο χεῖρας ἀνασχών·
Translation
while Chryse>s lifted up his hands and prayed aloud on their behalf.
451
κλῦθί μευ ἀργυρότοξʼ, ὃς Χρύσην ἀμφιβέβηκας
Translation
Hear me, you with the silver bow, you who stand over Chryse> [1.37]
452
Κίλλαν τε ζαθέην Τενέδοιό τε ἶφι ἀνάσσεις·
Translation
and holy Killa and lord over Tenedos with might, [1.38]
453
ἦ μὲν δή ποτʼ ἐμεῦ πάρος ἔκλυες εὐξαμένοιο,
Translation
You have already heard me once before when I prayed .
¹
Note augment²
Variant v.l. via scholia I-18.75, cf. 16.236 and 14.234
454
τίμησας μὲν ἐμέ, μέγα δʼ ἴψαο λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν·
Translation
You honored [timē] me, and you greatly harmed the warriors of the Achaeans.
455
ἠδʼ ἔτι καὶ νῦν μοι τόδʼ ἐπικρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·
Translation
So also now bring to fulfillment this wish for me: [1.41]
456
ἤδη νῦν Δαναοῖσιν ἀεικέα λοιγὸν ἄμυνον.
Translation
ward off this hideous devastation for the Danaans.“
457
ὣς ἔφατʼ εὐχόμενος, τοῦ δʼ ἔκλυε Φοῖβος Ἀπόλλων.
Translation
So he spoke praying, and Phoebus Apollo heard him. [1.43]
458
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ εὔξαντο καὶ οὐλοχύτας προβάλοντο,
Translation
Then when they had prayed and sprinkled handfuls of barley,
¹
Note on the sacrificial cattle
459
αὐέρυσαν μὲν πρῶτα καὶ ἔσφαξαν καὶ ἔδειραν,
Translation
they drew back the heads and cut the throats and skinned them.
460
μηρούς τʼ ἐξέταμον κατά τε κνίσῃ ἐκάλυψαν
Translation
They cut out the thigh-bones and covered them with fat,
461
δίπτυχα ποιήσαντες, ἐπʼ αὐτῶν δʼ ὠμοθέτησαν·
Translation
placing the fat over and under, and they placed raw meat on top of them.
462
καῖε δʼ ἐπὶ σχίζῃς ὁ γέρων, ἐπὶ δʼ αἴθοπα οἶνον
Translation
The old man was roasting them over the wood, and over them blazing wine
463
λεῖβε· νέοι δὲ παρʼ αὐτὸν ἔχον πεμπώβολα χερσίν.
Translation
was poured. The young men beside him held five-pronged forks in their hands.
464
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατὰ μῆρε κάη καὶ σπλάγχνα πάσαντο,
Translation
Then when the thigh-pieces were burnt up and they had shared the entrails,
465
μίστυλλόν τʼ ἄρα τἆλλα καὶ ἀμφʼ ὀβελοῖσιν ἔπειραν,
Translation
they chopped the rest of the meat and pierced it with spits,
466
ὤπτησάν τε περιφραδέως, ἐρύσαντό τε πάντα.
Translation
and they roasted it with care and drew everything off the spits.
467
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ παύσαντο πόνου τετύκοντό τε δαῖτα
Translation
Then when they finished the work [ponos] and had made the feast,
468
δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης.
Translation
they feasted, and not a soul [thumos] lacked his fair share.
469
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ πόσιος καὶ ἐδητύος ἐξ ἔρον ἕντο,
Translation
Then when they had put away the desire for drink and food,
470
κοῦροι μὲν κρητῆρας ἐπεστέψαντο ποτοῖο,
Translation
the young men topped off the mixing bowls with drink,
471
νώμησαν δʼ ἄρα πᾶσιν ἐπαρξάμενοι δεπάεσσιν·
Translation
they handed out cups to everyone and made the first offerings with them.
472
οἳ δὲ πανημέριοι μολπῇ θεὸν ἱλάσκοντο
Translation
All day long they kept trying to appease the god with song and dance,
473
καλὸν ἀείδοντες παιήονα κοῦροι Ἀχαιῶν
Translation
the young men of the Achaeans, singing a fine healing-song,
474
μέλποντες ἑκάεργον· ὃ δὲ φρένα τέρπετʼ ἀκούων.
Translation
singing and dancing for the one who works from afar . He was delighted in his heart [phrēn] when he heard it.
475
ἦμος δʼ ἠέλιος κατέδυ καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἦλθε,
Translation
When the sun set and darkness came on,
476
δὴ τότε κοιμήσαντο παρὰ πρυμνήσια νηός·
Translation
at that point they bedded down alongside the stern cables of the ship.
477
ἦμος δʼ ἠριγένεια φάνη ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ἠώς,
Translation
When Eo>s born at daybreak with her rosy steps appeared,
478
καὶ τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀνάγοντο μετὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν·
Translation
then at that point they put to sea heading for the massed expanse of Achaean warriors.
479
τοῖσιν δʼ ἴκμενον οὖρον ἵει ἑκάεργος Ἀπόλλων·
Translation
Apollo who works from afar sent them a wind that went their way.
480
οἳ δʼ ἱστὸν στήσαντʼ ἀνά θʼ ἱστία λευκὰ πέτασσαν,
Translation
They raised the mast and spread the sails.
481
ἐν δʼ ἄνεμος πρῆσεν μέσον ἱστίον, ἀμφὶ δὲ κῦμα
Translation
The wind blew into the middle of the sail, and the wave around
482
στείρῃ πορφύρεον μεγάλʼ ἴαχε νηὸς ἰούσης·
Translation
the prow surged and resounded loudly as the ship went.
483
ἣ δʼ ἔθεεν κατὰ κῦμα διαπρήσσουσα κέλευθον.
Translation
The ship was running along the wave as it made its way.
484
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί ῥʼ ἵκοντο κατὰ στρατὸν εὐρὺν Ἀχαιῶν,
Translation
When they reached the massed expanse of Achaean warriors,
485
νῆα μὲν οἵ γε μέλαιναν ἐπʼ ἠπείροιο ἔρυσσαν
Translation
they dragged the black ship onto the shore
486
ὑψοῦ ἐπὶ ψαμάθοις, ὑπὸ δʼ ἕρματα μακρὰ τάνυσσαν·
Translation
up high on the sand, and underneath it they stretched out long supports.
487
αὐτοὶ δʼ ἐσκίδναντο κατὰ κλισίας τε νέας τε.
Translation
Then they themselves dispersed among the tents and ships.
488
αὐτὰρ ὃ μήνιε νηυσὶ παρήμενος ὠκυπόροισι
Translation
But he continued to be angry [mēnis] sitting beside the swift-traversing ships,
489
διογενὴς Πηλῆος υἱὸς πόδας ὠκὺς Ἀχιλλεύς·
Translation
the son of Peleus, swift-footed Achilles, descended from the gods.
490
οὔτέ ποτʼ εἰς ἀγορὴν πωλέσκετο κυδιάνειραν
Translation
Not one time did he make his way to the assembly that confers radiant glory [kudos],
491
οὔτέ ποτʼ ἐς πόλεμον, ἀλλὰ φθινύθεσκε φίλον κῆρ
Translation
not one time did he go to war, but he continually wasted away his dear [philos] heart
492
αὖθι μένων, ποθέεσκε δʼ ἀϋτήν τε πτόλεμόν τε.
Translation
waiting there, and he longed for the battle-cry and war.
493
ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἐκ τοῖο δυωδεκάτη γένετʼ ἠώς,
Translation
But when the twelfth dawn from that one arose
494
καὶ τότε δὴ πρὸς Ὄλυμπον ἴσαν θεοὶ αἰὲν ἐόντες
Translation
at that point the gods who are forever went to Olympus,
495
πάντες ἅμα, Ζεὺς δʼ ἦρχε· Θέτις δʼ οὐ λήθετʼ ἐφετμέων
Translation
all of them together, and Zeus led the way. Thetis did not forget the requests
496
παιδὸς ἑοῦ, ἀλλʼ ἥ γʼ ἀνεδύσετο κῦμα θαλάσσης.
Translation
of her son. But she emerged from a wave of the sea
497
ἠερίη δʼ ἀνέβη μέγαν οὐρανὸν Οὔλυμπόν τε.
Translation
and in a mist went up to the great sky and Olympus.
498
εὗρεν δʼ εὐρύοπα Κρονίδην ἄτερ ἥμενον ἄλλων
Translation
She found the far-seeing son of Kronos sitting apart from the others
499
ἀκροτάτῃ κορυφῇ πολυδειράδος Οὐλύμποιο·
Translation
on the highest peak of Olympus with many ridges.
500
καί ῥα πάροιθʼ αὐτοῖο καθέζετο, καὶ λάβε γούνων
Translation
There she was, seated in front of him, and she took hold of his knees
501
σκαιῇ, δεξιτερῇ δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπʼ ἀνθερεῶνος ἑλοῦσα
Translation
with her left hand, and with her right she grasped him by the chin.
502
λισσομένη προσέειπε Δία Κρονίωνα ἄνακτα·
Translation
Supplicating him, she addressed lord Zeus, son of Kronos.
503
Ζεῦ πάτερ εἴ ποτε δή σε μετʼ ἀθανάτοισιν ὄνησα
Translation
Father Zeus, if ever among the immortals I helped you
504
ἢ ἔπει ἢ ἔργῳ, τόδε μοι κρήηνον ἐέλδωρ·
Translation
either in word [epos] or in deed, bring to fulfillment this wish for me.
505
τίμησόν μοι υἱὸν ὃς ὠκυμορώτατος ἄλλων
Translation
Honor [timē] my son, the most swift to meet his fate beyond all others
506
ἔπλετʼ· ἀτάρ μιν νῦν γε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων
Translation
who exist. But him now the lord of men Agamemnon
507
508
ἀλλὰ σύ πέρ μιν τῖσον Ὀλύμπιε μητίετα Ζεῦ·
Translation
But you, Olympian Zeus the deviser [mētis], honor him.
509
τόφρα δʼ ἐπὶ Τρώεσσι τίθει κράτος ὄφρʼ ἂν Ἀχαιοὶ
Translation
Place power [kratos] on the Trojan side until the time when the Achaeans
510
υἱὸν ἐμὸν τίσωσιν ὀφέλλωσίν τέ ἑ τιμῇ.
Translation
may honor my son and magnify him with honor [timē].“
511
ὣς φάτο· τὴν δʼ οὔ τι προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς,
Translation
So she spoke. The cloud-gatherer Zeus did not address her at all,
512
ἀλλʼ ἀκέων δὴν ἧστο· Θέτις δʼ ὡς ἥψατο γούνων
Translation
but sat in silence for a long time. Thetis, as she had grasped his knees,
513
ὣς ἔχετʼ ἐμπεφυυῖα, καὶ εἴρετο δεύτερον αὖτις·
Translation
so clinging she kept on holding them, and she asked a second time:
514
νημερτὲς μὲν δή μοι ὑπόσχεο καὶ κατάνευσον
Translation
Make me a promise that will not miss the mark and nod in assent,
515
ἢ ἀπόειπʼ, ἐπεὶ οὔ τοι ἔπι δέος, ὄφρʼ ἐῢ εἰδέω
Translation
or refuse, since you have no reason to hesitate, so that I may know well
516
ὅσσον ἐγὼ μετὰ πᾶσιν ἀτιμοτάτη θεός εἰμι.
Translation
how much I am the most dishonored god among all.“
517
τὴν δὲ μέγʼ ὀχθήσας προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·
Translation
Greatly troubled, the cloud-gatherer Zeus addressed her,
518
ἦ δὴ λοίγια ἔργʼ ὅ τέ μʼ ἐχθοδοπῆσαι ἐφήσεις
Translation
These will be devastating actions, and you will push me to be enemies
519
Ἥρῃ ὅτʼ ἄν μʼ ἐρέθῃσιν ὀνειδείοις ἐπέεσσιν·
Translation
with Hera, and she will provoke me with insulting words.
¹
Note Aristarchus has Hera in the nominative; check further
520
ἣ δὲ καὶ αὔτως μʼ αἰεὶ ἐν ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσι
Translation
Even as it is, among the immortal gods she without end
521
νεικεῖ, καί τέ μέ φησι μάχῃ Τρώεσσιν ἀρήγειν.
Translation
quarrels with me, and she says that I protect the Trojans in battle.
522
ἀλλὰ σὺ μὲν νῦν αὖτις ἀπόστιχε μή τι νοήσῃ
Translation
But you, now, go back again, and make sure you aren’t noticed by --
¹
Variant v.l. nothing is Ar.
523
Ἥρη· ἐμοὶ δέ κε ταῦτα μελήσεται ὄφρα τελέσσω·
Translation
Hera. These matters will be my concern, until I bring them to fulfillment [telos].
524
εἰ δʼ ἄγε τοι κεφαλῇ κατανεύσομαι ὄφρα πεποίθῃς·
Translation
All right, then, I will nod in assent with my head to make you confident.
525
τοῦτο γὰρ ἐξ ἐμέθεν γε μετʼ ἀθανάτοισι μέγιστον
Translation
For this from me among the immortals is the greatest
526
τέκμωρ· οὐ γὰρ ἐμὸν παλινάγρετον οὐδʼ ἀπατηλὸν
Translation
final sign. For my assent is not revocable nor deceitful
527
οὐδʼ ἀτελεύτητον ὅ τί κεν κεφαλῇ κατανεύσω.
Translation
nor unfulfilled, whatever I nod with my head in assent to.“
528
ἦ καὶ κυανέῃσιν ἐπʼ ὀφρύσι νεῦσε Κρονίων·
Translation
So spoke the son of Kronos, and with his dark eyebrows he nodded in assent.
529
ἀμβρόσιαι δʼ ἄρα χαῖται ἐπερρώσαντο ἄνακτος
Translation
Ambrosial locks cascaded from the lord’s
530
κρατὸς ἀπʼ ἀθανάτοιο· μέγαν δʼ ἐλέλιξεν Ὄλυμπον.
Translation
immortal head. And he made great Olympus shake.
531
τώ γʼ ὣς βουλεύσαντε διέτμαγεν· ἣ μὲν ἔπειτα
Translation
So the two of them [Zeus and Thetis] made their plans and parted company. She then
532
εἰς ἅλα ἆλτο βαθεῖαν ἀπʼ αἰγλήεντος Ὀλύμπου,
Translation
dove back into the deep sea from gleaming Olympus,
533
Ζεὺς δὲ ἑὸν πρὸς δῶμα· θεοὶ δʼ ἅμα πάντες ἀνέσταν
Translation
while Zeus headed back to his home. All the gods stood up at once
534
ἐξ ἑδέων σφοῦ πατρὸς ἐναντίον· οὐδέ τις ἔτλη
Translation
from their seats before their father. Nor did any of them dare
535
μεῖναι ἐπερχόμενον, ἀλλʼ ἀντίοι ἔσταν ἅπαντες.
Translation
to stay seated when he came, but they all stood before him.
536
ὣς ὃ μὲν ἔνθα καθέζετʼ ἐπὶ θρόνου· οὐδέ μιν Ἥρη
Translation
So he sat down there on his chair. And him Hera
537
ἠγνοίησεν ἰδοῦσʼ ὅτι οἱ συμφράσσατο βουλὰς
Translation
did not fail to perceive. She saw that he had made plans with
538
ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος.
Translation
silver-stepping Thetis, the daughter of the old man of the sea.
539
αὐτίκα κερτομίοισι Δία Κρονίωνα προσηύδα·
Translation
Immediately she addressed Zeus, son of Kronos, with taunting words:
540
τίς δʼ αὖ τοι δολομῆτα θεῶν συμφράσσατο βουλάς;
Translation
Who of the gods made plans with you this time, devious deviser?
541
αἰεί τοι φίλον ἐστὶν ἐμεῦ ἀπὸ νόσφιν ἐόντα
Translation
It is endlessly dear to you when you are apart from me
542
κρυπτάδια φρονέοντα δικαζέμεν· οὐδέ τί πώ μοι
Translation
to think up secret plans and decide on them. Never yet to me
543
πρόφρων τέτληκας εἰπεῖν ἔπος ὅττι νοήσῃς.
Translation
have you readily dared to speak whatever word [epos] you think.“
544
τὴν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα πατὴρ ἀνδρῶν τε θεῶν τε·
Translation
Then the father of men and gods answered her,
545
Ἥρη μὴ δὴ πάντας ἐμοὺς ἐπιέλπεο μύθους
Translation
Hera, when it comes to my pronouncements [muthos], don’t expect
546
εἰδήσειν· χαλεποί τοι ἔσοντʼ ἀλόχῳ περ ἐούσῃ·
Translation
to know them all. Even though you are my wife, it will be hard for you.
547
ἀλλʼ ὃν μέν κʼ ἐπιεικὲς ἀκουέμεν οὔ τις ἔπειτα
Translation
Whichever one of my pronouncements is suitable for you to hear, not one
548
οὔτε θεῶν πρότερος τὸν εἴσεται οὔτʼ ἀνθρώπων·
Translation
of the gods or mortals will know it before you.
549
ὃν δέ κʼ ἐγὼν ἀπάνευθε θεῶν ἐθέλωμι νοῆσαι
Translation
But whichever of them I choose to devise [noos] apart from the gods,
550
μή τι σὺ ταῦτα ἕκαστα διείρεο μηδὲ μετάλλα.
Translation
don’t you ask and inquire about any one of these things.“
551
τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη·
Translation
Then revered, ox-radiant Hera answered him,
552
αἰνότατε Κρονίδη ποῖον τὸν μῦθον ἔειπες;
Translation
Most terrible son of Kronos, what sort of words [muthos] have you spoken ?
¹
Note augment
553
καὶ λίην σε πάρος γʼ οὔτʼ εἴρομαι οὔτε μεταλλῶ,
Translation
Too often before I haven’t asked or inquired,
554
ἀλλὰ μάλʼ εὔκηλος τὰ φράζεαι ἅσσʼ ἐθέλῃσθα.
Translation
but all too undisturbed you devise whatever you want.
555
νῦν δʼ αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μή σε παρείπῃ
Translation
Now I fear terribly in my mind [phrēn] that she beguiles you,
556
ἀργυρόπεζα Θέτις θυγάτηρ ἁλίοιο γέροντος·
Translation
silver-stepping Thetis, daughter of the old man of the sea.
557
ἠερίη γὰρ σοί γε παρέζετο καὶ λάβε γούνων·
Translation
In a mist she was seated beside you and took hold of your knees.
558
τῇ σʼ ὀΐω κατανεῦσαι ἐτήτυμον ὡς Ἀχιλῆα
Translation
I think you nodded in true assent to her that Achilles
559
τιμήσῃς, ὀλέσῃς δὲ πολέας ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.
Translation
you will honor and you will cause the destruction of many at the ships of the Achaeans.“
560
τὴν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη νεφεληγερέτα Ζεύς·
Translation
The cloud-gatherer Zeus answered and addressed her,
¹
Variant v.l. Venetus A: Greatly troubled, the cloud-gatherer Zeus addressed her, =I-1.517
561
δαιμονίη αἰεὶ μὲν ὀΐεαι οὐδέ σε λήθω·
Translation
What possesses you [daimōniē]? You are always assuming, and nothing I do escapes you.
562
πρῆξαι δʼ ἔμπης οὔ τι δυνήσεαι, ἀλλʼ ἀπὸ θυμοῦ
Translation
In any case you won’t be able to accomplish a thing, but more distant
563
μᾶλλον ἐμοὶ ἔσεαι· τὸ δέ τοι καὶ ῥίγιον ἔσται.
Translation
you will be from my heart [thumos]. That will be even more chilling for you. [1.325]
564
εἰ δʼ οὕτω τοῦτʼ ἐστὶν ἐμοὶ μέλλει φίλον εἶναι·
Translation
If this is the way it is, it must be what gives me pleasure [philos].
565
ἀλλʼ ἀκέουσα κάθησο, ἐμῷ δʼ ἐπιπείθεο μύθῳ,
Translation
So, sit down and be quiet, and be persuaded to obey my words [muthos].
566
μή νύ τοι οὐ χραίσμωσιν ὅσοι θεοί εἰσʼ ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ
Translation
All the gods there are in Olympus won’t help you
567
ἆσσον ἰόνθʼ, ὅτε κέν τοι ἀάπτους χεῖρας ἐφείω.
Translation
when I come near, whenever I lay my terrifying hands upon you.“
¹
Variant v.l. when you all come near²
Editorial needs note that explains that the word means 'taboo' or 'unspeakable', but also connotes violence
568
ὣς ἔφατʼ ἔδεισεν δὲ βοῶπις πότνια Ἥρη,
Translation
So he spoke, and revered, ox-radiant Hera was frightened .
¹
Note cf I-1.33 1.33
569
καί ῥʼ ἀκέουσα καθῆστο ἐπιγνάμψασα φίλον κῆρ·
Translation
She sat down and was quiet, bending her dear [philos] heart.
570
ὄχθησαν δʼ ἀνὰ δῶμα Διὸς θεοὶ Οὐρανίωνες·
Translation
Throughout the home of Zeus the Olympian gods were troubled.
571
τοῖσιν δʼ Ἥφαιστος κλυτοτέχνης ἦρχʼ ἀγορεύειν
Translation
Among them, Hephaistos famed for his skill began to speak in assembly
572
μητρὶ φίλῃ ἐπίηρα φέρων λευκωλένῳ Ἥρῃ·
Translation
bearing goodwill to his dear [philos] mother, white-armed Hera.
573
ἦ δὴ λοίγια ἔργα τάδʼ ἔσσεται οὐδʼ ἔτʼ ἀνεκτά,
Translation
Certainly these will be devastating actions, no longer endurable,
574
εἰ δὴ σφὼ ἕνεκα θνητῶν ἐριδαίνετον ὧδε,
Translation
if you two clash in this way because of mortals,
575
ἐν δὲ θεοῖσι κολῳὸν ἐλαύνετον· οὐδέ τι δαιτὸς
Translation
setting off an uproar among the gods. Then in the noble [esthlos] feast
576
ἐσθλῆς ἔσσεται ἦδος, ἐπεὶ τὰ χερείονα νικᾷ.
Translation
there will be no pleasure taken, since what is low wins.
577
μητρὶ δʼ ἐγὼ παράφημι καὶ αὐτῇ περ νοεούσῃ
Translation
I encourage my mother, even though she knows [noos] this already,
578
πατρὶ φίλῳ ἐπίηρα φέρειν Διί, ὄφρα μὴ αὖτε
Translation
to bear goodwill to dear [philos] father Zeus, so that he doesn’t once again
579
νεικείῃσι πατήρ, σὺν δʼ ἡμῖν δαῖτα ταράξῃ.
Translation
start a quarrel and disrupt the feast for all of us.
580
εἴ περ γάρ κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν Ὀλύμπιος ἀστεροπητὴς
Translation
If in fact the Olympian who hurls the thunderbolt wants
581
ἐξ ἑδέων στυφελίξαι· ὃ γὰρ πολὺ φέρτατός ἐστιν.
Translation
to knock us from our seats -- well, he is by far superior to all.
582
ἀλλὰ σὺ τὸν ἐπέεσσι καθάπτεσθαι μαλακοῖσιν·
Translation
But you, check him with soft words.
¹
Note resumptive alla'
583
αὐτίκʼ ἔπειθʼ ἵλαος Ὀλύμπιος ἔσσεται ἡμῖν.
Translation
Immediately then, we will appease the Olympian.“
584
ὣς ἄρʼ ἔφη καὶ ἀναΐξας δέπας ἀμφικύπελλον
Translation
So he spoke, and leaping up he took a two-handled cup
585
μητρὶ φίλῃ ἐν χειρὶ τίθει καί μιν προσέειπε·
Translation
and placed it in the hand of his dear mother, and addressed her.
586
τέτλαθι μῆτερ ἐμή, καὶ ἀνάσχεο κηδομένη περ,
Translation
Be strong, mother, and put up with it even though you care [kēdos] very much.
587
μή σε φίλην περ ἐοῦσαν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖσιν ἴδωμαι
Translation
I don’t want to witness with my own eyes you, dear as you are to me,
588
θεινομένην, τότε δʼ οὔ τι δυνήσομαι ἀχνύμενός περ
Translation
getting hit. At that point I will not be able, even though in great sorrow, [1.241]
589
χραισμεῖν· ἀργαλέος γὰρ Ὀλύμπιος ἀντιφέρεσθαι·
Translation
to help you. For the Olympian is painful to oppose.
590
ἤδη γάρ με καὶ ἄλλοτʼ ἀλεξέμεναι μεμαῶτα
Translation
Already on another occasion when I was stirred to defend you,
591
ῥῖψε ποδὸς τεταγὼν ἀπὸ βηλοῦ θεσπεσίοιο,
Translation
he threw me, grabbing me by the foot, from the divine threshold.
592
πᾶν δʼ ἦμαρ φερόμην, ἅμα δʼ ἠελίῳ καταδύντι
Translation
I plummeted the whole day and then at sunset
593
κάππεσον ἐν Λήμνῳ, ὀλίγος δʼ ἔτι θυμὸς ἐνῆεν·
Translation
I landed on Lemnos, little life [thumos] still left in me.
594
ἔνθά με Σίντιες ἄνδρες ἄφαρ κομίσαντο πεσόντα.
Translation
There the Sintian men at once rescued me when I fell.“
595
ὣς φάτο, μείδησεν δὲ θεὰ λευκώλενος Ἥρη,
Translation
So he spoke, and the goddess white-armed Hera smiled,
596
μειδήσασα δὲ παιδὸς ἐδέξατο χειρὶ κύπελλον·
Translation
smiled and accepted the cup from her son with her hand.
597
αὐτὰρ ὃ τοῖς ἄλλοισι θεοῖς ἐνδέξια πᾶσιν
Translation
Then he for all the other gods, going from left to right,
598
οἰνοχόει γλυκὺ νέκταρ ἀπὸ κρητῆρος ἀφύσσων·
Translation
poured sweet nectar, serving it up from a mixing bowl.
599
ἄσβεστος δʼ ἄρʼ ἐνῶρτο γέλως μακάρεσσι θεοῖσιν
Translation
Unquenchable laughter arose among the blessed gods
600
ὡς ἴδον Ἥφαιστον διὰ δώματα ποιπνύοντα.
Translation
when they saw Hephaistos bustling through the house.
601
ὣς τότε μὲν πρόπαν ἦμαρ ἐς ἠέλιον καταδύντα
Translation
So then all day long until the sun set
602
δαίνυντʼ, οὐδέ τι θυμὸς ἐδεύετο δαιτὸς ἐΐσης,
Translation
they feasted, and not a soul [thumos] lacked his fair share of the feast, [1.468]
603
οὐ μὲν φόρμιγγος περικαλλέος ἣν ἔχʼ Ἀπόλλων,
Translation
or of the surpassingly beautiful lyre which Apollo was holding,
604
Μουσάων θʼ αἳ ἄειδον ἀμειβόμεναι ὀπὶ καλῇ.
Translation
or of the Muses who sang in responsion with beautiful voices.
605
αὐτὰρ ἐπεὶ κατέδυ λαμπρὸν φάος ἠελίοιο,
Translation
Then when the blazing light of the sun set
606
οἳ μὲν κακκείοντες ἔβαν οἶκον δὲ ἕκαστος,
Translation
the rest went each to his own house to lie down,
607
ἧχι ἑκάστῳ δῶμα περικλυτὸς ἀμφιγυήεις
Translation
where a house for each the far-famed, lame in both legs,
608
Ἥφαιστος ποίησεν ἰδυίῃσι πραπίδεσσι·
Translation
Hephaistos had made with his knowing mind.
609
Ζεὺς δὲ πρὸς ὃν λέχος ἤϊʼ Ὀλύμπιος ἀστεροπητής,
Translation
But Zeus the Olympian who hurls the thunderbolt went to his own bed
610
ἔνθα πάρος κοιμᾶθʼ ὅτε μιν γλυκὺς ὕπνος ἱκάνοι·
Translation
where he always slept whenever sweet sleep came over him.
611
ἔνθα καθεῦδʼ ἀναβάς, παρὰ δὲ χρυσόθρονος Ἥρη.
Translation
There he got into it and slept, and Hera of the golden throne was by his side.