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havoc[25]—Oh, his thoughts Are madness all; intelligence or skill,430 Forecast or retrospect, how best the camp May be secured from inroad, none hath he.

      He ended, nor Patroclus disobey'd,

       But leading beautiful Brisëis forth

       Into their guidance gave her; loth she went435

       From whom she loved, and looking oft behind.

       Then wept Achilles, and apart from all,

       With eyes directed to the gloomy Deep

       And arms outstretch'd, his mother suppliant sought.

      Since, mother, though ordain'd so soon to die,440

       I am thy son, I might with cause expect

       Some honor at the Thunderer's hands, but none

       To me he shows, whom Agamemnon, Chief

       018 Of the Achaians, hath himself disgraced,

       Seizing by violence my just reward.445

      So prayed he weeping, whom his mother heard

       Within the gulfs of Ocean where she sat

       Beside her ancient sire. From the gray flood

       Ascending sudden, like a mist she came,

       Sat down before him, stroked his face, and said.450

      Why weeps my son? and what is thy distress?

       Hide not a sorrow that I wish to share.

      To whom Achilles, sighing deep, replied.

       Why tell thee woes to thee already known?

       At Thebes, Eëtion's city we arrived,455

       Smote, sack'd it, and brought all the spoil away.

       Just distribution made among the Greeks,

       The son of Atreus for his lot received

       Blooming Chrysëis. Her, Apollo's priest

       Old Chryses followed to Achaia's camp,460

       That he might loose his daughter. Ransom rich

       He brought, and in his hands the hallow'd wreath

       And golden sceptre of the Archer God

       Apollo, bore; to the whole Grecian host,

       But chiefly to the foremost in command465

       He sued, the sons of Atreus; then, the rest

       All recommended reverence of the Seer,

       And prompt acceptance of his costly gifts.

       But Agamemnon might not so be pleased,

       Who gave him rude dismission; he in wrath470

       Returning, prayed, whose prayer Apollo heard,

       For much he loved him. A pestiferous shaft

       He instant shot into the Grecian host,

       And heap'd the people died. His arrows swept

       The whole wide camp of Greece, 'till at the last475

       A Seer, by Phœbus taught, explain'd the cause.

       I first advised propitiation. Rage

       Fired Agamemnon. Rising, he denounced

       Vengeance, and hath fulfilled it. She, in truth,

       Is gone to Chrysa, and with her we send480

       Propitiation also to the King

       019 Shaft-arm'd Apollo. But my beauteous prize

       Brisëis, mine by the award of all,

       His heralds, at this moment, lead away.

       But thou, wherein thou canst, aid thy own son!485

       Haste hence to Heaven, and if thy word or deed

       Hath ever gratified the heart of Jove,

       With earnest suit press him on my behalf.

       For I, not seldom, in my father's hall

       Have heard thee boasting, how when once the Gods,490

       With Juno, Neptune, Pallas at their head,

       Conspired to bind the Thunderer, thou didst loose

       His bands, O Goddess! calling to his aid

       The Hundred-handed warrior, by the Gods

       Briareus, but by men, Ægeon named.[26]495 For he in prowess and in might surpassed 020 His father Neptune, who, enthroned sublime, Sits second only to Saturnian Jove, Elate with glory and joy. Him all the Gods Fearing from that bold enterprise abstained.500 Now, therefore, of these things reminding Jove, Embrace his knees; entreat him that he give The host of Troy his succor, and shut fast The routed Grecians, prisoners in the fleet, That all may find much solace[27] in their King,505 And that the mighty sovereign o'er them all, Their Agamemnon, may himself be taught His rashness, who hath thus dishonor'd foul The life itself, and bulwark of his cause.

      To him, with streaming eyes, Thetis replied.510

       Born as thou wast to sorrow, ah, my son!

       Why have I rear'd thee! Would that without tears,

       Or cause for tears (transient as is thy life,

       A little span) thy days might pass at Troy!

       But short and sorrowful the fates ordain515

       Thy life, peculiar trouble must be thine,

       Whom, therefore, oh that I had never borne!

       But seeking the Olympian hill snow-crown'd,

       I will myself plead for thee in the ear

       Of Jove, the Thunderer. Meantime at thy fleet520

       Abiding, let thy wrath against the Greeks

       Still burn, and altogether cease from war.

       For to the banks of the Oceanus,[28] Where Æthiopia holds a feast to Jove,[29] 021 He journey'd yesterday, with whom the Gods525 Went also, and the twelfth day brings them home. Then will I to his brazen-floor'd abode, That I may clasp his knees, and much misdeem Of my endeavor, or my prayer shall speed.

      So saying, she went; but him she left enraged530

       For fair Brisëis' sake, forced from his arms

       By stress of power. Meantime Ulysses came

       To Chrysa with the Hecatomb in charge.

       Arrived within the haven[30] deep, their sails Furling, they stowed them in the bark below.535 Then by its tackle lowering swift the mast Into its crutch, they briskly push'd to land, Heaved anchors out, and moor'd the vessel fast. Forth came the mariners, and trod the beach; Forth came the victims of Apollo next,540 And, last, Chrysëis. Her Ulysses led Toward the altar, gave her to the arms Of her own father, and him thus address'd.

      O Chryses! Agamemnon, King of men,

       Hath sent thy daughter home, with whom we bring545

       A Hecatomb on all our host's behalf

       To Phœbus, hoping to appease the God

       022 By whose dread shafts the Argives now expire.

      So saying, he gave her to him, who with joy

       Received his daughter. Then, before the shrine550

       Magnificent in order due they ranged

       The noble Hecatomb.[31] Each laved his hands And took the salted meal, and Chryses made His fervent prayer with hands upraised on high.

      God of the silver bow, who with thy power555

       Encirclest Chrysa, and who reign'st supreme

       In Tenedos, and Cilla the divine!

       Thou prov'dst propitious to my first request,

       Hast honor'd me, and punish'd sore the Greeks;

       Hear yet thy servant's prayer; take from their host560

      

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