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Book 1
Sing, goddess, of the wrath of Achilles Peleusson, the ruinous wrath that brought immense pain to the Acheans and propelled many valiant souls of heroes down to Hades, and made them pickings for dogs and birds of all kinds, that the plan of Zeus might be brought to completion. Tell why they were first separated in quarreling, the son of Atreus, the Supreme Commander—Agamemnon—and noble Achilles.
8
And which one of the gods brought them together to fight in a quarrel? It was the son of Leto and Zeus; he grew angry with the king and raised up a terrible plague upon the camp, and the troops perished. This he did because the son of Atreus dishonored Chryses, Apollo’s priest.
10
Chryses came to the swift ships seeking the release of his daughter, and brought with him a priceless ransom. He held in his hands the wreath from the head of far-shooting Apollo, mounted atop a golden staff. And Chryses pleaded with all of the Acheans, most especially with the two sons of Atreus, Marshals of Troops:
“Sons of Atreus, and others of you well-armed Acheans, the gods who dwell in palaces on Olympus might permit you to sack the city of Priam and to return home safely, but you should release to me my dear daughter and receive the ransom. In so doing, you would show reverence for Apollo, the far-shooting son of Zeus.”
21
At that, all of the rest of the Acheans applauded the proposal both to pay reverence to things sacred and to receive the magnificent ransom. But this did not please the heart of Agamemnon Atreusson, who profanely dismissed the priest with a harsh command:
“Do not let me find you among the hollow ships, old man, hanging around now, or coming back in the future. The staff and wreath of the god will not protect you. I will not free your daughter until she grows old in our house in Argos, far from her homeland, weaving at her loom and keeping me company in my bed. Get lost! Do not cross me, if you want to get back home safely!”
32
So Agamemnon spoke, and the old man grew fearful, and he obeyed the order. He walked silently along the splashing waves on the beach. When he had gone far off, the old man prayed:
“Lord Apollo, child of fair-haired Leto, hear me, silver bow! It is you who have defended Chryse and sacred Cilla and you who rule mightily in Tenedos. If ever I pleased you who rid Sminthia of rats, when I roofed your shrine, or if ever I burned fat thighs of bulls or goats, fulfill my wish, I implore you. Avenge my tears with your arrows on the Danaans!”
42
So he spoke in prayer, and Phoebus Apollo heard him, and bounded down from the peaks of Olympus with a furiously raging heart. The god had his bow about his shoulders, and his covered quiver. The arrows within rattled as his shoulders shook with anger. His going was like the night.
47
Then Apollo sat down afar off from the ships and dispatched an arrow among them. Dreadful was the twang that came from the silver bow. The mules were the first to drop, and the swift dogs. Then others were hit by the deadly darts he fired off. Constant were the dense fires burning the corpses of those he took down.
52
For nine days the shafts of the god rained upon the camp, and on the tenth, Achilles called for an assembly of the troops. The white-armed goddess Hera placed the idea in his mind, as she was concerned for the Danaans when she saw so many of them dying.
57
And when the assembly was convened, fleet-footed Achilles stood up and addressed them, saying, “Son of Atreus, I think that now we should retrace our steps and return home, if indeed we plan to escape death, for surely both war and plague beat down the Acheans at the same time. But, come now, let us ask of some diviner, or priest, or interpreter of dreams, for a dream is certainly from Zeus, what he might say as to why Phoebus Apollo is so angry. Perhaps there was some error in prayer or in offerings and we might somehow, with smoke of rams or of goats, find a plan to save us from destruction.”
67
So, you may be sure, he spoke and then sat down. Calchas Thestorson stood from among them. He was, by far, the best at divining meaning from the behavior of birds; he could tell the things that were, and those that are, and those that are to come. He guided the ships of the Acheans to Troy, using the gift of prophecy that Phoebus Apollo had given him. With a sound mind, he addressed them, saying, “Oh Achilles, dear to Zeus, you tell me to explain the wrath of the far-shooting Lord Apollo. I ask of you directly that you swear to me that you will readily back me up with words and hands if I speak frankly. I think that a man will be very angry, a man who is great in power over all of the Acheans. He is a mightier king when he is angry at a lesser man. Even if he chokes down his anger today, in the future he will retain the fury. In the end it will surface as it would remain in his heart. You must declare that you will save me if that happens.”
83
Fleet-footed Achilles spoke in reply to him.
“Take great courage and tell what you know of the prophecy. By Apollo, dear to Zeus, to whom you pray and who reveals prophesies to you, Calchas, I swear that as long as I live and look about on the earth, none at all of the Acheans will put his heavy hands on you near the hollow ships, not even Agamemnon who would likely be the one you’re talking about. He now claims to be the best by far of the Acheans.”
91
At that, the exceptional diviner took heart and spoke out.
“The god is not unhappy because of errors made in prayers or sacrifices to him, but rather because Agamemnon dishonored Apollo’s priest, and did not accept the ransom or release his daughter. On account of that, the far-shooting god delivered misery and still continues to do so. He will not put off the constant suffering from the Acheans until they give back the bright-eyed daughter to her dear father, without ransom or compensation. She must be led back to Chryse accompanied by a sacred offering. Only then, having obeyed him, will we appease him.”
100
You may be sure that having spoken thus, he sat down. Up among them stood the hero Agamemnon Atreusson, the eminent prince. He was furious; a black rage filled his heart. His eyes were like a blazing fire. Looking first of all at Calchas, he growled, “You prophet of evils, what you have said does not please me at all. Your heart’s delight is to constantly preach evil. You never say anything worthwhile, nor do you accomplish anything. And now among the Danaans, you talk about a prophecy that the far-shooting one has brought them suffering because I did not wish to accept the magnificent ransom for the daughter of Chryses. This, because I very much want to take her back home and I intend to, since she is inferior to my lawful wife Clytemnestra neither in her body nor her face. Nor is she inferior in her spirit, nor her skill. However, even so, I wish to give her back if it is better to do that. I definitely prefer that the troops remain safe than perish. But I must procure for myself a prize immediately, or I would be the only one of the Acheans without one. That would not be seemly. Look around, all of you, and see that the prize comes to me from another source.”
120
The noble, fleet-footed Achilles replied to him.
“Most glorious son of Atreus, you are the greediest man alive! How could the greathearted Acheans give you a prize? We don’t know of anything at all lying around that is common property. The things from the cities we sacked have been divided. It would not be just for the troops to gather everything together a second time. You must send your prize back to the god. Later, we Acheans will allot to you three or four times as much of the spoils if Zeus grants us the plunder of the well-fortified city that Troy is.”
129
Prince Agamemnon responded to Achilles, saying, “Godlike Achilles, brave as you are, in this you rob your mind of sense. You will neither surpass me nor will you persuade me. You want to keep a prize for yourself while I, on the other hand, would sit without one. Are you asking me to return the girl? Then let the robust Acheans give me a prize that suits me and right the inequality. If they do not, I myself am going to choose your prize, or that of Aias, or of Odysseus. Having seized it, I shall carry it away. The man I come to will be furious. But Achilles, you be sure to give these matters some thought and we will get back to them. But now come, let us pull a black ship to the glistening sea, and muster a sufficient number of rowers in it, and put in the offering. And we will go up with the pretty-cheeked daughter of Chryses herself. And there should be a captain for it, a man of sound judgment, either Aias, or Idomeneus or noble Odysseus, or perhaps you, Peleusson, most magnificent of men. These things we should do so that the one who works from far off will be appeased by our pious rites.”
147
Scowling, fleet-flooted Achilles spoke up to him once more.
“Oh, damn! How shameless, how disgraced, you are! You’re in this for your own gain. How would any of the Acheans who is sound of mind obey your commands, be it setting up an ambush or fighting strenuously against men? Certainly, I didn’t come here because Trojan warriors were making war against me, since there are no reasons for that. They have not been driving off my cattle, nor my horses. Never have they eaten my grain in rich-soiled Phthia, sustainer of men, since it is far from here, between the hazy mountains and the crashing sea. Instead, O great, shameless one, I followed you in front of the Trojans to please you, to restore the honor of Menelaus, you dog! For the Trojans, you have no apparent regard and don’t care.
160
“You even threaten that you yourself will seize my prize that the sons of the Acheans gave me for my hard work. Whenever the Acheans may sack the teeming city of the Trojans, I will not have a prize equal to yours, even though my hands have directed more of the dreadful fight. Whenever the division comes, your prize will be far superior. I will go with a trifle in my ships, but something I care about, since I am tired of war. Now I shall go to Phthia, since it would be much better that I return home with my beaked ships. I don’t intend to stay here to pile up wealth and riches for you without honor.”
171
The Supreme Commander Agamemnon answered him, “Run away if your heart is so determined. I will not beg you to stay because of me. There are others who will stay beside me; they revere me, especially Zeus, the counselor. To me you are the most obnoxious of the highborn kings of the Acheans. Your love is for constant conflict, wars, and fighting. If you are so powerful, maybe it is because some god gave you that gift. Order your Myrmidon comrades to go home with your ships. I don’t care about you, and your anger does not bother me.
181
“I will command you at your peril thus: since Phoebus Apollo is taking away from me the daughter of Chryses, I shall send her with my ship and my comrades. But, I shall go to your hut and I myself will lead away sweet-cheeked Briseis, your prize, so that you will know that I am more powerful than you. Also, so that any other man would be loath to claim that he is my equal and compare himself to me in front of my face.”
187
So Agamemnon spoke. Grief rose up in the son of Peleus. Within the heart inside his hairy chest, his thoughts ranged back and forth considering his dilemma: would he draw the sharp sword hanging on his thigh and slay Agamemnon as he stood among them, or would he check his spirit and curb his anger? He pulled the great sword from its scabbard. Athena came down from the sky; she came on behalf of white-armed Hera. Both of them loved and cared for Achilles equally. She stood behind him and grabbed his orange-red hair. He was aware of her, but none of the others saw her.
197
Achilles was astonished and turned toward her. Instantly, he recognized Pallas Athena, so terribly did her eyes flash. And he spoke to her with winged words, saying, “Why have you who bears the aegis come here, child of Zeus? Is it so that you might see for yourself the arrogance of Agamemnon Atreusson? But I ask you how it will come out, though I think he will soon perish for his insolence.”
205
And the sharp-eyed goddess spoke to him.
“I came from the sky to rein in your ardor, if you listen. I came on behalf of white-armed Hera. We both love and care for you equally. But, come, leave off the fighting. Don’t raise the sword in your hand. Instead, heap abuse on Agamemnon with words, for that is how it ought to be. I declare to you this is how it will come to pass. And, at some time he will place before you magnificent gifts, threefold as much as this. Hold off, and obey us.”
215
Fleet-footed Achilles said to her, “I should be restrained by your command, goddess, and especially so since I am very angry at heart, for it is better this way.” He held the silver hilt in his brawny hand and quickly shoved the great sword into its scabbard, in obedience to Athena. But she had already gone to Olympus, and the palace of Zeus who bears the aegis, to be among the other deities.
222
Immediately, the son of Peleus spoke up to the son of Atreus with scathing words, as he had not at all lessened his rage.
“Drunkard, you with the face of a dog and heart of a deer, you never put on armor with the troops for war, nor lie out in ambush with the best of the Acheans. You’ve not endured suffering in your spirit. This you know in your heart. There is one far braver in the wide army of the Acheans—me—who speaks out to your face, for seizing the gift. You are a king who ravages his own people. You rule over weaklings. And now, son of Atreus, you would stoop to something so low.
232
“But I declare that on account of you I shall swear a great oath. Yes, I swear by this staff that will never sprout any leaves and branches left in the mountains when it was first cut. Now, the sons of the Acheans bear it in their fists for the administration of justice, those raised up in front of Zeus who presides over justice. On it there will be a great oath, on your account, Agamemnon. At some time a longing for Achilles will come to all the sons of the Acheans. They will be unable to ward off great grief, when many have fallen, struck by man-killing Hector. You will claw at your heart in regret that you failed to show respect to the best of the Acheans.” Having so spoken, the son of Peleus thrust the staff, mounted with gold devices, down to the ground and sat himself down. Opposite him the son of Atreus seethed with anger.
247
And among them rose up Nestor, lucid and eloquent orator from Pylos. His voice flowed from his tongue sweeter than honey. Two generations of mortal men had been born and raised by him before, and then perished in sacred Pylos. He ruled now over the third.
With careful thought, he addressed them, saying, “Oh blast! What great misery visits on the land of the sons of the Acheans! Ah, yes, Priam and the sons of Priam will be gleeful, and the other Trojans will have great joy in their hearts, if they learn that you two are squabbling over all this, you who outstrip all of the Danaans at counsel and at fighting.
258
“Instead, trust me. Both of you are younger than I am. When I joined others who were better than you in warring against men, I was never looked down on. Never have I seen men such as there were then nor shall I see them in the future. Such men as were Peirithous and Dryas, Shepherds of the Troops. There were Caeneus, and Exadius, and godlike Polyphemus. And there was Theseus Aegeusson, equal of the immortals. Such were the mightiest of the men brought up on all the earth; they fought the exceedingly powerful Centaurs who dwell in the mountains. Those men brought upon the Centaurs the most terrible destruction.
268
“I went from Pylos to muster with them. Theirs was a far-distant land, a long way off from Pylos, but they singled me out to call on me. And I fought by myself. There are not now men on earth who could do battle with the Centaurs as they did.
272
“But they listened to my counsels and were persuaded by my words. Even you should obey, since obedience is more worthy. Agamemnon, you should not take away the girl, though you are brave, as she was given as a prize by the sons of the Acheans. Nor should you, son of Peleus, wish to quarrel against a king, because that shows a lack of respect for the sceptered king whose rank Zeus gave. If you are braver than he, perhaps it is because your goddess mother bore you thus. Yet, Agamemnon is more powerful than you because he rules over more men. Son of Atreus, stop this power struggle! I beg you to end your anger against the son of Peleus, who has been a bulwark for the Acheans in battle!”
281
Mighty Agamemnon replied to him, “Yes, old man, all the things you said are proper, but this man here wants to be greater than anybody else. He wants to be more powerful than everybody, to rule them all and give them orders. I do not think he will obey your words. If the eternal gods made him a warrior, did they, for that reason, put inside him this hateful speech?”
291
Interrupting, noble Achilles said to him, “I would be called cowardly and even worthless were I to submit to you in everything as you say. Order around the others that way, but you do not direct me. I don’t think I am yet ready to obey you. But I will tell you something else, and you should fix it firmly in your mind. I shall not raise my hands to fight you over the girl, neither you nor anyone else who takes away what was given me. But no other things of mine that are among the swift black ships will you carry off, seized from me against my will. But come, try it and there men will know. If you do, your dark blood will at once gush out around a shaft.”
303
Thus, the two men faced off battling with words. They dissolved the assembly of the Acheans. The son of Peleus went to the huts and the balanced ships with both the son of Menoetius and his other comrades.
307
The son of Atreus dragged a swift ship forth into the sea. He chose twenty rowers for it and placed a sacrificial offering for the god in it. He led up into the ship the sweet-cheeked daughter of Chryses. And the ever-cunning Odysseus went as captain.
311
And when they had sailed along their watery way, the son of Atreus ordered the troops to purify themselves by washing. That done, they cast the dirt they had removed into the sea. They made sacrifices to Apollo, bulls and goats, beside the beach of the barren sea. The smell of burning fat spiraled heavenward in the smoke.
316
The troops worked at chores in the camp. But Agamemnon had not put to rest the quarrel from when he first threatened Achilles. He summoned both Talthybius and Eurybates. The two were his heralds and capable attendants: “Go to the hut of Achilles Peleusson. Take sweet-cheeked Briseis by the hand and lead her away. If he does not give her up, then I will go there myself with more men to take her. And then it will be more chilling for him.”
325
Having laid on a stern order, he sent them off. Reluctantly, the two men strode along the beach of the barren sea. They came upon the huts and ships of the Myrmidons. They found Achilles sitting beside both his hut and his black ship. Achilles was not pleased at seeing the two men. They stood in fear and respect for the king, neither saying anything, nor speaking. But Achilles knew in his mind why they were there, and said, “Greetings, heralds, messengers of Zeus and of men! Come closer. You I do not blame, no one but Agamemnon. You two have been sent because of the girl Briseis. Rather, come here, Patroclus, born of Zeus, fetch the girl and give her to them to lead away. They themselves are witnesses before both the blessed gods and before mortal men, and also before him, this cruel king. If ever again need arises for me to ward off limitless destruction from others, Agamemnon may rage with destruction in his heart. He knows nothing to consider then, in the past or in the future, about how the Acheans might fight safely beside the ships.”
344
So he spoke, and Patroclus obeyed his dear friend. He led Briseis out of the hut and gave her over to the heralds to lead away. The two immediately went off along past the ships of the Acheans; the girl went with them reluctantly. Weeping, Achilles moved away off from his comrades and sat down on the beach of the gray sea. He gazed out over the limitless deep, and prayed earnestly to his dear mother with his arms outstretched.
“Mother, since you bore me for but a brief existence, loud-thundering Zeus, the Olympian, granted that my honor be increased on account of my life’s brevity. But now he values me only a little. The eminent Prince Agamemnon insulted me when he seized my prize, taking her for himself.”
356
So he spoke, eyes welling tears. His revered mother heard him; she was sitting in the depths of the sea beside her father, the Old Man of the Sea. Hurriedly, she rose up out of the gray waters like a vaporous mist. She sat down in front of him as his tears flowed down. She caressed him with her hand, addressed him by name, and said, “My child, why do you weep? What grief has come into your heart? Out with it! Keep nothing hidden in your mind from me.”
Groaning deeply, fleet-footed Achilles said, “You know. Why is it that you know everything I tell you? We went to Thebes, the sacred city of Eetion. We sacked it and brought everything here. The sons of the Acheans carefully divided up the spoils among themselves. For the son of Atreus, they chose the sweet-cheeked daughter of Chryses. He is a priest of far-shooting Apollo. Chryses came to the ships of the brazen-shirted Acheans with a priceless ransom seeking the release of his daughter. He had in his hand the wreath from the head of far-shooting Apollo made of gold, mounted atop a scepter.
374
“He pled for her release before all of the Acheans, especially the two sons of Atreus, the Marshals of the Troops. All of the other Acheans there applauded, agreeing to venerate the priest and to receive the magnificent ransom. But that did not please the heart of Agamemnon Atreusson. He laid on Chryses a harsh command and cruelly sent him away. The old man went home angry. And he prayed to Apollo, who heard him, since the god loved Chryses dearly. Apollo sent an evil arrow onto the Argives. The troops died one after another; the shafts of the god fell everywhere in the widespread camp of the Acheans.
384
“A very knowledgeable seer told us that the troubles came from the far-shooting one. Immediately I proposed that we propitiate the god. The son of Atreus was seized by anger. Right away he stood up, saying sarcastically what would come to pass. The bright-eyed Acheans sent the daughter with a swift ship to Chryse, bearing gifts for the lord god. Then heralds took Briseis from my hut leading the girl away, when the sons of the Acheans had given her to me.
392
“If you are able to, defend a just son. Go to Olympus and plead with Zeus, reminding him that once, some deed of yours brought joy to his heart. Often, I heard you boast in your father’s palace that you alone of the immortals warded off limitless misery from the son of Cronus, who darkens the clouds. When the other Olympians, Hera, Poseidon, and Pallas Athena, went to truss him up, you, goddess, went to break his bonds. You summoned to Olympus the hundred-handed god, who is called Briareus by the gods; all men know him as Aegaeon. His father Poseidon is no more powerful than he is. Briareus sat close beside the son of Cronus, taking pleasure in his power. The blessed gods were unable to bind Zeus because they were afraid of Briareus.
406
“Sit beside him now and clasp his knees, reminding him. Perhaps, in some way, he might wish to give aid to the Trojans. They could hem in the Acheans around the sterns of their ships, killing them near the sea, so that they could all enjoy the benefits of their king. Then would the eminent Prince Agamemnon Atreusson know that he did not honor the best of the Acheans at all, because of his blindness.”
412
Eyes pouring with tears, Thetis answered him.
“Oh my dear child! Why then, having given birth to you cursed, did I bring you up? I wish that you were sitting near the ships, not weeping, and free from harm, since it is your destiny to have a brief life. But now there are at the same time both a bitter fate to come, and present misery beyond all imagining. Thus it was for a baneful destiny that I bore you in our halls. This request of Zeus, who delights in thunder, I shall make. I am going myself to the cloud-gatherer on Olympus to find out if he might be persuaded to grant it. Meanwhile, remain with the ships, with your wrath for the Acheans, but refrain altogether from fighting. Zeus left yesterday to go along Ocean to a feast thrown by the exceptional Ethiopians. All the other gods followed along after him. But in twelve days he will go again to Olympus. Then, I shall go the bronze floor of Zeus to make your case, clasping his knees, and I think I will persuade him.” Having so spoken, she went away. She left Achilles fuming over the buxom woman taken away from him against his will.
430
Meanwhile, Odysseus neared Chryse with the sacred offering. When they came into the deep-water harbor, they struck the sail. They stowed it in the black ship. Quickly loosening the stays, they lowered the mast to rest on the crutch. Then they rowed the ship into its mooring. The sailors tied the anchor stones securely to the stern and cast them out. And they stepped off onto the rugged seashore. They unloaded the sacrificial animals for the sacred offering to Apollo and from the seagoing ship, out went the daughter of Chryses.
439
Then the ever-cunning Odysseus led her to the altar, and said, “Oh Chryses, the Supreme Commander Agamemnon charged me to bring your child to you. I am to make holy sacrifices to Phoebus on behalf of the Danaans in propitiation to that lord, who now sends much grievous suffering to the Argives.”
445
Having so spoken, Odysseus gave her into her father’s hands. Chryses joyfully received his beloved child. Quickly they led the sacrificial animals to stand near the well-built altar. They washed their hands and held up coarsely ground barley over the offering. Chryses made a great prayer for them with his arms outstretched.
“Hear me, silver bow, you who have protected Chryse and Cilla, and ruled powerfully in holy Tenedos. You have always listened to my prayers, and you honored me when you brought great affliction on the Achean troops. And even now, fulfill my wish! Spare the Danaans now from this horrible plague.”
456
Thus he spoke in prayer and Phoebus Apollo heard him. Then, they prayed and sprinkled the course-ground barley over the victims. They turned the heads up and slit the throats. They flayed them and cut out pieces of thighs. They wrapped those in two layers of fat and placed raw pieces on the fat layers. The old man burned them over kindling and poured out a libation of dark wine. The youths beside him held out five-pronged spits. When they had burned the thighs completely, they tasted the entrails.
464
They butchered the rest, skewering the pieces on the spits. These they roasted with great care, pulling them all off when done. They dined, and the spirit wanted for nothing at the proper feast. When they had sent away their desire for drink and food, the youths turned their attention to the mixing bowl for drink and moved about from place to place, as all had begun the libations from cups. All day long the Achean youths propitiated the one who works from afar with dance, beautifully singing the hymns to Apollo. Hearing them was a delight to Apollo’s mind.
474
After that the sun went down and twilight came. Then they laid themselves down to sleep beside the ship’s stern cables. As soon as rose-fingered Dawn, born of the morning, appeared, they set sail for the wide camp of the Acheans. Far-shooting Apollo sent them a fair breeze. They raised up the mast and on it they stretched out a white sail and the wind bellied it out. A great dark-purple swelling of waves smacked loudly on both sides of the prow as the ship made way. She raced against the waves.
483
When they arrived at the wide camp of the Acheans, they dragged the black ship onto the dry land, and underneath propped the long stays. They themselves scattered to both ships and huts.
487
Fleet-footed Achilles Peleusson, born of Zeus, remained by his seagoing ships, with his wrath. He went neither to the assembly, where men win glory in drills for war, nor did he enter into the fighting. He was wasting away his own heart, and he was longing for both the war cries and the warring.
492
But when the sun rose on the twelfth day from this, the eternal gods all went together to Olympus, with Zeus leading the way. And Thetis did not forget the request of her son. In the early-morning mist, she rose up from the swelling waves of the sea, and went up to the great heavens and Olympus. She found the far-seeing son of Cronus sitting apart from the other gods on the tallest peak of craggy Olympus. She went over and sat down beside him. She clasped his knees with her left hand, and grasped under his chin with the right. She addressed the Lord Zeus Cronusson, pleading, “Father Zeus, if ever I was of benefit to you among the immortals at some time or by some deed, grant me this wish. Give honor to my son who carries the swiftest fate of death among all men. Recently, the Supreme Commander Agamemnon insulted him by arrogantly taking away for himself a prize that was my son’s. Pray honor him, Olympian Zeus, counselor, in this way: give strength to the Trojans for a time until the Acheans value my son more highly and show him respect.”
510
So she spoke. Zeus the cloud-gatherer made her no reply, but sat silently for a long time. Thetis sat clasping his knees, and as she clung more tightly to him, asked again.
“Promise me truthfully and lower your eyebrows in assent or refuse me. Don’t worry that I might learn just how much I am held in the lowest esteem of all the gods.”
516
Groaning loudly, Zeus the cloud-gatherer replied to her.
“What a pernicious deed this is. Surely it will precipitate quarreling with Hera, when she abusively provokes me. She is ever scolding me about things among the immortal gods, and she claims that I help the Trojans in battle. But now you go back, and so prevent Hera from knowing anything about it. I will consider just how I might accomplish what you ask. But come now, if you have persuaded me and I nod my head in assent, this would be thought among the immortals the ultimate proof. I do not change my mind, nor am I deceitful, nor leave a thing unfulfilled that I nod my head to.”
527
And the son of Cronus nodded with his bushy eyebrows, and the ambrosial locks of the mighty lord swayed from the immortal head. It caused a temblor on great Olympus.
The two of them, having thus conspired, parted. Thetis then went from shining Olympus to the farthest depths of the sea. Zeus went toward his palace. All the other gods who had been seated apart from him stood up from their seats at once. No one dared remain seated as he walked along; all stood in greeting as he sat down on his throne.
Hera was not unobservant when she saw him making plans together with silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the Old Man of the Sea. Immediately she viciously addressed Zeus Cronusson.
“Which one of the gods, O treacherous one, have you been making plots with? You have always loved to keep such things from me. You make decisions and hide your thoughts, and you have never dared to speak your mind with me in a straightforward way.”
543
The father of both men and gods then replied, “You ought not to wish to know all my thoughts. Hard they would be for you to know, though you are my wife. Such of my thoughts as are suitable for you, you will hear and none of the gods and no men will know before you. What I plan without consulting gods you ought not inquire about or dig around for, searching out every particular.”
550
The revered and lovely-eyed Hera answered him.
“Most dreaded son of Cronus, what do you mean? I never in the past have inquired or dug into anything. Rather, I advise on matters very gently such as you might wish. But I am dreadfully afraid that she has persuaded your mind, silver-footed Thetis, daughter of the Old Man of the Sea. Early this morning she sat beside you and clasped your knees. I think you nodded truthfully to her that you would grant honor to Achilles by destroying many of the Acheans beside the ships.”
558
Zeus the cloud-gatherer answered.
“You miserable wretch, you’re always conjecturing, but I conceal nothing! You cannot do anything at all but distance yourself from my heart, and it will be more chilling for you. If it is thus, it seems to me acceptable. Obey my commands. As many gods as there are on Olympus, they would be unable to protect you if I were to put my hugely powerful hands on you.”
567
So he spoke and lovely-eyed, revered Hera was fearful. She sat quietly, gnawing at her own heart. Up in the palace of Zeus the heavenly gods groaned. Of them the highly-skilled Hephaestus was first to speak, trying to humor his dear mother, white-armed Hera. “This will be toxic business and certainly it will no longer be tolerable if you two fight like this about mortals. You two are inciting a noisy brawl among the gods. Our excellent feast will not be pleasant, since evil will win. I advise my mother, and you know it yourself, to do pleasant things for dear father Zeus, lest our father again become angry at her and turn our feast into a feud. If he so wishes, he will cast us out of our seats on starry Olympus, for he is by far the most powerful. Rather, wheedle him, and then the Olympian will soon be gentle with us.”
583
So he spoke. He raised a two-handled cup and placed it in the hands of his dear mother and said to her, “Take courage, my mother. Bear up under the stress, so that I do not see you whom I love thrashed before my eyes. Then I could do nothing to ward off your suffering. It is difficult to stand against the Olympian, as at another time I was eager to come to your aid, when he took me by the foot and hurled me from the sacred threshold. I was falling the whole day. When the sun set, I had been thrown to Lemnos. I had hardly any life left in me. There the men of Sintia cared for me after my fall.”
594
Thus he spoke, and white-armed Hera smiled, and continued smiling as she received the two-handled cup from her son. He handily poured out wine, the sweet nectar, for all the other gods from the mixing bowl. There rose up unquenchable laughter among the blessed gods as they watched Hephaestus bustling about in the palace.
600
For the whole day until the sun set they feasted. Their spirits wanted for nothing at the sumptuous banquet. Nor was anything wanting from the beautiful lyre of Apollo who sang in response to the Muses with his beautiful voice.
When the glowing light of the sun went down, they went back home, each to his own house that the famous Hephaestus, lame in both legs, had built with knowing skill. Thundering Zeus went to his bed, where the Olympian always lay when sweet sleep found him. There he went up to sleep, and Hera of the golden throne was by his side.
611
English translation copyright © 2015 by Ralph E. Blakely
Foreword © 2015 by Keyne Cheshire
