Homer ('Ομηρος)
c. 7th-8th c. BCE (2,700 to 2,800 years ago)
Trans RMBullard
Bk 1 ln 322---
“χειροσ ‘ελοντου αγεμεν Βρισηιδα καλλιπαρηιον-
(Let us lead fair-cheeked Briseis, taking her in hand;)
ει δε κε μη δωιησιν, εγω δε κεν αυτοσ ‘ελωμαι ελθων συν πλεονεσσι-
(but if indeed he does not give in, then I myself, coming with many, will take her;)
το ‘οι και ‘ριγιον εσται:
(and this will be awful for him;)
‘ωσ ειπων προιει, κρατερον δε επι μυθον ετελλεν-
(Speaking so, he sends them out, and he accomplished his mighty word;)
τω δε αεκοντε βατην παρα θιν ‘αλοσ ατρυγετοιο, δε Μυρμιδονων δε επι τε κλισιασ και νηασ ‘ικεσθην-
(And the two unwilling men walked to the shore of the barren sea, and they came to the tents and the ships of the Myrmidons;)
τον δε ‘ευρον παρα τε κλισιηι και νηι μελαινηι ‘ημενον-
(And they found him sitting beside both the tent and the black ship;)
ουδε αρα τω γε ιδων γηθησεν Αχιλλευσ-
(Achilles, seeing the two men, was not pleased.)
τω μεν ταρβησαντε και αιδομενω βασιληα στητην, ουδε τι μιν προσεφωνεον ουδε ερεοντο-
(And the two kings were terrified and stood ashamed, neither looking or speaking to him;)
αυταρ ‘ο εγνω ‘ηισιν ενι φρεσι φωνησεν τε-
(And yet he knew how they felt in their hearts;)
"χαιρετε, κηρυκεσ, Διοσ αγγελοι ηδε και ανδρων-
("Greetings, heralds, messengers here of Zeus and men;)
ασσον ιτε-ου τι μοι υμμεσ επαιτιοι, αλλα Αγαμεμνων, ‘ο σφωι προιει Βρισηιδοσ ‘εινεκα κουρησ-
(Come nearer! You two are not at all blameworthy to me, but Agamemnon, the man who sends you two here for the young girl Briseis.)
αλλα αγε, διογενεσ Πατροκλεισ, εξαγε κουρην και σφωιν δοσ αγειν-
(But come on, Zeus-born Patroklos, lead out the girl and give her to these two men to lead away;)
τω δε αυτω μαρτυροι εστων προσ τε θεων μακαρων προσ τε θνητων ανθρωπων τω προσ του βασιληοσ απηνεοσ, ει ποτε δη αυτε χρειω εμειο γενηται αεικεα λοιγον αμυναι τοισ αλλοισ-
(And let them be two witnesses to the blessed gods and mortal men and to the harsh king, if ever indeed again if I am needed to protect shameful ruin from the others;)
η γαρ ‘ο γε ολοιηισι φρεσι θυει, ουδε τι οιδε νοησαι ‘αμα προσσω και οπισσω, οππωσ ‘οι παρα νηυσι σοοι μαχεοιατο Αχαιοι-
(For really does he rush on in his careless heart, and he won't know how to see ahead or look behind, when the Achaians should fight next to their own ships.)
‘ωσ φατο, Πατροκλοσ δε φιλωι επεπειθεθε ‘εταιρωι, εκ δε αγαγε κλισιησ Βρισηιδα καλλιπαρηιον, δωκε δε αγειν. Τω δε αυτισ ιτην παρα νηασ Αχαιων, ‘η δε αεκουσα ‘αμα τοισι γυνη κιεν.
(So he spoke, and Patroklos was persuaded by his brotherly comrade to lead the fair-cheeked Briseis from the tent, and he give her to them lead away. And the two men went back to the ships of the Achaians, and at the same time the unwilling girl goes to them;
αυταρ Αχιλλευσ δακρυσασ ‘εταρων αφαρ ‘εζετο νοσφι λιασθεισ θινα επι ‘αλοσ πολιησ, ‘οροων επι οινοπα ποντον-
(At the same time, Achilles, bawling, sat apart from his companions, lying down on the shores of the gray sea, looking out to the wine-colored water;)
πολλα δε μητρι φιληι ηρησατο χειρασ οπεγνυσ-
(But stretching his hands to his sweet mother, he asked:)
--μητερ, επει με ετεκεσ γε μινυνθαδιον περ εοντα, τιμην περ μοι οφελλεν Ολυμπιοσ εγγυαλιξαι Ζευσ ‘υψιβρεμετησ-
(Mother, when you bore me, who is fated to be short-fated, the high-thundering Olympian Zeus increased honor for me to put my hands upon;)
νυν δε ουδε με τυτθον ετισεν-
(But now he has paid me a small one;)
η γαρ με Ατρειδησ ευρυ κρειων Αγαμεμνων ητιμησεν-
(For Agamemnon, the very powerful son of Atreus, has dishonored me;)
‘ελων γαρ εχει γερασ, αυτοσ απουρασ-
(For he, thieving, takes my war prize, that man robs it")
‘ωσ φατο δακρυ χεων, του δε εκλυε ποτνια μητηρ ‘ημενη εν βενθεσσιν ‘αλοσ παρα πατρι γεροντι-
(So he spoke, pouring forth tears, and his royal mother heard him, sitting in the depths of the sea beside her elderly father;)
καρπαλιμωσ δε ανεδυ πολιησ ‘αλοσ ηυτε ομιχλη, και ‘ρα παροιθ’ αυτοιο καθεζετο δακρυ χεοντοσ, χειρι τε μιν κατερεζεν, εποσ τε εφατο εκ τε ονομαζεν-(But swiftly, she came to the top of the gray sea like a mist, and she arrived and sat down as he poured forth tears, and she soothed him with her hand, and she called him by name and then spoke a word:)
“τεκνον, τι κλαιεισ--τι δε σε φρενασ ‘ικετο πενθοσ--εξαυδα, μη κευθε νοωι, ‘ινα ειδομεν αμφω.”
(“Son, why are you weeping-what sorrow has come to your heart-reveal, do not hide what is in your mind, but we shall both know.”)
Την δε βαρυ στεναχων προσεφη ποδασ ωκυσ Αχιλλευσ-
(And swift-footed Achilles spoke to her, groaning heavily:)
“οισθα--τι η τοι ταυτα ιδυιηι παντα αγορευω?
(You know; why I do announce all these things to you, already knowing?)
ωιχομεθα εσ Θηβην, ‘ιερην πολιν Ηετιωνοσ, την δε διεπραθομεν τε και ηγομεν ενθαδε παντα-
(Into Thebe we went, the sacred city of Eetion, and we both sacked it and led everything away from there;)
και τα μεν ευ δασσαντο μετα σφισιν ‘υιεσ Αχαιων, εκ δε ‘ελον Ατρειδηι Χρυσηιδα καλλιπαρηιον-
(And we, the sons of the Achaians, divided everything up well among ourselves, and they seized Chryseis for the son of Atreus;)
Χρυσησ δε αυθε ‘ιερευσ ‘εκατηβολου Απολλωνοσ ηλθε θοασ επι νηασ Αχαιων χαλκοχιτωνων λυσομενοσ τε θυγατρα φερων τε απερεισια αποινα, στεμματα εχων εν χερσιν ‘εκηβολου Απολλωνοσ χρυσεωι ανα σκηπτρωι και λισσετο παντασ Αχαιοθσ, Ατρειδα δε μαλιστα δυω, κασμυτορε λαων-
(But then Chyrses, the sacred priest of far-shooting Apollo, came to the swift ships of the blass-clad Achaians, both ransoming his daughter and bearing gleaming gifts, holding in his hands the garlands above the golden scepter of the far-shooting Apollo, and he begged all the Achaians, but especially the two sons of Atreus, the stewards of the people;)
ενθ’ αλλοι μεν παντεσ επευφημησαν Αχαιοι αιδεισθαι τα ‘ιερηα και αγλαα δεχθαι αποινα-
(All the other Achaians shouted assent to respect the sacred things and take the gleaming ransom;)
αλλα ουκ Ατρειδηι Αγαμεμνονι ‘ηνδανε θυμωι, αλλα κακωσ αφιει, κρατερον δε επι μυθον ετελλεν.
(But this did not please Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, in his heart, but it fared badly for him, and he made a strong reproach;)
Χωομενοσ δε ‘ο γερων παλιν ωιχετο—τοιο δε Απολλων ευξαμενου ηκουσεν, επει μαλα ‘οι φιλοσ ηεν, ‘ηκε δε επι Αργειοισι κακον Βελοσ-
(But the old man went back, raging; and Apollo heard the man praying to him, since he was particularly dear to him, and he cast deadly arrows upon the Argives;)
‘οι δε νυν λαοι θνησκον επασσυτεροι, τα δε επωιχετο κηλα θεοιο παντηι ανα στρατον ευρυν Αχαιων-
(And the people were dying one by one, and from everywhere the arrows of the god fell upon the wide army of the Achaians;)
αμμι δε μαντισ ευ ειδωσ αγορυε θεοπροπιασ ‘εκατοιο-
(But a priest, knowing well the prophecies of the far-shooter, spoke to us;)
αυτικα εγω πρωτοσ κελομην θεον ‘ιλασκεσθαι-
(I first immediately urged that the god be appeased;)
Ατρειωνα δε επειτα χολοσ λαβεν, αιψα δε αναστασ ηπειλησεν μυθον, ‘ο δη τετελεσμενοσ εστιν-
(But then rage seized the son of Atreus, and, immediately standing up, he unloaded his speech, one that has indeed been accomplished;)
την μεν γαρ συν νηι θοηι ‘ελικωπεσ Αχαιοι εσ Χρυσην πεμπουσιν, αγουσι δε δωρα ανακτι-
(While the quick-glancing Achaians send the girl in a swift ship to Chryse, they will lead gifts to the ruler;)
την δε νεον κλισιηνθεν εβαν κηρυκεσ αγοντεσ κουρην Βρισηοσ, την μοι δοσαν ‘υιεσ Αχαιων-
(Then heralds came to the tent over there, leading away the girl Briseis, whom the sons of the Achaians gave to me;)
αλλα συ, ει δυνασαι γε, περισχεο παιδοσ ‘εοιο-
(But you, at least if you can, support your son;)
Ελθουσ Ουλυμπονδε Δια λισαι, ει ποτε δη τι η επει ωνησασ κραδιην Διοσ ηε και εργωι-
(Going to Olympus, so as to beg Zeus, if ever indeed since now did you benefit Zeus’ heart with some word or deed;)
πολλακι γαρ σεο πατροσ ενι μεγαροισιν ακουσα ευχομενοσ, ‘οτε εφησθα κελαινεφει Κρονιωνι οιη εν αθανατοισιν αιεκεα λοιγον αμυναι, ‘οπποτε μιν ξυωδησαι Ολυμπιοι ηθελον αλλοι, ‘Ηρη τε ηδε Ποσειδαων και Παλλασ Αθηνη-
(For many times, while praying in the chambers of your father, I heard you announcing that only you pushed aside gruesome destruction from the stormy son of Kronos at the hands of the immortals;)
Αλλα συ τον ηε ελθουσα, θεα, ‘υπελυσαο δεσμων, ωχ’ ‘εκατογχειρον καλεσασα εσ μακρον Ολυμπον, ‘ον Βριαδεων καλεουσι θεοι, ανδρεσ δε τε παντεσ Αιγαιων-
(However, you, goddess, going away, loosened him from his chains, having called the hundred-armed monster into great Olympus, the one the gods call Briareus, but whom all men call Aegaeon;)
‘ο γαρ αυτε βιηι ‘ου πατροσ αμεινων-
(For he was far stronger in force than his father;)
‘οσ ‘ρα παρα Κρονιωνι καθεζετο κυδει γαιων-
(And he set down besides the son of Kronos, rejoicing in glory;)
τον και ‘υπεδεισαν μακαρεσ θεοι ουδε τε εδησαν-
(And the blessed gods cowered before him and no longer bound him;)
των νυν μιν μνησασα παρεζο και λαβε γουνων, αι κεν πωσ εθεληισιν επι Τρωεσσιν αρηξαι, τουσ δε κατα πρυμνασ τε και αμφω ‘αλα ελσαι Αχαιουσ κτεινομενουσ, ‘ινα παντεσ επαυρωνται βασιληοσ, γνωι δε και Ατρειδησ ευρυ κρειων Αγαμεμνων ‘ην ατην, ‘ο τε αριστον Αχαιων ουδεν ετισεν”—
(So, recalling these things, kneel beside him and clasp his knees, if in anyway he could give help to the Trojans and to push the dying Achaians back against both the keels and the sea, in order that they all might partake from their king, and also that Agamemnon, the son of Atreus, learn well that it was madness, for which he dishonored the best of the Achaians")
τον δε ημειβετο επειτα Θετισ κατα δακρυ χεουσα-
(And Thetis then answered him, pouring down tears;)
“ω μοι, τεκνον εμον, τι νυν σε ετρεφον αινα τεκουσα-
("Ah me, my son, why have I raised you now to endure a bitter fate?)
αιθ’οφελεσ παρα νηυσιν αδακρυτοσ και απημων ησθαι, επει νυν τοι αισα μινυνθα περ, ου τι μαλα δην-
(If only you could stay beside the ships, without tears and troubles, since now your fate is short-lived, indeed it is not a long-lasting thing;)
νυν δε ‘αμα τε ωκυμοροσ και οιζυροσ περι παντων ‘επλεο-
(But now indeed you endure, short-lived and wretched above all others;)
τω σε κακηι αισηι τεκον εν μεγαροισιν-
(So I reared you for wicked agony in my house-chambers;)
τουτο δε τοι ερεουσα εποσ Διι τερπικεραυνωι ειμ’ αυτη προσ Ολυμπον αγαννιφον, αι κε πιθηται-
(But recounting this word to Zeus, the one delights in thunder, I will go to snow-capped Olympus, by which things he might be persuaded;)
αλλα συ μεν νυν νηυσι παρημενοσ ωκυποροισιν μηνιε Αχαιοισιν, πολεμου δε αποπαυεο παμπαν-
(But meanwhile you, sitting beside the swift-keeled ships, stay angry at the Achaians, and cease completely from the war;)
Ζευσ γαρ εσ Ωκεανον μετα αμυμονασ Αιθιοπηασ χθιζοσ εβη κατα δαιτα, θεοι δε ‘αμα παντεσ ‘εποντο-
(For Zeus went to Ocean to the blameless Ethiopians for yesterday’s feast, and indeed all the gods followed;)
δωδεκατηι δε τοι αυτισ ελευσεται Ουλυμπονδε, και τοτε επειτα τοι ειμι Διοσ ποτι χαλκοβατεσ δω, και μιν γουνασομαι, και μιν πεισεσθαι οιω”—
(And on the twelfth day, he will return from there to Olympus, and then at that time, I will leave from here to the bronze houses of Zeus, and I will clasp down on his knees, and I think that I shall persuade him;)
‘ωσ αρα φωνησασ’ απεβησετο, τον δε λιπ’αυτου χωομενον κατα θυμον ευζωνοιο γυναικοσ, την ‘ρα βιηι αεκοντοσ απηυρων-
(Therefore, she having spoken, went away, and she left him raging in his heart for his tight-bosomed woman, she whom they were taking by force against his will;)
Αυταρ Οδυσσευσ εσ Χρυσην ‘ικανεν αγων ‘ιερην ‘εκατομβην-
(At the same time, Odysseus, leading a sacred hecatomb, was advancing for Chryse;)
‘οι δε ‘οτε δη λιμενοσ πολυβενθεοσ εντοσ ‘ικοντο, ‘ιστια δε ‘ιστοδοκηι πελασαν προτονοισιν ‘υφεντεσ καρπαλιμωσ, την δε εισ ‘ορμον προερεσσαν ερετμοισ-
(And when indeed they reached the hollowed-out harbor, and they quickly gathered up the sail on the ship-mast, slackening the forestays, and they rolled the ship onto the prop by ropes;)
εκ δε ευνασ εβαλον, κατα δε πρυμνησι εδησαν-
(And they threw out the beds and fettered down the tethers;)
εκ δε και αυτοι βαινον επι 'ρηγμινι θαλασσησ, εκ δε 'εκατομβην βησαν 'εκηβολωι Απολλωνι-
(And from there, these men came upon the shore of the sea, and there, they brought a hecatomb to Apollo the far-shooter;)
εκ δε Χρυσηισ νηοσ βη ποντοποροιο.
(And then Chryseis came from a sea-going ship.)
την μεν επειτα επι Βωμον αγων πολυμητισ Οδυσσευσ πατρι φιλωι εν χερσι τιθει, και μιν προσεειπεν-
(Then the one with many plans, Odysseus, leading her to the altar, placed her in the hands of her dear father, and he spoke to him:)
"ω Χρυση, προ με επεμψεν αναξ ανδρων Αγαμεμνων παιδα τε τε σοι αγεμεν Φοιβωι θ' 'ιερην 'εκατομβην 'ρεξαι 'υπερ Δαναων, οφρα 'ιλασομεσθα ανακτα, 'οσ νυν Αργειοισι πολυστονα κηδε εφηκεν."
(¨O Chryses, King Agamemnon sent for me to lead your daughter to you, as well as to make a sacred hecatomb for Phoebus on behalf of the Danaans, in order that we appease the one who just now launched ruinsome agony upon the Argives;)
'ωσ ειπων εν χερσι τιθει, 'ο δε δεξατο χαιρων παιδα φιλην-
(As he was speaking, he placed her in his hands, and that man, rejoicing, embraced his beloved child;)
οι δε ωκα θεωι 'ιερην 'εκατομβην 'εξειησ εστησαν ευδμητον περι βωμον, χερνιψαντο δε επειτα και ουλοχυτασ ανελοντο-
(And quickly the men, one after another, set out the sacred hecatomb along the well-built altar, and then they washed their hands and scooped up the barley;)
τοισιν δε Χρυσησ μεγαλα ευχετο χειρασ ανασχων-
(And Chryses, throwing up his hands, prayed great things for them;)
"κλυθι μευ, αργυροτοξ, 'οσ Χρυσην αμφιβεβηκασ Κιλλαν τε ζαθεην Τενεδοιο τε ιφι ανασσεισ-
("Hear me, silver-bowed one, you who, so frequenting Chryse, rule by force over sacred Killa of Tenedos;)
ημεν δη ποτε εμευ παροσ εκλυεσ ευξαμενοιο, τιμησασ μεν εμε, μεγα δε ιψαο λαον Αχαιων-
(If ever you listened when I have prayed, when you did me honor, and you destroyed a great host of Achaians;)
ηδε ετι και νυν μοι τοδε επικρηηνον εελδωρ-
(Then here and now as then accomplish a wish for me;)
ηδη νυν Δαναοισιν αεικεα λοιγον αμυνον"-
(Here now fend away shameful plague from the Danaans.")
ωσ εφατο ευχομενοσ, του δε εκλυε Φοιβοσ Απολλων.
(So he spoke, praying, and Phoebus Apollo heard him;)
αυταρ επει 'ρ ευξαντο και ουλοχυτασ προβαλοντο, αυερυσαν μεν πρωτα και εσφαξαν και εδειραν, μηρους τε εξεταμον κατα τε κνισηι εκαλυψαν διπτυχα ποιησαντες, επι αυτων δε ωμοθετησαν-
(Then, at the same time, they prayed and cast down the barley, while first they led the victims' heads back and slaughter and skinned them, and they cut out the flesh from their thighs, folding layer over layer, and upon them they laid cutlets;)
καιε δε επι σχιζηις 'ο γερων, επι δε αιθοπα οινον λειβε-
(And the old man burned them on skewers, and he poured on sparkling wine;)
νεοι δε παρα αυτον εχον πεμπωβολα χερσιν-
(And the young men beside were holding five-pronged forks in their hands;)
αυταρ επει κατα μηρα καη και σπλαγχνα πασαντο, μιστυλλον τε αρα τα αλλα και αμφω οβελοισιν επειραν, ωπτησαν τε περιφραδεως, ερυσαντο τε παντα-
(At the same time, they burned down the thighs and tasted the innards, and they sliced up the other things and then fixed them with spits and then cooked them carefully, and then drew them all out;)
Αυταρ επει παυσαντο πονου τετυκοντο τε δαιτα, δαινυντο, ουδε τι θυμος εδευετο δαιτος εισης-
(As soon as they ceased from their task and they made a feast, they dined, and no heart was denied its fair share;)
αυταρ επει ποσιος και εδητυος εξ ερον ‘εντο, κουροι μεν κρητηρας επεστεψαντο ποτοιο, νωμησαν δε αρα πασιν επαρξαμενοι δεπαεσσιν, ‘οι δε πανημεριοι μολπηι θεον ‘ιλασκοντο, καλον αιεδοντες παιηονα, κουροι Αχαιων, μελποντες ‘εκαεργον; ‘ο δε φρενα τερπετο ακουων-
(As soon as they were satisfied with food and drink and set it aside, the young men filled cups with wine, and those overseeing them dealt it out into all the goblets, while all day long, they propitiated the god with song, singing beautiful Paeans, the young men of the Achaians, chanting to the far-worker; and the Listener was delighted;)
ημος δε ηελιος κατεδυ και επι κνεφας ηλθεν, δη τοτε κοιμησαντο παρα πρυμνησια νηος-
(And when the sun sank down and dusk came forth, then they begin to fall deeply asleep next to the sterns of the ship;)
ημος δε ηριγενεια φανη ‘ροδοδακτυλος Ηως, και τοτε επειτα αωαγοντο μετα στρατον ευρυν Αχαιων-
(And when early rosy-fingered Dawn began to appear, then they led themselves up to the wide camp of the Achaians;)
τοισιν δε ικμενον ουρον ‘ιει ‘εκαεργος Απολλων-
(And Apollo the far-worker set down a favorable breeze for them;)
‘οι δε ‘ιστον στησαντο ανα τα ‘ιστια λευκα πετασσαν-
(And they, setting up the mast, spread up the bright sails;)
εν δε ανεμος πρησεν μεσον ‘ιστιον, αμφι δε κυμα στρειρηι πορφυρεον μεγαλα ιαχε νηος ιουσης-
(And the wind filled up the middle of the sail, and on both sides the great dark swell crashed against the keel, as the ship went forth;)
‘η δε εθεεν κατα κυμα διαπρησσουσα κελευθον-
(And the ship, moving over the passed-over swell, continued its course;)
αυταρ επει ‘ρ ‘ικοντο κατα στρατον ευρυν Αχαιων, νηα μεν ‘οι γε μελαιναν επι ηπειροιο ερυσσαν ‘υψου επι ψαμαθοις, ‘υπο δε ‘εραατα μακρα τανυσσαν, αυτοι δε εσκιδναντο κατα κλισιας τε νεας τε-
(As soon as they arrived upon the wide camp of the Achaians, they dragged the black ship up upon the land and the sand, and they let down long supports, and they dispersed down into both their tents and their ships;)
αυταρ ‘ο μηνιε νηυσι παρημενος ωκυποροισιν διογενης Πηληος ‘υιος, ποδας ωκυς Αχιλλευς-
(At the same time, the god-born son of the Achilles, sitting next to the quick-sailing ships, was waiting, quick-footed Achilles;)
ουτε ποτε εις αγορην πωλεσκετο κυδιανειραν ουτε ποτε εις πολεμον, αλλα φθινυθεσκε φιλον κηρ αυθι μενων, ποθεεσκε δε αυτην τε πτολεμον τε-
(He did not start toward the meeting-place nor ever into battle, but he consumed his whole heart again in his furies, though he yearned for both the former and battle;)
αλλα ‘οτε δη ‘ρ εκ τοιο δυωδεκατη γενετο ηως, και τοτε δη προς Ολυμπον ισαν θεοι αιεν εοντες παντες ‘αμα, Ζευς δε ηρχε-
(But when indeed the twelfth dawn had arisen from this, and finally all the ever-being gods arrived in Olympus, then Zeus came;)
Θετις δε ου ληθετο εφετμεων παιδος ‘εου, αλλα ‘η γε ανεδυσετο κυμα θαλασσης, ηεριη δε ανεβη μεγαν ουρανον Ουλυμπον τε-
(And Thetis did not forget her son's plea, and she traveled up the swell of the sea, and she flew all the way up to the great sky and Olympus;)
‘ευρεν δε ευρυοπα Κρονιδην ατερ ‘ημενον αλλων ακροτατηι κορυφηι πολυδειραδος Ουλυμποιο-
(And wide-faced son of Kronos sat apart without the others upon the highest top of the many-ridged Olympus;)
και ‘ρα παροιθ’ αυτοιο καθεζετο και λαβε γουνων σκαιηι, δεξιτερηι δε αρα ‘υπο ανθερεωνος ‘ελουσα λισσομενη προσεειπε Δια Κρονιωνα ανακτα-
(And she sat down beside him and took his knees with her left hand, and holding down his chin with her right hand, begging, she spoke to the lord Zeus, son of Kronos;)
“Ζευ πατερ, ει ποτε δη σε μετα αθανατοισιν ονησα η επει η εργωι, τοδε μοι κρηηνον εελδωρ-
(Father Zeus, if ever really did I, above the immortal beings, help you either by word or deed, then accomplish a wish for my sake;)
τιμησον μοι ‘υιον, ‘ος ωκιμορωτατος αλλων επλετο-
(Honor my son for my sake, who is most short-fated of all;)
αταρ μιν νυν γε αναξ ανδρων Αγαμεμνων ητιμασεν-
(Just now the lord of men Agamemnon truly dishonored him;)
‘ελων γαρ εχει γερας, αυτος απουρας αλλα συ περ μιν τισον, Ολυμπιε μητιετα Ζευ-
(For he holds his war prize stolen, but you yourself at least do him honor, Zeus, counselor of Olympus;)
τοφρα δε επι Τρωεσσιν τιθει κρατος, οφρα αν Αχαιοι ‘υιον εμον τισωσιν οφελλωσιν τε ‘ε τιμηι”-
(So therefore put strength into the Trojans, so that the Achaians might pay my son honor and elevate him in glory;)
‘ως φατο- την δε ου τι προσεφη νεφεληγερετα Ζευς, αλλα ακεων δη ‘ηστο.
(So he spoke, and thunder-rejoicing Zeus did not say anything, but he remained silent for a long time;)
Θετις δε ‘ως ‘ηψατο γουνων, ‘ως εχετο εμπεφυυια, και ειρετο δευτερον αυτις-
(And as Thetis sought his knees, having kneeled, she grabbed them and seized them both again;)
‘νημερες μεν δη μοι ‘υποσχεο και κατανευσον, η αποειπε, επει ου τοι επι δεοσ, οφρα ευ ειδω, ‘οσσον εγω μετα πασιν ατιμοτατη θεος ειμι.’
(‘Really, swear to me and nod your head, or refuse, so that I might clearly know afterward, that among the blameless gods, I am the most dishonored god among all’)
την δε μεγα οχθησας προσεφη νεφεληγερετα Ζευς-
(And Zeus the cloud-gatherer, greatly troubled, spoke to her:)
‘η δη λοιγια εργα, ‘ο τε με εχθοδοπησαι εφησεις ‘Ηρηι, ‘οτε αν με ερεθησιν ονειδειοις επεεσιν.
(Really a shameful task, which you would put me in bad graces with Hera, since she chides me with her reproachful words;)
‘η δε και αυτως με αιεν εν αθανατοισι θεοισιν νεικει, και τε με φησι μαχηι Τρωεσσιν αρηγειν.
(And, in this way, she always nags me, among the immortal gods, and accuses me of helping the Trojans in battle;)
αλλα συ μεν νυν αυτις αποστιχε, μη τι νοησηι ‘Ηρη-
(But again, go back now, lest Hera suspect something;)
εμοι δε κε ταυτα μελησεται, οφρα τελεσσω-
(Though she might take guard of me on this matter, still I will accomplish it;)
ει δε αγε τοι κεφαληι κατανευσομαι, οφρα πεποιθηις-
(But, look, if I nod assent to you with my head, so you should have confidence in me;)
τουτο γαρ εξ εμεθεν γε μετα αθανατοισι μεγιστον τεκμωρ-
(For this sign from me really is the greatest among the gods;)
ου εμον παλιναγρετον ουδε απατηλον ουδε ατελευτητον ‘οτι κεν κεφαληι κατανευσω.’
(Neither is my promise recalled nor untrustworthy nor impossible, since I nod assent with my head’)
η και κυανεηισιν επι οφρυσι νευσε Κρονιων-
(And the son of Kronos winked assent with his stormy brows;)
αμβροσιαι δε αρα χαιται επερρωσαντο ανακτος κρατος απο αθανατοιο, μεγαν δε ελελιξεν Ολυμπον-
(And the heavenly locks of the powerful lord stirred repeatedly from the immortal head, and he shake great Olympus;)
τω γε ‘ως βουλευσαντε διετμαγεν-
(Then finally the two, finishing their plan, separated;)
‘η μεν επειτα εισ ‘αλα ‘αλτο βαθειαν απο αιγληεντος Ολυμπου, Ζευς δε ‘εον προς δωμα.
(While then she dove into the deep sea from gleaming Olympus, and Zeus went into his house;)
θεοι δε ‘αμα παντες ανεσταν εξ ‘εδεων, σφου πατρος εναντιον-
(And then all the gods stood up from their seats, facing their father;)
ουδε τις ετλη μειναι επερχομενον, αλλα αντιοι εσταν ‘απαντες-
(Not one dared to meet him coming, instead they all stand across him;)
‘ως ‘ο μεν ενθα καθεζετο επι θρονου-
(So he then sat down on his throne;)
ουδε μιν ‘Ηρη ηγνοιησεν ιδους ‘οτι ‘οι συμφρασσατο βουλας αργυροπεζα θετις, θυγατηρ ‘αλιοιο γεροντος.
(Hera did not understand why she saw silver-sandaled Thetis, the daughter of the old man of the sea, of conspiring counsel from him;)
αυτικα κερτομιοισι Δια Κρονιωνα προσηυδα-
(Once again, the daughter of Kronos addressed Zeus with stinging words:)
‘τις δε αυ τοι, δολομητα, θεων συμφρασσατο βουλας-
(And who now of the gods, trickster you, makes plans with you?)
αιει τοι φιλον εστιν εμευ απονοσφιν εοντα κρυπταδια, φρονεοντα δικαζεμεν-
(You love to have secrets, going apart from me, so that I might not understand what you are thinking;)
ουδε τι πω μοι προφρων τετληκας ειπειν επος, ‘οτι νοησηισ.’
(Never do you try to share a single mention of your thoughts to me, whatever you know’)
την δε ημειβετο επειτα πατηρ ανδρων τε θεων τε-
(And then the father of both men and gods replied to her:)
“ ‘Ηρη, μη δη παντας εμους επιελπεο μυθους ειδησειν-
(Hera, you should really stop hoping to know all of my intentions;)
χαλεποι τοι εσοντ’ αλοχωι περ εουσηι-
(There would be painful to you, since you are my wife;)
αλλα ‘ον μεν κε επιεικες ακουεμεν, ου τις επειτα ουτε θεων προτερος τον γε εισεται ουτε ανθρωπον-
(But whenever I find something suitable to share, then reallythere is no one of the gods or men before you;)
‘ον δε κε εγων απανευθε θεων εθελωμι νοησαι, μη τι συ ταυτα ‘εκαστα διειρεο μηδε μεταλλα.’)
(And whatever I might wish to be think, having sat apart from the gods, do not question each and every thought of mine’)
τον δε ημειβετο επειτα, βοωπις ποτνια ‘Ηρη-
(And then the ox-eyed queen Hera replied to him:)
‘αινοτατε Κρονιδη, ποιον τον μυθον εειπες-
(Most shameless son of Kronos, what a speech you have spoken;)
και λιην σε παρος γε ουτε ειρομαι ουτε μεταλλω, αλλα μαλα ευκηλος τα φραζεαι, ‘ασσ’ εθεληισθα-
(And long before this should I have accosted or questioned you, but too carelessly do you reveal yourself, whatever you have intended;)
νυν δε αινως δειδοικα κατα φρενα, μη σε παρειπηι αργυροπεζα Θετις, θυγατηρ ‘αλιοιο γεροντος-
(And now shamefully, according to my fearful heart, I fear that silver-sandaled Thetis, the daughter of the old man of the sea, has sat beside you;)
ηεριηι γαρ σοι γε παρεζετο και λαβε γουνων-
(For really, she came to you, sat down beside you, and clasped you knees;)
τηι σε οιω κατανευσαι ετητυμον, ‘ως Αχιληα τιμησεις, ‘ολεοεις δε πολεας επι νηυσιν Αχαιων.’
(Truly, I think that you have nodded assent, that you would honor Achilles, and you would destroy a great many Achaians upon their ships’)
Image: Achilles sacrificing to Zeus with his patented "Kroniodes Krater"-5th c. Ambrosian Iliad manuscript [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AmbrosianIliadPict47Achilles.jpg]
