Speaker 1: Book twenty four. The assembly now broke up, and the
Speaker 1: people went their ways, each to his own ship. There
Speaker 1: they made ready their supper, and then bethought them of
Speaker 1: the blessed boon of sleep. But Achilles still wept, for
Speaker 1: thinking of his dear comrade and Sleep, before whom all
Speaker 1: things bow could take no hold upon him. This way
Speaker 1: and that did he turn as he yearned after the
Speaker 1: might and manfulness of Patroclus. He thought of all they
Speaker 1: had done together, and all they had gone through, both
Speaker 1: on the field of battle and on the waves of
Speaker 1: the weary sea. As he dwelt on these things, he
Speaker 1: wept bitterly, and lay now on his side, now on
Speaker 1: his back, and now face downwards, till at last he
Speaker 1: rose and went out as one distraught, to wander upon
Speaker 1: the sea shore. Then, when he saw dawn breaking over
Speaker 1: beach and sea, he yoked his horses to his chariot
Speaker 1: and bound the body of Hector behind it, that he
Speaker 1: might drag it about. Thrice did he drag it round
Speaker 1: the tomb of the son of Menoetius, and then went
Speaker 1: back into his tent, leaving the body on the ground
Speaker 1: full length and with its face downwards. But Apollo would
Speaker 1: not suffer it to be disfigured, for he pitied the
Speaker 1: man dead, though he now was. Therefore he shielded him
Speaker 1: with his golden aeges continually that he might take no
Speaker 1: hurt while Achilles was dragging him. Thus, shamefully did Achilles,
Speaker 1: in his fury dishonor Hector. But the blessed gods looked
Speaker 1: down in pity from heaven and urged Mercury, slayer of Argus,
Speaker 1: to steal the body. All were of this mind, save
Speaker 1: only Juno Neptune and Jove's gray eyed daughter, who persisted
Speaker 1: in the hate which they had ever borne towards Ilius
Speaker 1: with Priam and his people, for they forgave not the
Speaker 1: wrong done them by Alexandras in disdaining the goddesses who
Speaker 1: came to him when he was in his sheepyards, and
Speaker 1: preferred her who had offered him a wanton to his ruin.
Speaker 1: When therefore the morning of the twelfth day had now come,
Speaker 1: Phoebus Apollos spoke among the immortals, saying, you gods ought
Speaker 1: to be ashamed of yourselves. You are cruel and hard hearted.
Speaker 1: Did not Hector burn you thigh bones of heifers and
Speaker 1: of unblemished goats. And now dare you not rescue even
Speaker 1: his dead body for his wife to look upon, with
Speaker 1: his mother and child, his father, Priam, and his people,
Speaker 1: who would forthwith commit him to the flames and give
Speaker 1: him his due funeral rites. So then you would all
Speaker 1: be on the side of mad Achilles, who knows neither
Speaker 1: right nor ruth. He is like some savage lion that,
Speaker 1: in the pride of his great strength and daring, springs
Speaker 1: upon men's flocks and gorges on them. Even so has
Speaker 1: Achilles flung aside all pity and all that conscience which
Speaker 1: at once so greatly banes, yet great boons him that
Speaker 1: will heed it. Man may lose one far dearer than
Speaker 1: Achilles has lost, a son, it may be, or a
Speaker 1: brother born from his own mother's womb. Yet when he
Speaker 1: has mourned him and wept over him, he will let
Speaker 1: him bide. For it takes much sorrow to kill a man.
Speaker 1: Whereas Achilles, now that he has slain noble hector, drags
Speaker 1: him behind his chariot round the tomb of his comrade,
Speaker 1: it were better of him and for him that he
Speaker 1: should not do so. For brave though he be, we
Speaker 1: gods may take it ill that he should vent his
Speaker 1: fury upon dead Clay Juno spoke up in a rage.
Speaker 1: This were well, She cried, O, Lord of the silver bow,
Speaker 1: if you would give like honor to Hector and to Achilles.
Speaker 1: But Hector was mortal and suckled at a woman's breast,
Speaker 1: whereas Achilles is the offspring of a goddess whom I
Speaker 1: myself reared and brought up. I married her to Pelias,
Speaker 1: who is above measure. Dear to the immortals, you gods
Speaker 1: came all of you to her wedding. You feasted along
Speaker 1: with them yourself, and brought your liar, false and fond
Speaker 1: of low company that you have ever been. Then said
Speaker 1: Jove Juno, be not so bitter. Their honor shall not
Speaker 1: be equal. But of all that dwell in Ilius, Hector
Speaker 1: was dearest to the gods, as also to myself, For
Speaker 1: his offerings never failed me. Never was my altar stinted
Speaker 1: of its dues, nor of the drink offerings and savor
Speaker 1: of sacrifice which we claim of right. I shall therefore
Speaker 1: permit the body of mighty Hector to be stolen. And
Speaker 1: yet this may hardly be without Achilles coming to know it,
Speaker 1: for his mother keeps night and day beside him. Let
Speaker 1: some one of you, therefore send Thetis to me, and
Speaker 1: I will impart my counsel to her, namely that Achilles
Speaker 1: is to accept a ransom from Priam and give up
Speaker 1: the body. On this Iris fled with the wind as
Speaker 1: it went forth to carry his message down. She plunged
Speaker 1: into the dark sea midway between Samos and Rocky Imbrus.
Speaker 1: The waters hissed as they closed over her, and she
Speaker 1: sank into the bottom as the lead at the end
Speaker 1: of an ox horn that is sped to carry death
Speaker 1: to fishes. She found Thetis sitting in a great cave,
Speaker 1: with the other sea goddesses gathered round her. There she
Speaker 1: sat in the midst of them, weeping for her noble son,
Speaker 1: who was to fall far from his own land on
Speaker 1: the rich plains of Troy. Iris went up to her
Speaker 1: and said, rise Thetis. Jove, whose counsels fail not bids
Speaker 1: you come to him? And Thetis answered, why does the
Speaker 1: mighty God so bid me? I am in great grief
Speaker 1: and shrink from going in and out among the immortals.
Speaker 1: Still I will go, and the word that he may
Speaker 1: speak shall not be spoken in vain. The goddess took
Speaker 1: her dark veil, than which there can be no robe
Speaker 1: more somber, and went forth, with fleet Iris leading the
Speaker 1: way before her. The waves of the sea opened them
Speaker 1: a path, and when they reached the shore, they flew
Speaker 1: up into the heavens, where they found the all seeing
Speaker 1: Sun of Saturn, with the blessed gods that live forever
Speaker 1: assembled near him. Minerva gave up her seat to her,
Speaker 1: and she sat down by the side of father Jove.
Speaker 1: Juno then placed a fair golden cup in her hand
Speaker 1: and spoke to her in words of comfort. Whereon Thetis
Speaker 1: drank and gave her back the cup, and the Sire
Speaker 1: of gods and men was the first to speak. So
Speaker 1: Goddess said he for all your sorrow and the grief
Speaker 1: that I well know reigns ever in your heart, you
Speaker 1: have come hither to Olympus, And I will tell you
Speaker 1: why I have sent for you. These nine days passed
Speaker 1: them have been quarreling about Achilles, waster of cities, and
Speaker 1: the body of Hector. The gods would have mercury, slayer
Speaker 1: of Argus steel the body. But in furtherance of our
Speaker 1: peace and amity, henceforward I will concede such honor to
Speaker 1: your son, as I will now tell you. Go then
Speaker 1: to the host and lay these commands upon him. Say
Speaker 1: that the gods are angry with him, and that I
Speaker 1: am myself more angry than they all, in that he
Speaker 1: keeps hector at the ships and will not give him up.
Speaker 1: He may thus fear me and let the body go.
Speaker 1: At the same time, I will send Iris to Great
Speaker 1: Priam to bid him go to the ships of the
Speaker 1: Achaeans and ransom his son, taking with him such gifts
Speaker 1: for Achilles as may give him satisfaction. Silver footed, Thetis
Speaker 1: did as the God had told her, and forthwith down
Speaker 1: she darted from the topmost summits of Olympus. She went
Speaker 1: to her son's tents, where she found him grieving bitterly,
Speaker 1: while his trusty comrades round him were busy preparing their
Speaker 1: morning meal, for which they had killed a great wooly sheep.
Speaker 1: His mother sat down beside him and caressed him with
Speaker 1: her hand, saying, my son, how long will you keep
Speaker 1: on thus grieving and making moan? You are gnawing at
Speaker 1: your own heart, and think neither of food nor of
Speaker 1: woman's embraces. And yet these two were well, for you
Speaker 1: have no long time to live, and death, with the
Speaker 1: strong hand of fate, are already close beside you. Now. Therefore,
Speaker 1: heed what I say, for I come as a messenger
Speaker 1: from Jove. He says that the gods are angry with you,
Speaker 1: and himself more angry than they all in that you
Speaker 1: keep Hector at the ships and will not give him up. Therefore,
Speaker 1: let him go and accept a ransom for his body.
Speaker 1: And Achilles answered, so be it if a Smpian Jove
Speaker 1: of his own motion thus commands me, let him that
Speaker 1: brings the ransom bear the body away. Thus did mother
Speaker 1: and son talk together at the ships, in long discourse
Speaker 1: with one another. Meanwhile, the son of Saturn sent Iris
Speaker 1: to the strong city of Ilius. Go, said he fleet
Speaker 1: Iris from the mansions of Olympus, and tell King Priam
Speaker 1: in Ilius that he is to go to the ships
Speaker 1: of the Achaeans and free the body of his dear son.
Speaker 1: He is to take such gifts with him as shall
Speaker 1: give satisfaction to Achilles, and he is to go alone
Speaker 1: with no other trojan, save only some honored servant, who
Speaker 1: may drive his mules and wagon and bring back the
Speaker 1: body of him whom noble Achilles has slain. Let him
Speaker 1: have no thought nor fear of death in his heart,
Speaker 1: for we will send the slayer of Argus to escort
Speaker 1: him and bring him within the tent of Achilles. Achilles
Speaker 1: will not kill him, nor let another do so, for
Speaker 1: he will take keed to his ways and sin not,
Speaker 1: and he will entreat a suppliant with all honorable courtesy
Speaker 1: on this iris fleet. As the wind sped forth to
Speaker 1: deliver her message, she went to Priam's house and found
Speaker 1: weeping and lamentation therein. His sons were seated round their
Speaker 1: father in the outer courtyard, and their raiment was wet
Speaker 1: with tears. The old man sat in the midst of them,
Speaker 1: with his mantle wrapped close about his body, and his
Speaker 1: head and neck all covered with the filth which he
Speaker 1: had clutched as he lay groveling in the mire. His
Speaker 1: daughters and his son's wives went wailing about the house
Speaker 1: as they thought of the many and brave men who
Speaker 1: lay dead slain by the Argives. The messenger of Jove
Speaker 1: stood by Priam and spoke softly to him, but fear
Speaker 1: fell upon him as she did so. Take heart, she said, Priam,
Speaker 1: offspring of Dardanus, take heart and fear not. I bring
Speaker 1: no evil tidings, but are minded well towards you. I
Speaker 1: come as a messenger from Jove, who, though he be
Speaker 1: not near, takes thought for you and pities you. The
Speaker 1: Lord of Olympus bids you go and ransom noble Hector,
Speaker 1: and take with you such gifts as shall give satisfaction
Speaker 1: to Achilles. You are to go alone, with no trojan,
Speaker 1: save only some honored servant, who may drive your mules
Speaker 1: and wagon, and bring back to the city the body
Speaker 1: of him whom Noble Achilles has slain. You are to
Speaker 1: have no thought nor fear of death, for Jove will
Speaker 1: send the slayer of Argus to escort you when he
Speaker 1: has brought you within Achilles tent. Achilles will not kill you,
Speaker 1: nor let another do so, for he will take heed
Speaker 1: to his ways and sin not, and he will entreat
Speaker 1: a suppliant with all honorable courtesy. Iris went her way
Speaker 1: when she had thus spoken, and Priam told his son
Speaker 1: Uns to get a mule wagon ready, and to make
Speaker 1: the body of the wagon fast upon the top of
Speaker 1: its bed. Then he went down into his fragrant storeroom,
Speaker 1: high vaulted and made of cedar wood, where his many
Speaker 1: treasures were kept, and he called Hecuba. His wife wife said, he,
Speaker 1: A messenger has come to me from Olympus, and has
Speaker 1: told me to go to the ships of the Achaeans
Speaker 1: to ransom my dear son, taking with me such gifts
Speaker 1: as shall give satisfaction to Achilles. What think you of
Speaker 1: this matter? For my own part? I am greatly moved
Speaker 1: to pass through thee of the Achaeans and go to
Speaker 1: their ships. His wife cried aloud as she heard him,
Speaker 1: and said, alas, what has become of that judgment for
Speaker 1: which you have been ever famous, both among strangers and
Speaker 1: your own people? How can you venture alone to the
Speaker 1: ships of the Achaeans and look into the face of
Speaker 1: him who has slain so many of your brave sons.
Speaker 1: You must have and courage, for if the cruel savage
Speaker 1: seize you and lays hold on you, he will know
Speaker 1: neither respect nor pity. Let us then weep Hector from
Speaker 1: afar here in our own house, For when I gave
Speaker 1: him birth, the threads of overruling fate were spun for him,
Speaker 1: that dogs should eat his flesh, far from his parents,
Speaker 1: in the house of that terrible man, on whose liver
Speaker 1: I would feign, fasten, and devour it. Thus would I
Speaker 1: avenge my son, who showed no cowardice when Achilles slew
Speaker 1: him and thought neither of right nor of avoiding battle,
Speaker 1: as he stood in defense of Trojan men and Trojan women.
Speaker 1: Then Priam said, I would go. Do not therefore stay me,
Speaker 1: nor be as a bird of ill omen in my house,
Speaker 1: for you will not move me. Had it been some
Speaker 1: mortal man who had sent me, some prophet or priest
Speaker 1: who divines from sacrifice, I should have deemed him false
Speaker 1: and have given him no heed. But now I have
Speaker 1: heard the Goddess and seen her face to face. Therefore
Speaker 1: I will go, and her saying shall not be in vain.
Speaker 1: If it be my fate to die at the ships
Speaker 1: of the Achaeans, even so would I have it let
Speaker 1: Achilles slay me if I may, but first have taken
Speaker 1: my son in my arms and mourned him to my
Speaker 1: heart's comforting. So saying, he lifted the lids of his
Speaker 1: chests and took out twelve goodly vestments. He took also
Speaker 1: twelve cloaks of single fold, twelve rugs, twelve fair mantles,
Speaker 1: and an equal number of shirts. He weighed out ten
Speaker 1: talents of gold, and brought moreover two burnished tripods, four cauldrons,
Speaker 1: and a very beautiful cup, which the Thracians had given
Speaker 1: him when he had gone to them on an embassy.
Speaker 1: It was very precious, but he grudged not even this,
Speaker 1: so eager was he to ransom the body of his son.
Speaker 1: Then he chased all the Trojans from the court and
Speaker 1: rebuked them with words of anger. Out he cried, shame
Speaker 1: and disgrace to me that you are have you no
Speaker 1: grief in your own homes, that you are come to
Speaker 1: plague me here? Is it a small thing? Think you
Speaker 1: that the son of Saturn has sent this sorrow upon
Speaker 1: me to lose the bravest of my sons. Nay, you
Speaker 1: shall prove it in person. For now he is gone,
Speaker 1: the Achaeans will have easier work in killing you. As
Speaker 1: for me, Let me go down within the house of Hades.
Speaker 1: Ere mine eyes behold the sacking and wasting of the city.
Speaker 1: He drove the men away with his staff, and they
Speaker 1: went forth as the old man sped them. Then he
Speaker 1: called to his sons upbraiding Helenus Paris noble Agathon Pamon, Antiphanus,
Speaker 1: Politas of the loud battle cry, Diaphobus, Hippothous, and Dius.
Speaker 1: These nine did the old man call near him. Come
Speaker 1: to me at once, He cried, worthless sons, who do
Speaker 1: me shame? Would that you had all been killed at
Speaker 1: the ships? Rather than Hector, miserable man that I am,
Speaker 1: I have had the bravest sons in all Troy, Noble Nestor, Troylus,
Speaker 1: the dauntless charioteer, and Hector, who was a god among men,
Speaker 1: so that one would have thought he was son to
Speaker 1: an immortal. Yet there is not one of them left.
Speaker 1: Mars has slain them, and those of whom I am
Speaker 1: ashamed are alone left me Liars and light of foot,
Speaker 1: heroes of the dance, robbers of lambs, and kids from
Speaker 1: your own people? Why do you not get a wagon
Speaker 1: ready for me at once? And put all these things
Speaker 1: upon it that I may set out on my way.
Speaker 1: Thus did he speak, and they feared the rebuke of
Speaker 1: their father. They brought out a strong mule wagon newly made,
Speaker 1: and set the body of the wagon fast on its bed.
Speaker 1: They took the mule yoke from the peg on which
Speaker 1: it hung a yoke of boxwood, with a knob on
Speaker 1: the top of it, and rings for the reins to
Speaker 1: go through. Then they brought a yoke band eleven cubits
Speaker 1: long to bind the yoke to the pole. They bound
Speaker 1: it on at the far end of the pole, and
Speaker 1: put the ring over the upright pin, making it fast
Speaker 1: with three turns of the band on either side the knob,
Speaker 1: and bending the thong of the yoke beneath it. This done,
Speaker 1: they brought from the store chamber the rich ransom that
Speaker 1: was to purchase the body of Hector, and they set
Speaker 1: it all orderly on the wagon. Then they yoked the
Speaker 1: strong harness mules, which the missions had on a time
Speaker 1: given as a goodly present to Priam, But for Priam himself,
Speaker 1: they yoked horses which the old king had bred and
Speaker 1: kept for his own use. Thus heedfully did Priam and
Speaker 1: his servants see to the yoking of their cars at
Speaker 1: the palace. Then Hecuba came to them all sorrowful, with
Speaker 1: a golden goblet of wine in her right hand, that
Speaker 1: they might make a drink offering. Before they set out.
Speaker 1: She stood in front of the horses and said, take this,
Speaker 1: make a drink offering. To Father Jove, And since you
Speaker 1: are minded to go to the ships in spite of me,
Speaker 1: pray that you may come safely back from the hands
Speaker 1: of your enemies. Pray to the son of Saturn, lord
Speaker 1: of the Whirlwind, who sits on Ida and looks down
Speaker 1: over all Troy, Pray him to send his swift messenger
Speaker 1: on your right hand, the bird of Omen, which is
Speaker 1: strongest and most dear to him of all birds, that
Speaker 1: you may see it with your own eyes and trust
Speaker 1: it as you go forth to the ships of the Denians.
Speaker 1: If all seeing Jove will not send you this messenger,
Speaker 1: however set upon it, you may be I would not
Speaker 1: have you go to the ships of the Archives, and praam,
Speaker 1: answered wife, I will do as you desire me. It
Speaker 1: is well to lift hands in prayer to Jove, if
Speaker 1: so be he may have mercy upon me. With this,
Speaker 1: the old man bade the serving woman pour pure water
Speaker 1: over his hands, and the woman came bearing the water
Speaker 1: in a bowl. He washed his hands and took the
Speaker 1: cup from his wife. Then he made the drink offering
Speaker 1: and prayed. Standing in the middle of the courtyard and
Speaker 1: turning his eyes to Heaven, Father Jove, he said that
Speaker 1: rulest from Ida, most glorious, and most great, grant that
Speaker 1: I may be received kindly and compassionately in the tents
Speaker 1: of Achilles. And send your swift messenger upon my right hand,
Speaker 1: the bird of Omen, which is strongest and most dear
Speaker 1: to you of all birds, that I may see it
Speaker 1: with my own eyes and trust it as I go
Speaker 1: forth to the ships of the Danayans. So did he pray,
Speaker 1: and jove the Lord of Counsel heard his prayer. Forthwith
Speaker 1: he sent an eagle, the most unerring portent of all
Speaker 1: birds that fly, the dusky hunter that men also call
Speaker 1: the black eagle. His wings were spread abroad on either side,
Speaker 1: as wide as the well made and well bolted door
Speaker 1: of a rich man's chamber. He came to them, flying
Speaker 1: over the city upon their right hands, and when they
Speaker 1: saw him, they were glad, and their hearts took comfort
Speaker 1: within them. The old man made haste to mount his chariot,
Speaker 1: and drove out through the inner gateway and under the
Speaker 1: echoing gatehouse of the outer court. Before him went the mules,
Speaker 1: drawing the four wheeled wagon and driven by wise idaeus.
Speaker 1: Behind these were the horses, which the old man lashed
Speaker 1: with his whip, and drove swiftly through the city, while
Speaker 1: his friends followed after, wailing and lamenting for him, as
Speaker 1: though he were on his road to death. As soon
Speaker 1: as they had come down from the city and had
Speaker 1: reached the plain, his sons and sons in law who
Speaker 1: had followed him went back to Ilius. But Priam and Idaeus,
Speaker 1: as they showed out upon the plain, did not escape
Speaker 1: the ken of all seeing Jove, who looked down upon
Speaker 1: the old man and pitied him. Then he spoke to
Speaker 1: his son Mercury, and said, Mercury, for it is you
Speaker 1: who are the most disposed to escort men on their
Speaker 1: way and to hear those whom you will hear. Go,
Speaker 1: and so conduct Priam to the ships of the Achaeans,
Speaker 1: that no other of the Danes shall see him nor
Speaker 1: take note of him, until he reached the son of Pelias.
Speaker 1: Thus he spoke, and Mercury, guide and guardian slayer of Argus,
Speaker 1: did as he was told. Forthwith, he bound on his
Speaker 1: glittering golden sandals, with which he could fly like the
Speaker 1: wind over land and sea. He took the wand with
Speaker 1: which he seals men's eyes in sleep or wakes them
Speaker 1: just as he pleases, and flew holding it in his
Speaker 1: hand till he came to Troy and to the Hellespont
Speaker 1: to look at he was like a young man of
Speaker 1: noble birth in the heyday of his youth and beauty,
Speaker 1: with the down just coming upon his face. Now, when
Speaker 1: Priam and Idaeus had driven past the great tomb of Ilius,
Speaker 1: they stayed their mules and horses that they might drink
Speaker 1: in the river, for the shades of night were falling.
Speaker 1: When therefore Idaeus saw Mercury standing near them, he said
Speaker 1: to Priam, take heed, descendant of Dardness. Here is matter
Speaker 1: which demands consideration. I see a man who I think
Speaker 1: will presently fall upon us. Let us fly with our horses,
Speaker 1: or at least embrace his knees, and implore him to
Speaker 1: take compassion upon us. When he heard this, the old
Speaker 1: man's heart failed him, and he was in great fear.
Speaker 1: He stayed where he was as one dazed, and the
Speaker 1: hare stood on end over his whole body. But the
Speaker 1: bringer of good luck came up to him and took
Speaker 1: him by the hand, saying, with a father, are you
Speaker 1: thus driving your mules and horses in the dead of night?
Speaker 1: When other men are asleep. Are you not afraid of
Speaker 1: the fierce a Kaians who are hard by you, so
Speaker 1: cruel and relentless. Should some one of them see you
Speaker 1: bearing so much treasure through the darkness of the flying night,
Speaker 1: what would not your state then be? You are no
Speaker 1: longer young, and he who is with you is too
Speaker 1: old to protect you from those who would attack you.
Speaker 1: For myself, I will do you no harm, and I
Speaker 1: will defend you from anyone else. For you remind me
Speaker 1: of my own father. And Priam answered, it is indeed
Speaker 1: as you say, my dear son. Nevertheless, some God has
Speaker 1: held his hand over me in that he has sent
Speaker 1: such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so opportunely.
Speaker 1: You are so comely in me aine and figure, and
Speaker 1: your judgment is so excellent that you must come of
Speaker 1: blessed parents. Then said the slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, Sir,
Speaker 1: all that you have said is right, But tell me
Speaker 1: and tell me true. Are you taking this rich treasure
Speaker 1: to send it to a foreign people where it may
Speaker 1: be safe? Or are you all leaving strong ilias in
Speaker 1: dismay now that your son has fallen? Who was the
Speaker 1: bravest man among you, and was never lacking in battle
Speaker 1: with the Achaeans. And Priam said, who are you, my friend,
Speaker 1: and who are your parents that you speak so truly
Speaker 1: about the fate of my unhappy son, the slayer of Argus,
Speaker 1: guide and guardian, answered him, sir, you would prove me
Speaker 1: that you question me about noble Hector. Many a time
Speaker 1: have I set eyes upon him in battle, when he
Speaker 1: was driving the Argives to their ships and putting them
Speaker 1: to the sword, we stood still and marveled for Achilles,
Speaker 1: in his anger with the son of Atreus, suffered us
Speaker 1: not to fight. I am his squire, and came with
Speaker 1: him in the same ship. I am Amermidon, and my
Speaker 1: father's name is Polyctor. He is a rich man and
Speaker 1: about as old as you are. He has six sons
Speaker 1: besides myself, and I am the seventh. We cast lots,
Speaker 1: and it fell upon me to sail hither with Achilles.
Speaker 1: I am now come from the ships onto the plain,
Speaker 1: for with daybreak the Achaeans will set battle in array
Speaker 1: about the city. They chafe at doing nothing, and are
Speaker 1: so eager that their princes cannot hold them back. Then
Speaker 1: answered Priam, if you are indeed the squire of Achilles,
Speaker 1: son of Pelias, tell me now the whole truth. Is
Speaker 1: my son still at the ships? Or has Achilles hewn
Speaker 1: him limb from limb and given him to his hounds,
Speaker 1: Sir replied, the slayer of Argus, Guide and Guardian. Neither
Speaker 1: hounds nor vultures have yet devoured him. He is still
Speaker 1: just lying at the tents by the ship of Achilles.
Speaker 1: And though it is now twelve days that he has
Speaker 1: lain there, his flesh is not wasted, nor have the
Speaker 1: worms eaten him, although they feed on warriors. At daybreak,
Speaker 1: Achilles drags him cruelly round the sepulcher of his dear
Speaker 1: com but it does him no hurt. You should come
Speaker 1: yourself and see how he lies, fresh as dew, with
Speaker 1: the blood all washed away, and his wounds every one
Speaker 1: of them closed, though many pierced him with their spears.
Speaker 1: Such care have the blessed gods taken of your brave son,
Speaker 1: for he was dear to them beyond all measure. The
Speaker 1: old man was comforted as he heard him, and said,
Speaker 1: my son, see what a good thing it is to
Speaker 1: have made due offerings to the immortals. For as sure
Speaker 1: as that he was born, my son never forgot the
Speaker 1: gods that hold Olympus, and now they requite it to
Speaker 1: him even in death. Except therefore at my hands this
Speaker 1: goodly chalice guard me, and with Heaven's help guide me
Speaker 1: till I come to the tent of the son of Pelias.
Speaker 1: Then answered the Slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, Sir,
Speaker 1: you are tempting me and playing upon my youth, But
Speaker 1: you shall not move me, for you are offering me
Speaker 1: presents without the knowledge of a killer whom I fear
Speaker 1: and hold it great guiltless to defraud lest some evil
Speaker 1: presently before me. But as your guide, I would go
Speaker 1: with you even to Argos itself, and would guard you
Speaker 1: so carefully, whether by sea or land, that no one
Speaker 1: should attack you. Through making light of him who was
Speaker 1: with you, the bringer of good Luck then sprang on
Speaker 1: to the chariot, and, seizing the whip and reins, he
Speaker 1: breathed fresh spirit into the mules and horses. When they
Speaker 1: reached the trench and the wall that was before the ships,
Speaker 1: those who were on guard had just been getting their suppers,
Speaker 1: and the Slayer of Argos threw them all into a
Speaker 1: deep sleep. Then he drew back the bolts to open
Speaker 1: the gates and took Priam inside with the treasure he
Speaker 1: had upon his wagon. Ere long they came to the
Speaker 1: lofty dwelling of the son of Pelias, for which the
Speaker 1: Myrmidons had cut pine, and which they had built for
Speaker 1: their king. When they had built it, they thatched it
Speaker 1: with coarse tussock grass which they had mown out on
Speaker 1: the plain, and all round it they made a large courtyard,
Speaker 1: which was fenced with steaks set close together. The gate
Speaker 1: was barred with a single bolt of pine, which it
Speaker 1: took three men to force into its place, and three
Speaker 1: to draw back so as to open the gate. But
Speaker 1: Achilles could draw it by himself. Mercury opened the gate
Speaker 1: for the old man and brought in the treasure that
Speaker 1: he was taking with him for the son of Pelias.
Speaker 1: Then he sprang from the chariot on to the ground,
Speaker 1: and said, Sir, it is i, immortal Mercury, that am
Speaker 1: come with you, for my father sent me to escort you.
Speaker 1: I will now leave you, and will not enter into
Speaker 1: the presence of Achilles, for it might anger him that
Speaker 1: a god should befriend mortal men. Thus openly go you
Speaker 1: within and embrace the knees of the son of Pelias,
Speaker 1: beseech him by his father, his lovely mother, and his son.
Speaker 1: Thus you may move him. With these words, Mercury went
Speaker 1: back to Higre a lie. Imus Priam sprang from his
Speaker 1: chariot to the ground, leaving Idaeus, where he was in
Speaker 1: charge of the mules and horses. The old man went
Speaker 1: straight into the house where Achilles, loved of the Gods,
Speaker 1: was sitting. There he found him with his men seated
Speaker 1: at a distance from him. Only two the hero Automodon
Speaker 1: and Alcimus, of the race of Mars, were busy in
Speaker 1: attendance about his person, for he had but just done
Speaker 1: eating and drinking, and the table was still there. King
Speaker 1: Priam entered without their seeing him, and going right up
Speaker 1: to Achilles, he clasped his knees and kissed the dread
Speaker 1: murderous hands that had slain so many of his sons.
Speaker 1: As when some cruel spite has befallen a man, that
Speaker 1: he should have killed someone in his own country, and
Speaker 1: must fly to a great man's protection in a land
Speaker 1: of strangers, and all marvel who see him. Even so
Speaker 1: did Achilles marvel as he beheld Priam. The others looked
Speaker 1: one to another, and marveled all. So but priam besought Achilles, saying,
Speaker 1: think of your father, o Achilles, like unto the gods,
Speaker 1: who is such? Even as I am on the sad
Speaker 1: threshold of old age. It may be that those who
Speaker 1: dwell near him harass him, and there is none to
Speaker 1: keep war and ruin from him. Yet when he hears
Speaker 1: of you being still alive, he is glad, and his
Speaker 1: days are full of hope that he shall see his
Speaker 1: dear son come home to him from Troy. But I,
Speaker 1: wretched man that I am, had the bravest in all
Speaker 1: Troy for my sons, and there is not one of
Speaker 1: them left. I had fifty sons when the Achaeans came here.
Speaker 1: Nineteen of them were from a single womb, and the
Speaker 1: others were born to me by the women of my household.
Speaker 1: The greater part of them has fierce Mars laid low
Speaker 1: and hector him who was alone, left him who was
Speaker 1: the guardian of the city, and ourselves him have you
Speaker 1: lately slain? Therefore I am now come to the ships
Speaker 1: of the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with
Speaker 1: a great ransom. Fear, o Achilles, the wrath of heaven.
Speaker 1: Think on your own father, and have compassion upon me,
Speaker 1: who am the more pitiable. For I have steeled myself
Speaker 1: as no man yet has ever steeled himself before me,
Speaker 1: and have raised to my lips the hand of him
Speaker 1: who slew my son. Thus spoke Priam, and the heart
Speaker 1: of Achilles yearned as he bethought him of his father.
Speaker 1: He took the old man's hand and moved him gently away.
Speaker 1: The two wept bitterly, Priam as he lay at achilles feet,
Speaker 1: weeping for Hector, and Achilles, now for his father, and
Speaker 1: now for Patroclus, till the house was filled with their lamentation.
Speaker 1: But when Achilles was now sated with grief and had
Speaker 1: unburthened the bitterness of his sorrow, he left his seat
Speaker 1: and raised the old man by the hand in pity
Speaker 1: for his white hair and beard. Then he said, unhappy man,
Speaker 1: you have indeed been greatly daring. How could you venture
Speaker 1: to come alone to the ships of the Achaeans and
Speaker 1: enter the presence of him who has slain so many
Speaker 1: of your brave sons. You must have iron courage. Sit
Speaker 1: now upon this seat, and for all our grief, we
Speaker 1: will hide our sorrows in our hearts, for weeping will
Speaker 1: not avail us. The immortals know no care. Yet the
Speaker 1: lot they spin for man is full of sorrow. On
Speaker 1: the floor of Jove's palace there stand two urns, the
Speaker 1: one filled with evil gifts and the other with good ones.
Speaker 1: He for whom Jove, the Lord of Thunder, mixes the
Speaker 1: gifts he sends, will meet now with good and now
Speaker 1: with evil fortune. But he to whom Jove sends none
Speaker 1: but evil gifts will be pointed at by the finger
Speaker 1: of scorn. The hand of famine will pursue him to
Speaker 1: the ends of the world, and he will go up
Speaker 1: and down the face of the earth. Respected neither by
Speaker 1: gods nor men. Even so did it befall Pelias. The
Speaker 1: gods endowed him with all good things from his birth upwards,
Speaker 1: for he reigned over the Myrmidons, excelling all men in
Speaker 1: prosperity and wealth, and mortal though he was. They gave
Speaker 1: him a goddess for his bride. But even on him
Speaker 1: too did Heaven send misfortune. For there is no race
Speaker 1: of royal children born to him in his house, save
Speaker 1: one son, who is doomed to die all untimely. Nor
Speaker 1: may I take care of him now that he is
Speaker 1: growing old, for I must stay here at Troy to
Speaker 1: be the bane of you and your children. And you too,
Speaker 1: o Priam, I have heard that you were aforetime happy.
Speaker 1: They say that in wealth and plenitude of offspring, you
Speaker 1: surpassed all that is in Lesbos, the realm of Makar,
Speaker 1: to the northward Phrygia, that is more inland, and those
Speaker 1: that dwell upon the great Hellespont. But from the day
Speaker 1: when the dwellers in Heaven sent this evil upon you,
Speaker 1: war and slaughter have been about your city. Continually bear
Speaker 1: up against it, and let there be some intervals in
Speaker 1: your sorrow. Mourn as you may for your brave son.
Speaker 1: You will take nothing by it. You cannot raise him
Speaker 1: from the dead. Ere you do so, yet another sorrow
Speaker 1: shall befall you. And Priam answered, O King, bid me
Speaker 1: not be seated while Hector is still lying uncared for
Speaker 1: in your tents, But accept the great ransom which I
Speaker 1: have brought you, and give him to me at once
Speaker 1: that I may look upon him. May you prosper with
Speaker 1: the ransom and reach your own land in safety, seeing
Speaker 1: that you have suffered me to live and to look
Speaker 1: upon the light of the sun. Achilles looked at him
Speaker 1: sternly and said, vex me, sir, no longer I am
Speaker 1: of myself minded to give up the body of Hector.
Speaker 1: My mother, daughter of the old Man of the Sea,
Speaker 1: came to me from Jove, to bid me deliver it
Speaker 1: to you. Moreover, I know well, o, Priam, and you
Speaker 1: cannot hide it that some God has brought you to
Speaker 1: the ships of the Achaeans. For else, no man, however
Speaker 1: strong and in his prime, would dare to come to
Speaker 1: our host. He could neither pass our guard unseen, nor
Speaker 1: draw the bolt of my gates. Thus easily. Therefore, provoke
Speaker 1: me no further, lest I sin against the word of Jove,
Speaker 1: and suffer you not suppliant, though you are within my tents.
Speaker 1: The old man feared him and obeyed. Then the son
Speaker 1: of Pelias sprang like a lion through the door of
Speaker 1: his house, not alone, but with him went his two squires,
Speaker 1: Automodon and Alcimus, who were closer to him than any
Speaker 1: others of his comrades. Now that Patroclus was no more,
Speaker 1: these unyoked the horses and mules, and bade Priam's herald
Speaker 1: and attendant be seated within the house. They lifted the
Speaker 1: ransom for Hector's body from the wagon, but they left
Speaker 1: two mantles and a goodly shirt, that Achilles might wrap
Speaker 1: the body in them when he gave it to be
Speaker 1: taken home. Then he called to his servants and ordered
Speaker 1: them to wash the body and anoint it. But he
Speaker 1: first took it to a place where Priam should not
Speaker 1: see it, lest if he did so, he should break
Speaker 1: out in the bitterness of his grief and enrage Achilles,
Speaker 1: who might then kill him and sin against the word
Speaker 1: of Jove. When the servants had washed the body and
Speaker 1: anointed it, and had wrapped it in a fair shirt
Speaker 1: and mantle, Achilles himself lifted it onto a bier, and
Speaker 1: he and his men then laid it on the wagon.
Speaker 1: He cried aloud as he did so, and called on
Speaker 1: the name of his dear comrade. Be not angry with me, Patroclus.
Speaker 1: He said, if you hear even in the house of Hades,
Speaker 1: that I have given Hector to his father for a ransom,
Speaker 1: it has been no unworthy one, and I will share
Speaker 1: it equitably with you. Achilles then went back into the
Speaker 1: tent and took his place on the richly inlaid seat
Speaker 1: from which he had risen by the wall that was
Speaker 1: at right angles to the one against which Priam was sitting. Sir,
Speaker 1: he said, your son is now laid upon his bier
Speaker 1: and is ransomed according to desire. You shall look upon
Speaker 1: him when you carry him away at daybreak. For the present,
Speaker 1: let us prepare our supper. Even lovely, Niobe had to
Speaker 1: think about eating, though her twelve children, six daughters, and
Speaker 1: six lusty sons had been all slain in her house.
Speaker 1: Apollo killed the sons with arrows from his silver bow
Speaker 1: to punish Niobe, and Diana slew the daughters because Niobe
Speaker 1: had vaunted herself against Leto. She said, Leto had borne
Speaker 1: two children only, whereas she had herself borne many. Whereon
Speaker 1: the two killed the many. Nine days did they lie weltering,
Speaker 1: and there was none to bury them, for the son
Speaker 1: of Saturn turned the people into stone. But on the
Speaker 1: tenth day the gods in heaven themselves buried them, and
Speaker 1: Niobe then took food, being worn out with weeping. They
Speaker 1: say that somewhere among the rocks on the mountain pastures
Speaker 1: of Sypolis, where the nymphs live that haunt the river Achelus. There,
Speaker 1: they say, she lives in stone and still nurses the
Speaker 1: sorrows sent upon her by the hand of Heaven. Therefore,
Speaker 1: noble sir, let us too, now take food. You can
Speaker 1: weep for your dear son hereafter, as you are bearing
Speaker 1: him back to Ilius. And many a tear will he
Speaker 1: cost you with this. Achilles sprang from his seat and
Speaker 1: killed a sheep of silvery whiteness, which his followers skinned
Speaker 1: and made ready, all in due order. They cut the
Speaker 1: meat carefully up into smaller pieces, spitted them, and drew
Speaker 1: them off again. When they were well roasted, Automedon brought
Speaker 1: bread in fair baskets and served it round the table,
Speaker 1: while Achilles dealt out the meat, and they laid their
Speaker 1: hands on the good things that were before them. As
Speaker 1: soon as they had had enough to eat and drink, Priam,
Speaker 1: descendant of Dardanus, marveled at the strength and beauty of Achilles,
Speaker 1: for he was as a god to see, and Achilles
Speaker 1: marveled at Priam as he listened to him and looked
Speaker 1: upon his noble presence. When they had gazed their fill,
Speaker 1: Priam spoke first, and now, o King, he said, take
Speaker 1: me to my couch that we may lie down and
Speaker 1: enjoy the blessed boon of sleep. Never once have my
Speaker 1: eyes been closed. From the day your hands took the
Speaker 1: life of my son, I have groveled without ceasing in
Speaker 1: the mire of my stable yard, making moan and brooding
Speaker 1: over my countless sorrows. Now moreover I have eaten bread
Speaker 1: and drunk wine. Hitherto I have tasted nothing. As he spoke,
Speaker 1: Achilles told his men and the women servants to set
Speaker 1: beds in the room that was in the gatehouse, and
Speaker 1: make them with good red rugs, and spread coverlets on
Speaker 1: the top of them with woolen cloaks for Priam and
Speaker 1: idaeis to wear. So the maids went out carrying a torch,
Speaker 1: and got the two beds ready in all haste. Then
Speaker 1: Achilles said laughingly to Priam, dear sir, you shall lie outside,
Speaker 1: lest some counselor of those who in due course keep
Speaker 1: coming to advise with me, should see you here in
Speaker 1: the darkness of the flying night, and tell it to Agamemnon,
Speaker 1: this might cause delay in the delivery of the body.
Speaker 1: And now tell me, and tell me true, for how
Speaker 1: many days would you celebrate the funeral rites of noble
Speaker 1: Hector tell me that I may hold aloof from war
Speaker 1: and restrain the host. And Priam answered, since then you
Speaker 1: suffer me to bury my noble son with all due rights.
Speaker 1: Do thus, Achilles, and I shall be grateful. You know
Speaker 1: how we are pent up within our city. It is
Speaker 1: far for us to fetch wood from the man mountain,
Speaker 1: and the people live in fear. Nine days therefore will
Speaker 1: we mourn Hector in my house. On the tenth day
Speaker 1: we will bury him, and there shall be a public
Speaker 1: feast in his honor. On the eleventh we will build
Speaker 1: a mound over his ashes. And on the twelfth, if
Speaker 1: there be need, we will fight. And Achilles answered, all
Speaker 1: King Priam, shall be as you have said. I will
Speaker 1: stay our fighting for as long a time as you
Speaker 1: have named. As he spoke, he laid his hand on
Speaker 1: the old man's right wrist in token that he should
Speaker 1: have no fear. Thus then did Priam and his attendants
Speaker 1: sleep there in the forecourt full of thought, while Achilles
Speaker 1: lay in an inner room of the house, with fair
Speaker 1: Brisaeus by his side. And now both gods and mortals
Speaker 1: were fast asleep through the livelong night. But upon Mercury alone,
Speaker 1: the bringer of good luck sleep could take no hold,
Speaker 1: for he was thinking all the time how to get
Speaker 1: King Priam away from the ships without his being seen
Speaker 1: by the strong force of sentinels. He hovered therefore over
Speaker 1: Priam's head and said, Sir, now that Achilles has spared
Speaker 1: your life, you seem to have no fear about sleeping
Speaker 1: in the thick of your foes. You have paid a
Speaker 1: great ransom and have received the body of your son.
Speaker 1: Were you still alive and a prisoner, the sons whom
Speaker 1: you have left at home would have to give three
Speaker 1: times as much to free you. And so it would
Speaker 1: be if Agamemnon and the other Achaeans were to know
Speaker 1: of your being here. When he heard this, the old
Speaker 1: man was afraid and roused his servant. Mercury then yoked
Speaker 1: their horses and mules and drove them quickly through the host,
Speaker 1: so that no man perceived them when they came to
Speaker 1: the ford of eddying Xanthus begotten of immortal jove. Mercury
Speaker 1: went back to High Olympus, and dawn in robe of
Speaker 1: Saffron began to break over all the land. Priam and
Speaker 1: Idaeus then drove on toward the city, lamenting and making moan,
Speaker 1: and the mules drew the body of Hector. No one,
Speaker 1: neither man nor woman, saw them, till Cassandra fair as
Speaker 1: golden Venus, standing on Pergamus, caught sight of her dear
Speaker 1: father in his chariot and his servant, that was the
Speaker 1: cities herald with him. Then she saw him that was
Speaker 1: lying upon the bier drawn by the mules, and with
Speaker 1: a loud cry she went about the city, saying, come
Speaker 1: hither Trojans, men and women, and look on Hector. If
Speaker 1: ever you rejoiced to see him coming from battle when
Speaker 1: he was alive, look now on him. That was the
Speaker 1: glory of our city and all our people. At this
Speaker 1: there was not man nor woman left in the city.
Speaker 1: So great a sorrow had possessed them hard. By the gates,
Speaker 1: they met Priam as he was bringing in the body.
Speaker 1: Hector's wife and his mother were the first to mourn him.
Speaker 1: They flew towards the wagon and laid their hands upon
Speaker 1: his head, while the crowd stood weeping round them. They
Speaker 1: would have stayed before the gates, weeping and lamenting the
Speaker 1: livelong day to the going down of the sun, had
Speaker 1: not Prayam spoken to them from the chariot, and said,
Speaker 1: make way for the mules to pass you. Afterwards, when
Speaker 1: I have taken the body home, you shall have your
Speaker 1: fill of weeping on this. The people stood asunder and
Speaker 1: made away for the wagon. When they had borne the
Speaker 1: body within the house, they laid it upon a bed
Speaker 1: and seated minstrels round it to lead the dirge, whereon
Speaker 1: the women joined in the sad music of their lament,
Speaker 1: foremost among them all Andromachy led their wailing as she
Speaker 1: clasped the head of mighty Hector in her embrace. Husbanned,
Speaker 1: she cried, you have died young, and leave me in
Speaker 1: your house a widow. He of whom we are the
Speaker 1: ill starred parents, is still a mere child, and I
Speaker 1: fear he may not reach manhood. Ere he can do so.
Speaker 1: Our city will be raised and overthrown, for you, who
Speaker 1: watched over it, are no more you who were its savior,
Speaker 1: the guardian of our wives and children. Our women will
Speaker 1: be carried away captives to the ships, and I among them,
Speaker 1: while you, my child, who will be with me, will
Speaker 1: be put to some unseemly tasks working for a cruel master,
Speaker 1: or may be some achaian will hurl you o miserable
Speaker 1: death from our walls to avenge some brother, son or
Speaker 1: father whom Hector slew. Many of them have indeed bitten
Speaker 1: the dust at his hands, For your father's hand in
Speaker 1: battle was no light one. Therefore do the people mourn him.
Speaker 1: You have left o Hector, sorrow unutterable to your parents.
Speaker 1: And my own grief is greatest of all. For you
Speaker 1: did not stretch forth your arms and embrace me as
Speaker 1: you lay dying, nor say to me any words that
Speaker 1: might have lived with me in my tears night and day.
Speaker 1: For evermore bitterly did she weep the while, and the
Speaker 1: women joined in her lament. Hecuba, in her turn, took
Speaker 1: up the strains of woe. Hector. She cried, dearest to me,
Speaker 1: of all my children, so long as you were alive,
Speaker 1: the gods loved you well, and even in death they
Speaker 1: have not been utterly unmindful of you. For when Achilles
Speaker 1: took any other of my sons, he would sell him
Speaker 1: beyond the seas to sam Us Imbrus or rugged Lemnos.
Speaker 1: And when he had slain you too with his sword,
Speaker 1: many a time did he drag you round the sepulcher
Speaker 1: of his comrade. Though this could not give him life.
Speaker 1: Yet here you lie, all fresh as dew and comely
Speaker 1: as one whom Apollo has slain with his painless shafts.
Speaker 1: Thus did she too speak through her tears with bitter moan.
Speaker 1: And then Helen for a third time took up the
Speaker 1: strain of lamentation. Hector said, she dearest of all my
Speaker 1: brothers in law, for I am wife to Alexandras, who
Speaker 1: brought me hither to Troy. Would that I had died? Ere?
Speaker 1: He did so. Twenty years are come and gone since
Speaker 1: I left my home and came from over the sea.
Speaker 1: But I have never heard one word of insult or
Speaker 1: unkindness from you. When another would chide with me, as
Speaker 1: it might be one of your brothers or sisters, or
Speaker 1: of your brother's wives, or my mother in law, for
Speaker 1: Priam was as kind to me as though he were
Speaker 1: my own father. You would rebuke and check them with
Speaker 1: words of gentleness and good will. Therefore my tears flow
Speaker 1: both for you and for my unhappy self, for there
Speaker 1: is no one else in Troy who is kind to me,
Speaker 1: but all shrink and shudder as they go by me.
Speaker 1: She wept as she spoke, and the vast crowd that
Speaker 1: was gathered round her joined in her lament. Then King
Speaker 1: Priam spoke to them, saying, bring wood, o Trojans to
Speaker 1: the city, and fear no cunning ambush of the argives
Speaker 1: for Achilles. When he dismissed me from the ships, gave
Speaker 1: me his word that they should not attack us until
Speaker 1: the morning of the twelfth day. Forthwith they yoked their
Speaker 1: oxen and mules and gathered together before the city. Nine
Speaker 1: days long did they bring in great heapswood, And on
Speaker 1: the morning of the tenth day, with many tears, they
Speaker 1: took brave Hector forth, laid his dead body upon the
Speaker 1: summit of the pile, and set the fire there too. Then,
Speaker 1: when the child of morning, rosy fingered dawn appeared on
Speaker 1: the eleventh day, the people again assembled round the pyre
Speaker 1: of mighty Hector. When they were got together, they first
Speaker 1: quenched the fire with wine wherever it was burning. And
Speaker 1: then his brothers and comrades, with many a bitter tear,
Speaker 1: gathered his white bones, wrapped them in soft robes of purple,
Speaker 1: and laid them in a golden urn, which they placed
Speaker 1: in a grave and covered over with large stones set
Speaker 1: close together. Then they built a barrowhurriedly over it, keeping
Speaker 1: guard on every side, lest the Achaeans should attack them
Speaker 1: before they had finished. When they had heaped up the barrow,
Speaker 1: they went back again into the city, and, being well assembled,
Speaker 1: they held high feast in the house of Priam, their king.
Speaker 1: Thus then did they celebrate the funeral of Hector, Tamer
Speaker 1: of horses. This has been the Iliad by Homer, translated
Speaker 1: by Samuel Butler, narrated by Arthur Lane. Production by Gates
Speaker 1: of Imagination.