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The Iliad; - Truth Seeker Times

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10 THE ILIAD. [book i.<br />

And for it twenty rowers pick'd, and for the god's acceptance<br />

A hecatomb he plac'd on board ; and dainty-oheek'd Chryseis 310<br />

Came last; and o'er them Leader went Ulysses much-devising..<br />

<strong>The</strong>y then embarking floated forth along the watery channels.<br />

But at the king's behest, the folk, well cleans'd with holy washings.<br />

Into the salt wave's purity rejected all defilement.<br />

And they, on shingles of the brine nor com nor wine producing, 315<br />

Prime hecatombs of bulls and goats were serving to Apollo<br />

Whose fragrance mounted to the sky, with curls of smoke aspiring.<br />

Such cares employ'd the multitude; but not did Agamemnon<br />

Slacken the feud, which he at first against Achilles threaten'd.<br />

Talthybius and Eurybates he carefully accosted, 320<br />

Who held to him as heralds twain and ministers obeisant<br />

" Go both ; and entering the tent of Peleus' son, Achilles,<br />

Seize by the hand and lead away<br />

But if they shall not yield her up ;<br />

the dainty-cheek'd Briseis.<br />

why then,—myself may seize her,<br />

Coming with larger multitude ; whiohwere to himmorepainful."32B<br />

Thus speaking, forward sent he them, with words of stern monition<br />

<strong>The</strong> twain, on shingles of the brine nor corn nor wine producing,<br />

Pac'd sadly to the Myrmidons and reach'd their tents and galleys.<br />

But him theyfoundoutside the tent, near to his dusky galley.<br />

Seated : nor did Achilles then rejoice, when he beheld them. 330<br />

In tremor they before the king with reverential homage<br />

Stood stiU ; yet spake they no salute, and no inquiry made they.<br />

But he in his own mind discern'd, and first the twain accosted<br />

"All hail ! ye heralds, who from Jove bear message, and from mortals.<br />

Draw nearer ; justly I reproach not you, but Agamemnon, 335<br />

Who for the maid Brise'is' sake has hither sent you forward.<br />

But, come, Patroclus Jove-deriv'd, prythee, bring out the damsel,<br />

/And to their guidance yield her : but, I claim them both to witness,<br />

Before the face of blessed gods, before the face of mortals,<br />

Ayl and before that king so stern. And if there rise hereafter 340<br />

Some need of me, from aU the rest to avert unseemly ruin,<br />

Kemember ye !—for he in truth, with deadly bosom fumeth,<br />

334. From Jove, i. e,, heralds were esteemed as depositaries of a sacred law<br />

international law.<br />

; :<br />

:<br />

— :

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