The Project Gutenberg Etext of the Iliad of - Stanford Exploration ...

38 ILIAD. III. 115–164
down on the ground near each other; and around [each pile of arms] there was
a little space.
But Hector dispatched two heralds to the city with speed to bring the lambs,
and to call Priam. While, on the other hand, king Agamemnon sent Talthybius
to go to the hollow ships, and ordered him to bring a lamb. And he did not
disobey noble Agamemnon.
And meantime came Iris a messenger to white-armed Helen, likening herself
to her husband’s sister, the wife of Antenor’s son, most excelling in beauty
of the daughters of Priam, Laodice, whom the son of Antenor, king Helicaon,
possessed. But she found her in her palace, and she was weaving an ample web,
a double [mantle], 1 resplendent, and on it was working many labors both of the
horse-taming Trojans and the brazen-mailed Greeks, which on her account they
suffered at the hand of Mars. Standing near, the swift-footed Iris accosted her
thus:
“Come hither, dear lady, 2 that thou mayest view the wondrous deeds of the
horse-taming Trojans, and of the brazen-mailed Greeks, who formerly against
each other waged tearful war in the plain, eager for destructive battle. Now,
however, they sit in silence (and the war has ceased), leaning on their shields,
and near them their long spears are fixed. But Alexander and Mars-beloved
Menelaus are about to fight for thy sake with their long spears, and thou shall
be called the dear wife of him who conquers.”
Thus having spoken, the goddess infused a tender desire into her mind both
of her former husband, and of her city, and her parents. And instantly vailing
herself in white linen robes, 3 she rushed from her chamber, shedding a tender
tear: not alone, for two domestics accompanied her, Œthra, daughter of Pittheus,
and large-eyed Clymene. Then they quickly came to where the Scæan
gates were. But Priam and Panthous, and Thymœtes, Lampus, Clytius, Hicetaon,
an offshoot of Mars, Ucalegon, and Antenor, both prudent, elders of the
people, sat at the Scæan gates, long since desisting from war, through old age:
but good orators, like unto the Cicadæ, 4 which, in the woods, sitting on a tree,
send forth a delicate voice; such leaders of the Trojans at that time were sitting
on the tower. But when they saw Helen coming to the tower, in low tone they
addressed to each other winged words:
“It is not a subject for indignation, that Trojans and well-greaved Greeks
endure hardships for a long time on account of such a woman. In countenance
she is wondrous like unto the immortal goddesses, but even so, although being
such, let her return in the ships, nor be left a destruction to us and to our
children hereafter.”
Thus they spoke. But Priam called Helen,—“Coming hither before us, dear
daughter, sit by me, that thou mayest see thy former husband, thy kindred,
and thy friends—(thou art not at all in fault toward me; the gods, in truth,
1By xlaina=n is understood a mantle which could be worn doubled. Others suppose it
means cloth of double tissue.
2An affectionate use of the word nu/ mfa, which properly means a bride or young wife.
3The plural is used to denote a long flowing robe.
4By some the cicada or te/ ttic, this is to be considered to be the balm-cricket.