All the afflictions we bear from the anger of Archer Apollo Only from this to have sprung, that I gave not the damsel Chrysëis Back for the gifts that were brought:--for I valued her more than the ransom, Will'd her to stay in my home, and preferr'd her before Clytemnestra, Her that I wedded a maid--nor in aught would comparison harm her, Neither for form nor for face, nor for mind nor the skill of her fingers. Yet even so am I willing to yield her, if this be the better: Weal I desire for the people, and not their calamity lengthen'd. But on the instant make ready a guerdon for me, that of Argives I be not prizeless alone--methinks that of a truth were unseemly-- All of ye witnessing this, that the prize I obtain'd is to leave me." Thus to him instantly answer'd the swift-footed noble Peleides:-- "Foremost in fame, Agamemnon, in greediness, too, thou art foremost. Whence can a prize be assign'd by the generous host of Achaia? Nowhere known unto us is a treasure of common possessions: All that we took with a town was distributed right on the capture; Nor is it seemly for states to resume and collect their allotments. Render the maid to the God, and expect from the sons of Achaia Threefold recompense back, yea fourfold, soon as Kronion Grants us to waste and abolish the well-wall'd city of Troia." So the Peleides--and thus, in reply, said the King Agamemnon:-- "Good as thou art in the dealings of battle, most noble Achilleus, Try not the engines of craft; to come over me thus is beyond thee. This the suggestion forsooth that, thyself being safe with thy booty, I shall sit down without mine! I am bid to surrender the damsel: This is the word--and 'tis well, if the generous host of Achaia Yield me a prize in her stead that is fair and affords me contentment; But if ye grant me not this, be it known, I will do myself justice-- Seizing what Aias obtain'd, or despoiling the tent of Odysseus; Yea, peradventure, thine own--whatsoever the rage of the loser. These, of a surety, are things to be duly consider'd hereafter; Meantime, down to the deep let a black-hull'd galley be hauser'd, Oarsmen selected and rang'd, and the hecatomb stow'd for the temple-- Mine be the care to accomplish the freight with the rosy Chrysëis. Last, be some counsellor-chief for command of the galley appointed-- Whether Idomeneus be it, or Aias, or noble Odysseus, Yea, or, Peleides, thyself, among terrible warriors foremost! So shall by thee be achiev'd the appeasing of Archer Apollo." Dark was the scowl of Achilles the rapid, as thus he made answer:-- "Oh! thou in impudence clothed! O heart, that is ever on lucre! How can the words of thy mouth stir zeal in a single Achaian Either to march in thy train, or to stand in the fierceness of onset? Truly I came not, for one, out of hate for the spearmen of Troia, Hither to battle with them--neither feud nor offence was between us.