Holding the fillet divine in his hands of the Archer Apollo, Twin'd on the sceptre of gold, he petition'd the host of Achaia-- Foremost of all the Atreidæ, the twain that are chief in dominion. Then had it audible greeting from all the array of Achaians Duly to honour the priest and accept fair gifts of redemption; Only displeased in his mind was the King Agamemnon Atreides-- Stern the rejection from him and ungentle his word of dismissal. Wrathful the elder departed, and pray'd in his wrath to Apollo; Nor was the prayer unheard, for the priest was belov'd of the Godhead. Swiftly the arrow of death was discharg'd on the host of the Argives; More and yet more did he slay, for the terrible darts of his vengeance Spared not a spot of the camp; till at last, when the people were gather'd, Rose up a seer well skill'd and reveal'd the decree of the Archer. Foremost was I in exhorting to bend to the God for atonement-- This the offence that enrag'd Agamemnon, who, instantly rising, Utter'd the menacing word which his insolence now has accomplish'd. Home at the last unto Chrysa the quick-eyed oarsmen of Argos. Now are conducting the maiden, with plentiful gifts for Apollo; But in the selfsame hour have his messengers left my pavilion, Leading Brisëis away, my award from the host of Achaia. Therefore I call upon thee, if with thee be the power to assist me, Up to Olympus to go, and to supplicate Zeus for thine offspring, If, or by word or by deed, thou hast pleasur'd the heart of the Highest: And I have heard thee of old, full oft, in the halls of my father, Boast how of all the immortals thy ministry only avail'd him Then when the rest of the Gods were combin'd for his humiliation, Hera herself at the head, with Poseidon and Pallas Athena, All in conspiracy swearing to fetter the Lord of the Black Cloud; But thou, Goddess, approaching, wast able to rescue from bondage, Summoning swiftly to join thee, and leading to lofty Olympus, Him who is Briareus nam'd among men, by Immortals, Ægeon, Him of the hundred hands, who surpasses his father[12] in puissance; And by Kronion he sat in the pride of his glory rejoicing, Filling with terror the Blest; for they saw and desisted from binding. Sit by the side of the God, and remind him of this, and entreat him, Grasping his knees, if perchance it may please him to succour the Trojans, Granting them back on the galleys to trample the sons of Achaia, Scatter'd in dread, till they all have contentment enough of their Captain-- Yea, till Atreides himself, Agamemnon, the chief in dominion, Rues the infatuate pride that dishonour'd the best of Achaians." Sad was the mother at hearing, and thus amid weeping she answer'd:-- "Woe to me! why did I bear thee, my child, in an hour of misfortune? Would I could see thee nor harm'd by injustice nor yielding to sadness,