Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
“O father Jove, if ever I have aided thee among the immortals, either
in word or deed, accomplish for me this desire: honour my son, who is
the most short-lived of others; for now indeed Agamemnon, the king of
men, has disgraced him; for he possesses his prize, he himself having
borne it away. Do thou at least, Olympian Jove all counselling, honour
him: and so long grant victory to the Trojans, until the Greeks shall
reverence my son, and shall advance him in honour.”
Footnote 57: (return) Cf. ver. 425.
Footnote 58: (return) Οὐρανός is here the upper clear region of
air,—the ether, into which Olympus soared up.—Voss.
Thus she spoke; but cloud-compelling Jove answered her nothing, but sat
silent for a long time. And as Thetis seized his knees, fast clinging
she held them, and thus again entreated: “Do but now promise to me
explicitly, and grant or refuse, (for in thee there is no dread,) that
I may well know how far I am the most dishonoured goddess amongst all.”
But her cloud-compelling Jove, deeply moved, addressed: “Truly now this
[will be] a grievous matter, since thou wilt cause me to give offence
to Juno, when she shall irritate me with reproachful words. For, even
without reason, she is perpetually chiding me amongst the immortal
gods, and also says that I aid the Trojans in battle. But do thou on
thy part now depart, lest Juno behold thee: but these things shall be
my care, until I perform them. But if [thou wilt have it thus], so be
it; I will nod to thee with my head, that thou mayest feel confidence.
For this from me is the greatest pledge among the immortals: for my
pledge, even whatsoever I shall sanction by nod, is not to be
retracted, neither fallacious nor unfulfilled.”
The son of Saturn spoke, and nodded thereupon with his dark eyebrows.
And then the ambrosial locks of the king were shaken over him from his
immortal head; and he made mighty Olympus tremble. Thus having
conferred, they separated. She at once plunged from splendid Olympus
into the profound sea. But Jove on the other hand [returned] to his
palace. But all the gods rose up together from their seats to meet
their sire; nor did any dare to await 59 him approaching, but all rose
in his presence. Thus indeed he sat there on his throne; nor was Juno
unconscious, having seen that silver-footed Thetis, the daughter of the
marine old man, had joined in deliberation with him. Forthwith with
reproaches she accosted Saturnian Jove:
“Which of the gods again, O deceitful one, has been concerting measures
with thee? Ever is it agreeable to thee, being apart from me, plotting
secret things, to decide thereon; nor hast thou ever yet deigned
willingly to tell me one word of what thou dost meditate.”
Footnote 59: (return) Heyne supplies “sedendo.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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