Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
And if we win to the richest of lands, even Achaian
Argos, he shall be my son and I will hold him in like honour with
Orestes, my stripling boy that is nurtured in all abundance. Three
daughters are mine in my well-builded hall, Chrysothemis and Laodike
and Iphianassa; let him take of them which he will, without gifts of
wooing, to Peleus’ house; and I will add a great dower such as no man
ever yet gave with his daughter. And seven well-peopled cities will I
give him, Kardamyle and Enope and grassy Hire and holy Pherai and
Antheia deep in meads, and fair Aipeia and Pedasos land of vines. And
all are nigh to the salt sea, on the uttermost border of sandy Pylos;
therein dwell men abounding in flocks and kine, men that shall worship
him like a god with gifts, and beneath his sway fulfil his prosperous
ordinances. All this will I accomplish so he but cease from wrath. Let
him yield; Hades I ween is not to be softened neither overcome, and
therefore is he hatefullest of all gods to mortals. Yea, let him be
ruled by me, inasmuch as I am more royal and avow me to be the elder in
years.”
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered and said: “Most noble son of
Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, now are these gifts not lightly to be
esteemed that thou offerest king Achilles. Come therefore, let us speed
forth picked men to go with all haste to the hut of Peleus’ son
Achilles. Lo now, whomsoever I appoint let them consent. First let
Phoinix dear to Zeus lead the way, and after him great Aias and noble
Odysseus; and for heralds let Odios and Eurybates be their companions.
And now bring water for our hands, and bid keep holy silence, that we
may pray unto Zeus the son of Kronos, if perchance he will have mercy
upon us.”
So said he, and spake words that were well-pleasing unto all. Forthwith
the heralds poured water on their hands, and the young men crowned the
bowls with drink and gave each man his portion after they had poured
the libation in the cups. And when they had made libation and drunk as
their heart desired, they issued forth from the hut of Agamemnon son of
Atreus. And knightly Nestor of Gerenia gave them full charge, with many
a glance to each, and chiefest to Odysseus, how they should essay to
prevail on Peleus’ noble son.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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