"Why does that mighty god call me? I am ashamed to mix with the immortals, for I have innumerable griefs in my soul. Yet must I go; for the word which he utters will not be in vain."
Thus having spoken, the divine one of goddesses took her dark robe, than which no garment is blacker. And she set out to go, while wind-footed, fleet Iris led the way; and the water of the sea retired on each side of them.[1] Next ascending the shore, they were impelled up to heaven. They found the far-sounding son of Saturn; and all the other blessed immortal gods sat assembled around him; but she then sat down beside father Jove, and Minerva gave place to her. Then Juno placed a beautiful golden goblet in her hand, and consoled her with words; and Thetis having drunk, returned it. But to them the father of men and gods began discourse:
"Thou hast come to Olympus, although sad, O goddess Thetis, having in thy mind a grief not to be forgotten; and I know it. Yet even thus will I speak, and on this account have I called thee hither. Nine days has a contest already been excited among the immortals respecting the body of Hector, and Achilles the destroyer of cities, and they have urged the watchful slayer of Argus to steal him. But I bestow this glory[2] on Achilles, securing for the future thy respect and love. Descend very speedily to the camp, and give orders to thy son. Tell him that the gods are offended, and that I am angry above all the immortals, because with infuriated mind he detains Hector at the crooked barks, nor has released him: if perchance he will revere me, and restore Hector. Meanwhile I will despatch Iris to magnanimous Priam, that, going to the ships of the Greeks, he may ransom his beloved son, and carry offerings to Achilles, which may melt his soul."
- ↑ "At Il. ψ. 231: Πηλείδης δ' ἀπὸ πυκραΐης ἑτερωσε λιασθείς, going away, or aside from the pyre. And so νόσφι λιασθείς, Il. α. 349, λ. 80. One of the plainest instances of the same sense is at Il. ω. 96, of the waves, which make way for the goddesses as they rise from the depths of the sea, which turn aside, and yield them a passage."—Buttm. Lexil. p. 404.
- ↑ "The sense is: I have not sanctioned the proposal that the body of Hector should he removed furtively, in order that an opportunity might be offered to Achilles of receiving a ransom for it, which would redound to his glory."—Kennedy.
