Wrathfully parted the priest, and pray'd in his wrath to Apollo;
Pray'd, and his prayer was heard, for well did the God love his servant.
Soon on the Argive ranks flew his fatal shafts: and the people 380
Died in heaps around; and wider still did his arrows
Range thro' the hosts of Achaia.—At last a skilful diviner
Rose and revealed the will of the God, the far-darting destroyer.
First then was I to advise that the wrath of the God be abated.
Rage seized Atrides' soul:—he rose up hasty in anger,
Dared to give word to a threat, and dared but now to perform it.
His prize, this very moment, the black-eyed sons of Achaia
Send unto Chryses, home; with gifts for the shrine of Apollo.
Mine, even now is led far away from my tent by the heralds;
Even the maid Brisèis, my gift from the sons of Achaia. 390
But do thou, O mother dear, if thou canst, aid thy son in his sorrow!
Go to the dome of Olympus! to Zeus prefer thy petition!
If ever deed of thine, if ever thy word has availed him.
Oft have I heard thee tell, in the halls of my father I heard thee
Tell, how that thou by thyself, amid all of the race of Immortals,
Stood by the God of Storms, and saved him from utter destruction:
Saved him from shameful bonds, at the hands of the race of Olympus;
Herè, mighty Poseidon, and virgin Pallas Athenè.
You to his rescue came, O Goddess, and saved him from fetters:
Brought to his aid on Olympus, the giant, the hundred-handed; 400
Call'd by Immortals Briàreus; known among men Ægæon;
For that in strength of arm his father was weaker than he was!—
Proud of his unmatch'd might did he sit by the side of Cronīon[1];
And the Gods saw, and fear'd, and paused, nor attempted to bind him.
Go then: remind him of this: clasp the knees of the God: and entreat him!
Urge him to grant his aid to the hostile ranks of the Trojans;
So that, Achaia's hosts, dying fast by the brink of the ocean,
Under their prows may learn to rejoice, as they may, in their great King.
- ↑ Son of Saturn:—a title of Zeus; the same as Cronīdes.
