addressed Talthybius and Eurybates, who were his heralds and zealous attendants:[1]
"Going to the tent of Achilles, the son of Peleus, lead away fair Brisëis, having taken her by the hand; but if he will not give her, then I myself, coming with great numbers, will take her, and this will be more grevious[2] to him."
Thus speaking, he dispatched them, having added[3] a harsh command. But they reluctantly went along the shore of the barren sea, and came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons. And they found him sitting at his tent and his black ship: nor did Achilles, seeing them, rejoice. But they, confused, and reverencing the king, stood still, nor addressed him at all, nor spoke [their bidding]. But he perceived [it] in his mind, and said:
"Hail, heralds, messengers of Jove,[4] and also of men, come near, for ye are not blamable to me in the least, but Agamemnon, who has sent you on account of the maid Brisëis. However, come, noble Patroclus, lead forth the maid, and give her to them to conduct; but let these be witnesses [of the insult offered me], both before the blessed gods, and before mortal men, and before the merciless king. But if ever again there shall be need of me to avert unseemly destruction from the rest, [appeal to me shall be in vain],[5] for surely he rages with an infatuated mind, nor knows at all how to view the future and the past, in order that the Greeks may fight in safety at their ships."
Thus he spoke. And Patroclus obeyed his dear companion, and led forth fair-cheeked Brisëis from the tent, and gave her to them to conduct; and they returned along by the ships of the Greeks. But the woman went with them reluctantly, while Achilles, weeping,[6] immediately sat down,
- ↑ Θεράπων is a voluntaiy servant, as opposed to δοῦλος.—See Arnold.
- ↑ Hesych. ῥίγιον, φοβερώτεον, χαλεπώτερον.
- ↑ "Misit eos, minaci jusso dato."—Heyne.
- ↑ So called from their inviolability—ἄσυλον γὰρ καὶ θεῖον τὸ γένος τῶν κηρύκων—Schol. Καὶ ἐξῆν αὐτοῖς πανταχόσε ἀδεῶς ἰέναι.—Pollux, viii. They were properly sacred to Mercury (id. iv. 9. Cf. Feith, Antiq. Homer, iv. 1), but are called the messengers of Jove, as being under his special protection, with a reference to the supporting of regal authority.
- ↑ Observe the aposiopesis.
- ↑ Not for the loss of Brisëis, but on account of the affront.
