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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. XXIV.

The redemption of Hector, and his funeral.

Thus end the games. The Greeks dispersed are,
And ev’ry man returned to his tent,
And busy was his supper to prepare;
And after they had supp’d to bed they went.
5Achilles all the night slept not a wink,

But on Patroclus’ worth, and company,
And on their common suff’rings still did think,
And lay upon his bed unquietly.
And weeping sometimes laid himself on this,
10Sometimes on that side, sometimes on his face,

And sometimes on his back, and sometimes ris,
And walk’d upon the shore from place to place.
And soon as ere he saw the morning come,
He Hector to his char’ot ti’d again;
15And dragg’d him thrice about Patroclus’ tomb,

And then went in, and left him on the plain,
With dust all over hidden, but not rent.
For Phœbus had him cover’d with his shield,
That torn his body was not as they went.
20The Gods meanwhile sat looking on the field,

And griev’d to see Achilles show such spite;
And some of them advised Mercury
To steal away the body from his sight.
To this the other Gods did all agree,
25But Neptune, Juno, Pallas, angry were

With Priam and with Troy, for Paris’ sake,
For that he Venus did so much prefer,
And of the others small account did make.
Thus pass’d it then. But twelve days after, came
30Apollo to the Gods in council set,

And said, Ye Gods unjust, you are to blame.
What sacrifice did Hector e’er forget,
That to his father, mother, wife, and son,
That for his death lament, he must not come,
35And buried be, since he is dead and gone,

And have a funeral in Ilium?
But to Achilles’ fury you give way,
Whose breast is void of all humanity.
As lions on men’s cattle love to prey;
40Savage and proud on men so falleth he,

Asham’d of nothing. Though another man,
That had a loving brother lost, or son,
When he has wept a while, give over can,
And bear the ill that cannot be undone;
45But he with Hector’s death is not content,

But drags his body at his chariot,
Not caring how we may the same resent.
He’ll find at last ’twere better he had not
Upon the senseless earth have shown such spite.
50To this in anger Juno then replied,

If equal they had been, you had said right,
But that they equal are it is denied.
For Hector was a mortal woman’s son;
Achilles’ mother a great Goddess is,
55Thetis, that nurs’d was and brought up by none

But by myself. The Gods can witness this,
Who, when I made her noble Peleus’ bride,
Came to the wedding all, and you too then
Were with your fiddle there well satisfied,
60Perfidious God, companion of mean men.

Then Jupiter to Juno spake and said,
Look not so angrily upon the Gods,
Nor for Achilles’ honour be afraid.
’Twixt him and Hector I know well the odds.
65But Hector we of mortals love the best,

I do at least, of all the men of Troy.
He never is behind-hand with my feast,
But flesh and wine pays duly at my day.
But we’ll not Hector from Achilles steal;
70Nor can, since Thetis for him is awake.

Call Thetis hither; for with her I’ll deal
To make him for his body ransom take.
This said, into the sea leap’d Iris straight
Between the isles of Imbros and of Same.
75The water roar’d and started at her weight;

And she to th’ bottom like a plummet came,
Where in a hollow cave the Goddess sat,
Her sea-nymphs all about her sitting round,
She in the midst bewailing her son’s fate,
80That was to perish on the Trojan ground.

And going to her near, Thetis, said she,
Jove calls you to him. She replied, Why so?
What has that mighty God to say to me?
I am not fit amongst the Gods to go.
85But well; I go. I dare not disobey.

And on her head then throws she a black hood.
Then up they went, and Iris led the way.
To let them pass the sea divided stood,
And being landed, leap’d up to the sky,
90When Jove in council and the Gods were met;

Where Thetis was received lovingly,
And next himself by Jupiter was set:
There Juno nectar, Pallas gave her place.
And Jove unto her spake. Thetis, said he,
95I know your grief, but such is now the case,

You could not from th’ assembly spared be.
Nine days amongst ourselves we disagree
Concerning Hector’s body what to do;
The most would have him stol’n by Mercury,
100But for your sake I would not yield thereto.

But go you, Thetis, to your son, and say
The Gods are angry, and I most of all,
That Hector’s body at the ships doth stay
Unransom’d, and without a funeral;
105That he release it may for fear of me.

Meanwhile to Priam Iris shall be sent,
To bid him go t’ Achilles speedily,
And with fair presents fetch it from his tent.
This said, she from Olympus took her flight
110T’ Achilles’ tent, and found him sitting there,

Where he, Patroclus still lamenting, sigh’d,
And with him friends providing dinner were;
And killed had a fat sheep in his tent.
Then in she went, and sat down by his side.
115How long, said she, will you yourself torment?

Be comforted, and for your health provide;
And take delight in women’s company,
For here you know you are not long to stay,
And that at hand is now your destiny.
120And hear what I from Jove must to you say.

From Jupiter I come, who bade me say
The Gods are angry, and he most of all,
That Hector’s body at the ships doth stay
Unransom’d, and without a funeral.
125The ransom therefore take, and let him go.

To which Achilles a short answer gave.
Let him that will, since Jove will have it so,
The ransom bring, the body he shall have.
Whilst Thetis and her son discoursing were,
130To Priam Jove swift Iris sent away.

Iris, said he, this message from me bear
To Priam, and relate what now I say.
Bid him unto Achilles’ tent to go,
And carry with him other Trojans none
135But one old squire, his char’ot to look to,

And bring away the body of his son;
And honourable presents with him bear,
Wherewith Achilles may be well content.
And bid him death and danger not to fear,
140So good a guardian with him shall be sent.

Hermes shall guide him to Achilles’ tent,
And being there he needs not fear at all.
Achilles will not kill him, but prevent
The hurt that might from others on him fall.
145He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,

And pity has for them that to him pray.
This said, flew Iris from Olympus high
To Priam’s house, where little was of joy.
His sons about him weeping sat, and he
150I’ th’ midst involved in his cloak so just,

That one th’ impression of his limbs might see,
His head and neck bedaub’d with dung and dust,
Which he himself had thrown upon his head.
His daughters, and his sons’ wives, howling went
155About, for brothers and for husbands that were dead,

And to the shades by th’ Argives had been sent.
Then Iris unto Priam coming near,
With soft and gentle voice unto him said:
Priam, be bold, for no ill news I bear
160(For trembling sat he, and was sore afraid),

Jove bids you to Achilles’ tent to go,
And carry with you other Trojans none
But one old squire, your char’ot to look to,
And bring away the body of your son;
165And honourable presents with you bear,

Wherewith Achilles may be well content.
He bids you neither death nor danger fear,
So good a guardian with you shall be sent;
Hermes shall guide you to Achilles’ tent.
170When you are there, past is the danger all;

Achilles will not kill you, but prevent
The harm that may from others on you fall.
He wants not judgment, care, nor piety,
And pity has on them that to him pray
175In their distress, and at his mercy lie.

When Iris this had said, she went away.
Then Priam said unto his sons, Arise,
And make a waggon ready out of hand;
And to a cedar chamber down he hies,
180Where his most precious household-stuff did stand,

And thither call’d his wife, and to her said,
Jove’s messenger t’ Achilles bids me go
With ransom for my son. I’m not afraid,
But what think you? Is’t best to go, or no?
185At this, aloud she shriek’d, and said, Ay me,

What now is of the wit you had become,
For which so wise you once were thought to be,
By men abroad, and by your friends at home?
Will you go put yourself into the hand
190Of him that hath your sons so many slain,

A man that does not pity understand,
Nor faith? No, no, he’ll not from you abstain.
But since the Fates designed had before
His birth, to th’ dogs he should be made a prey
195By this hard-hearted man, you may deplore

Him here at home, and from Achilles stay.
Oh, that between my teeth I had his heart,
That to revenge my son I might it eat;
It would no little ease be to my smart,
200And less the loss of him I should regret.

For Hector only for his country fought,
And of his enemies was not afraid,
Nor did him wrong, but valiant was and stout.
Then Priam to his wife replied, and said,
205Nay, wife, since to him I am bent to go,

Dissuade me not, nor ill bird to me be
Here in my house, and bode me ill. For know,
Whate’er you say, ’twill not prevail with me.
If now a priest or prophet to me came,
210And this had said, I thought it had a lie.

But howsoever, come what will, I am
With Hector in my arms content to die.
This said, the chests he presently unlocks,
And out he lays twelve robes for womankind,
215As many coats, as many single cloaks,

And unto those as many that were lin’d;
And further twelve rich carpets out he laid,
And when he that had done, he gold brought forth,
Whereof he layed by ten talents weigh’d,
220And two great black three-footed pots, much worth;

And unto those he set bright cauldrons four,
And the fine cup which giv’n him was when he
From Troy to Thrace was sent ambassador,
So long’d he to set Hector’s body free.
225I’ th’ porch then standing many Trojans were,

That sorry for his grief, were thither come;
To whom he said, Rascals, what make you here?
Find you not cause of grief enough at home,
That you must hither come to trouble me,
230As if too little ’twere to lose my son?

Hereafter you will eas’lier killed be,
Since Hector, who defended you, is gone.
As for myself, before I see that day,
I hope to be within th’ infernal gates.
235Then with his staff he drave them all away;

And turning in again his sons he rates,
Paris and Agathon and Helenus,
Pammon, Polites, and Antiphobus,
Argavus, Deiphobus, Hippothous.
240These nine he rated, saying to them thus,

Make haste, unworthy sons. I had been glad
If you in Hector’s stead had all been slain.
O how unfortunate am I, that had
So many and so valiant sons in vain!
245Mestor and Troïlus both valiant men,

And godlike Hector. Sure I am accurs’d.
Since Mars of these depriv’d me has again,
And now I none have left me but the worst,
Domestic wolves, the bane of lamb and kid,
250And good for nothing but to dance and lie.

Why stand you still? Were you not by me bid
The waggon to prepare? Then out they fly,
And speedily the waggon forth they bring,
And yoke well-fitted with an iron pin;
255And fix’d it to the pole’s end with a ring,

And cord nine cubits long, to keep it in;
Which thrice about the boxen yoke they wind,
And to the waggon laid the ransom in;
And to it then the lusty mules they bind,
260Which by the Mysians given him had been.

That done, king Priam’s horses to his car
Were by himself and by Idæus tied,
Of which he always taken had such care,
That while they fed he stayed by their side.
265Then Hecuba came to them with a cup,

A golden cup of pleasant wine, that they
The same to Jupiter might offer up
Before unto their foes they went away.
Here, take this cup, said she, and pray to Jove
270That he will let you see a lucky flight

Of that great bird which he the most doth love,
That you may be assured by the sight
That safe you shall again return to Troy.
For if that favour to you be denied
275I should avise you by all means to stay.

And Priam then to Hecuba replied,
This counsel, wife, of yours with reason stands.
Jove pleased is when to him men look up.
For water then he call’d and wash’d his hands,
280And from his wife receiv’d the golden cup.

Then looking up to heav’n, O Jove, said he,
Of all the Gods most glorious, high, and great,
Grant me that I may well received be
B’ Achilles at his tent, and well retreat.
285And that thereof I may be confident,

Now show me of your bird a lucky flight.
This said, Jove presently an eagle sent,
Of colour spotted over black and white.
As wide as is a prince’s gate or more,
290So wide her wings the mighty eagle spreads,

And as it over Ilium did soar,
The people joy’d to see it o’er their heads.
The old man then went up into his seat,
And through the city to the plain did pass.
295The waggon wherein lay the treasure great

Before him driven by Idæus was.
And so far went his sons, and sons-in-law;
And then return’d again into the city.
When Jupiter upon the way him saw
300In this estate, he moved was with pity;

And unto Hermes turn’d his eyes and said,
Since you men’s company do most frequent,
And whom you will can quickly hear and aid,
Go and guide Priam to Achilles’ tent.
305But so as to be seen by none, until

He thither safely come. And Mercury
No sooner understood his father’s will
But sets himself about it willingly.
And first his shoes unto his feet he binds
310Ambrosian shoes that over sea and land

Bear him as swift and lightly as the winds;
And then his rod he took into his hand,
Wherewith he layeth sleep on mortal eyes,
And takes it off again when he thinks good.
315Then down to Troy and Hellespont he flies,

In likeness of a youth of royal blood,
When down begins t’ appear upon his face.
Idæus now and Priam at the brink
Of Xanthus were, and night came on apace,
320And there they made their mules and horses drink.

Idæus near them then saw Mercury,
And in great fear, to Priam cried, I see
A man, O Priam, coming. Let us fly,
Or to him go and fall down at his knee.
325And horribly was Priam then afraid;

His hair with fear upon him stood upright.
Then Mercury unto him came, and laid
His hand on his, and to him said, ’Tis night;
What makes you be abroad? Do you not fear
330Your foes, the Greeks? If any of them knew

That you were with so great a treasure here,
In what a pitiful estate were you?
For you, and he that’s with you, both are old,
And neither of you can himself defend,
335But as for any hurt from me, be bold;

I hither come t’ assist you as a friend,
So like, me thinks, you to my father are.
And Priam then to Mercury replied:
’Tis true you say; and yet the Gods a care
340Have of me still, to send me such a guide,

So great a man, so comely, and so wise,
That blessed are the parents you begat.
And Mercury to him again replies:
Indeed, old man, you say the truth in that.
345But whither bear you your best goods away?

To some strange city, till the war be done?
Or are the Trojans all now leaving Troy,
Since killed is the best of them, your son,
That might with any of the Greeks compare?
350Tell me, said Priam, pray ye, who are you,

And whence ye come, and who your parents are,
And how my son and his hard fate you knew?
You mean to try me now, said Mercury.
At th’ Argive ships I Hector frighted saw,
355And how he made the Greeks before him fly,

And how he toss’d them in the field like straw,
Where we stood by, with wonder looking on;
Achilles had forbidden us to fight.
His man am I, by birth a Myrmidon,
360And stood amongst the rest to see the fight.

My father is Polyctor, very rich,
But now an old man is, and like to you.
And seven sons he has in all, of which
I am the last. And lots at home we drew,
365Which of us with Achilles should be sent

To th’ war of Troy. The lot then fell to me,
And with Achilles in his ship I went,
And hither come the place of fight to see.
The Greeks by break of day will hither come,
370And try if now the city they can win;

Impatient of their stay at Ilium,
They cannot by their leaders be kept in.
Then Priam to him said again: Since you
Achilles’ servant are, is Hector yet
375At th’ Argive ships, I pray you tell me true,

Or cut in joints, thrown to the dogs to eat?
And Hermes unto this again replies:
Nor dogs nor fowl upon him yet have fed,
But at the ships he still neglected lies,
380And though he have twelve days now there been dead,

Yet is his body uncorrupt, and free
From worms that breed in other bodies slain,
And though it ev’ry morning dragged be
About Patroclus’ tomb, doth whole remain,
385And undefac’d, the blood all wash’d away.

You would admire to see him look so fresh,
And cleansed of the filth that on him lay,
And at his wounds how closed is the flesh,
Though many from the Greeks receiv’d he had;
390So kind the Gods were after he was dead.

These words of Mercury made Priam glad,
And thus again he to him answered:
Yes, yes, ’tis good to give the Gods their due,
A thing that Hector never did omit;
395And therefore to him they this favour shew,

Although his soul be in th’ infernal pit.
But now t’ Achilles’ tent be you my guide,
And at my hand this handsome cup receive.
Again you try me, Mercury replied;
400I dare not take’t without Achilles’ leave,

For of his anger in great fear I stand.
Without a bribe I’ll with you go along
To what place you think fit, by sea or land,
Though ’twere to Argos; none shall do you wrong.
405For sure, so wretchedly I do not look,

But that a man may of me stand in fear.
Then up he leapt, and in his hands he took
The whip and reins, and serv’d as char’oteer.
When they were come to th’ Argive ditch and wall,
410The watch that placed was the gate to keep,

Their supper to provide were busy all,
And Mercury there laid them all asleep,
Took off the bars, the gate wide open laid,
And in the char’ot and the waggon went,
415With all the wealth for Hector to be paid,

And forward pass unto Achilles’ tent,
Built for him by his Myrmidons, and high,
With fir-trees tall, and cover’d over head
(To keep it out of danger from the sky)
420With the deep vesture of the flow’ry mead,

And to it had a great court pal’d about,
And in the pale a high two-valved door,
For cars and waggons to go in and out,
And one great bar of fir-tree and no more,
425So great that it requir’d three common men

Upon the lofty gate to set it on,
And three such men to take it off again;
None but Achilles shut it could alone.
This gate then Hermes open to him laid,
430And with the car and waggon in he came,

Then leaping to the ground to Priam said,
Old father, I a God immortal am,
Hermes, and hither sent to be your guide,
From heav’n, on purpose by my father Jove.
435But by Achilles I’ll not here be spied;

Gods must not shew to men such open love.
But go you to Achilles in, and try
What favour from him at his knees you’ll find,
And put him of his son in memory,
440And father. That will work upon his mind.

This said, t’ Olympus Hermes went his way.
Then to the ground leapt Priam from his car,
And going in he bad Idæus stay,
And of the mules and horses have a care.
445Achilles at his supper now was set,

And waiting on him stood Automedon
And Alimus, the table standing yet;
But supp’d he had, and appetite had none.
His other friends at distance from him sat,
450And Priam to them then came in unseen,

And kiss’d the hands there of Achilles, that
Of many of his sons the death had been.
As when a man that kill’d another has,
And to another prince for safety flies,
455Men at him stare; so he amazed was

When he saw Priam stand before his eyes.
The rest admir’d the comely man to see,
And both on him and one another look:
But Priam then upon Achilles’ knee
460Laid both his hands, and thus unto him spoke:

Godlike Achilles, take into your thought
Your father, that an old man is as I,
And into trouble by his neighbours brought,
And has no friend on whom he may rely.
465Yet he has many intervals of joy,

And thinking on his son, is comforted
With hope to see him back return from Troy.
Undone am I; for all my hopes are fled.
When th’ army of th’ Achæans landed here,
470I by the Gods with fifty sons was bless’d,

Whereof sixteen my wife did to me bear,
And other women in my house the rest.
But in this war the most of them are lost.
And now by Mars reduced are to few.
475And Hector, which of all I loved most,

Is lately, O Achilles, slain by you.
His body to redeem I hither come,
With precious gifts, and fall before your knee,
That I may bury it in Ilium.
480Upon your father think, and pity me.

Yet is my case more pitiful than his.
For what calamity can greater be
Than th’ hands that have my children kill’d to kiss?
This said, Achilles wept. And from his knee,
485With his, the hands of Priam gently mov’d;

And then aloud they both lamented. He
For Peleus, and Patroclus whom he lov’d,
And Priam for his own calamity,
And through the house were heard to sigh and groan.
490Achilles, when his fit of tears was laid,

And eased was his heart, came from his throne,
And rais’d th’ old man that on his knees yet staid,
And to him spake. Alas, old man, said he,
You much have suffer’d, and your pain I feel.
495But how alone durst you to come to me,

That slew your sons, unless your heart be steel?
But come, sit down. In vain lamenting is,
The hurt that’s done tears cannot take away,
Since so ’tis ordered by the Gods in bliss,
500That men shall live in pain, and they in joy.

Two barrels in his cellar Jove has still,
Of gifts to be bestow’d on mortal wights,
One full of good, the other full of ill.
And usually to mingle them delights.
505For they that only ill receive from Jove,

Exposed always are to injury,
And begging up and down the world shall rove,
And both by Gods and men despised be.
So Peleus at the first receiv’d much good,
510And did in wealth his neighbours all surpass,

And with his subjects in great honour stood,
And join’d in wedlock to a Goddess was.
But after this the ill unto him came,
To leave no child behind him to succeed,
515But only me that so short-lived am,

And from him live to vex you and your seed.
And you, O Priam, once were rich, they say,
And all that was in Lesbos did enjoy,
And over all the Hellespont did sway,
520And that all Phrygia did you obey,

And with great store of children bless’d you were.
But now, you only fights and slaughter see,
And patiently you Hector’s death must bear.
He cannot with your tears revived be;
525Much sooner you may suffer greater ill.

T’ Achilles, Priam then again replies,
O Thetis’ son, to sit I have no will,
Whilst at the ships my son unburied lies.
But bring him forth, that I my son may see,
530And you the presents I have brought enjoy;

And prosperous unto you may they be,
And safely I again return to Troy.
Achilles, angry then, Old man, said he,
Provoke me not. I’ll put into your hand
535The body of your son, because to me

From Jove my mother came with that command.
And very well I know you Priam are,
And that you hither had a God for guide.
What mortal to the army come would dare?
540Or could have pass’d the watch and not been spied?

Or open to you could the gates have set?
Therefore take heed, and anger me no more,
Lest the command of Jove I should forget,
And without Hector send you out adoor.
545This said, old Priam was afraid and sat.

Out went Achilles with Automedon
And Axamus, his two good servants, that
He lov’d the most, Patroclus being gone.
And they the horses and the mules untied,
550And from the waggon in the goods they brought,

Only, wherewith the body dead to hide,
They left behind a handsome robe and coat.
Achilles then his drudging maids appointed
To bear the body to some chamber meet,
555And see the same well wash’d and well anointed,

So secretly that Priam might not see’t,
Lest grieved he should something do or say,
That might so far Achilles’ anger move,
That in his passion he should Priam slay,
560Forgetting the commandement of Jove.

And being wash’d, anointed, and array’d,
Achilles laid the body on a bed,
Which his two servants in the waggon laid.
This done, he to Patroclus spake and said,
565O my Patroclus, if you hear in Hell,

That Hector’s body I have sent to Troy,
Forgive me, since I for it paid am well
With gifts, whereof what’s fit to you I’ll pay.
This said, Achilles to his tent retired,
570And sat upon the seat from whence he ris.

Your son, said he, is freed as you desired,
And on a bed laid in your waggon is.
Tomorrow with him go, by break of day.
But let us not our supper now forget;
575For Niobe twelve children lost, they say;

Yet did she not for that refuse to eat.
Six lusty sons, six daughters fair they were,
And killed all, only for saying this,
[Leto but two, and she did many bear.]
580By Phœbus they, and these by Artemis,

The Goddess Leto’s daughter and her son.
Nine days and nights they lay unburied;
For Jove had chang’d the people into stone,
And then the Gods with earth them covered.
585Yet Niobe, when she had weeping done,

Received food; and now doth somewhere lie
I’ th’ wolds of Sepylus, and turn’d to stone,
The hurt done by the Gods takes patiently.
Come then, old man, and lay your grief away,
590And for the present think upon your meat,

And weep for Hector when you come to Troy,
For true it is your loss of him is great.
This said, forth goes Achilles, and appoints
A sheep for supper to be kill’d and flay’d;
595Which straight was done, and cut out into joints,

And pierc’d with spits unto the fire was laid.
And when it was well roasted, taken up.
Automedon o’ th’ table laid the bread.
Achilles made the messes. Then they sup,
600And on the meat they laid their hands and fed.

But when of food they had no more desire,
Priam admir’d Achilles’ form and face.
Achilles Priam did no less admire,
In his aspect and speech there was such grace.
605When on each other they had look’d enough,

Priam began, and to Achilles spake.
Dismiss me, if you please, Achilles, now,
That I a little sleep at last may take.
For since my son was slain, I never slept,
610But rolling on the soiled grass have lain

Perpetually, and for him sigh’d and wept,
Nor until now touch’d either meat or wine.
Achilles then to th’ women gave command
I’ th’ porch without to set him up a bed,
615With handsome coverlets of purple, and

With fine soft blankets see it covered.
The women quickly his command obey’d,
And two beds ready made i’ th’ porch without.
Achilles smiling then to Priam said,
620Old man, I from my tent must turn you out;

Lest some man should, from Agamemnon sent
With counsel, come and chance to see you here,
And let him know that you are at my tent,
And the redemption of your son defer.
625But ere you go, old man, pray tell me right,

What time is needful for his obsequies?
That I so long may keep the Greeks from fight.
Then Priam to Achilles thus replies:
You know, Achilles, very well how far
630The hills and woods are distant from the town,

And how afraid to go the Trojans are.
We need nine days to fetch the fuel down.
The tenth he shall be burnt and buried;
Th’ eleventh a mount upon him shall be laid;
635The twelfth we’ll fight again if there be need.

To this Achilles answered, and said,
Old man, the time you asked granted is;
So long th’ Achæans shall from fight forbear.
This said, in Priam’s hand he layed his,
640That of his faith he might not stand in fear.

There in the porch slept Priam and Idæus;
And then unto his bed Achilles went,
And there he slept, and with him fair Brisëis,
Within an inner chamber of his tent.
645The other Gods and men slept all the night;

But sleep approached not to Hermes’ eyes,
But thinking lay on Priam, how he might
Conduct him safely from his enemies.
Then up he rose, and went to Priam’s head,
650And to him said, Ho, Priam, sleep you here?

Since you redeem’d have Hector’s body dead,
You think you nothing farther have to fear.
Although you for him paid a lusty price,
Yet if alive Atrides find you here,
655Your sons and friends shall pay that value thrice.

This said, he suddenly awak’d with fear,
And calling to Idæus made him rise.
Then Hermes to the waggon and the car,
Himself the lab’ring mules and horses ties.
660And now into their seats they mounted are,

And through the Argive camp then Hermes drove
Unseen, till past Scamander ford they were;
Then Hermes left them and return’d to Jove.
And now the morning was display’d and clear.
665Then sighing, on they went to Ilium,

But were by neither man nor woman spied,
Till up into the tow’r of Pergamum
Cassandra went, and thence she them discried,
And weeping, to the people cried, and said,
670Ye men and women all of Ilium,

If ever you at Hector’s coming joy’d,
Run to the gates; I see him hither come.
Then, man nor woman left was in the town,
But Hector to behold went to the gate.
675First came his loving wife and mother down,

And in the waggon by him weeping sate.
The people in a throng about him staid
Lamenting and lamented had all day,
But Priam from his car unto them said,
680Trojans, unto the body dead give way.

And when within the house I have it laid,
Then for him weep till you be satisfied.
When this was said, the people him obey’d,
And to make way, themselves they then divide.
685Then to the house they brought the body in,

And plac’d it on a bed. Then singers by
They set, the lamentation to begin.
Their song they sung; to which the women sigh.
Then to lament Andromache began.
690Oh, my dear husband, you have lost your life

Unhappily, that were but a young man,
And made a wretched widow of your wife,
And with me left behind a tender son,
To evil fate begot by you and me.
695To see him grow a man I hope have none;

This city first I fear destroy’d will be,
Since you are gone that was our sole defence.
T’ Achaia now the wives of Troy must go,
And with them I. And you my child must hence,
700And in vile work employ’d be by the foe,

Or you may by some spiteful man or other
Be from the wall or some high tower thrown,
For Hector’s sake, that killed has his brother,
Or father, or his son before the town.
705For many of the Greeks has Hector slain.

He went not to the battle bashfully.
For which the Trojans now are in great pain,
And I your loving wife especially.
O that you thus should in the dust be laid,
710And not give me your hand before you died,

Without a word upon your death-bed said
For me to think on. Then the women sigh’d.
And Hecuba began. Hector, said she,
Of all my sons to me you were most dear.
715And when arrived was your destiny,

You by the Gods, though dead, beloved were.
My other sons, when any taken by
Achilles were, beyond sea carried were
And sold, and made to suffer slavery
720At Samos, Imbros, Lemnos, or elsewhere;

But when of life he had deprived you,
Because his friend, Patroclus, you had slain,
About his monument he oft you drew,
Though that could not bring him to life again.
725But now he sent it to me has again,

As fresh and as well colour’d as if by
Apollo’s gentle shafts he had been slain.
This said, again the people sob and sigh.
Then Helen took her turn, Hector, said she,
730Whom best I lov’d of all my brother-laws,

For you were so, since Paris married me,
Though when I married him accurs’d I was,
Now twenty years ’tis since I came to Troy,
And never did an ill word from you hear;
735And when your kindred of me ill did say,

You took my part, and made them to forbear.
Since you are gone my joy is at an end,
And in your death I moan my own estate,
That now amongst the Trojans have no friend,
740Who hate me as the author of their fate.

This, said with tears, provok’d the people’s pity;
But Priam then unto them spake, and said:
Go Trojans now and fetch wood to the city;
You need not of the Argives be afraid.
745Achilles, when I parted from his tent,

Eleven days allow’d my son t’ inter
And fetch down wood without impediment;
So long the Argives should from fight forbear.
This said, to th’ hills with oxen, and with wains,
750And mules they went, and busy were about

This work nine days together and took pains.
Upon the tenth the body was brought out,
And on the top of the great wood-pile laid,
And fire put to ’t; and all day long it burned,
755And all the night. When morning was display’d,

Again the Trojans to the pile returned,
And th’ embers with black wine extinguished.
His bones then by his brothers and his kin,
Were from the ground together gathered,
760And by them to an urn of gold laid in.

The urn, with purple robes then cover’d over,
Into a grave, which soon was made, they laid.
The grave with many and great stones they cover.
And last of all, because they were afraid,
765Before their work were done the Greeks would come,

They sent out scouts on ev’ry side to spy.
And o’er his grave, in haste, they raise a tomb.
This done, away they went, and by-and-bye
To Priam’s house they came again, and there
770He made a splendid supper for them all.

Then home they went, well pleased with their cheer.
Thus ended noble Hector’s funeral.

end of the iliad.

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LIB. XXIV. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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LIB. XXIV.

HOMER’S ODYSSES. translated out of greek by THOMAS HOBBES, OF MALMESBURY.

HOMER’S ODYSSES.
translated out of greek by THOMAS HOBBES, OF MALMESBURY.