among
And pathless solitudes of Sipylus,
The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance 770
On Acheloues’ banks, although to stone
Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes.
Come, then, my venerable guest! take we
Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy
With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep 775
Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause.
So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew
A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d,
And busily and with much skill their task
Administ’ring, first scored the viands well, 780
Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast
Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again.
And now, Automedon dispensed around
The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled,
Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each 785
His share, and all assail’d the ready feast.
But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,
Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk
And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven)
Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held 790
Not less in admiration of his looks
Benign, and of his gentle converse wise,
Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length
(The eyes of each gratified to the full)
The ancient King thus to Achilles spake. 795
Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed,
That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy
Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed
Since Hector fell and died, but without cease
I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes, 800
Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts.
But I have now both tasted food, and given
Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee.
So he, and at his word Achilles bade
His train beneath his portico prepare 805
With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs,
And arras, and warm mantles over all.
Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread
A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,[15]
Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d. 810
My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without;
Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont
Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me)
Hither repair; of whom should any chance
To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once 815
Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear,
Whence hindrance might arise, and the release
Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d.
But answer me with truth. How many days
Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites 820
Of noble Hector, for so long I mean
Myself to rest, and keep the host at home?
Then thus the ancient King godlike replied.
If thou indeed be willing that we give
And pathless solitudes of Sipylus,
The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance 770
On Acheloues’ banks, although to stone
Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes.
Come, then, my venerable guest! take we
Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy
With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep 775
Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause.
So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew
A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d,
And busily and with much skill their task
Administ’ring, first scored the viands well, 780
Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast
Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again.
And now, Automedon dispensed around
The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled,
Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each 785
His share, and all assail’d the ready feast.
But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,
Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk
And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven)
Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held 790
Not less in admiration of his looks
Benign, and of his gentle converse wise,
Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length
(The eyes of each gratified to the full)
The ancient King thus to Achilles spake. 795
Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed,
That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy
Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed
Since Hector fell and died, but without cease
I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes, 800
Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts.
But I have now both tasted food, and given
Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee.
So he, and at his word Achilles bade
His train beneath his portico prepare 805
With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs,
And arras, and warm mantles over all.
Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread
A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,[15]
Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d. 810
My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without;
Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont
Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me)
Hither repair; of whom should any chance
To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once 815
Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear,
Whence hindrance might arise, and the release
Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d.
But answer me with truth. How many days
Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites 820
Of noble Hector, for so long I mean
Myself to rest, and keep the host at home?
Then thus the ancient King godlike replied.
If thou indeed be willing that we give