Ten books of Homers Iliades, translated out of French, by Arthur Hall Esquire

¶ The first Booke. (Book 1)

I Thée beséech, O Goddesse milde, the hatefull hate to plaine, * 1.1 Whereby Achilles was so wroong, and grewe in suche disdaine, That thousandes of the Gréekish Dukes, in hard and heauie plight, To Plutoes Courte did yéelde their soules, and gaping lay vpright, Those sencelesse trunckes of buriall voide, by them erst gaily borne, By rauening •…•…rres, and •…•…rreine soules, in •…•…ces to be torne.

Gainst Agamemn of Ioue his •…•…rnth, s•…•…kindled was the fire, That he Achil •…•…o déere, and crosse s•…•… déeply did conspire.

O Lady shew what God beganne this hateful quarrell thus, It was the heire of Latona, the gallant gay Phoebus, Who had to sire that mighty God, who down his lightning throws, * 1.2 With stormes of haile, and th•…•…ercl aps: the God incholler grows, That Agamemn roughly a suite h•…•… Chryses Priest res•…•…. In Gréekish •…•…p his plages he flings, their state which •…•…retly bruso.

At that time Chryses did repayre vnto the shippes, that lay At ancker before Troy besiegde, in the Porte of Sig•…•…, * 1.3 With verdant crown, wherewith Apoll his séemely head had clad, With scepter eke, with things of price, which he for ransome had, His da•…•…ghter captiue helde by Gréekes by worth hir home to buy, To both Atrides and other kings, he breakes thus humbly:

O Princes greate, the loftie Gods adorde in earth belowe * 1.4 Doe sende you lucke, this Priams towne to sacke and ouerthrowe, And loden with the troia•…•… wealth, yée sale •…•…o Greece retire: I sp•…•…ie in your heartes haue place, if willing yée desire To reuer•…•…te thy God I serue, if féeble aged dayes, A worthy •…•…ee; Nabilitie may temper any wayes, Let my mishap obtaine, I pray Chryses so deare to me, O Kings accept these goodly giftes for raunsome here that be.

His sute was taken in that sorte, that al the Gréekes did cry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is gifts, to y•…•…we Chryses, and vse h•…•…n reuerently. Agamemn was so far •…•…due with this so gentle maide,

Such sutes he coulde not he abide, to Chryses grimme hée saide, * 1.5 Shaking alofte his ster•…•… head: O hatefull dotard thou, Henceforth in these quatters againe take héede I sée not you. For no scepter, not Apolloes, shal hole my hand from thee; Thinke not efts•…•…ne Chryseis •…•…o haue, •…•…ie shall remaine with m•…•… In C•…•…ry 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•…•…y Coun•…•…y 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 w•…•…ll t•…•… •…•…nne and •…•…rght, And bed to make, till 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, who•…•… •…•…arie age shal light. Hence•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, •…•…oue •…•…se 〈◊〉〈◊〉, I reade thou take good heeds, If safe and sounde vn•…•… your 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 homward meane to speede. The •…•…ood olde man thu•…•… th•…•…led here, g•…•…uts pla•…•…e, Both not a•…•…de He hides his gr•…•…, 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 •…•…y 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ines 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Bu•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 i•…•… 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, With prayers: 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 Gods 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.

Apollo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…d 〈◊〉〈◊〉, wh•…•… rul•…•… the I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…iue, * 1.6 Cilla, Chrisa, Smi•…•…he, Te•…•…, with 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, O Phoebus he 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 my 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Gréens, T•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I h•…•…e 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thy holy 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 hath 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 with 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 th•…•…e, 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 whe•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…geith 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 On these 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 p•…•…re sire haue •…•…ay to so •…•…w, To plague y^e wro•…•…g, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…que the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the wounding of thy •…•…ow. He pr•…•…d •…•…thus 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…are, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…ing w•…•…ght t•…•… grounde * 1.7 Be g•…•…te with 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 h•…•…he g•…•…e •…•…endful T•…•…d, Lea•…•…g 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 his 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, •…•…o •…•…ad 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, He drawes the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…y •…•…n the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…fte he losde The noi•…•…as s•…•…ge, the loose was sm•…•…le, the shot so far it 〈◊〉〈◊〉, The •…•…anked Mo•…•…es they •…•…e, and Dogs 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 and running fit. But sinc•…•… the •…•…aely •…•…ehe sent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 t•…•…e 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 h•…•…st, * 1.8 In numbers •…•…uge th•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 he 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 they •…•…st Hard by the shippes (〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 at) the 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, Nine dayes Apollo ven•…•… and sho•…•…, me them with 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…sped.

But puissant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…desseth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 •…•…santor true During this •…•…ar) of the in hard 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 p•…•…re ganne to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. * 1.9 She 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Achilles he, the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 he •…•…al, To séeke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 helps 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…he ha•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whith so doth •…•…éere the 〈◊〉〈◊〉

As much was done, in his •…•…te 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man,

Achilles putting forth himselfe this •…•…ale to them beganne: * 1.10 O worthy Kings, abode is vaine, our hope it will not 〈◊〉〈◊〉, To Greece, to Greece we must returne: For why, it may not hée, That we the Troians force do daunt, I dreade a matter more, God graunt the weapons of our foes, doe not our bowels gore, You sée howe in this wretched warre our people doe decay, And now this deadly morreine plague doth make the rest away, Wherefore my Lordes, it néedefull is to séeke and search about, Of some Diuine, Augur, or Priest to trie the matter our, What is the cause: For who that dreames, can true interprete wel (Sith that from Ioue the dreames procéede) the why shal quickly •…•…el. He soone wil say whether Phoebus this direfull plague hath sent, For that to do him sacrifice we haue béene negligent, Or that vnto his holy house he worthy offrings craue, Or shéepe and goats, whereby appease, some shielding we may haue

Achilles had no sooner faide, he sate hym in his place, * 1.11 Calchas arose, which from his youth Phoebus did yeelde suche grace, The present times he •…•…newe ful wel, the past he not forgot, Of suche as were tn•…•…ee, he wist, what was the secrete lot. This 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was the Prophet he, for to direct their wayes, The Gréekes did th•…•…se in this exploite, and sagely thus he sayes:

Achilles friend vnto the Gods, thou counselst I shoulde showe, Unto the hearers here, from whence Apolloes wrath doth grow, I wil it do, but sweare thou shall my safetie to defend, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such out 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…uries, which some on me wil bend. I much do d•…•…bt •…•…hat ch•…•…est one who shall my speaches heare, Yea he, who•…•… all the campe obeyes, wil greatly seeme to deare And much amaz•…•…e. Ost mightie Lordes, although conceale, they wu•…•… A crosse receivds of simple wight, yet pay they at the ful: •…•…cancea ceaseth not, •…•…it they de yeeld their ve•…•…geance due Asspire me then with your defence here•…•…, what way ensue. * 1.12 Sap what •…•…walt queth Achilles, for by the God of might, Whose secretes thou so well dost •…•…nowe, I wil defende thy right. None of the Gréekes, whereas, I am, shal wrong or iniure thée, No not the greatest of regarde, not Agamemnon hée.

Then Calchas thus, assurde by worde p•…•…e •…•…unst in ove•…•… sigh•…•…

Ye Gréekes, this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 conti•…•… not, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…or that cause did light, * 1.13 It fel not in the campe (I say) for want of sacrifice To Phoebus bright in Countrey •…•…r: this mischiefe whole doth rise, For that you haue vnreuerently, the aged Chry•…•…s vsde, His daughter shoulde haue béene 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and not his gifts refusde, Til mends be made of this our fault, I thinke it wil not cease, The blackenied Lady to hir home 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she be brought in peace, No raunsome had, in numbers tho our offerings let vs slay, To purchase fauour of the God, and turne his w•…•…th away.

Agamemnon forth standeth straite, with rage inflamed so, * 1.14 As like a burning brand his eies did twinckle to and fro, And thus he sayth, looking askance on Calchas furiously: Unluckie Prophet that thou art, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 happily Ought dost thou shewe, and badly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 bad dost tel, And me to spite, now do•…•… thou preach, forsooth a proper spel, Auouching, that vnto the camp this plague is from aboue, Bycause I Chryses do withholde, whome I so greatly loue. Hir beautie gay, and gallant glee, hath conquerd so my wil, As wel I hop•…•…e •…•…he in my house shoulde haue r•…•…yned stil With Clytemnestra wife of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I d•…•… r•…•…garde, * 1.15 And iustly •…•…o, before h•…•…r she is muche to •…•…e pr•…•…rde, For countnaunce good, for col•…•…r clea•…•…e, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and body gay. But •…•…th I néedes muste yéelde h•…•…r vp, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 this sore away, (Ah) take hir then, I do agr•…•…, hi•…•… wan•…•… I 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Than that this people here▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 h•…•…ue: But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 looke in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, You wel •…•…hal know, of al 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 I wil 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be the •…•…ut.

Achilles (〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Gréek•…•…s) to him replyed thus, In presence of the Pr•…•…ces a•…•…: Thou sonn•…•… of Atreus, * 1.16 Thou p•…•…nching Pr•…•…nce; 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 heart, thou loftie •…•…inded h•…•…, Where dost thou thinke 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 •…•…her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉〈◊〉? In guerdon •…•…owe of al that warre, dost th•…•… no•…•… •…•…owe thy selfe Long time agoe among vs al•…•… d•…•…ed is the•…•…lfe? Belike we must •…•…he spoiles ama•…•…, which is not easely done, And bring the camp to mutine to: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not thy •…•…inde s•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Obey the G•…•…ds, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vp the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 times richer 〈◊〉〈◊〉

Thou shalt possesse, if Ioue vouchsafe that we the Troians raigne, And Towers happe to lay ful lowe. Straight Agamemnon tho Said: thou Achill thinke not (I reade) thy credite such, no, no, * 1.17 Although thy force in shewe compare with suche to Gods belong, Thinke not that I wil followe thée, or beare this open wrong. Doth reason beare, that eche his part, haue of the wealthy prayes? Thinkst thou it fit I leaue the maide, and emptie go my wayes Unrecompens•…•…e. I hir forgoe, as reason so it would, But sée that I considered be, as fit it is I shoulde: Else mangre thée and all thy might, that thine by thée possest, Or Aiax, or Vlysses theirs, Ile haue as I think best. * 1.18 And care who list, who then shall déers, that I his portion take And here an end. I thinke it good to Sea we ready make A vessell strong with skilfull guides, and eke that one of you Accompany the Lady home vnto hir father now, With honor due religiously the Aultars high to reare, To sacrifice that Apollo, with fauour vs forbeare. When Achilles had hearkned wel to Agamemnons tale, Disdainfully he lookte at him, and blewe this bitter gale: Thou impudent, thou iangler thou, what Gréeke shall readye make Himselfe to fight at thy commaund, thy party for to take? * 1.19 I came not from my Countrey I, the Troians stout to scarre, Or to reuenge my selfe on them: for in no broiles of warre, They euer out my region fruites or cattaile tooke away, Too large a sea, too mightie hilles, them deserts wilde do stay, And champaines wi•…•…e their forraies bar, twéene vs which are defēce: But I am co•…•…, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my traine, cutting the seas from thence Under thy leading, not at al for any cause of ours, But Menelaus wrong to venge, a brother he of yours: Not •…•…ding thou the good we doe (thou face and dogshead thou) In place of thankes I shoulde receiue, thou déepely threatens nowe, To take away my good, my good, for so in truth it is: For by my valor in the •…•…elde I gained it ywis, And whiche the Gréekes in witnesse large did giue of my desarte, Of all the spoile: I haue more cause than thou to take at harte These actions aye. Of pillage stil I alwayes haue the worst,

The victorie of wont is mine, infront I am the firste, Yet what they giue, I wil accepte Sith home is peacer quie•…•… Better than with a tyrant warre, I warre no more wil trye it. The working •…•…ea I wil goe séeke in point of morning gray, With Saile and Ore to Pthie land my countrey taking way. * 1.20 And making here thou thy abode, dishonor thou shalt gaine, Thy substaunce great and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wealth withall to waste in vaine. And will you so (quoth Agam•…•…) Amen, farewell, adue, I list not your abode ent•…•…ate, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for your presence fue. * 1.21 There are ynow will here abide, and tender my renowme, Ne vnprouided mightie Ioue will leaue me in this rowme. Of all these Kings and Princes here, thou dost delight Achill To bite and sting me of the no•…•…st, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bendes thy will, Contentiously maintaining hate, presu•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much Of force procéeding from the Gods: in th•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 such Farewel, your godly Myrmidones, comm•…•…nd thē at your pleasure, And your agoe and furie thus Ile care for at my leysure. But herewith your audacitie that further I do•…•… daunt, Sith that Apolloe•…•… pleasure is, and ordaines 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…raunt That I Chryses resto•…•…e againe, with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as much as 〈◊〉〈◊〉, To olde Chryses •…•…y peo•…•…le 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉. To thy Pauillion wil I send tricke, Br•…•…sida to bring Thy best bel•…•…ued, that al men knowe•…•…how •…•…nsaunter a King I am than thou, and that hen•…•…eforth 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 hard in •…•…olde To put vp head to matche 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉.

〈1 line〉〈1 line〉, * 1.22 Wit•…•… 〈1 line〉〈1 line〉 Agamemn dead, or to appease the wr•…•… 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, To holde him stil, to parte them f•…•…o. and •…•…pany to lea•…•…e. Yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in spite of reason rulde, his •…•…lade 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hear•…•…e from Welkin high thi•…•… 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 The bickering th•…•…s so neare 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…hem, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 will defend•…•… And Pallas straight from loftie 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she 〈◊〉〈◊〉 descend Approching to Achill, softly she tooke him by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 * 1.23 Who spéedily retirde, knowing, the Goddesse to be there, With twinckling eies vn•…•…easingly, 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 neuer a man,

But onely to himselfe, to whome his speache he thus beganne: You heauenly daughter Pallas you, doe I your presence sée? Would you it know how Agamemn doth wrong and iniure mée? * 1.24 Giue me some leaue, and for his pride you shall sée by and by Before you here vppon the grasse his headlesse truncke to ly.

Thy griefe to ease quoth Pallas is this comming here of mine, * 1.25 If to be rulde by heauenly sawe thy selfe thou canst encline. Dame I•…•…no séeing this dangerous strife, who fauours both so much, Did bid me downe, thée to aduise in no wise him to touch. Put vp thy sworde it doth not wel, with words do wordes repay: Assured 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for his great •…•…ult thou shalt another daye And these thy harmes; haue gallant gifts, yea layed in thy lappe, If to obey this counsaile mine thy mind and meaning happe. * 1.26 Its more than méete quoth Achilles, and reason so doth will, That what the Gods commaunde vs men, we wholly do fulfill, Though sur•…•… would vs thēce withdraw: Of Gods y^e puissant might Obedience doth 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in euery manner wight. And from his best who doth •…•…ot swarue, in fauour stil we sée. His m•…•…ssie fal•…•… saying thus, in sheath of brightsome blée Of siluer braue he putteth vp, Pallas away she weares, She leaues the Gréekes, to Gods aloft in Heauen she repaires. The valiant Gréeke in furie stil on Agamemn doth stare, His rage abides, him thus in speech he raging wise forbare. Thou tipled Knight, a snarring curre, to sight and shew thou arte, Than Stagge beset at bay about more feareful yet of harte, Among the Kings a cowarde vile, a slouthful shifting Oxe, Assaults, alarms, and battals fought, thou fearst for dread of knocks. And lesse thou darste ambushments lay, for doubt to quaile or dye, Thou tyrant great, who dost deuoure the people cruelly. Oppressor thou scourge of the pore, delighting to disgrace All men vnto thine appetite consenting giues not place. If I my courage folowed had, thou shouldst no more haue harmde, Al gracelesse straight thy carcas here, to death I wold haue charmde. But hearke, for by this royall Mace, by whiche I now doe sweare, * 1.27 A worthy ornament to shewe, in right hand which I beare, Who hauing lost the sappe of wood, eft gréenenesse cannot drawe,

True ornament for iudges all, who execute the lawe Of Iupiter on mortall men: the day before thou wist, * 1.28 Wil come, when to be shielded from sir Hectors murdering fist (Who shal hacke down the Gréeks in heapes) y^e I shal be entreated, And thou (thy lewdnesse fond contest) shal thorowly be heated, To haue despised carelesly, who most deserueth •…•…oes. Thus said, from him in fury great his scepter down he throwes, He sittes him downe. Agamemnon, whome anger forward straines, Minding faire Bryseis stil to haue, the quarrel he maintaines.

That speaker swéete delighting tong therewith duke Nestor rose, * 1.29 From Heauen had, much pleasannter than Harry front him flowes, By grace diuine, of triple life the yeares he also bare, He to th'assembly as they sate his knowledge both declare.

O what mishap, what parant losse sée I on Greece to fall? * 1.30 What ioy and hope to Priamus his sonnes and subiects all, When as shall come vnto their eares, that in this campe of ours By kindled heate in quarrell thus our greatest Princes lours? This discorde leaue, this sury fly, than yours my yeares are more, Your greaters and your grauers to, I known haue heretofore, Who haue my counsel ay obeyed: I neuer knewe nor knowe More bolde and mightie mortall men, than these and Perithoe, Dryas in Prudence thiefe of price, Exadiuss, Polipheme, Ceneis equall with the Gods, who by their three extreme The Giants and the Lapyths slewe, whereby their glorie fledde To Heauen highe, I called I, with them I often yedde To battailes great and dangerous, in bloudy martial marte, Whose force no lustie liuing tho to frunt in fight had hearte, They alwaies •…•…uill so on my word, as none would crosse my spéech, Wel shal you doe, if you performe by counsaile what I reach. And first to y•…•… Agamemnon, be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also greate •…•…de, Thoughe chiefe thou be, perforce to take Bryseis, who is assignde By all the Gréekes his lust rewarde: Achill I thinke it good You silence vse, with farring wordes forbeare to crosse in moode. * 1.31 Of al the sceptred Princes none so high is sea•…•…ed downe, As ouer hi•…•… Ioue app•…•…nts the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and the crowne: In force if so you more auaile, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Thetis that it retches

Your mother she, but yet than yours his puissaunce further stretches, For Nations more do him obey. And Agamemnon take it, Appease your rage and your abuse, lette not your calling make it.

Achilles, for the loue of me, if true, I true reporte, Forget this iarre, to Gréekish campe in olde and wonted sorte Shewe forth your selfe a bulwarke sure: Thou aged worthy sire, * 1.32 Quoth Agamemn, what thou haste saide, beste reason doth require, But here this mate by gallant heart triumphing Lorde will goe, He will commaunde, he all will rule: but softe, he shall not so, If I may choose: his force is greate, as sib to power diuine, Hathe he then leaue all wrong to doe, as fancie shall encline?

Achilles straight ful restlesse yet, from him the speache he tooke, * 1.33 I were (quoth he) a coward leude, if I agréed to brooke Thy gouernaunce, after thy wil I rulde will be no more, For no obedience looke of me, others commaunde therefore, And build on this: For Bryseis faire, no quarrel I wil make With any man, fith obstinate you bent are for to take The gifte on me whiche was bestowed: but haue regarde to dare (Yea for thy life) to touch the Gods in my possession are, And be aboorde my vessels, thou, a bootelesse worke shouldest haue. And if thou béest so gallant set, or yet so beastly braue, Aduaunce thy selfe, thy valor shewe, and al men shal beholde Me with my Launce to shed thy bloud, and lay thy carcasse colde, The case debated thus at length, the Councell al they rose, Achilles with his companye to his Pauillion goes. * 1.34

A shippe well furnishte Agamemn on sea he causeth rise With twentie Ores, forgetting not things méete for Sacrifice, And pueell Chryseis fitly there he shipped honest well, And Vlysses for patron put, who Gréekes did all excell * 1.35 In good aduise, and pleasaunte speache, the waues at will they •…•…ice, With winde in poupe, they hope full soone to finde hir father Chryse.

Againe home offerings more to fitte, Agamemn hyeth faste, * 1.36 To cleanse the campe, and in the sea the ordure for to caste. Then to the Altars reared high on shoare right beautifull, He biddeth bring the wanton Goate, the Shéepe and mightie Bull, Deuoutly for the army all, on Phoebus to bestowe,

Whereof the smel and vapor thicke to heauen righte doth goe, As burnt they were, the people eke in many sundry wise Unto the Gods sent their demaunds, their prayers, and their cries. But Agamemns wrath swageth not, he stil in rage doth roste, Till he at pleasure Bryseis haue, for Chryseis he hathe loste. Two Heraultes strayght he bids to come, he thought of best respect, Talthybe, and Eurybate, to whome he spake to this effecte: * 1.37 O Heraults here séeke out Achill, who in his tente nowe is, Bring Bryse away, if he withstande, I present will not misse, Spite of his téeth tofetche hir I, and wel vnto his paine. Suche were his wordes, outragious, more fond and foolishe vaine.

To place the Heraultes quickly came, where lay y^e valiant Gréek, They him no sooner sawe, but that their dreads were not to séeke, Agast to touch so mightie a Prince, of whome when he did heare, Although in grief he welcomde thē, and shewde thē pleasant chéere.

You Heraultes high, come on quoth he, no daunger dread at all, * 1.38 For by youre disarde king, not you, this wrong on me doth fall, Agamemn, who will me bereaue by force and tyranny Of Bryseis liking presence, whyche so deare is in mine eye. Petroclus mate and brother mine, of beautie fetche the dame, Giue hir in handes to Heraults these: And here I doe proclaime Before the Gods, ye Heraults eke, al people vn•…•… Sunne, This tyrant too, whose senses stil to worse and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do runne: To witnesse I do call you al, hereafter, if perh•…•…es The Gréekes haue néede of my reliefe by meanes of afterclappes, And peril comming to the campe, this doting •…•…led Asse, He knowes not good discourse, nor yet what er•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 councel was. He mindeth not, who hitherto hath bin the armies •…•…eld, He knoweth not who hathe the power to saue the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in fielde. Herewith Patroclus bringeth forth Bryseis the Dan•…•…y, * 1.39 He giues hir in the Heraultes handes, who onwarde •…•…re their way Apace to Agamemnons shippes to leade the Lady faire. Who much againste hir wil, to him doth make hir new repaire.

By this farewel, the pleasures al of valiant Achill quailes, He martirde so is with the griefe, with sheadding teares he wailes, And from his people goes aparte. And better to •…•…ide

His bitter paine, vnto the shoare he stealeth there aside, Thus to his mother Thetis ofte shewing his wofull case:

Sith in my birth by fate full harde fewe yeares I doe embrace Of life, then Ioue (quoth he) who sées al things from Welkin hye, * 1.40 Some honour shoulde haue giuen me, before the time I dye, And not to suffer Agamemn my solace thus to sterue, By power to take that noble gift, whyche well I did deserue.

From deapth of wide and hollowe sea, hir sonne complayning thus With piteous noise, Thetis gaue eare, leauing Oceanus The aged sire in Marine Courte, in likenesse of a cloude With spéede she comes to Achilles, in dolour where he stoode. Kinde countenaunce and shewe she makes: Alas deare son quoth she, * 1.41 What ayleth thée? whence commes thy griefe? Alas, what man is hée That hathe thy minde disturbed thus? let me th'occasion sée, That of thy doleful déering here, partaker I may be.

He sighing saide, muste I to you declare my martyring throwes; * 1.42 The wrongs to me nowe lately done your selfe too too well knowes. You knowe full wel howe for to harme King Priame and his kinne, Many a subiect towne of his, and neighbors, quite haue bin To ruine, sacke, and bootie brought, the walles of Aetion The puissant king, by me were torne, whereof to euery one The spoyles were parted equally: Chryseis of beautie moste Was lefte to Agamemnons choice, who kept hir in the hoste. Chryseis the sire shortly in campe his daughter faire he sought, And for hir raunsome also due he gallant presents brought. Unto vs all in humble wise he lowly made request, And eke to him that had hir rule, with whome the Maide did rest. Of Phoebus cleare, olde Chryses was, cladde with the worthye wéed, Thereby to purchase more regarde. By vs it was agréed, That she in fréedome shoulde be sette, and giftes had in exchaunge, But here oure Chieftaine our aduise he tooke it very straunge: And maugre al, with choller ful, the hoarie haires he chode: His presents thus refusde, good Chryse, right sorrowfull abode. To Phoebus cleare he prayed harde, who put him not abacke: For shortly numbers greate, by plague are put to direfull lacke. This wofull plight, when plaine I sawe of Gréekes by death yspent,

Which Calchas wise saide from Apoll procéeded 〈◊〉〈◊〉 content, I did persuade the people al, the God to pacifie, Thereby displeasing Agamemn, himselfe so gloriously And sterne who beares. With outrages and threats he eke began, And sayde, his losse muste healed be of me, I was the man: He failed not to execute his filthie minde so false. Chryseis in Galley scarce was put, and haled vp the halse, But that they Bryseis fetche away, whether she wil or no Out of my Tent, King Agamemn to him wil haue hir goe. I this way of the goodly gifte, which all the Campe me gaue Defrauded am. But if that you suche might and puissaunce haue (As well I know your force is great) then yéelde thou some reliefe Unto your wofull sonne, whose soule is paulde with inward griefe. Ascend, and licence craue of Ioue that I reuenge may take, For once from danger you him drew, for mends let him this make. I minde it well, I ofte haue heard you largely vaunt and boste, That, but for you and for your helpe, he life and laude had loste. * 1.43 For Neptune ioyned with Pallas, and Iuno Dame that shrowe, Had enterprisde to bind his hands, & down the heauens him throwe. But their malitious harde deuise preuented was in time: For you descending, to the Heauen you caused for to clime Briareus callde Aegeon, the hundred handed Giant, The fiercest of all mortall wights, who fiercely there resiant, Did so agast the Seaish God, and other Goddish powers, That Ioue as soueraigne stil remaines, & none against him stoures. Goe get you to him mother mine, and lowly on your knées Minde him of this your seruice done, demaunding for your fées, That he vouchsafe the Troyans sende suche courage to embrace, That slaine or burnt, the Gréekes to shore do fearefully giue place. This mischiefe byding by their King, who then his faulte shal spie, And loftie liking of himselfe, so little care, looselie Minding his prowesse, who of all in valor beares the Bell. Thetis againe Achill hir sonne thus answers very wel, With heauy hearte and wéeping eyes: Alas (she said) my sonne, * 1.44 Haue I thée hither thus brought vp? thy life hast thou begonne (Sith in a trice it is cutte off) Why blisfull is it not?

Haue I conceiued thée deare sonne, to this vnhappy lot? What, is thy fate so hard, to giue thée short and doleful dayes? Wel, thée to please, I wil to Ioue, perswading diuerse wayes, In telling this, that to thy losse he be a setter an, But two dayes past he with the Gods is gone th'ocean, Wheras the Aethiopes do inuite the auntient Gods to chéere, Eleauen dayes it wil be ful, ere he returne I héere. But then a suter will I be, til when I wish (my child) You from the battayle do abstcine, and not your weapons wield. Disport your selfe vpon the waues, a ship-boorde take no care, That it be wist vnto the Gréekes how great your dolours are. With this she leaues hir sonne Achil. A boorde he kéepes in paine For Brisies gone, he féeles the smart, that thrils through euery vayne. * 1.45 That while Vlisse with winde in poupe, and trauaile of the Ore, Of fertile Chrise he with the dame approcheth to the shore And pleasant port: downe come the sayles, & round they roll thē fast, Upon the deck haeled adowne is layde the mightie Mast. And then from Poupe with Cables harde the toothed Ancres fling Their holde to take, and lay alande prouision which they bring For sacrifice: Vlisses doth the mayde with careful charge Upon hir saddle sette, conduct to Phoebus temple large, With minde ful milde, where-to hir sier he giues hir in his handes, And with these words: Thou Chrises Priest, so happy thou y^t stands, Agamemn, who commaunds the Gréeks, to thée hath sent me hither * 1.46 To bring thée home thy daughter here, and with hir eke togither Such vowes to offer to Apol, to pacifie his anger, That Gréekes therby so déeply pinde, be therewith plagde no lāger. The good olde man did ioye apace his daughter to possesse, And forthwith had to sacrifice they all things readie dresse. And Barly cakes he cals to bring, and fingers washed faire, Aloude he lifteth vp his voyce, and ioyned hands doth reare. Oh puissāt Phoebus (thus he prayes) whose darts do al things teare, * 1.47 Thou Phoebus cleare, Apollo God who siluer bow doth beare, And Cyl, Chrysa, and Tenedos doth rule vnto thy liking, If any time thou hast vouchsafte to graunt at my besiking To shew the working of thy wrath on Gréekes afflicted sore,

Who wholely yéelde vnto thy wil, O Phoebus graunt therefore * 1.48 To chaunge thy minde, & frō this Cāpe this bitter plague •…•…o banish, No sooner prayde, but Phoebus hearde, & plague it straight did vanish.

Full furnishte were the offerings, when ended was to pray, The shéepe are slaine, their skinnes of pluckt, & to the fire they lay * 1.49 The gigots plumbe, and cut off legges: good Chrise with wine so red The Aulter throughly doth perfume: himselfe he careful sped About the seruice of the God, and fier great doth kindle, The loynes of the oblations dead, and other flesh they mingle, And roundly rost on broches fiue, and gridorne on the Coales, And euery one prepares himselfe vnto his cheare and boales. A séemely sight it was to sée the seamen plye their téeth, Wherewith the Cups apace they walke, they wel content therwith. Refreshed thus, Vlisses and the Gréekes they do not spend Idle the day, they Himnes do chaunt, and ferly songs do send Apollos prayse to herrie hie, whero•…•… the pleasaunt tunes Resounding in the God his eares, he pleasure great resumes.

At night Vlisses coucheth him within his galley lowé, At péepe of day eche one prepares to plucke, to bale, to rowe. * 1.50 To loftie seas the Maste they hoyse, Gods ayde they do not lacke, For shortly with y^e winde he gaue (which made their sayles to crack) In port of safetie they ariue, where bloudie war doth rore, And taking land, their vessel they do draw vpon the shore. To his pauilion eche retires, or hieth him abrode.

This while Achilles kéepes his tent, for matters of the sworde He neither makes nor medles with, nor yet to counsel cōmes, In minde with trouble ouerchargde, he grieued sits, and glōmes, Pyning away his valiaunt corps, a patterne odde produced. Unto the world of worthy shape: when as should be induced Alarme among the Gréeks, he gapes, whom Troyans should assaile, Good proofe to shew his helpe, to them to be of great auaile.

The day now come of Ioues returne from th'Occean solemn feast, One morning Thetis from the sea to heauen hir selfe doth prest. The God aside the sitting saw, approching to him-nie, His knées hir left hand doth embrace, with countnaunce curteously•…•… Hyr right to chin she moued soft, and humbly thus she prayde:

If any time (redoubted sire) that I haue with mine ayde Thy high and mightie maiestie reléeued in thy want, * 1.51 I thée besech this my request O father do it graunt, Sith life is short, his honor to •…•…te, yéelde thou vnto my sonne, Let Agamemnon shortly know what wrong he hath him done, Yéelding the Gréekes a thorough feare, the Troyans courage hie, So that the wracked Campe restore his credite worthilie.

To this the Goddesses milde spéech, the great God answerd nat, But sadly musing with himselfe he stil, in silence sat. The Goddesse eftsoone wearie now, this silence long that spies, In humble sort vpon hir knées intreateth in this wise: * 1.52 Say yea, or no, Oh Iupiter, ende both my hope and feare, For you of whom to stand in dread, I know none life doth beare: Say on therfore, that I may sée, in fauour how I stand, How smal regarded or estéemde, I craue it at your hand.

With fetched sigh Ioue aunsweres thus: Oh harde and heauy case, * 1.53 Sith my wife Iuno I must stirre, and haue hir froward grace. T'is she, t'is she of all the Gods with me that most doth iarre, Alleaging that I Priams part support do in this warre. That she do not our meaning finde, down straight descēd your ways, And your demaunde I wil fulfil, assurde without delayes. And that you know my promise sound, I wil you shew a signe * 1.54 To ease your doubt, this shal it be, to bow my heade diuine, A token aye that neuer fayles, when any thing of waight Unto the Gods I do behight. His head he shaketh straight, And bended browes so raiseth he, that of his holy heare By only shake, Olympus large doth tremble fast for feare. * 1.55 Thetis to depth of sea descendes, the God his mansion kéepes, In Welkin Countrey he remaines, with other Gods he méetes, In troupe, not missing no not one, themselues they humbly show, Amid them all right glorionsly on throne he sitteth tho. Then Iuno chased at the full, now found the secrete tricke Of Ioue, to wracke of Gréekish Campe, which touchte hir aty^e quick. With hart audatious thus she says: thou God with malice frought, * 1.56 What subtile ioy, what pretie prāke, haue you (I pray you) wrought With that my maisters Mariner: from whence now doth it grow

That I with you must not conferre, nor must your counsels know? Delighting that your dealings close to other knowen be, I fur aloufe a straunger I. Hope not then aunsweared he * 1.57 My secrets I acquaint you with, y•…•… gaine it would be l•…•…sse, Although my wife and sister both, you are, I do confesse. In Counsayles which are fitte for you, y•…•…u full shal haue your right▪ None •…•…alde so soone, no not the God, that greatest is of might. If, what I haue determined plaine, none is shall know the matter, Then let me rest, to search it out you ought not thus to patter. Out cried the Goddesse loude, alas, O crabbed rusticke Ioue, So like an Asse or vndiscrete, when did I euer roue, * 1.58 To séeke the things of secrecie, but still I am excluded, You crabbed you, your secrete déedes without me are concluded. Which made me careful, when I saw Thetis that spiteful peate Thys morning here so perting sitte at elbow by your seate. I greatly dread hir sonne to venge, obtainde some suite she hath, Wherby to danger down the Gréekes, & worke their harme & scath.

To this the God did cal hir hag, (quoth he) I cannot shift, * 1.59 But thy suspitious iealous heade aye findeth out my drift. But how much more (I smel) you thinke to alter what I meane, I so much more in spite of you do stil contrarie cleane, The rather for your kicking thus. If I vnto Thetis Haue promist anye thing at all, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so my pleasure is, And you it knowe, why should not you agrée as wel as I? Go sit you downe, and talke no more so fonde and foolishly, Least moued I, with both my fistes I giue you hanging lawes, And in such sort, as no God here can saue you from my clawes.

By this so great and dreadful threat, dame Iuno more she feares, She quiet gr•…•…wes, she goes hir wayes, & visage downe she beares, Among the Gods she takes hir place: this while the heauenly route, By this contention gréeued are, and troubled thorow out.

Whereby with pitie Vulcane bare to Iuno, which he had, With doubt this snarling would procéed to worse, which was to badt With 〈◊〉〈◊〉 s•…•…h he did his best, to comfort hir, as thus: My mothe•…•… deare, if this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remaine, and that with vs * 1.60 Immortal G•…•…ds we quarrel haue, for mortal peoples case,

I surely sée decay to fal vpon this goddish race. The banquets shal be brought to nought, and quailed with disquiet, Wherat we all are stil refresht, and reason why, for royot In mischiefe like makes better •…•…ad, than better can attaine. You must more kind and louing be: oh noble dame refraine Your choller now vnto my sire, how, best your selfe doth know, Else by this rigour of debate the case wil fall out so, As all the Gods, both you and I, shal finde no little griefe, If once he grow into a rage. He mightie is and chiefe, He from the heauens will vs hunte, wherby our iunkets gay, Our sport, our chat of louing toyes shal cleane be tane away, And porte of this our mansion hie, all counsels ended quite. I you beséech to haue some care this daunger do not light, Agrée your selfe vnto his wil, with wordes of milde allay, * 1.61 And what you list, you shal obtaine, he can you not denay. With this a boule of Nectar ful, in hand sir Vulcane tooke, And to his mother did present it with a comely looke. Beare mother mine, (quoth he to hir) refuse not to obay To Ioue, though care doth maister you, and wils you answere nay, Least greater shame you hap to haue, he laying you on the Hide, And though I would, no help at all I could for you prouide, Nor yet resist his power diuine: haue you forgot so soone, How you to rescue from his hand, he had me almost done To death? when so his furie woxe, from skies he did me thro Down by the foote, where in the ayre I tumbled too and fro, * 1.62 A whole day through, and fel at last with bones and body burst, In Lemnos Ile, in manner dead, wheras I fel at furst. Wheras I was wel entertainde there by the Lemnos dweller, With bountie great. When Iuno heard thus Vulcane for to tel hir, She was appeasde, and gan to smile, the cup to lips she set, * 1.63 With Nectar swéete, celestial iuyce, hir mouth and hart she wet. It was a pastime to behold the pleasannt Vulcane God, In taking say to al the rest, with halting haunches plod. Whereat the Gods do laugh apace, much liking of the iest. * 1.64 And then prepared is forthwith, the high and heauenly feast, From morning cleare which vnto night was drawen out along,

With great and glorious aray, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Muses with their song 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and Phoebus 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 Harpe doth strike Agréeing in •…•…éete Har•…•…ie, wherwith they greatly like The worthy route•…•…the sun gone downe, ech one with heauie eyes Retires vnto his seuerall home, in buildings which do rise By skil of ly•…•…ping Artysane: Ioue to his Chamber hies, * 1.65 And down he coucheth on his bed, and Iuno by him lyes.

Finis Libri primi.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Proposi•…•… of the A•…•… thor. v•…•…ith innocation of hi•…•… M•…•…
• * 1.2

  Narta•…•….
• * 1.3

  The com∣ming of Chryses to the Greeks ca•…•….
• * 1.4

  Chryses •…•…o Agamem∣non, Me•…•… laus, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.5

  Agamemnō aunsvveres Ohryses & threatens hin•…•….
• * 1.6

  Chryses prayer to Apollo.
• * 1.7

  Apollo de scendes to, the ca•…•…pe, and sends therein a plague.
• * 1.8

  •…•…seriptio 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greekes pestilence.
• * 1.9

  Achilles assembles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 councel
• * 1.10

  〈3 lines〉〈3 lines〉
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pro•…•…
• * 1.12

  Ca•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 A•…•….
• * 1.13

  Calchas do •…•…areth the•…•… cause of the pestilence.
• * 1.14

  Agamem∣non to Calchas.
• * 1.15

  Clytemne∣stra vvife to Aga∣memnon.
• * 1.16

  Achilles an •…•…vvers Aga memnon.
• * 1.17

  Ag•…•…∣non 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.18

  Ag•…•…∣non 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 le•…•…, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.19

  Ach•…•… exci•…•… of •…•…∣non.
• * 1.20

  Pthie coun∣trey of A chilles.
• * 1.21

  Agamemnō to Achilles
• * 1.22

  Achilles grovves in choler vvith Aga∣memnon.
• * 1.23

  Pallas kee∣peth Achil∣les frō kil∣ling Aga∣memnon.
• * 1.24

  Ach•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pall•…•….
• * 1.25

  Pall•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ach•…•….
• * 1.26

  Achi•…•… 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 say, 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.27

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Achil•…•….
• * 1.28

  The Au∣thor often nameth He ctor a mur derer.
• * 1.29

  Nestor had lyued 300. yeares.
• * 1.30

  Nestor to Achilles & Agam•…•…ō
• * 1.31

  The aucto∣ritie of Kings com meth from Iupiter.
• * 1.32

  Agam•…•… ansvv•…•… N•…•….
• * 1.33

  Achill•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Agam•…•…
• * 1.34

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cell br•…•… vppe.
• * 1.35

  Vlysses goes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chryseis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hi•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.36

  VVith •…•…∣crifice 〈◊〉〈◊〉 puri•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cam•…•…
• * 1.37

  Talthybe and Eury∣bate tvvoo Heraults of the Greeks.
• * 1.38

  Achilles to the heraults
• * 1.39

  Bryseis is brought to Agamēnon.
• * 1.40

  Ach•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉
• * 1.41

  The•…•… 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 sonne.
• * 1.42

  Achill•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.43

  Conspyra∣cie of the Gods a∣gainste Iupiter. The fable of Briareus had an hun∣dred hādes.
• * 1.44

  Thetis to Achilles.
• * 1.45

  •…•…∣ues in the Ile of Chris•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 deliuers Chris•…•… 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉
• * 1.46

  Vlisses 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Chris•…•….
• * 1.47

  Chrises prayer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Apoll•…•….
• * 1.48

  The plague ceaseth in the Greeks Campe.
• * 1.49

  Sacrifice.
• * 1.50

  Vlisses re∣turnes to the Grekes Campe.
• * 1.51

  Th•…•… Iupiter.
• * 1.52

  T•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 •…•…oue •…•…∣teth Iup•…•…
• * 1.53

  Iupiter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Th•…•….
• * 1.54

  Token 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the •…•…∣tie of Iup•…•…∣ters p•…•…
• * 1.55

  The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pu•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iupiter 〈◊〉〈◊〉 turnes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heauen.
• * 1.56

  Iuno angry vvith Iupi∣ter.
• * 1.57

  Iupiter to Iuno.
• * 1.58

  Iuno to Iupiter.
• * 1.59

  Iupiter to Iuno.
• * 1.60

  Vulcan•…•… to Iuno his Mother.
• * 1.61

  Vul•…•… present•…•… drinke 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I•…•….
• * 1.62

  Vulca•…•… once thro∣vve•…•… out of Heauen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ile.
• * 1.63

  Iuno drin∣keth of Ne ctar and in appe•…•….
• * 1.64

  The Gods feast. Phoebus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.65

  Iupiter and the Gods to rest.