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Argives to their ships and putting them to the sword。 We stood
still and marvelled； for Achilles in his anger with the son of
Atreus suffered us not to fight。 I am his squire； and came with
him in the same ship。 I am a Myrmidon； and my father's name is
Polyctor： he is a rich man and about as old as you are； he has
six sons besides myself； and I am the seventh。 We cast lots； and
it fell upon me to sail hither with Achilles。 I am now e from
the ships on to the plain； for with daybreak the Achaeans will
set battle in array about the city。 They chafe at doing nothing；
and are so eager that their princes cannot hold them back。〃
Then answered Priam； 〃If you are indeed the squire of Achilles
son of Peleus； tell me now the whole truth。 Is my son still at
the ships； or has Achilles hewn him limb from limb； and given him
to his hounds？〃
〃Sir；〃 replied the slayer of Argus； guide and guardian； 〃neither
hounds nor vultures have yet devoured him； he is still just lying
at the tents by the ship of Achilles； and though it is now twelve
days that he has lain there； his flesh is not wasted nor have the
worms eaten him although they feed on warriors。 At daybreak
Achilles drags him cruelly round the sepulchre of his dear
rade； but it does him no hurt。 You should e yourself and
see how he lies fresh as dew； with the blood all washed away； and
his wounds every one of them closed though many pierced him with
their spears。 Such care have the blessed gods taken of your brave
son； for he was dear to them beyond all measure。〃
The old man was forted as he heard him and said； 〃My son； see
what a good thing it is to have made due offerings to the
immortals； for as sure as that he was born my son never forgot
the gods that hold Olympus； and now they requite it to him even
in death。 Accept therefore at my hands this goodly chalice； guard
me and with heaven's help guide me till I e to the tent of the
son of Peleus。〃
Then answered the slayer of Argus； guide and guardian； 〃Sir； you
are tempting me and playing upon my youth； but you shall not move
me； for you are offering me presents without the knowledge of
Achilles whom I fear and hold it great guilt to defraud； lest
some evil presently befall me； but as your guide I would go with
you even to Argos itself； and would guard you so carefully
whether by sea or land； that no one should attack you through
making light of him who was with you。〃
The bringer of good luck then sprang on to the chariot； and
seizing the whip and reins he breathed fresh spirit into the
mules and horses。 When they reached the trench and the wall that
was before the ships； those who were on guard had just been
getting their suppers； and the slayer of Argus threw them all
into a deep sleep。 Then he drew back the bolts to open the gates；
and took Priam inside with the treasure he had upon his waggon。
Ere long they came to the lofty dwelling of the son of Peleus for
which the Myrmidons had cut pine and which they had built for
their king； when they had built it they thatched it with coarse
tussock…grass which they had mown out on the plain； and all round
it they made a large courtyard； which was fenced with stakes set
close together。 The gate was barred with a single bolt of pine
which it took three men to force into its place； and three to
draw back so as to open the gate； but Achilles could draw it by
himself。 Mercury opened the gate for the old man； and brought in
the treasure that he was taking with him for the son of Peleus。
Then he sprang from the chariot on to the ground and said； 〃Sir；
it is I； immortal Mercury； that am e with you； for my father
sent me to escort you。 I will now leave you； and will not enter
into the presence of Achilles； for it might anger him that a god
should befriend mortal men thus openly。 Go you within； and
embrace the knees of the son of Peleus： beseech him by his
father； his lovely mother； and his son； thus you may move him。〃
With these words Mercury went back to high Olympus。 Priam sprang
from his chariot to the ground； leaving Idaeus where he was； in
charge of the mules and horses。 The old man went straight into
the house where Achilles； loved of the gods； was sitting。 There
he found him with his men seated at a distance from him： only
two； the hero Automedon； and Alcimus of the race of Mars； were
busy in attendance about his person； for he had but just done
eating and drinking； and the table was still there。 King Priam
entered without their seeing him； and going right up to Achilles
he clasped his knees and kissed the dread murderous hands that
had slain so many of his sons。
As when some cruel spite has befallen a man that he should have
killed some one in his own country； and must fly to a great man's
protection in a land of strangers； and all marvel who see him；
even so did Achilles marvel as he beheld Priam。 The others looked
one to another and marvelled also； but Priam besought Achilles
saying； 〃Think of your father； O Achilles like unto the gods； who
is such even as I am； on the sad threshold of old age。 It may be
that those who dwell near him harass him； and there is none to
keep war and ruin from him。 Yet when he hears of you being still
alive； he is glad； and his days are full of hope that he shall
see his dear son e home to him from Troy； but I； wretched man
that I am； had the bravest in all Troy for my sons； and there is
not one of them left。 I had fifty sons when the Achaeans came
here； nineteen of them were from a single womb； and the others
were borne to me by the women of my household。 The greater part
of them has fierce Mars laid low； and Hector； him who was alone
left； him who was the guardian of the city and ourselves； him
have you lately slain； therefore I am now e to the ships of
the Achaeans to ransom his body from you with a great ransom。
Fear； O Achilles； the wrath of heaven； think on your own father
and have passion upon me； who am the more pitiable； for I have
steeled myself as no man yet has ever steeled himself before me；
and have raised to my lips the hand of him who slew my son。〃
Thus spoke Priam； and the heart of Achilles yearned as he
bethought him of his father。 He