Ancient and Old

"Even so has Agamemnon angered me. And yet- so be it, for it is over; I will force my soul into subjection as I needs must; I will go; ...

"Thetis wept and answered, "Then, my son, is your end near at hand- for your own death awaits you full soon after that of Hector....

"Achilles groaned and answered, "Mother, Olympian Jove has indeed vouchsafed me the fulfilment of my prayer, but what boots it to ...

"She left the cave as she spoke, while the others followed weeping after, and the waves opened a path before them. When they reached th...

"Listen," she cried, "sisters, daughters of Nereus, that you may hear the burden of my sorrows. Alas, woe is me, woe in that ...

"Then Achilles gave a loud cry and his mother heard him as she was sitting in the depths of the sea by the old man her father, whereon ...

"A dark cloud of grief fell upon Achilles as he listened. He filled both hands with dust from off the ground, and poured it over his he...

"As he was thus pondering, the son of Nestor came up to him and told his sad tale, weeping bitterly the while. "Alas," he cri...

"Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Meanwhile the fleet runner Antilochus, who had been sent as messenger, reached Ach...

Introduction The Iliad, book XVIII - translation by Samuel Butler in 1898.