Dec. 22nd, 2011

hawkwing_lb: (DA2 isabela facepalm)
The madness continues.



Nine days god's shafts sped through the host
tenth day Achilles called muster for men
in his breast a goddess laid it, Hera white-armed,
distressed him for Danaans, witnessed swift-dying.
So when they were gathered, come to assembly
upstanding addressed them, fleet-footed Achilles.
"Atreus' son! Now driven back, I suppose
we're to go on back homewards, if we shun death
if battle and plague both subdue Achaeans.
But fetch out some mantic, let's ask him - or priest,
or a dream-seer, for dreams too are from Zeus
who might say why - so terribly! - Apollo shines wrathful
if he finds fault with a vow, or with a hekatomb
if in some way - partaking of lambs' savour, of unblemished goats -
he's willing to ward off from us ruin.

Now indeed having said this he sat: among the rest rose
Calchas, Thestor's son, far finest of augurs,
who'd known what was and what's coming before it was there
ships of Achaeans he'd guided to Ilion,
through divination itself, which shining Apollo granted him.
Well - being wise - he spoke, he addressed them:
"Achilleus, well-loved of Zeus, you exhort me to speak
of the wrath of Apollo, far-striking lord:
Mark you, I'll tell you. But you give heed! To me swear
succour in war with earnest words and with deeds
for I'm afraid I'll anger a man who holds sway
over every Argive, and who the Achaeans obey.
A very mighty king may be angry with a weaker man
and while on this day he may choke down his bile
afterwards he'll bear a grudge until it's paid in full
in his own heart. Consider if you'll defend me."

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