“Go ye to where Achilles holds his tent, And take the fair Briseis by the hand, And bring her hither. If he yield her not, I shall come forth to claim her with a band Of warriors, and it shall be worse for him.”

He spake, and sent them forth with added words Of menace. With unwilling steps they went Beside the barren deep, until they reached The tents and vessels of the Myrmidons, And found Achilles seated by his tent And his black ship; their coming pleased him not. They, moved by fear and reverence of the king, Stopped, and bespake him not, nor signified Their errand; he perceived their thought and said:⁠—