“Be comforted, and have no fear; for I Am come, Dardanian Priam, not to bring Mischief, but blessing. I am sent to thee A messenger from Jove, who, though afar, Pities thee and will aid thee. He who rules Olympus bids thee ransom thy slain son, The noble Hector, carrying gifts to calm The anger of Achilles. Thou shouldst go Alone, no Trojan with thee, save a man In years, a herald, who shall guide the mules And strong-wheeled chariot, harnessed to bring back Him whom the great Achilles has o’erthrown. And have no fear of death or other harm; A guide shall go with thee to lead thee safe, The Argus-queller, till thou stand beside Achilles, and when once thou art within The warrior’s tent, Achilles will not raise His hand to slay, but will restrain the rest. He is not mad, nor rash, nor prone to crime, And will humanely spare a suppliant man.”
Thus the swift-footed Iris spake, and then Departed. Priam bade his sons prepare The strong-wheeled chariot, drawn by mules, and bind A coffer on it. He descended next Into a fragrant chamber, cedar-lined, High-roofed, and stored with many things of price, And calling Hecuba, his wife, he said:—
“Dear wife, a message from Olympian Jove Commands that I betake me to the fleet, And thence redeem my slaughtered son with gifts That may appease Achilles. Tell me now How this may seem to thee? for I am moved By a strong impulse to approach the ships, And venture into the great Grecian camp.”
He spake: his consort wept, and answered thus: “Ah me! The prudence which was once so praised By strangers and by those who own thy sway, Where is it now? Why wouldst thou go alone To the Greek fleet, to meet the eye of him Who slew so many of thy gallant sons? An iron heart is thine. If that false man, Remorseless as he is, should see thee there And