PRIAM'S

LAMENTATION AND PETITION

TO

ACHI LLE S,

FOR THE BODY OF HIS SON HECTOR.

Tranflated from the Greek of Homer, Iliad w.

Beginning at this Line,

Ως ἄρα φωνήσας ἀπέβη πρὸς μακρὸν Ὄλυμπου
Ερμείας

Argument introductory to this Tranflation.

Hector's body (after he was flain) remained still in the poffeffion of Achilles; for which Priam made great lamentation. Jupiter had pity on him; and fent Iris to comfort him, and direct him after what manner he fhould go to Achilles' tent; and how he fhould there ranfom the body of his fon. Priam accordingly orders his chariot to be got ready, and, preparing rich prefents for Achilles, fets forward to the Grecian camp, accompanied by nobody but his herald Idæus. Mercury, at Jupiter's command, meets him by the way, in the figure of a young Grecian, and, after bemoaning his misfortunes, undertakes to drive his chariot unobserved through the guards, and to the door of D Achilles'

S

Achilles' tent; which having performed, he difcovered himself a god, and giving him a short inftruction how to move Achilles to compaffion, flew up to

heaven.

O fpake the god, and heavenward took his flight;
When Priam from his chariot did alight;

Leaving Idæus there, alone he went

With folemn pace into Achilles' tent.

Heedlefs he pafs'd through various rooms of state,
Until approaching where the hero fate;
There, at a feaft, the good old Priam found
Jove's beft-belov'd, with all his chiefs around;
Two only were t' attend his person plac'd,
Automedon and Alcymus; the rest

At greater distance, greater state express'd.
Priam, unfeen by these, his way pursued,
And first of all was by Achilles view'd.
About his knees his trembling arms he cast,
And agonizing grafp'd and held them fast;

}

Then caught his hands, and kifs'd and prefs'd them close,
Those hands, th' inhuman authors of his woes;
Thofe hands, whose unrelenting force had coft
Much of his blood (for many fons he loft).

But, as a wretch who has a murder done,

And, feeking refuge, does from justice run,
Entering fome house, in haste, where he 's unknown,
Creates amazement in the lookers-on :

So did Achilles gaze, furpriz'd to fee

The godlike Priam's royal misery ;

3

All

All on each other gaz'd, all in furprize,

And mute, yet feem'd to question with their eyes,
Till he at length the folemn filence broke ;
And thus the venerable fuppliant spoke :
"Divine Achilles, at your feet behold

"A proftrate King, in wretchedness grown old :
“Think on your father, and then look on me,
"His hoary age and helpless perfon fee;

"So furrow'd are his cheeks, fo white his hairs,
"Such, and fo many, his declining years;
"Could you imagine (but that cannot be)
"Could you imagine fuch, his mifery

wafte

"Yet it may come, when he shall be opprefs'd,
"And neighbouring princes lay his country
"Ev'n at this time, perhaps, fome powerful foe,
"Who will no mercy, no compaffion show,

66

Entering his palace, sees him feebly fly, "And seek protection where no help is nigh. "In vain he may your fatal abfence mourn, "And with, in vain, for your delay'd return; "Yet, that he hears you live, is some relief; "Some hopes alleviate his excess of grief; "It glads his foul to think, he once may fee "His much-lov'd fon; would that were granted me "But I, moft wretched I! of all bereft ! "Of all my worthy sons how few are left! "Yet fifty goodly youths I had to boast, "When first the Greeks invaded Ilion's coast: “Nineteen, the joyful iffue of one womb,

"Are now, alas.! a mournful tribute to one tomb. "Mercilefs

D 2

"Merciless war this devastation wrought,
"And their strong nerves to diffolution brought.
"Still one was left, in whom was all my hope,
"My age's comfort, and his country's prop;
"Hector, my darling, and my last defence,
"Whofe life alone, their deaths could recompenfe;
"And, to complete my store of countless woe,
"Him you have flain-of him bereav'd me too!
"For his fake only, hither am I come ;

"Rich gifts I bring, and wealth, an endless fum
"All to redeem that fatal prize you won,
"A worthlefs ranfom for fo brave a fon.

"Fear the just gods, Achilles; and on me "With pity look, think you your father fee; "Such as I am, he is; alone in this,

"I can no equal have in miferies;

"Of all mankind moft wretched and forlorn,
"Bow'd with fuch weight as never has been borne ;
"Reduc'd to kneel and pray to you, from whom
“The spring and fource of all my forrows come;
"With gifts, to court mine and my country's bane,
"And kifs thofe hands which have my children flain.”
He fpake..

Now fadnefs o'er Achilles' face appears,
Priam he views, and for is father fears;
That, and compaffion melt him into tears.
Then, gently with his hand he put away
Old Priam's face; but he ftill proftrate lay,
And there, with tears and fighs, afresh begun
To mourn the fall of his ill-fated fon.

}

But

But paffion different ways Achilles turns,
Now, he Patroclus, now, his father mourns :
Thus both with lamentations fill'd the place,
Till forrow feem'd to wear one common face.

THE

LAMENTATIONS

O F

HECUBA, ANDROMACHE, AND HELEN,

OVER THE

DEAD BODY OF HECTOR.

Tranflated from the Greek of Homer, Iliad w.

Beginning at this Line,

Ἠὼς δὲ κροκόπεπλο ἐκίδνατο πᾶσαν ἐπ' αἶαν.

Connection of this with the former Translation. Priam, at last, moves Achilles to compaffion, and, after having made him prefents of great value, obtains the body of his fon. Mercury awakens Priam early in the morning, and advises him to hafte away with the body, left Agamemnon should be informed of his being in the camp: he himself helps to harnefs the mules and horses, and conveys him fafely, and without noife,