Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
chosen messengers, who may go to the tent of Achilles son of
Peleus without delay. Let those go whom I shall name. Let
Phoenix, dear to Jove, lead the way; let Ajax and Ulysses follow,
and let the heralds Odius and Eurybates go with them. Now bring
water for our hands, and bid all keep silence while we pray to Jove
the son of Saturn, if so be that he may have mercy upon us.”
Thus did he speak, and his saying pleased them well. Menservants
poured water over the hands of the guests, while pages
filled the mixing-bowls with wine and water, and handed it round
after giving every man his drink-offering; then, when they had
made their offerings, and had drunk each as much as he was
minded, the envoys set out from the tent of Agamemnon son of
Atreus; and Nestor, looking first to one and then to another, but
most especially at Ulysses, was instant with them that they should
prevail with the noble son of Peleus.
They went their way by the shore of the sounding sea, and prayed
earnestly to earth-encircling Neptune that the high spirit of the son
of Aeacus might incline favourably towards them. When they
reached the ships and tents of the Myrmidons, they found Achilles
playing on a lyre, fair, of cunning workmanship, and its cross-bar
was of silver. It was part of the spoils which he had taken when he
sacked the city of Eetion, and he was now diverting himself with it
and singing the feats of heroes. He was alone with Patroclus, who
sat opposite to him and said nothing, waiting till he should cease
singing. Ulysses and Ajax now came in- Ulysses leading the way -
and stood before him. Achilles sprang from his seat with the lyre
still in his hand, and Patroclus, when he saw the strangers, rose
also. Achilles then greeted them saying, “All hail and welcome-
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