Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
let us fly with our horses, or at least embrace his knees and implore
him to take compassion upon us?
When he heard this the old man’s heart failed him, and he was in
great fear; he stayed where he was as one dazed, and the hair stood
on end over his whole body; but the bringer of good luck came up
to him and took him by the hand, saying, “Whither, father, are you
thus driving your mules and horses in the dead of night when
other men are asleep? Are you not afraid of the fierce Achaeans
who are hard by you, so cruel and relentless? Should some one of
them see you bearing so much treasure through the darkness of the
flying night, what would not your state then be? You are no longer
young, and he who is with you is too old to protect you from those
who would attack you. For myself, I will do you no harm, and I
will defend you from any one else, for you remind me of my own
father.”
And Priam answered, “It is indeed as you say, my dear son;
nevertheless some god has held his hand over me, in that he has
sent such a wayfarer as yourself to meet me so Opportunely; you
are so comely in mien and figure, and your judgement is so
excellent that you must come of blessed parents.”
Then said the slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, “Sir, all that
you have said is right; but tell me and tell me true, are you taking
this rich treasure to send it to a foreign people where it may be
safe, or are you all leaving strong Ilius in dismay now that your
son has fallen who was the bravest man among you and was never
lacking in battle with the Achaeans?”
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