The Iliad of Homer Large Print

Achilles sing, O Goddess! Peleus' son; His wrath pernicious, who ten thousand woes Caused to Achaia's host, sent many a soul Illustrious into Ades premature, And Heroes gave (so stood the will of Jove) To dogs and to all ravening fowls a prey, When fierce dispute had separated once The noble Chief Achilles from the son Of Atreus, Agamemnon, King of men.Who them to strife impell'd? What power divine? Latona's son and Jove's. For he, incensed Against the King, a foul contagion raised In all the host, and multitudes destroy'd, For that the son of Atreus had his priest Dishonored, Chryses. To the fleet he came Bearing rich ransom glorious to redeem His daughter, and his hands charged with the wreath And golden sceptre of the God shaft-arm'd.His supplication was at large to all The host of Greece, but most of all to two, The sons of Atreus, highest in command.Ye gallant Chiefs, and ye their gallant host, (So may the Gods who in Olympus dwell Give Priam's treasures to you for a spoil And ye return in safety, ) take my gifts And loose my child, in honor of the son Of Jove, Apollo, archer of the skies.At once the voice of all was to respect The priest, and to accept the bounteous price; But so it pleased not Atreus' mighty son, Who with rude threatenings stern him thence dismiss'd