Page 177 - the-iliad

in supplication. His sisters and his mother herself besought
him sore, but he the more refused them; those of his com-
rades who were nearest and dearest to him also prayed him,
but they could not move him till the foe was battering at the
very doors of his chamber, and the Curetes had scaled the
walls and were setting fire to the city. Then at last his sor-
rowing wife detailed the horrors that befall those whose city
is taken; she reminded him how the men are slain, and the
city is given over to the flames, while the women and chil-
dren are carried into captivity; when he heard all this, his
heart was touched, and he donned his armour to go forth.
Thus of his own inward motion he saved the city of the Aeto-
lians; but they now gave him nothing of those rich rewards
that they had offered earlier, and though he saved the city
he took nothing by it. Be not then, my son, thus minded; let
not heaven lure you into any such course. When the ships
are burning it will be a harder matter to save them. Take
the gifts, and go, for the Achaeans will then honour you as a
god; whereas if you fight without taking them, you may beat
the battle back, but you will not be held in like honour.’
And Achilles answered, ‘Phoenix, old friend and father,
I have no need of such honour. I have honour from Jove
himself, which will abide with me at my ships while I have
breath in my body, and my limbs are strong. I say further—
and lay my saying to your heart—vex me no more with this
weeping and lamentation, all in the cause of the son of Atre-
us. Love him so well, and you may lose the love I bear you.
You ought to help me rather in troubling those that trouble
me; be king as much as I am, and share like honour with

1 The Iliad