m, having added[42] a harsh command. But
they reluctantly went along the shore of the barren sea, and came to the
tents and ships of the Myrmidons. And they found him sitting at his tent
and his black ship: nor did Achilles, seeing them, rejoice. But they,
confused, and reverencing the king, stood still, nor addressed him at
all, nor spoke [their bidding]. But he perceived [it] in his mind, and
said:

"Hail, heralds, messengers of Jove,[43] and also of men, come near, for
ye are not blamable to me in the least, but Agamemnon, who has sent you
on account of the maid Briseis. However, come, noble Patroclus, lead
forth the maid, and give her to them to conduct; but let these be
witnesses [of the insult offered me], both before the blessed gods, and
before mortal men, and before the merciless king. But if ever again
there shall be need of me to avert unseemly destruction from the rest,
[appeal to me shall be in vain],[44] for surely he rages with an
infatuated mind, nor knows at all how to view the future and the past,
in order that the Greeks may fight in safety at their ships."

Thus he spoke. And Patroclus obeyed his dear companion, and led forth
fair-cheeked Briseis from the tent, and gave her to them to conduct; and
they returned along by the ships of the Greeks. But the woman went with
them reluctantly, whilst Achilles, weeping,[45] immediately sat down,
removed apart from his companions, upon the shore of the hoary sea,
gazing on the darkling main; and much he be sought his dear mother,
stretching forth his hands:

[Footnote 41: Hesych. [Greek: rigion phoberoteron chalepoteron].]

[Footnote 42: "Misit eos, minaci jusso dato."--Heyne.]

[Footnote 43: So called from their inviolability,--[Greek: asylon
gar kai theion to genos to kerykon].--Schol. [Greek: Kai ezen
antois pantachose adeos ienai].--Pollux, viii. They were properly
sacred to Mercury (id. iv. 9. Cf. Feith, Antiq. Homer, iv. 1),
but are called the messengers of Jove, as being under his special
protection, with a reference to the supporting of regal
authority.]

[Footnote 44: Observe the aposiopesis.]

[Footnote 45: Not for the loss of Briseis, but on account of the
affront.]

"O mother, since thou hast borne me, to be but short-lived, at least
then ought high-thundering Olympian Jove to have vouchsafed honour to
me; but now he has not honoured me ever so little; for the son of
Atreus, wide-ruling Agamemnon, has d