Thus mourned Andromache, and round about her wept and lamented the women of Troy.
Chapter XVI
Priam and Achilles—Hector’s Burial in Troy
It was after sundown when the assembled Achaians dispersed. Each returned to his own ship or tent to partake of the evening meal and then lay down to rest, well content. Only Achilles could not sleep for thinking of his lost friend. In vain he tossed to and fro on his bed; sweet slumber came not nigh him. Thus he mourned half the night, then suddenly arose, ran out into the darkness, and wandered up and down the shore, his heart full of sorrow. At last he went to Patroclus’ grave, then hastened back to yoke his horses to the chariot, to which he bound Hector’s corpse once more and dragged him thrice round the grave mound. After this he drove the horses back to the enclosure and threw himself again upon his couch.
Meanwhile the palace of old Priam had become a house of mourning. The afflicted father had taken no food nor drink since the death of his son, and the wailing of the wife and mother had so touched the people that they gathered about the house in crowds. Even the gods looked down pitifully on the unhappy family and Apollo appeared in dreams to Priam to strengthen his heart and encourage him to enter the Greek camp and plead for the body of his son. Jupiter commanded Hermes to accompany the old man, so that no enemy should hinder him or do him an injury by the way. Overjoyed at the divine vision, Priam forgot his complaints and went at once to the chamber where stood the chests in which he kept his treasures. He said to Hecuba, his mourning spouse: “I go to conciliate our terrible enemy with presents, and the god who has given me courage will protect me.”
Then the queen burst out weeping, saying reproachfully: “Unhappy man! Hast thou lost thy senses? How canst thou go alone to the ships and meet the man who has slain so many of thy valiant sons! Truly thy heart is made of iron! Ah! if he set eyes upon thee and seize thee, that false and terrible man will have neither mercy nor respect nor reverence for thine age. Oh, do not go! Let us mourn at a distance our lost son, whom the fates at his birth decreed should be vanquished far from his people. Remain with us, dear one, that thou mayest preserve thine own life.”
But the old man answered confidently: “I should not go if it were only a priest or seer who sent me, but I saw a god in my dream. He will not deceive me and my own heart impels me to go. Dost thou say the monster would kill me? Oh let him do so, if only he will strike me down upon the breast of my dear son!”
He opened the chest and took out the rich garments which he intended to take with him for a ransom—twelve splendid festal robes, twelve warm covers, and as many tunics and magnificent cloaks. Then from another chest he took ten talents of gold, four polished basins, and two tripods. Even the exquisite goblet presented by the Thracians when he visited them as ambassador from his father he did not withhold. For he did not begrudge giving even his greatest treasure to soften the hard heart of Achilles and ransom his beloved son.
When he had closed the box and turned around, he found himself surrounded by a crowd of idle people, who had come up to stare at the treasures which were to be offered for Hector’s ransom. Angrily he cried out: “Out with you! Away, ye idlers! Have ye not trouble enough at home, that ye come to look upon my sorrow? Only think what ye have lost in Hector! Without his support the Achaians will have an easier victory. Then it will be your turn to lament, but I shall doubtless then be dead!”
He drove them out of the courtyard, then called for his sons, reproving them. “Where are ye? Not one is at hand when I need ye! My best sons are dead, only the good-for-nothings remain. Pack these gifts quickly in the hampers, and when it grows dark, harness the horses and summon my old, experienced Idæus.”
Abashed, the sons obeyed all these commands and Hecuba began to prepare a strengthening draught for the travellers. Carrying a golden goblet in her right hand, she came out to the chariot, and placing herself in front of the steeds, she said to her husband: “Here, beloved, take this and pour out a libation to Jupiter and petition him for a safe return, as thou goest against my wishes. For I should never let thee go if I could prevent it. And even now I would counsel thee to consult the god and learn whether it is his will to protect thee. Should this prayer remain unanswered then I would say, Remain. For woe to him who goes into danger without divine support!”