Arthur Hugh Clough

“ Goddess, the anger sing of the Pelean Achilles,
Fatal beginning of griefs unnumbered to the Achæans;
Many valiant souls untimely it hurried to Hades,
And the heroes left themselves of dogs to be eaten
And of ravenous birds till Zeus's plan was accomplished—
From the day when first contention arose to dissever
Atrides the King and the godlike hero Achilles. ”

“ You are the hatefullest to me of the Zeus-fed princes,
Lover for evermore of brawl and battle and discord.
Strong if you are, your strength was by some deity given.
Home with your hollow ships, and with your people returning
Order the Myrmidonans: expect not me to regard you,
Or to observe your wrath. I advertise you beforehand
As Chryseida Phœbus Apollo hath bid me surrender,
I in a ship of my own will with my people remit her
Home, and the beautiful-cheeked Briseïda then to replace her
Out of your tent, your prize, will carry ”

“ And replying, said the blue-eyed goddess, Athena:
'To repress I came, if practicable, your anger,
Out of heaven,—the goddess, the white-armed Hera, desired me,
Solicitous for the good of the one alike and the other.
Abstain from violence, put back the sword in the scabbard,
Let opprobrious words, if necessary, requite him ”