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women were making a porridge of much white barley for the
labourers' dinner。
He wrought also a vineyard； golden and fair to see； and the vines
were loaded with grapes。 The bunches overhead were black； but the
vines were trained on poles of silver。 He ran a ditch of dark
metal all round it； and fenced it with a fence of tin； there was
only one path to it； and by this the vintagers went when they
would gather the vintage。 Youths and maidens all blithe and full
of glee； carried the luscious fruit in plaited baskets； and with
them there went a boy who made sweet music with his lyre； and
sang the Linos…song with his clear boyish voice。
He wrought also a herd of horned cattle。 He made the cows of gold
and tin； and they lowed as they came full speed out of the yards
to go and feed among the waving reeds that grow by the banks of
the river。 Along with the cattle there went four shepherds； all
of them in gold； and their nine fleet dogs went with them。 Two
terrible lions had fastened on a bellowing bull that was with the
foremost cows； and bellow as he might they haled him； while the
dogs and men gave chase： the lions tore through the bull's thick
hide and were gorging on his blood and bowels； but the herdsmen
were afraid to do anything； and only hounded on their dogs； the
dogs dared not fasten on the lions but stood by barking and
keeping out of harm's way。
The god wrought also a pasture in a fair mountain dell； and a
large flock of sheep； with a homestead and huts； and sheltered
sheepfolds。
Furthermore he wrought a green； like that which Daedalus once
made in Cnossus for lovely Ariadne。 Hereon there danced youths
and maidens whom all would woo； with their hands on one another's
wrists。 The maidens wore robes of light linen； and the youths
well woven shirts that were slightly oiled。 The girls were
crowned with garlands； while the young men had daggers of gold
that hung by silver baldrics； sometimes they would dance deftly
in a ring with merry twinkling feet； as it were a potter sitting
at his work and making trial of his wheel to see whether it will
run； and sometimes they would go all in line with one another；
and much people was gathered joyously about the green。 There was
a bard also to sing to them and play his lyre； while two tumblers
went about performing in the midst of them when the man struck up
with his tune。
All round the outermost rim of the shield he set the mighty
stream of the river Oceanus。
Then when he had fashioned the shield so great and strong； he
made a breastplate also that shone brighter than fire。 He made a
helmet； close fitting to the brow； and richly worked； with a
golden plume overhanging it； and he made greaves also of beaten
tin。
Lastly； when the famed lame god had made all the armour； he took
it and set it before the mother of Achilles； whereon she darted
like a falcon from the snowy summits of Olympus and bore away the
gleaming armour from the house of Vulcan。
BOOK XIX
Achilles is reconciled with Agamemnon； puts on the armour
which Vulcan had made him； and goes out to fight。
NOW when Dawn in robe of saffron was hasting from the streams of
Oceanus； to bring light to mortals and immortals； Thetis reached
the ships with the armour that the god had given her。 She found
her son fallen about the body of Patroclus and weeping bitterly。
Many also of his followers were weeping round him； but when the
goddess came among them she clasped his hand in her own； saying；
〃My son； grieve as we may we must let this man lie； for it is by
heaven's will that he has fallen； now； therefore； accept from
Vulcan this rich and goodly armour； which no man has ever yet
borne upon his shoulders。〃
As she spoke she set the armour before Achilles； and it rang out
bravely as she did so。 The Myrmidons were struck with awe； and
none dared look full at it； for they were afraid； but Achilles
was roused to still greater fury； and his eyes gleamed with a
fierce light； for he was glad when he handled the splendid
present which the god had made him。 Then； as soon as he had
satisfied himself with looking at it； he said to his mother；
〃Mother； the god has given me armour； meet handiwork for an
immortal and such as no…one living could have fashioned； I will
now arm； but I much fear that flies will settle upon the son of
Menoetius and breed worms about his wounds； so that his body； now
he is dead； will be disfigured and the flesh will rot。〃
Silver…footed Thetis answered； 〃My son； be not disquieted about
this matter。 I will find means to protect him from the swarms of
noisome flies that prey on the bodies of men who have been killed
in battle。 He may lie for a whole year； and his flesh shall still
be as sound as ever； or even sounder。 Call； therefore； the
Achaean heroes in assembly； unsay your anger against Agamemnon；
arm at once； and fight with might and main。〃
As she spoke she put strength and courage into his heart； and she
then dropped ambrosia and red nectar into the wounds of
Patroclus； that his body might suffer no change。
Then Achilles went out upon the seashore； and with a loud cry
called on the Achaean heroes。 On this even those who as yet had
stayed always at the ships； the pilots and helmsmen； and even the
stewards who were about the ships and served out rations； all
came to the place of assembly because Achilles had shown himself
after having held aloof so long from fighting。 Two sons of Mars；
Ulysses and the son of Tydeus； came limping； for their wounds
still pained them； nevertheless they came； and took their seats
in the front row of the assembly。 Last of all came Agamemnon；
king of men； he too wounded； for Coon son of Antenor had struck
him with a spear in battle。
When the Achaeans were got together Achilles rose and said； 〃Son
of Atreus； surely it would have been better alike for both you
and me； when we two were in such high anger about Briseis； surely
it would have been better； had Diana's arrow slain her at the
ships on the day when I took her after having sacked Lyrnessus。
For so； many an Achaean the less would have bitten dust before
the foe in the days of my anger。 It has been well for Hector and
the Trojans； but the Achaeans will long indeed remember our
quarrel。 Now； however； let it be； for it is over。 If we have been
angry； necessity has schooled our anger。 I put it from me： I dare
not nurse it for ever； therefore； bid the Achaeans arm forthwith
that I may go out against the Trojans； and learn whether they
will be in a mind to sleep by the ships or no。 Glad； I ween； will
he be to rest his knees who may fly my spear when I wield it。〃
Thus did he speak； and the Achaeans rejoiced in that he had put
away his anger。
Then Agamemnon spoke； rising in his place； and not going into the
middle of the assembly。 〃Danaan heroes；〃 said he； 〃servants of
Mars； it is well to listen when a man stands up to speak； and it
is not seemly to interrupt him； or it will go hard even with a
practised speaker。 Who can either hear or speak in an uproar？
Even the finest orator will be disconcerted by it。 I will expound
to the son of Peleus； and do you other Achaeans heed me and mark
me well。 Often ha