For to me upon earth can nothing more precious be given Then when Ajax,' Telamon's son, shakes my hand of an ev'ning

After my terrible labour, and when the battle is ended, Pleased at the victory gained, as well as the enemy slaughtered.2

Truly in this short life it were of man to be envied,

Sitting within his hall that he from morning to ev'ning, Food in all abundance enjoying, should happy complete it, Drinking the strengthening wine, the healer of care and of sorrow,"

3

Whilst meanwhile the singer discoursed of the past and the future.*

On that day, however, no such fortune befell him,

5

When great Zeus was enraged at the clever son of Japetos,
And Pandora's form for the king Hephaistos created.
Then was apportioned the lot of unavoidable sorrow
To all mortal men that ever the earth may inhabit,
Whom ever Helios lights to hopes that are always decep-
tive,

E'en with enlivening beams and heavenly splendour deceiving.

For in the bosom of men is of endless quarrels the fountain Ever disposed to flow, of the peacefullest house the destroyer.

Envy, and lust of power, and wish for unfettered pos

session

Even of widely distributed goods, of cattle and woman, Who, though godlike of look, to the house brings dangerous

sorrows.

1 In Homer no particular friendship between Ajax and Achilles is mentioned. He is first seen in the lower world as his companion with Antilochus. He was nearly related to him, Telamon and Peleus being both sons of Eacus, and was eminent among the Greeks.

2 Lines 587 to 591 are a free rendering of Ulysses' words in Odyssey ix. 3 to 11.

3 Avalos, a post-Homeric description of Dionysus or Bacchus.

Of the seer Kalchas it is said that he knew the present, the future, and the past.

5 Pandora was made out of clay for Zeus, and endowed by the gods with various excellent gifts. Zeus gave her the famous box containing all human ills, at the bottom of which lay Hope.

Where does the man find rest from effort and vehement

labour

1

Who in his hollow vessel crosses the sea, or who ploughs up After his mighty bulls the soil in convenient furrows? All around him are dangers near, and Tyche,2 the eldest Of the Moirae, rules on the face of the earth as on ocean. Thus, then, I say to thee: let the most fortunate ever remember

For the strife to be ready, and let him resemble the warrior,

Who is ever prepared from Helios' face to be parted.'

993

Smiling answered thereon the goddess, Pallas Athene : "Let us set this aside; for any mortal expression, Wise though it be, that earth-born man may make use of, Can not the problem solve of the future not to be fathomed. Therefore think I more of the purpose for which I have come here,

Of thee to ask if thou perchance would anyway bid me, What may be needful for thee and for thine just now to prepare thee.”

Then with a glad solemnity answered the mighty Pelides: "Well dost thou more wisely remind me of what may

needful.

be

Me nor hunger allures, nor thirst, nor many another Appetite born upon earth, to the hour's more cheerful

enjoyment.

But for these there is not, these true industrious workers,
In the labour itself refreshment for labour provided.
If thou demandest the strength of thy men, then must
thou them strengthen

With the gifts of Ceres, who all that nurtures distributes.

· Homer : ἴφθιμος.

2 Tyche, a daughter of Zeus Eleutherios, was the mightiest of the sisters who direct the undertakings of men by sea, in war, on land, and in the council.

3 Parting from Helios, the light, as the opposite of the lower world, was accounted particularly painful. Ajax, when about to kill himself, takes particular leave of the light, and in Homer life is specially associated with seeing the light of the sun.

Hasten, therefore, my friend, below, and of bread send sufficient,

Also enough of wine, that we may hasten the labour. And of the welcome meat shall refreshing smell in the ev'ning

Rise up, steaming, to you, of cattle recently slaughtered." Thus did he speak aloud, and, laughing one to another, Heard his men the words, refreshed from the sweat of their labour.

Then with flying steps descended Pallas, the godlike, Reaching without delay the Myrmidons, where they were camping

Under the foot of the mound, and there were faithfully guarding

That right side of the camp, that fell by lot to Achilleus.1
Soon the goddess aroused the ever provident people,
Who the golden fruit of the earth were fully protecting,
And were ready to hand it on to those who were fighting.
These she called, and thus to them spoke with words of
commandment :

"Up! Why now the delay of bread the nourishment welcome

And of the wine to take up there to those who are working,
Who, to-day at the tents in merry converse assembled,
Sit not and trim the fire, their daily food to prepare them?
Up! you lazy fellows! procure for those who are active
What their stomachs require! Too often you're given to
stinting

Those who are working their due reward of promised refreshment.

But I think the rage of your ruler will soon overtake you. Not for your sakes, be sure, has he led his warriors hither." Thus she spoke, and they, distressed at heart, then obeying, Hastened to bring out abundance' upon the mules to be laden.

1 The ships of Achilles and Ajax stood, because these were the most valiant leaders, at the most dangerous points, the former on the right and the latter on the left wing of the camp for the ships (Iliad, xi. 5-9, and viii. 224-225).

CHISWICK PRESS:-C. WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE.

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