George Chapman’s translation

Alexander Pope’s translation

Richmond Lattimore’s translation

Achilles’ bane full wrath^[a] resound, O Goddesse, that imposd

Achilles' wrath, to Greece the direful spring

Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus^[b]

Infinite sorrowes on the Greekes, and many brave soules losd

Of woes unnumber'd, heavenly goddess, sing!

and its devastation, which puts pains thousandfold upon the Achaians,

From breasts Heroique—sent them farre, to that invisible cave^[c]

That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign^[d]

hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades^[e] strong souls

That no light comforts; and their lims to dogs and vultures gave.

The souls ^[f]of mighty chiefs untimely slain;

of^[g] heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting

To all which Jove’s will gave effect; from whom first strife begunne

Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore,

of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished

Betwixt Atrides, king of men, and Thetis’ godlike Sonne.^[h]

Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore

since that time when first there stood in division of conflict

What God gave Eris their command, and op’t that fighting veine?

Since great Achilles and Atride^[i]s strove,

Atreus’ son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus.

Jove’s and Latona’s Sonne, who, fir’d against the king of men

Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove!

What god was it then set them together in bitter collision?

For contumelie showne his Priest, infectious sickness sent

Declare, O Muse! in what ill-fated hour

Zeus’ son and Leto’s, Apollo, who in anger at the king drove

To plague the armie; and to death, by troopes, the souldiers went.

Sprung the fierce strife, from what offended power

the foul pestilence along the host, and the people perished

Occasiond thus: Chryses, the Priest, came to the fleete to buy,

Latona's son a dire contagion spread,

since Atreus’ son had dishonoured Chryses, priest of Apollo,

For presents of unvalued price, his daughter’s libertie—

And heap'd the camp with mountains of the dead;

when he came beside the fast ships of the Achaians to ransom

The golden scepter and the crowne of Phœbus in his hands^[j]

The king of men his reverent priest defied,

back his daughter, carrying gifts beyond count and holding

Proposing—and made suite to all, but most to the Commands

And for the king's offence the people died.

in his hands wound on a staff of gold the ribbons of Apollo

Of both th’ Atrides, who most ruled.  ‘Grat Atreus’ sonnes,’ said he,

For Chryses sought with costly gifts to gain^[k]

who strikes from afar, and supplicated all the Achaians,

’And all ye wel-griev’d Greekes, the Gods, whose habitations be

His captive daughter from the victor's chain.

but above all Atreus’ two sons, the marshals of the people:

In heavenly houses, grace your powers with Priam’s razed towne,

Suppliant the venerable father stands;

‘Sons of Atreus and you other strong-greaved Achians,

And grant ye happy conduct home!  To winne which wisht renowne

Apollo's awful ensigns grace his hands

to you may the gods grant who have their homes on Olympos

Of Jove, by honouring his sonne (farre-shooting Phœbus), daine

By these he begs; and lowly bending down,

Priam’s city to be plundered and a fair homecoming thereafter,

For these fit presents to dissolve the ransomeable chaine

Extends the sceptre and the laurel crown

but may you give me back my own daughter and take the ransom,

Of my lov’d daughter’s servitude.’  The Greekes entirely gave

He sued to all, but chief implored for grace

giving honour to Zeus’ son who strikes from afar, Apollo.’