nd came to fertile Phthia, the
mother of sheep, to king Peleus; who kindly received me, and loved me
even as a father loves his only son, born in his old age[314] to ample
possessions. He made me opulent, and bestowed upon me much people, and I
inhabited the extreme shores of Phthia, ruling over the Dolopians. Thee
too, O godlike Achilles, have I rendered what thou art,[315] loving thee
from my soul; since thou wouldst not go with another to the feast, nor
take food in the mansion, until I, placing thee upon my knees, satisfied
thee with viands, previously carving them, and supplied thee with wine.
Often hast thou wetted the tunic upon my breast, ejecting the wine in
infant peevishness.[316] Thus have I borne very many things from thee,
and much have I laboured, thinking this, that since the gods have not
granted an offspring to me from myself, I should at least make thee my
son, O Achilles, like unto the gods, that thou mightst yet repel from me
unworthy destiny. But O Achilles, subdue thy mighty rage; it is by no
means necessary for thee to have a merciless heart. Flexible are even
the gods themselves, whose virtue, honour, and might are greater [than
thine]. Even these, when any one transgresses and errs, do men divert
[from their wrath] by sacrifices and appeasing vows, and frankincense
and savour. For Prayers also are the daughters of supreme Jove,[317]
both halt, and wrinkled, and squint-eyed; which following on Ate from
behind, are fall of care. But Ate is robust and sound in limb, wherefore
she far outstrips all, and arrives first at every land, doing injury to
men; whilst these afterwards cure them.[318] Whosoever will reverence
the daughters of Jove approaching, him they are wont greatly to aid, and
hear when praying. But whosoever will deny and obstinately refuse them,
then indeed, drawing near, they entreat Saturnian Jove, that Ate may
follow along with him, that being injured [in turn], he may pay the
penalty. But O Achilles, do thou too yield honour to accompany the
daughters of Jove, which bends the minds of other brave men; for if
Atrides brought not gifts, and did not mention others in futurity, but
would ever rage vehemently, I for my part would not advise that, casting
away wrath, thou shouldst defend the Greeks, although greatly in need.
But now he at once gives both many immediately, and promises others
hereafter; moreover, he hath despatched the best men to supplicate thee,
having selected throughout