y ordered the clear-voiced
heralds to place a large tripod on the fire, if he could persuade the
son of Peleus to wash away the bloody gore. But he sternly refused, and
besides swore an oath:[724]

[Footnote 722: [Greek: Taphos' to ginomenon perideipnon epi te
ton katoichomenon time].--Hesych.]

[Footnote 723: On these funeral sacrifices, see Comm. on AEn. xi.
l. c.; and Lomeier de Lustrationibus, Sec. xxxi.]

[Footnote 724: Buttm. Lexil. p. 436, after insisting strongly on
the _personification_ of [Greek: Orkos], observes on this
passage: "I see no reason why we should not suppose that in the
poet's mind Jupiter was put in opposition to [Greek: orkon],
exactly in the same sense as [Greek: orkos] is actually found in
opposition to [Greek: Zeus] in Pindar, Pyth. iv. 297. [Greek:
Karteros orkos ammi martys esto Zeus o genethlios amphoterois].
Further, the expressions [Greek: megas orkos, karteros orkos]
suit much better the idea of the witness or pledge of the oath,
than they do the oath itself."]

"No, by Jove, who is both the supreme and the best of gods, it is not
lawful that ablutions should come near my head, before I place Patroclus
on the pile, and have thrown up a mound, and shorn my hair; for not to
such a degree will sorrow a second time invade my heart, whilst I am
among the living. But nevertheless let us now yield to the loathsome
banquet. But on the morrow, O king of men, Agamemnon, give orders to
bring wood, and dispose it so as is proper that a dead body enjoying it,
should descend beneath the obscure darkness; so that the indefatigable
fire may consume him very quickly from our eyes, and the people may
return to their occupations."

Thus he spoke; but they indeed readily listened to him, and obeyed. Then
they, each sedulously preparing supper, feasted; nor did their mind lack
aught of an equal feast. But when they had dismissed the desire of food
and drink, some departed in order to lie down, each to his tent. But the
son of Peleus, on the contrary, amid his many Myrmidons, lay near the
shore of the far-sounding sea, heavily moaning, in a clear spot, where
the waves plashed against the shore; when sweet[725] sleep, diffused
around, took possession of him, relaxing the cares of his mind; for he
was very much fatigued as to his fair knees, chasing Hector at
wind-swept Ilium. But to him came the spirit of wretched Patroclus, like
unto him in all things, as to b