o the brass-built dome of the Highest,
There will I cling to his knees, and I think he will hear my petition."
So having said she departed, and left him to sit as aforetime,
Bitterness swelling his breast at the thought of the slender Briseis
Forcefully torn from his side. Meanwhile ever-prudent Odysseus
Safe into Chrysa had come with the hecatomb vow'd to Apollo.
They, when at last they arrived in the spacious recess of the harbour,
Furl'd with alertness their sail, and bestow'd in the depth of the
galley,
Loosen'd the ropes from the mast, and depress'd it to fix in the
mast-hold,
Push'd with their oars to the landing, and anchor'd and fasten'd the
hausers;
Then with the hecatomb laden, the mariners stept on the sea-beach.
Lastly, Chryseis was led by Odysseus himself from the galley,
Straight to the altar of Phoebus, and placed in the hand of her father.
"Take her, O Chryses," he said; "I am sent by the King Agamemnon,
Charg'd to restore her to thee, with a hecatomb fair for Apollo,
Vow'd on behalf of the host, if perchance it may work our atonement,
Press'd with afflictions severe by the far-shot darts of the Godhead."
So did he speak, and deliver'd the daughter belov'd to her father:
Glad was the old man's heart to receive her. And now the Achaians,
Ranging the hecatomb goodly around the magnificent altar,
Cleansed with water their hands, and besprinkled the victims with barley.
Lifting his hands in the midst, then Chryses made supplication:--
"Hear me, Protector divine both of Chrysa and beautiful Killa,
God of the silvery bow, over Tenedos mightily reigning--
Hear me, if ever before there was favour to crown my petition.
Greatly to honour thy priest, hast thou humbled the host of Achaia;
Now I beseech thee to hear, and again let my prayer be accepted--
Hence be the pestilence stay'd that is wasting the Danaeid leaguer!"
So did he speak in his prayer, nor regardless was Phoebus Apollo;
Also the Danaeids pray'd, and again they besprinkled with barley;
Then were the necks turn'd back, and they slaughter'd the victims, and
skinn'd them.
And when the bones of the thighs were extracted, and wrapt in the fatness
Doubled upon them around, and the raw flesh added in fragments,
Over the split wood then did the old man burn them, and black wine
Pour'd, while with five-prong'd forks, at his side, were the youthful
attendants.
But