SING, goddess, the anger* of Achilles, Peleus’ son, the accursed anger which brought the Achaeans countless agonies and hurled many mighty shades of heroes into Hades,* causing them to become the prey of dogs and all kinds of birds; and the plan of Zeus was fulfilled. [5] Sing from the time the two men were first divided in strife— Atreus’ son,* lord of men, and glorious Achilles. Which of the gods was it who set them to quarrel and fight? The son of Zeus and Leto,* for he was bitter against the king, and roused an evil plague through the camp, and the people went on dying, [10] because the son of Atreus had dishonoured his priest Chryses. This man had come to the swift ships of the Achaeans to redeem his daughter, bringing a boundless ransom and holding in his hands the woollen bands of Apollo who shoots from afar,* fixed to a golden staff. He entreated all the Achaeans, but [15] especially the two sons of Atreus, marshals of the people: ‘You sons of Atreus, and you other well-greaved Achaeans, may the gods who have their homes on Olympus grant that you sack the city of Priam and return safely home. Only release my dear child, and accept this ransom, and [20] show reverence to Zeus’ son Apollo who shoots from afar.’
