Hector to His Wife

Homer (fl. 850 B.C.)

From the Greek by E. C. Hawtrey

From “The Iliad,” Book VI.

[The following extract is given as showing a more modern style of translation. It embraces the bracketed portion of the foregoing from Pope’s version.]

I TOO have thought of all this, dear wife, but I fear the reproaches

Both of the Trojan youths and the long-robed maidens of Troja,

If like a cowardly churl I should keep me aloof from the combat:

Nor would my spirit permit; for well I have learnt to be valiant,

Fighting aye ’mong the first of the Trojans marshalled in battle,

Striving to keep the renown of my sire and my own unattainted.

Well, too well, do I know,—both my mind and my spirit agreeing,—

That there will be a day when sacred Troja shall perish.

Priam will perish too, and the people of Priam, the spear-armed.

Still, I have not such care for the Trojans doomed to destruction,

No, nor for Hecuba’s self, nor for Priam, the monarch, my father,

Nor for my brothers’ fate, who, though they be many and valiant,

All in the dust may lie low by the hostile spears of Achaia,

As for thee, when some youth of the brazen-mailèd Achæans

Weeping shall bear thee away, and bereave thee forever of freedom.

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