HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVIII: THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVIII: THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES. 

Introduction:

This book, which is especially memorable for its graphic description of the designs, which Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and carpenters, makes on the shield which he designs for Achilles at the request of his mother Thetis, is also significant because it sees the end of the long third day of fighting, which begins as far back as Book XI - see l. 242 - after Nestor's son, Antiochus has brought the sad news of Patroclus' death to Achilles, and Thetis has come from the sea to try to console Achilles. When night falls the Trojans meet in assembly (see ll. 242-314), and one of their leaders, Polydamas, wisely counsels that they should return to the safety of their city, but Priam's son Hector strongly disagrees and insists that they continue the fight to try to capture the Achaean ships, and his view prevails. Meanwhile, Achilles promises to avenge Patroclus by killing Hector, even though he knows this will bring about his own early death (ll. 314-367). During the night Thetis goes to Olympus and persuades Hephaestus to make a new suit of armour and shield for Achilles, as Hector has carried off the armour that he lent to Patroclus, and is wearing it himself (see ll. 368-461). The rest of the book is largely taken up with a lengthy and detailed description of the designs on the shield, and the three circles, which are lodged between the central boss and the outer rim, feature a microcosm of human life and activity (ll. 490-606).  

Ll. 1-21. Antilochus tells Achilles that Patroclus is dead. 

So they fought on like blazing fire, and the swift-footed Antilochus came with the news to Achilles. And he found him in front of his ships with their upright horns, contemplating in his heart those things which had now come to pass; and, sorely troubled (as he was), he then spoke to his great-hearted spirit: "O woe is me, why then are the long-haired Achaeans being driven back again over the plain in terror to the ships? May the gods not bring to pass, as I fear they may, those grievous woes to my heart, even as my mother once revealed, when she said to me that, while I was still living, the best of the Myrmidons would leave the light of the sun beneath the hands of the Trojans. For sure, the valiant son of Menoetius must now be dead - foolhardy (as he was)! And yet I bade him come back to the ships, once the enemy's fire had been pushed back, and not fight bravely with Hector."

While he pondered these (things) in his mind and in his heart, the son of noble Nestor (i.e. Antilochus) came up close to him, shedding hot tears, and gave (him) the painful message: "Woe is me, (you) son of the warrior Peleus, now indeed you must hear grievous tidings (of something) that ought never to have happened. Patroclus lies (dead), and now they are fighting over his naked corpse; and Hector of the shining helmet has your armour."  

Ll. 22-64. Thetis and the Nereids join Achilles in his sorrow. 

So he spoke, and a black cloud of grief enveloped him (i.e. Achilles); and, taking up the sooty dust in both of his hands, he strewed (it) over his head, and soiled his handsome face; and the black ashes settled upon his sweet-smelling tunic. And he, himself, lay outstretched in the dust, mighty in his mightiness, and he defiled his hair, as he tore at (it) with his hands. And the handmaids that Achilles and Patroclus had seized as booty, shrieked aloud in anguish of heart, and they ran outside around the warrior Achilles, and they all beat their breasts with their hands, and the knees of each one of them were loosed beneath (her). And on the other side Antilochus wailed and shed tears, as he held the hands of Achilles, as he (i.e. Achilles) let out a groan from his noble heart; for he (i.e. Antilochus) feared that he might cut his throat with a knife. Then he (i.e. Achilles) gave a terrible cry, and his queenly mother (i.e. Thetis) heard (him) as she sat in the sea beside the old man, her father (i.e. Nereus), and then she wailed aloud at once; and the goddesses gathered around her, all (of them) daughters of Nereus, who were (there) in the depths of the sea. There were Glauce, and Thaleia, and Cymodoce, Nesaea, and Speio, and Thoë, and ox-eyed Halië, and Cymothoë, and Actaea, and Limnoreia, and Melite, and Iaera, and Amphithoë, and Agaue, and Doto, and Proto, and Pherousa, and Dynamene, and Dexamene, and Amphinome, and Callaneira, and Doris, and Panope, and the renowned Galateia, and Nemertes, and Apseudes, and Callianassa; and then there were Clymene, Ianeira, and Ianassa, and Maera, and Oreithia, and Amatheia with the lovely hair, and the other daughters of Nereus, who were (there) in the depths of the sea. And the shining-white cavern was filled with them; and they all beat their breasts together, and Thetis took the lead in the laments: "Listen, sister Nereids, so you can all well hear and know the sorrows that (are) in my heart. Woe is me, wretched as I am, woe is me, mother of the noblest son, since I bore a son, both noble and strong, (and) pre-eminent among warriors; and he shot up like a sapling; and, having tended him like a tree in a fruitful orchard, I sent him forth in the beaked ships to Ilium to fight the Trojans; but I shall never welcome him once more to the house of Peleus on his return home. Yet, while he lives (here) with me and sees the light of the sun, he is suffering, and I cannot give him any help when I go (to him). But go I shall, so that I may hear my dear son and hear what grief has come to him, while he holds aloof from the fighting." 

Ll. 65-96. Achilles tells Thetis of his grief at the death of Patroclus.

So saying, she left the cavern; and they (i.e. the Nereids) went with her in tears, and the waves of the sea burst around them; and, when they came to the very fertile (land of) Troy, they went, one after another, on to the beach, where the ships of the Myrmidons were drawn up closely around swift Achilles. His queenly mother stood beside him, groaning heavily (as he was), and, with a shrill cry, she took up his head (in her arms) and spoke these winged words to him as she wailed: "My son, why are you weeping? What grief has come upon your heart? Speak out and do not hide (it)! The things you wanted have been brought to pass by Zeus, as you once prayed with outstretched hands that all of the sons of the Achaeans should be confined on the sterns (of their ships), desperately in need of you, and suffering cruel things."

Then, groaning heavily, swift-footed Achilles answered her: "My mother, the Olympian has certainly done these (things) for me; but what pleasure do I (derive) from them, when my dear comrade Patroclus is dead, (he) whom I valued above all my companions (and) equally with my own life? Him have I lost, and Hector, (who) slew (him), has stripped from (him) that fine, that mighty armour, a wonder to behold; the gods gave it (as) a glorious gift to Peleus on the day when they laid you in the bed of a mortal man. If only you had remained there with the immortal (goddesses) of the sea, and Peleus had wed a mortal wife. But in fact (they made you the wife of a mortal), so that you too would have the infinite grief of losing a son, whom you may never welcome home again as he returns, since my heart does not bid me live on, nor abide among men, unless Hector is first struck by my spear and shall lose his life, and repay (me) for the plundering of Patroclus, son of Menoetius."  

Then, shedding tears, Thetis spoke to him once more: "Then, my child, (if) you say such (things), you will die early; for straightway after Hector is your own doom at hand." 

Ll. 97-126. Achilles resolves to return to battle and kill Hector. 

Then, deeply moved, the swift-footed Achilles spoke to her: "May I die straightaway, since I was not, it seems, destined to bring succour to my comrade when he was slain; for he died very far from his native-land, and he had need of me to protect (him) from destruction. And now, since I shall not be returning to my dear native-land, nor have I proved to be any light of deliverance to Patroclus or to any other of his companions, many of whom have been overpowered by godlike Hector, but I have sat (here) by the ships, a useless burden upon the land, (I who) am (one) such as no one (else) among the bronze-clad Achaeans (is) in war, although there are others (who are) better in council, so may strife perish among gods and men, and the anger that causes even wise (men) to become ill-tempered, and that (is) much sweeter (to men) than trickling honey, and swells in the breasts of men like smoke; so has Agamemnon, king of men, now moved me to wrath. But we should let these (things) be, despite our pain, forcing down the anger in our hearts; but now I shall go to find Hector, the killer of my dear comrade; and I shall now accept my fate, whenever Zeus and the other immortal gods should wish to bring (it) about. For neither did even the mighty Heracles escape death, even though he was most dear to the lord Zeus, son of Cronos, but fate and the dreaded wrath of Hera overcame him; so also shall I, if the same fate is in store for me, lie low when I am dead; but now let me win glorious renown, and cause some deep-bosomed Trojan and Dardanian (women) to wipe with both hands the tears from their tender cheeks and to groan loudly, and let (them) know that I have kept away from the fighting for far too long (i.e. for sixteen days in fact). And do not (try to) hold me back from the fighting, even though you love me; for you will not persuade me." 

Ll. 127-147. Thetis promises to arrange fresh armour for Achilles. 

Then did the silver-footed goddess Thetis answer him: "Yes indeed. my child, for it is truly no bad (thing) to save your hard-pressed companions from utter destruction. But your fine armour is held among the Trojans, gleaming in bronze (as it is); Hector of the shining helmet exults as he wears it himself on his shoulders; but I do not think he will have pride in it for long, as his death is close at hand. But yet you must not enter into the fray of war, until you see me before your eyes returning here; for in the morning I shall return at the rising of the sun, bearing fine armour from lord Hephaestus."

So saying, she turned away from her son, and turning her attention to her sister of the sea (i.e. the Nereids) she said to (them): "Do you now plunge into the broad lap of the ocean, in order that you may behold the old man of the sea (i.e. Nereus)  and our father's house, and tell him everything; and I shall go to lofty Olympus, to Hephaestus, the master-craftsman, (to see) if he will be willing to give my son some glorious bright-shining armour."

So she spoke, and, at once, they plunged beneath the swell of the sea; and then the goddess, silver-footed Thetis made her way to Olympus, in order to bring back glorious armour for her dear son.    

Ll. 148-180. Hera tells Achilles to show himself to the Trojans. 

Her feet bore her to Olympus; but the Achaeans, amid fearful shouting, (were) driven in flight by man-slaying Hector, and came to the ships and the Hellespont. Yet, the well-greaved Achaeans could not drag back the corpse of Achilles' squire Patroclus out of range of the missiles; for then again did the host and the chariots catch up with it, as did Hector, the son of Priam, like a flame in his fury. Three times did glorious Hector seize him by the feet from behind, yearning to drag (him) away, and loudly did he call upon the Trojans; three times did the two Aiantes, clad in fighting spirit, drive (him) away from the corpse by force; but he, trusting firmly in his own strength, sometimes charged into the fray, and sometimes stood his ground, shouting loudly; but he would not go backwards at all. And, just as rural shepherds cannot in any way drive a tawny lion away from a carcass when it is very hungry, so the two warrior Aiantes could not scare Priam's son Hector away from the corpse. And now he would have dragged (it) away and won unspeakable glory, if swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, had not come running from Olympus with a message for the son of Peleus, unbeknown to Zeus and the other gods,  that he should arm himself; for Hera had sent her. And she drew nigh, and spoke these winged words to (him): "Arise, son of Peleus, the most dreaded of all men; come to the aid of Patroclus, for whose sake a dreadful battle is taking place in front of the ships, and they are killing each other, some (i.e. the Achaeans) fighting in defence of the dead body, and the Trojans are longing to drag (it) to windy Ilium; and glorious Hector is especially keen to drag (him) away; and his heart bids him to cut the head from the tender neck and fix (it) on the stakes of the palisade. But up (you get) and do not lie (there) any longer! And let a feeling of awe come over your heart that Patroclus should become a plaything of the Trojan dogs; the shame (will be) yours if the corpse should come (to be) at all disfigured."    

Ll. 181-218. The voice of Achilles terrifies the Trojans.

Then did the swift-footed godlike Achilles answer her: "Now, goddess Iris, which one of the gods sent you to me as a messenger?"

Then did swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, speak to him again: "Hera, the glorious wife of Zeus, sent me forth; and the son of Cronos, who sits on high, knows nothing (of this), neither (do) any other of the immortals who dwell upon snow-capped Olympus."

Then, swift-footed Achilles spoke to her in reply: "So how am I to enter the fray? For those yonder have my armour; and my dear mother does not allow me to arm myself, until I behold her (here) before my eyes on her return; for she promised to bring me some beautiful armour from Hephaestus. And I know no one else whose glorious armour I might don, except the shield of Telamonian Ajax. But he, himself, I imagine, is consorting with the front ranks, slashing away with his spear beside the dead Patroclus. 

Then swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, spoke to him again: "Well do we also know that they are holding your glorious armour, but go to the trench just as you are, and show yourself to the Trojans, so that, in their fear of you, the Trojans may desist from fighting, and the warrior sons of the Achaeans may gain some relief, weary (as they are); for (there is) little respite in war."

When she had spoken thus, the swift-footed Iris departed, but Achilles, beloved of Zeus, got up, and Athene flung her tasselled aegis around his mighty shoulders, and that most divine of goddesses put a golden cloud around his head, and from it there burned a bright-shining flame. And, as when smoke goes up from a city and reaches the sky from an island in the distance, which their enemies are attacking, the (inhabitants) contend with hateful Ares all day long from their own city; but, when the sun sets, the throng of beacons blazes forth, and the glare shoots up for their neighbours to see, in the hope that they might come (across) in their ships to protect (them) from destruction; such (was) the light (that) blazed up into the sky from the head of Achilles; then, he went from the wall to the trench, and took his stand, but he did not attach himself to the Achaeans; for he had regard to his mother's wise behest. There he stood and shouted, and aside from (him) Pallas Athene raised her voice; but among the Trojans (his voice) caused an unspeakable tumult. 

Ll. 219-242. The Achaeans recover the body of Patroclus.

As when the voice of a trumpet sounds out loud and clear when a city is surrounded by murderous enemies, so clear then was the voice of the grandson of Aeacus (i.e. Achilles). And so, when they heard the brazen voice of the grandson of Aeacus, the hearts of all (of them) shook with fear; even the fair-maned horses turned their chariots back; for they foresaw pain in their hearts. And the charioteers were stricken with fear, when they saw the tireless fire blazing fearfully over the head of the great-hearted son of Peleus, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene made it blaze, Thrice did the godlike Achilles shout loudly over the trench, and thrice were the Trojans and their renowned allies thrown into panic. And there and then did twelve of their best men perish amid their own chariots and spears. But the Achaeans gladly drew Patroclus out of the range of the missiles and laid (him) on a bier; and his beloved comrades  thronged around (him) weeping; and swift-footed Achilles followed after them, shedding hot tears, as he saw his trusty comrade lying on a litter, cloven asunder by sharp bronze. In truth had he sent him to war with horses and chariots, but never did he welcome (him) back again on his return. 

Then, ox-eyed queenly Hera sent the tireless sun reluctantly on his way to the stream of Ocean; so set the sun, and the godlike Achaeans could desist from the mighty strife and evenly balanced warfare. 

Ll. 243-283. The Trojan assembly.

And, on the other side, the Trojans, when they returned from the fierce conflict, loosed their swift horses from beneath their carriages, and gathered together in their assembly before they saw to their supper. And the assembly was held (with them) rightly standing up, and no one was minded to sit; for trembling had come upon all (of them), because Achilles had shown himself, although he had held himself aloof from the fighting for a long time. Then among them wise Polydamas, the son of Panthoüs, was the first to speak, for he alone had eyes for the future and the past; and he was a comrade of Hector, and on the same night were they born, but the former was much the better at speech, and the latter with the spear; then, he addressed them with good intentions: "Think very carefully about (our situation), my friends; now I for my part bid (you) go now to the city, and not await bright dawn on the plain beside the ships; for we are far from the wall. As long as this man (i.e. Achilles) maintained his anger against godlike Agamemnon, so too were the Achaeans easier to fight with; for I too was glad to spend the night by the swift ships, in the hope that we should take those ships, rowed on both sides (as they are). But now do I terribly fear the swift-footed son of Peleus; so violent (is) his spirit that he will not wish to abide on the plain, where in its centre Trojans and Achaeans share in the might of Ares, but he will fight for our city and our wives. But let us go the city, and do you put your trust in me; for it will be as I say; immortal night has now halted the swift-footed son of Peleus; but if tomorrow he comes upon us while we are here, and rushes at (us) with his armed strength, then many a man shall know him well; for gladly will he reach sacred Ilium, whoever escapes (that is), and dogs and vultures will feed on many of the Trojans; if only such words could be far from my hearing. But, if we hearken to my words, despite our distress, we shall keep out forces in the place of assembly during the night, and the walls and the lofty gateways, and the long well-planed closely-shut doors that fit on them, will protect the city. Then early tomorrow morning, arrayed in our armour, we shall take our stand on the walls; and the worse (it will be) for him, if he should be minded to come from the ships and fight with us around the wall. Back again to the ships shall he go, when he has exhausted his horses on all sorts of running trips, while driving (them) to and fro beneath the battlements; but his heart will not allow him to force his way into the city, nor ever shall he lay (it) waste; before (that happens) the swift-(footed) dogs will devour him." 

Ll. 284-323. The lamentation for Patroclus. 

Then, Hector of the shining helmet looked at him with a scowl and said: "Polydamas, these (things) you are saying (are) not at all pleasing to me, since you are telling (us) to go back and be cooped up within the city. In truth, have you not yet had your fill of being confined within those walls. For, in the past, all men endowed with speech used to talk of Priam's city as rich in gold (and) rich in bronze. But now these fine treasures have utterly vanished from our houses, and many of those possessions have now gone to Phrygia and lovely Maeonia to be sold, since Zeus's great anger has fallen upon (us). But now, when the son of wily-minded Cronos has granted me (the power) to win glory by the ships, and to confine the Achaeans to the sea, now is not the time to disclose these thoughts among the people; for not one of the Trojans will be persuaded (by you); for I shall not permit (it). But come, let us all be persuaded (to do) as I say. And you should take your supper among the companies throughout the army, and remember to keep watch, and every (man) must stay awake. But whoever among the Trojans is exceedingly concerned about his possessions, let him gather (them) up and give (them) to the people to make use of; it is better that they should should partake of them than the Achaeans. But early in the morning, arrayed in our armour, let us engage in sharp warfare by the hollow ships. But, if (it is) true (that) godlike Achilles is standing beside the ships, the worse will it be for him if he wants (to fight); I will not flee from him on account of the horrors of warfare, but I will stand firmly against him, whether he shall win a great victory, or I shall win (one). The God of War (is) common (to us all), and he (often) slays (the one) who would slay."   

So Hector addressed (them), and the Trojans roared in approval, the fools (that they were); for Pallas Athene had taken their wits away from them. For they applauded Hector for his bad planning, and not one of them praised Polydamas, who had given them good counsel. Then, they took supper throughout the host; but the Achaeans wept and loudly lamented Patroclus all night long. Now, the son of Peleus led their loud lament, laying his man-slaying hands upon the breast of his companion, groaning most incessantly like a well-bearded lion, whose cubs some stag-hunting man has stolen away from the thick wood; and, when he comes back later, he is full of anguish, and he ranges through many of the mountain glens, looking for the man's footprints, in the hope that he should discover his whereabouts; for the most bitter fury takes hold of (him); thus, groaning heavily, did he (i.e. Achilles) speak to the Myrmidons:  

Ll. 324-359. Achilles promises to avenge Patroclus.

"Alas, how idle were those words I let fall on that day, when I sought to console the warrior Menoetius in our palace (i.e. the palace of Peleus in Phthia); for I said to him that I would bring his son back to Epois (i.e. the city in Locris, that was the home of Menoetius and Patroclus) in glory, after he had sacked Ilium and been allotted his share of the spoil. But Zeus does not bring about all (the things that are) planned by men; for both (of us) are fated to redden the same (stretch of) earth here in Troy, since neither the old charioteer Peleus nor my mother Thetis will welcome me in his palace on my return, but the earth in this place will hold (me) fast. But now, Patroclus, since I shall be going under the earth later than you, I shall not bury you with due honours until I have brought hither the armour and the head of Hector, your great-hearted slayer; and I shall cut the throats of twelve splendid Trojan children before your pyre, in my wrath at your slaying. Until then, you will lie as you are, beside my beaked ships, and around you deep-breasted Trojan and Dardanian (women) will grieve and shed tears (for you) night and day, (the ones) that we ourselves laboured to win with all our strength and our long spears as we sacked the rich cities of mortal men."

So speaking, godlike Achilles bade his comrades set a mighty cauldron over the fire, so that they might wash the bloody gore from Patroclus. And for the purpose of bath-water they placed a cauldron over the burning fire, and poured water into (it), and they took firewood, which they kindled beneath (it). And the fire encompassed the belly of the cauldron, and the water grew hot, and, when the water boiled in the gleaming bronze, then they washed (him) and anointed (him) richly with oil, and filled his wounds with a seasoned ointment; and they laid (him) on a bier, and covered (him) with fine linen from head to foot, and with a white cloak on top. Then, the Myrmidons (gathered) around swift-footed Achilles all night long, lamenting Patroclus with groans; and Zeus spoke to Hera, his sister and wife (as follows): "So you have brought it about, ox-eyed queenly Hera, you have stirred swift-footed Achilles into action; so it must now be true, that the long-haired Achaeans are born from your very self."      

Ll. 360-387. Thetis comes to the house of Hephaestus to seek his help. 

And then did ox-eyed queenly Hera answer him: "Dread son of Cronos, what a statement you have made! Surely now, I presume, a man is likely to do what he wants to a fellow-man, one that is but mortal and does not know everything that I do; how then ought not I, whom I believe to be the best of the goddesses on two accounts, both by birth and because I am called your wife, and you are king of all the immortals, (how then ought not I) to contrive troubles for the Trojans, when I bear a grudge against (them)?" 

So did they say such (things) to each other; but silver-footed Thetis came to the house of Hephaestus, imperishable, star-decked, and pre-eminent among the immortals for its bronze, which the crook-footed (god) himself had built. There she found him bustling to and fro around his bellows, sweating with his exertion; for he was making tripods, twenty in all, to stand around the wall of his well-built mansion, and he had placed golden wheels beneath the base of each one, so that, at his wish, they might enter the meeting-place of the gods, and return again to his house, a wonder to behold. Now, they had almost reached completion, but the skilfully wrought handles were not yet attached; these he was making, and forging the rivets. And, while he was working at these (things) with his knowing mind, so the silver-footed goddess Thetis came close to him. Then, the fair Charis (i.e. Grace), with her bright headband, came forth and saw her, (she) to whom the famous lame (god) was married; and she clasped her by the hand, and spoke these words to her and addressed her by name: "Wherefore, Thetis of the flowing robe, have you come to our house, honoured and beloved (as you are)? Before now, you have not visited us at all often. But follow (me) further inside, so that I may set hospitable (things) before you."   

Ll. 388-427. Hephaestus asks Thetis what it is she wants from him-. 

So saying, that most divine of goddesses (i.e. Charis) led (her) onwards. Then, she sat her down on a silver-studded chair, beautiful and cunningly-wrought (it was); and beneath it was a stool for her feet. Then, she called out to Hephaestus, the famous craftsman, and said these words (to him); "Hephaestus, do come here! Thetis is now in some need of you." Then, the famous lame (god) answered her: "So now in truth, a goddess, revered and honoured by me, (is) in (my hall); she (it was who) saved me, when she came upon me in pain, when I fell a long way at the will of my shameless mother (i.e. Hera) who wanted to hide me away because I was crippled; then would I have suffered woes in my heart, if Eurynome and Thetis had not welcomed me to their bosoms; Eurynome (is) the daughter of the backward-flowing Ocean. (I lived) with them for nine years, and crafted many cunning works of copper in their hollow cave - brooches, and bent pins, and ear-rings, and necklaces; and around (me) there flowed the unspeakably great stream of Ocean, seething with foam; no one else knew (of me), neither among the gods, nor among mortal men, but Thetis and Eurynome knew, (the ones) that saved me. Now she comes to our house; therefore, (there is) a great need for me to repay lovely-haired Thetis for saving my life. But do you now set before her some fine gifts for guests, while I put away my bellows and all my tools."

He spoke, and from the anvil arose a mighty monster limping, and his slender legs moved swiftly beneath him. He placed the bellows away from the fire, and gathered all his tools into a silver chest; and  he wiped both sides of his face and both his hands, and his sturdy neck and his shaggy chest with a sponge, and he put on a tunic, and grasped a stout staff, and went forth limping; and handmaids made of gold moved swiftly in support of their lord, like living maidens. 

And they have understanding in their minds, and in (them there is) also speech and strength, and they have knowledge of handiwork from the immortal gods. And they bustled about at the side of their master; but he (came) close to where Thetis (was), and sat down on a shining chair, and he put his hand in hers and spoke these words and addressed (her) by name: "Wherefore, Thetis of the flowing robe, have you come to our house, honoured and beloved (as you are)? Before now, you have not visited us at all often. Speak whatever is in your mind; and my heart bids (me) undertake (it), if I can do it, and if it can be accomplished."

Ll. 428-461. Thetis asks Hephaestus to provide Achilles with another suit of armour.

Then, Thetis answered him while shedding tears: "Hephaestus, is there any one of all the goddesses on Olympus, who has endured so many grievous woes in her heart, as these sorrows which Zeus has given me beyond all others? Out of (all) the daughters of the sea he would subject me alone to a man, and I endured the bed of a mortal, Peleus, the son of Aeacus, though very much against my will. Now, he lies in his halls, worn out with grievous old age, but now other (griefs are) mine, since he (i.e. Zeus) gave me a son to bear and to rear, (who is) pre-eminent among warriors; and he shot up like a sapling; and, having tended him like a tree in a fruitful orchard, I sent him forth in the beaked ships to Ilium to fight the Trojans; but I shall never welcome him once more to the house of Peleus on his return home. Yet, while he lives (here) with me and sees the light of the sun, he is suffering, and I cannot give him any help when I go (to him). The maiden, whom the sons of the Achaeans chose as a gift of honour for him (i.e. Briseïs), the lord Agamemnon took her back from out of his arms. In truth, he was pining in his heart with grief for her; but the Trojans were penning the Achaeans into the sterns (of their ships), nor would they let (them) break out; and the elders of the Argives pleaded with him, and gave the names of the many glorious gifts (they would give him). Then, while he refused to ward off their ruin himself, yet he clad Patroclus in his own armour and sent him to war, and a considerable force to go with (him). And they fought all day around the Scaean gates; and they would have sacked the city on that very day, if Apollo had not slain the courageous son of Menoetius amid the foremost fighters, after he had caused much havoc, and given the glory to Hector. Therefore, I have now come to these knees of yours, (to see) if you are willing to give my son, who is facing an early death, a shield, and a helmet, and a fine (pair of) greaves fitted with ankle guards, and a breastplate; for his trusted comrade lost (the armour) which he had, when he was overcome by the Trojans; now he (i.e. Achilles) lies on the ground in anguish of heart."  

Ll. 462-489. Hephaestus forges a shield for Achilles, and begins to decorate it. 

Then, the famous lame (god) answered her: "Be of good cheer! Do not let these (things) cause you anxiety in your heart. Would that I were as able to hide him far away from hateful death, when dread fate shall come upon him, as (I am to ensure) that fine armour will be made for him, such that anyone of the many men who may see (it) in the future will marvel at (it)." 

So saying, he left her there, and went to his bellows; and he turned them towards the fire and bade (them) get to work. And the bellows, twenty (pairs) in all, blew upon the melting pots, sending out strong blasts of every degree (of force), at one time to help (him) as he laboured hard, and, at another time, in whatever way Hephaestus might wish to complete his work. And on the fire he threw stubborn bronze and tin, and precious gold and silver, and then he placed a great anvil on the anvil-block, and he took hold of a mighty hammer in (one) hand, and grasped a pair of tongs in the other. 

Then, he began to make a big and sturdy shield, skilfully wrought all over, and he set a rim of triple thickness around (it), bright (and) gleaming, and from (it he let fall) a silver strap. And there were five folds of the shield itself, and on it he wrought many curious devices, (stemming) from the knowledge in his mind.   

And on it he wrought the earth, and the sky and the sea, and the unwearied sun and the moon at the full, and on (it he wrought) all the constellations with which heaven is crowned, the Pleiades and the Hyades, and the mighty Orion and the Bear, which (men) also call by the name of the Wain, and she circles around in the same place and watches out for Orion, and is alone in not sharing in the baths of the Ocean (i.e. the Homeric Greeks believed that the constellation Ursa Major never set).      

Ll. 490-526. Hephaestus decorates the shield with illustrations of city life. 

And on (it) he modelled two fine cities of mortal men. And in the one there were marriages and feasts, and they were escorting the brides from their bed-chambers through the city beneath the light of blazing torches, and loud rose the wedding song; and the young men were whirling around in the dance, and among them flutes and lyres kept up their sound, and the women stood, each at her doorway, and gazed in wonder. But crowds of men were in the place of assembly; and there there was a quarrel taking place, and two men were quarrelling over the blood-money for a man who had been killed; one claimed that he had made payment in full, and was telling this to the people, but the other denied that he had received anything; and both were eager that a decision should be taken by an arbitrator. And folk were cheering the two of them on, and shouting their support for (them) both. But heralds held the people back; and the elders sat on the polished stones in the sacred circle, and held in their hands the sceptres (they had received) from the loud-voiced heralds; with these they sprang up and gave their judgment in turn. And two talents of gold lay in their midst, to be given to the one who among them should utter the most correct judgment.   

Around the other city, two divisions of warriors had been sitting in their shining armour; and two views found favour with them, whether to  destroy (it) completely, or to divide in two all the property which the lovely city contained within (it); but they (i.e. the townspeople) were not yet ready to comply, and had secretly armed themselves for an ambush. Now, their dear wives and little children were defending the wall they were placed upon, and among them (were) the men, whom old age had overtaken; and they (i.e. the men of the city) were setting out; and Ares and Pallas Athene were leading them, both (shown) in gold and clad in golden garments, and huge and beautiful in their armour, and yet as gods they were standing out apart (from the others); and the men were somewhat smaller. And, when at length they came (to the place) where it was possible for them to lie in ambush, down by a river, where there was a watering-place for all the cattle, then there they took up their positions, covered with shining bronze. Then, two scouts were stationed by them some distance apart from the host, to wait until they caught sight of the sheep and the crumpled-horned cattle. And soon they came forward, and two herdsmen followed after (them), playing on their pipes; and they foresaw no danger at all.       

Ll. 527-560. Hephaestus completes his illustration of the city at war, and then looks at ploughing and reaping. 

Those who were looking out for them rushed forward, and then they speedily cut off the herds of cattle and the fine flocks of white sheep, and they killed the shepherds as well. And so, when they (i.e. the besiegers) heard the great hubbub over the cattle, as they sat before the place of assembly, they got on their high-stepping horses at once and went in pursuit, and swiftly overtook (them). Then, they joined battle and fought beside the river-banks, and they smote one another with their bronze-tipped spears. And among (them), Strife and Tumult joined in the fray, and among (them too) deadly Fate, bearing one man alive with a fresh wound, and another one unhurt, was dragging a dead man through the rumpus by the feet. And the garment that she wore around her shoulders (was) red with men's blood. And they joined in the fray and fought like living men, and they dragged away one another's bodies after they had been slain.   

And on (it) he made a fallow field of soft rich arable land, broad and triple-tilled; and many ploughmen were spinning their teams on it, and driving (them) to and fro. And when, having turned, they reached the headland of the field, then a man would come forward and put a cup of honey-sweet wine into their hands; and others would turn back along the furrows, eager to reach the headland of the deep fallow field. And behind (them) it turned dark, and looked as if it had been ploughed, although it was made of gold; so the outstanding marvel was made.   

And on (it) he made a king's demesne-land; and there hired labourers were reaping, with sharp sickles in their hands. Some dense handfuls (of corn) fell to the ground in swathes, while binders tied other (clusters) with bands (of straw). Three binders were standing ready; and behind (them) boys kept (them) constantly supplied, collecting (the corn) and bringing (it to them) in armfuls; and, among them, the king, holding his sceptre, was standing in silence by the swathe, joyful at heart. Now, heralds, standing apart beneath an oak-tree, were preparing a feast, and they were busy sacrificing a great ox; and the women were sprinkling white barley in abundance (on the meat) for the reapers' dinner.  

Ll. 561-589. Hephaestus' illustrations move on to vineyards, and the tending of cattle and sheep. 

And on (it) he made a vineyard very heavy with bunches of grapes, fair (and) made of gold; and along (it) there were black grapes, supported by silver poles throughout. And around (it) he set a trench in blue enamel, and a fence of tin; there was only a single path (leading) to it (i.e. the vineyard), on which the bearers went up and down whenever they harvested the vineyard. Maidens and youths with their minds full of glee were carrying the honey-sweet fruit in wicker baskets. And in their midst a boy played a lovely tune on his clear-toned lyre, and in  accompaniment he sang sweetly of Linos in his delicate treble voice; and the others followed (him), bounding on their feet, beating the earth in unison amid dancing and shouting. 

And on (it) he wrought a herd of straight-horned cattle; and the oxen were made of gold and tin, and they hurried with mooing from the farm-yard to their pasture beside the sounding river and the flickering reeds. And four golden herdsmen walked beside the cattle, and nine swift-footed dogs accompanied them. But among the foremost cattle two fearsome lions had caught a bellowing bull, and he was dragged off bellowing loudly; and the dogs and the men followed after him. And they had rent the hide of the great bull and were gulping down its inwards and black blood; and the herdsmen tried in vain to set the swift dogs on (them). but, in truth, with regard to biting they kept away from the lions, though they stood very close and barked as they avoided (them). 

And on (it) the famous lame (god) made a great pasture-ground for white sheep in a fair glen, and stables, and covered huts and sheepfolds. 

Ll. 590-617. Hephaestus completes Achilles' armour and gives it to Thetis. 

And on (it) the renowned lame (god) cunningly wrought a place of dancing, like the one which Daedalus once constructed in broad Knossos for fair-tressed Ariadne. And there young men and maidens worth many oxen (i.e. they were well wooed by suitors) were dancing, holding one another's hands by the wrists (i.e. they had formed a circle). And of these the (maidens) were wearing fine linen garments and the youths were clad in well-woven tunics, faintly glistening with oil. And the (maidens) had lovely garlands (on their heads), and the youths had golden daggers dangling from their silver belts. And sometimes they would run very lightly on cunning feet, as when some potter sits at a wheel that fits in his hands and tries (it) out (to see) if it will spin; and now at other times they would run in rows towards each other. And a great throng (of people) stood around the lovely dance, full of joy; [and a godlike minstrel celebrated with them, playing on the lyre;] and amongst them a pair of acrobats whirled around through their midst as leaders of the dance.  

And on (it) he placed the great might of the river of Ocean around the uttermost rim of the strongly wrought shield.  

Now, when he had wrought the great and sturdy shield, he made him a breastplate brighter than a blaze of fire, and he made him a heavy helmet fitted to his temples, fine and cunningly wrought (it was), and on (it) there burst forth a golden crest, and he made him greaves of tin fit for wear. 

Then, when the famous lame (god) had fashioned all the armour, he took (it) and laid (it) before the mother of Achilles (i.e. Thetis). And like a falcon she sprang down from snowy Olympus, bearing with (her) Hephaestus' glittering armour (i.e. Virgil's 'arma radiantia', see Aeneid VIII, 616).