Thetis in tears replied, “My boy, my child, why did I birth you for such suffering? Why did I mother you, take care of you? I wish you could sit quietly by your ships, 550 and never have to suffer tears or trouble, because it is your destiny to live so very short a time, not long at all. But even as your death runs fast behind you you are the most unhappy man alive. A curse attended at your birth. I shall go to Olympus where the snow lies deep 420 and talk to Zeus, who loves the thunderbolt. I hope I can persuade him. And meanwhile, sit by your ships and rage against the Greeks, 560 and stay
...more
