The Song of Achilles

by Madeline Miller

“Do not let what you gained this day be so easily lost.”

We reached for each other, and I thought of how many nights I had lain awake in this room loving him in silence.

The prince Achilles spoke of treasure to be won, and where there was greed there was hope.

“No man is worth more than another, wherever he is from.”

“He is a disgrace.” I clutched at him, like a child. “I know it, and all the men know it too. You must forget him. It is as you said; he will doom himself. But do not blame them for his fault. Do not let them die, because of his madness. They have loved you, and honored you.”

“Honored me? Not one of them stood with me against Agamemnon. Not one of them spoke for me.”