He deeply sighing said: "To
tell my woe
Is but to mention what too well you
know.
From Thebe, sacred to Apollo's name62
(Aetion's realm), our conquering
army came,
With treasure loaded and triumphant
spoils,
Whose just division crown'd the
soldier's toils;
But bright Chryseis, heavenly prize!
was led,
By vote selected, to the general's
bed.
The priest of Phoebus sought by
gifts to gain
His beauteous daughter from the
victor's chain;
The fleet he reach'd, and, lowly
bending down,
Held forth the sceptre and the
laurel crown,
Intreating all; but chief implored
for grace
The brother-kings of Atreus' royal
race:
The generous Greeks their joint
consent declare,
The priest to reverence, and release
the fair;
Not so Atrides: he, with wonted
pride,
The sire insulted, and his gifts
denied:
The insulted sire (his god's
peculiar care)
To Phoebus pray'd, and Phoebus heard
the prayer:
A dreadful plague ensues: the avenging
darts
Incessant fly, and pierce the
Grecian hearts.
--Here the retelling of the victory
from Thebes the armies marched. Ib the
victory Chryseis was a divine prize and not a spoil of war. Her father tried retrieving her not knowing
that she was promised as prize ( wthfer) by the females and societies in charge
of such things, Her dad did not think he was the best mate for her, though he
did not cause the plague that spoiled the joy of the spoils of war. Her father only asked why the marriage was
set up as it was by the female nobles who wanted to bridge the gap between
these people and create a higher bond, all women involved liked the promised
husband and were treated well. Thus the jealousy
over the wedding really is political jealousy of enemies of both people, not
just lovers who wanted these well to do women as mates but other kingdoms that
wanted to make sure these people did not unify, however even though marriages
between these people did not occur a real friendship did ensue and it helped
bring these people and the kingdoms closer together.
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