C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Hector to his Wife

From the Iliad, vi. 441–455: Translation of Edward Craven Hawtrey

“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 marshaled 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 for ever of freedom.