FRIDAY: We said we'd show you what comes next!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026

He was delighting his heart: We've beaten the famous resource to death, but we promised we'd do it. 

We promised we'd show you what comes next, after these treasured lines from Professor Fagles' translation of the Iliad:  

BOOK NINE
The Embassy to Achilles

[...]

So Ajax and Odysseus made their way at once
where the battle lines of breakers crash and drag,
praying hard to the god who moves and shakes the earth 
that they might bring the proud heart of Achilles 
round with speed and ease.  

The rage of Achilles now has that great warrior sulking in his tent. Nestor, the seasoned charioteer--he always gave the best advice--has directed Odysseus and two other men to go there and persuade him to return to the fight. 

Understandably, they're praying to the god who moves the earth as they proceed down the shore. What do they find when the shelters in question, this is what they find:

[continuing directly] 
Reaching the Myrmidon shelters and their ships,
they found him there, delighting his heart now,
plucking strong and clear on the fine lyre
beautifully carved, its silver bridge set firm,
he won from the spoils when he razed Eetion's city.
Achilles was lifting his spirits with it now,
singing the famous deeds of fighting heroes.

Across from him Patroclus sat alone, in silence,
waiting for Aeacus' son to finish with his song.

Achilles was lifting his spirits, delighting his heart, with thoughts of all the treasure, and perhaps of all the young persons, other heroes had stolen away.   

That scene almost strikes us as comic relief. We've had a question in recent years:

Even now, is the Iliad taught this way?