Book XXIV

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[Illustration: MERIONES' WONDERFUL SHOT.

_Drawn by Hubbell._]

But at last the gods, with the exception of Juno, were moved to pity, and on the twelfth day from the death of the Trojan hero, Jupiter summoned Thetis to Olympus, and bade her command Achilles to restore Hector's body to his parents. He also sent Iris with a message to King Priam, telling him to go to the Greek fleet, bearing with him a suitable ransom for his son. Thetis promptly carried out the order of Jupiter. She told her son of the command of the king of heaven, and Achilles answered that since it was the will of Jove he was ready to obey.

"Let him who brings the ransom come and take The body, if it be the will of Jove."

BRYANT, _Iliad_,