Book I

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[Illustration: ACHILLES DEPRIVED OF BRISEIS.

_Drawn by Hubbell._]

Immediately afterwards, by order of the king, the maiden Chryseis was conducted to her father's home, and sacrifices were offered to Apollo. The anger of the god being thus appeased, the army was relieved from the plague. Then Agamemnon proceeded to carry out his threat against Achilles. Calling two of his officers, or heralds, Tal-thybʹi-us and Eu-rybʹa-tes, he commanded them thus:

"Go ye to where Achilles holds his tent, And take the fair Briseis by the hand, And bring her hither. If he yield her not, I shall come forth to claim her with a band Of warriors, and it shall be worse for him."

BRYANT, _Iliad_,