Farewell Briseis

Godlike Achilles stands outside his hut, face as red as blood.
Then walks up Patroclus, the dearest to his heart:

“Why, my friend, are you so angry?  Tell me what is wrong.”

The great Achilles turns to his beloved friend and says:

“He is taking her, he is taking my prize, my dear Briseis.  
But that is not it, that is not the root of my anger.  I’ll tell you what it is.
I must allow this to happen, for it is the will of the gods.
I could have struck him down, the warlord, he is no match for me.
If the white-armed-goddess hadn’t sent Pallas Athena to calm my fury,
I would have unsheathed my sword and cut him down.  I could have,
You know.  Agamemnon would have fallen at my feet, with my sword
In his chest, as his army looked upon with awe in their eyes.
I should have killed him and now I must give him my prize.”

Out of the hut comes Briseis, her cheeks soaked with tears:

“Your prize?  Achilles, your prize—is that all I am to you?
The great Achilles!  You will let that swine take me away?
I will not leave your side. In your arms is where I will stay.
The army gave me to you as a prize, but my heart was never theirs to give.  
You won that on your own, my dear Achilles.  They gave you my body.  
I gave you my heart, I thought I had yours as well.  I thought you loved me.
Second in line after your dear Patroclus, I know.  The two greatest warriors
Of all the Greeks are no match for this warlord.  How can this be?”

And Achilles, son of Peleus:

“Quiet, woman—know your place!  You shall not speak to me in this tone.
Go inside and wait.  I’ll speak to you when I am ready, but for now,
 I speak to my dear Patroclus who has waited patiently behind.”

Briseis puts her head down and retreats into the hut, and Patroclus says:

“Shall I ready the Myrmidons?  We will fight by your side.  We shall protect
Your prize and keep her safe.  The warlord has a great army, but they are no match
For you, great Achilles.  Not only that, I myself, am no slouch in a fight,
bested only by you, my great Achilles.  Once he sees the strongest Greek warriors standing
With the Myrmidons at our side, the warlord will surely retreat.  He will run from our sight.
King Agamemnon knows better than to challenge the greatest Greek of all,
He will tuck his tail and run when he sees the son of Peleus standing tall.”

Achilles places his hand on Patroclus’ shoulder and says:

“You are a good friend Patroclus, my dearest friend of all, but you did not listen.
Hera sent Pallas Athena to calm my temper and stop me from striking him down.
We must obey the will of the gods.  And besides, Agamemnon will not dare come to me,
He is a coward.  Heralds instead, Greek warriors who I know and love, just watch, you will see.
Leave me now, but stay close.  I will speak now to Briseis, who waits for me inside.”

Achilles enters his hut to find Briseis crying on the bed.  He sits and puts his arm around her:

“I have no need to explain myself to you, a mere woman, but this time I will.
I do not want to send you away.  I was ready to strike him down, but the gods stopped me.  
Hera loves us both.  The white-armed-goddess watches over the warlord Agamemnon and me.
She takes pity on this man, she will not see him die.  If I kill him, surely her wrath we will see.
He is a pig, this warlord.  Since he must return Chrysies to appease Phoebus Apollo
And stop his arrows from destroying the army, he decided he will take you in her stead.
I would have killed him where he stood if the goddess Athena had not intervened.  
Not even the old man, wise Nestor, a proven counselor, could sway the son of Atreus’ greed.  
He told him not to take you, he said it was wrong.  He said I should not challenge the king’s rule.
I ceased my temper and stood down, just as the gods requested, but this warlord is a mule.
He will not budge.  I must allow him to take you for now, but I will have you back for sure.
When the heralds come, go and comply.  It will not take long with me out of the battle,
Agamemnon will beg me to fight.  The warlord will return me my prize, the one I adore.
He will give me my Briseis, his treasures, the glory and honor, along with much more.”

And then Briseis:

“Oh Achilles, I wish the gods would have let you kill him.  I want to stay with you.
I do not want to share that man’s bed.  I do not wish to have his malicious hands upon me.
If you cannot protect me, then who can?  Surely not king Agamemnon, the swine.
I am sorry I spoke out of anger outside.  I should have waited for you in here, my dear.
I understand why I must go; I do not wish it, but if you say it is for the best, then I will comply.
But know this, my dear Achilles, I may be a woman, but I am no fool.  This is the end for us.
You will not have me back—a tainted treasure!  The warlord will surely have me;
He will take me in his bed.  He will do what men do; you Achilles, know this to be true.  
You will not want me back after this man has his way.  You know that we are through.”

Achilles stands up and exits the hut, he sits down next to his black ship.