The Iliad of Homer
A Translation
(with Greek Text)
by
J. G. Cordery
British Resident at Hyderabad
London 1870

[Sample from the Opening of the Poem]

Iliad I.

SING, Goddess, of Achilles, Peleus’ son, 
The Wrath that rose disastrous, and the cause 
Of woes unnumber’d to Achaia’s host, 
Casting full many a hero’s mighty ghost 
Too soon to Hades—but the men themselves 
Prey to the dogs and all the fowls of heaven! 
Yet was the will of Zeus fulfill’d thereby ; 
Then first, what time asunder stood in strife 
Godlike Achilles from the King of men. 

What heavenly Power inspired them to this strife ? 
The Child of Zeus and Leto. He in wrath 
With Agamemnon sent an evil plague 
Amongst them, and Achaia’s nations fell 
For that dishonour dealt by Atreus’ Son 
To Chryses, his high priest. For Chryses came 
To their swift galleys, bearing priceless gifts 
The ransom of his daughter, in his hands 
Showing the garland of Apollo twined 
About a golden sceptre, and besought 
All the Achaians, yet address’d his prayer 
Most to the brother-chieftains, Atreus’ sons: 
   “Hear me, O Atreus’ Sons, and ye their host! 
May the Gods on Olympus grant to you 
The sack of Ilion and return to home; 
But render back to me mine own dear child, 
Accepting ransom, honouring so the name 
Of Him who smites from far, the Child of Zeus.” 
   He spoke; to whom the Achaians gave applause, 
Bidding revere the priest, and take the gifts 
Of her redemption; but ill-pleased the soul 
Of Agamemnon, who despiteful sent 
Empty, with violent words, the priest away: 
   “Beware, old man, lest near these hollow barks
I find thee lingering now or ever again 
Returning; else but little shall avail 
Thy sceptre, or the garland of thy God. 
I will not loose my hold from off thy child 
Ere far in Argos from her fatherland 
She hath worn old in service of our house, 
Task’d at the loom, or partner of my bed. 
Depart, nor move me unto anger; so 
Shall thy return be safer—get thee hence!” 
   He spoke; the elder, all in awe, obey’d. 
On the full-sounding ocean’s echoing shore 
He passed in silence to a place apart, 
And there to great Apollo made his prayer, 
Apollo, whom fair Leto bore to Zeus: 
   “Hear me, O Bender of the silver bow, 
Who dwell’st in Chryse, or the fruitful dales 
Of Cylla, or in Tenedos enthroned, 
Sminthian Apollo! If that e’er I wreath’d 
About thy fragrant altar crowns of flowers, 
Or e’er have made to thee sweet sacrifice 
Of bulls and goats, fulfil me my desire: 
Venge with thy darts these tears upon their host.” 
   He spoke; whose prayer Apollo heard, and slraight 
Strode wrathful o’er the Olympian peaks sublime, 
Bearing his close-capp’d quiver and his bow 
Swung round his shoulder; loud the arrows rang, 
Hurtling in motion of the anger’d God. 
Like unto Night, he came, and sate him down 
Short space from off the fleet, and ’gan discharge 
His arrows thence. Dire sung the silver bow; 
Whilst first against their sumpters and their hounds 
He aim’d, but after shot a bitter shaft 
Upon themselves; thenceforward ceaseless rose 
The flames of funeral piles throughout the host.

Review Comment

Cordery’s text has the Greek and English on facing pages.  One assumes, therefore, that the text is meant primarily for those who wish to read the Greek and get some assistance from the English (although Cordery seems to suggest the reverse in his preface, as if readers would only consult the Greek in order to check the English). In any case, the blank verse here has no particular merit and is decidedly inferior to the blank verse translations of Bryant and Caldcleugh. Cordery explains that his choice of blank verse stems from his view that the Greek hexameter “lies beyond the reach of the English tongue. . . .”(qu. Young 134).  One wonders, too, if the translation is sufficiently faithful to Homer to be a useful crib for the reader going through the Greek text.

The reader who would like to access the text of Volume I of Cordery’s translation should use the following link: Cordery Iliad.

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