1. Achilles sulked by his tent, far from the assembly where warriors excel,
In his heart a fire of isolation burned, and sorrow for the tumult of war and armies.

2. On the twelfth dawn since he took this stance,
Zeus came among the immortal nobles.

3. Thetis did not forget her vows,
She parted the mists and came between the stages.

4. She passed through the open sky to where Zeus was
On the highest summit among the lofty mountains.

5. Apart from the others, possessor of perfect wisdom.
She drew near and clasped her arms around him,

6. Touching the beard of the lord of the sublime.
With her left hand she caressed his knee,

7. Seeking his favor by every means.
O father of men, Zeus, if my loyal service in word and deed among the kindred is true,

8. Honor my son, though among men he is most inclined to destruction,
For his comrade has brought him down and destroyed him.

9. Do not abandon him, in whom the blemishes of mankind are made clear.
Rouse the army of Troy to make his worth great,

10. And let the Greeks place him in the highest rank.
The rattling thundercloud did not answer

11. The suppliant who cried out insistently.
Why do you hesitate? Make excuses and speak,

12. Promise or refuse my hopes.
He made my humiliation known among the immortals,

13. Exhaling heavily, burdened.
The path is narrow if I were to nod in agreement here

14. To her who rose up against me with rudeness and provocation,
Then in the council of the gods they would resent me

15. And say I aid wantonness.
Begone, look not for a ready favor.

16. I will consider what you request, and I gesture
A promise to answer in the abode of eternity,

17. A sure, steadfast pledge that will not be marred by misfortune.
He blinked his lids, and his hair shook,

18. The throne of eternity trembled with the strongest earthquake.