Homer, Iliad, Book 1, lines 1-52
Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus? son Achilleus
and its devistation, which put pains thousandfold upon the Achaians,
hurled in their multitudes to the house of Hades strong souls
of heroes, but gave their bodies to be the delicate feasting
of dogs, of all birds, and the will of Zeus was accomplished
since that time when first there stood in division of conflict
Atreus? son the lord of men and brilliant Achilleus.
What god was it then set them together in bitter collision?
Zeus? son and Leto?s, Apollo, who in anger at the king drove
the foul pestilence along the host, and the people perished,
since Atreus? son had dishonoured Chryses, priest of Apollo,
when he came beside the fast ships of the Achaians to ransom
back his daughter, carrying gifts beyond count and holding
in his hands wound on a staff of gold the ribbons of Apollo
who strikes from afar, and supplicated all the Achaians,
but above all Atreus? two sons, the marshals of the people:
Sons of Atreus and you other strong-greaved Achaians,
to you may the gods grant who have their homes on Olympos
Priam?s city to be plundered an* * **ir homecoming thereafter,
but may you give me back my own daughter and take the ransom,
giving honour to Zeus? son who strikes from afar, Apollo.?