Declare, O Muse! in what ill-fated hour Sprung the fierce strife, from what offended powerLatona’s son a dire contagion spread, And heap’d the camp with mountains of the dead; The king of men his reverent priest defied, And for the king’s offence the people died.
For Chryses sought with costly gifts to gain His captive daughter from the victor’s chain.Suppliant the venerable father stands;Apollo’s awful ensigns grace his hands By these he begs; and lowly bending down, Extends the sceptre and the laurel crown He sued to all, but chief implored for grace The brother-kings, of Atreus’ royal race.
