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Book 9, Lines 410–416

Achilles Weighs His Two Fates

A

Mother tells me,

the immortal goddess Thetis with her glistening feet,

that two fates bear me on to the day of death.

If I hold out here and I lay siege to Troy,

my journey home is gone, but my glory never dies.

If I voyage back to the fatherland I love,

my pride, my glory dies ...

true, but the life that's left me will be long,

the stroke of death will not come on me quickly.

B

Thetis, my goddess mother, has declared

That o'er me double destinies impend:

That should I at the siege of Troy remain

Immortal glory will my portion be,

But never shall I see my home again.

But, on the other hand, should I return.

Glory I lose, but length of days is mine.

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