Priam told his sons to ready a mule-wagon. He went down into his cedar storeroom and called Hecuba, saying an Olympian had ordered him to the ships with gifts for Achilles. His own heart bid him go into the wide Achaean camp.
Hecuba cried aloud and asked what had become of his famous judgment. How could he face the man who had killed so many of his sons? Iron heart — if Achilles caught him he would show neither pity nor respect. She wished she could set her teeth in Achilles' liver for Hector, who died fighting for Troy, not as a coward.
Priam said he would go; do not stop him. He had heard the goddess himself. If it was his fate to die by the ships, he was willing, once he had taken his son in his arms and put off desire for lament.
He took twelve robes, twelve cloaks, twelve blankets, twelve mantles, as many tunics, ten talents of gold, two tripods, four cauldrons, and a beautiful cup the Thracians had given — treasure he would not spare to ransom his dear son.
He drove staring Trojans from the portico and rebuked his surviving sons, wishing they had died instead of Hector. Make the wagon ready, he ordered. They feared him, brought out a strong new mule-wagon, yoked the Mysian mules, and led Priam's own horses under the yoke.
Hecuba came with a golden cup of wine and begged him to ask Zeus on Ida for a bird of omen on the right before he trusted himself to the Danaans' ships. Priam washed his hands, took the cup, and prayed looking up to heaven.
Father Zeus, ruling from Ida: grant that I come to Achilles with kindness and pity. Send your swift messenger-bird on the right, so that seeing it I may go trusting to the ships. Zeus heard him and sent a dark eagle with wings spread wide as a storeroom door. They saw it on the right over the city, and their hearts were glad.