The Iliad of Homer eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 667 pages of information about The Iliad of Homer.
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The Iliad of Homer eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 667 pages of information about The Iliad of Homer.
O’ermantled, while the city-spoiler Mars
Sat with Apollo opposite on the hill 195
Callicolone, with their aids divine. 
So, Gods to Gods in opposite aspect
Sat ruminating, and alike the work
All fearing to begin of arduous war,
While from his seat sublime Jove urged them on. 200
The champain all was fill’d, and with the blaze
Illumined wide of men and steeds brass-arm’d,
And the incumber’d earth jarr’d under foot
Of the encountering hosts.  Then, two, the rest
Surpassing far, into the midst advanced 205
Impatient for the fight, Anchises’ son
AEneas and Achilles, glorious Chief! 
AEneas first, under his ponderous casque
Nodding and menacing, advanced; before
His breast he held the well-conducted orb 210
Of his broad shield, and shook his brazen spear. 
On the other side, Achilles to the fight
Flew like a ravening lion, on whose death
Resolved, the peasants from all quarters meet;
He, viewing with disdain the foremost, stalks 215
Right on, but smitten by some dauntless youth
Writhes himself, and discloses his huge fangs
Hung with white foam; then, growling for revenge,
Lashes himself to battle with his tail,
Till with a burning eye and a bold heart 220
He springs to slaughter, or himself is slain;
So, by his valor and his noble mind
Impell’d, renown’d Achilles moved toward
AEneas, and, small interval between,
Thus spake the hero matchless in the race. 225

    Why stand’st thou here, AEneas! thy own band

Left at such distance?  Is it that thine heart
Glows with ambition to contend with me
In hope of Priam’s honors, and to fill
His throne hereafter in Troy steed-renown’d? 230
But shouldst thou slay me, not for that exploit
Would Priam such large recompense bestow,
For he hath sons, and hath, beside, a mind
And disposition not so lightly changed. 
Or have the Trojans of their richest soil 235
For vineyard apt or plow assign’d thee part
If thou shalt slay me?  Difficult, I hope,
At least, thou shalt experience that emprize. 
For, as I think, I have already chased
Thee with my spear.  Forgettest thou the day 240
When, finding thee alone, I drove thee down
Headlong from Ida, and, thy cattle left
Afar, thou didst not dare in all thy flight
Turn once, till at Lyrnessus safe arrived,
Which city by Jove’s aid and by the aid 245
Of Pallas I destroy’d, and captive led
Their women?  Thee, indeed, the Gods preserved
But they shall not preserve thee, as thou dream’st
Now also.  Back into thy host again;
Hence, I command thee, nor oppose in fight 250
My force, lest evil find thee.  To be taught
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The Iliad of Homer from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.