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.
  Then, messenger of heaven, the Argicide
Address’d Latona.  Combat none with thee, Latona, will I wage.  Unsafe it were To cope in battle with a spouse of Jove. 585 Go, therefore, loudly as thou wilt, proclaim To all the Gods that thou hast vanquish’d me. 
  Collecting, then, the bow and arrows fallen
In wild disorder on the dusty plain, Latona with the sacred charge withdrew 590 Following her daughter; she, in the abode Brass-built arriving of Olympian Jove, Sat on his knees, weeping till all her robe Ambrosial shook.  The mighty Father smiled, And to his bosom straining her, inquired. 595
  Daughter beloved! who, which of all the Gods
Hath raised his hand, presumptuous, against thee, As if convicted of some open wrong? 
  To whom the clear-voiced Huntress crescent-crown’d. 
My Father!  Juno, thy own consort fair 600 My sorrow caused, from whom dispute and strife Perpetual, threaten the immortal Powers. 
  Thus they in heaven mutual conferr’d.  Meantime
Apollo into sacred Troy return’d Mindful to guard her bulwarks, lest the Greeks 605 Too soon for Fate should desolate the town.  The other Gods, some angry, some elate With victory, the Olympian heights regain’d, And sat beside the Thunderer.  But the son Of Peleus—­He both Trojans slew and steeds. 610 As when in volumes slow smoke climbs the skies From some great city which the Gods have fired Vindictive, sorrow thence to many ensues With mischief, and to all labor severe, So caused Achilles labor on that day, 615 Severe, and mischief to the men of Troy. 
  But ancient Priam from a sacred tower
Stood looking forth, whence soon he noticed vast Achilles, before whom the Trojans fled All courage lost.  Descending from the tower 620 With mournful cries and hasting to the wall He thus enjoin’d the keepers of the gates. 
  Hold wide the portals till the flying host
Re-enter, for himself is nigh, himself Achilles drives them home.  Now, wo to Troy! 625 But soon as safe within the walls received They breathe again, shut fast the ponderous gates At once, lest that destroyer also pass. 
  He said; they, shooting back the bars, threw wide
The gates and saved the people, whom to aid 630 Apollo also sprang into the field, They, parch’d with drought and whiten’d all with dust, Flew right toward the town, while, spear in hand, Achilles press’d them, vengeance in his heart And all on fire for glory.  Then, full sure, 635 Ilium, the city of lofty gates, had fallen Won by the Grecians, had not Phoebus roused Antenor’s valiant son, the noble Chief Agenor; him with dauntless might he fill’d, And shielding him against the stroke of fate 640 Beside him stood himself, by the broad beech Cover’d and wrapt in clouds.  Agenor then, Seeing the city-waster hero nigh Achilles,
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The Iliad of Homer from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.