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.
among
  And pathless solitudes of Sipylus,
  The rumor’d cradle of the nymphs who dance 770
  On Acheloues’ banks, although to stone
  Transform’d, she broods her heaven-inflicted woes. 
  Come, then, my venerable guest! take we
  Refreshment also; once arrived in Troy
  With thy dear son, thou shalt have time to weep 775
  Sufficient, nor without most weighty cause. 
    So spake Achilles, and, upstarting, slew
  A sheep white-fleeced, which his attendants flay’d,
  And busily and with much skill their task
  Administ’ring, first scored the viands well, 780
  Then pierced them with the spits, and when the roast
  Was finish’d, drew them from the spits again. 
  And now, Automedon dispensed around
  The polish’d board bread in neat baskets piled,
  Which done, Achilles portion’d out to each 785
  His share, and all assail’d the ready feast. 
  But when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,
  Dardanian Priam, wond’ring at his bulk
  And beauty (for he seem’d some God from heaven)
  Gazed on Achilles, while Achilles held 790
  Not less in admiration of his looks
  Benign, and of his gentle converse wise,
  Gazed on Dardanian Priam, and, at length
  (The eyes of each gratified to the full)
  The ancient King thus to Achilles spake. 795
    Hero! dismiss us now each to our bed,
  That there at ease reclined, we may enjoy
  Sweet sleep; for never have these eyelids closed
  Since Hector fell and died, but without cease
  I mourn, and nourishing unnumber’d woes, 800
  Have roll’d me in the ashes of my courts. 
  But I have now both tasted food, and given
  Wine to my lips, untasted till with thee. 
    So he, and at his word Achilles bade
  His train beneath his portico prepare 805
  With all dispatch two couches, purple rugs,
  And arras, and warm mantles over all. 
  Forth went the women bearing lights, and spread
  A couch for each, when feigning needful fear,[15]
  Achilles thus his speech to Priam turn’d. 810
    My aged guest beloved; sleep thou without;
  Lest some Achaian chief (for such are wont
  Ofttimes, here sitting, to consult with me)
  Hither repair; of whom should any chance
  To spy thee through the gloom, he would at once 815
  Convey the tale to Agamemnon’s ear,
  Whence hindrance might arise, and the release
  Haply of Hector’s body be delay’d. 
  But answer me with truth.  How many days
  Wouldst thou assign to the funereal rites 820
  Of noble Hector, for so long I mean
  Myself to rest, and keep the host at home? 
    Then thus the ancient King godlike replied. 
  If thou indeed be willing that we give
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Project Gutenberg
The Iliad of Homer from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.