The Iliad of Homer


google search for The Iliad of Homer

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
260 261 262 263 264

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980

Then sunk unpitied to the dire abodes,  
A wretch accursed, and hated by the gods!  
I brave not heaven: but if the fruits of earth  
Sustain thy life, and human be thy birth,  
Bold as thou art, too prodigal of breath,  
Approach, and enter the dark gates of death."  
"What, or from whence I am, or who my sire,  
(
Replied the chief,) can Tydeus' son inquire?  
Like leaves on trees the race of man is found,  
Now green in youth, now withering on the ground;  
Another race the following spring supplies;  
They fall successive, and successive rise:  
So generations in their course decay;  
So flourish these, when those are pass'd away.  
But if thou still persist to search my birth,  
Then hear a tale that fills the spacious earth.  
"
A city stands on Argos' utmost bound,  
(
Argos the fair, for warlike steeds renown'd,)  
Aeolian Sisyphus, with wisdom bless'd,  
In ancient time the happy wall possess'd,  
Then call'd Ephyre: Glaucus was his son;  
Great Glaucus, father of Bellerophon,  
Who o'er the sons of men in beauty shined,  
Loved for that valour which preserves mankind.  
262  


Page
260 261 262 263 264

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980