The Iliad of Homer


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"
Forbear, my sons! your further force to prove,  
Both dear to men, and both beloved of Jove.  
To either host your matchless worth is known,  
Each sounds your praise, and war is all your own.  
But now the Night extends her awful shade;  
The goddess parts you; be the night obey'd."(184)  
To whom great Ajax his high soul express'd:  
"
O sage! to Hector be these words address'd.  
Let him, who first provoked our chiefs to fight,  
Let him demand the sanction of the night;  
If first he ask'd it, I content obey,  
And cease the strife when Hector shows the way."  
"
O first of Greeks! (his noble foe rejoin'd)  
Whom heaven adorns, superior to thy kind,  
With strength of body, and with worth of mind!  
Now martial law commands us to forbear;  
Hereafter we shall meet in glorious war,  
Some future day shall lengthen out the strife,  
And let the gods decide of death or life!  
Since, then, the night extends her gloomy shade,  
And heaven enjoins it, be the night obey'd.  
Return, brave Ajax, to thy Grecian friends,  
And joy the nations whom thy arm defends;  
As I shall glad each chief, and Trojan wife,  
298  


Page
296 297 298 299 300

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980