The Iliad of Homer


google search for The Iliad of Homer

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
321 322 323 324 325

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980

And last young Teucer with his bended bow.  
Secure behind the Telamonian shield  
The skilful archer wide survey'd the field,  
With every shaft some hostile victim slew,  
Then close beneath the sevenfold orb withdrew:  
The conscious infant so, when fear alarms,  
Retires for safety to the mother's arms.  
Thus Ajax guards his brother in the field,  
Moves as he moves, and turns the shining shield.  
Who first by Teucer's mortal arrows bled?  
Orsilochus; then fell Ormenus dead:  
The godlike Lycophon next press'd the plain,  
With Chromius, Daetor, Ophelestes slain:  
Bold Hamopaon breathless sunk to ground;  
The bloody pile great Melanippus crown'd.  
Heaps fell on heaps, sad trophies of his art,  
A Trojan ghost attending every dart.  
Great Agamemnon views with joyful eye  
The ranks grow thinner as his arrows fly:  
"O youth forever dear! (the monarch cried)  
Thus, always thus, thy early worth be tried;  
Thy brave example shall retrieve our host,  
Thy country's saviour, and thy father's boast!  
Sprung from an alien's bed thy sire to grace,  
The vigorous offspring of a stolen embrace:  
Proud of his boy, he own'd the generous flame,  
323  


Page
321 322 323 324 325

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980