The Iliad of Homer


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These to Scamander's bank apart he led,  
Where thinly scatter'd lay the heaps of dead.  
The assembled chiefs, descending on the ground,  
Attend his order, and their prince surround.  
A massy spear he bore of mighty strength,  
Of full ten cubits was the lance's length;  
The point was brass, refulgent to behold,  
Fix'd to the wood with circling rings of gold:  
The noble Hector on his lance reclined,  
And, bending forward, thus reveal'd his mind:  
"Ye valiant Trojans, with attention hear!  
Ye Dardan bands, and generous aids, give ear!  
This day, we hoped, would wrap in conquering flame  
Greece with her ships, and crown our toils with fame.  
But darkness now, to save the cowards, falls,  
And guards them trembling in their wooden walls.  
Obey the night, and use her peaceful hours  
Our steeds to forage, and refresh our powers.  
Straight from the town be sheep and oxen sought,  
And strengthening bread and generous wine be brought  
Wide o'er the field, high blazing to the sky,  
Let numerous fires the absent sun supply,  
The flaming piles with plenteous fuel raise,  
Till the bright morn her purple beam displays;  
Lest, in the silence and the shades of night,  
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Page
333 334 335 336 337

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980