The Iliad of Homer


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That round the warrior cast a dreadful shade;  
Ten zones of brass its ample brim surround,  
And twice ten bosses the bright convex crown'd:  
Tremendous Gorgon frown'd upon its field,  
And circling terrors fill'd the expressive shield:  
Within its concave hung a silver thong,  
On which a mimic serpent creeps along,  
His azure length in easy waves extends,  
Till in three heads the embroider'd monster ends.  
Last o'er his brows his fourfold helm he placed,  
With nodding horse-hair formidably graced;  
And in his hands two steely javelins wields,  
That blaze to heaven, and lighten all the fields.  
That instant Juno, and the martial maid,  
In happy thunders promised Greece their aid;  
High o'er the chief they clash'd their arms in air,  
And, leaning from the clouds, expect the war.  
Close to the limits of the trench and mound,  
The fiery coursers to their chariots bound  
The squires restrain'd: the foot, with those who wield  
The lighter arms, rush forward to the field.  
To second these, in close array combined,  
The squadrons spread their sable wings behind.  
Now shouts and tumults wake the tardy sun,  
406  


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404 405 406 407 408

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980