The Iliad of Homer


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A rock's round fragment flies, with fury borne,  
Which from the stubborn stone a torrent rends,)  
(
Precipitate the ponderous mass descends:  
From steep to steep the rolling ruin bounds;  
At every shock the crackling wood resounds;  
Still gathering force, it smokes; and urged amain,  
Whirls, leaps, and thunders down, impetuous to the plain:  
There stops--so Hector. Their whole force he proved,(230)  
Resistless when he raged, and, when he stopp'd, unmoved.  
On him the war is bent, the darts are shed,  
And all their falchions wave around his head:  
Repulsed he stands, nor from his stand retires;  
But with repeated shouts his army fires.  
"
Trojans! be firm; this arm shall make your way  
Through yon square body, and that black array:  
Stand, and my spear shall rout their scattering power,  
Strong as they seem, embattled like a tower;  
For he that Juno's heavenly bosom warms,  
The first of gods, this day inspires our arms."  
He said; and roused the soul in every breast:  
Urged with desire of fame, beyond the rest,  
Forth march'd Deiphobus; but, marching, held  
Before his wary steps his ample shield.  
Bold Merion aim'd a stroke (nor aim'd it wide);  
478  


Page
476 477 478 479 480

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980