The Iliad of Homer


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Divine Achilles view'd the rising flames,  
And smote his thigh, and thus aloud exclaims:  
"Arm, arm, Patroclus! Lo, the blaze aspires!  
The glowing ocean reddens with the fires.  
Arm, ere our vessels catch the spreading flame;  
Arm, ere the Grecians be no more a name;  
I haste to bring the troops."--The hero said;  
The friend with ardour and with joy obey'd.  
He cased his limbs in brass; and first around  
His manly legs, with silver buckles bound  
The clasping greaves; then to his breast applies  
The flaming cuirass of a thousand dyes;  
Emblazed with studs of gold his falchion shone  
In the rich belt, as in a starry zone:  
Achilles' shield his ample shoulders spread,  
Achilles' helmet nodded o'er his head:  
Adorn'd in all his terrible array,  
He flash'd around intolerable day.  
Alone untouch'd, Pelides' javelin stands,  
Not to be poised but by Pelides' hands:  
From Pelion's shady brow the plant entire  
Old Chiron rent, and shaped it for his sire;  
Whose son's great arm alone the weapon wields,  
The death of heroes, and the dread of fields.  
587  


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