The Iliad of Homer


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Such were your words--Now, warriors! grieve no more,  
Lo there the Trojans; bathe your swords in gore!  
This day shall give you all your soul demands,  
Glut all your hearts, and weary all your hands!"  
Thus while he roused the fire in every breast,  
Close and more close the listening cohorts press'd;  
Ranks wedged in ranks; of arms a steely ring  
Still grows, and spreads, and thickens round the king.  
As when a circling wall the builder forms,  
Of strength defensive against wind and storms,  
Compacted stones the thickening work compose,  
And round him wide the rising structure grows:  
So helm to helm, and crest to crest they throng,  
Shield urged on shield, and man drove man along;  
Thick, undistinguish'd plumes, together join'd,  
Float in one sea, and wave before the wind.  
Far o'er the rest in glittering pomp appear,  
There bold Automedon, Patroclus here;  
Brothers in arms, with equal fury fired;  
Two friends, two bodies with one soul inspired.  
But mindful of the gods, Achilles went  
To the rich coffer in his shady tent;  
There lay on heaps his various garments roll'd,  
591  


Page
589 590 591 592 593

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980