The Iliad of Homer


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"I come, Pelides! from the queen of Jove,  
The immortal empress of the realms above;  
Unknown to him who sits remote on high,  
Unknown to all the synod of the sky."  
"
Thou comest in vain (he cries, with fury warm'd);  
Arms I have none, and can I fight unarm'd?  
Unwilling as I am, of force I stay,  
Till Thetis bring me at the dawn of day  
Vulcanian arms: what other can I wield,  
Except the mighty Telamonian shield?  
That, in my friend's defence, has Ajax spread,  
While his strong lance around him heaps the dead:  
The gallant chief defends Menoetius' son,  
And does what his Achilles should have done."  
"Thy want of arms (said Iris) well we know;  
But though unarm'd, yet clad in terrors, go!  
Let but Achilles o'er yon trench appear,  
Proud Troy shall tremble, and consent to fear;  
Greece from one glance of that tremendous eye  
Shall take new courage, and disdain to fly."  
She spoke, and pass'd in air. The hero rose:  
Her aegis Pallas o'er his shoulder throws;  
Around his brows a golden cloud she spread;  
A stream of glory flamed above his head.  
672  


Page
670 671 672 673 674

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980