Ere thirst and want his forces have oppress'd,

Haste and infuse ambrosia in his breast."

He spoke; and sudden, at the word of Jove,

Shot the descending goddess from above.

So swift through ether the shrill harpy springs,

The wide air floating to her ample wings,

To great Achilles she her flight address'd,

And pour'd divine ambrosia in his breast,(259)

With nectar sweet, (refection of the gods!)

Then, swift ascending, sought the bright abodes.

Now issued from the ships the warrior-train,

And like a deluge pour'd upon the plain.

As when the piercing blasts of Boreas blow,

And scatter o'er the fields the driving snow;

From dusky clouds the fleecy winter flies,

Whose dazzling lustre whitens all the skies:

So helms succeeding helms, so shields from shields,

Catch the quick beams, and brighten all the fields;

Broad glittering breastplates, spears with pointed rays,

Mix in one stream, reflecting blaze on blaze;

Thick beats the centre as the coursers bound;

With splendour flame the skies, and laugh the fields around,

Full in the midst, high-towering o'er the rest,

709

The Iliad of Homer