The Iliad of Homer


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Ourself will sit, and see the hand of fate  
Work out our will. Celestial powers! descend,  
And as your minds direct, your succour lend  
To either host. Troy soon must lie o'erthrown,  
If uncontroll'd Achilles fights alone:  
Their troops but lately durst not meet his eyes;  
What can they now, if in his rage he rise?  
Assist them, gods! or Ilion's sacred wall  
May fall this day, though fate forbids the fall."  
He said, and fired their heavenly breasts with rage.  
On adverse parts the warring gods engage:  
Heaven's awful queen; and he whose azure round  
Girds the vast globe; the maid in arms renown'd;  
Hermes, of profitable arts the sire;  
And Vulcan, the black sovereign of the fire:  
These to the fleet repair with instant flight;  
The vessels tremble as the gods alight.  
In aid of Troy, Latona, Phoebus came,  
Mars fiery-helm'd, the laughter-loving dame,  
Xanthus, whose streams in golden currents flow,  
And the chaste huntress of the silver bow.  
Ere yet the gods their various aid employ,  
Each Argive bosom swell'd with manly joy,  
While great Achilles (terror of the plain),  
Long lost to battle, shone in arms again.  
716  


Page
714 715 716 717 718

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980