The Iliad of Homer


google search for The Iliad of Homer

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
766 767 768 769 770

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980

And the barb'd javelin stings his breast in vain:  
On their whole war, untamed, the savage flies;  
And tears his hunter, or beneath him dies.  
Not less resolved, Antenor's valiant heir  
Confronts Achilles, and awaits the war,  
Disdainful of retreat: high held before,  
His shield (a broad circumference) he bore;  
Then graceful as he stood, in act to throw  
The lifted javelin, thus bespoke the foe:  
"How proud Achilles glories in his fame!  
And hopes this day to sink the Trojan name  
Beneath her ruins! Know, that hope is vain;  
A thousand woes, a thousand toils remain.  
Parents and children our just arms employ,  
And strong and many are the sons of Troy.  
Great as thou art, even thou may'st stain with gore  
These Phrygian fields, and press a foreign shore."  
He said: with matchless force the javelin flung  
Smote on his knee; the hollow cuishes rung  
Beneath the pointed steel; but safe from harms  
He stands impassive in the ethereal arms.  
Then fiercely rushing on the daring foe,  
His lifted arm prepares the fatal blow:  
But, jealous of his fame, Apollo shrouds  
768  


Page
766 767 768 769 770

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980