The Iliad of Homer


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The reeking javelin, cast it on the ground.  
The thronging Greeks behold with wondering eyes  
His manly beauty and superior size;  
While some, ignobler, the great dead deface  
With wounds ungenerous, or with taunts disgrace:  
"
How changed that Hector, who like Jove of late  
Sent lightning on our fleets, and scatter'd fate!"  
High o'er the slain the great Achilles stands,  
Begirt with heroes and surrounding bands;  
And thus aloud, while all the host attends:  
"Princes and leaders! countrymen and friends!  
Since now at length the powerful will of heaven  
The dire destroyer to our arm has given,  
Is not Troy fallen already? Haste, ye powers!  
See, if already their deserted towers  
Are left unmann'd; or if they yet retain  
The souls of heroes, their great Hector slain.  
But what is Troy, or glory what to me?  
Or why reflects my mind on aught but thee,  
Divine Patroclus! Death hath seal'd his eyes;  
Unwept, unhonour'd, uninterr'd he lies!  
Can his dear image from my soul depart,  
Long as the vital spirit moves my heart?  
If in the melancholy shades below,  
790  


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