The Iliad of Homer


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And fills his steeds with vigour. At a stroke  
She breaks his rival's chariot from the yoke:  
No more their way the startled horses held;  
The car reversed came rattling on the field;  
Shot headlong from his seat, beside the wheel,  
Prone on the dust the unhappy master fell;  
His batter'd face and elbows strike the ground;  
Nose, mouth, and front, one undistinguish'd wound:  
Grief stops his voice, a torrent drowns his eyes:  
Before him far the glad Tydides flies;  
Minerva's spirit drives his matchless pace,  
And crowns him victor of the labour'd race.  
The next, though distant, Menelaus succeeds;  
While thus young Nestor animates his steeds:  
"Now, now, my generous pair, exert your force;  
Not that we hope to match Tydides' horse,  
Since great Minerva wings their rapid way,  
And gives their lord the honours of the day;  
But reach Atrides! shall his mare outgo  
Your swiftness? vanquish'd by a female foe?  
Through your neglect, if lagging on the plain  
The last ignoble gift be all we gain,  
No more shall Nestor's hand your food supply,  
The old man's fury rises, and ye die.  
Haste then: yon narrow road, before our sight,  
819  


Page
817 818 819 820 821

Quick Jump
1 245 490 735 980