Achilles Over the Trench.
Iliad, xviii. 202.
So saying, light-foot Iris pass’d away.1
Then rose Achilles dear to Zeus ; and round2
The warrior’s puissant shoulders Pallas flung3
Her fringed ægis, and around his head4
The glorious goddess wreath’d a golden cloud,5
And from it lighted an all-shining flame.6
As when a smoke from a city goes to heaven7
Far off from out an island girt by foes,8
All day the men content in grievous war9
From their own city, and with set of sun10
Their fires flame thickly, and aloft the glare11
Flies streaming, if perchance the neighbours round12
May see, and sail to help them in the war ;13
So from his head the splendour went to heaven.14
From wall to dyke he stept, he stood, nor join’d15
The Achæans—honouring his wise mother’s word—16
There standing, shouted ; Pallas far away17
Call’d ; and a boundless panic shook the foe.18
For like the clear voice when a trumpet shrills,19
Blown by the fierce beleaguerers of a town,20
So rang the clear voice of Æakidês ;21
And when the brazen cry of Æakidês22
Was heard among the Trojans, all their hearts23
Were troubled, and the full-maned horses whirl’d24
The chariots backward, knowing griefs at hand ;25
And sheer-astounded were the charioteers26
To see the dread, unweariable fire27
That always o’er the great Peleion’s head28
Burnt, for the bright-eyed goddess made it burn.29
Thrice from the dyke he sent his mighty shout,30
Thrice backward reel’d the Trojans and allies ;31
And there and then twelve of their noblest died32
Among their spears and chariots.33