Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/114

112 The wretch would brave high heaven's immortal sire,

His triple thunder, and his bolts of fire."

The god of battle issues on the plain,

Stirs all the ranks, and fires the Trojan train:

In form like Acamas, the Thracian guide,

Enraged, to Troy's retiring chiefs he cried:

" How long, ye sons of Priam! will ye fly,

And unrevenged see Priam's people die?

Still unresisted shall the foe destroy,

And stretch the slaughter to the gates of Troy?

Lo, brave Æneas sinks beneath his wound,

Not godlike Hector more in arms renowned:

Haste all, and take the generous warrior's part."

He said; new courage swelled each hero's heart.

Sarpedon first his ardent soul expressed,

And, turned to Hector, these bold words addressed:

" Say, chief, is all thy ancient valour lost?

Where are thy threats, and where thy glorious boast,

That, propped alone by Priam's race, should stand

Troy's sacred walls, nor need a foreign hand?

Now, now thy country calls her wanted friends,

And the proud vaunt in just derision ends.

Remote they stand, while alien troops engage,

Like trembling hounds before the lion's rage.

Far distant hence I held my wide command,

Where foaming Xanthus laves the Lycian land,

With ample wealth, the wish of mortals, blessed,

A beauteous wife, and infant at her breast;

With those I left whatever dear could be;

Greece, if she conquers, nothing wins from me,

Yet first in fight my Lycian bands I cheer,

And long to meet this mighty man ye fear;

While Hector idle stands, nor bids the brave

Their wives, their infants, and their altars save.

Haste, warriors, haste! preserve thy threatened state;

Or one vast burst of all-involving fate

Full o'er your towers shall fall, and sweep away

Sons, sires, and wives, an undistinguished prey.

Rouse all thy Trojans, urge thy aids to fight;

These claim thy thoughts by day, thy watch by night:

With force incessant the brave Greeks oppose;

Such care thy friends deserve, and such thy foes."

Stung to the heart the generous Hector hears,

But just reproof with decent silence bears.

From his proud car the prince impetuous springs;

On earth he leaps; his brazen armour rings.

Two shining spears are brandished in his hands;

Thus armed, he animates his dropping bands,

Revives their ardour, turns their steps from flight,