Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/40

10 And plucked it from the ground, and brought it back

And gave it to the hands of Peleus' son,

While Hector said to his illustrious foe:

"Godlike Achilles, thou hast missed thy mark;

Nor hast thou learned my doom from Jupiter,

As thou pretendest. Thou art glib of tongue,

And cunningly thou orderest thy speech,

In hope that I who hear thee may forget

My might and valor. Think not that I shall flee,

That thou mayst pierce my back; for thou shalt send

Thy spear, if God permit thee, through my breast

As I rush on thee. Now avoid in turn

My brazen weapon. Would that it might pass

Clean through thee, all its length! The tasks of war

For us of Troy were lighter for thy death,

Thou pest and deadly foe of all our race!"

He spake, and brandishing his massive spear

Hurled it, nor missed, but in the centre smote

The buckler of Pelides. Far away

It bounded from the brass, and he was vexed

To see that the swift weapon from his hand

Had flown in vain. He stood perplexed and sad;

No second spear had he. He called aloud

On the white-bucklered chief, Deïphobus,

To bring another; but that chief was far.

And Hector saw that it was so, and said:

"Ah me! the gods have summoned me to die.

I thought my warrior friend, Deïphobus,

Was by my side; but he is still in Troy,

And Pallas has deceived me. Now my death

Cannot be far,—is near; there is no hope

Of my escape, for so it pleases Jove

And Jove's great archer-son, who have till now

Delivered me. My hour at last is come;