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20 20 HOMER

The dust of earth. Not slow to smite was he

In the fierce conflict ; therefore all who dwell

Within the city sorrow for his fall. 940

Thou bringest an unutterable grief,

Ο Hector, on thy parents, and on me

The sharpest sorrows. Thou didst not stretch forth

Thy hands to me, in dying, from thy couch,

Nor speak a word to comfort me, which I 945

Might ever think of, night and day, with tears."

So spake the weeping wife ; the women all

Mingled their wail with hers, and Hecuba

Took up the passionate lamentation next :

" Ο Hector, thou who wert most fondly loved 950 Of all my sons I While yet thou wert alive, Dear wert thou to the gods, who even now, IVhen death has overtaken thee, bestow Such care upon thee. All my other sons ΛVhom swift Achilles took in war he sold 955

At Samos, Imbrus by the barren sea. And Lemnos harborless. But as for thee, When he had taken with his cruel spear Thy life, he dragged thee round and round the tomb Of his young friend, Patroclus, whom thy hand 960 Had slain, yet raised he not by this the dead ; And now thou liest in the palace here. Fresh and besprinkled as with early dew. Like one just slain with silent arrows aimed By Phoebus, bearer of the silver bow." 965

Weeping she spake, and woke in all who heard Grief without measure. Helen, last of all Took up the lamentation, and began :

" Ο Hector, who wert dearest to my heart Of all my husband's brothers, — for the wife 970

Am I of godlike Paris, him whose fleet