Page:The Iliad of Homer in English Hexameter Verse.djvu/36

 Ready, with five-prong'd forks, were the servants standing around him. So, when the thighs were consumed, and the inwards, too, had been tasted, All of the rest of the victim they cut into morsels and spitted; Dress'd it with careful skill; and removed when the broil was completed: And, when the food was cook'd, and they ceased from the toil, having finish'd, Down to the feast they sat; nor did any lack ample refreshment. And, when for food and for drink they had sated the appetite in them, Servants replenish'd the bowls with the sparkling juice of the dark-grape; Filling the cups for all, in due order and seemly succession. All the day long in songs to the God did the sons of Achaia, Seeking his favor again, chant Pæans loudly before him: Seeking the grace of the archer-God;—and he heard and relented. Now the sun sank 'neath the sea; and twilight gather'd upon them; All laid down to repose, 'mid the halsers, close by the galley. Soon came the prime of the day—early Dawn, with her fingers-of-roses— Then did they weigh, and depart, to the host of the sons of Achaia. Right in the wake of the bark was a fresh breeze sent by Apollo: Up went the mast high aloft, and the white sail flutter'd afore it: Fill'd out the sail in the breeze;—and loud 'neath the stem of the galley Rippled the blue sea-wave; as the bark got her way full upon her, Springing from surge to surge, and cleaving a path thro' the waters. Soon as it came to the shore, to the wide-spread hosts of Achaia, Over the solid beach did they drag up the galley, and place her High on the sands, and her sides prop up with the lengthy supporters: Then went each on his way, to his own tent-door or his galley.

Still did the mighty Pelides, the swift-footed chieftain, Achilleus, Nourish his wrath, sitting idly apart by his swift-sailing galleys. Nor to the council he went,—where the eloquent speaker is honor'd,— Nor did he go to the war.—But his heart it was pining within him, Pining with rest—and he yearn'd for the war, and the shout of the onset. 18