Page:The Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets, Volume 4.djvu/48

44 The beginning of the first book stands thus:

Of all the Grecian woes, O Goddess, sing, That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain.

Whose limbs unburied on the naked shore, Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore, Since great Achilles and Atrides strove; Such was the sovereign doom, and such the will of Jove.

Declare, O Muse, in what ill-fated hour Sprung the fierce strife, from what offended Power? Latona's son a dire contagion spread, And heap'd the camp with mountains of the dead; The King of men his reverend priest defy'd, And for the King's offence the people dy'd.

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