The Iliad: Book 21 Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: ABCDEFGHIJDAKAGLMMNO MHAPQAJRAJAJASOAAHMA TUCSTVOBWXYZA2NZB2YA 2ZYDDMNC2AMTUAJAD2E2 F2YG2ATAH2NI2J2MTK2D ZZL2AATTSA2MMVVMAZM2 VAMMNN2A2A2O2APP2AAJ AAZQ2AAJAR2AS2T2U2V2 AGAA2W2CVK2SX2JA2I2Y 2MJACTTPTD2PZCQ2TTPP TZVZVVZ2Y2VTN2JNA3NS MPB3C3XMZ2ZQ2UE2TGZ2 TYD3STOE3MMJA2MMAMF3 ZOZGG3JH3NNVF3ZTTI3J 3ZSUVTVUTTSK2MPTMSTT A2K3A2L3VOJSM3JSMTAT MN3O3VUCMI2P3A2NZTMT ZZA2A2VTMP2MTQ3TMUN2 MPMPATA2Y2R3AZZN2ZTT JS3AUT3TTVTCVYU3V3TA W3Y2X3MZZMY3Z3TMTTMV UZCTCT3A4MV3G2MTATTZ R3B4A2TCMTPMTA2K2P2D 2TA2ZAN2MTTMMVC4ZZK3 ZA2TZL3D4R3NR3UTD4TM ZD4JNTVD4D4D4D4MD2UM N2PD4TTMD4YUTZMMD4TZ I2D4H3MTTTUTD4TD4D4T TTE4TSZY2YD4D4NTZVD4 D4D4D4TZPSL2D4MD4TJP X2D4TTTO2F4VMTSD4D4M TTZPF4USZF4D4TZ

Now when they came to the ford of the full flowing river Xanthus	A
begotten of immortal Jove Achilles cut their forces in two one	B
half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that	C
the Achaeans had taken when flying panic stricken on the preceding day	D
with Hector in full triumph this way did they fly pell mell and Juno	E
sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them The other half	F
were hemmed in by the deep silver eddying stream and fell into it	G
with a great uproar The waters resounded and the banks rang again	H
as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling	I
eddies As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire	J
the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they	D
huddle into the water even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus	A
filled with the uproar of men and horses all struggling in	K
confusion before Achilles	A
Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank leaning it	G
against a tamarisk bush and plunged into the river like a god	L
armed with his sword only Fell was his purpose as he hewed the	M
Trojans down on every side Their dying groans rose hideous as the	M
sword smote them and the river ran red with blood As when fish fly	N
scared before a huge dolphin and fill every nook and corner of some	O
fair haven for he is sure to eat all he can catch even so did the	M
Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty river and when	H
Achilles' arms grew weary with killing them he drew twelve youths	A
alive out of the water to sacrifice in revenge for Patroclus son of	P
Menoetius He drew them out like dazed fawns bound their hands behind	Q
them with the girdles of their own shirts and gave them over to his	A
men to take back to the ships Then he sprang into the river	J
thirsting for still further blood	R
There he found Lycaon son of Priam seed of Dardanus as he was	A
escaping out of the water he it was whom he had once taken prisoner	J
when he was in his father's vineyard having set upon him by night as	A
he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig tree to make the wicker	J
sides of a chariot Achilles then caught him to his sorrow unawares	A
and sent him by sea to Lemnos where the son of Jason bought him	S
But a guest friend Eetion of Imbros freed him with a great sum	O
and sent him to Arisbe whence he had escaped and returned to his	A
father's house He had spent eleven days happily with his friends	A
after he had come from Lemnos but on the twelfth heaven again	H
delivered him into the hands of Achilles who was to send him to the	M
house of Hades sorely against his will He was unarmed when Achilles	A
caught sight of him and had neither helmet nor shield nor yet had he	T
any spear for he had thrown all his armour from him on to the bank	U
and was sweating with his struggles to get out of the river so that	C
his strength was now failing him	S
Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise What marvel do I see	T
here If this man can come back alive after having been sold over into	V
Lemnos I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain rising from	O
the world below Could not even the waters of the grey sea imprison	B
him as they do many another whether he will or no This time let	W
him taste my spear that I may know for certain whether mother earth	X
who can keep even a strong man down will be able to hold him or	Y
whether thence too he will return	Z
Thus did he pause and ponder But Lycaon came up to him dazed and	A2
trying hard to embrace his knees for he would fain live not die	N
Achilles thrust at him with his spear meaning to kill him but Lycaon	Z
ran crouching up to him and caught his knees whereby the spear passed	B2
over his back and stuck in the ground hungering though it was for	Y
blood With one hand he caught Achilles' knees as he besought him and	A2
with the other he clutched the spear and would not let it go Then	Z
he said Achilles have mercy upon me and spare me for I am your	Y
suppliant It was in your tents that I first broke bread on the day	D
when you took me prisoner in the vineyard after which you sold away	D
to Lemnos far from my father and my friends and I brought you the	M
price of a hundred oxen I have paid three times as much to gain my	N
freedom it is but twelve days that I have come to Ilius after much	C2
suffering and now cruel fate has again thrown me into your hands	A
Surely father Jove must hate me that he has given me over to you a	M
second time Short of life indeed did my mother Laothoe bear me	T
daughter of aged Altes of Altes who reigns over the warlike Lelegae	U
and holds steep Pedasus on the river Satnioeis Priam married his	A
daughter along with many other women and two sons were born of her	J
both of whom you will have slain Your spear slew noble Polydorus as	A
he was fighting in the front ranks and now evil will here befall	D2
me for I fear that I shall not escape you since heaven has delivered	E2
me over to you Furthermore I say and lay my saying to your heart	F2
spare me for I am not of the same womb as Hector who slew your	Y
brave and noble comrade	G2
With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles	A
but Achilles answered him sternly Idiot said he talk not to me	T
of ransom Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans	A
quarter and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive	H2
but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my	N
hands before the city of Ilius and of all Trojans it shall fare	I2
hardest with the sons of Priam Therefore my friend you too shall	J2
die Why should you whine in this way Patroclus fell and he was a	M
better man than you are I too see you not how I am great and goodly	T
I am son to a noble father and have a goddess for my mother but	K2
the hands of doom and death overshadow me all as surely The day	D
will come either at dawn or dark or at the noontide when one	Z
shall take my life also in battle either with his spear or with an	Z
arrow sped from his bow	L2
Thus did he speak and Lycaon's heart sank within him He loosed his	A
hold of the spear and held out both hands before him but Achilles	A
drew his keen blade and struck him by the collar bone on his neck he	T
plunged his two edged sword into him to the very hilt whereon he	T
lay at full length on the ground with the dark blood welling from him	S
till the earth was soaked Then Achilles caught him by the foot and	A2
flung him into the river to go down stream vaunting over him the	M
while and saying Lie there among the fishes who will lick the	M
blood from your wound and gloat over it your mother shall not lay you	V
on any bier to mourn you but the eddies of Scamander shall bear you	V
into the broad bosom of the sea There shall the fishes feed on the	M
fat of Lycaon as they dart under the dark ripple of the waters so	A
perish all of you till we reach the citadel of strong Ilius you in	Z
flight and I following after to destroy you The river with its broad	M2
silver stream shall serve you in no stead for all the bulls you	V
offered him and all the horses that you flung living into his	A
waters None the less miserably shall you perish till there is not a	M
man of you but has paid in full for the death of Patroclus and the	M
havoc you wrought among the Achaeans whom you have slain while I	N
held aloof from battle	N2
So spoke Achilles but the river grew more and more angry and	A2
pondered within himself how he should stay the hand of Achilles and	A2
save the Trojans from disaster Meanwhile the son of Peleus spear	O2
in hand sprang upon Asteropaeus son of Pelegon to kill him He was	A
son to the broad river Axius and Periboea eldest daughter of	P
Acessamenus for the river had lain with her Asteropaeus stood up out	P2
of the water to face him with a spear in either hand and Xanthus	A
filled him with courage being angry for the death of the youths	A
whom Achilles was slaying ruthlessly within his waters When they were	J
close up with one another Achilles was first to speak Who and whence	A
are you said he who dare to face me Woe to the parents whose	A
son stands up against me And the son of Pelegon answered Great son	Z
of Peleus why should you ask my lineage I am from the fertile land	Q2
of far Paeonia captain of the Paeonians and it is now eleven days	A
that I am at Ilius I am of the blood of the river Axius of Axius	A
that is the fairest of all rivers that run He begot the famed warrior	J
Pelegon whose son men call me Let us now fight Achilles	A
Thus did he defy him and Achilles raised his spear of Pelian ash	R2
Asteropaeus failed with both his spears for he could use both hands	A
alike with the one spear he struck Achilles' shield but did not	S2
pierce it for the layer of gold gift of the god stayed the point	T2
with the other spear he grazed the elbow of Achilles right arm	U2
drawing dark blood but the spear itself went by him and fixed	V2
itself in the ground foiled of its bloody banquet Then Achilles	A
fain to kill him hurled his spear at Asteropaeus but failed to hit	G
him and struck the steep bank of the river driving the spear half its	A
length into the earth The son of Peleus then drew his sword and	A2
sprang furiously upon him Asteropaeus vainly tried to draw	W2
Achilles' spear out of the bank by main force thrice did he tug at	C
it trying with all his might to draw it out and thrice he had to	V
leave off trying the fourth time he tried to bend and break it but	K2
ere he could do so Achilles smote him with his sword and killed him	S
He struck him in the belly near the navel so that all his bowels came	X2
gushing out on to the ground and the darkness of death came over	J
him as he lay gasping Then Achilles set his foot on his chest and	A2
spoiled him of his armour vaunting over him and saying Lie there	I2
begotten of a river though you be it is hard for you to strive with	Y2
the offspring of Saturn's son You declare yourself sprung from the	M
blood of a broad river but I am of the seed of mighty Jove My father	J
is Peleus son of Aeacus ruler over the many Myrmidons and Aeacus was	A
the son of Jove Therefore as Jove is mightier than any river that	C
flows into the sea so are his children stronger than those of any	T
river whatsoever Moreover you have a great river hard by if he can be	T
of any use to you but there is no fighting against Jove the son of	P
Saturn with whom not even King Achelous can compare nor the mighty	T
stream of deep flowing Oceanus from whom all rivers and seas with all	D2
springs and deep wells proceed even Oceanus fears the lightnings of	P
great Jove and his thunder that comes crashing out of heaven	Z
With this he drew his bronze spear out of the bank and now that	C
he had killed Asteropaeus he let him lie where he was on the sand	Q2
with the dark water flowing over him and the eels and fishes busy	T
nibbling and gnawing the fat that was about his kidneys Then he	T
went in chase of the Paeonians who were flying along the bank of	P
the river in panic when they saw their leader slain by the hands of	P
the son of Peleus Therein he slew Thersilochus Mydon Astypylus	T
Mnesus Thrasius Oeneus and Ophelestes and he would have slain	Z
yet others had not the river in anger taken human form and spoken to	V
him from out the deep waters saying Achilles if you excel all in	Z
strength so do you also in wickedness for the gods are ever with you	V
to protect you if then the son of Saturn has vouchsafed it to you	V
to destroy all the Trojans at any rate drive them out of my stream	Z2
and do your grim work on land My fair waters are now filled with	Y2
corpses nor can I find any channel by which I may pour myself into	V
the sea for I am choked with dead and yet you go on mercilessly	T
slaying I am in despair therefore O captain of your host trouble	N2
me no further	J
Achilles answered So be it Scamander Jove descended but I	N
will never cease dealing out death among the Trojans till I have pent	A3
them up in their city and made trial of Hector face to face that I	N
may learn whether he is to vanquish me or I him	S
As he spoke he set upon the Trojans with a fury like that of the	M
gods But the river said to Apollo Surely son of Jove lord of	P
the silver bow you are not obeying the commands of Jove who charged	B3
you straitly that you should stand by the Trojans and defend them	C3
till twilight fades and darkness is over an the earth	X
Meanwhile Achilles sprang from the bank into mid stream whereon the	M
river raised a high wave and attacked him He swelled his stream	Z2
into a torrent and swept away the many dead whom Achilles had slain	Z
and left within his waters These he cast out on to the land	Q2
bellowing like a bull the while but the living he saved alive hiding	U
them in his mighty eddies The great and terrible wave gathered	E2
about Achilles falling upon him and beating on his shield so that he	T
could not keep his feet he caught hold of a great elm tree but it	G
came up by the roots and tore away the bank damming the stream	Z2
with its thick branches and bridging it all across whereby Achilles	T
struggled out of the stream and fled full speed over the plain for	Y
he was afraid	D3
But the mighty god ceased not in his pursuit and sprang upon him	S
with a dark crested wave to stay his hands and save the Trojans	T
from destruction The son of Peleus darted away a spear's throw from	O
him swift as the swoop of a black hunter eagle which is the strongest	E3
and fleetest of all birds even so did he spring forward and the	M
armour rang loudly about his breast He fled on in front but the	M
river with a loud roar came tearing after As one who would water	J
his garden leads a stream from some fountain over his plants and	A2
all his ground spade in hand he clears away the dams to free the	M
channels and the little stones run rolling round and round with the	M
water as it goes merrily down the bank faster than the man can follow	A
even so did the river keep catching up with Achilles albeit he was a	M
fleet runner for the gods are stronger than men As often as he would	F3
strive to stand his ground and see whether or no all the gods in	Z
heaven were in league against him so often would the mighty wave come	O
beating down upon his shoulders and be would have to keep flying on	Z
and on in great dismay for the angry flood was tiring him out as it	G
flowed past him and ate the ground from under his feet	G3
Then the son of Peleus lifted up his voice to heaven saying Father	J
Jove is there none of the gods who will take pity upon me and save	H3
me from the river I do not care what may happen to me afterwards I	N
blame none of the other dwellers on Olympus so severely as I do my	N
dear mother who has beguiled and tricked me She told me I was to	V
fall under the walls of Troy by the flying arrows of Apollo would	F3
that Hector the best man among the Trojans might there slay me then	Z
should I fall a hero by the hand of a hero whereas now it seems	T
that I shall come to a most pitiable end trapped in this river as	T
though I were some swineherd's boy who gets carried down a torrent	I3
while trying to cross it during a storm	J3
As soon as he had spoken thus Neptune and Minerva came up to him in	Z
the likeness of two men and took him by the hand to reassure him	S
Neptune spoke first Son of Peleus said he be not so exceeding	U
fearful we are two gods come with Jove's sanction to assist you	V
I and Pallas Minerva It is not your fate to perish in this river he	T
will abate presently as you will see moreover we strongly advise you	V
if you will be guided by us not to stay your hand from fighting	U
till you have pent the Trojan host within the famed walls of Ilius as	T
many of them as may escape Then kill Hector and go back to the ships	T
for we will vouchsafe you a triumph over him	S
When they had so said they went back to the other immortals but	K2
Achilles strove onward over the plain encouraged by the charge the	M
gods had laid upon him All was now covered with the flood of	P
waters and much goodly armour of the youths that had been slain was	T
rifting about as also many corpses but he forced his way against the	M
stream speeding right onwards nor could the broad waters stay him	S
for Minerva had endowed him with great strength Nevertheless	T
Scamander did not slacken in his pursuit but was still more furious	T
with the son of Peleus He lifted his waters into a high crest and	A2
cried aloud to Simois saying Dear brother let the two of us unite	K3
to save this man or he will sack the mighty city of King Priam and	A2
the Trojans will not hold out against him Help me at once fill	L3
your streams with water from their sources rouse all your torrents to	V
a fury raise your wave on high and let snags and stones come	O
thundering down you that we may make an end of this savage creature	J
who is now lording it as though he were a god Nothing shall serve him	S
longer not strength nor comeliness nor his fine armour which	M3
forsooth shall soon be lying low in the deep waters covered over	J
with mud I will wrap him in sand and pour tons of shingle round him	S
so that the Achaeans shall not know how to gather his bones for the	M
silt in which I shall have hidden him and when they celebrate his	T
funeral they need build no barrow	A
On this he upraised his tumultuous flood high against Achilles	T
seething as it was with foam and blood and the bo amp ies of the dead The	M
dark waters of the river stood upright and would have overwhelmed	N3
the son of Peleus but Juno trembling lest Achilles should be swept	O3
away in the mighty torrent lifted her voice on high and called out to	V
Vulcan her son Crook foot she cried my child be up and doing	U
for I deem it is with you that Xanthus is fain to fight help us at	C
once kindle a fierce fire I will then bring up the west and the	M
white south wind in a mighty hurricane from the sea that shall bear	I2
the flames against the heads and armour of the Trojans and consume	P3
them while you go along the banks of Xanthus burning his trees and	A2
wrapping him round with fire Let him not turn you back neither by	N
fair words nor foul and slacken not till I shout and tell you Then	Z
you may stay your flames	T
On this Vulcan kindled a fierce fire which broke out first upon the	M
plain and burned the many dead whom Achilles had killed and whose	T
bodies were lying about in great numbers by this means the plain	Z
was dried and the flood stayed As the north wind blowing on an	Z
orchard that has been sodden with autumn rain soon dries it and	A2
the heart of the owner is glad even so the whole plan was dried and	A2
the dead bodies were consumed Then he turned tongues of fire on to	V
the river He burned the elms the willows and the tamarisks the lotus	T
also with the rushes and marshy herbage that grew abundantly by the	M
banks of the river The eels and fishes that go darting about	P2
everywhere in the water these too were sorely harassed by the	M
flames that cunning Vulcan had kindled and the river himself was	T
scalded so that he spoke saying Vulcan there is no god can hold	Q3
his own against you I cannot fight you when you flare out your flames	T
in this way strive with me no longer Let Achilles drive the	M
Trojans out of city immediately What have I to do with quarrelling	U
and helping people	N2
He was boiling as he spoke and all his waters were seething As a	M
cauldron upon 'a large fire boils when it is melting the lard of	P
some fatted hog and the lard keeps bubbling up all over when the	M
dry faggots blaze under it even so were the goodly waters of	P
Xanthus heated with the fire till they were boiling He could flow	A
no longer but stayed his stream so afflicted was he by the blasts	T
of fire which cunning Vulcan had raised Then he prayed to Juno and	A2
besought her saying Juno why should your son vex my stream with	Y2
such especial fury I am not so much to blame as all the others are	R3
who have been helping the Trojans I will leave off since you so	A
desire it and let son leave off also Furthermore I swear never again	Z
will I do anything to save the Trojans from destruction not even when	Z
all Troy is burning in the flames which the Achaeans will kindle	N2
As soon as Juno heard this she said to her son Vulcan Son	Z
Vulcan hold now your flames we ought not to use such violence	T
against a god for the sake of mortals	T
When she had thus spoken Vulcan quenched his flames and the river	J
went back once more into his own fair bed	S3
Xanthus was now beaten so these two left off fighting for Juno	A
stayed them though she was still angry but a furious quarrel broke	U
out among the other gods for they were of divided counsels They fell	T3
on one another with a mighty uproar earth groaned and the spacious	T
firmament rang out as with a blare of trumpets Jove heard as he was	T
sitting on Olympus and laughed for joy when he saw the gods coming to	V
blows among themselves They were not long about beginning and Mars	T
piercer of shields opened the battle Sword in hand he sprang at	C
once upon Minerva and reviled her Why vixen said he have you	V
again set the gods by the ears in the pride and haughtiness of your	Y
heart Have you forgotten how you set Diomed son of Tydeus on to wound	U3
me and yourself took visible spear and drove it into me to the hurt	V3
of my fair body You shall now suffer for what you then did to me	T
As he spoke he struck her on the terrible tasselled aegis so	A
terrible that not even can Jove's lightning pierce it Here did	W3
murderous Mars strike her with his great spear She drew back and with	Y2
her strong hand seized a stone that was lying on the plain great	X3
and rugged and black which men of old had set for the boundary of a	M
field With this she struck Mars on the neck and brought him down	Z
Nine roods did he cover in his fall and his hair was all soiled in	Z
the dust while his armour rang rattling round him But Minerva	M
laughed and vaunted over him saying Idiot have you not learned	Y3
how far stronger I am than you but you must still match yourself	Z3
against me Thus do your mother's curses now roost upon you for she	T
is angry and would do you mischief because you have deserted the	M
Achaeans and are helping the Trojans	T
She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere whereon Jove's	T
daughter Venus took Mars by the hand and led him away groaning all the	M
time for it was only with great difficulty that he had come to	V
himself again When Queen Juno saw her she said to Minerva Look	U
daughter of aegis bearing Jove unweariable that vixen Venus is again	Z
taking Mars through the crowd out of the battle go after her at	C
once	T
Thus she spoke Minerva sped after Venus with a will and made at	C
her striking her on the bosom with her strong hand so that she fell	T3
fainting to the ground and there they both lay stretched at full	A4
length Then Minerva vaunted over her saying May all who help the	M
Trojans against the Argives prove just as redoubtable and stalwart	V3
as Venus did when she came across me while she was helping Mars Had	G2
this been so we should long since have ended the war by sacking the	M
strong city of Ilius	T
Juno smiled as she listened Meanwhile King Neptune turned to Apollo	A
saying Phoebus why should we keep each other at arm's length it is	T
not well now that the others have begun fighting it will be	T
disgraceful to us if we return to Jove's bronze floored mansion on	Z
Olympus without having fought each other therefore come on you are	R3
the younger of the two and I ought not to attack you for I am	B4
older and have had more experience Idiot you have no sense and	A2
forget how we two alone of all the gods fared hardly round about Ilius	T
when we came from Jove's house and worked for Laomedon a whole year at	C
a stated wage and he gave us his orders I built the Trojans the	M
wall about their city so wide and fair that it might be	T
impregnable while you Phoebus herded cattle for him in the dales of	P
many valleyed Ida When however the glad hours brought round the	M
time of payment mighty Laomedon robbed us of all our hire and sent us	T
off with nothing but abuse He threatened to bind us hand and foot and	A2
sell us over into some distant island He tried moreover to cut	K2
off the ears of both of us so we went away in a rage furious about	P2
the payment he had promised us and yet withheld in spite of all	D2
this you are now showing favour to his people and will not join us	T
in compassing the utter ruin of the proud Trojans with their wives and	A2
children	Z
And King Apollo answered Lord of the earthquake you would have no	A
respect for me if I were to fight you about a pack of miserable	N2
mortals who come out like leaves in summer and eat the fruit of the	M
field and presently fall lifeless to the ground Let us stay this	T
fighting at once and let them settle it among themselves	T
He turned away as he spoke for he would lay no hand on the	M
brother of his own father But his sister the huntress Diana	M
patroness of wild beasts was very angry with him and said So you	V
would fly Far Darter and hand victory over to Neptune with a cheap	C4
vaunt to boot Baby why keep your bow thus idle Never let me again	Z
hear you bragging in my father's house as you have often done in	Z
the presence of the immortals that you would stand up and fight	K3
with Neptune	Z
Apollo made her no answer but Jove's august queen was angry and	A2
upbraided her bitterly Bold vixen she cried how dare you cross	T
me thus For all your bow you will find it hard to hold your own	Z
against me Jove made you as a lion among women and lets you kill	L3
them whenever you choose You will And it better to chase wild	D4
beasts and deer upon the mountains than to fight those who are	R3
stronger than you are If you would try war do so and find out by	N
pitting yourself against me how far stronger I am than you are	R3
She caught both Diana's wrists with her left hand as she spoke	U
and with her right she took the bow from her shoulders and laughed as	T
she beat her with it about the ears while Diana wriggled and writhed	D4
under her blows Her swift arrows were shed upon the ground and she	T
fled weeping from under Juno's hand as a dove that flies before a	M
falcon to the cleft of some hollow rock when it is her good fortune	Z
to escape Even so did she fly weeping away leaving her bow and	D4
arrows behind her	J
Then the slayer of Argus guide and guardian said to Leto Leto I	N
shall not fight you it is ill to come to blows with any of Jove's	T
wives Therefore boast as you will among the immortals that you	V
worsted me in fair fight	D4
Leto then gathered up Diana's bow and arrows that had fallen about	D4
amid the whirling dust and when she had got them she made all haste	D4
after her daughter Diana had now reached Jove's bronze floored	D4
mansion on Olympus and sat herself down with many tears on the	M
knees of her father while her ambrosial raiment was quivering all	D2
about her The son of Saturn drew her towards him and laughing	U
pleasantly the while began to question her saying Which of the	M
heavenly beings my dear child has been treating you in this cruel	N2
manner as though you had been misconducting yourself in the face of	P
everybody and the fair crowned goddess of the chase answered It	D4
was your wife Juno father who has been beating me it is always	T
her doing when there is any quarrelling among the immortals	T
Thus did they converse and meanwhile Phoebus Apollo entered the	M
strong city of Ilius for he was uneasy lest the wall should not	D4
hold out and the Danaans should take the city then and there before	Y
its hour had come but the rest of the ever living gods went back	U
some angry and some triumphant to Olympus where they took their seats	T
beside Jove lord of the storm cloud while Achilles still kept on	Z
dealing out death alike on the Trojans and on their As when the	M
smoke from some burning city ascends to heaven when the anger of the	M
gods has kindled it there is then toil for all and sorrow for not	D4
a few even so did Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans	T
Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall looking down on	Z
huge Achilles as the Trojans fled panic stricken before him and there	I2
was none to help them Presently he came down from off the tower and	D4
with many a groan went along the wall to give orders to the brave	H3
warders of the gate Keep the gates said he wide open till the	M
people come flying into the city for Achilles is hard by and is	T
driving them in rout before him I see we are in great peril As	T
soon as our people are inside and in safety close the strong gates	T
for I fear lest that terrible man should come bounding inside along	U
with the others	T
As he spoke they drew back the bolts and opened the gates and	D4
when these were opened there was a haven of refuge for the Trojans	T
Apollo then came full speed out of the city to meet them and protect	D4
them Right for the city and the high wall parched with thirst and	D4
grimy with dust still they fied on with Achilles wielding his	T
spear furiously behind them For he was as one possessed and was	T
thirsting after glory	T
Then had the sons of the Achaeans taken the lofty gates of Troy if	E4
Apollo had not spurred on Agenor valiant and noble son to Antenor He	T
put courage into his heart and stood by his side to guard him	S
leaning against a beech tree and shrouded in thick darkness When	Z
Agenor saw Achilles he stood still and his heart was clouded with	Y2
care Alas said he to himself in his dismay if I fly before	Y
mighty Achilles and go where all the others are being driven in rout	D4
he will none the less catch me and kill me for a coward How would	D4
it be were I to let Achilles drive the others before him and then fly	N
from the wall to the plain that is behind Ilius till I reach the spurs	T
of Ida and can hide in the underwood that is thereon I could then	Z
wash the sweat from off me in the river and in the evening return to	V
Ilius But why commune with myself in this way Like enough he would	D4
see me as I am hurrying from the city over the plain and would	D4
speed after me till he had caught me I should stand no chance against	D4
him for he is mightiest of all mankind What then if I go out and	D4
meet him in front of the city His flesh too I take it can be	T
pierced by pointed bronze Life is the same in one and all and men	Z
say that he is but mortal despite the triumph that Jove son of	P
Saturn vouchsafes him	S
So saying he stood on his guard and awaited Achilles for he was now	L2
fain to fight him As a leopardess that bounds from out a thick covert	D4
to attack a hunter she knows no fear and is not dismayed by the	M
baying of the hounds even though the man be too quick for her and	D4
wound her either with thrust or spear still though the spear has	T
pierced her she will not give in till she has either caught him in her	J
grip or been killed outright even so did noble Agenor son of	P
Antenor refuse to fly till he had made trial of Achilles and took aim	X2
at him with his spear holding his round shield before him and	D4
crying with a loud voice Of a truth said he noble Achilles	T
you deem that you shall this day sack the city of the proud Trojans	T
Fool there will be trouble enough yet before it for there is many	T
a brave man of us still inside who will stand in front of our dear	O2
parents with our wives and children to defend Ilius Here	F4
therefore huge and mighty warrior though you be here shall you cue	V
As he spoke his strong hand hurled his javelin from him and the	M
spear struck Achilles on the leg beneath the knee the greave of newly	T
wrought tin rang loudly but the spear recoiled from the body of him	S
whom it had struck and did not pierce it for the gods gift stayed	D4
it Achilles in his turn attacked noble Agenor but Apollo would not	D4
vouchsafe him glory for he snatched Agenor away and hid him in a	M
thick mist sending him out of the battle unmolested Then he	T
craftily drew the son of Peleus away from going after the host for he	T
put on the semblance of Agenor and stood in front of Achilles who ran	Z
towards him to give him chase and pursued him over the corn lands of	P
the plain turning him towards the deep waters of the river Scamander	F4
Apollo ran but a little way before him and beguiled Achilles by making	U
him think all the time that he was on the point of overtaking him	S
Meanwhile the rabble of routed Trojans was thankful to crowd within	Z
the city till their numbers thronged it no longer did they dare	F4
wait for one another outside the city walls to learn who had	D4
escaped and who were fallen in fight but all whose feet and knees	T
could still carry them poured pell mell into the town	Z

Homer

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