To conclude this part of my subject, I will quote from the greatest of all narrative writers two passages;--one exemplifying the imagination which brings supernatural things to bear on earthly, without confounding them; the other, that which paints events and circumstances after real life. The first is where Achilles, who has long absented himself from the conflict between his countrymen and the Trojans, has had a message from heaven bidding him reappear in the enemy’s sight, standing outside the camp-wall upon the trench, but doing nothing more; that is to say, taking no part in the fight. He is simply to be seen. The two armies down by the sea-side are contending which shall possess the body of Patroclus; and the mere sight of the dreadful Grecian chief--supernaturally indeed impressed upon them, in order that nothing may be wanting to the full effect of his courage and conduct upon courageous men--is to determine the question. We are to imagine a slope of ground towards the sea, in order to elevate the trench; the camp is solitary; the battle (‘a dreadful roar of men,’ as Homer calls it) is raging on the sea-shore; and the goddess Iris has just delivered her message, and disappeared. But up Achilles rose, the lov’d of heaven; And Pallas on his mighty shoulders cast The shield of Jove; and round about his head She put the glory of a golden mist, From which there burnt a fiery-flaming light. And as, when smoke goes heavenward from a town, In some far island which its foes besiege, Who all day long with dreadful martialness Have pour’d from their own town; soon as the sun Has set, thick lifted fires are visible, Which, rushing upward, make a light in the sky, And let the neighbours know, who may perhaps Bring help across the sea; so from the head Of great Achilles went up an effulgence. Upon the trench he stood, without the wall, But mix’d not with the Greeks, for he rever’d His mother’s word; and so, thus standing there, He shouted; and Minerva, to his shout, Added a dreadful cry; and there arose Among the Trojans an unspeakable tumult. And as the clear voice of a trumpet, blown Against a town by spirit-withering foes, So sprang the clear voice of Aeacides. And when they heard the brazen cry, their hearts All leap’d within them; and the proud-maned horses Ran with the chariots round, for they foresaw Calamity; and the charioteers were smitten, When they beheld the ever-active fire Upon the dreadful head of the great-minded one Burning; for bright-eyed Pallas made it burn. Thrice o’er the trench divine Achilles shouted; And thrice the Trojans and their great allies Roll’d back; and twelve of all their noblest men Then perish’d, crush’d by their own arms and chariots. _Iliad_, xviii. 203.