Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Thus spake he urging them. But to the Trojans glorious Hector called
aloud, and proclaimed that he would go forth against Achilles:
“High-hearted Trojans, fear not Peleus’ son. I too in words could fight
even Immortals, but with the spear it were hard, for they are stronger
far. Neither shall Achilles accomplish all his talk, but part thereof
he is to accomplish, and part to break asunder in the midst. And
against him will I go forth, though the hands of him be even as fire,
yea though his hands be as fire and his fierceness as the flaming
steel.”
Thus spake he urging them, and the Trojans raised their spears for
battle; and their fierceness was mingled confusedly, and the battle-cry
arose. Then Phoebus Apollo stood by Hector and spake to him: “Hector,
no longer challenge Achilles at all before the lines, but in the throng
await him and from amid the roar of the battle, lest haply he spear
thee or come near and smite thee with his sword.”
Thus spake he, and Hector again fell back into the crowd of men, for he
was amazed when he heard the sound of a god’s voice.
But Achilles sprang in among the Trojans, his heart clothed with
strength, crying his terrible cry, and first he took Iphition,
Otrynteus’ valiant son, a leader of much people, born of a Naiad nymph
to Otrynteus waster of cities, beneath snowy Tmolos, in Hyde’s rich
domain. Him as he came right on did goodly Achilles smite with his
hurled spear, down through the midst of his head, and it was rent
asunder utterly. And he fell with a crash, and goodly Achilles exulted
over him; “here is thy death, thy birth was on the Gygaian lake, where
is thy sire’s demesne, by Hyllos rich in fish and eddying Hermos.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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