That when two Gods have giv’n thy hands what their pow’rs did obtain, (They conqu’ring, and they spoiling me both of my arms and mind, It being a work of ease for them) thy soul should be so blind To oversee their evident deeds, and take their pow’rs to thee; When, if the pow’rs of twenty such had dar’d t’ encounter me, My lance had strew’d earth with them all. Thou only dost obtain A third place in my death; whom, first, a harmful hate hath slain Effected by Latona’s son; second, and first of men, Euphorbus. And this one thing more concerns thee; note it then; Thou shalt not long survive thyself; nay, now death calls for thee, And violent fate; Achilles’ lance shall make this good for me.” Thus death join’d to his words his end; his soul took instant wing, And to the house that hath no lights descended) sorrowing For his sad fate, to leave him young, and in his ablest age. He dead, yet Hector ask’d him why, in that prophetic rage, He so forespake him, when none knew but great Achilles might Prevent his death, and on his lance receive his latest light? Thus setting on his side his foot, he drew out of his wound His brazen lance, and upwards cast the body on the ground; When quickly, while the dart was hot, he charg’d Automedon, Divine guide of Achilles’ steeds, in great contention To seize him too; but his so swift and deathless horse, that fetch’d Their gift to Peleus from the Gods, soon rapt him from his reach. THE END OF THE SIXTEENTH BOOK. [1] Jupiter called the God of sounds, for the chief sound his thunder. [2] A simile most lively expressive. THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ILIADS THE ARGUMENT A dreadful fight about Patroclus’ corse; Euphorbus slain by Menelaus’ force; Hector in th’ armour of Æacides; Antilochus relating the decease Of slain Patroclus to fair Thetis’ son; The body from the striving Trojans won; Th’ Ajaces making good the after field; Make all the subject that this book doth yield, ANOTHER ARGUMENT In Rho the vent’rous hosts maintain A slaught’rous conflict for the slain.