Weeds that the wind did toss The virgins wore; the youths wov’n coats, that cast a faint dim gloss Like that of oil. Fresh garlands too, the virgins’ temples crown’d; The youths gilt swords wore at their thighs, with silver bawdrics bound. Sometimes all wound close in a ring, to which as fast they spun As any wheel a turner makes, being tried how it will run, While he is set; and out again, as full of speed they wound, Not one left fast, or breaking hands. A multitude stood round, Delighted with their nimble sport; to end which two begun, Mids all, a song, and turning sung the sports conclusión, All this he circled in the shield, with pouring round about, In all his rage, the Ocean, that it might never out. This shield thus done, he forg’d for him, such curets as outshin’d The blaze of fire. A helmet then (through which no steel could find Forc’d passage) he compos’d, whose hue a hundred colours took, And in the crest a plume of gold, that each breath stirr’d, he stuck. All done, he all to Thetis brought, and held all up to her. She took them all, and like t’ the hawk, surnam’d the osspringer, From Vulcan to her mighty son, with that so glorious show, Stoop’d from the steep Olympian hill, hid in eternal snow. THE END OF THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK. THE NINETEENTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ILIADS THE ARGUMENT Thetis presenting armour to her son, He calls a court, with full reflection Of all his wrath; takes of the king of men Free-offer’d gifts. All take their breakfast then; He only fasting, arms, and brings abroad The Grecian host, and (hearing the abode Of his near death by Xanthus prophesied) The horse, for his so bold presage, doth chide. ANOTHER ARGUMENT Ταυ̑ gives the anger period, And great Achilles comes abroad.