The Iliad of Homer Translated into English Blank Verse by...

So saying, he pierced the neck of Dryops through,560 And at his feet he fell. Him there he left, And turning on a valiant warrior huge, Philetor’s son, Demuchus, in the knee Pierced, and detain’d him by the planted spear, Till with his sword he smote him, and he died.565 Laogonus and Dardanus he next Assaulted, sons of Bias; to the ground Dismounting both, one with his spear he slew, The other with his falchion at a blow. Tros too, Alastor’s son—he suppliant clasp’d570 Achilles’ knees, and for his pity sued, Pleading equality of years, in hope That he would spare, and send him thence alive. Ah dreamer! ignorant how much in vain That suit he urged; for not of milky mind,575 Or placable in temper was the Chief To whom he sued, but fiery. With both hands His knees he clasp’d importunate, and he Fast by the liver gash’d him with his sword. His liver falling forth, with sable blood580 His bosom fill’d, and darkness veil’d his eyes. Then, drawing close to Mulius, in his ear He set the pointed brass, and at a thrust Sent it, next moment, through his ear beyond. Then, through the forehead of Agenor’s son585 Echechlus, his huge-hafted blade he drove, And death and fate forever veil’d his

eyes. Next, where the tendons of the elbow meet, Striking Deucalion, through his wrist he urged The brazen point; he all defenceless stood,590 Expecting death; down came Achilles’ blade Full on his neck; away went head and casque Together; from his spine the marrow sprang, And at his length outstretch’d he press’d the plain. From him to Rhigmus, Pireus’ noble son,595 He flew, a warrior from the fields of Thrace. Him through the loins he pierced, and with the beam Fixt in his bowels, to the earth he fell; Then piercing, as he turn’d to flight, the spine Of Areithöus his charioteer,600 He thrust him from his seat; wild with dismay Back flew the fiery coursers at his fall. As a devouring fire within the glens Of some dry mountain ravages the trees, While, blown around, the flames roll to all sides,605 So, on all sides, terrible as a God, Achilles drove the death-devoted host Of Ilium, and the champain ran with blood. As when the peasant his yoked steers employs To tread his barley, the broad-fronted pair610 With ponderous hoofs trample it out with ease, So, by magnanimous Achilles driven, His coursers solid-hoof’d stamp’d as they ran The shields, at once, and bodies of the slain;