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

But when Aurora, daughter of the Dawn, Redden’d the east, then, thronging forth, all Troy Encompass’d noble Hector’s pile around.995 The whole vast multitude convened, with wine They quench’d the pile throughout, leaving no part Unvisited, on which the fire had seized. His brothers, next, collected, and his friends, His white bones, mourning, and with tears profuse1000 Watering their cheeks; then in a golden urn They placed them, which with mantles soft they veil’d Mæonian-hued, and, delving, buried it, And overspread with stones the spot adust. Lastly, short time allowing to the task,1005 They heap’d his tomb, while, posted on all sides, Suspicious of assault, spies watch’d the Greeks. The tomb once heap’d, assembling all again Within the palace, they a banquet shared Magnificent, by godlike Priam given.1010 Such burial the illustrious Hector found.[20]

[I cannot take my leave of this noble poem, without expressing how much I am struck with this plain conclusion of it. It is like the exit of a great man out of company whom he has entertained magnificently; neither pompous nor familiar; not contemptuous, yet without much ceremony. I recollect nothing, among the works of mere man, that exemplifies so strongly the true style of great antiquity.]—Tr.