第65章

Ringedmushroomstoldofthem，andintheirthroats，Oldwesthatgatheredherbsandknewtoomuch。

Thepensionedforesterbesidehiscrutch，Struckshowersfromembersatthosebodefulnotes。

Camethentheone，allear，alleye，allheart；

Devourer，andinsensiblydevoured；

Inwhomthecityoverforestflowered，Theforestwreathedthecity’sdrama-mart。

TherefoundheinnewformthatDragonold，Fromtangledsolitudesexpelled；andtaughtHowblindlyeachitsantidotebesought；

Foreither’sbreaththeneedsofeithertold。

X

Nowdeepinwoods，withsongnosermon’sdrone，Heshowedwhatcharmthehumanconcourseworks：

Amidthepressofmen，whatrtuelurksWherebubblesacredwellsofwildnesslone。

Ourconquestthese：ifhaplyweretainThereverencethatne’erwilloverrunDueboundariesofrealmsfromNaturewon，Norletthepoet’saweinrapturewane。

“Heighme!brazenoffront，thougluttonforplunder，howcanone，Servantheretothymandates，heedtheeamongourAchaians，Eitherthemissionhieonorstoutlydofightwiththefoemen？

I，nothitherIfaredonaccountofthespear-armedTrojans，Pledgedtothecombat；theyuntomehaveinnowiseaharmdone；

Neverhavethey，ofatruth，comeliftingmyhorsesoroxen；

Neverindeep-soiledPhthia，thenurserofheroes，myharvestsRavaged，they；forbetweenusisnumberedfullmanyadarksomeMountain，ay，therewithtoothestretchofthewindysea-waters。

Ohugelyshameless!theedidwefollowtoheartenthee，justicePluckfromtheDardansforhim，Menelaos，theetoo，thoudog-eyed!

Whereoflittlethythoughtis，noughtwhateverthoureckest。

Worse，itisthouwhosethreat’tistorashmyprizefromme，portionWonwithmuchlabour，thewhichmygiftfromthesonsofAchaia。

Never，insooth，haveIknownmyprizeequalthinewhenAchaiansGavesomeflourishingpopulousTrojantownuptopillage。

Nay，sure，minewerethehandsdidmostinthestormofthecombat，Yetwhencameperadventureshareofthebootyamongstus，Biggertotheewenttheprize，whileIsomesmallblessedthingboreOfftotheships，myshareofrewardformytoilinthebloodshed!

SonowgoItoPhthia，forbetterbymuchitbeseemsmeHomewardgowithmybeakedshipsnow，andIholdnotinprospect，Ibeingoutraged，thoumaystgatherhereplunderandwealth-store。“

THEINVECTEOFACHILLES——Iliad，i。225

“Bibberbesotted，withscowlofacur，hangheartofadeer，thou!

Nevertojointothywarriorsarmedforthepressoftheconflict，NeverforambushforthwiththeprinceliestsonsofAchaiaDaredthysoul，fortotheethatthingwouldhavelookedasadeath-

stroke。

Sooth，moreeasyitseems，downthelengthenedarrayofAchaians，Snatchattheprizeoftheonewhosevoicehasbeenliftedagainstthee。

Raveningkingofthefolk，forthatthouhastthyruleoverabjects；

Else，sonofAtreus，nowwerethisoutrageonmethylastone。

Nay，butItellthee，andIdoswearabigoathonitlikewise：

Yea，bythesceptrehere，anditsurelybearsbranchesandleaf-budsNeveragain，sincefirstitwasloppedfromitstrunkonthemountains，Nomoresprouting；forrounditallcleanhasthesharpmetalclippedoffLeavesandthebark；ay，verifynowdothesonsofAchaia，GuardianhandsofthecounselsofZeus，pronouncingthejudgement，Holditaloft；sonowuntotheeshalltheoathhaveitsportent；

LoudwillthecryforAchillesburstfromthesonsofAchaiaThroughoutthearmy，andthouchafepowerless，thoughinananguish，Howtogesuccourwhenvastcropsdownunderman-slayingHectorTumbleexpiring；andthoudeepintheeshalttearatthyheart-

strings，Rage-wrung，thou，thatinnoughtthoudidsthonourtheflowerofAchaians。“

Likeasaterriblefirefeedsfastonaforestenormous，Uponamountainheight，andtheblazeofitradiatesroundfar，Soonthebrightblestarmsofthehostintheirmarchdidthesple