Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/44

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14
HOMER

To plans like these while yet Patroclus lies 475
A corpse unwept, uuburied, at the fleet?
I never will forget him while I live
And while these limbs have motion. Though below
In Hades they forget the dead, yet I
Will there remember my beloved friend. 480
Now then, ye youths of Greece, move on and chant
A paean, while returning to the fleet.
We bring great glory with us; we have slain
The noble Hector, whom, throughout their town,
The Trojans ever worshiped like a god." 485
He spake, and planning in his mind to treat
The noble Hector shamefully, he bored
The sinews of his feet between the heel
And ankle; drawing through them leathern thongs
He bound them to the car, but left the head 490
To trail in dust. And then he climbed the car,
Took in the shining mail, and lashed to speed
The coursers. Not unwillingly they flew.
Around the dead, as he was dragged along.
The dust arose; his dark locks swept the ground. 495
That head, of late so noble in men's eyes.
Lay deep amid the dust, for Jove that day
Suffered the foes of Hector to insult
His corse in his own land. His mother saw,
And tore her hair, and flung her lustrous veil 500
Away, and uttered piercing shrieks. No less
His father, who so loved him, piteously
Bewailed him; and in all the streets of Troy
The people wept aloud, with such lament
As if the towery Ilium were in flames 505
Even to its loftiest roofs. They scarce could keep
The aged king within, who, wild with grief,
Struggled to rush through the Dardanian gates,