Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
will have pity upon the town, with the wives and little ones If the
Trojans.” Thus she prayed, but Pallas Minerva granted not her
prayer.
While they were thus praying to the daughter of great Jove, Hector
went to the fair house of Alexandrus, which he had built for him by
the foremost builders in the land. They had built him his house,
storehouse, and courtyard near those of Priam and Hector on the
acropolis. Here Hector entered, with a spear eleven cubits long in
his hand; the bronze point gleamed in front of him, and was
fastened to the shaft of the spear by a ring of gold. He found
Alexandrus within the house, busied about his armour, his shield
and cuirass, and handling his curved bow; there, too, sat Argive
Helen with her women, setting them their several tasks; and as
Hector saw him he rebuked him with words of scorn. “Sir,” said he,
“you do ill to nurse this rancour; the people perish fighting round
this our town; you would yourself chide one whom you saw
shirking his part in the combat. Up then, or ere long the city will be
in a blaze.”
And Alexandrus answered, “Hector, your rebuke is just; listen
therefore, and believe me when I tell you that I am not here so
much through rancour or ill-will towards the Trojans, as from a
desire to indulge my grief. My wife was even now gently urging
me to battle, and I hold it better that I should go, for victory is ever
fickle. Wait, then, while I put on my armour, or go first and I will
follow. I shall be sure to overtake you.”
Hector made no answer, but Helen tried to soothe him. “Brother,”
said she, “to my abhorred and sinful self, would that a whirlwind
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