Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
rushed towards each other, and two champions, by far the foremost
of them all, met between the hosts to fight- to wit, Aeneas son of
Anchises, and noble Achilles.
Aeneas was first to stride forward in attack, his doughty helmet
tossing defiance as he came on. He held his strong shield before his
breast, and brandished his bronze spear. The son of Peleus from
the other side sprang forth to meet him, fike some fierce lion that
the whole country-side has met to hunt and kill- at first he bodes
no ill, but when some daring youth has struck him with a spear, he
crouches openmouthed, his jaws foam, he roars with fury, he lashes
his tail from side to side about his ribs and loins, and glares as he
springs straight before him, to find out whether he is to slay, or be
slain among the foremost of his foes- even with such fury did
Achilles burn to spring upon Aeneas.
When they were now close up with one another Achilles was first
to speak. “Aeneas,” said he, “why do you stand thus out before the
host to fight me? Is it that you hope to reign over the Trojans in the
seat of Priam? Nay, though you kill me Priam will not hand his
kingdom over to you. He is a man of sound judgement, and he has
sons of his own. Or have the Trojans been allotting you a demesne
of passing richness, fair with orchard lawns and corn lands, if you
should slay me? This you shall hardly do. I have discomfited you
once already. Have you forgotten how when you were alone I
chased you from your herds helter-skelter down the slopes of Ida?
You did not turn round to look behind you; you took refuge in
Lyrnessus, but I attacked the city, and with the help of Minerva and
father Jove I sacked it and carried its women into captivity, though
Jove and the other gods rescued you. You think they will protect
396