Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
the brain inside was shed in all directions, and his lust of fighting
was ended. Then he struck Hippodamas in the midriff as he was
springing down from his chariot in front of him, and trying to
escape. He breathed his last, bellowing like a bull bellows when
young men are dragging him to offer him in sacrifice to the King of
Helice, and the heart of the earth-shaker is glad; even so did he
bellow as he lay dying. Achilles then went in pursuit of Polydorus
son of Priam, whom his father had always forbidden to fight
because he was the youngest of his sons, the one he loved best, and
the fastest runner. He, in his folly and showing off the fleetness of
his feet, was rushing about among front ranks until he lost his life,
for Achilles struck him in the middle of the back as he was darting
past him: he struck him just at the golden fastenings of his belt and
where the two pieces of the double breastplate overlapped. The
point of the spear pierced him through and came out by the navel,
whereon he fell groaning on to his knees and a cloud of darkness
overshadowed him as he sank holding his entrails in his hands.
When Hector saw his brother Polydorus with his entrails in his
hands and sinking down upon the ground, a mist came over his
eyes, and he could not bear to keep longer at a distance; he
therefore poised his spear and darted towards Achilles like a flame
of fire. When Achilles saw him he bounded forward and vaunted
saying, “This is he that has wounded my heart most deeply and
has slain my beloved comrade. Not for long shall we two quail
before one another on the highways of war.”
He looked fiercely on Hector and said, “Draw near, that you may
meet your doom the sooner.” Hector feared him not and answered,
“Son of Peleus, think not that your words can scare me as though I
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