So helms fucceeding helms, fo fhields from fhields Catch the quick beams, and brighten all the fields; 385 Broad-glittering breaft-plates, fpears with pointed rays, Mix in one stream, reflecting blaze on blaze : Thick beats the centre as the courfers bound, With fplendour flame the skies, and laugh the fields around. Full in the midft, high-towering o'er the reft, 390 His limbs in arms divine Achillės dreft; Arms which the Father of the Fire beftow'd, 395 4.00 405 Then o'er his breaft was brac'd the hollow gold: So ftream'd the golden honours from his head, Trembled the sparkling plumes, and the loofe glories fhed. The chief beholds himself with wondering eyes; 415 420 And now he shakes his great paternal spear, Ponderous and huge! which not a Greek could rear. From Pelion's cloudy top an afh entire Old Chiron fell'd, and shap'd it for his fire; Automedon and Alcimus prepare Th' immortal courfers and the radiant car 425 The ivory-studded reins, return'd behind, 430 Wav'd o'er their backs, and to the chariot join'd. The charioteer then whirl'd the lash around, And fwift afcended at one active bound. All bright in heavenly arms, above his fquire Achilles mounts, and fets the field on fire; 435 Not brighter Phoebus, in th' etherial way, Flames from his chariot, and restores the day. High o'er the hoft all terrible he stands, And thunders to his fteeds thefe dread commands: Xanthus and Balius! of Podarges' strain 440 (Unless ye boaft that heavenly race in vain) Be fwift, be mindful of the load ye bear, And learn to make your mafter more your care: Through falling fquadrons bear my flaughtering fword, Nor, as ye left Patroclus, leave your lord. 445 The generous Xanthus, as the words he faid, Achilles! yes! this day at least we bear 455 460 All were in vain-the Fates thy death demand, Then ceas'd for ever, by the Furies ty'd, His fateful voice. Th' intrepid chief reply'd, 465 With unabated rage-So let it be! Portents and prodigies are loft on me. I know my fates; to die, to fee no more My much-lov'd parents, and my native shore- Now perish Troy! he faid, and rush'd to fight. THE ARGUMENT. The Battle of the Gods, and the Acts of Achilles. JUPITER, upon Achilles's return to the battle, calls. a council of the Gods, and permits them to affift either party. The terrours of the battle defcribed, when the Deities, are engaged. Apollo encourages. Eneas to meet Achilles. After a long converfation, these two heroes encounter; but Æneas is preferved by the affiftance of Neptune. Achilles falls. upon the rest of the Trojans, and is upon the point of killing Hector, but Apollo conveys him away in a cloud. Achilles purfues the Trojans with a great flaughter. The fame day continues. The fcene is in the field, before Troy. |