[The Iliad by Homer]@TWC D-Link book
The Iliad

BOOK XII
10/20

You would have me pay no heed to the counsels of Jove, nor to the promises he made me--and he bowed his head in confirmation; you bid me be ruled rather by the flight of wild-fowl.
What care I whether they fly towards dawn or dark, and whether they be on my right hand or on my left?
Let us put our trust rather in the counsel of great Jove, king of mortals and immortals.

There is one omen, and one only--that a man should fight for his country.

Why are you so fearful?
Though we be all of us slain at the ships of the Argives you are not likely to be killed yourself, for you are not steadfast nor courageous.

If you will not fight, or would talk others over from doing so, you shall fall forthwith before my spear." With these words he led the way, and the others followed after with a cry that rent the air.

Then Jove the lord of thunder sent the blast of a mighty wind from the mountains of Ida, that bore the dust down towards the ships; he thus lulled the Achaeans into security, and gave victory to Hector and to the Trojans, who, trusting to their own might and to the signs he had shown them, essayed to break through the great wall of the Achaeans.


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