Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... THE ILIAD BOOK I The wrath of Peleus' son, the direful spring Of all the Grecian woes, O Goddess, sing! . That wrath which hurl'd to Pluto's gloomy reign The souls of mighty chiefs untimely slain; 5 Whose limbs unbury'd on the naked shore Devouring dogs and hungry vultures tore. Since great Achilles and Atrides strove, Such was the sov'reign doom, and such the will of Jove. Declare, O Muse! in what ill-fated hour 10 Sprung the fierce strife, from what offended pow'r? Latona's son a dire contagion spread, And heap'd the camp with mountains of the dead; The king of men his rev'rend priest defy'd, And, for the king's offence, the people dy'd. 15 For Chryses sought with costly gifts to gain His captive daughter from the victor's chain. Suppliant the venerable father stands, Apollo's awful ensigns grace his hands: By these he begs; and lowly bending down, a) Extends the sceptre and the laurel crown. He su'd to all, but chief implor'd for grace The brother-kings, of Atreus' royal race. "Ye kings and warriors! may your vows be crown'd, And Troy's proud walls lie level with the ground. May Jove restore you, when your toils are o'er, 2s Safe to the pleasures of your native shore. But oh! relieve a wretched parent's pain, And give Chrusei's to these arms again; If mercy fail, yet let my presents move, And dread avenging Phoebus, son of Jove." 30 The Greeks in shouts their joint assent declare The priest to rev'rence, and release the fair. Not so Atrides: He, with kingly pride, Kepuls'd the sacred sire, and thus reply'd, "Hence on thy life, and fly these hostile plains, 35 Nor ask, presumptuous, what the king detains; Hence, with thy laurel crown, and golden rod, Nor trust too far those ensigns of thy god. Mine is thy daughter, priest, and shall...