Book XXII

BOOK XXII

THUS the Trojans in the city, scared like fawns, wiped the sweat

from off them and drank to quench their thirst, leaning against

the goodly battlements, while the Achaeans with their shields

laid upon their shoulders drew close up to the walls. But stern

fate bade Hector stay where he was before Ilius and the Scaean

gates. Then Phoebus Apollo spoke to the son of Peleus saying,

"Why, son of Peleus, do you, who are but man, give chase to me

who am immortal? Have you not yet found out that it is a god whom

you pursue so furiously? You did not harass the Trojans whom you

had routed, and now they are within their walls, while you have

been decoyed hither away from them. Me you cannot kill, for death

can take no hold upon me."

Achilles was greatly angered and said, "You have baulked me,

Far-Darter, most malicious of all gods, and have drawn me away

from the wall, where many another man would have bitten the dust

ere he got within Ilius; you have robbed me of great glory and

have saved the Trojans at no risk to yourself, for you have

nothing to fear, but I would indeed have my revenge if it were in

my power to do so."

On this, with fell intent he made towards the city, and as the

winning horse in a chariot race strains every nerve when he is

flying over the plain, even so fast and furiously did the limbs

of Achilles bear him onwards. King Priam was first to note him as

he scoured the plain, all radiant as the star which men call

Orion's Hound, and whose beams blaze forth in time of harvest

more brilliantly than those of any other that shines by night;

brightest of them all though he be, he yet bodes ill for mortals,

for he brings fire and fever in his train--even so did Achilles'

armour gleam on his breast as he sped onwards. Priam raised a cry

and beat his head with his hands as he lifted them up and shouted

out to his dear son, imploring him to return; but Hector still

stayed before the gates, for his heart was set upon doing battle

with Achilles. The old man reached out his arms towards him and

bade him for pity's sake come within the walls. "Hector," he

cried, "my son, stay not to face this man alone and unsupported,

or you will meet death at the hands of the son of Peleus, for he

is mightier than you. Monster that he is; would indeed that the

gods loved him no better than I do, for so, dogs and vultures

would soon devour him as he lay stretched on earth, and a load of

grief would be lifted from my heart, for many a brave son has he

reft from me, either by killing them or selling them away in the