Page 416 - the-iliad

BOOK XXI

OW when they came to the ford of the full-flowing
Nriver Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove, Achilles
cut their forces in two: one half he chased over the plain
towards the city by the same way that the Achaeans had
taken when flying panic-stricken on the preceding day with
Hector in full triumph; this way did they fly pell-mell, and
Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them.
The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver-eddying
stream, and fell into it with a great uproar. The waters re-
sounded, and the banks rang again, as they swam hither
and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies. As
locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire—the
flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they
huddle into the water—even so was the eddying stream of
Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all strug-
gling in confusion before Achilles.
Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank, leaning
it against a tamarisk bush, and plunged into the river like a
god, armed with his sword only. Fell was his purpose as he
hewed the Trojans down on every side. Their dying groans
rose hideous as the sword smote them, and the river ran red
with blood. As when fish fly scared before a huge dolphin,
and fill every nook and corner of some fair haven—for he
is sure to eat all he can catch—even so did the Trojans cow-

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