Page 436 - the-iliad

BOOK XXII

HUS the Trojans in the city, scared like fawns, wiped the
Tsweat from off them and drank to quench their thirst,
leaning against the goodly battlements, while the Achae-
ans 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