Through falling squadrons bear my slaughtering sword, Nor, as ye left Patroclus, leave your lord. 445 The generous Xanthus, as the words he said, Achilles! yes! this day at least we bear 455 460 Then ceas'd for ever, by the Furies ty'd, His fateful voice. Th' intrepid chief reply'd, 465 With unabated rage-So let it be! Portents and prodigies are loft on me. I know my fates: to die, to fee no more My much-lov'd parents, and my native shoreEnough-when Heaven ordains, I fink in night; 470 Now perish Troy! he said, and rush'd to fight. THE ARGUMEN T. The Battle of the Gods, and the Acts of Achilles. JUPITER, upon Achilles's return to the battle, calls a council of the Gods, and permits them to affift either party. The terrours of the battle defcribed, when the Deities are engaged. Apollo encourages Eneas to meet Achilles. After a long converfation, these two heroes encounter; but Æneas is preferved by the affiftance of Neptune. Achilles falls upon the rest of the Trojans, and is upon the point of killing Hector, but Apollo conveys him away in a cloud. Achilles purfues the Trojans with a great flaughter. The fame day continues. The fcene is in the field before Troy. T THE ILIA BOOK XX. D. HUS round Pelides breathing war and blood, Not one was absent, not a rural Power, On marble thrones with lucid columns crown'd P 3 15 What * Neptune. What moves the God who heaven and earth comAnd grafps the thunder in his awful hands, [mands, Thus to convene the whole ætherial ftate? Is Greecé and Troy the subject in debate? 25 And death ftands ardent on the edge of war. 'Tis true (the Cloud-compelling Power replies) This day, we call the council of the skies 30 In care of human race; ev'n Jove's own eye Sees with regret unhappy mortals die. Far on Olympus' top in fecret ftate Ourself will fit, and fee the hand of Fate Work out our will. Celestial Powers! defcend, 35 40 Their troops but lately durft not meet his eyes; And Vulcan, the black fovereign of the fire! rage: 50 Mars fiery-helm'd, the laughter-loving Dame, Xanthus, |