ht stay him from
slaughter and save the sons of Troy. So far as a man may throw a spear, so
far did Achilles leap; strong as an eagle was he, the hunting-bird that is
the strongest and swiftest of all birds. And still as he fled the River
pursued after him with a great roar. Even as it is with a man that would
water his garden, bringing a stream from a fountain; he has a pick-axe in
his hand to break down all that would stay the water; and the stream runs
on, rolling the pebbles along with it, and overtakes him that guides it.
Even so did the River overtake Achilles, for all that he was swift of
foot, for indeed the Gods are mightier than men. And when Achilles would
have stood against the River, seeking to know whether indeed all the Gods
were against him, then the great wave smote upon his shoulders; and when
he leapt into the air, it bowed his knees beneath him and devoured the
ground from under his feet. Then Achilles looked up to heaven and groaned,
crying out, "O Zeus, will none of the Gods pity me, and save me from the
River? I care not what else may befall me. Truly my mother hath deceived
me, saying that I should perish under the walls of Troy by the arrows of
Apollo. Surely it had been better that Hector should slay me, for he is
the bravest of the men of Troy, but now I shall perish miserably in the
River, as some herd-boy perisheth whom a torrent sweeps away in a storm."

So he spake; but Poseidon and Athene stood by him, having taken upon them
the shape of men, and took him by the hand and strengthened him with
comforting words, for Poseidon spake, saying, "Son of Peleus, tremble not,
neither be afraid. It is not thy fate to be mastered by the River. He
shall soon cease from troubling thee. And do thou heed what we say. Stay
not thy hands from the battle, till thou shalt have driven all the sons of
Troy that escape thee within the walls of the city. And when thou shalt
have slain Hector, go back to the ships; for this day is the day of thy
glory."

Then the two departed from him. Now all the plain was covered with water,
wherein floated much fair armor and many dead bodies. But Achilles went on
even against the stream, nor could the River hold him back; for Athene put
great might into his heart. Yet did not Scamander cease from his wrath,
but lifted his waves yet higher, and cried aloud to Simois, "Dear brother,
let us two stay the fury of this man, or else of a surety he will destroy
the city of Priam. Com