glory from him, snatching wrapt in clouds 690
Agenor thence, whom calm he sent away.
Then Phoebus from pursuit of Ilium's host
By art averted Peleus' son; the form
Assuming of Agenor, swift he fled
Before him, and Achilles swift pursued. 695
While him Apollo thus lured to the chase
Wide o'er the fruitful plain, inclining still
Toward Scamander's dizzy stream his course
Nor flying far before, but with false hope
Always beguiling him, the scatter'd host 700
Meantime, in joyful throngs, regain'd the town.
They fill'd and shut it fast, nor dared to wait
Each other in the field, or to inquire
Who lived and who had fallen, but all, whom flight
Had rescued, like a flood pour'd into Troy. 705

* * * * *

The Trojans being now within the city, excepting Hector, the field is
cleared for the most important and decisive action in the poem; that
is, the battle between Achilles and Hector, and the death of the
latter. This part of the story is managed with singular skill. It
seems as if the poet, feeling the importance of the catastrophe,
wished to withdraw from view the personages of less consequence, and
to concentrate our attention upon those two alone. The poetic action
and description are narrowed in extent, but deepened in interest. The
fate of Troy is impending; the irreversible decree of Jupiter is about
to be executed; the heroes, whose bravery is to be the instrument of
bringing about this consummation, are left together on the
plain.--FELTON.

THE ILIAD.

BOOK XXII.

ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND BOOK.

Achilles slays Hector.

BOOK XXII.

Thus they, throughout all Troy, like hunted fawns
Dispersed, their trickling limbs at leisure cool'd,
And, drinking, slaked their fiery thirst, reclined
Against the battlements. Meantime, the Greeks
Sloping their shields, approach'd the walls of Troy, 5
And Hector, by his adverse fate ensnared,
Still stood exposed before the Scaean gate.
Then spake Apollo thus to Peleus' son.
Wherefore, thyself mortal, pursuest thou me
Immortal? oh Achilles! blind with rage, 10
Thou know'st not yet, that thou pursuest a God.
U