ere
finally placed in an urn, where those of Achilles were in time to
mingle with those of his friend.

_Book XXIV._ Although most of the Greek warriors are resting after the
strenuous pleasures of the day, Achilles weeps in his tent until
daybreak, when he harnesses his horses to his chariot and again drags
Hector's body around Patroclus' tomb, little suspecting how Venus and
Apollo guard it from all harm. It is only on the twelfth day after
Patroclus' death, that the gods interfere in behalf of the Trojans, by
sending Iris to Priam to guide him to Achilles' tent, where they
assure him his prayers will obtain his son's body. The rainbow goddess
not only serves as guide to the mourning father, but brings him unseen
into Achilles' tent, where, falling at the hero's feet, the aged
Priam sues in such touching terms that the Greek warrior's heart melts
and tears stream down his cheeks. Not only does he grant Priam's
request, but assures him he is far happier than Peleus, since he still
has several sons to cheer him although Hector has been slain.

These words soft pity in the chief inspire,
Touch'd with the dear remembrance of his sire.
Then with his hand (as prostrate still he lay)
The old man's cheek he gently turn'd away.
Now each by turns indulged the gush of woe;
And now the mingled tides together flow:
This low on earth, that gently bending o'er;
A father one, and one a son deplore:
But great Achilles different passions rend,
And now his sire he mourns, and now his friend.
The infectious softness through the heroes ran
One universal solemn shower began;
They bore as heroes, but they felt as man.

Still guided by Iris, Priam conveys the body of his son back to Troy,
where his mother, wife, and the other Trojan women utter a touching
lament. Then a funeral pyre is built, and the Iliad of Homer closes
with brave Hector's obsequies.

All Troy then moves to Priam's court again,
A solemn, silent, melancholy train:
Assembled there, from pious toil they rest,
And sadly shared the last sepulchral feast.
Such honors Ilion to her hero paid,
And peaceful slept the mighty Hector's shade.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 2: All the quotations from the Iliad are taken from Pope's
translation.]

THE ODYSSEY

_Book I._ Homer's second great epic covers a period of forty-two days.
After the opening invocation he proceeds to relate the adventures of
Ulysses. Nearly ten years have elaps