Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ILIAD: BOOK 8, SELECTION, by HOMER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ILIAD: BOOK 8, SELECTION, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: As in the heights of heaven the moon gleams clear, and around her
Last Line: Roused them, their good steeds stood, white oats and barley before them.
Subject(s): Achilles; Mythology - Classical; Trojan War


AS in the heights of heaven the moon gleams clear, and around her
Shine in their beauty the stars, nor is one cloud moving in ether;
Shines forth every cliff, and the jutting peaks of the headlands,
Forest and glen: then, -- as opens the rifting firmament heavenwards, --
Star is revealed upon star: and gay is the heart of the herdsman: --
Not in less number than they, from the Xanthus' stream to the sea sands,
Glimmered the red watchfires that encompassed Ilion alway; --
Glimmered amid Troy's host as a thousand stars; and at each one
There sat threescore and ten, their face lighted up by the firebrand.
Meanwhile, each at his car, till crowned in her glory the morning
Roused them, their good steeds stood, white oats and barley before them.





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