Classic Poem

All this (said she) we know,
And wish, thou onely wouldst but show, thy person to the eyes
Of these hot Ilians, that (afraid, of further enterprise)
The Greeks may gaine some litle breath. She woo'd, and he was won,
And straite Minerva honor'd him; who Joves shield clapt upon
His mightie shoulders; and his head, girt with a cloud of gold,
That cast beames round about his browes. And as when armes enfold
A citie in an Isle; from thence, a fume at first appeares,
(Being in the day) but when the Even, her cloudie forehead reares,
Thicke show the fires, and up they cast, their splendor, that men nigh
Seeing their distresse, perhaps may set, ships out to their supply:
So (to shew such aid) from his head, a light rose, scaling heaven.
And forth the wall he stept and stood; nor brake the precept given
By his great mother (mixt in fight,) but sent abroad his voice,
Which Pallas farre off echoed; who did betwixt them hoise
Shrill Tumult to a toplesse height. And as a voice is heard
With emulous affection, when any towne is spher'd
With siege of such a foe, as kills, mens minds; and for the towne
Makes sound his trumpet: so the voice, from Thetis issue throwne,
Won emulously th'eares of all. His brazen voice once heard,
The minds of all were startl'd so, they yeelded; and so fear'd
The faire-man'd horses, that they flew, backe, and their chariots turn'd,
Presaging in their augurous hearts, the labours that they mourn'd
A litle after; and their guides, a repercussive dread
Tooke from the horrid radiance, of his refulgent head;
Which Pallas set on fire with grace. Thrice great Achilles spake;
And thrice (in heate of all the charge) the Trojans started backe.
Twelve men, of greatest strength in Troy, left with their lives exhal'd,
Their chariots and their darts, to death, with his three summons call'd.
And then the Grecians spritefully, drew from the darts the corse,
And hears'd it, bearing it to fleete. His friends, with all remorse
Marching about it. His great friend, dissolving then in teares,
To see his truly-lov'd return'd, so hors'd upon an hearse,
Whom with such horse and chariot, he set out safe and whole;
Now wounded with unpittying steele, now sent without a soule,
Never againe to be restor'd, never receiv'd but so;
He follow'd mourning bitterly. The Sunne (yet farre to go)
Juno commanded to go downe; who in his powres despight,
Sunke to the Ocean; over earth, dispersing sodaine Night.
And then the Greeks, and Trojans both, gave up their horse and darts.