Classic Poem

Thetis on the death of Achilles

Life free from sickness, and of many years,
And in a word a fortune like to theirs
Whom the Gods love, all this He spake to me
As paean-hymn, and made my heart full glad:
And I full fondly trusted Phaebos' lips
As holy and from falsehood free, of art
Oracular an ever-flowing spring,
And He who sang this, He who at the feast
Being present, spake these things, — yea, He it is
That slew my son.