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all away from him； and the marrow came oozing out of his backbone
as he lay。 He then went in pursuit of Rhigmus； noble son of
Peires； who had e from fertile Thrace； and struck him through
the middle with a spear which fixed itself in his belly； so that
he fell headlong from his chariot。 He also speared Areithous
squire to Rhigmus in the back as he was turning his horses in
flight； and thrust him from his chariot； while the horses were
struck with panic。
As a fire raging in some mountain glen after long droughtand
the dense forest is in a blaze； while the wind carries great
tongues of fire in every directioneven so furiously did
Achilles rage； wielding his spear as though he were a god； and
giving chase to those whom he would slay； till the dark earth ran
with blood。 Or as one who yokes broad…browed oxen that they may
tread barley in a threshing…floorand it is soon bruised small
under the feet of the lowing cattleeven so did the horses of
Achilles trample on the shields and bodies of the slain。 The axle
underneath and the railing that ran round the car were
bespattered with clots of blood thrown up by the horses' hoofs；
and from the tyres of the wheels； but the son of Peleus pressed
on to win still further glory； and his hands were bedrabbled with
gore。
BOOK XXI
The fight between Achilles and the river ScamanderThe gods
fight among themselvesAchilles drives the Trojans within
their gates。
NOW when they came to the ford of the full…flowing river Xanthus；
begotten of immortal Jove； Achilles cut their forces in two： one
half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way
that the Achaeans had taken when flying panic…stricken on the
preceding day with Hector in full triumph； this way did they fly
pell…mell； and Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to
stay them。 The other half were hemmed in by the deep
silver…eddying stream； and fell into it with a great uproar。 The
waters resounded； and the banks rang again； as they swam hither
and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies。 As locusts
flying to a river before the blast of a grass firethe flame
es on and on till at last it overtakes them and they huddle
into the watereven so was the eddying stream of Xanthus filled
with the uproar of men and horses； all struggling in confusion
before Achilles。
Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank； leaning it
against a tamarisk bush； and plunged into the river like a god；
armed with his sword only。 Fell was his purpose as he hewed the
Trojans down on every side。 Their dying groans rose hideous as
the sword smote them； and the river ran red with blood。 As when
fish fly scared before a huge dolphin； and fill every nook and
corner of some fair havenfor he is sure to eat all he can
catcheven so did the Trojans cower under the banks of the
mighty river； and when Achilles' arms grew weary with killing
them； he drew twelve youths alive out of the water； to sacrifice
in revenge for Patroclus son of Menoetius。 He drew them out like
dazed fawns； bound their hands behind them with the girdles of
their own shirts； and gave them over to his men to take back to
the ships。 Then he sprang into the river； thirsting for still
further blood。
There he found Lycaon； son of Priam seed of Dardanus； as he was
escaping out of the water； he it was whom he had once taken
prisoner when he was in his father's vineyard； having set upon
him by night； as he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig…tree
to make the wicker sides of a chariot。 Achilles then caught him
to his sorrow unawares； and sent him by sea to Lemnos； where the
son of Jason bought him。 But a guest…friend； Eetion of Imbros；
freed him with a great sum； and sent him to Arisbe； whence he had
escaped and returned to his father's house。 He had spent eleven
days happily with his friends after he had e from Lemnos； but
on the twelfth heaven again delivered him into the hands of
Achilles； who was to send him to the house of Hades sorely
against his will。 He was unarmed when Achilles caught sight of
him； and had neither helmet nor shield； nor yet had he any spear；
for he had thrown all his armour from him on to the bank； and was
sweating with his struggles to get out of the river； so that his
strength was now failing him。
Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise； 〃What marvel do I
see here？ If this man can e back alive after having been sold
over into Lemnos； I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain
rising from the world below。 Could not even the waters of the
grey sea imprison him； as they do many another whether he will or
no？ This time let him taste my spear； that I may know for certain
whether mother earth who can keep even a strong man down； will be
able to hold him； or whether thence too he will return。〃
Thus did he pause and ponder。 But Lycaon came up to him dazed and
trying hard to embrace his knees； for he would fain live； not
die。 Achilles thrust at him with his spear； meaning to kill him；
but Lycaon ran crouching up to him and caught his knees； whereby
the spear passed over his back； and stuck in the ground；
hungering though it was for blood。 With one hand he caught
Achilles' knees as he besought him； and with the other he
clutched the spear and would not let it go。 Then he said；
〃Achilles； have mercy upon me and spare me； for I am your
suppliant。 It was in your tents that I first broke bread on the
day when you took me prisoner in the vineyard； after which you
sold me away to Lemnos far from my father and my friends； and I
brought you the price of a hundred oxen。 I have paid three times
as much to gain my freedom； it is but twelve days that I have
e to Ilius after much suffering； and now cruel fate has again
thrown me into your hands。 Surely father Jove must hate me； that
he has given me over to you a second time。 Short of life indeed
did my mother Laothoe bear me； daughter of aged Altesof Altes
who reigns over the warlike Lelegae and holds steep Pedasus on
the river Satnioeis。 Priam married his daughter along with many
other women and two sons were born of her； both of whom you will
have slain。 Your spear slew noble Polydorus as he was fighting in
the front ranks； and now evil will here befall me； for I fear
that I shall not escape you since heaven has delivered me over to
you。 Furthermore I say； and lay my saying to your heart； spare
me； for I am not of the same womb as Hector who slew your brave
and noble rade。〃
With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles；
but Achilles answered him sternly。 〃Idiot；〃 said he； 〃talk not to
me of ransom。 Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the
Trojans quarter； and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had
taken alive； but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven
delivers into my hands before the city of Iliusand of all
Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam。 Therefore；
my friend； you too shall die。 Why should you whine in this way？
Patroclus fell； and he was a better man than you are。 I toosee
you not how I am great and goodly？ I am son to a noble father；
and have a goddess for my mother； but the hands of doom and death
overshadow me all as sur