Eagle

Created by Jijith Nadumuri at 21 Sep 2011 14:46 and updated at 21 Sep 2011 14:46

ILIAD NOUN

ild.08 Thus did he pray, and father Jove pitying his tears vouchsafed him that his people should live, not die; forthwith he sent them an Eagle, most unfailingly portentous of all birds, with a young fawn in its talons; the Eagle dropped the fawn by the altar on which the Achaeans sacrificed to Jove the lord of omens; When, therefore, the people saw that the bird had come from Jove, they sprang more fiercely upon the Trojans and fought more boldly.
ild.12 While they were busy stripping the armour from these heroes, the youths who were led on by Polydamas and Hector (and these were the greater part and the most valiant of those that were trying to break through the wall and fire the ships) were still standing by the trench, uncertain what they should do; for they had seen a sign from heaven when they had essayed to cross it a soaring Eagle that flew skirting the left wing of their host, with a monstrous blood red snake in its talons still alive and struggling to escape.
ild.12 The Trojans were struck with terror when they saw the snake, portent of aegis bearing Jove, writhing in the midst of them, and Polydamas went up to Hector and said, Hector", at our councils of war you are ever given to rebuke me, even when I speak wisely, as though it were not well, forsooth, that one of the people should cross your will either in the field or at the council board; you would have them support you always: nevertheless I will say what I think will be best; let us not now go on to fight the Danaans at their ships, for I know what will happen if this soaring Eagle which skirted the left wing of our with a monstrous blood red snake in its talons (the snake being still alive) was really sent as an omen to the Trojans on their essaying to cross the trench.
ild.12 The Eagle let go her hold; she did not succeed in taking it home to her little ones, and so will it be with ourselves; even though by a mighty effort we break through the gates and wall of the Achaeans, and they give way before us, still we shall not return in good order by the way we came, but shall leave many a man behind us whom the Achaeans will do to death in defence of their ships.
ild.15 He kept on shouting his orders to the Danaans and exhorting them to defend their ships and tents; neither did Hector remain within the main body of the Trojan warriors, but as a dun Eagle swoops down upon a flock of wild fowl feeding near a river geese, it may be, or cranes, or long necked swans even so did Hector make straight for a dark prowed ship, rushing right towards it; for Jove with his mighty hand impelled him forward, and roused his people to follow him.
ild.16 The two then rushed at one another with loud cries like Eagle beaked crook taloned Vultures that scream and tear at one another in some high mountain fastness.
ild.17 With this Menelaus left them, looking round him as keenly as an Eagle, whose sight they say is keener than that of any other bird however high he may be in the heavens, not a hare that runs can escape him by crouching under bush or thicket, for he will swoop down upon it and make an end of it even so, O Menelaus, did your keen eyes range round the mighty host of your followers to see if you could find the son of Nestor still alive.
ild.21 The son of Peleus darted away a spear s throw from him; swift as the swoop of a black hunter Eagle which is the strongest and fleetest of all birds, even so did he spring forward, and the armour rang loudly about his breast.
ild.22 As he spoke he drew the keen blade that hung so great and strong by his side, and gathering himself together be sprang on Achilles like a soaring Eagle which swoops down from the clouds on to some lamb or timid hare even so did Hector brandish his sword and spring upon Achilles.
ild.24 Forthwith he sent an Eagle, the most unerring portent of all birds that fly, the dusky hunter that men also call the Black Eagle.

Arise Greece! from thy silent sleep, 2000 years long it is! Forget not, thy ancient culture, beautiful and marvelous it is!

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