Part 23

THE END OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.

THE TWELFTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ILIADS

THE ARGUMENT

The Trojans at the trench their pow’rs engage, Though greeted by a bird of bad presage. In five parts they divide their pow’r to scale, And Prince Sarpedon forceth down the pale. Great Hector from the ports tears out a stone, And with so dead a strength he sets it gone At those broad gates the Grecians made to guard Their tents and ships, that, broken, and unbarr’d, They yield way to his pow’r; when all contend To reach the ships; which all at last ascend.

ANOTHER ARGUMENT

My works the Trojans all the grace, And doth the Grecian fort deface.