The Anger of Achilles: Homer's Iliad

  ‘Tonight, we keep watch! At daybreak we renew our assault. Will Diomedes, son of Tydeus, press me back from the ships to the rampart? Or will I kill him and carry off his blood-stained armour? Who knows? We shall see whether he dares face this spear! Yet I trust that the rising Sun may find him fallen in a ring of his henchmen. Could I only feel as sure of remaining youthful and triumphant for the rest of my life—honoured like Athene and Apollo—as I do that Agamemnon’s army is doomed to disaster!’

  The Trojans, after a burst of applause, unharnessed their sweating teams and tethered them to the chariots. Next, they fetched cattle and sheep from Troy, also wine and bread, and collected kindling-wood in plenty. A wind rose and blew up to Heaven the smoke of their hundred-beast sacrifices. Nevertheless, the gods would not regale themselves with the delicious smell, because of the deep hatred they bore Priam and his people. That night, the Trojans bivouacked on the battlefield, confident of victory.

  About the lovely Moon each separate star

  Twinkles; remote and windless is the sky;

  Peaks, woods and promontories stretch afar—

  As clear as day to the glad shepherd’s eye…

  Thus, from the walls of Troy, the sentries’ glad eyes saw a thousand little lights illuminating the plain between river and sea; each light a camp-fire, around which sat fifty Trojans. Their teams were tethered to the chariots, munching pearl-barley mixed with spelt, and awaiting the regal glory of Dawn.

  Book Nine:

  A Deputation to Achilles

  While the Trojans kept watch that night, utter confusion reigned among the Greeks. It was as when: