HE spake, to whom I, answ'ring, thus replied: 'O Peleus' son! Achilles! bravest far Of all Achaia's race! I here arrived Seeking Tiresias, from his lips to learn, Perchance, how I might safe regain the coast Of craggy Ithaca; for tempest-toss'd Perpetual, I have neither yet approach'd Achaia's shore, or landed on my own. But as for thee, Achilles! never man Hath known felicity like thine, or shall, Whom living we all honour'd as a God, And who maintain'st, here resident, supreme Controul among the dead; indulge not then, Achilles, causeless grief that thou hast died.' I ceased, and answer thus instant received: 'Renown'd Ulysses! think not death a theme Of consolation; I had rather live The servile hind for hire, and eat the bread Of some man scantily himself sustain'd, Than sov'reign empire hold o'er all the shades.' | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LINES WRITTEN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS by MATTHEW ARNOLD THE BETTER PART by MATTHEW ARNOLD TO E. T.: 1917 by WALTER JOHN DE LA MARE LIMERICK by OLIVER BROOK HERFORD ACCIDENT IN ART by RICHARD HOVEY BINGEN ON THE RHINE by CAROLINE ELIZABETH SARAH SHERIDAN NORTON BALLAD OF THE GOODLY FERE by EZRA POUND |