SO I: when swift Achilles' long-limbed ghost Made off, through meadow of the asphodel Stalking in glory of his son's renown. Now other wraiths, the souls of men outworn, Stood by with heavy hearts for news of home; Ajax the son of Telamon alone Kept far away, still angry in the ghost To lose Achilles' armour, set for prize By lady Thetis, when beside the ships Pallas Athene and the sons of Troy Heard our pretensions, and the vote was mine. O would to heaven that victory were unwon! Denied those arms so brave a head went down, -- Ajax, in stature and in war supreme Of all the Greeks, save Peleus' noble son. Then said I to him with a smooth address: 'Ajax, son of noble Telamon, Must you then bear me rancour, even in death, For that pernicious mail? Surely the gods To Argos' injury set up that prize, So strong a tower in your overthrow Is fallen! All Achaia mourns for you As for the son of Peleus when he died, -- Achilles ever-wept. There's none to blame But Zeus, whose hate for Danaan men-at-arms Passing imagination, brought your doom. Do but approach, great Ajax, and give ear, Listen to word and speech of mine, control The stubborn humour of your lordly soul.' So I: but he, no answer given, withdrew To darkness, with the souls of men outworn. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LEARNING TO READ by FRANCES ELLEN WATKINS HARPER THE TRAVELLER AT THE SOURCE OF THE NILE by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS MAGDALEN by GEORGE KENYON ASHENDON OVID TO HIS WIFE: IMITATED FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF TRISTIA by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD MY ALPENSTOCK by HENRY GLASSFORD BELL |