Homer ("Smyrns of Chios") ( 10 of 101 )
Achilles absent, was Achilles still.
Achilles absent, was Achilles still.
It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.
It takes a great deal of history to produce a little literature.
And better skilled in dark events to come.
And better skilled in dark events to come.
Strong are her sons, though rocky are her shores.
Strong are her sons, though rocky are her shores.
But strong of limb
And swift of foot misfortune is, and, far
Outstripping all, comes to every read more
But strong of limb
And swift of foot misfortune is, and, far
Outstripping all, comes to every land,
And there wreaks evil on mankind, which prayers
Do afterwards redress.
The windy satisfaction of the tongue.
The windy satisfaction of the tongue.
Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,
Are lost on hearers that our merits know.
Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,
Are lost on hearers that our merits know.
And unextinguish'd laughter shakes the skies.
And unextinguish'd laughter shakes the skies.
Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.
Praise me not too much,
Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks
Who know me.
Just are the ways of heaven; from Heaven proceed
The woes of man: Heaven doom'd the Greeks to bleed.
Just are the ways of heaven; from Heaven proceed
The woes of man: Heaven doom'd the Greeks to bleed.
