THE "ILIAD" AND ODYSSEY " IN SOHRAB AND RUSTUM" 8 1 



and hurled it, putting might immeasurable therein." Compare also 

 II. 16:139 ff. : "Then seized he two strong lances that fitted his grasp, 

 only he took not the spear of the noble son of Aiakos, heavy, and huge, 

 and stalwart, that none other of the Achaeans could wield, but Achilles 

 alone availed to wield it; even the ashen Pelian spear that Cheiron gave 

 to his father dear, from a peak of Pelion, to be the death of warriors." 

 Compare also Ody. 9:319 ff.: "There lay beside the pen a great club 

 of the Cyclops, an olive stick still green, which he had cut to be his staff 

 when dried. Inspecting it, we guessed its size and thought it like the 

 mast of a black ship of twenty oars — some broad-built merchantman 

 which sails the great gulf of the sea; so huge it looked in length and thick- 

 ness." 



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Come plant we here in earth our angry spears, 

 And make a truce, and sit upon this sand, 

 And pledge each other in red wine, like friends, 

 And thou shalt talk to me of Rustum's deeds. 

 There are enough foes in the Persian host, 

 Whom I may meet, and strike, and feel no pang; 

 Champions enough Afrasiab has, whom thou 

 Mayst fight; fight them, when they confront thy spear! 

 But oh, let there be peace 'twixt thee and me! 



Compare II. 6:212 ff.: "So said he, and Diomedes of the loud war-cry 

 was glad. He planted his spear in the bounteous earth and with soft 

 words spake to the shepherd of the host : ' Surely then thou art to me a 



guest friend of old times through my father So let us shun each 



other's spears, even amid the throng; Trojans are there in multitudes 

 and famous allies for me to slay, whoe'er it be that God vouchsafeth me 

 and my feet overtake; and for thee are there Achaeans in multitude, to 

 slay whome'er thou canst.' " 

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Blazed bright and baleful, like that autumn-star 

 The baleful sign of fevers. 



Compare II. 22 : 26 ff . : " Blazing as the star that cometh forth at harvest- 

 time, and plain seen his rays shine forth amid the host of stars in the 

 darkness of night, the star whose name men call Orion's Dog. Brightest 



