The Elson readers; book six - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...death." Then said Thetis, "Nay, my son, speak not thus. For when Hector dies, your doom also is near." And Achilles spoke in great wrath: "Would that I might die this hour, seeing that I cannot 10 help my friend, but am a burden on the earth--I, who am better in battle than all the Greeks besides. Cursed be the wrath that sets men to strive one with the other, even as it set me to strive with King Agamemnon! But let the past be past. And as for my fate--let it come when it may, only 15 let me first avenge myself on Hector. Wherefore, seek not to keep me back from the battle." Then Thetis said, "Be it so; only thou canst not go without thy arms, which Hector hath. But tomorrow will I furnish thee with new armor." 20 But while they talked, the men of Troy drove back the 'Greeks more and more, and the two heroes, Ajax the Greater and Ajax the Less, could no longer keep Hector from the body of Patroclus. And indeed he would have taken it, but Zeus sent a messenger to Achilles, who said: 25 "Rouse thee, Achilles, or Patroclus will be a prey for the dogs of Troy!" But Achilles said, "How shall I go?--for arms I have none, nor do I know whose I might wear." Then answered the messenger, "Go only to the trench so and show thyself; then the men of Troy will tremble and stop fighting, and the Greeks will have a breathing space." So he went; and Athena put her shield upon him and a golden halo about his head, making it shine as a flame of fire. Then went he to the trench; with the battle he mingled not, heeding his mother's commands, but he shouted aloud, and his voice was as the sound of a trumpet. When the men of Troy heard, they were stricken with fear; the 5 horses backed with the chariots, and the drivers were aston-r ished when they saw above...