overflying him, the spear in earth
Stood planted deep, still hungering for the prey.
Then, full at the Poeonian Peleus' son
Hurl'd forth his weapon with unsparing force 205
But vain; he struck the sloping river bank,
And mid-length deep stood plunged the ashen beam.
Then, with his falchion drawn, Achilles flew
To smite him; he in vain, meantime, essay'd
To pluck the rooted spear forth from the bank; 210
Thrice with full force he shook the beam, and thrice,
Although reluctant, left it; at his fourth
Last effort, bending it he sought to break
The ashen spear-beam of AEacides,
But perish'd by his keen-edged falchion first; 215
For on the belly at his navel's side
He smote him; to the ground effused fell all
His bowels, death's dim shadows veil'd his eyes.
Achilles ardent on his bosom fix'd
His foot, despoil'd him, and exulting cried. 220
Lie there; though River-sprung, thou find'st it hard
To cope with sons of Jove omnipotent.
Thou said'st, a mighty River is my sire--
But my descent from mightier Jove I boast;
My father, whom the Myrmidons obey, 225
Is son of AEacus, and he of Jove.
As Jove all streams excels that seek the sea,
So, Jove's descendants nobler are than theirs.
Behold a River at thy side--let him
Afford thee, if he can, some succor--No-- 230
He may not fight against Saturnian Jove.
Therefore, not kingly Acheloius,
Nor yet the strength of Ocean's vast profound,
Although from him all rivers and all seas,
All fountains and all wells proceed, may boast 235
Comparison with Jove, but even he
Astonish'd trembles at his fiery bolt,
And his dread thunders rattling in the sky.
He said, and drawing from the bank his spear[5]
Asteropaeus left stretch'd on the sands, 240
Where, while the clear wave dash'd him, eels his flanks
And ravening fishes numerous nibbled bare.
The horsed Poeonians next he fierce assail'd,
Who seeing their brave Chief slain by the sword
And forceful arm of Peleus' son, beside 245
The eddy-whirling stream fled all dispersed.
Thersilochus and Mydon then he slew,
Thrasius, Astypylus and Ophelestes,
AEnius and Mnesus; nor had these sufficed
Achilles, but Poeonians more had fallen, 250
Had not the