Iliad 2.27a

Iliad · translated by Alexander Pope

“Unhappy monarch! whom the Grecian race With shame deserting, heap with vile disgrace. Not such at Argos was their generous vow: Once all their voice, but ah! forgotten now: Ne’er to return, was then the common cry, Till Troy’s proud structures should in ashes lie. Behold them weeping for their native shore; What could their wives or helpless children more? What heart but melts to leave the tender train, And, one short month, endure the wintry main? Few leagues removed, we wish our peaceful seat, When the ship tosses, and the tempests beat: Then well may this long stay provoke their tears, The tedious length of nine revolving years. Not for their grief the Grecian host I blame; But vanquish’d! baffled! oh, eternal shame! Expect the time to Troy’s destruction given. And try the faith of Chalcas and of heaven. What pass’d at Aulis, Greece can witness bear,[89] And all who live to breathe this Phrygian air. Beside a fountain’s sacred brink we raised Our verdant altars, and the victims blazed: ’Twas where the plane-tree spread its shades around, The altars heaved; and from the crumbling ground A mighty dragon shot, of dire portent; From Jove himself the dreadful sign was sent. Straight to the tree his sanguine spires he roll’d, And curl’d around in many a winding fold; The topmost branch a mother-bird possess’d; Eight callow infants fill’d the mossy nest; Herself the ninth; the serpent, as he hung, Stretch’d his black jaws and crush’d the crying young; While hovering near, with miserable moan, The drooping mother wail’d her children gone. The mother last, as round the nest she flew, Seized by the beating wing, the monster slew; Nor long survived: to marble turn’d, he stands A lasting prodigy on Aulis’ sands. Such was the will of Jove; and hence we dare Trust in his omen, and support the war. For while around we gazed with wondering eyes, And trembling sought the powers with sacrifice, Full of his god, the reverend Chalcas cried,[90] ‘Ye Grecian warriors!

Iliad 2.27a · Iliad · 2

Themes in this passage

The Divine Children Family War Charity Faith Grief Marriage

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The same theme, as Christianity, Hinduism and Islam address it.

Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.

Deuteronomy 23:5 · Bible · Deuteronomy

a Homage to the golden-armed leader of hosts, and to the lord of the quarters b Homage to the trees with green tresses, to the lord of cattle homage! c Homage to the one who is yellowish-red like young grass, to the radiant, to the lord of paths homage! d Homage to the brown one, to the piercer, to the lord of food homage! e Homage to the green-haired, wearer of the cord, to the lord of prosperity f Homage to the dart of Bhava, to the lord of the moving world homage! g Homage to Rudra, with bent bow, to the lord of fields homage! h Homage to the minstrel, the inviolate, to the lord of the woods homage! i Homage [1] to the ruddy one, the ruler, to the lord of woods homage! k Homage to the minister, the trader, to the lord of thickets homage! l Homage to the extender of the world, the offspring of the maker of room, to the lord of plants homage! m Homage to the loud calling, the screaming, to the lord of footmen homage! n Homage to the wholly covered, to the running, to the lord of warriors homage! a Homage to the strong, the piercing, to the lord of assailers homage! b Homage to the leader, the holder of the quiver, to the lord of thieves homage! c Homage to the holder of the quiver, to the owner of the quiver, to the lord of robbers homage! d Homage to the cheater, the swindler, to the lord of burglars homage! c Homage to the glider, to the wanderer around, to the lord of the forests homage! f Homage to the bolt-armed destructive ones, to the lord of pilferers homage! g Homage to the bearers of the sword, the night wanderers, to the lord of cut- purses homage! h Homage to the turbaned wanderer on the mountains, to the lord of pluckers i Homage [1] to you, bearers of arrows, and to you, bowmen, homage! k Homage to you that string (the bow), and to you that place (on the arrow), l Homage to you that bend (the bow), and to you that let go the arrow) homage! m Homage to you that hurl, and to you that pierce homage!

YV 5.4 (2)b · Yajur Veda

Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers?

Quran 37:126 · Quran · The Rangers

Having slain thousands of Daityas, with prowess having its origin in thy grace, O slayer of foes, Sakra obtained the lordship of the celestials. Through thy grace, O Hrishikesa, the mobile and immobile universe, without swerving from its (ordained) course, O hero, is engaged in prayers and homa![178] In the beginning, this universe, enveloped in darkness, had been one vast expanse of water. Through thy grace, O mighty-armed one, the universe became manifest, O best of men! Thou art the creator of all the worlds, thou art the Supreme Soul, and thou art immutable! They that behold thee, O Hrishikesa, are never confounded. Thou art the Supreme God, thou art the God of gods, and thou art Eternal. They that seek refuge with thee, O lord of the gods, are never confounded. Without beginning and without death, thou art Divine, the Creator of all the worlds, and immutable. They that are devoted to thee, O Hrishikesa, always tide over every difficulty. Thou art Supreme, the Ancient one, the Divine-Being, and that which is the Highest of the high. He that attaineth to that viz., thy Supreme Self hath ordained for him the highest prosperity. Thou art sung in the four Vedas. The four Vedas sing of thee. Be seeking thy shelter, O high-souled one, I shall enjoy unrivalled prosperity. Thou art the Supreme God, thou art the God of the highest gods, thou art the lord of Winged creatures, and the lord of all human beings. Thou art the Supremest Lord of everything. I bow to thee, O best of beings! Thou art the Lord, the Lord of lords O puissant one! Prosperity to thee, O Madhava! O thou of large eyes, O Universal soul, Thou art the origin of all things. He, again, that is a friend of Dhananjaya or is engaged in Dhananjaya’s good, obtaineth thee that art the preceptor of Dhananjaya and attaineth to happiness.” Thus addressed by him those high-souled ones, viz.

Mbh 7.148.1b · Mahabharata · DRONA PARVA

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