INTRODUCTION. SUCH is the fascination which Homer exercises upon his admirers that they still continue to translate him; chiefly perhaps for their own pleasure, but also because, as tastes vary in the matter of translation, they hope their new versions may win some sort of a hearing. Be this my excuse for the present attempt to put an attractive. part of Homer into an English dress which may find some acceptance. The comparisons, or similes as they are called, in the Iliad, although most effective in their special places and when read with their context, may yet be very well taken by themselves. They comprize some of Homer's finest descriptive passages; and modern readers, who would find the details of old legendary battles and much of the bulk |