Penthesilea
recoils from the spell and dashes again into her ambiguous warfare. For
once Greeks and Trojans are forced to fight in common defence.
"The raging Queen with blows of thunder struck
As she would cleave the whole race of the Greeks
Down to its roots....
* * * * *
"More of the captives did she take
Than she did leave us eyes to count the list,
Or arms to set them free again.
* * * * *
"Often it seemed as if a special hate
Against Achilles did possess her breast.
* * * * *
"Yet in a later moment, when
His life was given straight into her hands,
Smiling she gave it back, as though a present;
His headlong course to Hades she did stay."
In midst of the dual battle between Achilles and the Queen, a Trojan
prince comes storming and strikes a treacherous blow against the armor
of the Greek.
"The Queen is stricken pale; for a brief moment
Her arms hang helpless by her sides; and then,
Shaking her locks about her flaming cheeks,
Dashes her sword like lightning in his throat,
And sends him rolling to Achilles' feet."
The Greek leaders resolve to retreat from the futile fight and to call
Achilles from the mingled chase of love and war.
Achilles is now reported taken by the Amazons. The battle is vividly
depicted: Achilles caught on a high ledge with his war-chariot; the
Amazon Queen storming the height from below.
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