BOOK XXI.
The fight between Achilles and the river Scamander--The gods fight among themselves--Achilles drives the Trojans within their gates.
NOW when they came to the ford of the full-flowing river Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove, Achilles cut their forces in two: one half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that the Achaeans had taken when flying panic-stricken on the preceding day with Hector in full triumph; this way did they fly pell-mell, and Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them.

The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver-eddying stream, and fell into it with a great uproar.

The waters resounded, and the banks rang again, as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies.

As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire--the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they huddle into the water--even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles.
Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank, leaning it against a tamarisk bush, and plunged into the river like a god, armed with his sword only.

Fell was his purpose as he hewed the Trojans down on every side.