Vigil

The Trojan troops, brimming with confidence,
along the paths that crossed the busy camps
remained on vigil, seated through the night
around the glowing campfires numberless.
As in the heavens, on a perfect eve,
the stars emerge around the glowing moon
and silhouette the landscape⸺coastal cliffs,
hilltops, quiet woods⸺and evening sky
suddenly unveils infinity;                              
a shepherd, lying on his back, alone,
gazes up at endless galaxies
that fill his heart with awe⸺so endless seemed
all the fires that blazed within the space
confined between the ships and Xanthos’ streams,
the fires of Trojan camps defending Troy.
Hour upon hour, in camp after camp, they burned,
thousands, each encircled by fifty men
who gazed into the campfire’s orange glow.

[Iliad 8.552-563]