Before you read this, you may have the inclination to believe throughout
the course of this story that Phaetis is a Mary Sue. I plead attempt at
accuracy!

She was written in accordance with the seven ideal qualities of a Homeric
age hero, which are as follows.

Physical strength
Physical beauty
Friendship/ bond in times of stress
Skill in deception
Hospitality to strangers
Wisdom in dealing with people
Friendship and the guidance of a god (dess)

So, without ado, on to the poem...Homeric imitation...thing!

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From the north, from hilly Macedon came
Phaetis, argive daughter of Apollo
Born when her mother Sameis lay
In the god's grove.

Agamemnon accepted her spear, her sword,
Took her oath to serve him
With no doubts; her courage was well sung.

Achilles looked her over, taking in
The golden breastplate, shielding white breasts
The helm of gold that crowned her head
It's white horse hair plume
Resplendent in the breeze.

"Agamenon Atreus' son,
Never do I doubt your wisdom
But fields of battle are not the woman's place.
She is for bed and the home
And I will not fight alongside one."

Sable haired Phaetis saw his glances
Would have none of his, though, and
Pounded her spear in the dust.

"Achilles Silverfoot Thetis' son
Great is my admiration for your skill
But I do not take to boasting, and
Neither does my father. Take me in open combat, fight me, spear to spear
And if you defeat me, I shall go home to hilly Macedon
To the palace my father built for me
Furnished with beautiful works."
Once more, she hit the ground with
Her spear-the ash wood staff would never break
Fashioned from trees from the sacred grove
Where her mother conceived by the Olympian.
Strong was her voice as Phaetis,
Proud Apollo's daughter
Challenged Thetis' son.
Overconfident Achilles could not refuse a fight.

She stripped off the golden helm
Left the helmet the gods made
In the hands of her squire
Curly haired Matheon,
Priest of her father's shrines
Sworn not to take a woman in his bed
Who had been yearsmates with
Graceful Phaetis since they were but babes in arms,
Let her hair fall down her back and
Took to Achilles the first blow
Made the son of Peleus lie in the dust-Achilles called for her
To hit him harder; that blow was soft.
She showed him no mercy-When he got up, she knocked him down
Kept him face to the dirt, took no blows from Achilles-
Her nimble feet were too quick.

She cracked his head with that spear
Sacred wood that never broke
Dealt him a loss at a woman's hands
Proved her might and worth to Achilles, Peleus' son
Made him regret to doubt her strength.
Never again did he show or let her see
The lust he bore in his heart for
Phaetis, Apollo's daughter.

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Please review! It helps me, really it does!