"Had tall Achilles lounged in tent
For aye, and Xanthus neighed in stall,
The towers of Troy had ne'er been shent,
Nor stayed the dance in Priam's hall"
[A T AQuiller-Couch].
In today's picture is a depiction of the silver-gilt rendering of Achilles' shield, as described in the 18th Book of Homer's Iliad, designed and modelled by John Flaxman RA, and made by Philip Rundell, of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, Goldsmiths and Jewellers to King Geo. IV, for his coronation banquet. It is in the Royal Collection.