sharp pain came bursting in on Atrides' strength spear-sharp as the labor-pangs that pierce a woman, agonies brought on by the harsh birthing spirits, Hera's daughters who hold the stabbing power of birth - so sharp the throes that burst on Atrides' strength.

sharp pain came bursting in on Atrides’ strength
spear-sharp as the labor-pangs that pierce a woman,
agonies brought on by the harsh birthing spirits,
Hera’s daughters who hold the stabbing power of birth –
so sharp the throes that burst on Atrides’ strength.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 11, lines 313-317. The pain from Agamemnon’s wounded arm, caused by a spear from a Trojan soldier, are likened to those of a woman giving birth in this epic simile by Homer.

Homer Quotes