and straightaway the Father launched an eagle - truest of Zeus's signs that fly the skies the dark marauder that mankind calls the Black-wing. Broad as the door of a rich man's vaulted treasure chamber. All looked up, overjoyed - the people's spirits lifted.

and straightaway the Father launched an eagle –
truest of Zeus’s signs that fly the skies
the dark marauder that mankind calls the Black-wing.
Broad as the door of a rich man’s vaulted treasure chamber,
well-fitted with sturdy bars, so broad each wing of the bird
spread out on either side as it swept in through the city
flashing clear on the right before the king and queen.
All looked up, overjoyed – the people’s spirits lifted.

– Homer

The Iliad, Book 24, lines 374-381. When King Priam prays to Zeus that Achilles will receive him with kindness in his bid to take back his son Hector’s body, Zeus sends him an eagle as a sign to reassure him. A beautiful epic simile describes the magnificence of the broad-winged bird.

Homer Quotes