The poem
Much have I travell'd in the realms of gold, And many goodly states and kingdoms seen; Round many western islands have I been Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold. Oft of one wide expanse had I been told That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne; Yet did I never breathe its pure serene Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold: Then felt I like some watcher of the skies When a new planet swims into his ken; Or like stout Cortez when with eagle eyes He star'd at the Pacific--and all his men Look'd at each other with a wild surmise-- Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
This unparalled poem uses carefully precise words in perfect poetic diction. Each word has two or more meanings, and yet still the sum of the whole is greater than the parts. One reads this, and sits in shock, and then goes running to find the Iliad and reread it. Would that I could approach such glory in my own work.
Jean hull Herman shouldnt compare his work not even in joke to one of the greats, so you read the illiad most of us have. Go show your stupefaction and stupidity somewhere else!
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The reason he has mentioned 'The Iliad' is because the poem refers to George Chapman's translation of 'The Iliad'. He's not showing off.