Alcimedon! hold not the steeds remote
But breathing on my back; for I expect
That never Priameïan Hector’s rage605
Shall limit know, or pause, till, slaying us,
He shall himself the coursers ample-maned
Mount of Achilles, and to flight compel
The Argive host, or perish in the van.
So saying, he call’d aloud on Menelaus610
With either Ajax. Oh, illustrious Chiefs
Of Argos, Menelaus, and ye bold
Ajaces![9] leaving all your best to cope
With Ilium’s powers and to protect the dead,
From friends still living ward the bitter day.615
For hither borne, two Chiefs, bravest of all
The Trojans, Hector and Æneas rush
Right through the battle. The events of war
Heaven orders; therefore even I will give
My spear its flight, and Jove dispose the rest!620
He said, and brandishing his massy spear
Dismiss’d it at Aretus; full he smote
His ample shield, nor stay’d the pointed brass,
But penetrating sheer the disk, his belt
Pierced also, and stood planted in his waist.625
As when some vigorous youth with sharpen’d axe
A pastured bullock smites behind the horns
And hews the muscle through; he, at the stroke
Springs forth and falls, so sprang Aretus forth,
Then fell supine, and in his bowels stood630
The keen-edged lance still quivering till he died.
Then Hector, in return, his radiant spear
Hurl’d at Automedon, who of its flight
Forewarn’d his body bowing prone, the stroke
Eluded, and the spear piercing the soil635
Behind him, shook to its superior end,
Till, spent by slow degrees, its fury slept.
And now, with hand to hilt, for closer war
Both stood prepared, when through the multitude
Advancing at their fellow-warrior’s call,640
The Ajaces suddenly their combat fierce
Prevented. Awed at once by their approach
Hector retired, with whom Æneas went
Also and godlike Chromius, leaving there
Aretus with his vitals torn, whose arms,645
Fierce as the God of war Automedon
Stripp’d off, and thus exulted o’er the slain.
My soul some portion of her grief resigns
Consoled, although by slaughter of a worse,
For loss of valiant Menœtiades.650
So saying, within his chariot he disposed
The gory spoils, then mounted it himself
With hands and feet purpled, as from a bull
His bloody prey, some lion newly-gorged.
And now around Patroclus raged again655
Dread strife deplorable! for from the skies
Descending at the Thunderer’s command
Whose purpose now was to assist the Greeks,
Pallas enhanced the fury of the fight.
As when from heaven, in view of mortals, Jove660
Exhibits bright his bow, a sign ordain’d
Of war, or numbing frost which all the works
Suspends of man and saddens all the flocks;
So she, all mantled with a radiant cloud
Entering Achaia’s host, fired every breast.665
But meeting Menelaus first, brave son
Of Atreus, in the form and with the voice
Robust of Phœnix, him she thus bespake.
Shame, Menelaus, shall to thee redound
For ever, and reproach, should dogs devour670
The faithful friend of Peleus’ noble son
Under Troy’s battlements; but stand, thyself,
Undaunted, and encourage all the host.
To whom the son of Atreus bold in arms.
Ah, Phœnix, friend revered, ancient and sage!675
Would Pallas give me might and from the dint
Shield me of dart and spear, with willing mind
I would defend Patroclus, for his death
Hath touch’d me deep. But Hector with the rage
Burns of consuming fire, nor to his spear680
Gives pause, for him Jove leads to victory.
He ceased, whom Pallas, Goddess azure-eyed
Hearing, rejoiced that of the heavenly powers
He had invoked her foremost to his aid.
His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill’d,685
And persevering boldness to his breast
Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft
From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet
To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood.
His stormy bosom with such courage fill’d690
By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach’d
And hurl’d, incontinent, his glittering spear.
There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name,
Son of Eëtion, valorous and rich;
Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most695
Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet
His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight,
The hero of the golden locks his belt
Struck with full force and sent the weapon through.
Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks700
Atrides dragg’d the body to his own.
Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side,
And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son,
Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board
His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.705
What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth
Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks
Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now
The body of thy valiant friend approved
Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?710