So saying, the hero soothed his brother’s mind.
Then moved they both toward the hottest war
Together, where Polydamas the brave,955
Phalces, Cebriones, Orthæus fought,
Palmys and Polyphœtes, godlike Chief,
And Morys and Ascanius, gallant sons
Both of Hippotion. They at Troy arrived
From fair Ascania the preceding morn,960
In recompense for aid[16] by Priam lent
Erewhile to Phrygia, and, by Jove impell’d,
Now waged the furious battle side by side.
The march of these at once, was as the sound
Of mighty winds from deep-hung thunder-clouds965
Descending; clamorous the blast and wild
With ocean mingles; many a billow, then,
Upridged rides turbulent the sounding flood,
Foam-crested billow after billow driven,
So moved the host of Troy, rank after rank970
Behind their Chiefs, all dazzling bright in arms.
Before them Priameian Hector strode
Fierce as gore-tainted Mars, and his broad shield
Advancing came, heavy with hides, and thick-
Plated with brass; his helmet on his brows975
Refulgent shook, and in its turn he tried
The force of every phalanx, if perchance
Behind his broad shield pacing he might shake
Their steadfast order; but he bore not down
The spirit of the firm Achaian host.980
Then Ajax striding forth, him, first, defied.
Approach. Why temptest thou the Greeks to fear?
No babes are we in aught that appertains
To arms, though humbled by the scourge of Jove.
Thou cherishest the foolish hope to burn985
Our fleet with fire; but even we have hearts
Prepared to guard it, and your populous Troy,
By us dismantled and to pillage given,
Shall perish sooner far. Know this thyself
Also; the hour is nigh when thou shalt ask990
In prayer to Jove and all the Gods of heaven,
That speed more rapid than the falcon’s flight
May wing thy coursers, while, exciting dense
The dusty plain, they whirl thee back to Troy.
While thus he spake, sublime on the right-hand995
An eagle soar’d; confident in the sign
The whole Achaian host with loud acclaim
Hail’d it. Then glorious Hector thus replied.
Brainless and big, what means this boast of thine,
Earth-cumberer Ajax? Would I were the son1000
As sure, for ever, of almighty Jove
And Juno, and such honor might receive
Henceforth as Pallas and Apollo share,
As comes this day with universal wo
Fraught for the Grecians, among whom thyself1005
Shalt also perish if thou dare abide
My massy spear, which shall thy pamper’d flesh
Disfigure, and amid the barks of Greece
Falling, thou shalt the vultures with thy bulk
Enormous satiate, and the dogs of Troy.1010
He spake, and led his host; with clamor loud
They follow’d him, and all the distant rear
Came shouting on. On the other side the Greeks
Re-echoed shout for shout, all undismay’d,
And waiting firm the bravest of their foes.1015
Upwent the double roar into the heights
Ethereal, and among the beams of Jove.
BOOK XIV.
ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTEENTH BOOK.
Agamemnon and the other wounded Chiefs taking Nestor with them, visit the battle. Juno having borrowed the Cestus of Venus, first engages the assistance of Sleep, then hastens to Ida to inveigle Jove. She prevails. Jove sleeps; and Neptune takes that opportunity to succor the Grecians.