Hector obedient heard: and, with a bound,

Leap'd from his trembling chariot to the ground;

Through all his host inspiring force he flies,

And bids the thunder of the battle rise.

With rage recruited the bold Trojans glow,

And turn the tide of conflict on the foe:

Fierce in the front he shakes two dazzling spears;

All Greece recedes, and 'midst her triumphs fears;

Some god, they thought, who ruled the fate of wars,

Shot down avenging from the vault of stars.

Then thus aloud: "Ye dauntless Dardans, hear!

And you whom distant nations send to war!

Be mindful of the strength your fathers bore;

Be still yourselves, and Hector asks no more.

One hour demands me in the Trojan wall,

To bid our altars flame, and victims fall:

Nor shall, I trust, the matrons' holy train,

And reverend elders, seek the gods in vain."

This said, with ample strides the hero pass'd;

The shield's large orb behind his shoulder cast,

His neck o'ershading, to his ankle hung;

And as he march'd the brazen buckler rung.

Now paused the battle (godlike Hector gone),(167)

260

The Iliad of Homer