320
Their rapid steeds full on the Grecian fleet;
I, marching at their head, will smooth, myself,
The way before them, and will turn again
To flight the heroes of the host of Greece. 

    He said and with new strength the Chief inspired. 325

As some stall’d horse high pamper’d, snapping short
His cord, beats under foot the sounding soil,
Accustom’d in smooth-sliding streams to lave
Exulting; high he bears his head, his mane
Wantons around his shoulders; pleased, he eyes 330
His glossy sides, and borne on pliant knees
Soon finds the haunts where all his fellows graze;
So bounded Hector, and his agile joints
Plied lightly, quicken’d by the voice divine,
And gather’d fast his charioteers to battle. 335
But as when hounds and hunters through the woods
Rush in pursuit of stag or of wild goat,
He, in some cave with tangled boughs o’erhung,
Lies safe conceal’d, no destined prey of theirs,
Till by their clamors roused, a lion grim 340
Starts forth to meet them; then, the boldest fly;
Such hot pursuit the Danai, with swords
And spears of double edge long time maintain’d. 
But seeing Hector in his ranks again
Occupied, felt at once their courage fall’n. 345

    Then, Thoas them, Andraemon’s son, address’d,

Foremost of the AEtolians, at the spear
Skilful, in stationary combat bold,
And when the sons of Greece held in dispute
The prize of eloquence, excell’d by few. 350
Prudent advising them, he thus began. 

    Ye Gods! what prodigy do I behold? 

Hath Hector, ’scaping death, risen again? 
For him, with confident persuasion all
Believed by Telamonian Ajax slain. 355
But some Divinity hath interposed
To rescue and save Hector, who the joints
Hath stiffen’d of full many a valiant Greek,
As surely now he shall; for, not without
The Thunderer’s aid, he flames in front again. 360
But take ye all my counsel.  Send we back
The multitude into the fleet, and first
Let us, who boast ourselves bravest in fight,
Stand, that encountering him with lifted spears,
We may attempt to give his rage a check. 365
To thrust himself into a band like ours
Will, doubtless, even in Hector move a fear. 

    He ceased, with whose advice all, glad, complied. 

Then Ajax with Idomeneus of Crete,
Teucer, Meriones, and Meges fierce 370
As Mars in battle, summoning aloud
The noblest Greeks, in opposition firm
To Hector and his host their bands prepared,
While others all into the fleet retired. 
Troy’s crowded host[8] struck first.  With awful strides 375
Came Hector foremost; him Apollo led,
His shoulders wrapt in clouds, and, on his arm,