The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind
Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d
Continual, calling all their courage forth,
While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took
Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host. 725
For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give
Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,[14]
That he might cast into the fleet of Greece
Devouring flames, and that no part might fail
Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone 730
He watch’d to see, one galley in a blaze,
Ordaining foul repulse, thenceforth, and flight
To Ilium’s host, but glory to the Greeks. 
Such was the cause for which, at first, he moved
To that assault Hector, himself prepared 735
And ardent for the task; nor less he raged
Than Mars while fighting, or than flames that seize
Some forest on the mountain-tops; the foam
Hung at his lips, beneath his awful front
His keen eyes glisten’d, and his helmet mark’d 740
The agitation wild with which he fought. 
For Jove omnipotent, himself, from heaven
Assisted Hector, and, although alone
With multitudes he strove, gave him to reach
The heights of glory, for that now his life 745
Waned fast, and, urged by Pallas on,[15] his hour
To die by Peleus’ mighty son approach’d. 
He then, wherever richest arms he saw
And thickest throng, the warrior-ranks essay’d
To break, but broke them not, though fierce resolved, 750
In even square compact so firm they stood. 
As some vast rock beside the hoary Deep
The stress endures of many a hollow wind,
And the huge billows tumbling at his base,
So stood the Danai, nor fled nor fear’d. 755
But he, all-fiery bright in arms, the host
Assail’d on every side, and on the van
Fell, as a wave by wintry blasts upheaved
Falls ponderous on the ship; white clings the foam
Around her, in her sail shrill howls the storm, 760
And every seaman trembles at the view
Of thousand deaths from which he scarce escapes,
Such anguish rent the bosom of the Greeks. 
But he, as leaps a famish’d lion fell
On beeves that graze some marshy meadow’s breadth, 765
A countless herd, tended by one unskill’d
To cope with savage beasts in their defence,
Beside the foremost kine or with the last
He paces heedless, but the lion, borne
Impetuous on the midmost, one devours 770
And scatters all the rest,[16] so fled the Greeks,
Terrified from above, before the arm
Of Hector, and before the frown of Jove. 
All fled, but of them all alone he slew
The Mycenaean Periphetes, son 775
Of Copreus custom’d messenger of King
Eurystheus to the might of Hercules. 
From such a sire inglorious had arisen
A son far worthier, with all virtue graced,