the earth,
  No creature lives so mere a wretch as man. 535
  Yet shall not Priameian Hector ride
  Triumphant, drawn by you.  Myself forbid. 
  Suffice it that he boasts vain-gloriously
  Those arms his own.  Your spirit and your limbs
  I will invigorate, that ye may bear 540
  Safe hence Automedon into the fleet. 
  For I ordain the Trojans still to spread
  Carnage around victorious, till they reach
  The gallant barks, and till the sun at length
  Descending, sacred darkness cover all. 545
    He said, and with new might the steeds inspired. 
  They, shaking from their hair profuse the dust,
  Between the van of either army whirl’d
  The rapid chariot.  Fighting as he pass’d,
  Though fill’d with sorrow for his slaughter’d friend, 550
  Automedon high-mounted swept the field
  Impetuous as a vulture scattering geese;
  Now would he vanish, and now, turn’d again,
  Chase through a multitude his trembling foe;
  But whomsoe’er he follow’d, none he slew, 555
  Nor was the task possible to a Chief
  Sole in the sacred chariot, both to aim
  The spear aright and guide the fiery steeds. 
  At length Alcimedon, his friend in arms,
  Son of Laerceus son of AEmon, him 560
  Observing, from behind the chariot hail’d
  The flying warrior, whom he thus bespake. 
    What power, Automedon! hath ta’en away
  Thy better judgment, and thy breast inspired
  With this vain purpose to assail alone 565
  The Trojan van?  Thy partner in the fight
  Is slain, and Hector on his shoulders bears,
  Elate, the armor of AEacides. 
    Then, answer thus Automedon return’d,
  Son of Diores.  Who of all our host 570
  Was ever skill’d, Alcimedon! as thou
  To rule the fire of these immortal steeds,
  Save only while he lived, peer of the Gods
  In that great art, Patroclus, now no more? 
  Thou, therefore, the resplendent reins receive 575
  And scourge, while I, dismounting, wage the fight. 
    He ceased; Alcimedon without delay
  The battle-chariot mounting, seized at once
  The lash and reins, and from his seat down leap’d
  Automedon.  Them noble Hector mark’d, 580
  And to AEneas at his side began. 
    Illustrious Chief of Trojans brazen-mail’d
  AEneas!  I have noticed yonder steeds
  Of swift Achilles rushing into fight
  Conspicuous, but under sway of hands 585
  Unskilful; whence arises a fair hope
  That we might seize them, wert thou so inclined;
  For never would those two dare to oppose
  In battle an assault dreadful as ours. 
    He ended, nor the valiant son refused 590