while, 260
  Shall urge him to oppose thee face to face. 
    So Pallas spake, whom joyful he obey’d,
  And on his spear brass-pointed lean’d.  But she,
  (Achilles left) to noble Hector pass’d,
  And in the form, and with the voice loud-toned 265
  Approaching of Deiphobus, his ear
  In accents, as of pity, thus address’d. 
    Ah brother! thou art overtask’d, around
  The walls of Troy by swift Achilles driven;
  But stand, that we may chase him in his turn.[12] 270
    To whom crest-tossing Hector huge replied. 
  Deiphobus! of all my father’s sons
  Brought forth by Hecuba, I ever loved
  Thee most, but more than ever love thee now,
  Who hast not fear’d, seeing me, for my sake 275
  To quit the town, where others rest content. 
    To whom the Goddess, thus, cerulean-eyed. 
  Brother! our parents with much earnest suit
  Clasping my knees, and all my friends implored me
  To stay in Troy, (such fear hath seized on all) 280
  But grief for thee prey’d on my inmost soul. 
  Come—­fight we bravely—­spare we now our spears
  No longer; now for proof if Peleus’ son
  Slaying us both, shall bear into the fleet
  Our arms gore-stain’d, or perish slain by thee. 285
    So saying, the wily Goddess led the way. 
  They soon, approaching each the other, stood
  Opposite, and huge Hector thus began. 
    Pelides!  I will fly thee now no more. 
  Thrice I have compass’d Priam’s spacious walls 290
  A fugitive, and have not dared abide
  Thy onset, but my heart now bids me stand
  Dauntless, and I will slay, or will be slain. 
  But come.  We will attest the Gods; for they
  Are fittest both to witness and to guard 295
  Our covenant.  If Jove to me vouchsafe
  The hard-earn’d victory, and to take thy life,
  I will not with dishonor foul insult
  Thy body, but, thine armor stripp’d, will give
  Thee to thy friends, as thou shalt me to mine. 300
    To whom Achilles, lowering dark, replied. 
  Hector! my bitterest foe! speak not to me
  Of covenants! as concord can be none
  Lions and men between, nor wolves and lambs
  Can be unanimous, but hate perforce 305
  Each other by a law not to be changed,
  So cannot amity subsist between
  Thee and myself; nor league make I with thee
  Or compact, till thy blood in battle shed
  Or mine, shall gratify the fiery Mars. 310
  Rouse all thy virtue; thou hast utmost need
  Of valor now, and of address in arms. 
  Escape me more thou canst not; Pallas’ hand
  By mine subdues thee; now will I avenge
  At once the agonies of every Greek 315
  In thy unsparing fury slain by thee.