To meet her, ardent on the part of Troy. 
  Beneath the beech they join’d, when first the King, 25
  The son of Jove, Apollo thus began. 
    Daughter of Jove supreme! why hast thou left
  Olympus, and with such impetuous speed? 
  Comest thou to give the Danai success
  Decisive?  For I know that pity none 30
  Thou feel’st for Trojans, perish as they may
  But if advice of mine can influence thee
  To that which shall be best, let us compose
  This day the furious fight which shall again
  Hereafter rage, till Ilium be destroy’d. 35
  Since such is Juno’s pleasure and thy own. 
    Him answer’d then Pallas caerulean-eyed. 
  Celestial archer! be it so.  I came
  Myself so purposing into the field
  From the Olympian heights.  But by what means 40
  Wilt thou induce the warriors to a pause? 
    To whom the King, the son of Jove, replied. 
  The courage of equestrian Hector bold
  Let us excite, that he may challenge forth
  To single conflict terrible some chief 45
  Achaian.  The Achaians brazen-mail’d
  Indignant, will supply a champion soon
  To combat with the noble Chief of Troy. 
    So spake Apollo, and his counsel pleased
  Minerva; which when Helenus the seer, 50
  Priam’s own son, in his prophetic soul
  Perceived, approaching Hector, thus he spake. 
    Jove’s peer in wisdom, Hector, Priam’s son! 
  I am thy brother.  Wilt thou list to me? 
  Bid cease the battle.  Bid both armies sit. 55
  Call first, thyself, the mightiest of the Greeks
  To single conflict.  I have heard the voice
  Of the Eternal Gods, and well-assured
  Foretell thee that thy death not now impends. 
    He spake, whom Hector heard with joy elate. 60
  Before his van striding into the space
  Both hosts between, he with his spear transverse[1]
  Press’d back the Trojans, and they sat.  Down sat
  The well-greaved Grecians also at command
  Of Agamemnon; and in shape assumed 65
  Of vultures, Pallas and Apollo perch’d
  High on the lofty beech sacred to Jove
  The father AEgis-arm’d; delighted thence
  They view’d the peopled plain horrent around
  With shields and helms and glittering spears erect. 70
  As when fresh-blowing Zephyrus the flood
  Sweeps first, the ocean blackens at the blast,
  Such seem’d the plain whereon the Achaians sat
  And Trojans, whom between thus Hector spake. 
    Ye Trojans and Achaians brazen-greaved, 75
  Attend while I shall speak!  Jove high-enthroned
  Hath not fulfill’d the truce, but evil plans
  Against both hosts, till either ye shall take
  Troy’s lofty towers, or shall yourselves