Chapter 16

The saffron-mantled morning[1] now was spread O’er all the nations, when the Thunderer Jove On the deep-fork’d Olympian topmost height Convened the Gods in council, amid whom He spake himself; they all attentive heard.5 Gods! Goddesses! Inhabitants of heaven! Attend; I make my secret purpose known. Let neither God nor Goddess interpose My counsel to rescind, but with one heart Approve it, that it reach, at once, its end.10 Whom I shall mark soever from the rest Withdrawn, that he may Greeks or Trojans aid, Disgrace shall find him; shamefully chastised He shall return to the Olympian heights, Or I will hurl him deep into the gulfs15 Of gloomy Tartarus, where Hell shuts fast Her iron gates, and spreads her brazen floor, As far below the shades, as earth from heaven. There shall he learn how far I pass in might All others; which if ye incline to doubt,20 Now prove me. Let ye down the golden chain[2] From heaven, and at its nether links pull all, Both Goddesses and Gods. But me your King, Supreme in wisdom, ye shall never draw To earth from heaven, toil adverse as ye may.25 Yet I, when once I shall be pleased to pull, The earth itself, itself the sea, and you Will lift with ease together, and will wind The chain around the spiry summit sharp Of the Olympian, that all things upheaved30 Shall hang in the mid heaven. So far do I, Compared with all who live, transcend them all. He ended, and the Gods long time amazed Sat silent, for with awful tone he spake: But at the last Pallas blue-eyed began.35 Father! Saturnian Jove! of Kings supreme! We know thy force resistless; but our hearts Feel not the less, when we behold the Greeks Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot. If thou command, we, doubtless, will abstain40 From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks Suggesting still, as may in part effect Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all. To whom with smiles answer’d cloud-gatherer Jove. Fear not, my child! stern as mine accent was,45 I forced a frown—no more. For in mine heart Nought feel I but benevolence to thee. He said, and to his chariot join’d his steeds Swift, brazen-hoof’d, and mailed with wavy gold; He put on golden raiment, his bright scourge50 Of gold receiving rose into his seat, And lash’d his steeds; they not unwilling flew Midway the earth between and starry heaven. To spring-fed Ida, mother of wild beasts, He came, where stands in Gargarus[3] his shrine55 Breathing fresh incense! there the Sire of all Arriving, loosed his coursers, and around Involving them in gather’d clouds opaque, Sat on the mountain’s head, in his own might Exulting, with the towers of Ilium all60 Beneath his eye, and the whole fleet of Greece. In all their tents, meantime, Achaia’s sons Took short refreshment, and for fight prepared. On the other side, though fewer, yet constrain’d By strong necessity, throughout all Troy,65 In the defence of children and wives Ardent, the Trojans panted for the field. Wide flew the city gates: forth rush’d to war Horsemen and foot, and tumult wild arose. They met, they clash’d; loud was the din of spears70 And bucklers on their bosoms brazen-mail’d Encountering, shields in opposition from Met bossy shields, and tumult wild arose.[4] There many a shout and many a dying groan Were heard, the slayer and the maim’d aloud75 Clamoring, and the earth was drench’d with blood. Till sacred morn[5] had brighten’d into noon, The vollied weapons on both sides their task Perform’d effectual, and the people fell. But when the sun had climb’d the middle skies,80 The Sire of all then took his golden scales;[6] Doom against doom he weigh’d, the eternal fates In counterpoise, of Trojans and of Greeks. He rais’d the beam; low sank the heavier lot Of the Achaians; the Achaian doom85 Subsided, and the Trojan struck the skies. Then roar’d the thunders from the summit hurl’d of Ida, and his vivid lightnings flew Into Achaia’s host. They at the sight Astonish’d stood; fear whiten’d every cheek.[7]90 Idomeneus dared not himself abide That shock, nor Agamemnon stood, nor stood The heroes Ajax, ministers of Mars. Gerenian Nestor, guardian of the Greeks, Alone fled not, nor he by choice remain’d,95 But by his steed retarded, which the mate Of beauteous Helen, Paris, with a shaft Had stricken where the forelock grows, a part Of all most mortal. Tortured by the wound Erect he rose, the arrow in his brain,100 And writhing furious, scared his fellow-steeds. Meantime, while, strenuous, with his falchion’s edge The hoary warrior stood slashing the reins, Through multitudes of fierce pursuers borne On rapid wheels, the dauntless charioteer105 Approach’d him, Hector. Then, past hope, had died The ancient King, but Diomede discern’d His peril imminent, and with a voice Like thunder, called Ulysses to his aid. Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!110 Art thou too fugitive, and turn’st thy back Like the base multitude? Ah! fear a lance Implanted ignominious in thy spine. Stop—Nestor dies. Fell Hector is at hand. So shouted Diomede, whose summons loud,115 Ulysses yet heard not, but, passing, flew With headlong haste to the Achaian fleet. Then, Diomede, unaided as he was, Rush’d ardent to the vanward, and before The steeds of the Neleian sovereign old120 Standing, in accents wing’d, him thus address’d. Old Chief! these youthful warriors are too brisk For thee, press’d also by encroaching age, Thy servant too is feeble, and thy steeds Are tardy. Mount my chariot. Thou shalt see125 With what rapidity the steeds of Troy, Pursuing or retreating, scour the field. I took them from that terror of his foes, Æneas. Thine to our attendants leave, While these against the warlike powers of Troy130 We push direct; that Hector’s self may know If my spear rage not furious as his own. He said, nor the Gerenian Chief refused. Thenceforth their servants, Sthenelus and good Eurymedon, took charge of Nestor’s steeds,135 And they the chariot of Tydides both Ascended; Nestor seized the reins, plied well The scourge, and soon they met. Tydides hurl’d At Hector first, while rapid he advanced; But missing Hector, wounded in the breast140 Eniopeus his charioteer, the son Of brave Thebæus, managing the steeds. He fell; his fiery coursers at the sound Startled, recoil’d, and where he fell he died. Deep sorrow for his charioteer o’erwhelm’d145 The mind of Hector; yet, although he mourn’d He left him, and another sought as brave. Nor wanted long his steeds a charioteer, For finding soon the son of Iphitus, Bold Archeptolemus, he bade him mount150 His chariot, and the reins gave to his hand. Then deeds of bloodiest note should have ensued, Penn’d had the Trojans been, as lambs, in Troy, But for quick succor of the sire of all. Thundering, he downward hurled his candent bolt155 To the horse-feet of Diomede; dire fumed The flaming sulphur, and both horses drove Under the axle, belly to the ground. Forth flew the splendid reins from Nestor’s hand, And thus to Diomede, appall’d, he spake.160

Back to the fleet, Tydides! Can’st not see That Jove ordains not, now, the victory thine? The son of Saturn glorifies to-day This Trojan, and, if such his will, can make The morrow ours; but vain it is to thwart165 The mind of Jove, for he is Lord of all. To him the valiant Diomede replied. Thou hast well said, old warrior! but the pang That wrings my soul, is this. The public ear In Ilium shall from Hector’s lips be told—170 I drove Tydides—fearing me he fled. So shall he vaunt, and may the earth her jaws That moment opening swallow me alive! Him answer’d the Gerenian warrior old. What saith the son of Tydeus, glorious Chief?175 Should Hector so traduce thee as to call Thee base and timid, neither Trojan him Nor Dardan would believe, nor yet the wives Of numerous shielded warriors brave of Troy, Widow’d by thy unconquerable arm.180 So saying, he through the fugitives his steeds Turn’d swift to flight. Then Hector and his host With clamor infinite their darts wo-wing’d Shower’d after them, and Hector, mighty Chief Majestic, from afar, thus call’d aloud.185 Tydides! thee the Danaï swift-horsed Were wont to grace with a superior seat, The mess of honor, and the brimming cup, But now will mock thee. Thou art woman now. Go, timorous girl! Thou never shalt behold190 Me flying, climb our battlements, or lead Our women captive. I will slay thee first. He ceased. Then Diomede in dread suspense Thrice purposed, turning, to withstand the foe, And thrice in thunder from the mountain-top195 Jove gave the signal of success to Troy. When Hector thus the Trojans hail’d aloud. Trojans and Lycians, and close-warring sons Of Dardanus, oh summon all your might, Now, now be men! I know that from his heart200 Saturnian Jove glory and bright success For me prepares, but havoc for the Greeks. Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard Contemptible; such also is the trench;205 My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap. But when ye see me in their fleet arrived, Remember fire. Then bring me flaming brands That I may burn their galleys and themselves Slaughter beside them, struggling in the smoke.[8]210 He spake, and thus encouraged next his steeds. Xanthus! Podargus! and ye generous pair Æthon and glossy Lampus! now requite Mine, and the bounty of Andromache, Far-famed Eëtion’s daughter; she your bowl215 With corn fresh-flavor’d and with wine full oft Hath mingled, your refreshment seeking first Ere mine, who have a youthful husband’s claim.[9] Now follow! now be swift; that we may seize The shield of Nestor, bruited to the skies220 As golden all, trappings and disk alike. Now from the shoulders of the equestrian Chief Tydides tear we off his splendid mail, The work of Vulcan.[10] May we take but these, I have good hope that, ere this night be spent,225 The Greeks shall climb their galleys and away. So vaunted he, but Juno with disdain His proud boast heard, and shuddering in her throne, Rock’d the Olympian; turning then toward The Ocean’s mighty sovereign, thus she spake.230 Alas! earth-shaking sovereign of the waves, Feel’st thou no pity of the perishing Greeks? Yet Greece, in Helice, with gifts nor few Nor sordid, and in Ægæ, honors thee, Whom therefore thou shouldst prosper. Would we all235 Who favor Greece associate to repulse The Trojans, and to check loud-thundering Jove, On Ida seated he might lour alone. To whom the Sovereign, Shaker of the Shores, Indignant. Juno! rash in speech! what word240 Hath ’scaped thy lips? never, with my consent, Shall we, the powers subordinate, in arms With Jove contend. He far excels us all. So they. Meantime, the trench and wall between,[11] The narrow interval with steeds was fill’d245 Close throng’d and shielded warriors. There immew’d By Priameian Hector, fierce as Mars, They stood, for Hector had the help of Jove. And now with blazing fire their gallant barks He had consumed, but Juno moved the mind250 Of Agamemnon, vigilant himself, To exhortation of Achaia’s host. Through camp and fleet the monarch took his way, And, his wide robe imperial in his hand, High on Ulysses’ huge black galley stood,255 The central ship conspicuous; thence his voice Might reach the most remote of all the line At each extreme, where Ajax had his tent Pitch’d, and Achilles, fearless of surprise. Thence, with loud voice, the Grecians thus he hail’d.260 Oh shame to Greece! Warriors in show alone! Where is your boasted prowess? Ye profess’d Vain-glorious erst in Lemnos, while ye fed Plenteously on the flesh of beeves full-grown, And crown’d your beakers high, that ye would face265 Each man a hundred Trojans in the field— Ay, twice a hundred—yet are all too few To face one Hector now; nor doubt I aught But he shall soon fire the whole fleet of Greece. Jove! Father! what great sovereign ever felt270 Thy frowns as I? Whom hast thou shamed as me? Yet I neglected not, through all the course Of our disasterous voyage (in the hope That we should vanquish Troy) thy sacred rites, But where I found thine altar, piled it high275 With fat and flesh of bulls, on every shore. But oh, vouchsafe to us, that we at least Ourselves, deliver’d, may escape the sword, Nor let their foes thus tread the Grecians down! He said. The eternal father pitying saw280 His tears, and for the monarch’s sake preserved The people. Instant, surest of all signs, He sent his eagle; in his pounces strong A fawn he bore, fruit of the nimble hind, Which fast beside the beauteous altar raised285 To Panomphæan[12] Jove sudden he dropp’d.[13] They, conscious, soon, that sent from Jove he came, More ardent sprang to fight. Then none of all Those numerous Chiefs could boast that he outstripp’d Tydides, urging forth beyond the foss290 His rapid steeds, and rushing to the war. He, foremost far, a Trojan slew, the son Of Phradmon, Ageläus; as he turn’d His steeds to flight, him turning with his spear Through back and bosom Diomede transpierced.295 And with loud clangor of his arms he fell. Then, royal Agamemnon pass’d the trench And Menelaus; either Ajax, then, Clad with fresh prowess both; them follow’d, next, Idomeneus, with his heroic friend300 In battle dread as homicidal Mars, Meriones; Evæmon’s son renown’d Succeeded, bold Eurypylus; and ninth Teucer, wide-straining his impatient bow. He under covert fought of the broad shield305 Of Telamonian Ajax; Ajax high Upraised his shield; the hero from beneath Took aim, and whom his arrow struck, he fell; Then close as to his mother’s side a child For safety creeps, Teucer to Ajax’ side310 Retired, and Ajax shielded him again. Whom then slew Teucer first, illustrious Chief? Orsilochus, and Ophelestes, first, And Ormenus he slew, then Dætor died, Chromius and Lycophontes brave in fight315 With Amopaon Polyæmon’s son, And Melanippus. These, together heap’d, All fell by Teucer on the plain of Troy. The Trojan ranks thinn’d by his mighty bow The King of armies Agamemnon saw320 Well-pleased, and him approaching, thus began. Brave Telamonian Teucer, oh, my friend, Thus shoot, that light may visit once again The Danaï, and Telamon rejoice! Thee Telamon within his own abode325 Rear’d although spurious; mount him, in return, Although remote, on glory’s heights again. I tell thee, and the effect shall follow sure, Let but the Thunderer and Minerva grant The pillage of fair Ilium to the Greeks,330 And I will give to thy victorious hand, After my own, the noblest recompense, A tripod or a chariot with its steeds, Or some fair captive to partake thy bed. To whom the generous Teucer thus replied.335 Atrides! glorious monarch! wherefore me Exhortest thou to battle? who myself Glow with sufficient ardor, and such strength As heaven affords me spare not to employ. Since first we drove them back, with watchful eye340 Their warriors I have mark’d; eight shafts my bow Hath sent long-barb’d, and every shaft, well-aim’d. The body of some Trojan youth robust Hath pierced, but still you ravening wolf escapes. He said, and from the nerve another shaft345 Impatient sent at Hector; but it flew Devious, and brave Gorgythion struck instead. Him beautiful Castianira, brought By Priam from Æsyma, nymph of form Celestial, to the King of Ilium bore.350 As in the garden, with the weight surcharged Of its own fruit, and drench’d by vernal rains The poppy falls oblique, so he his head Hung languid, by his helmet’s weight depress’d.[14] Then Teucer yet an arrow from the nerve355 Dispatch’d at Hector, with impatience fired To pierce him; but again his weapon err’d Turn’d by Apollo, and the bosom struck Of Archeptolemus, his rapid steeds To battle urging, Hector’s charioteer.360 He fell, his fiery coursers at the sound Recoil’d, and lifeless where he fell he lay. Deep sorrow for his charioteer the mind O’erwhelm’d of Hector, yet he left the slain, And seeing his own brother nigh at hand,365 Cebriones, him summon’d to the reins, Who with alacrity that charge received. Then Hector, leaping with a dreadful shout From his resplendent chariot, grasp’d a stone, And rush’d on Teucer, vengeance in his heart.370 Teucer had newly fitted to the nerve An arrow keen selected from the rest, And warlike Hector, while he stood the cord Retracting, smote him with that rugged rock Just where the key-bone interposed divides375 The neck and bosom, a most mortal part. It snapp’d the bow-string, and with numbing force Struck dead his hand; low on his knees he dropp’d, And from his opening grasp let fall the bow. Then not unmindful of a brother fallen380 Was Ajax, but, advancing rapid, stalk’d Around him, and his broad shield interposed, Till brave Alaster and Mecisteus, son Of Echius, friends of Teucer, from the earth Upraised and bore him groaning to the fleet.385 And now again fresh force Olympian Jove Gave to the Trojans; right toward the foss They drove the Greeks, while Hector in the van Advanced, death menacing in every look. As some fleet hound close-threatening flank or haunch390 Of boar or lion, oft as he his head Turns flying, marks him with a steadfast eye, So Hector chased the Grecians, slaying still The hindmost of the scatter’d multitude. But when, at length, both piles and hollow foss395 They had surmounted, and no few had fallen By Trojan hands, within their fleet they stood Imprison’d, calling each to each, and prayer With lifted hands, loud offering to the Gods. With Gorgon looks, meantime, and eyes of Mars,400 Hector impetuous his mane-tossing steeds From side to side before the rampart drove, When white-arm’d Juno pitying the Greeks, In accents wing’d her speech to Pallas turn’d. Alas, Jove’s daughter! shall not we at least405 In this extremity of their distress Care for the Grecians by the fatal force Of this one Chief destroy’d? I can endure The rage of Priameïan Hector now No longer; such dire mischiefs he hath wrought.410 Whom answer’d thus Pallas, cærulean-eyed. —And Hector had himself long since his life Resign’d and rage together, by the Greeks Slain under Ilium’s walls, but Jove, my sire, Mad counsels executing and perverse,415 Me counterworks in all that I attempt, Nor aught remembers how I saved ofttimes His son enjoin’d full many a task severe By King Eurystheus; to the Gods he wept, And me Jove sent in haste to his relief.420 But had I then foreseen what now I know, When through the adamantine gates he pass’d To bind the dog of hell, by the deep floods Hemm’d in of Styx, he had return’d no more. But Thetis wins him now; her will prevails,425 And mine he hates; for she hath kiss’d his knees And grasp’d his beard, and him in prayer implored That he would honor her heroic son Achilles, city-waster prince renown’d. ’Tis well—the day shall come when Jove again430 Shall call me darling, and his blue-eyed maid As heretofore;—but thou thy steeds prepare, While I, my father’s mansion entering, arm For battle. I would learn by trial sure, If Hector, Priam’s offspring famed in fight435 (Ourselves appearing in the walks of war) Will greet us gladly. Doubtless at the fleet Some Trojan also, shall to dogs resign His flesh for food, and to the fowls of heaven.

So counsell’d Pallas, nor the daughter dread440 Of mighty Saturn, Juno, disapproved, But busily and with dispatch prepared The trappings of her coursers golden-rein’d. Meantime, Minerva progeny of Jove, On the adamantine floor of his abode445 Let fall profuse her variegated robe, Labor of her own hands. She first put on The corslet of the cloud-assembler God, Then arm’d her for the field of wo, complete. Mounting the fiery chariot, next she seized450 Her ponderous spear, huge, irresistible, With which Jove’s awful daughter levels ranks Of heroes against whom her anger burns. Juno with lifted lash urged on the steeds. At their approach, spontaneous roar’d the wide-455 Unfolding gates of heaven; the heavenly gates Kept by the watchful Hours, to whom the charge Of the Olympian summit appertains, And of the boundless ether, back to roll, And to replace the cloudy barrier dense.460 Spurr’d through the portal flew the rapid steeds: Which when the Eternal Father from the heights Of Ida saw, kindling with instant ire To golden-pinion’d Iris thus he spake. Haste, Iris, turn them thither whence they came;465 Me let them not encounter; honor small To them, to me, should from that strife accrue. Tell them, and the effect shall sure ensue, That I will smite their steeds, and they shall halt Disabled; break their chariot, dash themselves470 Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface The wounds by my avenging bolts impress’d. So shall my blue-eyed daughter learn to dread A father’s anger; but for the offence Of Juno, I resent it less; for she475 Clashes[15] with all my counsels from of old. He ended; Iris with a tempest’s speed From the Idæan summit soar’d at once To the Olympian; at the open gates Exterior of the mountain many-valed480 She stayed them, and her coming thus declared. Whither, and for what cause? What rage is this? Ye may not aid the Grecians; Jove forbids; The son of Saturn threatens, if ye force His wrath by perseverance into act,485 That he will smite your steeds, and they shall halt Disabled; break your chariot, dash yourselves Headlong, and ten whole years shall not efface The wounds by his avenging bolts impress’d. So shall his blue-eyed daughter learn to dread490 A father’s anger; but for the offence Of Juno, he resents it less; for she Clashes with all his counsels from of old. But thou, Minerva, if thou dare indeed Lift thy vast spear against the breast of Jove,495 Incorrigible art and dead to shame. So saying, the rapid Iris disappear’d, And thus her speech to Pallas Juno turn’d. Ah Pallas, progeny of Jove! henceforth No longer, in the cause of mortal men,500 Contend we against Jove. Perish or live Grecians or Trojans as he wills; let him Dispose the order of his own concerns, And judge between them, as of right he may. So saying, she turn’d the coursers; them the Hours505 Released, and to ambrosial mangers bound, Then thrust their chariot to the luminous wall. They, mingling with the Gods, on golden thrones Dejected sat, and Jove from Ida borne Reach’d the Olympian heights, seat of the Gods.510 His steeds the glorious King of Ocean loosed, And thrust the chariot, with its veil o’erspread. Into its station at the altar’s side. Then sat the Thunderer on his throne of gold Himself, and the huge mountain shook. Meantime515 Juno and Pallas, seated both apart, Spake not or question’d him. Their mute reserve He noticed, conscious of the cause, and said. Juno and Pallas, wherefore sit ye sad? Not through fatigue by glorious fight incurr’d520 And slaughter of the Trojans whom ye hate. Mark now the difference. Not the Gods combined Should have constrain’d _me_ back, till all my force, Superior as it is, had fail’d, and all My fortitude. But ye, ere ye beheld525 The wonders of the field, trembling retired. And ye did well—Hear what had else befallen. My bolts had found you both, and ye had reach’d, In your own chariot borne, the Olympian height, Seat of the blest Immortals, never more.530 He ended; Juno and Minerva heard Low murmuring deep disgust, and side by side Devising sat calamity to Troy. Minerva, through displeasure against Jove, Nought utter’d, for her bosom boil’d with rage;535 But Juno check’d not hers, who thus replied. What word hath pass’d thy lips, Jove most severe? We know thy force resistless; yet our hearts Feel not the less when we behold the Greeks Exhausting all the sorrows of their lot.540 If thou command, we doubtless will abstain From battle, yet such counsel to the Greeks Suggesting still, as may in part effect Their safety, lest thy wrath consume them all. Then answer, thus, cloud-gatherer Jove return’d.545 Look forth, imperial Juno, if thou wilt, To-morrow at the blush of earliest dawn, And thou shalt see Saturn’s almighty son The Argive host destroying far and wide. For Hector’s fury shall admit no pause550 Till he have roused Achilles, in that day When at the ships, in perilous straits, the hosts Shall wage fierce battle for Patroclus slain. Such is the voice of fate. But, as for thee— Withdraw thou to the confines of the abyss555 Where Saturn and Iäpetus retired, Exclusion sad endure from balmy airs And from the light of morn, hell-girt around, I will not call thee thence. No. Should thy rage Transport thee thither, there thou may’st abide,560 There sullen nurse thy disregarded spleen Obstinate as thou art, and void of shame. He ended; to whom Juno nought replied. And now the radiant Sun in Ocean sank, Drawing night after him o’er all the earth;565 Night, undesired by Troy, but to the Greeks Thrice welcome for its interposing gloom. Then Hector on the river’s brink fast by The Grecian fleet, where space he found unstrew’d With carcases convened the Chiefs of Troy.570 They, there dismounting, listen’d to the words Of Hector Jove-beloved; he grasp’d a spear In length eleven cubits, bright its head Of brass, and color’d with a ring of gold. He lean’d on it, and ardent thus began.575 Trojans, Dardanians, and allies of Troy! I hoped, this evening (every ship consumed, And all the Grecians slain) to have return’d To wind-swept Ilium. But the shades of night Have intervened, and to the night they owe,580 In chief, their whole fleet’s safety and their own. Now, therefore, as the night enjoins, all take Needful refreshment. Your high-mettled steeds Release, lay food before them, and in haste Drive hither from the city fatted sheep585 And oxen; bring ye from your houses bread, Make speedy purchase of heart-cheering wine, And gather fuel plenteous; that all night, E’en till Aurora, daughter of the morn Shall look abroad, we may with many fires590 Illume the skies; lest even in the night, Launching, they mount the billows and escape. Beware that they depart not unannoy’d, But, as he leaps on board, give each a wound With shaft or spear, which he shall nurse at home.595 So shall the nations fear us, and shall vex With ruthless war Troy’s gallant sons no more. Next, let the heralds, ministers of Jove, Loud notice issue that the boys well-grown, And ancients silver-hair’d on the high towers600 Built by the Gods, keep watch; on every hearth In Troy, let those of the inferior sex Make sprightly blaze, and place ye there a guard Sufficient, lest in absence of the troops An ambush enter, and surprise the town.605 Act thus, ye dauntless Trojans; the advice Is wholesome, and shall serve the present need, And so much for the night; ye shall be told The business of the morn when morn appears. It is my prayer to Jove and to all heaven610 (Not without hope) that I may hence expel These dogs, whom Ilium’s unpropitious fates Have wafted hither in their sable barks. But we will also watch this night, ourselves, And, arming with the dawn, will at their ships615 Give them brisk onset. Then shall it appear If Diomede the brave shall me compel Back to our walls, or I, his arms blood-stain’d, Torn from his breathless body, bear away. To-morrow, if he dare but to abide620 My lance, he shall not want occasion meet For show of valor. But much more I judge That the next rising sun shall see him slain With no few friends around him. Would to heaven! I were as sure to ’scape the blight of age625 And share their honors with the Gods above, As comes the morrow fraught with wo to Greece. So Hector, whom his host with loud acclaim All praised. Then each his sweating steeds released, And rein’d them safely at his chariot-side.630 And now from Troy provision large they brought, Oxen, and sheep, with store of wine and bread, And fuel much was gather’d. [16]Next the Gods With sacrifice they sought, and from the plain Upwafted by the winds the smoke aspired635 Savoury, but unacceptable to those Above; such hatred in their hearts they bore To Priam, to the people of the brave Spear-practised Priam, and to sacred Troy. Big with great purposes and proud, they sat,640 Not disarray’d, but in fair form disposed Of even ranks, and watch’d their numerous fires, As when around the clear bright moon, the stars Shine in full splendor, and the winds are hush’d, The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland-heights645 Stand all apparent, not a vapor streaks The boundless blue, but ether open’d wide All glitters, and the shepherd’s heart is cheer’d;[17] So numerous seem’d those fires the bank between Of Xanthus, blazing, and the fleet of Greece,650 In prospect all of Troy; a thousand fires, Each watch’d by fifty warriors seated near. The steeds beside the chariots stood, their corn Chewing, and waiting till the golden-throned Aurora should restore the light of day.655