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of Antenor； Archelochus and Acamas； men well versed in all the arts of
war。 Sarpedon was captain over the allies； and took with him Glaucus
and Asteropaeus whom he deemed most valiant after himself… for he
was far the best man of them all。 These helped to array one another in
their ox…hide shields； and then charged straight at the Danaans； for
they felt sure that they would not hold out longer and that they
should themselves now fall upon the ships。
The rest of the Trojans and their allies now followed the counsel of
Polydamas but Asius son of Hyrtacus would not leave his horses and his
esquire behind him； in his foolhardiness he took them on with him
towards the ships； nor did he fail to come by his end in
consequence。 Nevermore was he to return to wind…beaten Ilius； exulting
in his chariot and his horses； ere he could do so； death of ill…omened
name had overshadowed him and he had fallen by the spear of
Idomeneus the noble son of Deucalion。 He had driven towards the left
wing of the ships； by which way the Achaeans used to return with their
chariots and horses from the plain。 Hither he drove and found the
gates with their doors opened wide； and the great bar down… for the
gatemen kept them open so as to let those of their comrades enter
who might be flying towards the ships。 Hither of set purpose did he
direct his horses； and his men followed him with a loud cry； for
they felt sure that the Achaeans would not hold out longer； and that
they should now fall upon the ships。 Little did they know that at
the gates they should find two of the bravest chieftains； proud sons
of the fighting Lapithae… the one； Polypoetes； mighty son of
Pirithous； and the other Leonteus； peer of murderous Mars。 These stood
before the gates like two high oak trees upon the mountains； that
tower from their wide…spreading roots； and year after year battle with
wind and rain… even so did these two men await the onset of great
Asius confidently and without flinching。 The Trojans led by him and by
Iamenus； Orestes； Adamas the son of Asius； Thoon and Oenomaus；
raised a loud cry of battle and made straight for the wall； holding
their shields of dry ox…hide above their heads； for a while the two
defenders remained inside and cheered the Achaeans on to stand firm in
the defence of their ships； when； however； they saw that the Trojans
were attacking the wall； while the Danaans were crying out for help
and being routed； they rushed outside and fought in front of the gates
like two wild boars upon the mountains that abide the attack of men
and dogs； and charging on either side break down the wood all round
them tearing it up by the roots； and one can hear the clattering of
their tusks； till some one hits them and makes an end of them… even so
did the gleaming bronze rattle about their breasts； as the weapons
fell upon them； for they fought with great fury； trusting to their own
prowess and to those who were on the wall above them。 These threw
great stones at their assailants in defence of themselves their
tents and their ships。 The stones fell thick as the flakes of snow
which some fierce blast drives from the dark clouds and showers down
in sheets upon the earth… even so fell the weapons from the hands
alike of Trojans and Achaeans。 Helmet and shield rang out as the great
stones rained upon them； and Asius the son of Hyrtacus in his dismay
cried aloud and smote his two thighs。 〃Father Jove；〃 he cried； 〃of a
truth you too are altogether given to lying。 I made sure the Argive
heroes could not withstand us； whereas like slim…waisted wasps； or
bees that have their nests in the rocks by the wayside… they leave not
the holes wherein they have built undefended； but fight for their
little ones against all who would take them… even so these men； though
they be but two； will not be driven from the gates； but stand firm
either to slay or be slain。〃
He spoke； but moved not the mind of Jove； whose counsel it then
was to give glory to Hector。 Meanwhile the rest of the Trojans were
fighting about the other gates； I； however； am no god to be able to
tell about all these things； for the battle raged everywhere about the
stone wall as it were a fiery furnace。 The Argives； discomfited though
they were； were forced to defend their ships； and all the gods who
were defending the Achaeans were vexed in spirit； but the Lapithae
kept on fighting with might and main。
Thereon Polypoetes； mighty son of Pirithous； hit Damasus with a
spear upon his cheek…pierced helmet。 The helmet did not protect him；
for the point of the spear went through it； and broke the bone； so
that the brain inside was scattered about； and he died fighting。 He
then slew Pylon and Ormenus。 Leonteus； of the race of Mars； killed
Hippomachus the son of Antimachus by striking him with his spear
upon the girdle。 He then drew his sword and sprang first upon
Antiphates whom he killed in combat； and who fell face upwards on
the earth。 After him he killed Menon； Iamenus； and Orestes； and laid
them low one after the other。
While they were busy stripping the armour from these heroes； the
youths who were led on by Polydamas and Hector （and these were the
greater part and the most valiant of those that were trying to break
through the wall and fire the ships） were still standing by the
trench； uncertain what they should do； for they had seen a sign from
heaven when they had essayed to cross it… a soaring eagle that flew
skirting the left wing of their host； with a monstrous blood…red snake
in its talons still alive and struggling to escape。 The snake was
still bent on revenge； wriggling and twisting itself backwards till it
struck the bird that held it； on the neck and breast； whereon the bird
being in pain； let it fall； dropping it into the middle of the host；
and then flew down the wind with a sharp cry。 The Trojans were
struck with terror when they saw the snake； portent of aegis…bearing
Jove； writhing in the midst of them； and Polydamas went up to Hector
and said； 〃Hector； at our councils of war you are ever given to rebuke
me； even when I speak wisely； as though it were not well； forsooth；
that one of the people should cross your will either in the field or
at the council board； you would have them support you always：
nevertheless I will say what I think will be best； let us not now go
on to fight the Danaans at their ships； for I know what will happen if
this soaring eagle which skirted the left wing of our with a monstrous
blood…red snake in its talons （the snake being still alive） was really
sent as an omen to the Trojans on their essaying to cross the
trench。 The eagle let go her hold； she did not succeed in taking it
home to her little ones； and so will it be… with ourselves； even
though by a mighty effort we break through the gates and wall of the
Achaeans； and they give way before us； still we shall not return in
good order by the way we came； but shall leave many a man behind us
whom the Achaeans will do to death in defence of their ships。 Thus
would any seer who was expert in these matters； and was trusted by the
people； read the portent。〃
Hector looked fiercely at him and said； 〃Polydamas； I like not of
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