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shield of Aretus； and went right through it for the shield stayed it
not； so that it was driven through his belt into the lower part of his
belly。 As when some sturdy youth； axe in hand； deals his blow behind
the horns of an ox and severs the tendons at the back of its neck so
that it springs forward and then drops； even so did Aretus give one
bound and then fall on his back the spear quivering in his body till
it made an end of him。 Hector then aimed a spear at Automedon but he
saw it coming and stooped forward to avoid it； so that it flew past
him and the point stuck in the ground； while the butt…end went on
quivering till Mars robbed it of its force。 They would then have
fought hand to hand with swords had not the two Ajaxes forced their
way through the crowd when they heard their comrade calling； and
parted them for all their fury… for Hector； Aeneas； and Chromius
were afraid and drew back； leaving Aretus to lie there struck to the
heart。 Automedon； peer of fleet Mars； then stripped him of his
armour and vaunted over him saying； 〃I have done little to assuage
my sorrow for the son of Menoetius； for the man I have killed is not
so good as he was。〃
As he spoke he took the blood…stained spoils and laid them upon
his chariot； then he mounted the car with his hands and feet all
steeped in gore as a lion that has been gorging upon a bull。
And now the fierce groanful fight again raged about Patroclus； for
Minerva came down from heaven and roused its fury by the command of
far…seeing Jove； who had changed his mind and sent her to encourage
the Danaans。 As when Jove bends his bright bow in heaven in token to
mankind either of war or of the chill storms that stay men from
their labour and plague the flocks… even so； wrapped in such radiant
raiment； did Minerva go in among the host and speak man by man to
each。 First she took the form and voice of Phoenix and spoke to
Menelaus son of Atreus； who was standing near her。 〃Menelaus；〃 said
she； 〃it will be shame and dishonour to you； if dogs tear the noble
comrade of Achilles under the walls of Troy。 Therefore be staunch； and
urge your men to be so also。〃
Menelaus answered； 〃Phoenix； my good old friend； may Minerva
vouchsafe me strength and keep the darts from off me； for so shall I
stand by Patroclus and defend him； his death has gone to my heart； but
Hector is as a raging fire and deals his blows without ceasing； for
Jove is now granting him a time of triumph。〃
Minerva was pleased at his having named herself before any of the
other gods。 Therefore she put strength into his knees and shoulders；
and made him as bold as a fly； which； though driven off will yet
come again and bite if it can； so dearly does it love man's blood…
even so bold as this did she make him as he stood over Patroclus and
threw his spear。 Now there was among the Trojans a man named Podes；
son of Eetion； who was both rich and valiant。 Hector held him in the
highest honour for he was his comrade and boon companion； the spear of
Menelaus struck this man in the girdle just as he had turned in
flight； and went right through him。 Whereon he fell heavily forward；
and Menelaus son of Atreus drew off his body from the Trojans into the
ranks of his own people。
Apollo then went up to Hector and spurred him on to fight； in the
likeness of Phaenops son of Asius who lived in Abydos and was the most
favoured of all Hector's guests。 In his likeness Apollo said； 〃Hector；
who of the Achaeans will fear you henceforward now that you have
quailed before Menelaus who has ever been rated poorly as a soldier？
Yet he has now got a corpse away from the Trojans single…handed； and
has slain your own true comrade； a man brave among the foremost； Podes
son of Eetion。
A dark cloud of grief fell upon Hector as he heard； and he made
his way to the front clad in full armour。 Thereon the son of Saturn
seized his bright tasselled aegis； and veiled Ida in cloud： he sent
forth his lightnings and his thunders； and as he shook his aegis he
gave victory to the Trojans and routed the Achaeans。
The panic was begun by Peneleos the Boeotian； for while keeping
his face turned ever towards the foe he had been hit with a spear on
the upper part of the shoulder； a spear thrown by Polydamas had grazed
the top of the bone； for Polydamas had come up to him and struck him
from close at hand。 Then Hector in close combat struck Leitus son of
noble Alectryon in the hand by the wrist； and disabled him from
fighting further。 He looked about him in dismay； knowing that never
again should he wield spear in battle with the Trojans。 While Hector
was in pursuit of Leitus； Idomeneus struck him on the breastplate over
his chest near the nipple； but the spear broke in the shaft； and the
Trojans cheered aloud。 Hector then aimed at Idomeneus son of Deucalion
as he was standing on his chariot； and very narrowly missed him； but
the spear hit Coiranus； a follower and charioteer of Meriones who
had come with him from Lyctus。 Idomeneus had left the ships on foot
and would have afforded a great triumph to the Trojans if Coiranus had
not driven quickly up to him； he therefore brought life and rescue
to Idomeneus； but himself fell by the hand of murderous Hector。 For
Hector hit him on the jaw under the ear； the end of the spear drove
out his teeth and cut his tongue in two pieces； so that he fell from
his chariot and let the reins fall to the ground。 Meriones gathered
them up from the ground and took them into his own hands； then he said
to Idomeneus； 〃Lay on； till you get back to the ships； for you must
see that the day is no longer ours。〃
On this Idomeneus lashed the horses to the ships； for fear had taken
hold upon him。
Ajax and Menelaus noted how Jove had turned the scale in favour of
the Trojans； and Ajax was first to speak。 〃Alas；〃 said he； 〃even a
fool may see that father Jove is helping the Trojans。 All their
weapons strike home； no matter whether it be a brave man or a coward
that hurls them； Jove speeds all alike； whereas ours fall each one
of them without effect。 What； then； will be best both as regards
rescuing the body； and our return to the joy of our friends who will
be grieving as they look hitherwards； for they will make sure that
nothing can now check the terrible hands of Hector； and that he will
fling himself upon our ships。 I wish that some one would go and tell
the son of Peleus at once； for I do not think he can have yet heard
the sad news that the dearest of his friends has fallen。 But I can see
not a man among the Achaeans to send； for they and their chariots
are alike hidden in darkness。 O father Jove； lift this cloud from over
the sons of the Achaeans； make heaven serene； and let us see； if you
will that we perish； let us fall at any rate by daylight。〃
Father Jove heard him and had compassion upon his tears。 Forthwith
he chased away the cloud of darkness； so that the sun shone out and
all the fighting was revealed。 Ajax then said to Menelaus； 〃Look；
Menelaus； and if Antilochus son of Nestor be still living； send him at
once to tell Achilles that by far the dearest to him of all his
comrades has fallen。〃
Menelaus heeded his words and went hi