*[Footnote: The Fates were thought of by the ancient peoples as three old women, who spun the thread of human life, twisted it, and cut it off whenever they thought it was long enough.] He said, and acting what no words could say, Rent from his head the silver locks away. With him the mournful mother bears a part; Yet all her sorrow turn not Hector's heart. The zone unbraced, her bosom she display'd; And thus, fast-falling the salt tears, she said: "Have mercy on me, O my son! revere The words of age; attend a parent's prayer! If ever thee in these fond arms I press'd, Or still'd thy infant clamors at this breast; Ah, do not thus our helpless years forego, But, by our walls secured, repel the foe." So they,* while down their cheeks the torrents roll; But fix'd remains the purpose of his soul; Resolved he stands, and with a fiery glance Expects the hero's terrible advance. So, roll'd up in his den, the swelling snake Beholds the traveller approach the brake; When fed with noxious herbs his turgid veins Have gather'd half the poisons of the plains; He burns, he stiffens with collected ire, And his red eyeballs glare with living fire.* Beneath a turret, on his shield reclined, He stood, and question'd thus his mighty mind: *[Footnote: The word _spoke_ is omitted here.] *[Footnote: Homer is famous for such comparisons as these. If you ever come across the term "Homeric simile," you may know that it means such a long, carefully worked out comparison as this.] "Where lies my way? to enter in the wall? Honor and shame the ungenerous thought recall: Shall proud Polydamas* before the gate Proclaim, his counsels are obeyed too late, Which timely follow'd but the former night What numbers had been saved by Hector's flight? That wise advice rejected with disdain, I feel my folly in my people slain. Methinks my suffering country's voice I hear, But most her worthless sons insult my ear, On my rash courage charge the chance of war, And blame those virtues which they cannot share. No--if I e'er return, return I must Glorious, my country's terror laid in dust: Or if I perish, let her see me fall In field at least, and fighting for her wall." *[Footnote: Polydamas, a Trojan hero and a friend of Hector's, had previously advised prudence and retreat within the wall.]