Thither ascended from the sea, he sat; And thence the Greeks, by Trojans overborne, Pitying he saw, and deeply wroth with Jove. Then down the mountain’s craggy side he pass’d With rapid step; and as he mov’d along, Beneath th’ immortal feet of Ocean’s Lord Quak’d the huge mountain and the shadowy wood. Three strides he took; the fourth, he reach’d his goal, Ægae; where on the margin of the bay His temple stood, all glitt’ring, all of gold, Imperishable; there arriv’d, he yok’d Beneath his car the brazen-footed steeds, Of swiftest flight, with manes of flowing gold. All clad in gold, the golden lash he grasp’d Of curious work, and mounting on his car, Skimm’d o’er the waves; from all the depths below Gamboll’d around the monsters of the deep, Acknowledging their King; the joyous sea Parted her waves; swift flew the bounding steeds, Nor was the brazen axle wet with spray, When to the ships of Greece their Lord they bore. Down in the deep recesses of the sea A spacious cave there is, which lies midway ’Twixt Tenedos and Imbros’ rocky isle: Th’ Earth-shaking Neptune there his coursers stay’d, Loos’d from the chariot, and before them plac’d Ambrosial provender; and round their feet Shackles of gold, which none might break nor loose, That there they might await their Lord’s return; Then to the Grecian army took his way. Meantime, by Hector, son of Priam, led, Like fire, or whirlwind, press’d the Trojans on, With furious zeal, and shouts and clamour hoarse; In hopes to take the ships, and all the chiefs To slay beside them; but from Ocean’s depths Uprose th’ Earth-shaker, Circler of the Earth, To Calchas’ likeness and deep voice conform’d, And rous’d the fainting Greeks; th’ Ajaces first, Themselves with ardour fill’d, he thus address’d: “’Tis yours, Ajaces, fill’d with courage high, Discarding chilly fear, to save the Greeks: Elsewhere I dread not much the Trojan force, Though they in crowds have scal’d the lofty wall; The well-greav’d Greeks their onset may defy. Yet greatly fear I lest we suffer loss, Where that fierce, fiery madman, Hector, leads. Who boasts himself the son of Jove most high. But may some God your hearts inspire, yourselves Firmly to stand, and cheer your comrades on; So from your swiftly-sailing ships ye yet May drive the foe, how bold soe’er he be, Though by Olympian Jove himself upheld.”