He said: and, brave as Mars, Meriones, Thither where he directed, led the way. Now when, attended thus, Idomeneus, Like blazing fire, in dazzling arms appear’d, Around him throng’d, with rallying cries, the Greeks, And rag’d beside the ships the balanc’d fight. As, when the dust lies deepest on the roads, Before the boist’rous winds the storm drives fast, And high at once the whirling clouds are toss’d; So was the fight confus’d; and in the throng Each man with keen desire of slaughter burn’d. Bristled the deadly strife with pond’rous spears, Wielded with dire intent; the brazen gleam Dazzled the sight, by flashing helmets cast, And breastplates polish’d bright, and glitt’ring shields Commingling; stern of heart indeed were he, Who on that sight with joy, not pain, could gaze. Dire evil then on mortal warriors brought The diverse minds of Saturn’s mighty sons: To Hector and the Trojans Jove design’d, In honour of Achilles, swift of foot, To give the vict’ry; yet not utterly He will’d to slay before the walls of Troy The Grecian host; but glory to confer On Thetis and her noble-minded son. Neptune, on th’ other side, the Greeks inspir’d, Clandestine rising from the hoary sea; For them before the Trojan host o’erborne He saw with grief, and deeply wroth with Jove. Equal the rank of both, their birth the same, But Jove in wisdom, as in years, the first. Nor ventur’d Neptune openly to aid The cause of Greece; but cloth’d in mortal form, In secret still the army’s courage rous’d. This way and that they tugg’d of furious war And balanc’d strife, where many a warrior fell, The straining rope, which none might break or loose. Then, though his hair was grizzl’d o’er with age, Calling the Greeks to aid, Idomeneus, Inspiring terror, on the Trojans sprang, And slew Othryoneus, who but of late Came from Cabesus on the alarm of war; And, welcomed as a guest in Priam’s house, The fairest of his daughters sought to wed, No portion asked, Cassandra; mighty deeds He promis’d, from before the walls of Troy In their despite to drive the sons of Greece. The aged Priam listen’d to his snit; And he, his promise trusting, fought for Troy. Him, marching with proud step, Idomeneus Struck with his glitt’ring spear, nor aught avail’d His brazen breastplate; through the middle thrust, Thund’ring he fell: the victor vaunting cried: “Othryoneus, above all mortal men I hold thee in respect, if thou indeed Wilt make thy words to aged Priam good, Who promis’d thee his daughter in return: We too would offer thee a like reward; And give thee here to wed, from Argos brought, Atrides’ fairest daughter, if with us Thou wilt o’erthrow the well-built walls of Troy. Come then, on board our ocean-going ships Discuss the marriage contract; nor shall we Be found illib’ral of our bridal gifts.”