To whom Earth-shaking Neptune thus replied: “Juno, thine anger carry not too far; It ill beseems thee. Not with my consent Shall we, the stronger far, provoke to arms The other Gods; but rather, from the field Retiring, let us from on high survey, To mortals left, the turmoil of the war. Should Mars or Phoebus then begin the fight, Or stay Achilles, and his arm restrain, Then in the contest we too may engage; And soon, methinks, will they be fain to join, Driv’n from the field, the Synod of the Gods, Subdued perforce by our victorious hands.” The dark-hair’d monarch spoke; and led the way To the high wall, by Trojans built of old, With Pallas’ aid, for godlike Hercules; Within whose circle he might safety seek, When from the beach the monster of the deep Might chase him toward the plain; there Neptune sat, And with him, the other Gods, a veil of cloud Impenetrable around their shoulders spread. On th’ other side, upon the fair hill’s brow, Phoebus with Mars the fort-destroyer sat. On either side they sat, each facing each With hostile counsels; yet reluctant both To take th’ initiative of ruthless war; Till Jove, enthron’d on high, the signal gave. Then all the plain, with men and horses throng’d, The brazen gleam illumin’d; rang the earth Beneath their feet, as to the battle-shock They rush’d; but in the midst, both hosts between, Eager for fight, stood forth two warriors bold, Proudly pre-eminent; Anchises’ son Æneas, and Achilles’ godlike might. Æneas first with threat’ning mien advanc’d, Nodding his pond’rous helm; before his breast His shield he bore, and pois’d his brazen spear. Him met Achilles from th’ opposing ranks; Fierce as a rav’ning lion, whom to slay Pour forth the stalwart youths, th’ united strength Of the rous’d village; he unheeding moves At first; but wounded by a jav’lin thrown By some bold youth, he turns, with gaping jaws, And frothing fangs, collecting for the spring, His breast too narrow for his mighty heart; And with his tail he lashes both his flanks And sides, as though to rouse his utmost rage; Then on, in pride of strength, with glaring eyes He dashes, if some hunter he may slay, Or in the foremost rank himself be slain. So mov’d his dauntless spirit Peleus’ son Æneas to confront; when near they came, Thus first Achilles, swift of foot, began: