Th’ Earth-shaker heard; and thro’ the fight he pass’d, And through the throng of spears, until he came Where great Achilles and Æneas stood. Around the eyes of Peleus’ son he spread A veil of mist; then from Æneas’ shield The brass-tipp’d spear withdrawing, laid it down Before Achilles’ feet; and lifting up Æneas, bore him high above the ground. O’er many a rank of warriors and of cars Æneas flew, supported by the God; Till to the field’s extremest verge he came, Where stood the Caucons, arming for the war. There to Æneas, standing by his side, Th’ Earth-shaker thus his winged words address’d: “Æneas, say what God has mov’d thee thus Against Achilles, reckless, to contend, Thy stronger far, and dearer to the Gods? If e’er he cross thy path, do thou retire, Lest, e’en despite of fate, thou find thy death. But when Achilles hath to fate succumb’d, Then, fearless, with the foremost join the fray: No other Greek shall bear away thy spoils.” Thus plainly warn’d, Æneas there he left. Then from Achilles’ eyes he purg’d the film: Astonish’d, he with eyes wide open gaz’d, As thus he commun’d with his mighty heart: “O Heav’n, what marvel do mine eyes behold? My spear before me laid, and vanish’d he At whom I hurl’d it with intent to slay! Then is Æneas of th’ immortal Gods In truth belov’d, though vain I deem’d his boast. A curse go with him! yet methinks not soon Will he again presume to prove my might, Who gladly now in flight escapes from death. Then, to the valiant Greeks my orders giv’n. Let me some other Trojan’s mettle prove.” Then tow’rd the ranks he sprang, each sev’ral man Exhorting: “From the Trojans, valiant Greeks, No longer stand aloof; but man to man Confront the foe, and nobly dare the fight. ’Twere hard for me, brave warrior though I be, To face such numbers, and to fight with all: Not Mars, nor Pallas, though immortal Gods, Could face, and vanquish, such a mighty mass. But what my single arm, and feet, and strength May profit, not a jot will I relax; Right through the ranks I mean to force my way; And small shall be that Trojan’s cause for joy, Who comes within the compass of my spear.” Thus he, exhorting; Hector cheering on Meanwhile the Trojans, with assurance giv’n That he himself Achilles would confront. “Ye valiant Trojans, fear not Peleus’ son; I too in words could with the Gods contend, Though not in arms; so much the stronger they. Not all his words Achilles shall make good; Fulfilling some, in others he shall fail, His course midway arrested. Him will I Encounter, though his hands were hands of fire, Of fire his hands, his strength as burnish’d steel.” Thus he, exhorting; with uplifted spears Advanc’d the Trojans; from the mingling hosts Loud rose the clamour; then at Hector’s side Apollo stood, and thus address’d the chief: “Hector, forbear Achilles to defy; And ’mid the crowd withdraw thee from the fray; Lest with the spear he slay thee, thrown from far, Or with the sword in combat hand to hand.”