Such converse while they held, brave Diomed Again assail’d Æneas; well he knew Apollo’s guardian hand around him thrown; Yet by the God undaunted, on he press’d To slay Æneas, and his arms obtain. Thrice was his onset made, with murd’rous aim; And thrice Apollo struck his glitt’ring shield; But when, with godlike force, he sought to make His fourth attempt, the Far-destroyer spoke In terms of awful menace: “Be advis’d, Tydides, and retire; nor as a God Esteem thyself; since not alike the race Of Gods immortal and of earth-born men.” He said; and Diomed a little space Before the Far-destroyer’s wrath retir’d: Apollo then Æneas bore away Far from the tumult; and in Pergamus, Where stood his sacred shrine, bestow’d him safe. Latona there, and Dian, Archer-Queen, In the great temple’s innermost recess, Gave to his wounds their care, and sooth’d his pride. Meanwhile Apollo of the silver bow A phantom form prepar’d, the counterpart Of great Æneas, and alike in arms: Around the form, of Trojans and of Greeks, Loud was the din of battle; fierce the strokes That fell on rounded shield of tough bull’s-hide, And lighter targe, before each warrior’s breast. Then thus Apollo to the God of War: “Mars! Mars! thou bane of mortals, blood-stain’d Lord, Razer of cities, wer’t not well thyself To interpose, and from the battle-field Withdraw this chief, Tydides? such his pride, He now would dare with Jove himself to fight. Venus, of late, he wounded in the wrist; And, like a God, but now confronted me.” He said, and sat on Ilium’s topmost height: While Mars, in likeness of the Thracian chief, Swift Acamas, amid the Trojan ranks Mov’d to and fro, and urg’d them to the fight. To Priam’s Heav’n-descended sons he call’d; “Ye sons of Priam, Heav’n-descended King, How long will ye behold your people slain? Till to your very doors the war be brought? Æneas, noble-soul’d Anchises’ son, In like esteem with Hector held, is down; On to his aid! our gallant comrade save!”