Back to the fleet, Tydides! Can’st not see That Jove ordains not, now, the victory thine? The son of Saturn glorifies to-day This Trojan, and, if such his will, can make The morrow ours; but vain it is to thwart165 The mind of Jove, for he is Lord of all. To him the valiant Diomede replied. Thou hast well said, old warrior! but the pang That wrings my soul, is this. The public ear In Ilium shall from Hector’s lips be told—170 I drove Tydides—fearing me he fled. So shall he vaunt, and may the earth her jaws That moment opening swallow me alive! Him answer’d the Gerenian warrior old. What saith the son of Tydeus, glorious Chief?175 Should Hector so traduce thee as to call Thee base and timid, neither Trojan him Nor Dardan would believe, nor yet the wives Of numerous shielded warriors brave of Troy, Widow’d by thy unconquerable arm.180 So saying, he through the fugitives his steeds Turn’d swift to flight. Then Hector and his host With clamor infinite their darts wo-wing’d Shower’d after them, and Hector, mighty Chief Majestic, from afar, thus call’d aloud.185 Tydides! thee the Danaï swift-horsed Were wont to grace with a superior seat, The mess of honor, and the brimming cup, But now will mock thee. Thou art woman now. Go, timorous girl! Thou never shalt behold190 Me flying, climb our battlements, or lead Our women captive. I will slay thee first. He ceased. Then Diomede in dread suspense Thrice purposed, turning, to withstand the foe, And thrice in thunder from the mountain-top195 Jove gave the signal of success to Troy. When Hector thus the Trojans hail’d aloud. Trojans and Lycians, and close-warring sons Of Dardanus, oh summon all your might, Now, now be men! I know that from his heart200 Saturnian Jove glory and bright success For me prepares, but havoc for the Greeks. Fools! they shall find this wall which they have raised Too weak to check my course, a feeble guard Contemptible; such also is the trench;205 My steeds shall slight it with an easy leap. But when ye see me in their fleet arrived, Remember fire. Then bring me flaming brands That I may burn their galleys and themselves Slaughter beside them, struggling in the smoke.[8]210 He spake, and thus encouraged next his steeds. Xanthus! Podargus! and ye generous pair Æthon and glossy Lampus! now requite Mine, and the bounty of Andromache, Far-famed Eëtion’s daughter; she your bowl215 With corn fresh-flavor’d and with wine full oft Hath mingled, your refreshment seeking first Ere mine, who have a youthful husband’s claim.[9] Now follow! now be swift; that we may seize The shield of Nestor, bruited to the skies220 As golden all, trappings and disk alike. Now from the shoulders of the equestrian Chief Tydides tear we off his splendid mail, The work of Vulcan.[10] May we take but these, I have good hope that, ere this night be spent,225 The Greeks shall climb their galleys and away. So vaunted he, but Juno with disdain His proud boast heard, and shuddering in her throne,