On both sides, and with massy piles acute Thick-planted, interdicting all assault. No courser to the rapid chariot braced70 Had enter’d there with ease; yet strong desires Possess’d the infantry of that emprize, And thus Polydamas the ear address’d Of dauntless Hector, standing at his side. Hector, and ye the leaders of our host,75 Both Trojans and allies! rash the attempt I deem, and vain, to push our horses through, So dangerous is the pass; rough is the trench With pointed stakes, and the Achaian wall Meets us beyond. No chariot may descend80 Or charioteer fight there; strait are the bounds, And incommodious, and his death were sure. If Jove, high-thundering Ruler of the skies, Will succor Ilium, and nought less intend Than utter devastation of the Greeks,85 I am content; now perish all their host Inglorious, from their country far remote. But should they turn, and should ourselves be driven Back from the fleet impeded and perplex’d In this deep foss, I judge that not a man,90 ’Scaping the rallied Grecians, should survive To bear the tidings of our fate to Troy. Now, therefore, act we all as I advise. Let every charioteer his coursers hold Fast-rein’d beside the foss, while we on foot,95 With order undisturb’d and arms in hand, Shall follow Hector. If destruction borne On wings of destiny this day approach The Grecians, they will fly our first assault. So spake Polydamas, whose safe advice100 Pleased Hector; from his chariot to the ground All arm’d he leap’d, nor would a Trojan there (When once they saw the Hero on his feet) Ride into battle, but unanimous Descending with a leap, all trod the plain.105 Each gave command that at the trench his steeds Should stand detain’d in orderly array; Then, suddenly, the parted host became Five bands, each following its appointed chief. The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts110 Wish’d most to burst the barrier and to wage The battle at the ships, with Hector march’d And with Polydamas, whom follow’d, third, Cebriones; for Hector had his steeds Consign’d and chariot to inferior care.115 Paris, Alcathoüs, and Agenor led The second band, and, sons of Priam both, Deïphobus and Helenus, the third; With them was seen partner of their command; The Hero Asius; from Arisba came120 Asius Hyrtacides, to battle drawn From the Selleïs banks by martial steeds Hair’d fiery-red and of the noblest size. The fourth, Anchises’ mighty son controll’d, Æneas; under him Antenor’s sons,125 Archilochus and Acamas, advanced, Adept in all the practice of the field. Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy Led by Sarpedon; he with Glaucus shared His high control, and with the warlike Chief130 Asteropæus; for of all his host Them bravest he esteem’d, himself except Superior in heroic might to all. And now (their shields adjusted each to each) With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved135 Against the Grecians; nor expected less Than that beside their sable ships, the host