Beneath them earth415 With sudden herbage teem’d; at once upsprang The crocus soft, the lotus bathed in dew, And the crisp hyacinth with clustering bells; Thick was their growth, and high above the ground Upbore them. On that flowery couch they lay,420 Invested with a golden cloud that shed Bright dew-drops all around.[11] His heart at ease, There lay the Sire of all, by Sleep and Love Vanquish’d on lofty Gargarus, his spouse Constraining still with amorous embrace.425 Then, gentle Sleep to the Achaian camp Sped swift away, with tidings for the ear Of earth-encircler Neptune charged; him soon He found, and in wing’d accents thus began. Now Neptune, yield the Greeks effectual aid,430 And, while the moment lasts of Jove’s repose, Make victory theirs; for him in slumbers soft I have involved, while Juno by deceit Prevailing, lured him with the bait of love. He said, and swift departed to his task435 Among the nations; but his tidings urged Neptune with still more ardor to assist The Danaï; he leap’d into the van Afar, and thus exhorted them aloud. Oh Argives! yield we yet again the day440 To Priameian Hector? Shall he seize Our ships, and make the glory all his own? Such is his expectation, so he vaunts, For that Achilles leaves not yet his camp, Resentful; but of him small need, I judge,445 Should here be felt, could once the rest be roused To mutual aid. Act, then, as I advise. The best and broadest bucklers of the host, And brightest helmets put we on, and arm’d With longest spears, advance; myself will lead;450 And trust me, furious though he be, the son Of Priam flies. Ye then who feel your hearts Undaunted, but are arm’d with smaller shields, Them give to those who fear, and in exchange Their stronger shields and broader take yourselves.455 So he, whom, unreluctant, all obey’d. Then, wounded as they were, themselves the Kings, Tydides, Agamemnon and Ulysses Marshall’d the warriors, and from rank to rank Made just exchange of arms, giving the best460 To the best warriors, to the worse, the worst. And now in brazen armor all array’d Refulgent on they moved, by Neptune led With firm hand grasping his long-bladed sword Keen as Jove’s bolt; with him may none contend465 In dreadful fight; but fear chains every arm. Opposite, Priameian Hector ranged His Trojans; then they stretch’d the bloody cord Of conflict tight, Neptune cœrulean-hair’d, And Hector, pride of Ilium; one, the Greeks470 Supporting firm, and one, the powers of Troy; A sea-flood dash’d the galleys, and the hosts Join’d clamorous. Not so the billows roar The shores among, when Boreas’ roughest blast Sweeps landward from the main the towering surge;475 Not so, devouring fire among the trees That clothe the mountain, when the sheeted flames Ascending wrap the forest in a blaze; Nor howl the winds through leafy boughs of oaks Upgrown aloft (though loudest there they rave)480 With sounds so awful as were heard of Greeks And Trojans shouting when the clash began.