In which thou tell’st me that I fear to stand Against vast Ajax. Know that I from fight Shrink not, nor yet from sound of prancing steeds; But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight215 The bravest, and the victory takes with ease Even from those whom once he favor’d most. But hither, friend! stand with me; mark my deed; Prove me, if I be found, as thou hast said, An idler all the day, or if by force220 I not compel some Grecian to renounce Patroclus, even the boldest of them all. He ceased, and to his host exclaim’d aloud. Trojans, and Lycians, and close-fighting sons Of Dardanus, oh be ye men, my friends!225 Now summon all your fortitude, while I Put on the armor of Achilles, won From the renown’d Patroclus slain by me. So saying, illustrious Hector from the clash Of spears withdrew, and with his swiftest pace230 Departing, overtook, not far remote, The bearers of Achilles’ arms to Troy. Apart from all the horrors of the field Standing, he changed his armor; gave his own To be by them to sacred Ilium borne,235 And the immortal arms of Peleus’ son Achilles, by the ever-living Gods To Peleüs given, put on. Those arms the Sire, Now old himself, had on his son conferr’d But in those arms his son grew never old.240 Him, therefore, soon as cloud-assembler Jove Saw glittering in divine Achilles’ arms, Contemplative he shook his brows, and said, Ah hapless Chief! thy death, although at hand, Nought troubles thee. Thou wear’st his heavenly245 Who all excels, terror of Ilium’s host. His friend, though bold yet gentle, thou hast slain And hast the brows and bosom of the dead Unseemly bared: yet, bright success awhile I give thee; so compensating thy lot,250 From whom Andromache shall ne’er receive Those glorious arms, for thou shalt ne’er return. So spake the Thunderer, and his sable brows Shaking, confirm’d the word. But Hector found The armor apt; the God of war his soul255 With fury fill’d, he felt his limbs afresh Invigorated, and with loudest shouts Return’d to his illustrious allies. To them he seem’d, clad in those radiant arms, Himself Achilles; rank by rank he pass’d260 Through all the host, exhorting every Chief, Asteropæus, Mesthles, Phorcys, Medon, Thersilochus, Deisenor, augur Ennomus, Chromius, Hippothoüs; all these he roused To battle, and in accents wing’d began.265 Hear me, ye myriads, neighbors and allies! For not through fond desire to fill the plain With multitudes, have I convened you here Each from his city, but that well-inclined To Ilium, ye might help to guard our wives270 And little ones against the host of Greece. Therefore it is that forage large and gifts Providing for you, I exhaust the stores Of Troy, and drain our people for your sake. Turn then direct against them, and his life275 Save each, or lose; it is the course of war. Him who shall drag, though dead, Patroclus home Into the host of Troy, and shall repulse Ajax, I will reward with half the spoils