Of all Troy’s citizens him Hector most695 Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight, The hero of the golden locks his belt Struck with full force and sent the weapon through. Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks700 Atrides dragg’d the body to his own. Then drew Apollo near to Hector’s side, And in the form of Phœnops, Asius’ son, Of all the foreign guests at Hector’s board His favorite most, the hero thus address’d.705 What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks Once deem’d effeminate, but dragging now The body of thy valiant friend approved Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eëtion’s son?710 He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud Involved the mind of Hector dark around; Right through the foremost combatants he rush’d All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high His tassel’d Ægis radiant, Jove with storms715 Enveloped Ida; flash’d his lightnings, roar’d His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout. Troy’s host he prosper’d, and the Greeks dispersed. First fled Peneleus, the Bœotian Chief, Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas720 Struck on his shoulder’s summit with a lance Hurl’d nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone. [10]Leïtus also, son of the renown’d Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist, Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled725 And peering narrowly around, nor hoped To lift a spear against the Trojans more. Hector, pursuing Leïtus, the point Encounter’d of the brave Idomeneus Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance730 Snapp’d, and the Trojans shouted to the skies. He, in his turn, cast at Deucalion’s son Idomeneus, who in that moment gain’d[11] A chariot-seat; but him the erring spear Attain’d not, piercing Cœranus instead735 The friend and follower of Meriones From wealthy Lyctus, and his charioteer. For when he left, that day, the gallant barks Idomeneus had sought the field on foot, And triumph proud, full sure, to Ilium’s host740 Had yielded now, but that with rapid haste Cœranus drove to his relief, from him The fate averting which himself incurr’d Victim of Hector’s homicidal arm. Him Hector smiting between ear and jaw745 Push’d from their sockets with the lance’s point His firm-set teeth, and sever’d sheer his tongue. Dismounted down he fell, and from his hand Let slide the flowing reins, which, to the earth Stooping, Meriones in haste resumed,750 And briefly thus Idomeneus address’d. Now drive, and cease not, to the fleet of Greece! Thyself see’st victory no longer ours. He said; Idomeneus whom, now, dismay Seized also, with his lash plying severe755 The coursers ample-maned, flew to the fleet. Nor Ajax, dauntless hero, not perceived, Nor Menelaus, by the sway of Jove The victory inclining fast to Troy, And thus the Telamonian Chief began.760 Ah! who can be so blind as not to see The eternal Father, now, with his own hand Awarding glory to the Trojan host, Whose every spear flies, instant, to the mark