Interests the immortal Gods, although I deem’d his boast of their protection vain. I reck not. Let him go. So gladly ’scaped From slaughter now, he shall not soon again425 Feel an ambition to contend with me. Now will I rouse the Danaï, and prove The force in fight of many a Trojan more. He said, and sprang to battle with loud voice, Calling the Grecians after him.—Ye sons430 Of the Achaians! stand not now aloof, My noble friends! but foot to foot let each Fall on courageous, and desire the fight. The task were difficult for me alone, Brave as I boast myself, to chase a foe435 So numerous, and to combat with them all. Not Mars himself, immortal though he be, Nor Pallas, could with all the ranks contend Of this vast multitude, and drive the whole. With hands, with feet, with spirit and with might,440 All that I can I will; right through I go, And not a Trojan who shall chance within Spear’s reach of me, shall, as I judge, rejoice. Thus he the Greeks exhorted. Opposite, Meantime, illustrious Hector to his host445 Vociferated, his design to oppose Achilles publishing in every ear. Fear not, ye valiant men of Troy! fear not The son of Peleus. In a war of words I could, myself, cope even with the Gods;450 But not with spears; there they excel us all. Nor shall Achilles full performance give To all his vaunts, but, if he some fulfil, Shall others leave mutilate in the midst. I will encounter him, though his hands be fire,455 Though fire his hands, and his heart hammer’d steel. So spake he them exhorting. At his word Uprose the Trojan spears, thick intermixt The battle join’d, and clamor loud began. Then thus, approaching Hector, Phœbus spake.460 Henceforth, advance not Hector! in the front Seeking Achilles, but retired within The stormy multitude his coming wait, Lest his spear reach thee, or his glittering sword. He said, and Hector far into his host465 Withdrew, admonish’d by the voice divine. Then, shouting terrible, and clothed with might, Achilles sprang to battle. First, he slew The valiant Chief Iphition, whom a band Numerous obey’d. Otrynteus was his sire.470 Him to Otrynteus, city-waster Chief, A Naiad under snowy Tmolus bore In fruitful Hyda.[9] Right into his front As he advanced, Achilles drove his spear, And rived his skull; with thundering sound he fell,475 And thus the conqueror gloried in his fall. Ah Otryntides! thou art slain. Here lies The terrible in arms, who born beside The broad Gygæan lake, where Hyllus flows And Hermus, call’d the fertile soil his own.480 Thus gloried he. Meantime the shades of death Cover’d Iphition, and Achaian wheels And horses ground his body in the van. Demoleon next, Antenor’s son, a brave Defender of the walls of Troy, he slew.485 Into his temples through his brazen casque He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove The shatter’d bone into his inmost brain, And his fierce onset at a stroke repress’d.490 Hippodamas his weapon next received