Then Athenæan Pallas on the son Of Tydeus,[1] Diomede, new force conferr’d And daring courage, that the Argives all He might surpass, and deathless fame achieve. Fires on his helmet and his shield around5 She kindled, bright and steady as the star Autumnal,[2] which in Ocean newly bathed Assumes fresh beauty; with such glorious beams His head encircling and his shoulders broad, She urged him forth into the thickest fight.10 There lived a man in Troy, Dares his name, The priest of Vulcan; rich he was and good, The father of two sons, Idæus this, That, Phegeus call’d; accomplish’d warriors both. These, issuing from their phalanx, push’d direct15 Their steeds at Diomede, who fought on foot. When now small interval was left between, First Phegeus his long-shadow’d spear dismiss’d; But over Diomede’s left shoulder pass’d The point, innocuous. Then his splendid lance20 Tydides hurl’d; nor ineffectual flew The weapon from his hand, but Phegeus pierced His paps between, and forced him to the ground. At once, his sumptuous chariot left, down leap’d Idæsus, wanting courage to defend25 His brother slain; nor had he scaped himself His louring fate, but Vulcan, to preserve His ancient priest from unmixt sorrow, snatch’d The fugitive in darkness wrapt, away. Then brave Tydides, driving off the steeds,30 Consign’d them to his fellow-warriors’ care, That they might lead them down into the fleet. The valiant Trojans, when they saw the sons Of Dares, one beside his chariot slain, And one by flight preserved, through all their host35 Felt consternation. Then Minerva seized The hand of fiery Mars, and thus she spake. Gore-tainted homicide, town-battering Mars! Leave we the Trojans and the Greeks to wage Fierce fight alone, Jove prospering whom he will,40 So shall we not provoke our father’s ire. She said, and from the fight conducted forth The impetuous Deity, whom on the side She seated of Scamander deep-embank’d.[3] And now the host of Troy to flight inclined45 Before the Grecians, and the Chiefs of Greece Each slew a warrior. Agamemnon first Gigantic Odius from his chariot hurl’d. Chief of the Halizonians. He to flight Turn’d foremost, when the monarch in his spine50 Between the shoulder-bones his spear infixt, And urged it through his breast. Sounding he fell, And loud his batter’d armor rang around. By brave Idomeneus a Lydian died, Phæstus, from fruitful Tarne sent to Troy,55 Son of Mæonian Borus; him his steeds Mounting, Idomeneus the spear-renown’d Through his right shoulder pierced; unwelcome night Involved him; from his chariot down he fell,[4] And the attendant Cretans stripp’d his arms.60 But Menelaus, son of Atreus slew With his bright spear Scamandrius, Stropius’ son, A skilful hunter; for Diana him, Herself, the slaughter of all savage kinds Had taught, on mountain or in forest bred.65 But she, shaft-aiming Goddess, in that hour Avail’d him not, nor his own matchless skill; For Menelaus, Atreus son spear-famed,