All Troy in fight when Ilium was besieged.” Such he shall speak thee, and thy heart, the while, Shall bleed afresh through want of such a friend To stand between captivity and thee. But may I rest beneath my hill of earth565 Or ere that day arrive! I would not live To hear thy cries, and see thee torn away. So saying, illustrious Hector stretch’d his arms Forth to his son, but with a scream, the child Fell back into the bosom of his nurse,570 His father’s aspect dreading, whose bright arms He had attentive mark’d and shaggy crest Playing tremendous o’er his helmet’s height. His father and his gentle mother laugh’d,[32] And noble Hector lifting from his head575 His dazzling helmet, placed it on the ground, Then kiss’d his boy and dandled him, and thus In earnest prayer the heavenly powers implored. Hear all ye Gods! as ye have given to me, So also on my son excelling might580 Bestow, with chief authority in Troy. And be his record this, in time to come, When he returns from battle. Lo! how far The son excels the sire! May every foe Fall under him, and he come laden home585 With spoils blood-stain’d to his dear mother’s joy. He said, and gave his infant to the arms Of his Andromache, who him received Into her fragrant bosom, bitter tears With sweet smiles mingling; he with pity moved590 That sight observed, soft touch’d her cheek, and said, Mourn not, my loved Andromache, for me Too much; no man shall send me to the shades Of Tartarus, ere mine allotted hour, Nor lives he who can overpass the date595 By heaven assign’d him, be he base or brave.[33] Go then, and occupy content at home The woman’s province; ply the distaff, spin And weave, and task thy maidens. War belongs To man; to all men; and of all who first600 Drew vital breath in Ilium, most to me.[34]