With passionate entreaty at the feet 275
Of Jove the Aegis-bearer. Stay thou here
And breathe a moment, while I go to him
And lure him hither to encounter thee."
She spoke, and he obeyed, and gladly stood
Propped on the ashen stem of his keen spear; 280
While, passing on, Minerva overtook
The noble Hector. In the outward form
And with the strong voice of Deïphobus,[1]
She stood by him and spake these wingèd words:
"Hard pressed I find thee, brother, by the swift 285
Achilles, who, with feet that never rest,
Pursues thee round the walls of Priam's town.
But let us make a stand and beat him back."
And then the crested Hector spake in turn:
"Deïphobus, thou ever hast been dear 290
To me beyond my other brethren, sons
Of Hecuba and Priam. Now still more
I honor thee, since thou hast seen my plight,
And for my sake hast ventured forth without
The gates, while all the rest remain within." 295
And the blue-eyed Pallas spake again:
"Brother, 't is true, my father, and the queen
My mother, and my comrades, clasped my knees
In turn, and earnestly entreated me
That I would not go forth, such fear had fallen 300
On them all; but I was grieved for thee.
Now let us combat valiantly, nor spare
The weapons that we bear, and we shall learn
Whether Achilles, having slain us both,
Will carry to the fleet our bloody spoil, 305
Or die himself, the victim of thy spear."
The treacherous goddess spake, and led the way;
- ↑ Hector's brother, who wedded Helen after Paris' death.
