of their ox-hide shields And lighter bucklers. Now to fiery Mars Apollo spake: “Mars, Mars, thou plague of men, Thou steeped in blood, destroyer of walled towns! Wilt thou not force this man to leave the field? Wilt thou not meet in arms this daring son Of Tydeus, who would even fight with Jove? Already has he wounded, in close fight, The goddess Venus at the wrist, and since Assaulted me as if he were a god.”
He said, and on the heights of Pergamus Sat down, while the destroyer Mars went forth Among the embattled Trojan ranks, to rouse Their valor. In the form of Acamus, The gallant Thracian leader, he bespake The sons of Jove-descended Priam thus:—
“O sons of Priam, him who claims descent From Jupiter! How long will ye submit To see your people slaughtered by the Greeks? Is it until the battle-storm shall reach Your city’s stately portals? Even now A hero whom we honor equally With the great Hector, our Aeneas, son Of the large-souled Anchises, is struck down. Haste, let us rescue our beloved friend.”