But not for Mars nor Hector mailed in brass Fled the Achaians to their fleet; nor yet Advanced they on the foe, but step by step Gave way before him, for they had perceived The god of war was with the sons of Troy.
Whom first, whom last did Hector, Priam’s son, And iron Mars lay low? The godlike chief Teuthras, and—great among the Grecian knights— Orestes, and the Aetolian Trechus, famed As spearman, and Oenomaüs, and the son Of Oenops, Helemes, and after these Belted Oresbius, who in Hyla made His home, intent on gathering wealth beside The Lake Cephissus, on whose borders dwelt Boeotians many, lords of fertile lands.
The white-armed goddess Juno, when she saw The Argives falling in that cruel fray, Addressed Minerva with these wingèd words:—
“O thou unconquerable goddess, born To Jove the Aegis-bearer! What is this? It was an idle promise that we made To Menelaus, that he should behold Troy, with its strong defences, overthrown, And reach his home again, if thus we leave Mars the destroyer to his ravages. Come, let us bring our friends effectual aid.”
So spake she, and her bidding was obeyed By blue-eyed Pallas. Juno the august, Daughter of mighty Saturn, laid in haste The harness, with its ornaments of gold, Upon the horses. Hebe rolled the wheels, Each with eight spokes, and joined them to the ends Of the steel axle—fellies wrought of gold, Bound with a brazen rim to last for aye— A wonder to behold. The hollow naves Were silver, and on gold and silver cords Was slung the chariot’s seat; in silver hooks Rested the reins, and silver was the pole Where the fair yoke and poitrels, all of gold, Were fastened. Juno, eager for the strife, Led the swift-footed steeds beneath the yoke.
Then Pallas, daughter of the god who bears The aegis, on her father’s palace-floor Let fall in dainty folds her flowing robe Of many colors, wrought by her own hand, And, putting on the mail of Jupiter The