the herd To flight, and one of them to certain death— Whose neck he breaks with his strong teeth and then Devours the entrails, lapping up the blood. Thus did Atrides Agamemnon chase The Trojans; still he slew the hindmost; still They fled before him. Many by his hand Fell from their chariots prone, for terrible Beyond all others with the spear was he. But when he now was near the city-wall, The Father of immortals and of men Came down from the high heaven, and took his seat On many-fountained Ida. In his grasp He held a thunderbolt, and this command He gave to Iris of the golden wings:—
“Haste, Iris fleet of wing, and bear my words To Hector:—While he sees the king of men, Atrides, in the van and dealing death Among the ranks of warriors, let him still Give way, encouraging his men to hold Unflinching battle with the enemy. But when Atrides, wounded by a spear Or arrow, shall ascend his chariot, then Will I nerve Hector’s arm with strength to slay Until he come to the good ships of Greece, And the sun set, and hallowed night come down.”