Then, as the twain were stripping from the dead Their glittering arms, the largest, bravest band Of those who eagerly desired to break The rampart and to burn the ships with fire, Following Polydamas and Hector, stood Consulting at the trench. An augury, Just as they were in act to cross, appeared Upon the left: an eagle high in air, Between the armies, in his talons bore A monstrous serpent, bleeding, yet alive And palpitating—nor disabled yet For combat; for it turned, and on the breast Wounded the eagle, near the neck. The bird In pain let fall his prize amid the host, And flew away, with screams, upon the wind. The Trojans shuddered at the spotted snake Lying among them, and Polydamas Said thus to fearless Hector, standing near:—
“Hector, thou almost ever chidest me In council, even when I judge aright. I know it ill becomes the citizen To speak against the way that pleases thee, In war or council—he should rather seek To strengthen thy authority; yet now I will declare what seems to me the best: Let us not combat with the Greeks, to take Their fleet; for this, I think, will be the end, If now the omen we have seen be meant For us of Troy who seek to cross the trench; This eagle, flying high upon the left, Between the hosts, that in his talons bore A monstrous serpent, bleeding, yet alive, Hath dropped it mid our host before he came To his dear nest, nor brought it to his brood; So we, although by force we break the gates And rampart, and although the Greeks fall back, Shall not as happily retrace our way; For many a Trojan shall we leave behind, Slain by the weapons of the Greeks, who stand And fight to save their fleet. Thus will the seer, Skilled in the lore of prodigies, explain The portent, and the people will obey.”
Sternly the crested Hector looked, and spake:— “Polydamas, the thing that thou hast said Pleases me not, and easily couldst thou Frame better counsels. If thy words convey Thy earnest thought, the gods assuredly