glittering, proof Against decay of time. These when he reached, He yoked his swift and brazen-footed steeds, With manes of flowing gold, to draw his car, And put on golden mail, and took his scourge, Wrought of fine gold, and climbed the chariot-seat, And rode upon the waves. The whales came forth From their deep haunts, and frolicked round his way: They knew their king. The waves rejoicing smoothed A path, and rapidly the coursers flew; Nor was the brazen axle wet below. And thus they brought him to the Grecian fleet.
Deep in the sea there is a spacious cave, Between the rugged Imbrus and the isle Of Tenedos. There Neptune, he who shakes The shores, held back his steeds, took off their yoke, Gave them ambrosial food, and, binding next Their feet with golden fetters which no power Might break or loosen, so that they might wait Their lord’s return, he sought the Grecian host.
Still did the Trojans, rushing on in crowds, Like flames or like a tempest, follow close Hector, the son of Priam; still their rage Abated not; with stormy cries they came; They hoped to seize the fleet and slay the Greeks Beside it. But the power who swathes the earth And shakes it, Neptune, coming from the deep, Revived the valor of the Greeks. He took The shape of Calchas and his powerful voice, And thus to either Ajax, who yet stemmed The battle with a resolute heart, he spake:—
“O chieftains! Yours it is to save the host, Recalling your old valor, with no thought Of fatal flight. Elsewhere I feel no dread Of what the daring sons of Troy may do Who climb the wall in throngs; the well-greaved Greeks Will meet them bravely. But where Hector leads, Fierce as a flame, his squadrons, he who boasts To be a son of sovereign Jove, I fear Lest we should sorely suffer. May the gods Strengthen your hearts to stand against the foe, And flinch not, and exhort the rest to stand, And drive him back, audacious as he is, From the swift ships, though Jove should urge him on.”