“Remain with all the bravest warriors here, Polydamas, while I depart to give The due commands, and instantly return.”
He spake, and with a shout he rushed away, Seen from afar, like a snow-mountain’s peak, And flew among the Trojans and allies, Who crowded round the brave Polydamas, The son of Panthoüs, at Hector’s call. Among the foremost combatants he sought Deïphobus, and mighty Helenus, The king; he looked for Adamas, the son Of Asius, and for Asius of the house Of Hyrtacus. Some not unharmed he found, Yet not o’ercome; while others lay in death Beneath the galley sterns, where Grecian hands Had slain them; others on the wall, struck down By missiles, or in combat hand to hand. There on the left of that disastrous fray He met the noble Alexander, spouse Of fair-haired Helen, as he cheered his men, And rallied them to battle. Hector thus Addressed his brother with reproachful words:—
“Accursed Paris! Noble but in form, Effeminate seducer! Where are now Deïphobus, and mighty Helenus? And Adamas, the son of Asius, where? And Asius, son of Hyrtacus? and where Orthryoneus? Now towering Ilium sinks From her high summit, and thy fate is sure.” And then the godlike Paris answered thus:—
“Since it hath pleased thee, Hector, thus to cast Reproach on me, though innocent, I may Another day neglect the toils of war, Although in truth my mother brought me forth Not quite unapt for combat. Since the hour When thou didst lead the battle to the ships With thy companions, we have held our ground, Here on this spot, contending with the Greeks. Three chiefs for whom thou askest have been slain. Deïphobus and mighty Helenus, Both wounded in the hand by massive spears, Have left the field; the son of Saturn saved Their lives. Now lead us wheresoe’er thou wilt, And we will follow thee with resolute hearts, Nor deem that thou wilt find in us a lack Of valor while our strength of arm remains. The boldest cannot fight beyond his strength.”