He spake, and having thus admonished him He left Aeneas there, and suddenly Swept off the darkness that so thickly rose Around Achilles, who, with sight now clear, Looked forth, and, sighing, said to his great soul:—
“How strange is this! My eyes have seen today A mighty marvel. Here the spear I flung Is lying on the earth, and him at whom I cast it, in the hope to take his life, I see no longer. Well beloved, no doubt, Is this Aeneas by the immortal gods. Yet that, I thought, was but an empty boast Of his. Well, let him go; I cannot think That he who gladly fled from death will find The courage to encounter me again. And now will I exhort the Greeks to fight This battle bravely, while I go to prove The prowess of the other chiefs of Troy.”
He spake, and, cheering on the soldiery, He sprang into the ranks: “Ye noble Greeks, Avoid no more the Trojans; press right on. “Let each man single out his man, and fight With eager heart. ’Tis hard for me to chase, With all my warlike might, so many men, And fight with all. Not even Mars, the god, Although immortal, nor Minerva’s self, Could combat with so vast a multitude Unwearied; yet whatever I can do, With hands and feet and strength, I give my word Not to decline, or be remiss in aught. I go to range the Trojan files, where none, I think, will gladly stand to meet my spear.”
Such stirring words he uttered, while aloud Illustrious Hector called, encouraging The men of Troy, and promising to meet Achilles: “Valiant Trojans, do not quail Before Pelides. In the strife of words I too might bear my part against the gods; But harder were the combat with the spear, For greater is their might than ours. The son Of Peleus cannot make his threatenings good. A part will he perform and part will leave Undone. I go to wait him; I would go Although his hands were like consuming flame— His hands like flame, his strength the strength of steel.”