Nor now had Hector suffered the brave sons Of Troy to sleep, but summoned all the chiefs, Leaders, and princes of the host, and thus Addressed the assembly with well-ordered words:⁠—

“Who of you all will promise to perform The task I set him, for a large reward? For ample shall his meed be. I will give A chariot and two steeds with lofty necks, Swifter than the swift galleys of the Greeks. Great glory will be his whoever dares Approach those ships and bring the knowledge thence Whether the fleet is guarded as before, Or whether, yielding to our arms, the foe Is meditating flight, and, through the night O’ercome with weariness, keeps watch no more.”