the walls of Troy by the swift shafts Of Phoebus. Would that Hector, the most brave Of warriors reared upon the Trojan soil, Had slain me; he had slain a brave man then, And a brave man had stripped me of my arms. But now it is my fate to perish, caught In this great river, like a swineherd’s boy, Who in the time of rains attempts to pass A torrent, and is overwhelmed and drowned.”
He spake, and Neptune and Minerva came Quickly and stood beside him. In the form Of men they came, and took his hand, and cheered His spirit with their words. And thus the god Neptune, who makes the earth to tremble, said:—
“Fear not, Pelides, neither let thy heart Be troubled, since thou hast among the gods, By Jove’s consent, auxiliars such as I And Pallas. It is not thy doom to be Thus vanquished by a river. Soon its rage Will cease, as thou shalt see. Meantime we give This counsel; heed it well: let not thy hand Refrain from slaughter till the Trojan host Are all shut up—all that escape thy arm— Within the lofty walls of Troy. Then take The life of Hector, and return on board Thy galleys; we will make that glory thine.”