And then they fought; like a devouring fire That battle was; but Hector, dear to Jove, Had not yet learned that on the left the Greeks Made havoc of his men; for in that hour The Greeks had almost made the victory theirs, So greatly had the god who shakes the shores Kindled their courage, and with his own arm Brought timely aid. Still Hector, pressing on Where first he leaped within the gates and wall, Broke the close phalanxes of shielded Greeks. There, ranged beside the hoary deep, the ships Of Ajax and Protesilaüs lay. The wall that guarded them was low, and there Warriors and steeds in fiercest conflict met; There the Boeotians, there in their long robes The Iaonians, there the Locrians, there The men of Phthia, and the Epeians famed For valor, held back Hector, struggling on To reach the ships, yet found they had no power To drive the noble warrior from the ground, For he was like a flame. The chosen men Of Athens formed the van. Menestheus, son Of Peteus, was their leader, after whom Phidas and Stichius followed, and with them