He spake; they hearkened and at once complied; The Ajaxes, the Prince Idomeneus, Teucer, Meriones, and Meges, peer Of Mars, assembled all the chiefs, and ranked Their files to encounter Hector and his band Of Trojans, while the multitude fell back To the Greek galleys. Then, in close array, The Trojan host moved forward. Hector led The van in rapid march. Before him walked Phoebus, the terrible aegis in his hands Dazzlingly bright within its shaggy fringe, By Vulcan forged, the great artificer, And given to Jupiter, with which to rout Armies of men. With this in hand he led The assailants on. The Achaians kept their ground In serried ranks, and a sharp yell arose From Greeks and Trojans. Arrows from the string Flew through the air, and spears from valiant hands. Some pierced the breasts of warrior-youths, but more Fell half-way ere they reached their aim, and plunged Into the ground, still hungering for their prey. As long as Phoebus held the aegis still, The weapons reached and wounded equally Both armies, and in both the people fell;