His mighty voice⁠—a shout that reached to heaven⁠— And bade the Greeks defend their fleet and tents. Nor loitered Hector in those armèd throngs Of Troy, but as a tawny eagle swoops Upon a flock of birds that seek their food Along a river’s border⁠—geese or cranes, Or long-necked swans⁠—so Hector in hot haste Sprang toward a galley with an azure prow, While mightily the power of Jove impelled The hero onward, and inflamed his train With courage. Fiercely then around the ships The struggle was renewed. Thou wouldst have said No toils of war could tire those resolute arms, So stubbornly they fought. In every mind The thought was this: the Greeks were in despair Of rescue, and believed their hour had come To perish; every Trojan hoped to give The fleet to flames, and slay the sons of Greece. With thoughts like these the hostile warriors closed.