Thus spake the god, and disappeared among The warring squadrons. Bitter was the grief That seized the heart of Hector as he looked Along the ranks and saw the Greek bear off The sumptuous arms, and saw the Trojan lie Weltering in blood. At once he made his way To the front rank, all armed in glittering brass, And with loud shouts. As terrible he came As Vulcan’s inextinguishable fires. The son of Atreus heard that mighty shout, And thus to his great soul lamenting said:⁠— “If I abandon these rich spoils and leave Patroclus, who has perished in my cause, I fear the Greeks will look upon the act With indignation. If, through dread of shame, I fight alone with Hector and his men, I fear to be o’erwhelmed by multitudes, For crested Hector leads the whole array Of Trojans hither. Yet why question thus? For when a warrior ventures to assault One whom a god protects, a bitter doom Is his. Then none of all the Greeks should blame If I give way to Hector, whom a god Hath sent against me. Yet could I but hear