Such stirring words he uttered, while aloud Illustrious Hector called, encouraging The men of Troy, and promising to meet Achilles: “Valiant Trojans, do not quail Before Pelides. In the strife of words I too might bear my part against the gods; But harder were the combat with the spear, For greater is their might than ours. The son Of Peleus cannot make his threatenings good. A part will he perform and part will leave Undone. I go to wait him; I would go Although his hands were like consuming flame⁠— His hands like flame, his strength the strength of steel.”

He spake: the Trojans at his stirring word Lifted their lances, and the adverse hosts Joined battle with a fearful din. Then came Apollo and admonished Hector thus:⁠—

“Hector, encounter not Achilles here Before the armies, but amidst the throng And tumult of the battle, lest perchance He strike thee with the javelin or the sword.”