Thus having spoken, brandishing his spear, He sent it forth; but with a gentle breath Minerva turned it from the glorious Greek, And laid it at the noble Hector’s feet. Then did Achilles, resolute to slay His enemy, rush against him with a shout Of fury; but Apollo, with such power As gods put forth, withdrew him thence, and spread A darkness round him. Thrice the swift of foot, Achilles, rushed against him with his spear, And thrice he smote the cloud. But when once more, In godlike might, he made the assault, he spake These wingèd words of menace and reproach:⁠—

“Hound as thou art, thou hast once more escaped Thy death; for it was near. Again the hand Of Phoebus rescues thee; to him thy vows Are made ere thou dost trust thyself amidst The clash of javelins. I shall meet thee yet And end thee utterly, if any god Favor me also. I will now pursue And strike the other Trojan warriors down.”