He spake: and, deeply moved with inward wrath, The River pondered how to render vain The prowess of Achilles, and avert Destruction from the Trojans. Now the son Of Peleus rushed, his ponderous spear in hand, To slay Asteropasus, who was sprung From Pelegon, and Pelegon was born To the broad river Axius, of a maid, The eldest-born of Acessamenus, Named Periboea; for the river-god Was joined with her in love. Achilles sprang To meet the youth, as, rising from the stream, Armed with two spears, he stood, his heart made strong And resolute by Xanthus, who had seen Indignantly so many Trojans die⁠— Youths whom Achilles slaughtered in his stream, And had no pity on them. When the twain Were near each other, standing face to face, The swift Achilles was the first to speak:⁠— “Who and whence art thou that dost venture thus To meet me? They who seek to measure strength With me are sons of most unhappy men.”