row
should bring forth.

Thus did it come to pass that Achilles went again into the battle, eager
above all things to meet with Hector and to slay him.

But Apollo stood by AEneas, and spake to him: "AEneas, where are now thy
boastings that thou wouldst meet Achilles face to face?"

Then AEneas answered, "Nay, I have stood up against him in the day when he
took the town of Lyrnessus. But I fled before him, and only my nimble feet
saved me from falling by his spear. Surely a god is ever with him, making
his spear to fly aright."

Him Apollo answered again, "Thou, too, art the son of a goddess, and thy
mother is greater than his, for she is but a daughter of the sea. Drive
straight at him with thy spear, and let not his threats dismay thee."

Then AEneas stood out from the press to meet Achilles and Achilles said,
"Fightest thou with me because thou hopest to reign over the men of Troy,
or have they given thee a choice portion of ground, ploughland and
orchard, to be thine when thou hast slain me? Thou wilt not find it easy.
Dost thou not remember how thou fleddest before me in the day that I took
Lyrnessus?"

Then AEneas answered, "Think not to terrify me with words, son of Peleus,
for I, too, am the son of a goddess. Let us make a trial one of the
other."

Then he cast his spear, and it struck the shield of Achilles with so
dreadful a sound that the hero feared lest it should pierce it through,
knowing not that the gifts of the Gods are not easy for mortal man to
vanquish. Two folds, indeed, it pierced, that were of bronze, but in the
gold it was stayed, and there were yet two of tin within. Then Achilles
cast his spear. Through the shield of AEneas it passed, and though it
wounded him not, yet was he sore dismayed, so near it came. Then Achilles
drew his sword, and rushed on AEneas, and AEneas caught up a great stone to
cast at him. But it was not the will of the Gods that AEneas should perish,
seeing that he and his sons after him should rule over the men of Troy in
the ages to come. Therefore Neptune lifted him up, and bore him over the
ranks of men to the left of the battle, but first he drew the spear out of
the shield, and laid it at the feet of Achilles. Much the hero marveled to
see it, crying, "This is a great wonder that I behold with mine eyes. For
I see my spear before me, but the man whom I sought to slay, I see not. Of
a truth AEneas spake truth, saying that he was dear to the immortal Gods."

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