standing in the
midst of the horses and well-joined chariots: and having approached,
swift-footed Iris addressed him:

"Hector, son of Priam, equal in counsel to Jove, Jove hath sent me
forward to deliver to thee this message: As long as thou seest
Agamemnon, the shepherd of the people, raging amongst the van, [and]
destroying the ranks of men, so long do thou abstain from combat, but
exhort the rest of the army to fight with the enemy during the violent
contest. But when he shall have mounted his steeds, either smitten with
a spear, or wounded by an arrow, then will he supply thee with strength
to slay, until thou reach the well-benched ships, and the sun set, and
sacred darkness come on."

Thus having spoken, swift-footed Iris departed. But Hector with his
armour sprang from his chariot to the ground, and brandishing sharp
spears, ranged through the army on every side, inciting them to fight,
and stirred up the dreadful battle. They indeed rallied, and stood
opposite to the Greeks; but the Greeks, on the other hand, strengthened
their phalanxes. And the battle was renewed, and they stood front to
front. But Agamemnon first rushed on, for he wished to fight far before
all.

Tell me now, ye muses, possessing Olympian dwellings, who first, either
of the Trojans or illustrious allies, now came against Agamemnon?
Iphidamas, son of Antenor, both valiant and great, who was nurtured in
fertile Thrace, the mother of flocks. Cisseus, his maternal grandfather,
who begat fair-cheeked Theano, reared him in his house whilst yet a
little boy: but when he had attained the measure of glorious youth, he
there detained him, and gave him his own daughter. And having married
her, he came from the bridal chamber, on the rumour of the Greeks, with
twelve curved vessels which followed him. The equal ships indeed he
afterwards left at Percote, but he, proceeding on foot, had arrived at
Troy; and he it was who then came against Agamemnon, the son of Atreus.
When these, advancing against each other, were now near, the son of
Atreus on his part missed, and his spear was turned aside. But Iphidamas
smote him upon the belt, under the corslet; and he put his strength to
it, relying on his strong hand. Yet he pierced not the flexible belt,
but meeting with the silver long before, the point was turned like lead.
Then indeed wide-ruling Agamemnon, seeing it in his hand, pulled it
towards him, exasperated, like a lion, and plucked it from his hand;