escaped from death. But come, having
encouraged the warlike Greeks, I will make trial of the other Trojans,
going against them."

He spoke, and sprang into the ranks, and cheered on every man:

"No longer now stand off from the Trojans, O noble Greeks, but on! let
man advance against man, and let him be eager to engage. Difficult is it
for me, although being valiant, to attack so many warriors, and to fight
with them all. Not even Mars, who is an immortal god, nor yet Minerva,
could charge and toil against the force of such a conflict. Yet whatever
I can do with hands, with feet, and with strength, I declare that I will
no longer be remiss, not ever so little; but I will go right through
their line, nor do I think that any Trojan will rejoice, whoever may
come near my javelin."

Thus he spoke, encouraging them; but illustrious Hector, upbraiding,
animated the Trojans, and said that he would go against Achilles:

"Ye magnanimous Trojans, fear not the son of Peleus. I, too, could fight
with words even with the immortals, but with the spear it is difficult,
for they are far more powerful. Nor shall Achilles give effect to all
his words; but one part he shall fulfil, and the other leave half
imperfect. Against him will I go, even though he were like to fire as to
his hands; and to shining iron, as to his might."

Thus he spoke, inciting them; but the Trojans opposite quickly raised
their spears; their strength was mingled together, and a shout arose.
Then also Phoebus Apollo, standing near, addressed Hector:

"Hector, do not at all fight in the van with Achilles, but receive him
in the crowd, and from the tumult, lest by any chance he hit thee, or
strike thee with the sword in close combat."

Thus he spoke, and Hector sunk back again into the thick body of men,
dismayed when he heard the voice of the god speaking. But Achilles
leaped among the Trojans, clad with courage as to his soul, shouting
dreadfully; and first slew gallant Iphition, son of Otrynteus, the
leader of many people, whom the nymph Nais bore to Otrynteus, the sacker
of cities, under snowy Tmolus, in the rich district of Hyda.[664] Him,
eagerly rushing straight forward, noble Achilles struck with his
javelin in the middle of the head; and it was entirely split in two. He
gave a crash as he fell, and noble Achilles boasted over him:

[Footnote 664: A town of Maeonia in Lydia. See Steph. Byz. s. v.]

"O son of Otrynteus, most terrible of all men, th