d not the
swift-footed son of Peleus. As often as he would rush against the
Dardanian gates, towards under the well-built towers, if perchance they
might aid him with missile weapons from above, so often, previously
anticipating him, he turned him away towards the plain; whilst he
himself always flew on the side of the city. And as in a dream one
cannot pursue a fugitive; neither can the one escape the other, nor the
other pursue: so the one could not overtake the other in his speed, nor
the other escape him. But how, then, could Hector have escaped the fates
of death, if Apollo had not, for the very last time, met him, who
aroused for him his courage and swift knees? But noble Achilles nodded
to the people with his head, nor permitted them to cast their bitter
weapons at Hector, lest some one, wounding him, should obtain the glory,
and he himself come second. But when for the fourth time they arrived at
the fountains, then, indeed, the Sire raised aloft his golden scales,
and placed in them the two fates of death, bearing long sleep, this of
Achilles, but that of horse-breaking Hector. Holding them by the middle,
he poised them, and the fatal day of Hector inclined and sunk to Hades;
but Phoebus Apollo left him.

Then the blue-eyed goddess Minerva approached the son of Peleus, and,
standing near, addressed to him winged words:

"Now, O illustrious Achilles, dear to Jove, I hope that we two shall
bear back great glory to the Greeks at the ships, having slain Hector,
although being insatiate of war. Now, certainly, it is no longer
possible for him to escape us, not even if far-darting Apollo should
toil much, throwing himself at the feet of the aegis-bearing father Jove.
But do thou now stand and revive; but I, approaching with thee, will
persuade him to engage thee face to face."

Thus spoke Minerva; but he obeyed, and rejoiced in his mind; and stood,
leaning upon his ashen, brass-pointed spear. But she then left him, and
overtook noble Hector, likening herself to Deiphobus, unwearied in her
body and voice; and, standing near, she addressed to him winged words:
"O brother dear, certainly swift Achilles now greatly presses on thee,
pursuing thee with rapid feet round the city of Priam. But come now, let
us stand, and, awaiting, repulse him."

But her mighty crest-tossing Hector in turn addressed:

"Deiphobus, surely thou wert ever before by far the dearest to me of my
brothers, the sons whom Hecuba and Priam produce