f except
Superior in heroic might to all.
And now (their shields adjusted each to each)
With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved 135
Against the Grecians; nor expected less
Than that beside their sable ships, the host
Should self-abandon'd fall an easy prey.
The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers,
The counsel of the accomplish'd Prince pursued, 140
Polydamas, one Chief alone except,
Asius Hyrtacides. He scorn'd to leave
His charioteer and coursers at the trench,
And drove toward the fleet. Ah, madly brave!
His evil hour was come; he was ordain'd 145
With horse and chariot and triumphant shout
To enter wind-swept Ilium never more.
Deucalion's offspring, first, into the shades
Dismiss'd him; by Idomeneus he died.
Leftward he drove furious, along the road 150
By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks
Return'd from battle; in that track he flew,
Nor found the portals by the massy bar
Secured, but open for reception safe
Of fugitives, and to a guard consign'd. 155
Thither he drove direct, and in his rear
His band shrill-shouting follow'd, for they judged
The Greeks no longer able to withstand
Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp.
Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found 160
Lapithae-born, courageous offspring each
Of dauntless father; Polypoetes, this,
Sprung from Pirithoeus; that, the warrior bold
Leonteus, terrible as gore-tainted Mars.
These two, defenders of the lofty gates, 165
Stood firm before them. As when two tall oaks
On the high mountains day by day endure
Rough wind and rain, by deep-descending roots
Of hugest growth fast-founded in the soil;
So they, sustain'd by conscious valor, saw, 170
Unmoved, high towering Asius on his way,
Nor fear'd him aught, nor shrank from his approach
Right on toward the barrier, lifting high
Their season'd bucklers and with clamor loud
The band advanced, King Asius at their head, 175
With whom Iaemenus, expert in arms,
Orestes, Thoeon, Acamas the son
Of Asius, and Oenomaeus, led them on.
Till now, the warlike pair, exhorting loud
The Grecians to defend the fleet, had stood 180
Within the gates; but soon as they perceived
The Trojans swift advancing to