that of the heavenly powers
He had invoked _her_ foremost to his aid.
His shoulders with new might, and limbs she fill'd, 685
And persevering boldness to his breast
Imparted, such as prompts the fly, which oft
From flesh of man repulsed, her purpose yet
To bite holds fast, resolved on human blood.
His stormy bosom with such courage fill'd 690
By Pallas, to Patroclus he approach'd
And hurl'd, incontinent, his glittering spear.
There was a Trojan Chief, Podes by name,
Son of Eetion, valorous and rich;
Of all Troy's citizens him Hector most 695
Respected, in convivial pleasures sweet
His chosen companion. As he sprang to flight,
The hero of the golden locks his belt
Struck with full force and sent the weapon through.
Sounding he fell, and from the Trojan ranks 700
Atrides dragg'd the body to his own.
Then drew Apollo near to Hector's side,
And in the form of Phoenops, Asius' son,
Of all the foreign guests at Hector's board
His favorite most, the hero thus address'd. 705
What Chief of all the Grecians shall henceforth
Fear Hector, who from Menelaus shrinks
Once deem'd effeminate, but dragging now
The body of thy valiant friend approved
Whom he hath slain, Podes, Eetion's son? 710
He spake, and at his words grief like a cloud
Involved the mind of Hector dark around;
Right through the foremost combatants he rush'd
All clad in dazzling brass. Then, lifting high
His tassel'd AEgis radiant, Jove with storms 715
Enveloped Ida; flash'd his lightnings, roar'd
His thunders, and the mountain shook throughout.
Troy's host he prosper'd, and the Greeks dispersed.
First fled Peneleus, the Boeotian Chief,
Whom facing firm the foe Polydamas 720
Struck on his shoulder's summit with a lance
Hurl'd nigh at hand, which slight inscribed the bone.
[10]Leitus also, son of the renown'd
Alectryon, pierced by Hector in the wrist,
Disabled left the fight; trembling he fled 725
And peering narrowly around, nor hoped
To lift a spear against the Trojans more.
Hector, pursuing Leitus, the point
Encounter'd of the brave Idomeneus
Full on his chest; but in his mail the lance 730
Snapp'd, and the Trojans shouted to the skies.
He, in his turn, cas