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sign from heaven when they had essayed to cross ita soaring
eagle that flew skirting the left wing of their host； with a
monstrous blood…red snake in its talons still alive and
struggling to escape。 The snake was still bent on revenge；
wriggling and twisting itself backwards till it struck the bird
that held it； on the neck and breast； whereon the bird being in
pain； let it fall； dropping it into the middle of the host； and
then flew down the wind with a sharp cry。 The Trojans were struck
with terror when they saw the snake； portent of aegis…bearing
Jove； writhing in the midst of them； and Polydamas went up to
Hector and said； 〃Hector； at our councils of war you are ever
given to rebuke me； even when I speak wisely； as though it were
not well； forsooth； that one of the people should cross your will
either in the field or at the council board； you would have them
support you always： nevertheless I will say what I think will be
best； let us not now go on to fight the Danaans at their ships；
for I know what will happen if this soaring eagle which skirted
the left wing of our host with a monstrous blood…red snake in its
talons （the snake being still alive） was really sent as an omen
to the Trojans on their essaying to cross the trench。 The eagle
let go her hold； she did not succeed in taking it home to her
little ones； and so will it bewith ourselves； even though by a
mighty effort we break through the gates and wall of the
Achaeans； and they give way before us； still we shall not return
in good order by the way we came； but shall leave many a man
behind us whom the Achaeans will do to death in defence of their
ships。 Thus would any seer who was expert in these matters； and
was trusted by the people； read the portent。〃
Hector looked fiercely at him and said； 〃Polydamas； I like not of
your reading。 You can find a better saying than this if you will。
If； however； you have spoken in good earnest； then indeed has
heaven robbed you of your reason。 You would have me pay no heed
to the counsels of Jove； nor to the promises he made meand he
bowed his head in confirmation； you bid me be ruled rather by the
flight of wild…fowl。 What care I whether they fly towards dawn or
dark； and whether they be on my right hand or on my left？ Let us
put our trust rather in the counsel of great Jove； king of
mortals and immortals。 There is one omen； and one onlythat a
man should fight for his country。 Why are you so fearful？ Though
we be all of us slain at the ships of the Argives you are not
likely to be killed yourself； for you are not steadfast nor
courageous。 If you will not fight； or would talk others over from
doing so； you shall fall forthwith before my spear。〃
With these words he led the way； and the others followed after
with a cry that rent the air。 Then Jove the lord of thunder sent
the blast of a mighty wind from the mountains of Ida； that bore
the dust down towards the ships； he thus lulled the Achaeans into
security； and gave victory to Hector and to the Trojans； who；
trusting to their own might and to the signs he had shown them；
essayed to break through the great wall of the Achaeans。 They
tore down the breastworks from the walls； and overthrew the
battlements； they upheaved the buttresses； which the Achaeans had
set in front of the wall in order to support it； when they had
pulled these down they made sure of breaking through the wall；
but the Danaans still showed no sign of giving ground； they still
fenced the battlements with their shields of ox…hide； and hurled
their missiles down upon the foe as soon as any came below the
wall。
The two Ajaxes went about everywhere on the walls cheering on the
Achaeans； giving fair words to some while they spoke sharply to
any one whom they saw to be remiss。 〃My friends；〃 they cried；
〃Argives one and allgood bad and indifferent； for there was
never fight yet； in which all were of equal prowessthere is now
work enough； as you very well know； for all of you。 See that you
none of you turn in flight towards the ships； daunted by the
shouting of the foe； but press forward and keep one another in
heart； if it may so be that Olympian Jove the lord of lightning
will vouchsafe us to repel our foes； and drive them back towards
the city。〃
Thus did the two go about shouting and cheering the Achaeans on。
As the flakes that fall thick upon a winter's day； when Jove is
minded to snow and to display these his arrows to mankindhe
lulls the wind to rest； and snows hour after hour till he has
buried the tops of the high mountains； the headlands that jut
into the sea； the grassy plains； and the tilled fields of men；
the snow lies deep upon the forelands； and havens of the grey
sea； but the waves as they e rolling in stay it that it can
e no further； though all else is wrapped as with a mantle； so
heavy are the heavens with snoweven thus thickly did the stones
fall on one side and on the other； some thrown at the Trojans；
and some by the Trojans at the Achaeans； and the whole wall was
in an uproar。
Still the Trojans and brave Hector would not yet have broken down
the gates and the great bar； had not Jove turned his son Sarpedon
against the Argives as a lion against a herd of horned cattle。
Before him he held his shield of hammered bronze； that the smith
had beaten so fair and round； and had lined with ox hides which
he had made fast with rivets of gold all round the shield； this
he held in front of him； and brandishing his two spears came on
like some lion of the wilderness； who has been long famished for
want of meat and will dare break even into a well…fenced
homestead to try and get at the sheep。 He may find the shepherds
keeping watch over their flocks with dogs and spears； but he is
in no mind to be driven from the fold till he has had a try for
it； he will either spring on a sheep and carry it off； or be hit
by a spear from some strong handeven so was Sarpedon fain to
attack the wall and break down its battlements。 Then he said to
Glaucus son of Hippolochus； 〃Glaucus； why in Lycia do we receive
especial honour as regards our place at table？ Why are the
choicest portions served us and our cups kept brimming； and why
do men look up to us as though we were gods？ Moreover we hold a
large estate by the banks of the river Xanthus； fair with orchard
lawns and wheat…growing land； it bees us； therefore； to take
our stand at the head of all the Lycians and bear the brunt of
the fight； that one may say to another； 'Our princes in Lycia eat
the fat of the land and drink best of wine； but they are fine
fellows； they fight well and are ever at the front in battle。' My
good friend； if； when we were once out of this fight； we could
escape old age and death thenceforward and forever； I should
neither press forward myself nor bid you do so； but death in ten
thousand shapes hangs ever over our heads； and no man can elude
him； therefore let us go forward and either win glory for
ourselves； or yield it to another。〃
Glaucus heeded his saying； and the pair forthwith led on the host
of Lycians。 Menestheus son of Peteos was dismayed when he saw
them； for it was against his part of the wall that they came
bringing destru