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yourself in the face of everybody？〃 and the fair…crowned goddess
of the chase answered； 〃It was your wife Juno； father； who has
been beating me； it is always her doing when there is any
quarrelling among the immortals。〃
Thus did they converse； and meanwhile Phoebus Apollo entered the
strong city of Ilius； for he was uneasy lest the wall should not
hold out and the Danaans should take the city then and there；
before its hour had e； but the rest of the ever…living gods
went back； some angry and some triumphant to Olympus； where they
took their seats beside Jove lord of the storm cloud； while
Achilles still kept on dealing out death alike on the Trojans and
on their horses。 As when the smoke from some burning city ascends
to heaven when the anger of the gods has kindled itthere is
then toil for all； and sorrow for not a feweven so did Achilles
bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans。
Old King Priam stood on a high tower of the wall looking down on
huge Achilles as the Trojans fled panic…stricken before him； and
there was none to help them。 Presently he came down from off the
tower and with many a groan went along the wall to give orders to
the brave warders of the gate。 〃Keep the gates；〃 said he； 〃wide
open till the people e flying into the city； for Achilles is
hard by and is driving them in rout before him。 I see we are in
great peril。 As soon as our people are inside and in safety；
close the strong gates for I fear lest that terrible man should
e bounding inside along with the others。〃
As he spoke they drew back the bolts and opened the gates； and
when these were opened there was a haven of refuge for the
Trojans。 Apollo then came full speed out of the city to meet them
and protect them。 Right for the city and the high wall； parched
with thirst and grimy with dust； still they fied on； with
Achilles wielding his spear furiously behind them。 For he was as
one possessed； and was thirsting after glory。
Then had the sons of the Achaeans taken the lofty gates of Troy
if Apollo had not spurred on Agenor； valiant and noble son to
Antenor。 He put courage into his heart； and stood by his side to
guard him； leaning against a beech tree and shrouded in thick
darkness。 When Agenor saw Achilles he stood still and his heart
was clouded with care。 〃Alas；〃 said he to himself in his dismay；
〃if I fly before mighty Achilles； and go where all the others are
being driven in rout； he will none the less catch me and kill me
for a coward。 How would it be were I to let Achilles drive the
others before him； and then fly from the wall to the plain that
is behind Ilius till I reach the spurs of Ida and can hide in the
underwood that is thereon？ I could then wash the sweat from off
me in the river and in the evening return to Ilius。 But why
mune with myself in this way？ Like enough he would see me as I
am hurrying from the city over the plain； and would speed after
me till he had caught meI should stand no chance against him；
for he is mightiest of all mankind。 What； then； if I go out and
meet him in front of the city？ His flesh too； I take it； can be
pierced by pointed bronze。 Life is the same in one and all； and
men say that he is but mortal despite the triumph that Jove son
of Saturn vouchsafes him。〃
So saying he stood on his guard and awaited Achilles； for he was
now fain to fight him。 As a leopardess that bounds from out a
thick covert to attack a huntershe knows no fear and is not
dismayed by the baying of the hounds； even though the man be too
quick for her and wound her either with thrust or spear； still；
though the spear has pierced her she will not give in till she
has either caught him in her grip or been killed outrighteven
so did noble Agenor son of Antenor refuse to fly till he had made
trial of Achilles； and took aim at him with his spear； holding
his round shield before him and crying with a loud voice。 〃Of a
truth；〃 said he； 〃noble Achilles； you deem that you shall this
day sack the city of the proud Trojans。 Fool； there will be
trouble enough yet before it； for there is many a brave man of us
still inside who will stand in front of our dear parents with our
wives and children； to defend Ilius。 Here therefore； huge and
mighty warrior though you be； here shall you die。〃
As he spoke his strong hand hurled his javelin from him； and the
spear struck Achilles on the leg beneath the knee； the greave of
newly wrought tin rang loudly； but the spear recoiled from the
body of him whom it had struck； and did not pierce it； for the
gods gift stayed it。 Achilles in his turn attacked noble Agenor；
but Apollo would not vouchsafe him glory； for he snatched Agenor
away and hid him in a thick mist； sending him out of the battle
unmolested Then he craftily drew the son of Peleus away from
going after the host； for he put on the semblance of Agenor and
stood in front of Achilles； who ran towards him to give him chase
and pursued him over the corn lands of the plain； turning him
towards the deep waters of the river Scamander。 Apollo ran but a
little way before him and beguiled Achilles by making him think
all the time that he was on the point of overtaking him。
Meanwhile the rabble of routed Trojans was thankful to crowd
within the city till their numbers thronged it； no longer did
they dare wait for one another outside the city walls； to learn
who had escaped and who were fallen in fight； but all whose feet
and knees could still carry them poured pell…mell into the town。
BOOK XXII
The death of Hector。
THUS the Trojans in the city； scared like fawns； wiped the sweat
from off them and drank to quench their thirst； leaning against
the goodly battlements； while the Achaeans with their shields
laid upon their shoulders drew close up to the walls。 But stern
fate bade Hector stay where he was before Ilius and the Scaean
gates。 Then Phoebus Apollo spoke to the son of Peleus saying；
〃Why； son of Peleus； do you； who are but man； give chase to me
who am immortal？ Have you not yet found out that it is a god whom
you pursue so furiously？ You did not harass the Trojans whom you
had routed； and now they are within their walls； while you have
been decoyed hither away from them。 Me you cannot kill； for death
can take no hold upon me。〃
Achilles was greatly angered and said； 〃You have baulked me；
Far…Darter； most malicious of all gods； and have drawn me away
from the wall； where many another man would have bitten the dust
ere he got within Ilius； you have robbed me of great glory and
have saved the Trojans at no risk to yourself； for you have
nothing to fear； but I would indeed have my revenge if it were in
my power to do so。〃
On this； with fell intent he made towards the city； and as the
winning horse in a chariot race strains every nerve when he is
flying over the plain； even so fast and furiously did the limbs
of Achilles bear him onwards。 King Priam was first to note him as
he scoured the plain； all radiant as the star which men call
Orion's Hound； and whose beams blaze forth in time of harvest
more brilliantly than those of any other that shines by night；
brightest of them all though he be； he yet bodes ill for mortals；
for he brings fi