Achilles Fights Scamander. The Gods Battle Each Other. Achilles Drives the Trojans Inside Their Gates.

Now when they came to the ford of the full-flowing river Xanthus, begotten of immortal Jove, Achilles cut their forces in two: one half he chased over the plain towards the city by the same way that the Achaeans had taken when flying panic-stricken on the preceding day with Hector in full triumph; this way did they fly pell-mell, and Juno sent down a thick mist in front of them to stay them. The other half were hemmed in by the deep silver-eddying stream, and fell into it with a great uproar. The waters resounded, and the banks rang again, as they swam hither and thither with loud cries amid the whirling eddies. As locusts flying to a river before the blast of a grass fire—the flame comes on and on till at last it overtakes them and they huddle into the water—even so was the eddying stream of Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles.

They reached the ford of the full-flowing river Xanthus, born of immortal Jove. There Achilles split their forces in two. He chased one half across the plain toward the city. They followed the same route the Achaeans had taken the day before, fleeing in panic as Hector swept forward in triumph. Now they fled in confusion, and Juno sent a thick mist down before them to hold them back. The other half were trapped by the deep river with its silver eddies, and plunged into it with a great uproar. The water roared, and the banks echoed their cries as they swam back and forth through the swirling currents. They were like locusts fleeing toward a river before the blast of a grass fire. The flames keep advancing until they overtake the locusts, which crowd into the water. Just so, the swirling Xanthus filled with the uproar of men and horses, all struggling in confusion before Achilles.

Forthwith the hero left his spear upon the bank, leaning it against a tamarisk bush, and plunged into the river like a god, armed with his sword only. Fell was his purpose as he hewed the Trojans down on every side. Their dying groans rose hideous as the sword smote them, and the river ran red with blood. As when fish fly scared before a huge dolphin, and fill every nook and corner of some fair haven—for he is sure to eat all he can catch—even so did the Trojans cower under the banks of the mighty river, and when Achilles’ arms grew weary with killing them, he drew twelve youths alive out of the water, to sacrifice in revenge for Patroclus son of Menoetius. He drew them out like dazed fawns, bound their hands behind them with the girdles of their own shirts, and gave them over to his men to take back to the ships. Then he sprang into the river, thirsting for still further blood.

At once, the hero left his spear on the bank, leaning against a tamarisk bush. Then he plunged into the river like a god, armed only with his sword. His purpose was deadly as he cut down the Trojans on every side. Their dying groans rose horribly as his sword struck them, and the river ran red with blood. Just as fish flee in terror from a huge dolphin, crowding every corner of a beautiful harbor, the Trojans cowered beneath the mighty river’s banks. For the dolphin is sure to eat all the fish he can catch. When Achilles’ arms grew tired from killing, he pulled twelve young men alive from the water. He meant to sacrifice them in revenge for Patroclus, son of Menoetius. He pulled them out like dazed fawns and tied their hands behind their backs with their own shirt belts. Then he handed the captives over to his men to take back to the ships. He sprang into the river again, thirsting for still more blood.

There he found Lycaon, son of Priam seed of Dardanus, as he was escaping out of the water; he it was whom he had once taken prisoner when he was in his father’s vineyard, having set upon him by night, as he was cutting young shoots from a wild fig-tree to make the wicker sides of a chariot. Achilles then caught him to his sorrow unawares, and sent him by sea to Lemnos, where the son of Jason bought him. But a guest-friend, Eetion of Imbros, freed him with a great sum, and sent him to Arisbe, whence he had escaped and returned to his father’s house. He had spent eleven days happily with his friends after he had come from Lemnos, but on the twelfth heaven again delivered him into the hands of Achilles, who was to send him to the house of Hades sorely against his will. He was unarmed when Achilles caught sight of him, and had neither helmet nor shield; nor yet had he any spear, for he had thrown all his armour from him on to the bank, and was sweating with his struggles to get out of the river, so that his strength was now failing him.

There Achilles found Lycaon escaping from the water. Lycaon was the son of Priam, a descendant of Dardanus. Achilles had once captured him in his father’s vineyard during a nighttime raid. Lycaon had been cutting young shoots from a wild fig-tree to make the woven sides of a chariot. Achilles had caught him by surprise, to Lycaon’s sorrow, and sent him by sea to Lemnos. There the son of Jason bought him. But Eetion of Imbros, a guest-friend, paid a large sum to free him and sent him to Arisbe. From Arisbe, Lycaon had escaped and returned to his father’s house. After returning from Lemnos, Lycaon had spent eleven happy days with his friends. But on the twelfth day, heaven delivered him into Achilles’ hands again. Achilles would send him to the house of Hades, very much against Lycaon’s will. When Achilles caught sight of him, Lycaon was unarmed, with no helmet, shield, or spear. He had thrown all his armor onto the bank. He was sweating from his struggle to get out of the river, so his strength was now failing.

Then Achilles said to himself in his surprise, “What marvel do I see here? If this man can come back alive after having been sold over into Lemnos, I shall have the Trojans also whom I have slain rising from the world below. Could not even the waters of the grey sea imprison him, as they do many another whether he will or no? This time let him taste my spear, that I may know for certain whether mother earth who can keep even a strong man down, will be able to hold him, or whether thence too he will return.”

Then Achilles said to himself in surprise, “What wonder am I seeing? If this man can return alive after being sold into Lemnos, even the Trojans I killed will rise from below. Could not even the gray sea hold him prisoner? The sea holds so many others, whether they want it or not. This time let him taste my spear, so I can know for certain whether mother earth can hold him. She can keep even a strong man down. Will she hold him, or will he return from there too?”

Thus did he pause and ponder. But Lycaon came up to him dazed and trying hard to embrace his knees, for he would fain live, not die. Achilles thrust at him with his spear, meaning to kill him, but Lycaon ran crouching up to him and caught his knees, whereby the spear passed over his back, and stuck in the ground, hungering though it was for blood. With one hand he caught Achilles’ knees as he besought him, and with the other he clutched the spear and would not let it go. Then he said, “Achilles, have mercy upon me and spare me, for I am your suppliant. It was in your tents that I first broke bread on the day when you took me prisoner in the vineyard; after which you sold me away to Lemnos far from my father and my friends, and I brought you the price of a hundred oxen. I have paid three times as much to gain my freedom; it is but twelve days that I have come to Ilius after much suffering, and now cruel fate has again thrown me into your hands. Surely father Jove must hate me, that he has given me over to you a second time. Short of life indeed did my mother Laothoe bear me, daughter of aged Altes—of Altes who reigns over the warlike Lelegae and holds steep Pedasus on the river Satnioeis. Priam married his daughter along with many other women and two sons were born of her, both of whom you will have slain. Your spear slew noble Polydorus as he was fighting in the front ranks, and now evil will here befall me, for I fear that I shall not escape you since heaven has delivered me over to you. Furthermore I say, and lay my saying to your heart, spare me, for I am not of the same womb as Hector who slew your brave and noble comrade.”

So he paused and thought. But Lycaon approached him, dazed and struggling to clasp his knees, because he wanted to live, not die. Achilles lunged at him with his spear, intending to kill him. But Lycaon crouched as he ran toward Achilles and grabbed his knees. So the spear passed over Lycaon’s back and stuck in the ground, though it still hungered for blood. Lycaon held Achilles’ knees with one hand as he begged for mercy. With the other, he gripped the spear and would not let go. Then he said, “Achilles, have mercy on me and spare me, for I beg for your protection. I first shared your bread in your tents on the day you captured me in the vineyard. Afterward, you sold me to Lemnos, far from my father and friends, for the price of a hundred oxen. I paid three times as much to gain my freedom. After much suffering, I returned to Ilius only twelve days ago. And now cruel fate has thrown me into your hands again. Surely father Jove must hate me, since he has handed me over to you a second time. My mother Laothoe bore me to live only a short life. She is the daughter of aged Altes, who rules the warlike Lelegae and holds steep Pedasus on the river Satnioeis. Priam married his daughter, along with many other women. She bore him two sons, and you will have killed them both. Your spear killed noble Polydorus as he fought in the front ranks. And now disaster will strike me here. For I fear I will not escape you, since heaven has handed me over to you. I tell you one more thing, and ask you to take my words to heart. Spare me, for I do not share a mother with Hector, who killed your brave and noble comrade.”

With such words did the princely son of Priam beseech Achilles; but Achilles answered him sternly. “Idiot,” said he, “talk not to me of ransom. Until Patroclus fell I preferred to give the Trojans quarter, and sold beyond the sea many of those whom I had taken alive; but now not a man shall live of those whom heaven delivers into my hands before the city of Ilius—and of all Trojans it shall fare hardest with the sons of Priam. Therefore, my friend, you too shall die. Why should you whine in this way? Patroclus fell, and he was a better man than you are. I too—see you not how I am great and goodly? I am son to a noble father, and have a goddess for my mother, but the hands of doom and death overshadow me all as surely. The day will come, either at dawn or dark, or at the noontide, when one shall take my life also in battle, either with his spear, or with an arrow sped from his bow.”

With these words, the princely son of Priam begged Achilles, but Achilles answered him harshly. “Idiot,” he said, “do not talk to me about ransom. Before Patroclus fell, I preferred to spare the Trojans. I sold many of those I captured alive across the sea. But now no man whom heaven puts in my hands outside the city of Ilius will live. And of all the Trojans, the sons of Priam will suffer most. So, my friend, you too must die. Why whine like this? Patroclus fell, and he was a better man than you. Look at me too. Can't you see how strong and handsome I am? My father is a noble man, and my mother is a goddess. But doom and death hang over me just as surely. The day will come, at dawn, at dusk, or at noon, when someone will kill me in battle. He will strike me with his spear or with an arrow shot from his bow.”

Thus did he speak, and Lycaon’s heart sank within him. He loosed his hold of the spear, and held out both hands before him; but Achilles drew his keen blade, and struck him by the collar-bone on his neck; he plunged his two-edged sword into him to the very hilt, whereon he lay at full length on the ground, with the dark blood welling from him till the earth was soaked. Then Achilles caught him by the foot and flung him into the river to go down stream, vaunting over him the while, and saying, “Lie there among the fishes, who will lick the blood from your wound and gloat over it; your mother shall not lay you on any bier to mourn you, but the eddies of Scamander shall bear you into the broad bosom of the sea. There shall the fishes feed on the fat of Lycaon as they dart under the dark ripple of the waters—so perish all of you till we reach the citadel of strong Ilius—you in flight, and I following after to destroy you. The river with its broad silver stream shall serve you in no stead, for all the bulls you offered him and all the horses that you flung living into his waters. None the less miserably shall you perish till there is not a man of you but has paid in full for the death of Patroclus and the havoc you wrought among the Achaeans whom you have slain while I held aloof from battle.”

As he spoke, Lycaon’s heart sank. He let go of the spear and held out both hands before him. But Achilles drew his sharp sword and struck Lycaon in the neck by the collarbone. He drove the double-edged blade into Lycaon up to the hilt. Lycaon fell flat on the ground, dark blood pouring from his wound until the earth was soaked. Then Achilles grabbed him by the foot and flung him into the river to float downstream. Achilles boasted over him, saying, “Lie there among the fish, who will lick the blood from your wound and gloat over it. Your mother will not lay you on a funeral bier to mourn you. Instead, the swirling waters of Scamander will carry you into the wide embrace of the sea. There the fish will feed on Lycaon’s fat as they dart beneath the dark ripples. May all of you die like this until we reach the citadel of mighty Ilius. You will flee, and I will follow to destroy you. The river with its wide, silver current will do you no good. All the bulls you offered him and all the horses you threw alive into his waters will not help you. You will still die miserably until every one of you has paid in full for Patroclus’s death. You will also pay for the havoc you caused among the Achaeans you killed while I stayed out of battle.”

So spoke Achilles, but the river grew more and more angry, and pondered within himself how he should stay the hand of Achilles and save the Trojans from disaster. Meanwhile the son of Peleus, spear in hand, sprang upon Asteropaeus son of Pelegon to kill him. He was son to the broad river Axius and Periboea eldest daughter of Acessamenus; for the river had lain with her. Asteropaeus stood up out of the water to face him with a spear in either hand, and Xanthus filled him with courage, being angry for the death of the youths whom Achilles was slaying ruthlessly within his waters. When they were close up with one another Achilles was first to speak. “Who and whence are you,” said he, “who dare to face me? Woe to the parents whose son stands up against me.” And the son of Pelegon answered, “Great son of Peleus, why should you ask my lineage. I am from the fertile land of far Paeonia, captain of the Paeonians, and it is now eleven days that I am at Ilius. I am of the blood of the river Axius—of Axius that is the fairest of all rivers that run. He begot the famed warrior Pelegon, whose son men call me. Let us now fight, Achilles.”

So Achilles spoke, but the river grew angrier and angrier. He considered how to stop Achilles and save the Trojans from disaster. Meanwhile, the son of Peleus, spear in hand, sprang at Asteropaeus, son of Pelegon, to kill him. Pelegon was the son of the broad river Axius and Periboea, the eldest daughter of Acessamenus. The river had slept with her. Asteropaeus rose from the water to face Achilles, holding a spear in each hand. Xanthus filled Asteropaeus with courage because he was angry at Achilles for ruthlessly killing the young men in his waters. When the two warriors drew close, Achilles spoke first. “Who are you, and where are you from?” he asked. “How dare you face me? Woe to the parents whose son stands against me.” And the son of Pelegon answered, “Great son of Peleus, why do you ask about my ancestry? I come from the fertile land of distant Paeonia, and I lead the Paeonians. I have now been at Ilius for eleven days. I am descended from the river Axius, the most beautiful of all flowing rivers. He fathered the famous warrior Pelegon, whose son I am called. Now let us fight, Achilles.”

Thus did he defy him, and Achilles raised his spear of Pelian ash. Asteropaeus failed with both his spears, for he could use both hands alike; with the one spear he struck Achilles’ shield, but did not pierce it, for the layer of gold, gift of the god, stayed the point; with the other spear he grazed the elbow of Achilles’ right arm drawing dark blood, but the spear itself went by him and fixed itself in the ground, foiled of its bloody banquet. Then Achilles, fain to kill him, hurled his spear at Asteropaeus, but failed to hit him and struck the steep bank of the river, driving the spear half its length into the earth. The son of Peleus then drew his sword and sprang furiously upon him. Asteropaeus vainly tried to draw Achilles’ spear out of the bank by main force; thrice did he tug at it, trying with all his might to draw it out, and thrice he had to leave off trying; the fourth time he tried to bend and break it, but ere he could do so Achilles smote him with his sword and killed him. He struck him in the belly near the navel, so that all his bowels came gushing out on to the ground, and the darkness of death came over him as he lay gasping. Then Achilles set his foot on his chest and spoiled him of his armour, vaunting over him and saying, “Lie there—begotten of a river though you be, it is hard for you to strive with the offspring of Saturn’s son. You declare yourself sprung from the blood of a broad river, but I am of the seed of mighty Jove. My father is Peleus, son of Aeacus ruler over the many Myrmidons, and Aeacus was the son of Jove. Therefore as Jove is mightier than any river that flows into the sea, so are his children stronger than those of any river whatsoever. Moreover you have a great river hard by if he can be of any use to you, but there is no fighting against Jove the son of Saturn, with whom not even King Achelous can compare, nor the mighty stream of deep-flowing Oceanus, from whom all rivers and seas with all springs and deep wells proceed; even Oceanus fears the lightnings of great Jove, and his thunder that comes crashing out of heaven.”

So he defied Achilles, and Achilles raised his spear of Pelian ash. Asteropaeus could use both hands equally well, but neither of his two spears struck home. One struck Achilles’ shield but failed to pierce it. The layer of gold, a god’s gift, stopped the point. The other grazed the elbow of Achilles’ right arm and drew dark blood. But the spear flew past him and lodged in the ground, denied its bloody feast. Then Achilles, eager to kill Asteropaeus, threw his spear at him but missed. The spear struck the steep riverbank and sank halfway into the earth. The son of Peleus then drew his sword and rushed furiously at Asteropaeus. Asteropaeus tried in vain to pull Achilles’ spear from the bank by brute force. Three times he tugged with all his strength, and three times he had to stop. On his fourth attempt, he tried to bend and break the spear. But before he could, Achilles struck him with his sword and killed him. Achilles struck his belly near the navel, so that all his guts spilled onto the ground. The darkness of death covered Asteropaeus as he lay gasping. Then Achilles planted his foot on Asteropaeus’ chest and stripped off his armor. He boasted over him, saying, “Lie there. Though you are descended from a river, you cannot easily fight a descendant of Saturn’s son. You claim descent from the blood of a broad river, but I descend from mighty Jove. My father is Peleus, son of Aeacus, who ruled over the many Myrmidons. And Aeacus was the son of Jove. Jove is mightier than any river flowing into the sea. So his children are stronger than the children of any river. Besides, you have a great river close by, if he can help you at all. But no one can fight Jove, the son of Saturn. Not even King Achelous can compare with him, nor can the mighty current of deep-flowing Oceanus. From Oceanus come all rivers and seas, all springs and deep wells. Even Oceanus fears great Jove’s lightning and his thunder crashing from heaven.”

With this he drew his bronze spear out of the bank, and now that he had killed Asteropaeus, he let him lie where he was on the sand, with the dark water flowing over him and the eels and fishes busy nibbling and gnawing the fat that was about his kidneys. Then he went in chase of the Paeonians, who were flying along the bank of the river in panic when they saw their leader slain by the hands of the son of Peleus. Therein he slew Thersilochus, Mydon, Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius, Oeneus, and Ophelestes, and he would have slain yet others, had not the river in anger taken human form, and spoken to him from out the deep waters saying, “Achilles, if you excel all in strength, so do you also in wickedness, for the gods are ever with you to protect you: if, then, the son of Saturn has vouchsafed it to you to destroy all the Trojans, at any rate drive them out of my stream, and do your grim work on land. My fair waters are now filled with corpses, nor can I find any channel by which I may pour myself into the sea for I am choked with dead, and yet you go on mercilessly slaying. I am in despair, therefore, O captain of your host, trouble me no further.”

With these words, he pulled his bronze spear out of the riverbank. Now that he had killed Asteropaeus, he left him lying on the sand, with dark water flowing over him. Eels and fish nibbled and gnawed at the fat around his kidneys. Then Achilles chased the Paeonians, who fled in panic along the riverbank. They had seen their leader killed by the son of Peleus. During the chase, Achilles killed Thersilochus, Mydon, Astypylus, Mnesus, Thrasius, Oeneus, and Ophelestes. He would have killed still more, but the angry river took human form and spoke from its deep waters. “Achilles, if you surpass everyone in strength, you also surpass everyone in wickedness, for the gods always protect you. If the son of Saturn has granted you the power to destroy all the Trojans, drive them from my stream. At least do your grim work on land. My beautiful waters are now full of corpses. I can find no channel to flow into the sea because I am choked with the dead. Yet you keep killing without mercy. So I am in despair, commander of your army. Trouble me no further.”

Achilles answered, “So be it, Scamander, Jove-descended; but I will never cease dealing out death among the Trojans, till I have pent them up in their city, and made trial of Hector face to face, that I may learn whether he is to vanquish me, or I him.”

Achilles answered, “So be it, Scamander, descendant of Jove. But I will not stop killing Trojans until I have trapped them inside their city and faced Hector in combat. Then I will learn whether he will defeat me or I will defeat him.”

As he spoke he set upon the Trojans with a fury like that of the gods. But the river said to Apollo, “Surely, son of Jove, lord of the silver bow, you are not obeying the commands of Jove who charged you straitly that you should stand by the Trojans and defend them, till twilight fades, and darkness is over the earth.”

As he spoke, he attacked the Trojans with a fury like that of the gods. But the river said to Apollo, “Surely, son of Jove, lord of the silver bow, you are disobeying Jove’s commands. He firmly ordered you to stand by the Trojans and defend them until twilight fades and darkness covers the earth.”

Meanwhile Achilles sprang from the bank into mid-stream, whereon the river raised a high wave and attacked him. He swelled his stream into a torrent, and swept away the many dead whom Achilles had slain and left within his waters. These he cast out on to the land, bellowing like a bull the while, but the living he saved alive, hiding them in his mighty eddies. The great and terrible wave gathered about Achilles, falling upon him and beating on his shield, so that he could not keep his feet; he caught hold of a great elm-tree, but it came up by the roots, and tore away the bank, damming the stream with its thick branches and bridging it all across; whereby Achilles struggled out of the stream, and fled full speed over the plain, for he was afraid.

Meanwhile, Achilles leaped from the bank into the middle of the river. Then the river raised a high wave and attacked him. The river swelled into a torrent, sweeping away the many dead Achilles had killed and left in its waters. It threw the bodies onto land, roaring like a bull as it did so. But the river spared the living, hiding them in its powerful whirlpools. The huge, terrifying wave gathered around Achilles, crashing over him and pounding his shield so he could not stand firm. He grabbed a large elm tree, but the tree came up by the roots and tore away the bank. Its thick branches blocked the current, and the fallen tree formed a bridge all the way across the river. This allowed Achilles to struggle out of the water. He fled at full speed across the plain because he was afraid.

But the mighty god ceased not in his pursuit, and sprang upon him with a dark-crested wave, to stay his hands and save the Trojans from destruction. The son of Peleus darted away a spear’s throw from him; swift as the swoop of a black hunter-eagle which is the strongest and fleetest of all birds, even so did he spring forward, and the armour rang loudly about his breast. He fled on in front, but the river with a loud roar came tearing after. As one who would water his garden leads a stream from some fountain over his plants, and all his ground—spade in hand he clears away the dams to free the channels, and the little stones run rolling round and round with the water as it goes merrily down the bank faster than the man can follow—even so did the river keep catching up with Achilles albeit he was a fleet runner, for the gods are stronger than men. As often as he would strive to stand his ground, and see whether or no all the gods in heaven were in league against him, so often would the mighty wave come beating down upon his shoulders, and he would have to keep flying on and on in great dismay; for the angry flood was tiring him out as it flowed past him and ate the ground from under his feet.

But the mighty god kept chasing him and lunged at him with a dark-crested wave. He meant to stop Achilles from fighting and save the Trojans from destruction. The son of Peleus darted a spear’s throw away from the god. He sprang forward as swiftly as a black hunting eagle swoops, the strongest and fastest of all birds. His armor clanged loudly around his chest. He fled ahead, but the river roared and rushed after him. A gardener waters his plants and all his land by guiding a stream from a spring. With a spade in hand, he breaks through barriers to open the channels. Little stones tumble over and over in the water as the stream runs merrily down the bank. The water moves faster than the gardener can follow. Just so, the river kept catching up with Achilles, although he ran fast, because gods are stronger than men. Whenever Achilles tried to stand his ground, he hoped to see whether all the gods in heaven had joined against him. But each time, the mighty wave crashed down on his shoulders, forcing him to keep fleeing in terror. For the raging flood was wearing him out as the water rushed past and washed the ground from beneath his feet.

Then the son of Peleus lifted up his voice to heaven saying, “Father Jove, is there none of the gods who will take pity upon me, and save me from the river? I do not care what may happen to me afterwards. I blame none of the other dwellers on Olympus so severely as I do my dear mother, who has beguiled and tricked me. She told me I was to fall under the walls of Troy by the flying arrows of Apollo; would that Hector, the best man among the Trojans, might there slay me; then should I fall a hero by the hand of a hero; whereas now it seems that I shall come to a most pitiable end, trapped in this river as though I were some swineherd’s boy, who gets carried down a torrent while trying to cross it during a storm.”

Then the son of Peleus raised his voice to heaven, saying, “Father Jove, will none of the gods pity me and save me from the river? I do not care what happens to me afterward. I blame none of the other gods on Olympus as much as I blame my dear mother. She has deceived and tricked me. She told me I would die beneath the walls of Troy, struck by Apollo’s flying arrows. If only Hector, the best of the Trojans, could kill me there. Then I would die a hero at the hands of a hero. But now it seems I will meet a miserable end, trapped in this river like some swineherd’s boy. He tries to cross a raging stream during a storm and gets swept away.”

As soon as he had spoken thus, Neptune and Minerva came up to him in the likeness of two men, and took him by the hand to reassure him. Neptune spoke first. “Son of Peleus,” said he, “be not so exceeding fearful; we are two gods, come with Jove’s sanction to assist you, I, and Pallas Minerva. It is not your fate to perish in this river; he will abate presently as you will see; moreover we strongly advise you, if you will be guided by us, not to stay your hand from fighting till you have pent the Trojan host within the famed walls of Ilius—as many of them as may escape. Then kill Hector and go back to the ships, for we will vouchsafe you a triumph over him.”

As soon as he had finished speaking, Neptune and Minerva approached him, looking like two men. They took him by the hand to reassure him. Neptune spoke first. “Son of Peleus,” he said, “do not be so afraid. We are two gods, Pallas Minerva and I, sent with Jove’s approval to help you. You are not destined to die in this river. The river will soon calm down, as you will see. We also strongly advise you, if you will follow our guidance, not to stop fighting. Keep fighting until you have trapped the Trojan army’s survivors within the famous walls of Ilius. Then kill Hector and return to the ships, for we will grant you victory over him.”

When they had so said they went back to the other immortals, but Achilles strove onward over the plain, encouraged by the charge the gods had laid upon him. All was now covered with the flood of waters, and much goodly armour of the youths that had been slain was rifting about, as also many corpses, but he forced his way against the stream, speeding right onwards, nor could the broad waters stay him, for Minerva had endowed him with great strength. Nevertheless Scamander did not slacken in his pursuit, but was still more furious with the son of Peleus. He lifted his waters into a high crest and cried aloud to Simois saying, “Dear brother, let the two of us unite to save this man, or he will sack the mighty city of King Priam, and the Trojans will not hold out against him. Help me at once; fill your streams with water from their sources, rouse all your torrents to a fury; raise your wave on high, and let snags and stones come thundering down you that we may make an end of this savage creature who is now lording it as though he were a god. Nothing shall serve him longer, not strength nor comeliness, nor his fine armour, which forsooth shall soon be lying low in the deep waters covered over with mud. I will wrap him in sand, and pour tons of shingle round him, so that the Achaeans shall not know how to gather his bones for the silt in which I shall have hidden him, and when they celebrate his funeral they need build no barrow.”

After saying this, they returned to the other immortals. But Achilles pressed on across the plain, encouraged by the task the gods had given him. Floodwater now covered everything. Much fine armor from the young men who had been killed floated about, along with many bodies. But Achilles forced his way straight ahead against the current. The broad flood could not stop him, because Minerva had given him great strength. Still, Scamander did not ease his pursuit, but grew even more furious with the son of Peleus. He raised his waters into a towering wave and called out to Simois, “Dear brother, let us join forces to save this man. Otherwise, he will sack King Priam’s mighty city, and the Trojans will not withstand him. Help me at once. Fill your streams with water from their sources, and stir all your torrents into a fury. Raise your wave high, and send fallen branches and stones thundering down your waters. Then we can finish off this savage creature, who now rules over everyone as though he were a god. Nothing will help him any longer, neither his strength nor his beauty, nor his fine armor. That fine armor of his will soon lie deep beneath the water, covered in mud. I will bury him in sand and pile tons of gravel around him. The Achaeans will not know how to recover his bones from the silt where I have hidden him. And when they hold his funeral, they will have no need to build a burial mound.”

On this he upraised his tumultuous flood high against Achilles, seething as it was with foam and blood and the bodies of the dead. The dark waters of the river stood upright and would have overwhelmed the son of Peleus, but Juno, trembling lest Achilles should be swept away in the mighty torrent, lifted her voice on high and called out to Vulcan her son. “Crook-foot,” she cried, “my child, be up and doing, for I deem it is with you that Xanthus is fain to fight; help us at once, kindle a fierce fire; I will then bring up the west and the white south wind in a mighty hurricane from the sea, that shall bear the flames against the heads and armour of the Trojans and consume them, while you go along the banks of Xanthus burning his trees and wrapping him round with fire. Let him not turn you back neither by fair words nor foul, and slacken not till I shout and tell you. Then you may stay your flames.”

At this, he raised his raging flood high against Achilles, churning with foam, blood, and the bodies of the dead. The river’s dark waters rose upright and would have overwhelmed the son of Peleus. But Juno trembled with fear that Achilles would be swept away in the mighty torrent. She raised her voice and called to her son Vulcan. “Crook-foot,” she cried, “my child, get up and act. I think Xanthus wants to fight you. Help us at once and light a fierce fire. Then I will summon the west wind and the white south wind in a mighty hurricane from the sea. The winds will drive the flames against the Trojans’ heads and armor and burn them up. Meanwhile, go along the banks of Xanthus, burning his trees and surrounding him with fire. Do not let him turn you back with kind words or harsh ones. Do not ease your attack until I shout and tell you to stop. Then you may put out your flames.”

On this Vulcan kindled a fierce fire, which broke out first upon the plain and burned the many dead whom Achilles had killed and whose bodies were lying about in great numbers; by this means the plain was dried and the flood stayed. As the north wind, blowing on an orchard that has been sodden with autumn rain, soon dries it, and the heart of the owner is glad—even so the whole plain was dried and the dead bodies were consumed. Then he turned tongues of fire on to the river. He burned the elms the willows and the tamarisks, the lotus also, with the rushes and marshy herbage that grew abundantly by the banks of the river. The eels and fishes that go darting about everywhere in the water, these, too, were sorely harassed by the flames that cunning Vulcan had kindled, and the river himself was scalded, so that he spoke saying, “Vulcan, there is no god can hold his own against you. I cannot fight you when you flare out your flames in this way; strive with me no longer. Let Achilles drive the Trojans out of their city immediately. What have I to do with quarrelling and helping people?”

At this, Vulcan lit a fierce fire that first swept across the plain. It burned the many bodies of those Achilles had killed, which lay scattered in great numbers. The fire dried the plain and stopped the flood. Just as the north wind quickly dries an orchard soaked by autumn rain, bringing joy to its owner, so the fire dried the whole plain and consumed the bodies. Then Vulcan turned his tongues of flame toward the river. He burned the elms, willows, and tamarisks, along with the lotus, rushes, and marsh plants growing thickly along the banks. The eels and fish darting everywhere through the water also suffered badly from the flames the skillful Vulcan had lit. The river himself was scalded, so he spoke: “Vulcan, no god can stand against you. I cannot fight you when you unleash your flames like this. Stop fighting me. Let Achilles drive the Trojans out of their city at once. What business do I have quarreling and helping people?”

He was boiling as he spoke, and all his waters were seething. As a cauldron upon a large fire boils when it is melting the lard of some fatted hog, and the lard keeps bubbling up all over when the dry faggots blaze under it—even so were the goodly waters of Xanthus heated with the fire till they were boiling. He could flow no longer but stayed his stream, so afflicted was he by the blasts of fire which cunning Vulcan had raised. Then he prayed to Juno and besought her saying, “Juno, why should your son vex my stream with such especial fury? I am not so much to blame as all the others are who have been helping the Trojans. I will leave off, since you so desire it, and let your son leave off also. Furthermore I swear never again will I do anything to save the Trojans from destruction, not even when all Troy is burning in the flames which the Achaeans will kindle.”

He was boiling as he spoke, and all his waters were seething. A cauldron over a large fire boils as it melts the lard of a fattened hog. The lard bubbles all over as dry bundles of wood blaze beneath it. In just the same way, the beautiful waters of Xanthus grew hot in the fire until they boiled. He could no longer flow, and his stream stopped. So greatly did the blasts of fire raised by skillful Vulcan torment him. Then he prayed to Juno and pleaded with her, saying, “Juno, why should your son attack my stream with such extraordinary fury? I am less to blame than all the others who have been helping the Trojans. I will stop, since you want me to, and let your son stop too. I also swear never again to do anything to save the Trojans from destruction. I will not help even when all Troy burns in the flames the Achaeans will kindle.”

As soon as Juno heard this she said to her son Vulcan, “Son Vulcan, hold now your flames; we ought not to use such violence against a god for the sake of mortals.”

As soon as Juno heard this, she said to her son Vulcan, “Vulcan, my son, stop your flames now. We should not use such violence against a god for the sake of mortals.”

When she had thus spoken Vulcan quenched his flames, and the river went back once more into his own fair bed.

When she finished speaking, Vulcan put out his flames. And the river returned once more to his own beautiful bed.

Xanthus was now beaten, so these two left off fighting, for Juno stayed them though she was still angry; but a furious quarrel broke out among the other gods, for they were of divided counsels. They fell on one another with a mighty uproar—earth groaned, and the spacious firmament rang out as with a blare of trumpets. Jove heard as he was sitting on Olympus, and laughed for joy when he saw the gods coming to blows among themselves. They were not long about beginning, and Mars piercer of shields opened the battle. Sword in hand he sprang at once upon Minerva and reviled her. “Why, vixen,” said he, “have you again set the gods by the ears in the pride and haughtiness of your heart? Have you forgotten how you set Diomed son of Tydeus on to wound me, and yourself took visible spear and drove it into me to the hurt of my fair body? You shall now suffer for what you then did to me.”

Xanthus was now defeated, so the two stopped fighting because Juno restrained them, though she was still angry. But a fierce quarrel broke out among the other gods because they disagreed. They attacked one another with a tremendous uproar. The earth groaned, and the vast sky rang out like a blast of trumpets. Jove heard the noise as he sat on Olympus. He laughed with joy when he saw the gods fighting among themselves. The gods wasted no time, and Mars, the shield-piercer, began the battle. Sword in hand, he sprang straight at Minerva and hurled insults at her. “Why, you vixen,” he said, “have you stirred up another fight among the gods out of pride and arrogance? Have you forgotten how you urged Diomed son of Tydeus to wound me? You yourself took a spear in plain sight and drove it into me, wounding my beautiful body. Now you will suffer for what you did to me.”

As he spoke he struck her on the terrible tasselled aegis—so terrible that not even can Jove’s lightning pierce it. Here did murderous Mars strike her with his great spear. She drew back and with her strong hand seized a stone that was lying on the plain—great and rugged and black—which men of old had set for the boundary of a field. With this she struck Mars on the neck, and brought him down. Nine roods did he cover in his fall, and his hair was all soiled in the dust, while his armour rang rattling round him. But Minerva laughed and vaunted over him saying, “Idiot, have you not learned how far stronger I am than you, but you must still match yourself against me? Thus do your mother’s curses now roost upon you, for she is angry and would do you mischief because you have deserted the Achaeans and are helping the Trojans.”

As he spoke, he struck her terrifying, tasseled aegis, which not even Jove’s lightning could pierce. This was where murderous Mars struck her with his great spear. She stepped back and seized a stone from the plain with her strong hand. The stone was huge, rough, and black. Men long ago had placed it there to mark a field’s boundary. She struck Mars on the neck with the stone and knocked him down. His fallen body stretched across nine roods of ground. His hair was all covered in dust, and his armor clattered around him. But Minerva laughed and gloated over him, saying, “Idiot, haven’t you learned how much stronger I am than you? Yet you still insist on challenging me? Now your mother’s curses are coming down on you. She is angry and wants to harm you because you have abandoned the Achaeans and are helping the Trojans.”

She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere, whereon Jove’s daughter Venus took Mars by the hand and led him away groaning all the time, for it was only with great difficulty that he had come to himself again. When Queen Juno saw her, she said to Minerva, “Look, daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, unweariable, that vixen Venus is again taking Mars through the crowd out of the battle; go after her at once.”

She then turned her two piercing eyes elsewhere. Jove’s daughter Venus then took Mars by the hand and led him away. Mars groaned the whole time, for he had only regained his senses with great difficulty. When Queen Juno saw Venus, she said to Minerva, “Look, tireless daughter of Jove, who carries the aegis. That vixen Venus is again leading Mars through the crowd and out of the battle. Go after her at once.”

Thus she spoke. Minerva sped after Venus with a will, and made at her, striking her on the bosom with her strong hand so that she fell fainting to the ground, and there they both lay stretched at full length. Then Minerva vaunted over her saying, “May all who help the Trojans against the Argives prove just as redoubtable and stalwart as Venus did when she came across me while she was helping Mars. Had this been so, we should long since have ended the war by sacking the strong city of Ilius.”

So she spoke. Minerva eagerly rushed after Venus and attacked her, striking her chest with her strong hand. The blow sent Venus fainting to the ground, where both lay stretched out at full length. Then Minerva gloated over Venus, saying, “May all who help the Trojans against the Argives be just as fearsome and strong as Venus was. She faced me while helping Mars. If all their helpers had been like her, we would have sacked the strong city of Ilius long ago. The war would have ended then.”

Juno smiled as she listened. Meanwhile King Neptune turned to Apollo saying, “Phoebus, why should we keep each other at arm’s length? it is not well, now that the others have begun fighting; it will be disgraceful to us if we return to Jove’s bronze-floored mansion on Olympus without having fought each other; therefore come on, you are the younger of the two, and I ought not to attack you, for I am older and have had more experience. Idiot, you have no sense, and forget how we two alone of all the gods fared hardly round about Ilius when we came from Jove’s house and worked for Laomedon a whole year at a stated wage and he gave us his orders. I built the Trojans the wall about their city, so wide and fair that it might be impregnable, while you, Phoebus, herded cattle for him in the dales of many valleyed Ida. When, however, the glad hours brought round the time of payment, mighty Laomedon robbed us of all our hire and sent us off with nothing but abuse. He threatened to bind us hand and foot and sell us over into some distant island. He tried, moreover, to cut off the ears of both of us, so we went away in a rage, furious about the payment he had promised us, and yet withheld; in spite of all this, you are now showing favour to his people, and will not join us in compassing the utter ruin of the proud Trojans with their wives and children.”

Juno smiled as she listened. Meanwhile King Neptune turned to Apollo and said, “Phoebus, why should we hold back from each other? Holding back is wrong now that the others have begun fighting. We will disgrace ourselves if we return to Jove’s bronze-floored mansion on Olympus without having fought each other. So come on, you are the younger of us. I should not attack you first, since I am older and more experienced. You fool, you have no sense. You forget how we alone among all the gods suffered around Ilius. We came from Jove’s house and worked for Laomedon for a whole year at an agreed wage, following his orders. I built the Trojans a wall around their city, so broad and beautiful that it might withstand any attack. Meanwhile, you, Phoebus, herded his cattle in the valleys of Ida, with its many valleys. “But when the happy seasons brought the time for payment, mighty Laomedon cheated us out of all our wages. He sent us away with nothing but insults. He threatened to tie us hand and foot and sell us on some distant island. He also tried to cut off both our ears. So we left in a rage, furious over the payment he had promised but refused to give us. Despite all this, you now favor his people. You refuse to join us in utterly destroying the proud Trojans, along with their wives and children.”

And King Apollo answered, “Lord of the earthquake, you would have no respect for me if I were to fight you about a pack of miserable mortals, who come out like leaves in summer and eat the fruit of the field, and presently fall lifeless to the ground. Let us stay this fighting at once and let them settle it among themselves.”

And King Apollo answered, “Lord of the earthquake, you would have no respect for me if I fought you over a pack of miserable mortals. They emerge like leaves in summer and eat the crops of the fields, then soon fall lifeless to the ground. Let us stop fighting at once and let the mortals settle their conflict among themselves.”

He turned away as he spoke, for he would lay no hand on the brother of his own father. But his sister the huntress Diana, patroness of wild beasts, was very angry with him and said, “So you would fly, Far-Darter, and hand victory over to Neptune with a cheap vaunt to boot. Baby, why keep your bow thus idle? Never let me again hear you bragging in my father’s house, as you have often done in the presence of the immortals, that you would stand up and fight with Neptune.”

He turned away as he spoke, because he would not attack his own father’s brother. But his sister Diana, the huntress and protector of wild beasts, was very angry with him. She said, “So you would run away, Far-Darter, and hand victory to Neptune with an empty boast thrown in. You baby, why leave your bow unused? Never let me hear you bragging again in my father’s house that you would stand and fight Neptune. You have often made that boast in front of the immortals.”

Apollo made her no answer, but Jove’s august queen was angry and upbraided her bitterly. “Bold vixen,” she cried, “how dare you cross me thus? For all your bow you will find it hard to hold your own against me. Jove made you as a lion among women, and lets you kill them whenever you choose. You will find it better to chase wild beasts and deer upon the mountains than to fight those who are stronger than you are. If you would try war, do so, and find out by pitting yourself against me, how far stronger I am than you are.”

Apollo gave her no answer, but Jove’s majestic queen was angry and scolded her harshly. “Brazen vixen,” she cried, “how dare you defy me like this? Even with your bow, you will struggle to stand your ground against me. Jove made you a lion among women and lets you kill them whenever you choose. You would do better to hunt wild beasts and deer in the mountains than fight those stronger than you. If you want to try war, go ahead. Fight me and find out how much stronger I am than you.”

She caught both Diana’s wrists with her left hand as she spoke, and with her right she took the bow from her shoulders, and laughed as she beat her with it about the ears while Diana wriggled and writhed under her blows. Her swift arrows were shed upon the ground, and she fled weeping from under Juno’s hand as a dove that flies before a falcon to the cleft of some hollow rock, when it is her good fortune to escape. Even so did she fly weeping away, leaving her bow and arrows behind her.

As she spoke, she grabbed both Diana’s wrists with her left hand. With her right, she pulled the bow from Diana’s shoulders. She laughed as she beat Diana around the ears with the bow. Diana twisted and struggled under the blows. Her swift arrows scattered on the ground, and she fled in tears from Juno’s grasp. She was like a dove fleeing a falcon into a crack in a hollow rock, when lucky enough to escape. Just so, Diana fled weeping, leaving her bow and arrows behind.

Then the slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, said to Leto, “Leto, I shall not fight you; it is ill to come to blows with any of Jove’s wives. Therefore boast as you will among the immortals that you worsted me in fair fight.”

Then the slayer of Argus, guide and guardian, said to Leto, “Leto, I will not fight you. It is wrong to fight any of Jove’s wives. So boast as much as you like among the immortals that you beat me in a fair fight.”

Leto then gathered up Diana’s bow and arrows that had fallen about amid the whirling dust, and when she had got them she made all haste after her daughter. Diana had now reached Jove’s bronze-floored mansion on Olympus, and sat herself down with many tears on the knees of her father, while her ambrosial raiment was quivering all about her. The son of Saturn drew her towards him, and laughing pleasantly the while began to question her saying, “Which of the heavenly beings, my dear child, has been treating you in this cruel manner, as though you had been misconducting 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.”

Leto then gathered up Diana’s bow and arrows, which had fallen around her in the swirling dust. Once she had collected them, she hurried after her daughter as fast as she could. Diana had now reached Jove’s bronze-floored mansion on Olympus. She sat on her father’s lap, crying bitterly, while her divine robes trembled all around her. The son of Saturn drew her close and laughed gently as he asked, “Which of the heavenly beings has treated you so cruelly, my dear child? Who has treated you as though you had been misbehaving in front of everyone?” The goddess of the hunt, wearing her beautiful crown, answered, “Your wife Juno has been beating me, father. Whenever there is any quarrelling among the immortals, she is always behind it.”

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 come; 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 it—there is then toil for all, and sorrow for not a few—even so did Achilles bring toil and sorrow on the Trojans.

As they talked, Phoebus Apollo entered the fortified city of Ilius. He feared the wall might fail and the Danaans might take the city before its time had come. But the rest of the immortal gods returned to Olympus, some angry and some triumphant. There they sat beside Jove, lord of the storm clouds. Meanwhile, Achilles kept killing Trojans and their horses alike. Just as smoke rises to heaven from a city set ablaze by the gods’ anger, bringing hardship to all and sorrow to many, so Achilles brought hardship and sorrow to 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 come 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 come bounding inside along with the others.”

Old King Priam stood on a high tower along the wall, looking down at the huge Achilles. The Trojans fled before Achilles in panic, and no one was there to help them. Soon Priam climbed down from the tower. Groaning repeatedly, he walked along the wall to give orders to the brave guards at the gate. “Keep the gates wide open,” he said, “until the people come rushing into the city. Achilles is close behind, driving them ahead of him in panic. I can see we are in great danger. As soon as our people are safely inside, close the strong gates. I fear that terrible man may come charging in 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 fled on, with Achilles wielding his spear furiously behind them. For he was as one possessed, and was thirsting after glory.

As he spoke, they pulled back the bolts and opened the gates, giving the Trojans a place of refuge. Apollo then rushed out of the city to meet and protect them. Parched with thirst and covered in dust, the Trojans kept fleeing straight toward the city and its high wall. Achilles followed behind them, wielding his spear furiously. For he was like a man possessed, thirsting for 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 commune 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 me—I 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.”

The sons of the Achaeans would have taken Troy’s towering gates if Apollo had not urged Agenor into action. Agenor was the brave and noble son of Antenor. Apollo filled his heart with courage and stood beside him to protect him. The god leaned against a beech tree, hidden in thick darkness. When Agenor saw Achilles, he stood still, his heart troubled with worry. “Alas,” he said to himself in dismay, “if I flee before mighty Achilles, where all the others are being routed, he will still catch me. He will kill me as a coward. What if I let Achilles drive the others ahead of him? Then I could flee from the wall across the plain behind Ilius, until I reach the foothills of Ida. I could hide in the undergrowth there. Then I could wash off my sweat in the river and return to Ilius in the evening. But why am I talking to myself like this? He would probably see me hurrying away from the city across the plain. Then he would race after me until he caught me. I would stand no chance against him, for he is the strongest of all mankind. What, then, if I go out and face him in front of the city? His flesh too, I suppose, can be pierced by sharp bronze. Life is the same in everyone. And men say he is only mortal, despite the triumph Jove, son of Saturn, grants 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 hunter—she 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 outright—even 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.”

With these words, he stood ready and waited for Achilles, eager now to fight him. He was like a leopardess leaping from thick cover to attack a hunter. She knows no fear, and the baying hounds do not frighten her. Even if the hunter strikes first and wounds her with a thrust or a spear, she will not give in. Though the spear has pierced her, she fights until she grips him in her claws or is killed outright. Just so, noble Agenor, son of Antenor, refused to flee before testing himself against Achilles. He aimed his spear at Achilles, held his round shield before him, and shouted. “Truly,” he said, “noble Achilles, you think you will sack the proud Trojans’ city today. Fool, you will face plenty of trouble before you do. Many brave men among us are still inside, ready to stand before our dear parents, wives, and children to defend Ilius. So here, great and mighty warrior though you are, here you will 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 god’s 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.

As he spoke, he hurled his javelin with his strong hand. The spear struck Achilles on the leg below the knee. His newly made tin shin guard rang loudly, but the spear bounced back without piercing his body. The god’s gift had stopped it. Achilles attacked noble Agenor in turn, but Apollo would not grant Achilles that glory. Apollo snatched Agenor away and hid him in a thick mist, taking him safely out of battle. Then Apollo cleverly drew the son of Peleus away from pursuing the army. He took on Agenor’s appearance and stood before Achilles. Achilles ran toward him and gave chase across the grain fields of the plain. Apollo led him toward the deep waters of the river Scamander. Apollo stayed only a little ahead, tricking Achilles into thinking he was always just about to catch him. Meanwhile, the fleeing mob of Trojans crowded gratefully into the city until their numbers filled it. They no longer dared wait for one another outside the walls to learn who had escaped and who had fallen. Instead, all whose feet and knees could still carry them rushed headlong into the city.