a the robe which seems
to her the most beautiful, and the largest in her palace, and which is
much the most dear to her. And let her promise to sacrifice to that
goddess in her temple twelve yearling heifers, as yet ungoaded, if she
will take compassion on the city and on the wives and infant children of
the Trojans: if indeed she will avert from sacred Ilium the son of
Tydeus, that ferocious warrior, the dire contriver of flight: whom I
declare to be the bravest of the Greeks; nor have we ever to such a
degree dreaded Achilles, chiefest of men, whom they say is from a
goddess: but this man rages excessively, nor can any equal him in
might."

[Footnote 238: Hesych. [Greek: Geraias entimous, tus geras ti
echysas].]

Thus he said, but Hector was by no means disobedient to his brother; and
instantly from his chariot he leaped to the ground with his arms, and
brandishing his sharp spears, he went in all directions through the
army, inciting them to fight: and he stirred up dreadful battle. But
they rallied round, and stood opposite the Greeks. But the Greeks
retreated, and desisted from slaughter; for they thought that some of
the immortals, from the starry heaven, had descended to aid the Trojans,
in such a way did they rally. But Hector exhorted the Trojans,
exclaiming aloud:

"Courageous Trojans and far-summoned[239] allies, be men, my friends,
and recall to mind your daring valour, whilst I go to Ilium, and tell to
the aged counsellors, and to our wives, to pray to the gods, and to vow
them hecatombs."

[Footnote 239: Or [Greek: telekleitoi], far-famed. See Anthon on
v. 491.]

Thus having spoken, crest-tossing Hector departed; but about him the
black hide, the border which surrounded his bossy shield, kept striking
his ankles and his neck.

But Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, and the son of Tydeus met in the midst
of both armies, eager to fight. But when now they were near, going
against each other, Diomede, brave in the din of war, first addressed
him:

"Who of mortal men art thou, O most brave? For never yet have I beheld
thee in the glorious fight: but now indeed thou hast far surpassed all
in thy confidence, since thou hast awaited my long-shadowed spear.
Certainly they are sons of the hapless who meet my strength. But, if one
of the immortals, thou art come from heaven, I would not fight with the
celestial gods. For valiant Lycurgus, the son of Dryas, did not live
long, who contended with the he