Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
them in check, but I much fear that some evil will befall us here
where furious Hector, who boasts himself the son of great Jove
himself, is leading them on like a pillar of flame. May some god,
then, put it into your hearts to make a firm stand here, and to incite
others to do the like. In this case you will drive him from the ships
even though he be inspired by Jove himself.”
As he spoke the earth-encircling lord of the earthquake struck both
of them with his sceptre and filled their hearts with daring. He
made their legs light and active, as also their hands and their feet.
Then, as the soaring falcon poises on the wing high above some
sheer rock, and presently swoops down to chase some bird over
the plain, even so did Neptune lord of the earthquake wing his
flight into the air and leave them. Of the two, swift Ajax son of
Oileus was the first to know who it was that had been speaking
with them, and said to Ajax son of Telamon, “Ajax, this is one of the
gods that dwell on Olympus, who in the likeness of the prophet is
bidding us fight hard by our ships. It was not Calchas the seer and
diviner of omens; I knew him at once by his feet and knees as he
turned away, for the gods are soon recognised. Moreover I feel the
lust of battle burn more fiercely within me, while my hands and
my feet under me are more eager for the fray.”
And Ajax son of Telamon answered, “I too feel my hands grasp my
spear more firmly; my strength is greater, and my feet more
nimble; I long, moreover, to meet furious Hector son of Priam, even
in single combat.”
Thus did they converse, exulting in the hunger after battle with
which the god had filled them. Meanwhile the earth-encircler
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