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with hands all bedrabbled in gore; but when they had reached the Scaean<br />

gates and the oak tree, there they halted and waited <strong>for</strong> the others<br />

to come up. Meanwhile the Trojans kept on flying over the middle of<br />

the plain like a herd cows maddened with fright when a lion has attacked<br />

them in the dead of night-­‐ he springs on one of them, seizes her neck<br />

in the grip of his strong teeth and then laps up her blood and gorges<br />

himself upon her entrails-­‐ even so did King Agamemnon son of Atreus<br />

pursue the foe, ever slaughtering the hindmost as they fled pell-­‐mell<br />

be<strong>for</strong>e him. Many a man was flung headlong from his chariot <strong>by</strong> the<br />

hand of the son of Atreus, <strong>for</strong> he wielded his spear with fury.<br />

But when he was just about to reach the high wall and the city, the<br />

father of gods and men came down from heaven and took his seat, thunderbolt<br />

in hand, upon the crest of many-­‐fountained Ida. He then told Iris<br />

of the golden wings to carry a message <strong>for</strong> him. "Go," said he, "fleet<br />

Iris, and speak thus to Hector-­‐ say that so long as he sees Agamemnon<br />

heading his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, he is to keep<br />

aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of the battle, but when Agamemnon<br />

is wounded either <strong>by</strong> spear or arrow, and takes to his chariot, then<br />

will I vouchsafe him strength to slay till he reach the ships and<br />

night falls at the going down of the sun."<br />

Iris hearkened and obeyed. Down she went to strong Ilius from the<br />

crests of Ida, and found Hector son of Priam standing <strong>by</strong> his chariot<br />

and horses. <strong>The</strong>n she said, "Hector son of Priam, peer of gods in counsel,<br />

father Jove has sent me to bear you this message-­‐ so long as you see<br />

Agamemnon heading his men and making havoc of the Trojan ranks, you<br />

are to keep aloof and bid the others bear the brunt of the battle,

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