Book XII - Page 2

the host exhorting his men, and

cheering them on to cross the trench.

But the horses dared not do so, and stood neighing upon its

brink, for the width frightened them. They could neither jump it

nor cross it, for it had overhanging banks all round upon either

side, above which there were the sharp stakes that the sons of

the Achaeans had planted so close and strong as a defence against

all who would assail it; a horse, therefore, could not get into

it and draw his chariot after him, but those who were on foot

kept trying their very utmost. Then Polydamas went up to Hector

and said, "Hector, and you other captains of the Trojans and

allies, it is madness for us to try and drive our horses across

the trench; it will be very hard to cross, for it is full of

sharp stakes, and beyond these there is the wall. Our horses

therefore cannot get down into it, and would be of no use if they

did; moreover it is a narrow place and we should come to harm.

If, indeed, great Jove is minded to help the Trojans, and in his

anger will utterly destroy the Achaeans, I would myself gladly

see them perish now and here far from Argos; but if they should

rally and we are driven back from the ships pell-mell into the

trench there will be not so much as a man get back to the city to

tell the tale. Now, therefore, let us all do as I say; let our

squires hold our horses by the trench, but let us follow Hector

in a body on foot, clad in full armour, and if the day of their

doom is at hand the Achaeans will not be able to withstand us."

Thus spoke Polydamas and his saying pleased Hector, who sprang in

full armour to the ground, and all the other Trojans, when they

saw him do so, also left their chariots. Each man then gave his

horses over to his charioteer in charge to hold them ready for

him at the trench. Then they formed themselves into companies,

made themselves ready, and in five bodies followed their leaders.

Those that went with Hector and Polydamas were the bravest and

most in number, and the most determined to break through the wall

and fight at the ships. Cebriones was also joined with them as

third in command, for Hector had left his chariot in charge of a

less valiant soldier. The next company was led by Paris,

Alcathous, and Agenor; the third by Helenus and Deiphobus, two

sons of Priam, and with them was the hero Asius--Asius, the son

of Hyrtacus, whose great black horses of the breed that comes

from the river Selleis had brought him from Arisbe. Aeneas, the

valiant son of Anchises, led the fourth; he and the two sons of