Book XIII - Page 2

cheered on the Argives, for he had come up out of the sea and had

assumed the form and voice of Calchas.

First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, who were doing their best

already, and said, "Ajaxes, you two can be the saving of the

Achaeans if you will put out all your strength and not let

yourselves be daunted. I am not afraid that the Trojans, who have

got over the wall in force, will be victorious in any other part,

for the Achaeans can hold all of 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

roused the Achaeans, who were resting in the rear by the ships

overcome at once by hard fighting and by grief at seeing that the

Trojans had got over the wall in force. Tears began falling from

their eyes as they beheld them, for they made sure that they

should not escape destruction; but the lord of the earthquake

passed lightly about among them and urged their battalions to the

front.