Page 157 - the-iliad

outside. See to it, brave Trojans, as I have said, and let this
suffice for the moment; at daybreak I will instruct you fur-
ther. I pray in hope to Jove and to the gods that we may
then drive those fate-sped hounds from our land, for ‘tis
the fates that have borne them and their ships hither. This
night, therefore, let us keep watch, but with early morning
let us put on our armour and rouse fierce war at the ships of
the Achaeans; I shall then know whether brave Diomed the
son of Tydeus will drive me back from the ships to the wall,
or whether I shall myself slay him and carry off his blood-
stained spoils. To-morrow let him show his mettle, abide
my spear if he dare. I ween that at break of day, he shall be
among the first to fall and many another of his comrades
round him. Would that I were as sure of being immortal
and never growing old, and of being worshipped like Mi-
nerva and Apollo, as I am that this day will bring evil to
the Argives.’
Thus spoke Hector and the Trojans shouted applause.
They took their sweating steeds from under the yoke, and
made them fast each by his own chariot. They made haste to
bring sheep and cattle from the city, they brought wine also
and corn from their houses and gathered much wood. They
then offered unblemished hecatombs to the immortals, and
the wind carried the sweet savour of sacrifice to heaven—but
the blessed gods partook not thereof, for they bitterly hat-
ed Ilius with Priam and Priam’s people. Thus high in hope
they sat through the livelong night by the highways of war,
and many a watchfire did they kindle. As when the stars
shine clear, and the moon is bright—there is not a breath of

1 The Iliad