Page 234 - the-iliad

about, and he died fighting. He then slew Pylon and Or-
menus. Leonteus, of the race of Mars, killed Hippomachus
the son of Antimachus by striking him with his spear upon
the girdle. He then drew his sword and sprang first upon
Antiphates whom he killed in combat, and who fell face up-
wards on the earth. After him he killed Menon, Iamenus,
and Orestes, and laid them low one after the other.
While they were busy stripping the armour from these
heroes, the youths who were led on by Polydamas and Hec-
tor (and these were the greater part and the most valiant of
those that were trying to break through the wall and fire
the ships) were still standing by the trench, uncertain what
they should do; for they had seen a sign from heaven when
they had essayed to cross it—a soaring eagle that flew skirt-
ing the left wing of their host, with a monstrous blood-red
snake in its talons still alive and struggling to escape. The
snake was still bent on revenge, wriggling and twisting it-
self backwards till it struck the bird that held it, on the neck
and breast; whereon the bird being in pain, let it fall, drop-
ping it into the middle of the host, and then flew down the
wind with a sharp cry. The Trojans were struck with ter-
ror when they saw the snake, portent of aegis-bearing Jove,
writhing in the midst of them, and Polydamas went up to
Hector and said, ‘Hector, at our councils of war you are ever
given to rebuke me, even when I speak wisely, as though it
were not well, forsooth, that one of the people should cross
your will either in the field or at the council board; you
would have them support you always: nevertheless I will say
what I think will be best; let us not now go on to fight the