Page 409 - the-iliad

that the Achaeans shall kindle.’
When earth-encircling Neptune heard this he went
into the battle amid the clash of spears, and came to the
place where Achilles and Aeneas were. Forthwith he shed
a darkness before the eyes of the son of Peleus, drew the
bronze-headed ashen spear from the shield of Aeneas, and
laid it at the feet of Achilles. Then he lifted Aeneas on high
from off the earth and hurried him away. Over the heads of
many a band of warriors both horse and foot did he soar as
the god’s hand sped him, till he came to the very fringe of
the battle where the Cauconians were arming themselves for
fight. Neptune, shaker of the earth, then came near to him
and said, ‘Aeneas, what god has egged you on to this folly
in fighting the son of Peleus, who is both a mightier man of
valour and more beloved of heaven than you are? Give way
before him whensoever you meet him, lest you go down to
the house of Hades even though fate would have it other-
wise. When Achilles is dead you may then fight among the
foremost undaunted, for none other of the Achaeans shall
slay you.’
The god left him when he had given him these instruc-
tions, and at once removed the darkness from before the
eyes of Achilles, who opened them wide indeed and said in
great anger, ‘Alas! what marvel am I now beholding? Here
is my spear upon the ground, but I see not him whom I
meant to kill when I hurled it. Of a truth Aeneas also must
be under heaven’s protection, although I had thought his
boasting was idle. Let him go hang; he will be in no mood
to fight me further, seeing how narrowly he has missed be-

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