Page 412 - the-iliad

went in pursuit of Polydorus son of Priam, whom his father
had always forbidden to fight because he was the youngest
of his sons, the one he loved best, and the fastest runner.
He, in his folly and showing off the fleetness of his feet, was
rushing about among front ranks until he lost his life, for
Achilles struck him in the middle of the back as he was dart-
ing past him: he struck him just at the golden fastenings of
his belt and where the two pieces of the double breastplate
overlapped. The point of the spear pierced him through
and came out by the navel, whereon he fell groaning on to
his knees and a cloud of darkness overshadowed him as he
sank holding his entrails in his hands.
When Hector saw his brother Polydorus with his entrails
in his hands and sinking down upon the ground, a mist
came over his eyes, and he could not bear to keep longer
at a distance; he therefore poised his spear and darted to-
wards Achilles like a flame of fire. When Achilles saw him
he bounded forward and vaunted saying, ‘This is he that
has wounded my heart most deeply and has slain my be-
loved comrade. Not for long shall we two quail before one
another on the highways of war.’
He looked fiercely on Hector and said, ‘Draw near, that
you may meet your doom the sooner.’ Hector feared him
not and answered, ‘Son of Peleus, think not that your words
can scare me as though I were a child; I too if I will can
brag and talk unseemly; I know that you are a mighty war-
rior, mightier by far than I, nevertheless the issue lies in the
lap of heaven whether I, worse man though I be, may not
slay you with my spear, for this too has been found keen

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