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8 With passionate entreaty at the feet

Of Jove the Aegis-bearer. Stay thou here

And breathe a moment, while I go to him

And lure him hither to encounter thee."

She spoke, and he obeyed, and gladly stood

Propped on the ashen stem of his keen spear;

While, passing on, Minerva overtook

The noble Hector. In the outward form

And with the strong voice of Deïphobus,

She stood by him and spake these wingèd words:

"Hard pressed I find thee, brother, by the swift

Achilles, who, with feet that never rest,

Pursues thee round the walls of Priam's town.

But let us make a stand and beat him back."

And then the crested Hector spake in turn:

"Deïphobus, thou ever hast been dear

To me beyond my other brethren, sons

Of Hecuba and Priam. Now still more

I honor thee, since thou hast seen my plight,

And for my sake hast ventured forth without

The gates, while all the rest remain within."

And the blue-eyed Pallas spake again:

"Brother, 't is true, my father, and the queen

My mother, and my comrades, clasped my knees

In turn, and earnestly entreated me

That I would not go forth, such fear had fallen

On them all; but I was grieved for thee.

Now let us combat valiantly, nor spare

The weapons that we bear, and we shall learn

Whether Achilles, having slain us both,

Will carry to the fleet our bloody spoil,

Or die himself, the victim of thy spear."

The treacherous goddess spake, and led the way;