Apollo stood beside him and said, "Hector son of Priam, why are you so faint, and why are you here away from the others?
Has any mishap befallen you ?" Hector in a weak voice answered, "And which, kind sir, of the gods are you, who now ask me thus?
Do you not know that Ajax struck me on the chest with a stone as I was killing his comrades at the ships of the Achaeans, and compelled me to leave off fighting?
I made sure that this very day I should breathe my last and go down into the house of Hades." Then King Apollo said to him, "Take heart; the son of Saturn has sent you a mighty helper from Ida to stand by you and defend you, even me, Phoebus Apollo of the golden sword, who have been guardian hitherto not only of yourself but of your city.

Now, therefore, order your horsemen to drive their chariots to the ships in great multitudes.

I will go before your horses to smooth the way for them, and will turn the Achaeans in flight." As he spoke he infused great strength into the shepherd of his people.
And as a horse, stabled and full-fed, breaks loose and gallops gloriously over the plain to the place where he is wont to take his bath in the river--he tosses his head, and his mane streams over his shoulders as in all the pride of his strength he flies full speed to the pastures where the mares are feeding--even so Hector, when he heard what the god said, urged his horsemen on, and sped forward as fast as his limbs could take him.

As country peasants set their hounds on to a homed stag or wild goat--he has taken shelter under rock or thicket, and they cannot find him, but, lo, a bearded lion whom their shouts have roused stands in their path, and they are in no further humour for the chase--even so the Achaeans were still charging on in a body, using their swords and spears pointed at both ends, but when they saw Hector going about among his men they were afraid, and their hearts fell down into their feet.
Then spoke Thoas son of Andraemon, leader of the Aetolians, a man who could throw a good throw, and who was staunch also in close fight, while few could surpass him in debate when opinions were divided.

He then with all sincerity and goodwill addressed them thus: "What, in heaven's name, do I now see?
Is it not Hector come to life again?
Every one made sure he had been killed by Ajax son of Telamon, but it seems that one of the gods has again rescued him.