However valiant I may be, I cannot give chase to so many and fight all of them.

Even Mars, who is an immortal, or Minerva, would shrink from flinging himself into the jaws of such a fight and laying about him; nevertheless, so far as in me lies I will show no slackness of hand or foot nor want of endurance, not even for a moment; I will utterly break their ranks, and woe to the Trojan who shall venture within reach of my spear." Thus did he exhort them.

Meanwhile Hector called upon the Trojans and declared that he would fight Achilles.

"Be not afraid, proud Trojans," said he, "to face the son of Peleus; I could fight gods myself if the battle were one of words only, but they would be more than a match for me, if we had to use our spears.

Even so the deed of Achilles will fall somewhat short of his word; he will do in part, and the other part he will clip short.