Now the Trojans followed Hector son of Priam in close array like a storm-cloud or

flame of fire, fighting with might and main and raising the cry battle; for they
deemed that they should take the ships of the Achaeans and kill all their chiefest
heroes then and there. Meanwhile earth-encircling Neptune lord of the earthquake
cheered on the Argives, for he had come up out of the sea and had assumed the
form and voice of Calchas.
First he spoke to the two Ajaxes, who were doing their best already, and said,
"Ajaxes, you two can be the saving of the Achaeans if you will put out all your
strength and not let yourselves be daunted. I am not afraid that the Trojans, who
have got over the wall in force, will be victorious in any other part, for the Achaeans
can hold all of them in check, but I much fear that some evil will befall us here
where furious Hector, who boasts himself the son of great Jove himself, is leading
them on like a pillar of flame. May some god, then, put it into your hearts to make a
firm stand here, and to incite others to do the like. In this case you will drive him
from the ships even though he be inspired by Jove himself."
As he spoke the earth-encircling lord of the earthquake struck both of them with his
sceptre and filled their hearts with daring. He made their legs light and active, as
also their hands and their feet. Then, as the soaring falcon poises on the wing high
above some sheer rock, and presently swoops down to chase some bird over the
plain, even so did Neptune lord of the earthquake wing his flight into the air and
leave them. Of the two, swift Ajax son of Oileus was the first to know who it was
that had been speaking with them, and said to Ajax son of Telamon, "Ajax, this is
one of the gods that dwell on Olympus, who in the likeness of the prophet is bidding
us fight hard by our ships. It was not Calchas the seer and diviner of omens; I knew
him at once by his feet and knees as he turned away, for the gods are soon
recognised. Moreover I feel the lust of battle burn more fiercely within me, while my
hands and my feet under me are more eager for the fray."