steeds
  Should stand detain’d in orderly array;
  Then, suddenly, the parted host became
  Five bands, each following its appointed chief. 
  The bravest and most numerous, and whose hearts 110
  Wish’d most to burst the barrier and to wage
  The battle at the ships, with Hector march’d
  And with Polydamas, whom follow’d, third,
  Cebriones; for Hector had his steeds
  Consign’d and chariot to inferior care. 115
  Paris, Alcathoues, and Agenor led
  The second band, and, sons of Priam both,
  Deiphobus and Helenus, the third;
  With them was seen partner of their command;
  The Hero Asius; from Arisba came 120
  Asius Hyrtacides, to battle drawn
  From the Selleis banks by martial steeds
  Hair’d fiery-red and of the noblest size. 
  The fourth, Anchises’ mighty son controll’d,
  AEneas; under him Antenor’s sons, 125
  Archilochus and Acamas, advanced,
  Adept in all the practice of the field. 
  Last came the glorious powers in league with Troy
  Led by Sarpedon; he with Glaucus shared
  His high control, and with the warlike Chief 130
  Asteropaeus; for of all his host
  Them bravest he esteem’d, himself except
  Superior in heroic might to all. 
  And now (their shields adjusted each to each)
  With dauntless courage fired, right on they moved 135
  Against the Grecians; nor expected less
  Than that beside their sable ships, the host
  Should self-abandon’d fall an easy prey. 
    The Trojans, thus with their confederate powers,
  The counsel of the accomplish’d Prince pursued, 140
  Polydamas, one Chief alone except,
  Asius Hyrtacides.  He scorn’d to leave
  His charioteer and coursers at the trench,
  And drove toward the fleet.  Ah, madly brave! 
  His evil hour was come; he was ordain’d 145
  With horse and chariot and triumphant shout
  To enter wind-swept Ilium never more. 
  Deucalion’s offspring, first, into the shades
  Dismiss’d him; by Idomeneus he died. 
  Leftward he drove furious, along the road 150
  By which the steeds and chariots of the Greeks
  Return’d from battle; in that track he flew,
  Nor found the portals by the massy bar
  Secured, but open for reception safe
  Of fugitives, and to a guard consign’d. 155
  Thither he drove direct, and in his rear
  His band shrill-shouting follow’d, for they judged
  The Greeks no longer able to withstand
  Their foes, but sure to perish in the camp. 
  Vain hope! for in the gate two Chiefs they found 160
  Lapithae-born, courageous offspring each
  Of dauntless father; Polypoetes, this,
  Sprung from Pirithoeus; that, the warrior bold