The Achaeans drove the Trojans over the plain, killing the stragglers as fire eats dry timber on a mountain slope. Hector was held back by Zeus's command, standing apart from the dust and slaughter. The king kept ranging everywhere, shouting and killing, and the Trojans ran toward the city and the oak tree.
Agamemnon killed many more: Iphidamas son of Antenor, huge and noble, who had been raised in Thrace by Kisses and had just come from his bride to fight; Coön, eldest son of Antenor, struck Agamemnon in the arm after seeing his brother fall.
The spear pierced the forearm below the elbow, but the king still killed Coön and cut off his head over Iphidamas.
While the blood was warm, Agamemnon kept fighting like a lion, spear, sword, and great stones in hand. But when the wound dried and sharp pains entered him, he was seized as a woman in labor is seized by the piercing shafts of childbirth. He leapt into his chariot and ordered the driver to turn toward the hollow ships.
He shouted to the Argives as he withdrew: friends, keep the ships safe from the Trojan assault. Zeus will not let me fight all day. His voice still carried through the army, but the horses bore him away groaning.
Hector saw Agamemnon leaving and called to the Trojans and Lycians. Now, he said, the best man of the Achaeans had gone, and Zeus had given him great glory. Drive your horses straight at them and win honor. With that he stirred every man's strength.
As a huntsman sets white-toothed dogs on a wild boar or lion, so Hector set the Trojans against the Achaeans. He himself moved in front like a storm, falling on the battle as a squall falls on the purple sea.
He killed Asaios, Autonoos, Opites, Dolops son of Klytios, Opheltios, Agelaos, Aisymnos, Oros, and Hipponoos, leaders of the Danaans, and then many common men. As west wind scatters clouds before a bright south wind, so Hector scattered the Achaeans under Zeus's hand.
The rout would have reached the ships and shelters if Odysseus had not called to Diomedes. Son of Tydeus, he cried, what has become of our strength?
Stand by me, friend, or shame will be ours if Hector takes the ships. Diomedes answered that he would stand and endure, though their gain would be small because Zeus favored the Trojans.