So the strong son of Menoitios tended Eurypylos in the shelter, while Argives and Trojans fought by the wall.
The ditch and broad wall of the Danaans were not destined to stand forever, because they had built them without giving the gods splendid hecatombs. They made the wall to guard the ships and spoil, but in a later time Poseidon and Apollo would destroy it.
When the best of the Trojans and Achaeans were dead and Priam's city had fallen, Poseidon would complain to Zeus that the Achaean wall had taken fame while his own works were forgotten.
Then Apollo would turn the rivers against it, and Zeus would rain without pause. The rivers would sweep beams, stones, and earth into the sea until the shore was smooth again.
But now the wall still stood, and battle blazed around it. The beams of the towers groaned under blows. The Achaeans, beaten by Zeus's whip, were penned beside the hollow ships, fearing Hector, who raged like a storm. As a lion or boar turns proud among hounds and hunters, so Hector moved before the Trojans.
He called them to cross the ditch, but the horses would not dare. The ditch was wide, steep, and set with sharp stakes at the bottom.
Polydamas stood beside Hector and advised that they leave the chariots there, go on foot, and attack in close ranks. If Zeus truly meant ruin for the Achaeans, they would take the ships; if not, mounted men trapped in the ditch would die there.
Hector accepted the counsel. He sprang from the chariot in armor, and the other Trojans did the same. Each driver held the horses in order by the ditch, while the fighters formed five companies for assault.
Hector and Polydamas led the strongest company, eager to break the wall and fight at the ships. Paris, Alkathoos, and Agenor led another.
Helenos and Deiphobos, sons of Priam, led a third with Asios son of Hyrtakos. Aeneas led the Dardanians with Archelochos and Akamas, sons of Antenor. Sarpedon led the Lycians with Glaukos and Asteropaios.