The Trojans shuddered when they saw the snake lying among them, a sign from Zeus who bears the aegis. Polydamas came near Hector and urged him to obey. The omen was clear: as the eagle could not carry the snake home to its young, so the Trojans would not return safely if they crossed the wall and fought at the ships.
Hector glared and answered that Polydamas' word did not please him. Zeus's will was better than bird signs. One omen was best: to fight for one's country.
Why fear war and battle? Even if all the rest died by the ships, Polydamas need not fear, for he would not stand and fight. But if he held back others, Hector's spear would strike him first.
He went forward, and the Trojans followed with a shout. Zeus sent a wind from Ida and drove dust against the ships, weakening the Achaeans and giving glory to Hector. The Trojans tried to break the wall and pull down the battlements, tearing at the projecting stones the Achaeans had set as props.
The Argives still hoped to hold. They locked shields along the wall and called to one another. The two Aiantes moved everywhere, urging the men with gentle words for the brave and hard words for any who hung back. Shame, they said, must keep each man at his post; when men remember shame, more are saved than killed.
The battle grew even. As two men with measuring rods dispute a boundary in a common field and fight over a narrow strip, so the Trojans and Achaeans struggled across the wall. Shields and ox-hide bucklers were pierced, and many men were wounded in flesh where the bronze found a way.
Sarpedon called to Glaukos: why are we honored in Lycia with seats, meat, full cups, and lands by the Xanthos, if not to stand now in the front? If escape from this war would make us immortal and ageless, I would not fight; but since ten thousand deaths hang over men, let us go, either to give glory to another or win it ourselves.