The Trojans fled across the ditch and stakes, and many fell by Danaan hands. They stopped by their chariots, pale with fear, while Hector lay stunned among them. Zeus woke on Ida beside Hera and saw the Trojans in flight, the Achaeans pursuing, Poseidon among them, and Hector lying on the plain gasping, vomiting blood.
Pity for Hector touched Zeus, and he looked terribly at Hera.
He accused her of trickery, saying her evil craft had checked Hector and driven the army. He threatened to whip her and reminded her how once he hung her from heaven with anvils on her feet and a golden bond around her wrists, while the gods raged but could not free her.
Hera trembled and swore by Earth, broad Heaven, the Styx, Zeus's sacred head, and their marriage bed that Poseidon was not acting by her command. His own heart pitied the Argives.
She would tell him to go where Zeus ordered. Zeus smiled and said if she truly turned her mind to his, Poseidon would soon change despite his will.
He told Hera to go to Olympus and send Iris and Apollo. Iris would order Poseidon to leave battle and return to the gods or the sea; Apollo would stir Hector, breathe strength into him, and drive the Achaeans back until they fled to Achilles' ships.
Then Patroclus would rise, kill Sarpedon, and be killed by Hector, and Achilles would kill Hector. From that point Zeus would keep driving the Trojans back until Athena's counsel brought Troy down.
Hera sped from Ida to Olympus as thought flies through a traveled man's mind. She came among the gods, who rose with cups to greet her. She took Themis's cup and spoke bitterly that none should try to help the Danaans against Zeus. Any god who came back wounded would have sorrow at the feast.
Ares cried out and struck his thighs, grieving for Askalaphos, whom he called his son. He ordered Terror and Rout to harness his horses so he could go avenge him.
Athena sprang up, tore the helmet from his head and shield from his shoulders, took the spear from his hand, and rebuked him as mad. Had he not heard Hera's report? If he went, he would come back wounded and bring trouble on all.