Iris to Hector · divine
The Iliad 11.200–209
Hector, son of Priam, peer of Zeus in counsel, Zeus the father hath sent me forth to declare to thee this message. So long as thou shalt see Agamemnon, shepherd of the host, raging amid the foremost fighters, laying waste the ranks of men, so long do thou give place from battle, but bid the rest of the hostfight with the foe in the fierce conflict. But when either wounded by a spear-thrust or smitten with an arrow Agamemnon shall leap upon his chariot, then will Zeus vouchsafe strength to thee to slay and slay until thou come to the well-benched ships, and the sun sets and sacred darkness cometh on. fight with the foe in the fierce conflict. But when either wounded by a spear-thrust or smitten with an arrow Agamemnon shall leap upon his chariot, then will Zeus vouchsafe strength to thee to slay and slay until thou come to the well-benched ships, and the sun sets and sacred darkness cometh on.
Ἕκτορ υἱὲ Πριάμοιο Διὶ μῆτιν ἀτάλαντε
Ζεύς με πατὴρ προέηκε τεῒν τάδε μυθήσασθαι.
ὄφρʼ ἂν μέν κεν ὁρᾷς Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν
θύνοντʼ ἐν προμάχοισιν, ἐναίροντα στίχας ἀνδρῶν,
τόφρʼ ὑπόεικε μάχης, τὸν δʼ ἄλλον λαὸν ἄνωχθι
μάρνασθαι δηΐοισι κατὰ κρατερὴν ὑσμίνην.
αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κʼ ἢ δουρὶ τυπεὶς ἢ βλήμενος ἰῷ
εἰς ἵππους ἅλεται, τότε τοι κράτος ἐγγυαλίξει
κτείνειν, εἰς ὅ κε νῆας ἐϋσσέλμους ἀφίκηαι
δύῃ τʼ ἠέλιος καὶ ἐπὶ κνέφας ἱερὸν ἔλθῃ.