With this he smote Aeneas near the groin,

Where the thigh bone, inserted in the hip,

Turns in the socket joint; the rugged mass

The socket crushed, and both the tendons broke,

And tore away the flesh: down on his knees,

Yet resting on his hand, the hero fell;

And o’er his eyes the shades of darkness spread.

(The Iliad, Book V., Lines 333–356.)

*****

He said, and passing his supporting hand