The Hero spake, and from his chariot cast390
Thymbræus to the ground pierced through the pap,
While by Ulysses’ hand his charioteer
Godlike Molion, fell. The warfare thus
Of both for ever closed, them there they left,
And plunging deep into the warrior-throng395
Troubled the multitude. As when two boars
Turn desperate on the close-pursuing hounds,
So they, returning on the host of Troy,
Slew on all sides, and overtoil’d with flight
From Hector’s arm, the Greeks meantime respired.400
Two warriors, next, their chariot and themselves
They took, plebeians brave, sons of the seer
Percosian Merops in prophetic skill
Surpassing all; he both his sons forbad
The mortal field, but disobedient they405
Still sought it, for their destiny prevail’d.
Spear-practised Diomede of life deprived
Both these, and stripp’d them of their glorious arms,
While by Ulysses’ hand Hippodamus
Died and Hypeirochus. And now the son410
Of Saturn, looking down from Ida, poised
The doubtful war, and mutual deaths they dealt.
Tydides plunged his spear into the groin
Of the illustrious son of Pæon, bold
Agastrophus. No steeds at his command415
Had he, infatuate! but his charioteer
His steeds detain’d remote, while through the van
Himself on foot rush’d madly till he fell.
But Hector through the ranks darting his eye
Perceived, and with ear-piercing cries advanced420
Against them, follow’d by the host of Troy.
The son of Tydeus, shuddering, his approach
Discern’d, and instant to Ulysses spake.[13]
Now comes the storm! This way the mischief rolls!
Stand and repulse the Trojan. Now be firm.425
He said, and hurling his long-shadow’d beam
Smote Hector. At his helmet’s crown he aim’d,
Nor err’d, but brass encountering brass, the point
Glanced wide, for he had cased his youthful brows
In triple brass, Apollo’s glorious gift.430
Yet with rapidity at such a shock
Hector recoil’d into the multitude
Afar, where sinking to his knees, he lean’d
On his broad palm, and darkness veil’d his eyes.
But while Tydides follow’d through the van435
His stormy spear, which in the distant soil
Implanted stood, Hector his scatter’d sense
Recovering, to his chariot sprang again,
And, diving deep into his host, escaped.
The noble son of Tydeus, spear in hand,440
Rush’d after him, and as he went, exclaim’d.
Dog! thou hast now escaped; but, sure the stroke
Approach’d thee nigh, well-aim’d. Once more thy prayers
Which ever to Apollo thou prefer’st
Entering the clash of battle, have prevail’d,445
And he hath rescued thee. But well beware
Our next encounter, for if also me
Some God befriend, thou diest. Now will I seek
Another mark, and smite whom next I may.
He spake, and of his armor stripp’d the son450
Spear-famed of Pæon. Meantime Paris, mate
Of beauteous Helen, drew his bow against
Tydides; by a pillar of the tomb
Of Ilus, ancient senator revered,
Conceal’d he stood, and while the Hero loosed455
His corselet from the breast of Pæon’s son
Renown’d, and of his helmet and his targe
Despoil’d him; Paris, arching quick his bow,
No devious shaft dismiss’d, but his right foot
Pierced through the sole, and fix’d it to the ground.460
Transported from his ambush forth he leap’d
With a loud laugh, and, vaunting, thus exclaim’d:
Oh shaft well shot! it galls thee. Would to heaven
That it had pierced thy heart, and thou hadst died!
So had the Trojans respite from their toils465
Enjoy’d, who, now, shudder at sight of thee
Like she-goats when the lion is at hand.
To whom, undaunted, Diomede replied.
Archer shrew-tongued! spie-maiden! man of curls![14]
Shouldst thou in arms attempt me face to face,470
Thy bow and arrows should avail thee nought.
Vain boaster! thou hast scratch’d my foot—no more—
And I regard it as I might the stroke
Of a weak woman or a simple child.
The weapons of a dastard and a slave475
Are ever such. More terrible are mine,
And whom they pierce, though slightly pierced, he dies.
His wife her cheeks rends inconsolable,
His babes are fatherless, his blood the glebe
Incarnadines, and where he bleeds and rots480
More birds of prey than women haunt the place.
He ended, and Ulysses, drawing nigh,
Shelter’d Tydides; he behind the Chief
Of Ithaca sat drawing forth the shaft,
But pierced with agonizing pangs the while.485
Then, climbing to his chariot-seat, he bade
Sthenelus hasten to the hollow ships,
Heart-sick with pain. And now alone was seen
Spear-famed Ulysses; not an Argive more
Remain’d, so universal was the rout,490
And groaning, to his own great heart he said.
Alas! what now awaits me? If, appall’d
By multitudes, I fly, much detriment;
And if alone they intercept me here,
Still more; for Jove hath scatter’d all the host,495
Yet why these doubts! for know I not of old
That only dastards fly, and that the voice
Of honor bids the famed in battle stand,
Bleed they themselves, or cause their foes to bleed?
While busied in such thought he stood, the ranks500
Of Trojans fronted with broad shields, enclosed
The hero with a ring, hemming around
Their own destruction. As when dogs, and swains
In prime of manhood, from all quarters rush
Around a boar, he from his thicket bolts,505
The bright tusk whetting in his crooked jaws:
They press him on all sides, and from beneath
Loud gnashings hear, yet firm, his threats defy;
Like them the Trojans on all sides assail’d
Ulysses dear to Jove. First with his spear510
He sprang impetuous on a valiant chief,
Whose shoulder with a downright point he pierced,
Deïopites; Thoön next he slew,
And Ennomus, and from his coursers’ backs
Alighting quick, Chersidamas; beneath515
His bossy shield the gliding weapon pass’d
Right through his navel; on the plain he fell
Expiring, and with both hands clench’d the dust.
Them slain he left, and Charops wounded next,
Brother of Socus, generous Chief, and son520
Of Hippasus; brave Socus to the aid
Of Charops flew, and, godlike, thus began.