So the Arcadians rallied; his example Armed them with shame and rage. Tyres and Teuthras, Arcadian brothers, started after Rhoeteus, Who fled, and that saved Ilus’ life, for Pallas Had flung a spear at Ilus, but Rhoeteus, driving Into its path, received it, rolled from the chariot, And his heels kicked the ground in death’s convulsion. And as in summer, when a shepherd kindles Fire here and there among the brush or forest, And waits for wind, and hears it rise, and swiftly The many fires are one great blaze, and Vulcan Takes charge of all the field, above the battle Watching victorious, so Pallas’ comrades Swept in from all directions, bright and burning, Toward him, their focus and centre. And Halaesus Came on to meet them, pulling himself together, Setting himself for battle. He killed Ladon, Pheres, Demodocus: Strymonius threatened His throat with the gleaming sword, and for his trouble Got his right hand cut off, and then Halaesus Bashed Thoas’ head in with a rock and scrambled His skull-bones, blood and brains. Halaesus’ father Knew his son’s destiny and tried to spare him, Hiding him in the woodlands, but grew old And could not watch forever, and when his eyes Were blind in death, the fates reached out, Halaesus Could not avoid his doom. Pallas attacked him, Praying before he flung the spear:--“O Tiber, Grant to the steel I poise and hurl good fortune, A pathway through the breast of tough Halaesus: Your oak will hold his arms and spoil as trophy.” And Tiber heard the prayer; Halaesus’ luck Ran out, he had left himself exposed, to cover Imaon with his shield, and the bare breast Took the Arcadian lance. Lausus, unfrightened, Himself no little portion of war, fought on, Kept up the courage of his men, found Abas And cut him down; when Abas fell, a cluster Of stubborn fight was broken. The young men die, Arcadians, Etruscans, Trojan fighters Who had survived Greek wounds; they come to grips, Both armies, equal in leadership and valor; Lines become columns, columns lines: all thickens Into confusion, a press too close for fighting. On one side Pallas thrusts and strains, and Lausus Struggles to meet him, two young heroes, equal, Or nearly so, in years, in worth, in courage, In handsome manliness; and both denied Return to fatherland; and each forbidden To meet the other; and both assured of finding Their fate where a greater enemy is waiting.