Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
So saying, he plucked the strong spear of warlike Socus out of his
flesh and bossy shield; and his blood gushed forth as he drew it out,
and tortured his mind. But the magnanimous Trojans, when they beheld
the blood of Ulysses, encouraging one another through the crowd, all
rushed on against him; whilst he kept retreating backwards, and called
to his companions. Thrice did he then shout as much as the head of
mortal could contain, and thrice warlike Menelaus heard him exclaiming,
and instantly addressed Ajax, being near:
“Most noble Ajax, son of Telamon, chieftain of the people, the cry of
invincible Ulysses has come upon me, like to that, as if the Trojans
were greatly pressing upon him, being alone, having cut him off in the
sharp fight. Wherefore let us go through the crowd, as it is better to
aid him. I fear lest being left alone amidst the Trojans, he suffer
aught, although being brave, and there be great want [of him] to the
Greeks.”
Thus speaking, he led the way, and the godlike hero followed along with
him. Then they found Ulysses, dear to Jove; and around him followed the
Trojans, like tawny jackals round an antlered stag when wounded in the
mountains, which a man hath stricken with an arrow from the bowstring.
Him indeed, flying, it escapes on its feet, as long as the blood is
warm, and its knees have the power of motion. But when the swift arrow
hath subdued it, the raw-devouring jackals destroy it in a shady grove
among the mountains. Chance, however, brings thither the destructive
lion: the jackals then fly in terror, and he devours. So at that time
followed the Trojans, numerous and brave, round warlike, crafty
Ulysses; but the hero, rushing on with his spear, warded off the
merciless day. Then Ajax came near, bearing his shield, like a tower,
and stood beside him; and the Trojans fled, terrified, different ways.
In the meantime warlike Menelaus, taking him by the hand, withdrew
[him] from the throng, till his attendant drove his horses near. But
Ajax, springing upon the Trojans, slew Doryclus, son of Priam, an
illegitimate son; and next wounded Pandocus. Lysander he wounded, and
Pyrasus, and Pylartes. And as when an overflowing river comes down on
the plain, a torrent from the mountains, accompanied by the shower of
Jove, and bears along with it many dry oaks and many pines, and casts
forth the swollen torrent into the sea; so illustrious Ajax, routing
[them], pursued [them] along the plain, slaughtering both horses and
men. Nor as yet had Hector heard it; for he was fighting on the left of
the battle, on the banks of the river Scamander; for there chiefly fell
the heads of men, and an inextinguishable clamour had arisen around
mighty Nestor, and warlike Idomeneus. Among these did Hector mingle,
performing arduous deeds with his spear and equestrian skill, and he
was laying waste the phalanxes of youths. Nevertheless the noble Greeks
would not have retired from the way, had not Paris, the husband of
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