Thus Neptune on the Greeks, reproving, call’d: Then round th’ Ajaces twain were cluster’d thick The serried files, whose firm array nor Mars, Nor spirit-stirring Pallas might reprove: For there, the bravest all, in order due, Waited the Trojan charge by Hector led: Spear close by spear, and shield by shield o’erlaid, Buckler to buckler press’d, and helm to helm, And man to man; the horsehair plumes above, That nodded on the warriors’ glitt’ring crests, Each other touch’d; so closely massed they stood. Backward, by many a stalwart hand, were drawn The spears, in act to hurl; their eyes and minds Turn’d to the front, and eager for the fray. On pour’d the Trojan masses; in the van Hector straight forward urg’d his furious course. As some huge boulder, from its rocky bed Detach’d, and by the wintry torrent’s force Hurl’d down the cliff’s steep face, when constant rains The massive rock’s firm hold have undermin’d; With giant bounds it flies; the crashing wood Resounds beneath it; still it hurries on, Until, arriving at the level plain, Its headlong impulse check’d, it rolls no more; So Hector, threat’ning now through ships and tents, E’en to the sea, to force his murd’rous way, Anon, confronted by that phalanx firm, Halts close before it; while the sons of Greece, With thrust of sword and double-pointed spears, Stave off his onset; he a little space Withdrew, and loudly on the Trojans call’d: “Trojans, and Lycians, and ye Dardans fam’d In close encounter, stand ye firm! not long The Greeks, though densely mass’d, shall bar my way, But soon, methinks, before my spear shall quail, If from the chief of Gods my mission be, From Jove the Thund’rer, royal Juno’s Lord.” His words fresh courage rais’d in ev’ry breast; On loftiest deeds intent, Deiphobus, The son of Priam, from the foremost ranks, His shield’s broad orb before him borne, advanc’d With airy step, protected by the shield: At him Meriones with glitt’ring spear Took aim, nor miss’d his mark; the shield’s broad orb Of tough bull’s-hide it struck; but pass’d not through, For near the head the sturdy shaft was snapp’d. Yet from before his breast Deiphobus Held at arm’s length his shield; for much he fear’d The weapon of Meriones; but he Back to his comrades’ shelt’ring ranks withdrew, Griev’d at his baffled hopes and broken spear. Then tow’rd the ships he bent his steps, to seek Another spear, which in his tent remain’d. The rest, ’mid wild uproar, maintain’d the fight.