Forthwith, advanc’d the two to seize the spoils; But loudly Hector on his kinsmen call’d; On all, but chief on Icetaon’s son, The valiant Melanippus; he erewhile, In far Percote, ere the foes appear’d, Pastur’d his herds; but when the ships of Greece Approach’d the shore, to Ilium back he came; There, ’mid the Trojans eminent, he dwelt In Priam’s house, belov’d as Priam’s son. Him Hector call’d by name, and thus address’d: “Why, Melanippus, stand we idly thus? Doth not thy slaughter’d kinsmen touch thy heart? See how they rush on Dolops’ arms to seize; Then on! no distant war must now be wag’d, But hand to hand, till or the Greeks be slain, Or lofty Troy, with all her children, fall.” He said, and led the way; him follow’d straight The godlike chief; great Ajax Telamon Meanwhile the Greeks encourag’d to the fight, And cried, “Brave comrades, quit ye now like men; Bear a stout heart; and in the stubborn fight Let each to other mutual succour give; By mutual succour more are sav’d than fall; In timid flight nor fame nor safety lies.” He said; and pond’ring well his words, they stood, Firm in defence; as with a wall of brass The ships they guarded; though against them Jove Led on the Trojans; Menelaus then With stirring words Antilochus address’d: “Antilochus, than thou, of all the Greeks Is none more active, or more light of foot; None stronger hurls the spear; then from the crowd Spring forth, and aim to reach some Trojan’s life.” Thus saying, he withdrew; fir’d by his words, Forth sprang the youth, and pois’d his glitt’ring spear, Glancing around him; back the Trojans drew Before his aim; nor flew the spear in vain; But through the breast it pierc’d, as on he came, Brave Melanippus, Icetaon’s son. Thund’ring he fell, and loud his armour rang. Forth sprang Antilochus, as springs a hound Upon a fawn, which from its lair disturb’d A hunter’s shaft has struck, and quell’d its pow’rs; So, Melanippus, sprang to seize thy spoils The stout Antilochus; but not unmark’d Of Hector’s eye, who, hast’ning through the press, Advanc’d to meet him; waited not th’ attack, Bold warrior as he was, Antilochus, But trembling fled: as when a beast of prey, Conscious of evil deed, amid the herd The guardian dog or herdsman’s self has slain, And flies, ere yet th’ avenging crowd collect; So fled the son of Nestor; onward press’d, By Hector led, the Trojans; loud their shouts, As on the Greeks their murd’rous shafts they pour’d: Yet turn’d he, when his comrades’ ranks he reach’d. Then on the ships, as rav’ning lions, fell The Trojans: they but work’d the will of Jove, Who still their courage rais’d, and quell’d the Greeks; Of vict’ry these debarr’d, and those inspir’d; For so he will’d, that Hector, Priam’s son, Should wrap in fire the beaked ships of Greece, And Thetis to the uttermost obtain Her over-bold petition; yet did Jove, The Lord of counsel, wait but to behold The flames ascending from the blazing ships: For from that hour the Trojans, backward driv’n,