But he, advancing, through the breast was struck Above the nipple, by th’ Ætolian chief. Thoas; and through his lungs the spear was driv’n. Thoas approach’d, and from his breast withdrew The sturdy spear, and with his sharp-edg’d sword Across his waistband gave the mortal stroke: Yet could not touch his arms; for all around The Thracian warriors, with, their tufted crowns, Their long spears held before them, him, though stout, And strong, and valiant, kept at bay; perforce He yielded; and thus side by side were laid The two, the Thracian and th’ Epeian chief; And round them many a valiant soldier lay. Well might the deeds achieved that day deserve His praise, who through that bloody field might pass By sword or spear unwounded, by the hand Of Pallas guarded from the weapon’s flight; For many a Trojan, many a Greek, that day Prone in the dust, and side by side, were laid. ARGUMENT. THE ACTS OF DIOMED. Diomed, assisted by Pallas, performs wonders in this day’s battle. Pandarus wounds him with an arrow, but the goddess cures him, enables him to discern gods from mortals, and prohibits him from contending with any of the former, excepting Venus. Æneas joins Pandarus to oppose him, Pandarus is killed, and Æneas in great danger but for the assistance of Venus; who, as she is removing her son from the fight, is wounded on the hand by Diomed. Apollo seconds her in his rescue, and, at length, carries off Æneas to Troy, where he is healed in the temple of Pergamus. Mars rallies the Trojans, and assists Hector to make a stand. In the mean time Æneas is restored to the field, and they overthrow several of the Greeks; among the rest Tlepolemus is slain by Sarpedon. Juno and Minerva descend to resist Mars; the latter incites Diomed to go against that god; he wounds him, and sends him groaning to heaven. The first battle continues through this book. The scene is the same as in the former. BOOK V. Such strength, and courage then to Diomed, The son of Tydeus, Pallas gave, as rais’d, ’Mid all the Greeks, the glory of his name. Forth from his helm and shield a fiery light There flash’d, like autumn’s star, that brightest shines When newly risen from his ocean bath. So from the warrior’s head and shoulders flash’d That fiery light, as to the midst he urg’d His furious course, where densest masses fought.