Ajax meanwhile in dazzling brass was clad; And when his armour all was duly donn’d, Forward he mov’d, as when gigantic Mars Leads nations forth to war, whom Saturn’s son In life-destroying conflict hath involv’d; So mov’d the giant Ajax, prop of Greece, With sternly smiling mien; with haughty stride He trod the plain, and pois’d his pond’rous spear. The Greeks, rejoicing, on their champion gaz’d, The Trojans’ limbs beneath them shook with fear; Ev’n Hector’s heart beat quicker in his breast; Yet quail he must not now, nor back retreat Amid his comrades—he, the challenger! Ajax approach’d; before him, as a tow’r His mighty shield he bore, sev’n-fold, brass-bound, The work of Tychius, best artificer That wrought in leather; he in Hyla dwelt. Of sev’n-fold hides the pond’rous shield was wrought Of lusty bulls; the eighth was glitt’ring brass. This by the son of Telamon was borne Before his breast; to Hector close he came, And thus with words of haughty menace spoke: “Hector, I now shall teach thee, man to man, The mettle of the chiefs we yet possess, Although Achilles of the lion heart, Mighty in battle, be not with us still; He by his ocean-going ships indeed Against Atrides nurses still his wrath; Yet are there those who dare encounter thee, And not a few; then now begin the fight.” To whom great Hector of the glancing helm: “Ajax, brave leader, son of Telamon, Deal not with me as with a feeble child, Or woman, ign’rant of the ways of war; Of war and carnage every point I know; And well I know to wield, now right, now left, The tough bull’s-hide that forms my stubborn targe: Well know I too my fiery steeds to urge, And raise the war-cry in the standing fight. But not in secret ambush would I watch, To strike, by stealth, a noble foe like thee; But slay thee, if I may, in open fight.”