Illustrious Hicetaon’s son, reproved. Ere yet the enemies of Troy arrived He in Percote fed his wandering beeves; But when the Danaï with all their fleet Came thither, then returning, he outshone665 The noblest Trojans, and at Priam’s side Dwelling, was honor’d by him as a son. Him Hector reprimanding, stern began. Are we thus slack? Can Melanippus view Unmoved a kinsman slain? Seest not the Greeks670 How busy there with Dolops and his arms? Come on. It is no time for distant war, But either our Achaian foes must bleed, Or Ilium taken, from her topmost height Must stoop, and all her citizens be slain.675 So saying he went, whose steps the godlike Chief Attended; and the Telamonian, next, Huge Ajax, animated thus the Greeks. Oh friends, be men! Deep treasure in your hearts An honest shame, and, fighting bravely, fear680 Each to incur the censure of the rest. Of men so minded more survive than die, While dastards forfeit life and glory both. So moved he them, themselves already bent To chase the Trojans; yet his word they bore685 Faithful in mind, and with a wall of brass Fenced firm the fleet, while Jove impell’d the foe. Then Menelaus, brave in fight, approach’d Antilochus, and thus his courage roused. Antilochus! in all the host is none690 Younger, or swifter, or of stronger limb Than thou. Make trial, therefore, of thy might, Spring forth and prove it on some Chief of Troy. He ended and retired, but him his praise Effectual animated; from the van695 Starting, he cast a wistful eye around And hurl’d his glittering spear; back fell the ranks Of Troy appall’d; nor vain his weapon flew, But Melanippus pierced heroic son Of Hicetaon, coming forth to fight,700 Full in the bosom, and with dreadful sound Of all his batter’d armor down he fell. Swift flew Antilochus as flies the hound Some fawn to seize, which issuing from her lair The hunter with his lance hath stricken dead,705 So thee, O Melanippus! to despoil Of thy bright arms valiant Antilochus Sprang forth, but not unnoticed by the eye Of noble Hector, who through all the war Ran to encounter him; his dread approach710 Antilochus, although expert in arms, Stood not, but as some prowler of the wilds, Conscious of injury that he hath done, Slaying the watchful herdsman or his dog, Escapes, ere yet the peasantry arise,715 So fled the son of Nestor, after whom The Trojans clamoring and Hector pour’d Darts numberless; but at the front arrived Of his own phalanx, there he turn’d and stood. Then, eager as voracious lions, rush’d720 The Trojans on the fleet of Greece, the mind Of Jove accomplishing who them impell’d Continual, calling all their courage forth, While, every Grecian heart he tamed, and took Their glory from them, strengthening Ilium’s host.725 For Jove’s unalter’d purpose was to give Success to Priameian Hector’s arms,[14] That he might cast into the fleet of Greece Devouring flames, and that no part might fail Of Thetis’ ruthless prayer; that sight alone730