The blood of many a warrior, and have learn’d, From hand to hand shifting my shield, to fight Unwearied; I can make a sport of war, In standing fight adjusting all my steps To martial measures sweet, or vaulting light285 Into my chariot, thence can urge the foe. Yet in contention with a Chief like thee I will employ no stratagem, or seek To smite thee privily, but with a stroke (If I may reach thee) visible to all.290 So saying, he shook, then hurl’d his massy spear At Ajax, and his broad shield sevenfold On its eighth surface of resplendent brass Smote full; six hides the unblunted weapon pierced, But in the seventh stood rooted. Ajax, next,295 Heroic Chief, hurl’d his long shadow’d spear And struck the oval shield of Priam’s son. Through his bright disk the weapon tempest-driven Glided, and in his hauberk-rings infixt At his soft flank, ripp’d wide his vest within.300 Inclined oblique he ’scaped the dreadful doom Then each from other’s shield his massy spear Recovering quick, like lions hunger-pinch’d Or wild boars irresistible in force, They fell to close encounter. Priam’s son305 The shield of Ajax at its centre smote, But fail’d to pierce it, for he bent his point. Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe Of Hector, shock’d him; through it and beyond He urged the weapon with its sliding edge310 Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start. But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized A huge stone angled sharp and black with age That on the champain lay. The bull-hide guard315 Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote Full on its centre; sang the circling brass. Then Ajax far a heavier stone upheaved; He whirled it, and with might immeasurable Dismiss’d the mass, which with a mill-stone weight320 Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees Disabled; with his shield supine he fell, But by Apollo raised, stood soon again. And now, with swords they had each other hewn, Had not the messengers of Gods and men325 The heralds wise, Idæus on the part Of Ilium, and Talthybius for the Greeks, Advancing interposed. His sceptre each Between them held, and thus Idæus spake.[10] My children, cease! prolong not still the fight.330 Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove, Both valiant, and all know it. But the Night Hath fallen, and Night’s command must be obeyed. To him the son of Telamon replied. Idæus! bid thy master speak as thou.335 He is the challenger. If such his choice, Mine differs not; I wait but to comply. Him answer’d then heroic Hector huge. Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow’d,340 With such address in battle, that the host Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear, Now let the combat cease. We shall not want More fair occasion; on some future day We will not part till all-disposing heaven345 Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine. But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey’d, That them may’st gratify with thy return