Makes doubt t’ encounter, whose huge strength surpasseth thine by far. Sit thou then by thy regiment; some other Greek will rise (Though he be dreadless, and no war will his desires suffice, That makes this challenge to our strength) our valours to avow; To whom, if he can ’scape with life, he will be glad to bow.” This drew his brother from his will, who yielded, knowing it true, And his glad soldiers took his arms; when Nestor did pursue The same reproof he set on foot, and thus supplied his turn: “What huge indignity is this! How will our country mourn! Old Peleus that good king will weep, that worthy counsellor, That trumpet of the Myrmidons, who much did ask me for All men of name that went to Troy; with joy he did inquire Their valour and their towardness, and I made him admire; But, that ye all fear Hector now, if his grave ears shall hear, How will he lift his hands to heav’n, and pray that death may bear His grieved soul into the deep! O would to heav’n’s great King,[3] Minerva, and the God of light, that now my youthful spring Did flourish in my willing veins, as when at Phæa’s tow’rs About the streams of Jardanus, my gather’d Pylean pow’rs, And dart-employ’d Arcadians, fought, near raging Celadon! Amongst whom, first of all, stood forth great Ereuthalion, Who th’ arms of Arëithoús wore, brave Arëithoús, And, since he still fought with a club, surnam’d Clavigerus, All men, and fair-girt ladies both, for honour call’d him so. He fought not with a keep-off spear, or with a far-shot bow, But, with a massy club of iron, he broke through arméd bands. And yet Lycurgus was his death, but not with force of hands; With sleight (encount’ring in a lane, where his club wanted sway) He thrust him through his spacious waist; who fell, and upwards lay, In death not bowing his face to earth; his arms he did despoil, Which iron Mars bestow’d on him; and those, in Mars’s toil, Lycurgus ever after wore; but when he agéd grew, Enforc’d to keep his peaceful house, their use he did renew On mighty Ereuthalion’s limbs, his soldier, lovéd well; And, with these arms he challeng’d all, that did in arms excel; All shook, and stood dismay’d, none durst his adverse champion make. Yet this same forward mind of mine, of choice, would undertake To fight with all his confidence; though youngest enemy Of all the army we conduct, yet I fought with him, I, Minerva made me so renown’d, and that most tall strong peer I slew; his big bulk lay on earth, extended here and there, As it were covetous to spread the centre ev’rywhere. O that my youth were now as fresh, and all my pow’rs as sound, Soon should bold Hector be impugn’d! Yet you that most are crown’d With fortitude of all our host, ev’n you methinks are slow, Not free, and set on fire with lust, t’ encounter such a foe.” With this, nine royal princes rose. Atrides for the first; Then Diomed; th’ Ajaces then, that did th’ encounter thirst; King Idomen and his consórts; Mars-like Meriones;