The two Ajaces; Teucer too, with shafts the expertest Of all the Grecians, and, though small, is great in fights of stand; And these (though huge he be of strength) will serve to fill the hand Of Hector’s self, that Priamist, that studier for blows. It shall be call’d a deed of height for him (even suff’ring throes For knocks still) to outlabour them, and, bett’ring their tough hands, Enflame our fleet. If Jove himself cast not his fire-brands Amongst our navy, that affair no man can bring to field. Great Ajax Telamonius to none alive will yield That yields to death, and whose life takes Ceres’ nutritions, That can be cut with any iron, or pash’d with mighty stones; Not to Æacides himself he yields for combats set, Though clear he must give place for pace and free swing of his feet. Since then, the battle (being our place of most care) is made good By his high valour, let our aid see all pow’rs be withstood That charge the left wing, and to that let us direct our course, Where quickly feel we this hot foe, or make him feel our force.” This order’d, swift Meriones went, and forewent his king, Till both arriv’d where one enjoin’d. When, in the Greeks’ left wing, The Trojans saw the Cretan king, like fire in fortitude, And his attendant, in bright arms so gloriously indu’d, Both cheering the sinister troops, all at the king address’d, And so the skirmish at their sterns on both parts were increas’d, That, as from hollow bustling winds engender’d storms arise, When dust doth chiefly clog the ways which up into the skies The wanton tempest ravisheth, begetting night of day; So came together both the foes, both lusted to assay, And work with quick steel either’s death. Man’s fierce corruptress, Fight, Set up her bristles in the field with lances long and light, Which thick fell foul on either’s face. The splendour of the steel, In new-scour’d curets, radiant casques, and burnish’d shields, did seel Th’ assailer’s eyes up. He sustain’d a huge spirit, that was glad To see that labour, or in soul that stood not stricken sad. Thus these two disagreeing Gods, old Saturn’s mighty sons, Afflicted these heroic men with huge oppressións. Jove honouring Æacides (to let the Greeks still try Their want without him) would bestow, yet still, the victory On Hector, and the Trojan pow’r; yet for Æacides, And honour of his mother-queen, great Goddess of the seas, He would not let proud Ilion see the Grecians quite destroy’d, And therefore from the hoary deep he suffered so employ’d Great Neptune in the Grecian aid; who griev’d for them, and storm’d Extremely at his brother Jove. Yet both one Goddess form’d, And one soil bred, but Jupiter precedence took in birth, And had more knowledge; for which cause, the other came not forth[1] Of his wet kingdom, but with care of not being seen t’ excite The Grecian host, and like a man appear’d, and made the fight. So these Gods made men’s valours great, but equall’d them with war