But took him to his strength, and cast on ev’ry side a glance, Lest any his dear sides should dart. But Merion, as he fled, Sent after him a brazen lance, that ran his eager head Through his right hip, and all along the bladder’s región Beneath the bone; it settled him, and set his spirit gone Amongst the hands of his best friends; and like a worm he lay Stretch’d on the earth, which his black blood imbru’d, and flow’d away. His corse the Paphlagonians did sadly wait upon, Repos’d in his rich chariot, to sacred Ilion; The king his father following, dissolv’d in kindly tears, And no wreak sought for his slain son. But, at his slaughterers Incenséd Paris spent a lance, since he had been a guest To many Paphlagonians; and through the prease it press’d. There was a certain augur’s son, that did for wealth excell, And yet was honest; he was born, and did at Corinth dwell; Who, though he knew his harmful fate, would needs his ship ascend. His father, Polyidus, oft would tell him that his end Would either seize him at his house, upon a sharp disease, Or else among the Grecian ships by Trojans slain. Both these Together he desir’d to shun; but the disease, at last, And ling’ring death in it, he left, and war’s quick stroke embrac’d. The lance betwixt his ear and cheek ran in, and drave the mind Of both those bitter fortunes out. Night strook his whole pow’rs blind. Thus fought they, like the spirit of fire; nor Jove-lov’d Hector knew How in the fleet’s left wing the Greeks his down-put soldiers slew Almost to victory; the God that shakes the earth so well Help’d with his own strength, and the Greeks so fiercely did impel. Yet Hector made the first place good, where both the ports and wall (The thick rank of the Greek shields broke) he enter’d, and did skall, Where on the gray sea’s shore were drawn (the wall being there but slight) Protesilaus’ ships, and those of Ajax, where the fight Of men and horse were sharpest set. There the Bœotian bands, Long-rob’d Iaons, Locrians, and, brave men of their hands, The Phthian and Epeian troops did spritefully assail The god-like Hector rushing in; and yet could not prevail To his repulse, though choicest men of Athens there made head; Amongst whom was Menestheus chief, whom Phidias followéd, Stichius and Bias, huge in strength. Th’ Epeian troops were led By Meges’ and Phylides’ cares, Amphion, Dracius. Before the Phthians Medon march’d, and Meneptolemus; And these, with the Bœotian pow’rs, bore up the fleet’s defence. Oïleus by his brother’s side stood close, and would not thence For any moment of that time. But, as through fallow fields Black oxen draw a well-join’d plough, and either ev’nly yields His thrifty labour, all heads couch’d so close to earth they plow The fallow with their horns, till out the sweat begins to flow, The stretch’d yokes crack, and yet at last the furrow forth is driven; So toughly stood these to their task, and made their work as even. But Ajax Telamonius had many helpful men