Page 217 - the-iliad
P. 217

Then Cebriones seeing the Trojans in confusion said to
           Hector from his place beside him, ‘Hector, here are we two
           fighting on the extreme wing of the battle, while the other
           Trojans are in pell-mell rout, they and their horses. Ajax
            son of Telamon is driving them before him; I know him by
           the breadth of his shield: let us turn our chariot and horses
           thither, where horse and foot are fighting most desperately,
            and where the cry of battle is loudest.’
              With  this  he  lashed  his  goodly  steeds,  and  when  they
           felt the whip they drew the chariot full speed among the
           Achaeans and Trojans, over the bodies and shields of those
           that had fallen: the axle was bespattered with blood, and the
           rail round the car was covered with splashes both from the
           horses’ hoofs and from the tyres of the wheels. Hector tore
           his way through and flung himself into the thick of the fight,
            and his presence threw the Danaans into confusion, for his
            spear was not long idle; nevertheless though he went among
           the ranks with sword and spear, and throwing great stones,
           he avoided Ajax son of Telamon, for Jove would have been
            angry with him if he had fought a better man than himself.
              Then father Jove from his high throne struck fear into
           the heart of Ajax, so that he stood there dazed and threw
           his shield behind him—looking fearfully at the throng of
           his foes as though he were some wild beast, and turning
           hither  and  thither  but  crouching  slowly  backwards.  As
           peasants with their hounds chase a lion from their stock-
           yard,  and  watch  by  night  to  prevent  his  carrying  off  the
           pick of their herd—he makes his greedy spring, but in vain,
           for the darts from many a strong hand fall thick around

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