Page 217 - the-iliad

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

1 The Iliad