Page 480 - the-iliad

Then the son of Peleus brought out the spear, helmet and
shield that had been borne by Sarpedon, and were taken
from him by Patroclus. He stood up and said among the
Argives, ‘We bid two champions put on their armour, take
their keen blades, and make trial of one another in the pres-
ence of the multitude; whichever of them can first wound
the flesh of the other, cut through his armour, and draw
blood, to him will I give this goodly Thracian sword inlaid
with silver, which I took from Asteropaeus, but the armour
let both hold in partnership, and I will give each of them a
hearty meal in my own tent.’
Forthwith uprose great Ajax the son of Telamon, as
also mighty Diomed son of Tydeus. When they had put on
their armour each on his own side of the ring, they both
went into the middle eager to engage, and with fire flash-
ing from their eyes. The Achaeans marvelled as they beheld
them, and when the two were now close up with one an-
other, thrice did they spring forward and thrice try to strike
each other in close combat. Ajax pierced Diomed’s round
shield, but did not draw blood, for the cuirass beneath the
shield protected him; thereon the son of Tydeus from over
his huge shield kept aiming continually at Ajax’s neck with
the point of his spear, and the Achaeans alarmed for his
safety bade them leave off fighting and divide the prize be-
tween them. Achilles then gave the great sword to the son of
Tydeus, with its scabbard, and the leathern belt with which
to hang it.
Achilles next offered the massive iron quoit which mighty
Eetion had erewhile been used to hurl, until Achilles had