Such were their words, while Ajax armed himself In glittering brass; and, when about his limbs The mail was buckled, forward rushed the chief. As moves the mighty Mars to war among The heroes whom the son of Saturn sends To struggle on the field in murderous strife, So the great Ajax, bulwark of the Greeks, With a grim smile came forward, and with strides Firm-set and long, and shook his ponderous spear. The Greeks exulted at the sight; dismay Seized every Trojan: even Hector’s heart Quailed in his bosom; yet he might not now Withdraw through fear, nor seek to hide among The throng of people, since himself had given The challenge. Ajax, drawing near, upheld A buckler like a rampart, bright with brass, And strong with ox-hides seven. The cunning hand Of Tychius, skilled beyond all other men In leather-work, had wrought it at his home In Hyla. He for Ajax framed the shield With hides of pampered bullocks in seven folds, And an eighth fold of brass—the outside fold. This Telamonian Ajax held before His breast, as he approached, and threatening said:—
“Now shalt thou, Hector, singly matched with me, Learn by what chiefs the Achaian host is led Besides Achilles, mighty though he be to To break through squadrons, and of lion-heart Still in the beaked ships in which he crossed The sea he cherishes his wrath against The shepherd of the people—Atreus’ son. But we have those that dare defy thee yet, And they are many. Let the fight begin.”
Then answered Hector of the plumèd helm:— “O high-born Ajax, son of Telamon, And prince among thy people, think thou not To treat me like a stripling weak of arm, Or woman all untrained to tasks of war. I know what battles are and bloody frays, And how to shift to right and left the shield. Of seasoned hide, and, unfatigued, maintain The combat; how on foot to charge the foe With steps that move to martial airs, and how To leap into the chariot and pursue The war with rushing steeds. Yet not by stealth Seek I to smite thee, valiant as thou art, But in fair open battle, if I may.”