He spake, and, brandishing his ponderous lance, Hurled it; and on the outer plate of brass, Which covered the seven bullock-hides, it struck The shield of Ajax. Through the brass and through Six folds of hides the irresistible spear Cut its swift way, and at the seventh was stopped. Then high-born Ajax cast his massive spear In turn, and drove it through the fair, round shield Of Priam’s son. Through that bright buckler went The rapid weapon, pierced the well-wrought mail, And tore the linen tunic at the flank. But Hector stooped and thus avoided death. They took their spears again, and, coming close, Like lions in their hunger, or wild boars Of fearful strength, joined battle. Priam’s son Sent his spear forward, striking in the midst The shield of Ajax, but it broke not through The brass; the metal turned the weapon’s point. While Ajax, springing onward, smote the shield Of Hector, drave his weapon through, and checked His enemy’s swift advance, and wounded him Upon the shoulder, and the black blood flowed. Yet not for this did plumèd Hector cease From combat, but went back, and, lifting up A huge, black, craggy stone that near him lay, Flung it with force against the middle boss Of the broad sevenfold shield that Ajax bore. The brass rang with the blow. Then Ajax raised A heavier stone, and whirled it, putting forth His arm’s immeasurable strength; it brake Through Hector’s shield as if a millstone’s weight Had fallen. His knees gave way; he fell to earth Headlong; yet still he kept his shield. At once Apollo raised him up; and now with swords, Encountering hand to hand, they both had flown To wound each other, if the heralds sent As messengers from Jupiter and men Had not approached—Idaeus from the side Of Troy, Talthybius from the Grecian host— Wise ancients both. Betwixt the twain they held Their sceptres, and the sage Idaeus spake:—
“Cease to contend, dear sons, in deadly fray; Ye both are loved by cloud-compelling Jove, And both are great in war, as all men know. The night is come; be then the night obeyed.”