“Tydides! What has quenched within our hearts Their fiery valor? Come, my friend, and take Thy stand beside me: foul disgrace were ours Should crested Hector make our fleet his prize.”
And thus the valiant Diomed replied:— “Most willingly I stand, and bear my part In battle; but with little hope, for Jove, The God of storms, awards the day to Troy.”
He spake, and pierced Thymbraeus with his spear Through the left breast, and dashed him from his car. Meanwhile Ulysses struck Molion down, The prince’s stately comrade. These they left Never to fight again, and made their way Through the thick squadrons, carrying, as they went, Confusion with them. As two fearless boars Rush on the hounds, so, mingling in the war, They bore the foe before them, and the Greeks Welcomed a respite from the havoc made By noble Hector. Next they seized a car Which bore two chiefs, the bravest of their host— Sons of Percosian Merops, who was skilled Beyond all men in portents. He enjoined His sons to keep aloof from murderous war. Yet did they not obey him, for the fate That doomed the twain to death impelled them on; And Diomed, the mighty with the spear, Spoiled them of life, and bore their armor off, A glittering prize. Meantime Ulysses slew Hippodamus, and next Hypirochus. The son of Saturn looked from Ida’s height, And bade the battle rage on either side With equal fury: both the encountering hosts Slew and were slain. Tydides with his spear Smote on the hip the chief Agastrophus, The son of Paeon, thoughtless wretch, whose steeds Were not at hand for flight; his charioteer Held them at distance, while their master rushed Among the foremost warriors till he fell. Hector perceived his fall, as through the files He looked, and straightway hastened to the spot With shouts; and after him came rapidly The phalanxes of Trojans. Diomed, The great in battle, shuddered as he saw, And thus addressed Ulysses, who was near:—