He spake, and from his wounded side drew forth, And from his bossy shield, the ponderous spear Which warlike Socus threw. A gush of blood Followed, and torturing pain. Now, when they saw Ulysses bleed, the gallant sons of Troy Called to each other, rushing in a crowd To where he stood. Retreating as they came, He shouted to his comrades. Thrice he raised His voice as loud as human lungs could shout; Thrice warlike Menelaus heard the cry, And spake at once to Ajax at his side:—
“Most noble Ajax, son of Telamon, Prince of thy people! To my ear is brought The cry of that unconquerable man, Ulysses, seemingly as if the foe Had hemmed him round alone, and pressed him sore In combat. Break we through the crowd, and bring Succor, lest harm befall him, though so brave— Fighting among the Trojans thus alone— And lest the Greeks should lose their mighty chief.”
He spake, and led the way; his godlike friend Followed. They found Ulysses, dear to Jove— The Trojans thronging round him like a troop Of ravening jackals round an antlered stag Which one who hunts upon the mountain-side Hath stricken with an arrow from his bow: By flight the stag escapes, while yet the blood Is warm and easily the limbs are moved; But when at last the shaft hath quelled his strength, The hungry jackals in the forest shade Among the hills attack him, till by chance The dreaded lion comes; alarmed, they flee, And he devours the prey. So in that hour, Many and brave, the sons of Troy pursued Ulysses, skilled in war and wiles; while he Wielded the spear and warded off the day Of death. Then Ajax, coming near him, stood, With his tall buckler, like a tower of strength Beside him, and the Trojans fled in fear On all sides. Warlike Menelaus took Ulysses by the hand, and led him forth From the thronged spot, while his attendant brought The chariot near him. Ajax sprang upon The Trojans, slaying Doryclus, a son Of Priam basely born.