He spake; and with the whistling lash he struck The long-maned steeds, and, as they felt the stroke, Forward they flew with the swift car among The Greeks and Trojans, trampling in their way Corpses and shields. The axle underneath Was steeped in blood; the rim of the chariot-seat Was foul with the red drops which from their hoofs The coursers sprinkled and the wheels threw up. Then Hector strove, by rushing on the crowd, To pierce it and break through it. To the Greeks His coming brought destruction and dismay; And well his spear was wielded. Through the ranks Of other warriors with the spear he ranged, With sword and ponderous stones; yet warily He shunned the fight with Ajax Telamon.
Then Father Jove Almighty touched with fear The heart of Ajax. All amazed he stood, And cast his sevenfold buckler of bull’s-hide Upon his back, and, terrified, withdrew. Now casting glances like a beast of prey From side to side, he turned to right and left, And, slowly yielding, moved knee after knee. As when the rustics with their hounds drive off A hungry lion from their stalls of kine, Whom, watching all the night, they suffer not To make their herd a prey; but he, intent