wounded limb, and scoff. With grief Sarpedon saw his friend withdraw, Yet paused not from the conflict, but took aim At Thestor’s son, Alcmaon, with his spear; Pierced him; and drew the weapon out. The Greek, Following the spear, fell headlong; and his arms, Studded with brass, clashed round him as he fell. Then did Sarpedon seize, with powerful hands, The battlement; he wrenched it, and it came To earth, and laid the rampart’s summit bare, To make a passage for the assailing host. Ajax and Teucer saw, and both took aim Together at Sarpedon: Teucer’s shaft Struck in the midst the buckler’s glittering belt, Just at the bosom; but Jove warded off The death-stroke from his son, lest he should fall Beside the galleys. Ajax, springing, struck The buckler with his spear, and pierced its folds, And checked the eager warrior, who gave way A little, yet retreated not, but turned, Encouraging the godlike Lycians thus:—
“Where, Lycians, is your fiery valor now? Were I the bravest, it were hard, alone, For me to force a passage to the fleet, Though I have cleared the way. Come on with me! Light is the task when many share the toil.” He spake; and they who reverenced his words Of exhortation drew more closely round Their counsellor and sovereign, while the Greeks Above them made their