Book XII

phalanxes more strong Within the wall⁠—for urgent was the need; Since neither could the gallant Syrians break The barrier of the Greeks, and cut their way Through to the fleet, nor could the warlike Greeks Drive back the Lycians when they once had reached The rampart. As two men upon a field, With measuring-rods in hand, disputing stand Over the common boundary, in small space, Each one contending for the right he claims, So, kept asunder by the breastwork, fought The warriors over it, and fiercely struck The orbèd bull’s-hide shields held up before The breast, and the light targets. Many a one Was smitten when he turned and showed the back Unarmed, and many wounded through the shield. The towers and battlements were steeped in blood Of heroes⁠—Greeks and Trojans. Yet were not The Greeks thus put to flight; but, as the scales Are held by some just woman, who maintains, By spinning wool, her household⁠—carefully She poises both the wool and weights, to make The balance even, that she may provide A pittance for her babes⁠—thus equally Were matched the warring hosts, till Jupiter Conferred the eminent glory of the day On Hector, son of Priam. He it was Who first leaped down into the space within The Grecian wall, and, with far-reaching voice, Thus shouted, calling to the men of Troy:⁠—