A huge, black, craggy stone that near him lay, Flung it with force against the middle boss Of the broad sevenfold shield that Ajax bore. The brass rang with the blow. Then Ajax raised A heavier stone, and whirled it, putting forth His arm’s immeasurable strength; it brake Through Hector’s shield as if a millstone’s weight Had fallen. His knees gave way; he fell to earth Headlong; yet still he kept his shield. At once Apollo raised him up; and now with swords, Encountering hand to hand, they both had flown To wound each other, if the heralds sent As messengers from Jupiter and men Had not approached⁠—Idaeus from the side Of Troy, Talthybius from the Grecian host⁠— Wise ancients both. Betwixt the twain they held Their sceptres, and the sage Idaeus spake:⁠—

“Cease to contend, dear sons, in deadly fray; Ye both are loved by cloud-compelling Jove, And both are great in war, as all men know. The night is come; be then the night obeyed.”