And, standing near, smote Dolops from behind, Beneath the shoulder, and drave through the spear Till it appeared beyond. The Trojan fell Upon his face, and both the Greeks rushed on To wrench the brazen armor from his limbs, When Hector saw his fall and called aloud Upon the kindred of the slain. He first Rebuked the valiant Melanippus, son Of Hicetaon, who but lately fed His slow-paced beeves at Percote, while yet The enemy was far from Troy; but when The Achaians landed from their well-oared barques, He came to Troy, and took an eminent place Among the Trojans. Near to Priam’s halls He had his dwelling, honored equally With Priam’s sons. Him Hector thus rebuked:—
“Why, Melanippus, are we loitering thus? Grievest thou not to see thy kinsman slain? And see’st thou not how eagerly the Greeks Are spoiling Dolops of his arms? Come on With me. No time is this for distant fight, But either we must rout the Greeks, or they Will level to the ground the lofty towers Of Ilium, and will slay its citizens.”
He spake, and led the way; his godlike friend Followed him, while the son of Telamon, Ajax, exhorted thus the sons of Greece:—
“Be men, my friends, and let a noble dread Of shame possess your hearts, and jealously Look to each other’s honor in the heat Of battle; for to men who flee there comes No glory, and that way no safety lies.”
He spake, and all were eager to drive back The assaulting foe; they heeded well his words, And drew around their barques a fence of mail, While Jove urged on the Trojans. Then it was That Menelaus, brave in battle, spake To rouse the courage of Antilochus:—
“Antilochus, there is no other Greek Younger than thou, or fleeter; none so strong For combat. Would that, springing on the foe, Thou mightest strike some Trojan warrior down.”
So speaking, he drew back; but he had roused The courage of his friend, who, springing forth From midst the foremost combatants, took aim,