A band of youths and dogs. The illustrious son Of honored Telamon thus put to rout The Trojan phalanxes environing Patroclus, in the hope to bear him thence Townward with glory. There Hippothoüs, son Of Lethus the Pelasgian, having bound A thong about the sinewy ankle, toiled To drag away the slain man by the foot From that fierce strife⁠—a grateful spectacle To Hector and the Trojans. Yet on him A vengeance which no friendly arm could ward Fell suddenly. The son of Telamon Rushed through the crowd, and in close combat smote His helmet’s brazen cheek. That plumèd helm Was cleft by the huge spear and vigorous hand, And where the weapon struck Hippothoüs, Mingled with blood the brain gushed forth; the life Forsook his limbs; he dropped from nerveless hands The foot of brave Patroclus, and beside The corpse fell headlong⁠—far from the rich fields Of his Larissa, never to repay With gentle cares in their old age the love Of his dear parents; for his life was short, Slain by the spear of Ajax, large of soul.