He spake, and, springing to the foremost ranks Stood firm; the Trojans also turned and faced The Achaians. Then Aeneas with his spear Struck down Leocritus, the gallant friend Of Lycomedes and Arisbas’ son. The warlike Lycomedes saw his fall With grief, and came and cast his shining spear At Apisaon, son of Hippasus, A shepherd of the people. Underneath The midriff, through the liver went the spear, And he fell lifeless. He had come to Troy From rich Pseonia, and was great in war, Next to Asteropaeus. As he saw His comrade fall, Asteropaeus, moved By grief, advanced to combat with the Greeks, But could not; for the group that stood around Patroclus showed a fence of shields, and held Their spears before them. Ajax moved among The warriors, charging them that none should leave The corpse, and none should step beyond the rest To strike the foe, but stay to guard the dead, And combat hand to hand. Such was the charge Of mighty Ajax. All the earth around Was steeped with blood, and many a corpse was heaped