Book IV

Then by the hand of Ajax Telamon Fell Simoisius, in the bloom of youth, Anthemion’s son. His mother once came down From Ida, with her parents, to their flocks Beside the Simoïs; there she brought him forth Upon its banks, and gave her boy the name Of Simoisius. Unrequited now Was all the care with which his parents nursed His early years, and short his term of life⁠— Slain by the hand of Ajax, large of soul. For, when he saw him coming, Ajax smote Near the right pap the Trojan’s breast; the blade Passed through, and out upon the further side. He fell among the dust of earth, as falls A poplar growing in the watery soil Of some wide marsh⁠—a fair, smooth bole, with boughs Only on high, which with his gleaming axe Some artisan has felled to bend its trunk Into the circle of some chariot-wheel; Withering it lies upon the river’s bank. So did the high-born Ajax spoil the corpse Of Simoisius, Anthemion’s son. But Antiphus, the son of Priam, clad In shining armor, saw, and, taking aim, Cast his sharp spear at Ajax through the crowd. The weapon struck him not, but pierced the groin Of one who was Ulysses’ faithful friend⁠— Leucus⁠—as from the spot he dragged the dead; He fell, the body dropping from his hold. Ulysses, stung with fury at his fall, Rushed to the van, arrayed in shining brass, Drew near the foe, and, casting a quick glance Around him, hurled his glittering spear. The host Of Trojans, as it left his hand, shrank back Upon each other. Not in vain it flew, But struck Democoön, the spurious son Of Priam, who, to join the war, had left Abydos, where he tended the swift mares. Ulysses, to revenge his comrade’s death, Smote him upon the temple with his spear. Through both the temples passed the brazen point, And darkness gathered o’er his eyes; he fell, His armor clashing round him with his fall. Then did the foremost bands, and Hector’s self, Fall back. The Argives shouted, dragging off The slain, and rushing to the ground they won. Then was Apollo angered, looking down From Pergamus, and thus he called aloud:⁠—