29.03.2013 Views

Provided by The Internet Classics Archive. See bottom for copyright ...

Provided by The Internet Classics Archive. See bottom for copyright ...

Provided by The Internet Classics Archive. See bottom for copyright ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

mounted his chariot, and Machaon son of the famed physician Aesculapius<br />

went with him. He lashed his horses and they flew onward nothing loth<br />

towards the ships, as though of their own free will.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n Cebriones seeing the Trojans in confusion said to Hector from<br />

his place beside him, "Hector, here are we two fighting on the extreme<br />

wing of the battle, while the other Trojans are in pell-­‐mell rout,<br />

they and their horses. Ajax son of Telamon is driving them be<strong>for</strong>e<br />

him; I know him <strong>by</strong> the breadth of his shield: let us turn our chariot<br />

and horses thither, where horse and foot are fighting most desperately,<br />

and where the cry of battle is loudest."<br />

With this he lashed his goodly steeds, and when they felt the whip<br />

they drew the chariot full speed among the Achaeans and Trojans, over<br />

the bodies and shields of those that had fallen: the axle was bespattered<br />

with blood, and the rail round the car was covered with splashes both<br />

from the horses' hoofs and from the tyres of the wheels. Hector tore<br />

his way through and flung himself into the thick of the fight, and<br />

his presence threw the Danaans into confusion, <strong>for</strong> his spear was not<br />

long idle; nevertheless though he went among the ranks with sword<br />

and spear, and throwing great stones, he avoided Ajax son of Telamon,<br />

<strong>for</strong> Jove would have been angry with him if he had fought a better<br />

man than himself.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n father Jove from his high throne struck fear into the heart of<br />

Ajax, so that he stood there dazed and threw his shield behind him-­‐<br />

looking fearfully at the throng of his foes as though he were some<br />

wild beast, and turning hither and thither but crouching slowly backwards.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!