immortal gods come down from Olympus [against thee]; for far-darting Apollo greatly loves them. But return after thou hast given safety to the ships, and allow the others to contend through the plain. For would that, O father Jove, Minerva, and Apollo, not one of the Trojans, as many as there are, may escape death, nor any of the Greeks: while to us two it [may be granted] to avoid destruction, that we alone might overthrow the sacred bulwarks of Troy."
Thus they indeed discussed these matters with each other. But Ajax no longer remained firm,[1] for he was pressed hard with weapons; because the counsel of Jove overpowered him, and the fierce Trojans hurling. And a dreadful clang did his glittering helmet round his temples emit, being struck, and he was constantly smitten upon the well-made studs of his casque. He was fatigued in the left shoulder, by always firmly holding his movable shield; nor could they, pressing him all around with their weapons, drive him [from his place]. Unceasingly afflicted was he with severe panting, and every where from his limbs poured copious perspiration, nor was he able to respire; for every where evil was heaped upon evil.
Declare now to me, ye Muses, possessing Olympic habitations, how first the fire fell upon the ships of the Greeks!
Hector, standing near, struck the ashen spear of Ajax with his great sword, at the socket of the blade behind, and cut it quite off; Telamonian Ajax indeed vainly brandished the mutilated spear in his hand; but the brazen blade rang, falling upon the earth at a distance from him. Then Ajax knew in his blameless soul, and shuddered at the deeds of the gods; because the lofty thundering Jove cut off his plans of war, and willed the victory to the Trojans. Wherefore he retired out of the reach of the weapons, and they hurled the indefatigable fire at the swift ships, the inextinguishable flame
- ↑ Compare the splendid description in Ennius apud Macrob. Sat. vi. 3:
"Undique conveniunt, vel imber, tela Tribuno.
Configunt parmam, tinnit hastilibus umbo,
Æratæ sonitant galcæ: sed nec pote quisquam
Undique nitendo corpus discerpere ferro.
Semper abundanteis hastas frangitque, quatitque,
Totum sudor habet corpus, multumque laborat:
Nee respirandi fit copia præpete ferro."Cf. Virg. Æn. ix. 806, sqq.; Stat. Theb, ii. 668, eqq.
