protection of his shield. He, however, observing it in front, avoided the brazen spear; for he stooped forward, and the long javelin was fixed in the ground behind him, and the nether point[1] of the spear was shaken; then the rapid weapon spent its force. Thus the javelin of Æneas, quivering entered the earth, for it had fled in vain from his strong hand. Then Æneas was enraged in his mind, and said:
"Meriones, quickly indeed, although being a dancer,[2] would my spear have made thee cease forever, if I had struck thee."
But him then in turn spear-renowned Meriones answered: "Æneas, it were difficult for thee, although being brave, to extinguish the valor of all men, whosoever may come against thee about to repulse thee; for thou too art mortal. And if I, taking aim, should strike thee in the middle with my sharp spear, although being brave, and confiding in thy might, thou wouldst give glory to me, but thy soul to steed-famed Pluto."
Thus he spoke; but him the brave son of Menœtius rebuked: "Meriones, why dost thou, although being brave harangue thus? O, my friend, the Trojans will not retire from the corse by opprobrious words: first will the earth possess some of them; for the emergency of battle is placed in the hands, but of counsel in words; wherefore it is by no means necessary to multiply words, but to fight."
So saying, he on his part led the way, and along with him the godlike hero followed. And as the crash of wood-cutting men arises in the dells of a mountain, and the sound is heard from afar; so the noise of these, smitten with swords and two-edged spears, arose from the wide-extended plain, from brass, from leather, and from well-prepared bull's-hide shields. Nor would a man, although very discerning, have recognized noble Sarpedon, since he was totally involved, from his head to the soles of his feet, with weapons, and blood, and dust. But they still crowded round the corse, as when flies in the stall hum around the pails full of milk, during the spring
