Than keep this hard-got inch of barren sands,
Still pressed, and pressed by such inglorious hands."
The listening Grecians feel their leader's flame,
And every kindling bosom pants for fame.
Then mutual slaughters spread on either side;
By Hector here the Phocian Schedius died;
There, pierced by Ajax, sank Laodamas,
Chief of the foot, of old Antenor's race.
Polydamas laid Otus on the sand,
The fierce commander of the Epeian band.
His lance bold Meges at the victor threw;
The victor stooping, from the death withdrew
That valued life, O Phœbus! was thy care
But Cro3smus' bosom took the flying spear:
His corpse fell bleeding on the slippery shore;
His radiant arms triumphant Meges bore.
Dolops, the son of Lampus, rushes on,
Sprung from the race of old Laomedon,
And famed for prowess in a well-fought field;
He pierced the centre of his sounding shield:
But Meges Phyleus' ample breast-plate wore,
Well known in fight on Selle's winding shore;
For king Euphetes gave the golden mail,
Compact, and firm with many a jointed scale,
Which oft, in cities stormed, and battles won,
Had saved the father, and now saves the son.
Full at the Trojan's head he hurled his lance,
Where the high plumes above the helmet dance,
New-tinged with Tyrian dye: in dust below,
Shorn from the crest, the purple honours glow.
Meantime their fight the Spartan king surveyed,
And stood by Meges' side, a sudden aid,
Through Dolops' shoulder urged his forceful dart,
Which held its passage through the panting heart,
And issued at his breast. With thundering sound
The warrior falls, extended on the ground.
In rush the conquering Greeks to spoil the slain;
But Hector's voice excites his kindred train;
The hero most, from Hicetaon sprung,
Fierce Melanippus, gallant, brave, and young.
He, ere to Troy the Grecians crossed the main,
Fed his large oxen on Percote's[1] plain;
But when oppressed, his country claimed his care,
Returned to Ilion, and excelled in war:
For this in Priam's court he held his place,
Beloved no less than Priam's royal race.
Him Hector singled, as the troops he led,
And thus inflamed him, pointing to the dead:
- ↑ Percote was in the region ruled by Asius.
