for exertion; but when thus urged
by King Acestes, he slowly rose and threw into the arena the gauntlets
which King Eryx had been accustomed to use. Terrible weapons indeed
they-were, with heavy pieces of iron and lead sewn into them underneath
the oxhide. At the mere sight of them Dares shrank back appalled, and
refused to fight with such implements. "These," said Entellus, "were the
gauntlets with which my master Eryx encountered Hercules; and these, after
his death, I myself was accustomed to use. But if Dares likes not such
gloves, let AEneas provide others for both of us." With these words he
threw off his upper garments and bared his massive shoulders and sinewy
arms. The Trojan chief brought out two pairs of gauntlets of less
formidable make, with which the two champions armed themselves; and then
they stood face to face, and both raised their arms for the encounter. For
some time they stood parrying each other's blows and watching for an
opportunity. Presently, as they grew warmer, many heavy strokes were given
on each side, now on the head, now on the breast. Entellus stood stiff and
unmoved in the same firm posture, only bending to evade Dares's blows, and
always closely watching his antagonist, who, more active, wheeled round
him, trying first one method of attack, then another. At last Entellus
uplifted his right arm, thinking he saw an opportunity for delivering a
decisive stroke; but Dares with great agility slipped out of the way, and
as the arm of Entellus encountered no resistance save from the empty air,
he fell forward on the ground through the violence of his own effort.
Acclamations burst from all the onlookers, and Acestes himself stepped
forward to assist his old companion to his feet. But the mishap had only
aroused Entellus's anger; he no longer acted on the defensive, but rushed
upon his opponent with irresistible ardor, and smote blow after blow,
driving Dares headlong over the field, pouring down strokes as incessantly
as a shower of hail rattles upon the house-tops. AEneas now deemed it high
time to put a stop to the combat, and called upon Dares, who indeed was
quite overpowered, to yield. His comrades led the beaten champion to the
ships, with the blood flowing from his battered head and face, and on his
behalf they took away the helmet and sword, leaving the bull to the
conqueror. Entellus, proud of his victory, laid hold of the animal, and
exclaimed, "Behold, O chief, and you Trojans, from