ith blood."

(ll. 60-66) Thus he spake; but the other gave back no taunt in answer,
but with a light smile readily took up the gauntlets that lay at his
feet; and to him came Castor and mighty Talaus, son of Bias, and they
quickly bound the gauntlets about his hands, often bidding him be of
good courage. And to Amycus came Aretus and Ornytus, but little they
knew, poor fools, that they had bound them for the last time on their
champion, a victim of evil fate.

(ll. 67-97) Now when they stood apart and were ready with their
gauntlets, straightway in front of their faces they raised their heavy
hands and matched their might in deadly strife. Hereupon the Bebrycian
king even as a fierce wave of the sea rises in a crest against a swift
ship, but she by the skill of the crafty pilot just escapes the shock
when the billow is eager to break over the bulwark--so he followed up
the son of Tyndareus, trying to daunt him, and gave him no respite. But
the hero, ever unwounded, by his skill baffled the rush of his foe,
and he quickly noted the brutal play of his fists to see where he was
invincible in strength, and where inferior, and stood unceasingly and
returned blow for blow. And as when shipwrights with their hammers smite
ships' timbers to meet the sharp clamps, fixing layer upon layer; and
the blows resound one after another; so cheeks and jaws crashed on both
sides, and a huge clattering of teeth arose, nor did they cease ever
from striking their blows until laboured gasping overcame both. And
standing a little apart they wiped from their foreheads sweat in
abundance, wearily panting for breath. Then back they rushed together
again, as two bulls fight in furious rivalry for a grazing heifer. Next
Amycus rising on tiptoe, like one who slays an ox, sprung to his full
height and swung his heavy hand down upon his rival; but the hero
swerved aside from the rush, turning his head, and just received the arm
on his shoulder; and coming near and slipping his knee past the king's,
with a rush he struck him above the ear, and broke the bones inside, and
the king in agony fell upon his knees; and the Minyan heroes shouted for
joy; and his life was poured forth all at once.

(ll. 98-144) Nor were the Bebrycians reckless of their king; but
all together took up rough clubs and spears and rushed straight on
Polydeuces. But in front of him stood his comrades, their keen swords
drawn from the sheath. First Castor struck upon the head a man