at of
the silver-studded sword; for these protected the tender skin: but
Hector was enraged because his swift weapon had fled from his hand in
vain, and he retired back into the crowd of his companions, shunning
death. At him then, retiring, mighty Telamonian Ajax [threw] with a
stone, for [stones] in great numbers were rolled about among the feet of
the combatants, props for the fleet barks; lifting up one of these, he
struck him upon the breast, above the orb of the shield, near the neck.
And, throwing, he twirled it like a top, and it (the stone) rolled round
on all sides. As when, beneath a violent stroke from father Jove, an oak
falls uprooted, and a terrible smell of sulphur arises from it; but
confidence no longer possesses the man, whosoever being near beholds it,
because the thunderbolt of mighty Jove is terrible: so rapidly upon the
ground fell the might of Hector in the dust. And he dropped his spear
from his hand, his shield and helmet followed above him, and his armour,
variegated with brass, rang upon him. Then the sons of the Greeks,
loudly shouting, rushed in, hoping to draw him off, and they hurled
numerous javelins; but no one was able either to strike from a distance,
or to smite close at hand, the shepherd of the people, for the bravest
[of the warriors], Polydamas, AEneas, and noble Agenor, Sarpedon, leader
of the Lycians, and illustrious Glaucus, first threw themselves round
him. And no one of the rest neglected him, but they held their
well-orbed shields before him. But his companions, up-raising him in
their hands, bore him out of the conflict, till they reached his fleet
horses, which stood for him in rear of the combat and the war, holding
both the charioteer and the variegated car; which then carried him
towards the city, groaning heavily.[481]

[Footnote 481: Milton, P.L. vi. 335:--

"Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run
By angels many and strong, who interposed
Defence, while others bore him on their shields
Back to his chariot, where it stood retired
From off the files of war; there they him laid,
Gnashing for anguish, and despite, and shame."]

But when now they came to the ford of the rapid-flowing current of
eddying Xanthus, whom immortal Jove begat, there they removed him from
his car to the ground, and poured water over him; but he breathed again,
and looked up with his eyes; and, sitting upon his knees, disgorged
black blood. Again he fe