horses. Them he intrusted to Astynous, son of Protiaon, and
exhorted him much to keep the horses near him within sight; but he
himself returning was mingled with the foremost combatants. Teucer,
however, drew another arrow against brazen-armed Hector, and would have
made him cease from battle, at the ships of the Greeks, if striking him
while bravely fighting, he had taken away his life. But it did not
escape the prudent mind of Jove, who protected Hector, and deprived
Teucer, the son of Telamon, of glory; and who (Jove) broke the
well-twisted string, in his blameless bow, as he was drawing against
[Hector]; but the brass-laden arrow was turned off in another direction,
and the bow fell from his hand. Then Teucer shuddered, and addressed his
brother:

"Ye gods! a deity, without doubt, cuts short the plans of our battle,
who has shaken the bow from my hand, and has snapped asunder the
newly-twisted string which I tied to it this morning, that it might
sustain the shafts frequently bounding from it."

But him the mighty Telamonian Ajax then answered: "O my friend, permit
then thy bow and numerous arrows to lie aside, since a god has
confounded them, envying the Greeks; but, taking a long spear in thy
hands, and a shield upon thy shoulder, fight against the Trojans, and
encourage the other forces. Nor let them take the well-benched ships
without labour at least, although having subdued us, but let us be
mindful of the fight."

Thus he spoke; and he placed his bow within the tents. Then around his
shoulders he hung a four-fold shield, and upon his brave head fixed a
well-made helmet, crested with horse-hair, and the plume nodded
dreadfully from above. And he grasped a stout spear, tipped with sharp
brass, and hastened to advance, and running very quickly, stood beside
Ajax. But when Hector perceived the arrows of Teucer frustrated, he
encouraged the Trojans and Lycians, calling aloud:

"Ye Trojans, Lycians, and close-fighting Dardanians, be men, my friends,
and be mindful of impetuous valour at the hollow ships; for I have
beheld with my eyes the arrows of their chief warrior rendered vain by
Jove. Easily recognizable amongst men is the power of Jove, as well
among those into whose hands he has delivered superior glory, as those
whom he deteriorates, and does not wish to defend. As now he diminishes
the might of the Greeks, and aids us. But fight in close array at the
ships, and whichever of you, wounded or stricken, s