tion from the body of his son. But Meges with his sharp spear
smote the base of the highest cone of his brazen horse-haired helmet,
and struck off his horse-haired crest; and the whole fell on the ground
in the dust, lately shining with purple. Whilst the one (Meges) standing
firm, fought with the other (Dolops), and still expected victory;
meanwhile, warlike Menelaus came as an assistant to him (Meges), and
stood at his side with his spear, escaping notice, and wounded him from
behind in the shoulder; but the spear, driven with violence, passed
through his breast, proceeding farther; and he fell on his face. Both
then rushed on, about to tear the brazen armour from his shoulders; but
Hector strenuously exhorted all his relations, and rebuked the gallant
Melanippus first, the son of Hicetaon. He till then had fed his
curved-footed oxen at Percote, the enemy being yet at a distance; but
when the equally-plied barks of the Greeks had arrived, he came back to
Troy, and was distinguished amongst the Trojans; and he dwelt near
Priam, and he honoured him equally with his sons. But Hector rebuked
him; and spoke and addressed him:

"Shall we be thus remiss, O Melanippus? Is not thy heart moved, thy
kinsman being slain? Dost thou not perceive how busy they are about the
arms of Dolops? But follow; for it is no longer justifiable to fight at
a distance with the Greeks, before that either we slay them, or that
they tear lofty Ilium from its summit, and slay its citizens." So
saying, he led on, and the godlike hero followed with him. But mighty
Telamonian Ajax aroused the Greeks.

"O my friends, be men, and set honour[498] in your hearts, and have
reverence for each other during the vehement conflicts. For more of
those men who reverence [each other] are saved than slain; but of the
fugitives, neither glory arises, nor any defence."

[Footnote 498: Cf. v. 530, xiii. 121, with the notes.]

Thus he spoke, but they too were eager to repel [the enemy]. And they
fixed his advice in their mind, and enclosed the ships with a brazen
fence; but Jove urged on the Trojans. And Menelaus, brave in the din of
battle, incited Antilochus:

"O Antilochus, no other of the Greeks is younger than thou, nor swifter
of foot, nor strong, as thou [art], to fight. Would[499] that, attacking
some hero of the Trojans, thou couldst wound him."

[Footnote 499: [Greek: Ei] is put for [Greek: eithe].]

So saying, he on his part withdrew again, and h