y, retreated from the foremost vessels,
and remained there at their tents in close array, and were not dispersed
through the camp, for shame and fear restrained them, and they
unceasingly exhorted one another with shouting. More particularly did
Gerenian Nestor, the guardian of the Greeks, adjure them by their
parents, earnestly supplicating each man:

"O my friends, be men, and place a sense of reverence[502] of other men
in your minds. Call to memory, each of you, your children, wives,
property, and parents, as well he to whom they survive as he to whom
they are dead; for by those not present I here supplicate you to stand
bravely, nor be ye turned to flight." So saying, he aroused the might
and spirit of each. But for them Minerva removed the heaven-sent cloud
of darkness from their eyes; and abundant light arose to them on both
sides, both towards the ships and towards the equally destructive
battle. Then they observed Hector, brave in the din of battle, and his
companions, as well whatever of them stood behind and did not fight as
those who fought the battle at the swift ships. Nor was it longer
pleasing to the mind of great-hearted Ajax to stand there where the
other sons of the Greeks stood together; but he went about upon the
decks of the vessels, taking long strides, and wielding in his hands a
great sea-fighting pole, studded with iron nails, twenty-two cubits
long. And as when a man well skilled in vaulting upon steeds, who, after
he has selected four horses out of a greater number, driving them from
the plain, urges them towards a mighty city, along the public way; and
him many men and women behold with admiration; but he, always leaping up
firmly and safely, changes alternately from one to the other,[503]
whilst they are flying along: so went Ajax along many decks of swift
ships, shouting loudly, and his voice reached to the sky; and, always
terribly shouting, he ordered the Greeks to defend their ships and
tents. Nor, indeed, did Hector remain among the crowd of well-corsleted
Trojans; but as the tawny eagle pounces upon a flock of winged birds,
feeding on a river's bank, either geese or cranes, or long-necked swans,
so did Hector direct his course towards an azure-prowed vessel, rushing
against it; but Jove, with a very mighty hand, impelled him from behind,
and animated his forces along with him. Again was a sharp contest waged
at the ships. You would have said that unwearied and indefatigable they
met e