have
filled the trenches with their bodies, if king Agamemnon had known
mildness to me: but now they are fighting around the army. For the spear
does not rage in the hands of Diomede, the son of Tydeus, to avert
destruction from the Greeks: nor do I at all hear the voice of Agamemnon
shouting from his odious head; but [the voice] of man-slaughtering
Hector, animating the Trojans, resounds: whilst they with a shout
possess the whole plain, conquering the Greeks in battle. Yet even thus,
Patroclus, do thou fall on them bravely, warding off destruction from
the ships; nor let them consume the vessels with blazing fire, and cut
off thy own return. But obey, as I shall lay the sum of my advice in thy
mind, in order that thou mayest obtain for me great honour and glory
from all the Greeks; and they may send back to me the beautiful maid,
and afford [me] besides rich presents. Having repulsed the enemy from
the ships, return back: and if, indeed, the loud-thundering husband of
Juno permit thee to obtain glory, do not be desirous of fighting with
the warlike Trojans apart from me; for thou wouldst render me more
dishonoured; nor, exulting in the battle and havoc, lead on as far as
Ilium, slaughtering the Trojans, lest some of the immortal gods come
down from Olympus [against thee]; for far-darting Apollo greatly loves
them. But return after thou hast given safety to the ships, and allow
the others to contend through the plain. For would that, O father Jove,
Minerva, and Apollo, not one of the Trojans, as many as there are, may
escape death, nor any of the Greeks: whilst to us two it [may be
granted] to avoid destruction, that we alone might overthrow the sacred
bulwarks of Troy."

[Footnote 512: _I.e._ "Let bygones be bygones."--Dublin Ed.]

Thus they indeed discussed these matters with each other. But Ajax no
longer remained firm,[513] for he was pressed hard with weapons; because
the counsel of Jove overpowered him, and the fierce Trojans hurling. And
a dreadful clang did his glittering helmet round his temples emit, being
struck, and he was constantly smitten upon the well-made studs of his
casque. He was fatigued in the left shoulder, by always firmly holding
his moveable shield; nor could they, pressing him all around with their
weapons, drive him [from his place]. Unceasingly afflicted was he with
severe panting, and everywhere from his limbs poured copious
perspiration, nor was he able to respire; for everywhere evi