l was heaped
upon evil.

[Footnote 513: Compare the splendid description in Ennius apud
Macrob. Sat. vi. 3:--

Undique conveniunt, vel imber, tela Tribuno.
Configunt parmam, tinnit hastilibus umbo,
AEratae sonitant galeae: sed nec pote quisquam
Undique nitendo corpus discerpere ferro.
Semper abundanteis hastas frangitque, quatitque,
Totum sudor habet corpus, multumque laborat:
Nec respirandi fit copia praepete ferro.

Cf. Virg. AEn. ix. 806, sqq.; Stat. Theb. ii. 668, sqq.]

Declare now to me, ye Muses, possessing Olympic habitations, how first
the fire fell upon the ships of the Greeks!

Hector, standing near, struck the ashen spear of Ajax with his great
sword, at the socket of the blade behind, and cut it quite off;
Telamonian Ajax indeed vainly brandished the mutilated spear in his
hand; but the brazen blade rang, falling upon the earth at a distance
from him. Then Ajax knew in his blameless soul, and shuddered at the
deeds of the gods; because the lofty thundering Jove cut off his plans
of war, and willed the victory to the Trojans. Wherefore he retired out
of the reach of the weapons, and they hurled the indefatigable fire at
the swift ships, the inextinguishable flame of which was immediately
diffused around. Thus indeed the flame surrounded the stern; but
Achilles, smiting his thighs, addressed Patroclus:

"Haste, O most noble steed-directing Patroclus (I perceive, indeed, the
fury of the hostile fire at the ships), lest they now take the vessels,
and there be not an opportunity of flying; put on thy armour very
quickly, and I shall assemble the forces."

Thus he spoke; but Patroclus armed himself in glittering brass. First,
indeed, he put the beautiful greaves around his legs, fitted with
clasps; next he placed the corslet of the swift-footed descendant of
AEacus upon his breast, variegated, and studded with stars; and suspended
from his shoulders his silver-studded sword, brazen, and then the great
and sturdy shield. But upon his gallant head he placed the well-made
helmet, crested with horse-hair; and dreadfully the plume nodded from
above. He took besides two strong spears, which well fitted his hands;
but the spear alone of blameless AEacides, ponderous, large, and strong,
he did not take; which, indeed, no other of the Greeks could brandish,
but Achilles alone knew how to wield it; a Pelian ash which Chiron had
given to his s