Trojans and Lycians, as well as the Myrmidons and Achaeans, they closed
to fight round the dead body, shouting dreadfully, and loudly rattled
the arms of men. But Jove stretched pernicious night over the violent
contest, that there might be a destructive toil of battle around his
dear son. The Trojans first drove back the rolling-eyed Greeks; for a
man was smitten, by no means the most inferior among the Myrmidons,
noble Epigeus, son of magnanimous Agacles, who formerly ruled in
well-inhabited Budium; but then having slain a noble kinsman, he came as
a suppliant to Peleus and silver-footed Thetis: they sent him to follow
with the rank-breaker Achilles, to steed-renowned Ilium, that he might
fight with the Trojans. Him then, while seizing the body, illustrious
Hector struck upon the head with a stone; and it was entirely split in
two in his strong helmet; and he fell prone upon the corpse, and
soul-destroying death was diffused around him. Then to Patroclus grief
arose, on account of his companion slain; and he rushed right through
the foremost warriors, like unto a swift hawk, which has put to flight
jackdaws or starlings; so, O equestrian Patroclus, didst thou rush right
against the Lycians and Trojans; for thou wert enraged in thine heart
for thy companion. And he struck Sthenelaus, the beloved son of
Ithaemeneus, on the neck with a stone, and broke his tendons: and the
foremost warriors and illustrious Hector gave back. And as far as is
the cast of a long javelin, which a man may have sent forth striving
either in the game, or even in war, on account of life-destroying
enemies; so far did the Trojans retire, and the Greeks repelled them.
But Glaucus, the leader of the shield-bearing Lycians, first turned, and
slew magnanimous Bathycles, the beloved son of Chalcon, who, inhabiting
dwellings in Hellas, was conspicuous among the Myrmidons for his riches
and wealth. Him then Glaucus, turning suddenly round, wounded in the
middle of the breast with his spear, when, pursuing, he had overtaken
him. But he made a crash as he fell; and deep grief possessed the
Greeks, because a brave warrior had thus fallen; but the Trojans greatly
rejoiced, and, advancing in crowds, stood round him; nor were the Greeks
forgetful of valour, but they directed their strength straight against
them. Then again Meriones slew a hero of the Trojans, the warrior
Laogonus, the gallant son of Onetor, who was the priest of Idaean Jove,
and was honoured