like a god by the people. He smote him under the jaw
and ear, and his soul immediately departed from his limbs, and dreadful
darkness overshadowed him.[537] But AEneas hurled a brazen spear at
Meriones, for he hoped to hit him, advancing under protection of his
shield. He, however, observing it in front, avoided the brazen spear;
for he stooped forward, and the long javelin was fixed in the ground
behind him, and the nether point[538] of the spear was shaken; then the
rapid weapon spent its force. Thus the javelin of AEneas, quivering
entered the earth, for it had fled in vain from his strong hand. Then
AEneas was enraged in his mind, and said:

"Meriones, quickly indeed, although being a dancer,[539] would my spear
have made thee cease for ever, if I had struck thee."

[Footnote 537: It has been well observed that Homer never
describes a wound as mortal, except when it is inflicted in a
part really vital.]

[Footnote 538: The [Greek: ouriachos] was the same as the [Greek:
sauroter]. See Glossae Herodoteae, and Hesych. p. 820.]

[Footnote 539: A probable allusion to the Pyrrhic dance, which
was in use among the Cretans, from whose country Meriones had
come. See the Scholiast, and Mueller, Dorians, vol. ii, p. 349.]

But him then in turn spear-renowned Meriones answered: "AEneas, it were
difficult for thee, although being brave, to extinguish the valour of
all men, whosoever may come against thee about to repulse thee; for thou
too art mortal. And if I, taking aim, should strike thee in the middle
with my sharp spear, although being brave, and confiding in thy might,
thou wouldst give glory to me, but thy soul to steed-famed Pluto."

Thus he spoke; but him the brave son of Menoetius rebuked: "Meriones, why
dost thou, although being brave, harangue thus? O, my friend, the
Trojans will not retire from the corse by opprobrious words: first will
the earth possess some of them; for the emergency of battle is placed in
the hands, but of counsel in words; wherefore it is by no means
necessary to multiply words, but to fight."

So saying, he on his part led the way, and along with him the godlike
hero followed. And as the crash of woodcutting men arises in the dells
of a mountain, and the sound is heard from afar; so the noise of these,
smitten with swords and two-edged spears, arose from the wide-extended
plain, from brass, from leather, and from well-prepared bull's-hide
shields. Nor would a man,