d, willing to fight
with the Greeks. But not yet could he [do so], for [those] standing
around Patroclus were fenced in on every side with shields, and held
their spears before them; for Ajax went eagerly among all, greatly
cheering them on. He suffered not any one either to retire from the
body, nor any of the Greeks to fight in front, excelling the others, but
vigorously to stalk around for defence, and to combat in close fight.
Thus did mighty Ajax command; but the earth was moistened with purple
gore, whilst upon each other fell the dead bodies of the Trojans and
courageous allies, and of the Greeks; for neither did they fight
bloodlessly, although far fewer perished, because they were ever mindful
throughout the tumult to repel severe labour from each other.

Thus indeed they fought, like a fire; nor would you say that the Sun was
safe, or the Moon, for they were wrapt in dark haze in the combat, as
many of the bravest as stood around the dead son of Menoetius. The other
Trojans and well-armed Greeks, however, fought at ease[557] beneath the
atmosphere; the piercing splendour of the sun was expanded over them,
and a cloud did not appear over all the earth, nor the mountains.
Resting at intervals, they fought, avoiding the cruel weapons of each
other, standing far asunder; whilst those in the middle suffered
hardships from darkness and from war, and were afflicted by the ruthless
brass, as many as were most brave. But two heroes, illustrious men,
Thrasymedes and Antilochus, had not yet heard that blameless Patroclus
was dead; but thought that, still alive, he was fighting with the
Trojans in the foremost tumult. But these, watching the slaughter and
flight of their companions, fought apart, since Nestor had so ordered,
urging [them] on to battle from the black ships. But to these all day a
mighty contest of severe strife arose, and ever incessantly the knees,
the legs, and the feet of each under him, the hands and the eyes of
those fighting around the brave companion of swift-footed AEacides, were
defiled with fatigue and perspiration. And as when a man gives the hide
of a huge ox, saturated with grease, to his people to stretch, but they,
having received, stretch it, standing apart from each other in a circle,
and straightway the moisture exudes, and the oily matter enters, many
pulling it, till it is stretched in every direction; so they, on both
sides, dragged the body here and there in a small space; for the mind