r and by the spears
Of many a noble Trojan; hideous rang 125
His batter'd helmet bright, stroke after stroke
Sustaining on all sides, and his left arm
That had so long shifted from side to side
His restless shield, now fail'd; yet could not all
Displace him with united force, or move. 130
Quick pantings heaved his chest, copious the sweat
Trickled from all his limbs, nor found he time,
However short, to breathe again, so close
Evil on evil heap'd hemm'd him around.
Olympian Muses! now declare, how first 135
The fire was kindled in Achaia's fleet?
Hector the ashen lance of Ajax smote
With his broad falchion, at the nether end,
And lopp'd it sheer. The Telamonian Chief
His mutilated beam brandish'd in vain, 140
And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote.
Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived,
Shuddering with awe, the interposing power
Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms
Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain'd to mar 145
And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks.
He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark;
Through all her length the conflagration ran
Incontinent, and wrapp'd her stern in flames.
Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said, 150
Patroclus, noble charioteer, arise!
I see the rapid run of hostile fires
Already in the fleet--lest all be lost,
And our return impossible, arm, arm
This moment; I will call, myself, the band. 155
Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms.
Around his legs his polish'd greaves he clasp'd,
With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich
Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift
AEacides; he slung his brazen sword 160
With silver bright emboss'd, and his broad shield
Ponderous; on his noble head his casque
He settled elegant, whose lofty crest
Waved dreadful o'er his brows, and last he seized
Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears. 165
Of all Achilles' arms his spear alone
He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length
Enormous, none, AEacides except,
In all Achaia's host had power to wield.
It was that Pelian ash which from the top 170
Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death
Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given.
He bade Automedon