Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
Menelaus drink at the public cost, and give orders each to his own
people as Jove vouchsafes him power and glory, the fight is so
thick about me that I cannot distinguish you severally; come on,
therefore, every man unbidden, and think it shame that Patroclus
should become meat and morsel for Trojan hounds.”
Fleet Ajax son of Oileus heard him and was first to force his way
through the fight and run to help him. Next came Idomeneus and
Meriones his esquire, peer of murderous Mars. As for the others
that came into the fight after these, who of his own self could name
them?
The Trojans with Hector at their head charged in a body. As a great
wave that comes thundering in at the mouth of some heaven-born
river, and the rocks that jut into the sea ring with the roar of the
breakers that beat and buffet them- even with such a roar did the
Trojans come on; but the Achaeans in singleness of heart stood firm
about the son of Menoetius, and fenced him with their bronze
shields. Jove, moreover, hid the brightness of their helmets in a
thick cloud, for he had borne no grudge against the son of
Menoetius while he was still alive and squire to the descendant of
Aeacus; therefore he was loth to let him fall a prey to the dogs of
his foes the Trojans, and urged his comrades on to defend him.
At first the Trojans drove the Achaeans back, and they withdrew
from the dead man daunted. The Trojans did not succeed in killing
any one, nevertheless they drew the body away. But the Achaeans
did not lose it long, for Ajax, foremost of all the Danaans after the
son of Peleus alike in stature and prowess, quickly rallied them
and made towards the front like a wild boar upon the mountains
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