friend,
  Rush’d through the foremost warriors.  As the hawk
  Swift-wing’d before him starlings drives or daws,
  So thou, Patroclus, of equestrian fame! 
  Full on the Lycian ranks and Trojan drov’st, 710
  Resentful of thy fellow-warrior’s fall. 
  At Sthenelaues a huge stone he cast,
  Son of Ithaemenes, whom on the neck
  He smote and burst the tendons; then the van
  Of Ilium’s host, with Hector, all retired. 715
  Far as the slender javelin cuts the air
  Hurl’d with collected force, or in the games,
  Or even in battle at a desperate foe,
  So far the Greeks repulsed the host of Troy. 
  Then Glaucus first, Chief of the shielded bands 720
  Of Lycia, slew Bathycles, valiant son
  Of Calchon; Hellas was his home, and far
  He pass’d in riches all the Myrmidons. 
  Him chasing Glaucus whom he now attain’d,
  The Lycian, turning sudden, with his lance 725
  Pierced through the breast, and, sounding, down he fell
  Grief fill’d Achaia’s sons for such a Chief
  So slain, but joy the Trojans; thick they throng’d
  The conqueror around, nor yet the Greeks
  Forgat their force, but resolute advanced. 730
  Then, by Meriones a Trojan died
  Of noble rank, Laogonus, the son
  Undaunted of Onetor great in Troy,
  Priest of Idaean Jove.  The ear and jaw
  Between, he pierced him with a mortal force; 735
  Swift flew the life, and darkness veil’d his eyes. 
  AEneas, in return, his brazen spear
  Hurl’d at Meriones with ardent hope
  To pierce him, while, with nimble[18] steps and short
  Behind his buckler made, he paced the field; 740
  But, warn’d of its approach, Meriones
  Bow’d low his head, shunning it, and the spear
  Behind him pierced the soil; there quivering stood
  The weapon, vain, though from a vigorous arm,
  Till spent by slow degrees its fury slept. 745
         * * * * *
         * * * * [19]
  Indignant then AEneas thus exclaim’d. 
    Meriones!  I sent thee such a spear
  As reaching thee, should have for ever marr’d 750
  Thy step, accomplish’d dancer as thou art. 
    To whom Meriones spear-famed replied. 
  AEneas! thou wilt find the labor hard
  How great soe’er thy might, to quell the force
  Of all opposers.  Thou art also doom’d 755
  Thyself to die; and may but spear of mine
  Well-aim’d once strike thee full, what strength soe’er
  Or magnanimity be thine to boast,
  Thy glory in that moment thou resign’st
  To me, thy soul to Pluto steed-renown’d. 760
    He said, but him Patroclus sharp reproved. 
  Why speaks Meriones, although in fight