mark’d 140
  Encouraging aloud his band, whose hearts
  With terrors irresistible himself
  Phoebus had fill’d.  He ran, and at his side
  Standing, incontinent him thus bespake. 
    My gallant Ajax, haste—­come quickly—­strive 145
  With me to rescue for Achilles’ sake
  His friend, though bare, for Hector hath his arms. 
    He said, and by his words the noble mind
  Of Ajax roused; issuing through the van
  He went, and Menelaus at his side. 150
  Hector the body of Patroclus dragg’d,
  Stript of his arms, with falchion keen erelong
  Purposing to strike off his head, and cast
  His trunk, drawn distant, to the dogs of Troy. 
  But Ajax, with broad shield tower-like, approach’d. 155
  Then Hector, to his bands retreating, sprang
  Into his chariot, and to others gave
  The splendid arms in charge, who into Troy
  Should bear the destined trophy of his praise,
  But Ajax with his broad shield guarding stood 160
  Slain Menoetiades, as for his whelps
  The lion stands; him through some forest drear
  Leading his little ones, the hunters meet;
  Fire glimmers in his looks, and down he draws
  His whole brow into frowns, covering his eyes; 165
  So, guarding slain Patroclus, Ajax lour’d. 
  On the other side, with tender grief oppress’d
  Unspeakable, brave Menelaus stood. 
  But Glaucus, leader of the Lycian band,
  Son of Hippolochus, in bitter terms 170
  Indignant, reprimanded Hector thus,
    Ah, Hector, Chieftain of excelling form,
  But all unfurnish’d with a warrior’s heart! 
  Unwarranted I deem thy great renown
  Who art to flight addicted.  Think, henceforth, 175
  How ye shall save city and citadel
  Thou and thy people born in Troy, alone. 
  No Lycian shall, at least, in your defence
  Fight with the Grecians, for our ceaseless toil
  In arms, hath ever been a thankless task. 180
  Inglorious Chief! how wilt thou save a worse
  From warring crowds, who hast Sarpedon left
  Thy guest, thy friend, to be a spoil, a prey
  To yonder Argives?  While he lived he much
  Thee and thy city profited, whom dead 185
  Thou fear’st to rescue even from the dogs. 
  Now, therefore, may but my advice prevail,
  Back to your country, Lycians! so, at once,
  Shall remediless ruin fall on Troy. 
  For had the Trojans now a daring heart 190
  Intrepid, such as in the breast resides
  Of laborers in their country’s dear behalf,
  We soon should drag Patroclus into Troy;
  And were his body, from the battle drawn,
  In Priam’s royal city once secured, 195
  As soon, the Argives would in ransom give