Demoleon next, Antenor’s son, a brave
Defender of the walls of Troy, he slew. 485
Into his temples through his brazen casque
He thrust the Pelian ash, nor could the brass
Such force resist, but the huge weapon drove
The shatter’d bone into his inmost brain,
And his fierce onset at a stroke repress’d. 490
Hippodamas his weapon next received
Within his spine, while with a leap he left
His steeds and fled.  He, panting forth his life,
Moan’d like a bull, by consecrated youths
Dragg’d round the Heliconian King,[10] who views 495
That victim with delight.  So, with loud moans
The noble warrior sigh’d his soul away. 
Then, spear in hand, against the godlike son
Of Priam, Polydorus, he advanced. 
Not yet his father had to him indulged 500
A warrior’s place, for that of all his sons
He was the youngest-born, his hoary sire’s
Chief darling, and in speed surpass’d them all. 
Then also, in the vanity of youth,
For show of nimbleness, he started oft 505
Into the vanward, till at last he fell. 
Him gliding swiftly by, swifter than he
Achilles with a javelin reach’d; he struck
His belt behind him, where the golden clasps
Met, and the double hauberk interposed. 510
The point transpierced his bowels, and sprang through
His navel; screaming, on his knees he fell,
Death-shadows dimm’d his eyes, and with both hands,
Stooping, he press’d his gather’d bowels back. 
But noble Hector, soon as he beheld 515
His brother Polydorus to the earth
Inclined, and with his bowels in his hands,
Sightless well-nigh with anguish could endure
No longer to remain aloof; flame-like
He burst abroad,[11] and shaking his sharp spear, 520
Advanced to meet Achilles, whose approach
Seeing, Achilles bounded with delight,
And thus, exulting, to himself he said. 

    Ah! he approaches, who hath stung my soul

Deepest, the slayer of whom most I loved! 525
Behold, we meet!  Caution is at an end,
And timid skulking in the walks of war. 

    He ceased, and with a brow knit into frowns,

Call’d to illustrious Hector.  Haste, approach,
That I may quick dispatch thee to the shades. 530

    Whom answer’d warlike Hector, nought appall’d. 

Pelides! hope not, as I were a boy,
With words to scare me.  I have also taunts
At my command, and can be sharp as thou. 
I know thee valiant, and myself I know 535
Inferior far; yet, whether thou shalt slay
Me, or, inferior as I am, be slain
By me, is at the pleasure of the Gods,
For I wield also not a pointless beam. 

    He said, and, brandishing it, hurl’d his spear, 540