They fell to close encounter.  Priam’s son 305
  The shield of Ajax at its centre smote,
  But fail’d to pierce it, for he bent his point. 
  Sprang Ajax then, and meeting full the targe
  Of Hector, shock’d him; through it and beyond
  He urged the weapon with its sliding edge 310
  Athwart his neck, and blood was seen to start. 
  But still, for no such cause, from battle ceased
  Crest-tossing Hector, but retiring, seized
  A huge stone angled sharp and black with age
  That on the champain lay.  The bull-hide guard 315
  Sevenfold of Ajax with that stone he smote
  Full on its centre; sang the circling brass. 
  Then Ajax far a heavier stone upheaved;
  He whirled it, and with might immeasurable
  Dismiss’d the mass, which with a mill-stone weight 320
  Sank through the shield of Hector, and his knees
  Disabled; with his shield supine he fell,
  But by Apollo raised, stood soon again. 
  And now, with swords they had each other hewn,
  Had not the messengers of Gods and men 325
  The heralds wise, Idaeus on the part
  Of Ilium, and Talthybius for the Greeks,
  Advancing interposed.  His sceptre each
  Between them held, and thus Idaeus spake.[10]
    My children, cease! prolong not still the fight. 330
  Ye both are dear to cloud-assembler Jove,
  Both valiant, and all know it.  But the Night
  Hath fallen, and Night’s command must be obeyed. 
    To him the son of Telamon replied. 
  Idaeus! bid thy master speak as thou. 335
  He is the challenger.  If such his choice,
  Mine differs not; I wait but to comply. 
    Him answer’d then heroic Hector huge. 
  Since, Ajax, the immortal powers on thee
  Have bulk pre-eminent and strength bestow’d, 340
  With such address in battle, that the host
  Of Greece hath not thine equal at the spear,
  Now let the combat cease.  We shall not want
  More fair occasion; on some future day
  We will not part till all-disposing heaven 345
  Shall give thee victory, or shall make her mine. 
  But Night hath fallen, and Night must be obey’d,
  That them may’st gratify with thy return
  The Achaians, and especially thy friends
  And thy own countrymen.  I go, no less 350
  To exhilarate in Priam’s royal town
  Men and robed matrons, who shall seek the Gods
  For me, with pious ceremonial due. 
  But come.  We will exchange, or ere we part,
  Some princely gift, that Greece and Troy may say 355
  Hereafter, with soul-wasting rage they fought,
  But parted with the gentleness of friends. 
    So saying, he with his sheath and belt a sword
  Presented bright-emboss’d, and a bright belt
  Purpureal[11] took from Ajax in return.