of King Priam.  Like fire falling upon a wood and burning up the underwood went King Agamemnon through the Trojan ranks, and when he passed many strong-necked horses rattled empty chariots, leaving on the earth the slain warriors that had been in them.  And through the press of men and up to the high walls of Troy did Agamemnon go, slaying Trojan warriors with his spear.  Hector did not go nigh him, for the gods had warned Hector not to lead any onslaught until Agamemnon had turned back from battle.’

’But a Trojan warrior smote King Agamemnon on the mid-arm, below the elbow, and the point of his spear went clean through.  Still he went through the ranks of the Trojans, slaying with spear and sword.  And then the blood dried upon his wound and a sharp pain came upon him and he cried out, “O friends and captains!  It is not possible for me to war for ever against the Trojans, but do you fight on to keep the battle from our ships.”  His charioteer turned his horses, and they, all covered with foam and grimed with dust, dashed back across the plain bearing the wounded King from that day’s battle.’

’Then Hector sprang to the onslaught.  Leaping into his chariot he led the Trojans on.  Nine captains of the Greeks he slew in the first onset.  Now their ranks would have been broken, and the Greeks would have fled back to their ships if Odysseus had not been on that wing of the battle with Diomedes, the great horseman.  Odysseus cried out, “Come hither, Diomedes, or verily Hector will sweep us across the plain and bring the battle down to our ships."’

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’Then these two forced themselves through the press of battle and held back the onset of Hector till the Greeks had their chance to rally.  Hector spied them and swept in his chariot towards them.  Diomedes lifted his great spear and flung it full at Hector.  The bronze of the spear struck the bronze of his helmet, and bronze by bronze was turned.  The blow told upon Hector.  But he, springing from his chariot, stayed amongst the press of warriors, resting himself on his hands and knees.  Darkness was before his eyes for a while, but he got breath again, and leaping back into his chariot drove away from that dangerous place.’

’Then Diomedes himself received a bitterer wound, for Paris, sheltering himself behind a pillar on the plain, let fly an arrow at him.  It went clean through his right foot.  Odysseus put his shield before his friend and comrade, and Diomedes was able to draw the arrow from his flesh.  But Diomedes was fain to get back into his chariot and to command his charioteer to drive from the battle.’

’Now Odysseus was the only one of the captains who stayed on that side of the battle, and the ranks of the Trojans came on and hemmed him round.  One warrior struck at the centre of his shield and through the shield the strong Trojan spear passed and wounded the flesh of Odysseus.  He slew the warrior who had wounded him and he drew the spear from his flesh, but he had to give ground.  But loudly as any man ever cried, Odysseus cried out to the other captains.  And strong Aias heard him and drew near, bearing his famous shield that was like a tower.  The Trojan warriors that were round him drew back at the coming of Aias and Odysseus went from the press of battle, and mounting his chariot drove away.’