, he was not able to take off from his
shoulders any other beautiful armour, for he was pressed upon with
weapons. He also dreaded the stout defence of haughty Trojans,[223] who,
both numerous and doughty, stood around, stretching forth their spears,
and who drove him away from them, although being mighty, and valiant,
and renowned. But he, retiring, was repelled by force.

[Footnote 223: Cf. Lex. Seg. 6, p. 336. Bekk.: [Greek: agerochos
semnos, yperopies, yrasus]. On the different and doubtful
etymologies of this word, see Alberti on Hesych. t. i. p, 44, and
Buttm. Lexil. p. 19, sq.]

Thus they, on the one hand, toiled through the violent conflict. But
violent fate urged on Tlepolemus, the brave and great son of Hercules,
against godlike Sarpedon. But when they, the son and grandson of
cloud-collecting Jove, were now rushing against one another, Tlepolemus
first addressed him [Sarpedon]:

"Sarpedon, chief of the Lycians, what necessity is there for thee, being
a man unskilled in war, to tremble here? Falsely do they say that thou
art the offspring of aegis-bearing Jove, since thou art far inferior to
those heroes, who were of Jove, in the time of ancient men. But what
sort do they say that Hercules was, my bold-minded, lion-hearted father?
who formerly coming hither, on account of the steeds of Laomedon, with
six ships only, and with a few men, laid waste the city of Ilium, and
widowed its streets. But thou hast an ignoble mind, and thy forces are
perishing away; nor do I think that thou wilt be an assistance to the
Trojans, having come from Lycia, not even if thou be exceedingly
valiant; but that, slain by me, thou wilt pass through the gates of
Hades."

But him Sarpedon, leader of the Lycians, in return accosted:
"Tlepolemus, he indeed overturned sacred Ilium, through the folly of the
hero, famous Laomedon, who reproved with harsh language him who had
deserved well, nor did he give back the steeds, on account of which he
came from afar. But I tell thee that here slaughter and gloomy death
will befall thee at my hands; and that, subdued by my spear, thou wilt
give glory to me, and a spirit to steed-famed[224] Pluto."

[Footnote 224: An epithet probably derived from the steeds
("inferni raptoris equos," Claudian, de R. P. i. 1) employed in
the abduction of Proserpine.]

Thus spoke Sarpedon: but Tlepolemus raised his ashen spear, and from
their hands, at the same moment, flew the long spears.