The Iliad 12.251–265

first in the earth as buttresses for the wall. These they sought to drag out, and hoped to break the wall of the Achaeans. Howbeit not even now did the Danaans give ground from the path, but closed up the battlements with bull's-hides, and therefrom cast at the foemen, as they came up against the wall. And the two Aiantes ranged everywhere along the walls urging men on, and arousing the might of the Achaeans. One man with gentle words, another with harsh would they chide, whomsoever they saw giving ground utterly from the fight: Friends, whoso is pre-eminent among the Danaans, whoso holds a middle place,or whoso is lesser, for in nowise are all men equal in war, now is there a work for all, and this, I ween, ye know even of yourselves. Let no man turn him back to the ships now that he has heard one that cheers him on;565.1 nay, press ye forward, and urge ye one the other,in hope that Olympian Zeus, lord of the lightning, may grant us to thrust back the assault and drive our foes to the city.