The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-22

wedged in firm array, charged on the Tro-
jams; while the fiery Ajax, raging over
the field, sent with each blow some Tro-
Jan to the realm of shades. The godlike
Diomed performed wonders in the bat
tie, and seeking out Pandarus, the break
er of the truce, and the wounder of Men
claus, killed him in spite of the fact
that Aeneas, that pious son of Priam,
came to his assistance. Aeneas himself
was wounded and carried back to be
healed within the walls Of Troy. The
Trojans began to give way, but Hector
rallied them and as they were making
another stand Aeneas; having had his
wounds dressed, came back to the field
Of battle
But the Grecians prevailed and there
came a lul in the battle, during which
Helenus, the chief augur of Troy, COM
manded Hector to go to the city and ap-
point solemn procession of the queen
and the Trojan matrons to the temple of
Minerva. there to pray for victory for the
power of Ilium. During the absence of
Hector both armies. exhausted by the ter
rible fighting of the day, rested for
while upon their arms, and between the
lines CHANGED to meet Glaucus, the brave
Lycian prince who fought on the side of
Troy, and Diomed of the laundering
horses and the rushing chariots.
Their fathers had been friends and had
exchanged hospitalities-the name and
fame of each were known to the other
and In their households the long friend
ships between their respective families
were something held as sacred. So, clasp
| Ing hands and plghting their faith, they
exchanged arms, Diomed saying that
when the battle was renewed they would
avoid combat with each other, as enough
of Trojan blood would be spilled by his
lance and enough of Grecian by that of
Glaucus without their trying to end in the
death of each other the long alliance be-
tween their families. Meantime Hector,
within the walls of Troy having arranged
! for the procession to the temple of
Minerva, seeks out Paris, idly dallying
in the bower of Helen, and with re-
proaches, threats and commands at last
succeeds in arousing the languorous valor
of the beautiful and luxurious prince.
Helen the while laments the day that
gave her birth, and admits herself guilty
of all the wars and woes which had fallen
upon Ilium. Then, hurrying to his wife,
the virtuous Andromache. Hector laments
to her the dark fate he sees lowering
over Troy, and, as in a vision, beholds
the wife he loves led captive in the train
Of some victorious prince of Greece,
while he, her husband. wrapped In ever
lasting sleep, can neither hear her cries
nor see her tears. Thus with tender
farewell he joins Paris and the two re-
turn to the Trojan ranks.
With the return of Hector to the field
the battle was Joined again with renewed
fury. Paris. to make amend for his for
mer detection. performed prodigies Of
valor. But Hector suddenly called off
the rank of Troy and demanded parley.
Then, while Agamemnon restrained the
Grecian bands and all over the dusty
plains the thronging troops stood with
bristling spears and cleaning shields OBJ
scuring the earth, Hector defied the bold
est of the Greeks to decide the fight by
single combat. Nine Grecian princes at
once and eagerly accepted the challenge.
Lots were cast to see who should be the
champion of Hellas, and the choice fell
upon Ajax.
Ajax grit his shining armor on and.
clad in bright steel, moved with majestic
pace to the fight. Hector, raising high
his mighty lance, hurled 1t straight at the
seyenfold shield of Ajax. Through six
folds of tough bullhide 1t pierced, but
could not penetrate the seventh. hanging
caught there by the head. Then Ajax
threw his javelin. n went through Hec-
| tors shield, pierced his corselet and tore
his garments. but, glancine downward,
inflicted no wound Now the two heroes
with fresh iances stiowered their missiles