Hector tore his way through and flung himself into the thick of the fight, and his presence threw the Danaans into confusion, for his spear was not long idle; nevertheless though he went among the ranks with sword and spear, and throwing great stones, he avoided Ajax son of Telamon, for Jove would have been angry with him if he had fought a better man than himself.
Then father Jove from his high throne struck fear into the heart of Ajax, so that he stood there dazed and threw his shield behind him--looking fearfully at the throng of his foes as though he were some wild beast, and turning hither and thither but crouching slowly backwards.

As peasants with their hounds chase a lion from their stockyard, and watch by night to prevent his carrying off the pick of their herd--he makes his greedy spring, but in vain, for the darts from many a strong hand fall thick around him, with burning brands that scare him for all his fury, and when morning comes he slinks foiled and angry away--even so did Ajax, sorely against his will, retreat angrily before the Trojans, fearing for the ships of the Achaeans.

Or as some lazy ass that has had many a cudgel broken about his back, when he into a field begins eating the corn--boys beat him but he is too many for them, and though they lay about with their sticks they cannot hurt him; still when he has had his fill they at last drive him from the field--even so did the Trojans and their allies pursue great Ajax, ever smiting the middle of his shield with their darts.

Now and again he would turn and show fight, keeping back the battalions of the Trojans, and then he would again retreat; but he prevented any of them from making his way to the ships.

Single-handed he stood midway between the Trojans and Achaeans: the spears that sped from their hands stuck some of them in his mighty shield, while many, though thirsting for his blood, fell to the ground ere they could reach him to the wounding of his fair flesh.
Now when Eurypylus the brave son of Euaemon saw that Ajax was being overpowered by the rain of arrows, he went up to him and hurled his spear.