straightway in front of their faces they raised their heavy hands and
matched their might in deadly strife. Hereupon the Bebrycian king--even
as a fierce wave of the sea rises in a crest against a swift ship, but
she by the skill of the crafty pilot just escapes the shock when the
billow is eager to break over the bulwark--so he followed up the son of
Tyndareus, trying to daunt him, and gave him no respite. But the hero,
ever unwounded, by his skill baffled the rush of his foe, and he quickly
noted the brutal play of his fists to see where he was invincible in
strength, and where inferior, and stood unceasingly and returned blow
for blow. And as when shipwrights with their hammers smite ships'
timbers to meet the sharp clamps, fixing layer upon layer; and the blows
resound one after another; so cheeks and jaws crashed on both sides, and
a huge clattering of teeth arose, nor did they cease ever from striking
their blows until laboured gasping overcame both. And standing a little
apart they wiped from their foreheads sweat in abundance, wearily
panting for breath. Then back they rushed together again, as two bulls
fight in furious rivalry for a grazing heifer. Next Amycus rising on
tiptoe, like one who slays an ox, sprung to his full height and swung
his heavy hand down upon his rival; but the hero swerved aside from the
rush, turning his head, and just received the arm on his shoulder; and
coming near and slipping his knee past the king's, with a rush he struck
him above the ear, and broke the bones inside, and the king in agony
fell upon his knees; and the Minyan heroes shouted for joy; and his life
was poured forth all at once.

Nor were the Bebrycians reckless of their king; but all together took up
rough clubs and spears and rushed straight on Polydeuces. But in front
of him stood his comrades, their keen swords drawn from the sheath.
First Castor struck upon the head a man as he rushed at him: and it was
cleft in twain and fell on each side upon his shoulders. And Polydeuces