Yea, even when champions in strife be contending, + 

Till the end in uncertainty + 

Her face Queen Fortune veileth; + 

For triumph now giveth she + 

And anon defeat; but at whiles in the ending + 

The craft of the weaker prevaileth + 

To cast to the earth the stronger. Ye know of the prowess of Aias the blood-stained fame, + 

How, when the night was now far spent, + 

He cast himself on his own sword, thereby bringing reproach and abiding shame + 

On the sons of Hellenes that Troy ward went. + 