HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVIII: THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVIII: THE SHIELD OF ACHILLES. 

Introduction:

This book, which is especially memorable for its graphic description of the designs, which Hephaestus, the god of blacksmiths and carpenters, makes on the shield which he designs for Achilles at the request of his mother Thetis, is also significant because it sees the end of the long third day of fighting, which begins as far back as Book XI - see l. 242 - after Nestor's son, Antiochus has brought the sad news of Patroclus' death to Achilles, and Thetis has come from the sea to try to console Achilles. When night falls the Trojans meet in assembly (see ll. 242-314), and one of their leaders, Polydamas, wisely counsels that they should return to the safety of their city, but Priam's son Hector strongly disagrees and insists that they continue the fight to try to capture the Achaean ships, and his view prevails. Meanwhile, Achilles promises to avenge Patroclus by killing Hector, even though he knows this will bring about his own early death (ll. 314-367). During the night Thetis goes to Olympus and persuades Hephaestus to make a new suit of armour and shield for Achilles, as Hector has carried off the armour that he lent to Patroclus, and is wearing it himself (see ll. 368-461). The rest of the book is largely taken up with a lengthy and detailed description of the designs on the shield, and the three circles, which are lodged between the central boss and the outer rim, feature a microcosm of human life and activity (ll. 490-606).  

Ll. 1-21. Antilochus tells Achilles that Patroclus is dead. 

So they fought on like blazing fire, and the swift-footed Antilochus came with the news to Achilles. And he found him in front of his ships with their upright horns, contemplating in his heart those things which had now come to pass; and, sorely troubled (as he was), he then spoke to his great-hearted spirit: "O woe is me, why then are the long-haired Achaeans being driven back again over the plain in terror to the ships? May the gods not bring to pass, as I fear they may, those grievous woes to my heart, even as my mother once revealed, when she said to me that, while I was still living, the best of the Myrmidons would leave the light of the sun beneath the hands of the Trojans. For sure, the valiant son of Menoetius must now be dead - foolhardy (as he was)! And yet I bade him come back to the ships, once the enemy's fire had been pushed back, and not fight bravely with Hector."

While he pondered these (things) in his mind and in his heart, the son of noble Nestor (i.e. Antilochus) came up close to him, shedding hot tears, and gave (him) the painful message: "Woe is me, (you) son of the warrior Peleus, now indeed you must hear grievous tidings (of something) that ought never to have happened. Patroclus lies (dead), and now they are fighting over his naked corpse; and Hector of the shining helmet has your armour."  

Ll. 22-64. Thetis and the Nereids join Achilles in his sorrow. 

So he spoke, and a black cloud of grief enveloped him (i.e. Achilles); and, taking up the sooty dust in both of his hands, he strewed (it) over his head, and soiled his handsome face; and the black ashes settled upon his sweet-smelling tunic. And he, himself, lay outstretched in the dust, mighty in his mightiness, and he defiled his hair, as he tore at (it) with his hands. And the handmaids that Achilles and Patroclus had seized as booty, shrieked aloud in anguish of heart, and they ran outside around the warrior Achilles, and they all beat their breasts with their hands, and the knees of each one of them were loosed beneath (her). And on the other side Antilochus wailed and shed tears, as he held the hands of Achilles, as he (i.e. Achilles) let out a groan from his noble heart; for he (i.e. Antilochus) feared that he might cut his throat with a knife. Then he (i.e. Achilles) gave a terrible cry, and his queenly mother (i.e. Thetis) heard (him) as she sat in the sea beside the old man, her father (i.e. Nereus), and then she wailed aloud at once; and the goddesses gathered around her, all (of them) daughters of Nereus, who were (there) in the depths of the sea. There were Glauce, and Thaleia, and Cymodoce, Nesaea, and Speio, and Thoë, and ox-eyed Halië, and Cymothoë, and Actaea, and Limnoreia, and Melite, and Iaera, and Amphithoë, and Agaue, and Doto, and Proto, and Pherousa, and Dynamene, and Dexamene, and Amphinome, and Callaneira, and Doris, and Panope, and the renowned Galateia, and Nemertes, and Apseudes, and Callianassa; and then there were Clymene, Ianeira, and Ianassa, and Maera, and Oreithia, and Amatheia with the lovely hair, and the other daughters of Nereus, who were (there) in the depths of the sea. And the shining-white cavern was filled with them; and they all beat their breasts together, and Thetis took the lead in the laments: "Listen, sister Nereids, so you can all well hear and know the sorrows that (are) in my heart. Woe is me, wretched as I am, woe is me, mother of the noblest son, since I bore a son, both noble and strong, (and) pre-eminent among warriors; and he shot up like a sapling; and, having tended him like a tree in a fruitful orchard, I sent him forth in the beaked ships to Ilium to fight the Trojans; but I shall never welcome him once more to the house of Peleus on his return home. Yet, while he lives (here) with me and sees the light of the sun, he is suffering, and I cannot give him any help when I go (to him). But go I shall, so that I may hear my dear son and hear what grief has come to him, while he holds aloof from the fighting." 

Ll. 65-96. Achilles tells Thetis of his grief at the death of Patroclus.

So saying, she left the cavern; and they (i.e. the Nereids) went with her in tears, and the waves of the sea burst around them; and, when they came to the very fertile (land of) Troy, they went, one after another, on to the beach, where the ships of the Myrmidons were drawn up closely around swift Achilles. His queenly mother stood beside him, groaning heavily (as he was), and, with a shrill cry, she took up his head (in her arms) and spoke these winged words to him as she wailed: "My son, why are you weeping? What grief has come upon your heart? Speak out and do not hide (it)! The things you wanted have been brought to pass by Zeus, as you once prayed with outstretched hands that all of the sons of the Achaeans should be confined on the sterns (of their ships), desperately in need of you, and suffering cruel things."

Then, groaning heavily, swift-footed Achilles answered her: "My mother, the Olympian has certainly done these (things) for me; but what pleasure do I (derive) from them, when my dear comrade Patroclus is dead, (he) whom I valued above all my companions (and) equally with my own life? Him have I lost, and Hector, (who) slew (him), has stripped from (him) that fine, that mighty armour, a wonder to behold; the gods gave it (as) a glorious gift to Peleus on the day when they laid you in the bed of a mortal man. If only you had remained there with the immortal (goddesses) of the sea, and Peleus had wed a mortal wife. But in fact (they made you the wife of a mortal), so that you too would have the infinite grief of losing a son, whom you may never welcome home again as he returns, since my heart does not bid me live on, nor abide among men, unless Hector is first struck by my spear and shall lose his life, and repay (me) for the plundering of Patroclus, son of Menoetius."  

Then, shedding tears, Thetis spoke to him once more: "Then, my child, (if) you say such (things), you will die early; for straightway after Hector is your own doom at hand." 

Ll. 97-126. Achilles resolves to return to battle and kill Hector. 

Then, deeply moved, the swift-footed Achilles spoke to her: "May I die straightaway, since I was not, it seems, destined to bring succour to my comrade when he was slain; for he died very far from his native-land, and he had need of me to protect (him) from destruction. And now, since I shall not be returning to my dear native-land, nor have I proved to be any light of deliverance to Patroclus or to any other of his companions, many of whom have been overpowered by godlike Hector, but I have sat (here) by the ships, a useless burden upon the land, (I who) am (one) such as no one (else) among the bronze-clad Achaeans (is) in war, although there are others (who are) better in council, so may strife perish among gods and men, and the anger that causes even wise (men) to become ill-tempered, and that (is) much sweeter (to men) than trickling honey, and swells in the breasts of men like smoke; so has Agamemnon, king of men, now moved me to wrath. But we should let these (things) be, despite our pain, forcing down the anger in our hearts; but now I shall go to find Hector, the killer of my dear comrade; and I shall now accept my fate, whenever Zeus and the other immortal gods should wish to bring (it) about. For neither did even the mighty Heracles escape death, even though he was most dear to the lord Zeus, son of Cronos, but fate and the dreaded wrath of Hera overcame him; so also shall I, if the same fate is in store for me, lie low when I am dead; but now let me win glorious renown, and cause some deep-bosomed Trojan and Dardanian (women) to wipe with both hands the tears from their tender cheeks and to groan loudly, and let (them) know that I have kept away from the fighting for far too long (i.e. for sixteen days in fact). And do not (try to) hold me back from the fighting, even though you love me; for you will not persuade me." 

Ll. 127-147. Thetis promises to arrange fresh armour for Achilles. 

Then did the silver-footed goddess Thetis answer him: "Yes indeed. my child, for it is truly no bad (thing) to save your hard-pressed companions from utter destruction. But your fine armour is held among the Trojans, gleaming in bronze (as it is); Hector of the shining helmet exults as he wears it himself on his shoulders; but I do not think he will have pride in it for long, as his death is close at hand. But yet you must not enter into the fray of war, until you see me before your eyes returning here; for in the morning I shall return at the rising of the sun, bearing fine armour from lord Hephaestus."

So saying, she turned away from her son, and turning her attention to her sister of the sea (i.e. the Nereids) she said to (them): "Do you now plunge into the broad lap of the ocean, in order that you may behold the old man of the sea (i.e. Nereus)  and our father's house, and tell him everything; and I shall go to lofty Olympus, to Hephaestus, the master-craftsman, (to see) if he will be willing to give my son some glorious bright-shining armour."

So she spoke, and, at once, they plunged beneath the swell of the sea; and then the goddess, silver-footed Thetis made her way to Olympus, in order to bring back glorious armour for her dear son.    

Ll. 148-180. Hera tells Achilles to show himself to the Trojans. 

Her feet bore her to Olympus; but the Achaeans, amid fearful shouting, (were) driven in flight by man-slaying Hector, and came to the ships and the Hellespont. Yet, the well-greaved Achaeans could not drag back the corpse of Achilles' squire Patroclus out of range of the missiles; for then again did the host and the chariots catch up with it, as did Hector, the son of Priam, like a flame in his fury. Three times did glorious Hector seize him by the feet from behind, yearning to drag (him) away, and loudly did he call upon the Trojans; three times did the two Aiantes, clad in fighting spirit, drive (him) away from the corpse by force; but he, trusting firmly in his own strength, sometimes charged into the fray, and sometimes stood his ground, shouting loudly; but he would not go backwards at all. And, just as rural shepherds cannot in any way drive a tawny lion away from a carcass when it is very hungry, so the two warrior Aiantes could not scare Priam's son Hector away from the corpse. And now he would have dragged (it) away and won unspeakable glory, if swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, had not come running from Olympus with a message for the son of Peleus, unbeknown to Zeus and the other gods,  that he should arm himself; for Hera had sent her. And she drew nigh, and spoke these winged words to (him): "Arise, son of Peleus, the most dreaded of all men; come to the aid of Patroclus, for whose sake a dreadful battle is taking place in front of the ships, and they are killing each other, some (i.e. the Achaeans) fighting in defence of the dead body, and the Trojans are longing to drag (it) to windy Ilium; and glorious Hector is especially keen to drag (him) away; and his heart bids him to cut the head from the tender neck and fix (it) on the stakes of the palisade. But up (you get) and do not lie (there) any longer! And let a feeling of awe come over your heart that Patroclus should become a plaything of the Trojan dogs; the shame (will be) yours if the corpse should come (to be) at all disfigured."    

Ll. 181-218. The voice of Achilles terrifies the Trojans.

Then did the swift-footed godlike Achilles answer her: "Now, goddess Iris, which one of the gods sent you to me as a messenger?"

Then did swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, speak to him again: "Hera, the glorious wife of Zeus, sent me forth; and the son of Cronos, who sits on high, knows nothing (of this), neither (do) any other of the immortals who dwell upon snow-capped Olympus."

Then, swift-footed Achilles spoke to her in reply: "So how am I to enter the fray? For those yonder have my armour; and my dear mother does not allow me to arm myself, until I behold her (here) before my eyes on her return; for she promised to bring me some beautiful armour from Hephaestus. And I know no one else whose glorious armour I might don, except the shield of Telamonian Ajax. But he, himself, I imagine, is consorting with the front ranks, slashing away with his spear beside the dead Patroclus. 

Then swift Iris, with her feet as quick as the wind, spoke to him again: "Well do we also know that they are holding your glorious armour, but go to the trench just as you are, and show yourself to the Trojans, so that, in their fear of you, the Trojans may desist from fighting, and the warrior sons of the Achaeans may gain some relief, weary (as they are); for (there is) little respite in war."

When she had spoken thus, the swift-footed Iris departed, but Achilles, beloved of Zeus, got up, and Athene flung her tasselled aegis around his mighty shoulders, and that most divine of goddesses put a golden cloud around his head, and from it there burned a bright-shining flame. And, as when smoke goes up from a city and reaches the sky from an island in the distance, which their enemies are attacking, the (inhabitants) contend with hateful Ares all day long from their own city; but, when the sun sets, the throng of beacons blazes forth, and the glare shoots up for their neighbours to see, in the hope that they might come (across) in their ships to protect (them) from destruction; such (was) the light (that) blazed up into the sky from the head of Achilles; then, he went from the wall to the trench, and took his stand, but he did not attach himself to the Achaeans; for he had regard to his mother's wise behest. There he stood and shouted, and aside from (him) Pallas Athene raised her voice; but among the Trojans (his voice) caused an unspeakable tumult. 

Ll. 219-242. The Achaeans recover the body of Patroclus.

As when the voice of a trumpet sounds out loud and clear when a city is surrounded by murderous enemies, so clear then was the voice of the grandson of Aeacus (i.e. Achilles). And so, when they heard the brazen voice of the grandson of Aeacus, the hearts of all (of them) shook with fear; even the fair-maned horses turned their chariots back; for they foresaw pain in their hearts. And the charioteers were stricken with fear, when they saw the tireless fire blazing fearfully over the head of the great-hearted son of Peleus, and the bright-eyed goddess Athene made it blaze, Thrice did the godlike Achilles shout loudly over the trench, and thrice were the Trojans and their renowned allies thrown into panic. And there and then did twelve of their best men perish amid their own chariots and spears. But the Achaeans gladly drew Patroclus out of the range of the missiles and laid (him) on a bier; and his beloved comrades  thronged around (him) weeping; and swift-footed Achilles followed after them, shedding hot tears, as he saw his trusty comrade lying on a litter, cloven asunder by sharp bronze. In truth had he sent him to war with horses and chariots, but never did he welcome (him) back again on his return. 

Then, ox-eyed queenly Hera sent the tireless sun reluctantly on his way to the stream of Ocean; so set the sun, and the godlike Achaeans could desist from the mighty strife and evenly balanced warfare. 

Ll. 243-283. The Trojan assembly.

And, on the other side, the Trojans, when they returned from the fierce conflict, loosed their swift horses from beneath their carriages, and gathered together in their assembly before they saw to their supper. And the assembly was held (with them) rightly standing up, and no one was minded to sit; for trembling had come upon all (of them), because Achilles had shown himself, although he had held himself aloof from the fighting for a long time. Then among them wise Polydamas, the son of Panthoüs, was the first to speak, for he alone had eyes for the future and the past; and he was a comrade of Hector, and on the same night were they born, but the former was much the better at speech, and the latter with the spear; then, he addressed them with good intentions: "Think very carefully about (our situation), my friends; now I for my part bid (you) go now to the city, and not await bright dawn on the plain beside the ships; for we are far from the wall. As long as this man (i.e. Achilles) maintained his anger against godlike Agamemnon, so too were the Achaeans easier to fight with; for I too was glad to spend the night by the swift ships, in the hope that we should take those ships, rowed on both sides (as they are). But now do I terribly fear the swift-footed son of Peleus; so violent (is) his spirit that he will not wish to abide on the plain, where in its centre Trojans and Achaeans share in the might of Ares, but he will fight for our city and our wives. But let us go the city, and do you put your trust in me; for it will be as I say; immortal night has now halted the swift-footed son of Peleus; but if tomorrow he comes upon us while we are here, and rushes at (us) with his armed strength, then many a man shall know him well; for gladly will he reach sacred Ilium, whoever escapes (that is), and dogs and vultures will feed on many of the Trojans; if only such words could be far from my hearing. But, if we hearken to my words, despite our distress, we shall keep out forces in the place of assembly during the night, and the walls and the lofty gateways, and the long well-planed closely-shut doors that fit on them, will protect the city. Then early tomorrow morning, arrayed in our armour, we shall take our stand on the walls; and the worse (it will be) for him, if he should be minded to come from the ships and fight with us around the wall. Back again to the ships shall he go, when he has exhausted his horses on all sorts of running trips, while driving (them) to and fro beneath the battlements; but his heart will not allow him to force his way into the city, nor ever shall he lay (it) waste; before (that happens) the swift-(footed) dogs will devour him." 

Ll. 284-323. The lamentation for Patroclus. 

Then, Hector of the shining helmet looked at him with a scowl and said: "Polydamas, these (things) you are saying (are) not at all pleasing to me, since you are telling (us) to go back and be cooped up within the city. In truth, have you not yet had your fill of being confined within those walls. For, in the past, all men endowed with speech used to talk of Priam's city as rich in gold (and) rich in bronze. But now these fine treasures have utterly vanished from our houses, and many of those possessions have now gone to Phrygia and lovely Maeonia to be sold, since Zeus's great anger has fallen upon (us). But now, when the son of wily-minded Cronos has granted me (the power) to win glory by the ships, and to confine the Achaeans to the sea, now is not the time to disclose these thoughts among the people; for not one of the Trojans will be persuaded (by you); for I shall not permit (it). But come, let us all be persuaded (to do) as I say. And you should take your supper among the companies throughout the army, and remember to keep watch, and every (man) must stay awake. But whoever among the Trojans is exceedingly concerned about his possessions, let him gather (them) up and give (them) to the people to make use of; it is better that they should should partake of them than the Achaeans. But early in the morning, arrayed in our armour, let us engage in sharp warfare by the hollow ships. But, if (it is) true (that) godlike Achilles is standing beside the ships, the worse will it be for him if he wants (to fight); I will not flee from him on account of the horrors of warfare, but I will stand firmly against him, whether he shall win a great victory, or I shall win (one). The God of War (is) common (to us all), and he (often) slays (the one) who would slay."   

So Hector addressed (them), and the Trojans roared in approval, the fools (that they were); for Pallas Athene had taken their wits away from them. For they applauded Hector for his bad planning, and not one of them praised Polydamas, who had given them good counsel. Then, they took supper throughout the host; but the Achaeans wept and loudly lamented Patroclus all night long. Now, the son of Peleus led their loud lament, laying his man-slaying hands upon the breast of his companion, groaning most incessantly like a well-bearded lion, whose cubs some stag-hunting man has stolen away from the thick wood; and, when he comes back later, he is full of anguish, and he ranges through many of the mountain glens, looking for the man's footprints, in the hope that he should discover his whereabouts; for the most bitter fury takes hold of (him); thus, groaning heavily, did he (i.e. Achilles) speak to the Myrmidons:  

Ll. 324-359. Achilles promises to avenge Patroclus.

"Alas, how idle were those words I let fall on that day, when I sought to console the warrior Menoetius in our palace (i.e. the palace of Peleus in Phthia); for I said to him that I would bring his son back to Epois (i.e. the city in Locris, that was the home of Menoetius and Patroclus) in glory, after he had sacked Ilium and been allotted his share of the spoil. But Zeus does not bring about all (the things that are) planned by men; for both (of us) are fated to redden the same (stretch of) earth here in Troy, since neither the old charioteer Peleus nor my mother Thetis will welcome me in his palace on my return, but the earth in this place will hold (me) fast. But now, Patroclus, since I shall be going under the earth later than you, I shall not bury you with due honours until I have brought hither the armour and the head of Hector, your great-hearted slayer; and I shall cut the throats of twelve splendid Trojan children before your pyre, in my wrath at your slaying. Until then, you will lie as you are, beside my beaked ships, and around you deep-breasted Trojan and Dardanian (women) will grieve and shed tears (for you) night and day, (the ones) that we ourselves laboured to win with all our strength and our long spears as we sacked the rich cities of mortal men."

So speaking, godlike Achilles bade his comrades set a mighty cauldron over the fire, so that they might wash the bloody gore from Patroclus. And for the purpose of bath-water they placed a cauldron over the burning fire, and poured water into (it), and they took firewood, which they kindled beneath (it). And the fire encompassed the belly of the cauldron, and the water grew hot, and, when the water boiled in the gleaming bronze, then they washed (him) and anointed (him) richly with oil, and filled his wounds with a seasoned ointment; and they laid (him) on a bier, and covered (him) with fine linen from head to foot, and with a white cloak on top. Then, the Myrmidons (gathered) around swift-footed Achilles all night long, lamenting Patroclus with groans; and Zeus spoke to Hera, his sister and wife (as follows): "So you have brought it about, ox-eyed queenly Hera, you have stirred swift-footed Achilles into action; so it must now be true, that the long-haired Achaeans are born from your very self."      

Ll. 360-387. Thetis comes to the house of Hephaestus to seek his help. 

And then did ox-eyed queenly Hera answer him: "Dread son of Cronos, what a statement you have made! Surely now, I presume, a man is likely to do what he wants to a fellow-man, one that is but mortal and does not know everything that I do; how then ought not I, whom I believe to be the best of the goddesses on two accounts, both by birth and because I am called your wife, and you are king of all the immortals, (how then ought not I) to contrive troubles for the Trojans, when I bear a grudge against (them)?" 

So did they say such (things) to each other; but silver-footed Thetis came to the house of Hephaestus, imperishable, star-decked, and pre-eminent among the immortals for its bronze, which the crook-footed (god) himself had built. There she found him bustling to and fro around his bellows, sweating with his exertion; for he was making tripods, twenty in all, to stand around the wall of his well-built mansion, and he had placed golden wheels beneath the base of each one, so that, at his wish, they might enter the meeting-place of the gods, and return again to his house, a wonder to behold. Now, they had almost reached completion, but the skilfully wrought handles were not yet attached; these he was making, and forging the rivets. And, while he was working at these (things) with his knowing mind, so the silver-footed goddess Thetis came close to him. Then, the fair Charis (i.e. Grace), with her bright headband, came forth and saw her, (she) to whom the famous lame (god) was married; and she clasped her by the hand, and spoke these words to her and addressed her by name: "Wherefore, Thetis of the flowing robe, have you come to our house, honoured and beloved (as you are)? Before now, you have not visited us at all often. But follow (me) further inside, so that I may set hospitable (things) before you."   

Ll. 388-427. Hephaestus asks Thetis what it is she wants from him-. 

So saying, that most divine of goddesses (i.e. Charis) led (her) onwards. Then, she sat her down on a silver-studded chair, beautiful and cunningly-wrought (it was); and beneath it was a stool for her feet. Then, she called out to Hephaestus, the famous craftsman, and said these words (to him); "Hephaestus, do come here! Thetis is now in some need of you." Then, the famous lame (god) answered her: "So now in truth, a goddess, revered and honoured by me, (is) in (my hall); she (it was who) saved me, when she came upon me in pain, when I fell a long way at the will of my shameless mother (i.e. Hera) who wanted to hide me away because I was crippled; then would I have suffered woes in my heart, if Eurynome and Thetis had not welcomed me to their bosoms; Eurynome (is) the daughter of the backward-flowing Ocean. (I lived) with them for nine years, and crafted many cunning works of copper in their hollow cave - brooches, and bent pins, and ear-rings, and necklaces; and around (me) there flowed the unspeakably great stream of Ocean, seething with foam; no one else knew (of me), neither among the gods, nor among mortal men, but Thetis and Eurynome knew, (the ones) that saved me. Now she comes to our house; therefore, (there is) a great need for me to repay lovely-haired Thetis for saving my life. But do you now set before her some fine gifts for guests, while I put away my bellows and all my tools."

He spoke, and from the anvil arose a mighty monster limping, and his slender legs moved swiftly beneath him. He placed the bellows away from the fire, and gathered all his tools into a silver chest; and  he wiped both sides of his face and both his hands, and his sturdy neck and his shaggy chest with a sponge, and he put on a tunic, and grasped a stout staff, and went forth limping; and handmaids made of gold moved swiftly in support of their lord, like living maidens. 

And they have understanding in their minds, and in (them there is) also speech and strength, and they have knowledge of handiwork from the immortal gods. And they bustled about at the side of their master; but he (came) close to where Thetis (was), and sat down on a shining chair, and he put his hand in hers and spoke these words and addressed (her) by name: "Wherefore, Thetis of the flowing robe, have you come to our house, honoured and beloved (as you are)? Before now, you have not visited us at all often. Speak whatever is in your mind; and my heart bids (me) undertake (it), if I can do it, and if it can be accomplished."

Ll. 428-461. Thetis asks Hephaestus to provide Achilles with another suit of armour.

Then, Thetis answered him while shedding tears: "Hephaestus, is there any one of all the goddesses on Olympus, who has endured so many grievous woes in her heart, as these sorrows which Zeus has given me beyond all others? Out of (all) the daughters of the sea he would subject me alone to a man, and I endured the bed of a mortal, Peleus, the son of Aeacus, though very much against my will. Now, he lies in his halls, worn out with grievous old age, but now other (griefs are) mine, since he (i.e. Zeus) gave me a son to bear and to rear, (who is) pre-eminent among warriors; and he shot up like a sapling; and, having tended him like a tree in a fruitful orchard, I sent him forth in the beaked ships to Ilium to fight the Trojans; but I shall never welcome him once more to the house of Peleus on his return home. Yet, while he lives (here) with me and sees the light of the sun, he is suffering, and I cannot give him any help when I go (to him). The maiden, whom the sons of the Achaeans chose as a gift of honour for him (i.e. Briseïs), the lord Agamemnon took her back from out of his arms. In truth, he was pining in his heart with grief for her; but the Trojans were penning the Achaeans into the sterns (of their ships), nor would they let (them) break out; and the elders of the Argives pleaded with him, and gave the names of the many glorious gifts (they would give him). Then, while he refused to ward off their ruin himself, yet he clad Patroclus in his own armour and sent him to war, and a considerable force to go with (him). And they fought all day around the Scaean gates; and they would have sacked the city on that very day, if Apollo had not slain the courageous son of Menoetius amid the foremost fighters, after he had caused much havoc, and given the glory to Hector. Therefore, I have now come to these knees of yours, (to see) if you are willing to give my son, who is facing an early death, a shield, and a helmet, and a fine (pair of) greaves fitted with ankle guards, and a breastplate; for his trusted comrade lost (the armour) which he had, when he was overcome by the Trojans; now he (i.e. Achilles) lies on the ground in anguish of heart."  

Ll. 462-489. Hephaestus forges a shield for Achilles, and begins to decorate it. 

Then, the famous lame (god) answered her: "Be of good cheer! Do not let these (things) cause you anxiety in your heart. Would that I were as able to hide him far away from hateful death, when dread fate shall come upon him, as (I am to ensure) that fine armour will be made for him, such that anyone of the many men who may see (it) in the future will marvel at (it)." 

So saying, he left her there, and went to his bellows; and he turned them towards the fire and bade (them) get to work. And the bellows, twenty (pairs) in all, blew upon the melting pots, sending out strong blasts of every degree (of force), at one time to help (him) as he laboured hard, and, at another time, in whatever way Hephaestus might wish to complete his work. And on the fire he threw stubborn bronze and tin, and precious gold and silver, and then he placed a great anvil on the anvil-block, and he took hold of a mighty hammer in (one) hand, and grasped a pair of tongs in the other. 

Then, he began to make a big and sturdy shield, skilfully wrought all over, and he set a rim of triple thickness around (it), bright (and) gleaming, and from (it he let fall) a silver strap. And there were five folds of the shield itself, and on it he wrought many curious devices, (stemming) from the knowledge in his mind.   

And on it he wrought the earth, and the sky and the sea, and the unwearied sun and the moon at the full, and on (it he wrought) all the constellations with which heaven is crowned, the Pleiades and the Hyades, and the mighty Orion and the Bear, which (men) also call by the name of the Wain, and she circles around in the same place and watches out for Orion, and is alone in not sharing in the baths of the Ocean (i.e. the Homeric Greeks believed that the constellation Ursa Major never set).      

Ll. 490-526. Hephaestus decorates the shield with illustrations of city life. 

And on (it) he modelled two fine cities of mortal men. And in the one there were marriages and feasts, and they were escorting the brides from their bed-chambers through the city beneath the light of blazing torches, and loud rose the wedding song; and the young men were whirling around in the dance, and among them flutes and lyres kept up their sound, and the women stood, each at her doorway, and gazed in wonder. But crowds of men were in the place of assembly; and there there was a quarrel taking place, and two men were quarrelling over the blood-money for a man who had been killed; one claimed that he had made payment in full, and was telling this to the people, but the other denied that he had received anything; and both were eager that a decision should be taken by an arbitrator. And folk were cheering the two of them on, and shouting their support for (them) both. But heralds held the people back; and the elders sat on the polished stones in the sacred circle, and held in their hands the sceptres (they had received) from the loud-voiced heralds; with these they sprang up and gave their judgment in turn. And two talents of gold lay in their midst, to be given to the one who among them should utter the most correct judgment.   

Around the other city, two divisions of warriors had been sitting in their shining armour; and two views found favour with them, whether to  destroy (it) completely, or to divide in two all the property which the lovely city contained within (it); but they (i.e. the townspeople) were not yet ready to comply, and had secretly armed themselves for an ambush. Now, their dear wives and little children were defending the wall they were placed upon, and among them (were) the men, whom old age had overtaken; and they (i.e. the men of the city) were setting out; and Ares and Pallas Athene were leading them, both (shown) in gold and clad in golden garments, and huge and beautiful in their armour, and yet as gods they were standing out apart (from the others); and the men were somewhat smaller. And, when at length they came (to the place) where it was possible for them to lie in ambush, down by a river, where there was a watering-place for all the cattle, then there they took up their positions, covered with shining bronze. Then, two scouts were stationed by them some distance apart from the host, to wait until they caught sight of the sheep and the crumpled-horned cattle. And soon they came forward, and two herdsmen followed after (them), playing on their pipes; and they foresaw no danger at all.       

Ll. 527-560. Hephaestus completes his illustration of the city at war, and then looks at ploughing and reaping. 

Those who were looking out for them rushed forward, and then they speedily cut off the herds of cattle and the fine flocks of white sheep, and they killed the shepherds as well. And so, when they (i.e. the besiegers) heard the great hubbub over the cattle, as they sat before the place of assembly, they got on their high-stepping horses at once and went in pursuit, and swiftly overtook (them). Then, they joined battle and fought beside the river-banks, and they smote one another with their bronze-tipped spears. And among (them), Strife and Tumult joined in the fray, and among (them too) deadly Fate, bearing one man alive with a fresh wound, and another one unhurt, was dragging a dead man through the rumpus by the feet. And the garment that she wore around her shoulders (was) red with men's blood. And they joined in the fray and fought like living men, and they dragged away one another's bodies after they had been slain.   

And on (it) he made a fallow field of soft rich arable land, broad and triple-tilled; and many ploughmen were spinning their teams on it, and driving (them) to and fro. And when, having turned, they reached the headland of the field, then a man would come forward and put a cup of honey-sweet wine into their hands; and others would turn back along the furrows, eager to reach the headland of the deep fallow field. And behind (them) it turned dark, and looked as if it had been ploughed, although it was made of gold; so the outstanding marvel was made.   

And on (it) he made a king's demesne-land; and there hired labourers were reaping, with sharp sickles in their hands. Some dense handfuls (of corn) fell to the ground in swathes, while binders tied other (clusters) with bands (of straw). Three binders were standing ready; and behind (them) boys kept (them) constantly supplied, collecting (the corn) and bringing (it to them) in armfuls; and, among them, the king, holding his sceptre, was standing in silence by the swathe, joyful at heart. Now, heralds, standing apart beneath an oak-tree, were preparing a feast, and they were busy sacrificing a great ox; and the women were sprinkling white barley in abundance (on the meat) for the reapers' dinner.  

Ll. 561-589. Hephaestus' illustrations move on to vineyards, and the tending of cattle and sheep. 

And on (it) he made a vineyard very heavy with bunches of grapes, fair (and) made of gold; and along (it) there were black grapes, supported by silver poles throughout. And around (it) he set a trench in blue enamel, and a fence of tin; there was only a single path (leading) to it (i.e. the vineyard), on which the bearers went up and down whenever they harvested the vineyard. Maidens and youths with their minds full of glee were carrying the honey-sweet fruit in wicker baskets. And in their midst a boy played a lovely tune on his clear-toned lyre, and in  accompaniment he sang sweetly of Linos in his delicate treble voice; and the others followed (him), bounding on their feet, beating the earth in unison amid dancing and shouting. 

And on (it) he wrought a herd of straight-horned cattle; and the oxen were made of gold and tin, and they hurried with mooing from the farm-yard to their pasture beside the sounding river and the flickering reeds. And four golden herdsmen walked beside the cattle, and nine swift-footed dogs accompanied them. But among the foremost cattle two fearsome lions had caught a bellowing bull, and he was dragged off bellowing loudly; and the dogs and the men followed after him. And they had rent the hide of the great bull and were gulping down its inwards and black blood; and the herdsmen tried in vain to set the swift dogs on (them). but, in truth, with regard to biting they kept away from the lions, though they stood very close and barked as they avoided (them). 

And on (it) the famous lame (god) made a great pasture-ground for white sheep in a fair glen, and stables, and covered huts and sheepfolds. 

Ll. 590-617. Hephaestus completes Achilles' armour and gives it to Thetis. 

And on (it) the renowned lame (god) cunningly wrought a place of dancing, like the one which Daedalus once constructed in broad Knossos for fair-tressed Ariadne. And there young men and maidens worth many oxen (i.e. they were well wooed by suitors) were dancing, holding one another's hands by the wrists (i.e. they had formed a circle). And of these the (maidens) were wearing fine linen garments and the youths were clad in well-woven tunics, faintly glistening with oil. And the (maidens) had lovely garlands (on their heads), and the youths had golden daggers dangling from their silver belts. And sometimes they would run very lightly on cunning feet, as when some potter sits at a wheel that fits in his hands and tries (it) out (to see) if it will spin; and now at other times they would run in rows towards each other. And a great throng (of people) stood around the lovely dance, full of joy; [and a godlike minstrel celebrated with them, playing on the lyre;] and amongst them a pair of acrobats whirled around through their midst as leaders of the dance.  

And on (it) he placed the great might of the river of Ocean around the uttermost rim of the strongly wrought shield.  

Now, when he had wrought the great and sturdy shield, he made him a breastplate brighter than a blaze of fire, and he made him a heavy helmet fitted to his temples, fine and cunningly wrought (it was), and on (it) there burst forth a golden crest, and he made him greaves of tin fit for wear. 

Then, when the famous lame (god) had fashioned all the armour, he took (it) and laid (it) before the mother of Achilles (i.e. Thetis). And like a falcon she sprang down from snowy Olympus, bearing with (her) Hephaestus' glittering armour (i.e. Virgil's 'arma radiantia', see Aeneid VIII, 616).

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVII: THE VALOROUS FEATS OF MENELAUS; THE BATTLE FOR THE BODY OF PATROCLUS.

HOMER: "ILIAD": BOOK XVII: THE VALOROUS FEATS OF MENELAUS; THE BATTLE FOR THE BODY OF PATROCLUS.

Introduction:

Book XVII continues straight on from the end of the previous book. Patroclus, finished off by Hector, lies dead on the ground. While Hector is pursuing Automedon in his quest to capture the horses and chariot of Achilles, left behind by the dead Patroclus, a young Trojan, Euphorbus, the first to wound Patroclus, is seeking to acquire Patroclus' armour (i.e. the armour lent to him by Achilles), when he meets Menelaus, whom, inexperienced in war as he is, he unwisely attacks, because Menelaus has killed his brother Hyperenor, and thus caused immense grief to his family. Menelaus quickly adds Euphorbus to his list of victims, but Homer's treatment of the death of this insignificant young Trojan is steeped in pathos and compassion, which reflects the poet's sympathetic tendencies in relation to the victims of this war, both great men and small. The Trojans then strip Achilles' armour from the body of Patroclus, and Hector then dresses himself in it.There is then a long and furious battle over the body of Patroclus, in the course of which Menelaus sends Nestor's son, Antilochus, to Achilles to inform him of the death of his dear friend. Finally, the Achaeans do manage to salvage the body of Patroclus and bring it back to the ships, though they are hotly pursued by the Trojans.   

Ll. 1-42. Euphorbus challenges Menelaus.

It had not escaped the notice of Menelaus, dear to Ares, and the son of Atreus, that Patroclus had been overcome in battle by the Trojans. He made his way through the foremost fighters, arrayed in bronze, and bestrode his (body), as a mother (cow), having delivered her first-born, (stands) lowing over a calf, being previously inexperienced in childbirth; so did auburn-haired Menelaus stand over Patroclus. And he held his spear and round shield in front of him, eager to kill anyone who should come against him. Nor was the son of Panthous (i.e. Euphorbus), armed with his good ashen spear, neglectful of the fallen (body) of the peerless Patroclus; but he (came and) stood by him, and addressed the warlike Menelaus: "Menelaus, Zeus-nurtured son of Atreus, leader of the people, give way and leave the body, and let be the bloody spoils; for before (me) no man among the Trojans and their famous allies smote Patroclus with a spear in the fierce conflict; therefore, suffer me to win glorious renown among the Trojans, lest I smite you and take away the sweetness of your life."

Then, greatly angered, auburn-haired Menelaus spoke to him (thus): "It is not good, Father Zeus, to boast unduly. For nor is the strength of a leopard, or a lion, or a vicious wild boar, in whose breast the proudest heart revels in its might, as great as is the pride of the sons of Panthous, armed with their good ashen spears. Nor did the mighty Hyperenor (i.e. son of Panthous and brother of Euphorbus) benefit in any way from his youth, when he scorned me and awaited my (coming), and said that I was the most cowardly warrior among the Danaans; nor, I think, did he return on his own feet to gladden (the hearts of) his dear wife and his trusty parents; but, for my part, I bid you go back into the throng and not to stand and face me, ere you should suffer something evil; even a fool knows when something bad has happened."   

So he spoke, but he did not (manage to) persuade him; and he said in answer: "Now indeed, Menelaus, nurtured by Zeus, you will pay the price for my brother, whom you slew, and you speak in a boastful manner, and you have made his wife a desolate (woman) in her new bridal chamber, and you have brought unspeakable pain and sorrow upon his parents. Now, I could bring an end to the miseries of their grief, if I were to bring your head and armour and put (them) in the hands of Panthous and heavenly Phrontis. But, in truth, our struggle will not be untried or uncontested for long, whether (it leads) to  success or to flight."

Ll. 43-81. Menelaus slays Euphorbus.

So saying, he (i.e. Euphorbus) struck (him) on his round shield; the bronze (spearhead) did not break though, but its point was bent back in the stout shield; then, in turn, did Atreus' son, Menelaus, charge at (him) with his spear, making a prayer to Father Zeus; and, as he drew back, he stabbed (him) at the base of his throat, and he lent on (the spear), relying on the weight of his hand; and the point went right through the tender neck, and he fell with a crash, and his armour clattered on top of him. His hair (that was) like (the hair) of the Graces, and his tresses that were braided with gold and silver, were drenched in his blood. And, as when a man nourishes a luxuriant olive-shoot in a solitary place, where plenty of water wells up, a fine flourishing (shoot it is); and the blasts of every kind of wind shakes it and it blossoms full of white flowers; but suddenly there comes a wind together with a mighty storm, and it uproots (it) from its trench and stretches (it) out on the ground; such (was the fate of) the son of Panthous, Euphorbus of the good ashen spear, when Menelaus, son of Atreus, slew (him) and stripped off his armour. 

And, as when some mountain lion, trusting in his own strength, takes the heifer which (is) the finest from a grazing herd: first he places her neck (in the grip) of his strong jaws and breaks (it), and then, having slain (her), he gulps down the blood and all the entrails, and all around him hounds and herdsmen make a very loud noise from afar, but they have no will to come against him; for pale fear takes a tight hold of them; so the heart in the breast of anyone of them did not dare to come against glorious Menelaus. Then would the son of Atreus have easily borne away the renowned armour of the son of Panthous, if Phoebus Apollo had not begrudged him (it), and so, in the likeness of a man, (namely) Mentes, the leader of the Cicones (i.e. a Thracian tribe that was an ally of the Trojans), he stirred up Hector, the peer of swift Ares, against him; and, speaking these winged words, he addressed him: "Now, Hector, here you have been running after the horses of the warlike grandson of Aeacus (i.e. Achilles), chasing the unattainable; for they (are) hard for any mortal men to master and drive, save Achilles, whom an immortal mother (i.e. Thetis) bore. Meanwhile, the warlike Menelaus, son of Atreus, has stood over (the body of) Patroclus and slain the best of the Trojans, (namely) Euphorbus, son of Panthous, and put a stop to his fighting spirit." 

Ll. 82-105. Menelaus hesitates to stand up to Hector alone. 

So he (i.e. Apollo) spoke, and went back, a god amidst the toil of men, and dreadful pain engulfed Hector's dark heart throughout; and then he glanced through the ranks (of men) and at once he was aware of one (man) stripping off the glorious armour and the other lying on the ground; and blood was streaming from his stricken wound. Then, he (i.e. Hector) strode through the foremost fighters, wearing a helmet of flaming bronze, like the unquenchable flame of Hephaestus, and letting out a shrill cry; nor did his shrill cry escape the notice of the son of Atreus (i.e. Menelaus); but, sorely troubled, he spoke to his great-hearted spirit: "Woe is me, for if I should leave behind this fine armour and (the body of) Patroclus, who is lying here for the sake of my avenging him, (I fear) lest any Danaan who may see (it) will think the worse of me. But if, through a sense of shame, I, who am alone, should fight with Hector and the Trojans, (I fear) that they will have me surrounded in some way, one (against) many; for Hector of the shining helmet is leading all the Trojans here. But why does my heart debate these (things) with me? Whenever a man is minded, against the will of heaven, to fight with a man, whom a god may honour, a great calamity swiftly rolls upon him. Therefore, no man among the Danaans, who shall see me backing away from Hector, will be ashamed of me, since he is fighting with the support of a god. But, if I could learn of the whereabouts of Ajax, good at the war-cry, then might the two of us go back and think of fighting, even though it be against the will of the gods, if perhaps we might save the corpse for Achilles, son of Peleus; for that would be the best (thing) in this bad (situation)." 

Ll. 106-139. Menelaus secures the help of Ajax.

While he pondered these (things) in his mind and in his heart, meanwhile the ranks of the Trojans came on; and Hector led (them). Then, he (i.e. Menelaus) began to draw back, and he left the corpse, ever turning around like a bearded lion, that dogs and men drive from a farmstead; and the bold heart in his chest seizes up, and he goes from the cattle-yard with reluctance; so did auburn-haired Menelaus move away from (the body of) Patroclus. But he turned about and stood firm, when he reached the mass of his companions, and he looked all around for great Ajax, son of Telamon. He very quickly caught sight of him on the left side of the whole field of battle, encouraging his comrades and urging them to fight; for a wondrous fear had Phoebus Apollo cast upon them; he set off running, and, when he came beside (him), he spoke these words at once: "Come hither, Ajax, dear friend, with regard to Patroclus, (who is) dead; we must run, if we wish to bear his corpse, naked though (it is), to Achilles; but Hector of the shining helmet has his armour." 

So he spoke, and stirred the heart of warlike Ajax; then, he and auburn-haired Menelaus ran through the front ranks together. When Hector had stripped Patroclus of his glorious armour, he sought to pull (him) away, so that he might cut the head from his shoulders with his sharp bronze (blade), and drag away the corpse and give (it) to the dogs of Troy. But Ajax came near, bearing his shield like a tower; then, Hector was forced back, and withdrew into the throng of his companions, and leapt into his chariot; and he gave the fine armour to the Trojans to carry back to the city, a great (source of) glory for him. But Ajax covered the son of Menoetius (i.e. Patroclus) with his broad shield, and he stood over his cubs like some lion, such as huntsmen have encountered in the forest as he leads his young ones; and he exults in his might, and he draws down all the skin of his brows to cover his eyes; thus did Ajax stand over the warrior Patroclus. And close by (him) stood the son of Atreus, Menelaus, dear to Ares, great sorrow surging in his breast. 

Ll. 140-182. Hector justifies his actions, when criticised by Glaucus.

Glaucus, son of Hippolochus, leader of the men from Lycia, looking askance at Hector, upbraided (him) with these hard words: "Hector, most fair in appearance (i.e. an insult previously reserved for Paris), you are sorely lacking in battle. In truth, great fame possesses you in vain, coward that you are. Now you must think how you can save your citadel and your city by yourself with those folks who were born in Ilium. For no man among the Lycians will do battle with the Danaans for the sake of the city, since there is no thanks if a man fights with the enemy's warriors on and on without respite. How will you ever save a meaner man amid the throng (of battle, you) heartless (man), since you left your guest-friend and companion Sarpedon to become prey and spoil for the Argives, (he) who, while he was alive, proved to be of much help to your city and yourself; and now you did not have the courage to keep the dogs off him. Whereas now, if anyone of the men of Lycia will listen to me, we will go home, and utter destruction will inevitably come about in the case of Troy. For, if there were now implanted among the Trojans that bold (and) dauntless courage, of the kind which comes upon men who engage in toil and strife for the sake of their country, (then) we should be hauling (the body of) Patroclus into Ilium forthwith. And, if this man were to come as a corpse to the city of King Priam, and we were to drag (him) from the battle, (then) would the Argives quickly release the fine armour of Sarpedon, and we should bring his (body) into Ilium; for the squire of such a (great) man has been slain, (he) who is by far the greatest of the Argives (whose) squires (fight) by the ships and in close combat. But you do not have the courage to stand and face great-hearted Ajax, looking (him) in the eye amid the battle-cry of the enemy, nor to do battle (with him) directly, since he is a better (man) than you." 

Then, Hector of the shining helmet, looking askance, said (these words) to him: "Glaucus, why, in truth, do you, being such (a man) as you are, speak such insulting (words)? For shame, indeed I thought you to be superior in your mind to all the others who live in very fertile Lycia; but now I blame your mind entirely for saying such (things), (you) who said that I would not stand up to mighty Ajax, I have not, let me tell you, shuddered in battle or at the clatter of chariots; but the mind of aegis-bearing Zeus (is) always the strongest, and he even drives a valiant man in flight and easily robs (him) of victory, whenever he rouses (men) to fight. But come here, my friend, and stand beside me and behold my handiwork, whether I shall be a coward all day long, as you are saying, or whether I shall stop some of the Danaans, despite their great eagerness for valour, from fighting in defence of the body of Patroclus."  

Ll. 183-208. Hector dons Achilles' armour.

So saying, he called to the Trojans with a loud shout: "(You) Trojans, and Lycians, and Dardanians, who fight in close combat, be men, my friends, and be mindful of your fighting spirit, while I don the fine armour of peerless Achilles, that I stripped from the mighty Patroclus, after I had killed (him). 

When he had thus spoken, Hector of the flashing helmet went forth from the fury of war; and he ran and quickly reached his comrades when they were not at all far off, pursuing (them) with swift footsteps, even (those) that were carrying towards the city the glorious armour of the son of Peleus. Then he halted at some distance from the tearful battlefield and changed his armour; now indeed he gave his own (armour) to the war-loving Trojans to bear to sacred Ilium, and he put on the immortal armour of Peleus' son, Achilles, that the heavenly gods had given to his father; and, in his old age, he gave (it) to his son; but his son was not to grow old in his father's armour. 

But, when Zeus the cloud-gatherer saw him from afar as he furnished himself with the armour of the godlike son of Peleus, he shook his head and murmured (these words) to his own heart: "Ah, (you) poor wretch, death is not at all in your mind, and (yet) it is now (coming) close to you; and you are donning the immortal armour of the best of men, and (one before) whom (all) others quail; his companion, both kind and valiant, you have now slain, and you have taken the armour from his head and shoulders in an improper way; but for the present I shall grant you great power, in compensation for the fact that Andromache will never receive from you that glorious armour of the son of Peleus, as you return from the fighting."  

Ll. 209-245. The Trojans and the Achaeans engage. 

So spoke the son of Cronos, and he nodded with his dark eye-brows. And he fitted the armour to Hector's body, and the fearful war-god Ares entered into him, and his limbs were filled within with valour and might; then he (i.e. Hector) went his way among the famous allies, shouting loudly, and he appeared to all of them, glittering in the armour of the great-hearted son of Peleus. Then, going up and down, he encouraged each (man) with his words, Mesthles and Glaucus, and Medon and Thersilochus, and Asteropaeus and Deisenor, and Hippothous and Phorcys, and Chromius and Ennomus the augur; by way of encouragement, he spoke these winged words to them: "Hear (me, you) countless tribes of allies who dwell roundabout; for I was not seeking numbers, nor did I have need of (them, when) I gathered each one (of you) here from your cities, but (it was) so that, with me, you might readily protect the Trojans wives and little children from the war-loving Achaeans. With this in mind, I am exhausting (the substance of) my people with gifts and food, and in each (one of you) I am strengthening your resolve. Therefore, let every man of you now turn straight (against the foe), and be killed or survive; for that (is) the discourse of war. And whoever shall haul Patroclus, however dead though (he be), into the horse-taming Trojans, and Ajax shall give way to him, I shall award him half of the spoils, and I shall keep half myself; and his glory shall be even as great as that of my own."

So he spoke, and they charged straight at the Danaans with all their strength, holding up their spears; and their hearts were very full of hope that they would drag away the corpse from underneath Ajax, the son of Telamon - fools (that they were)! And verily did he take away the lives of many (of them) over it. Then did Ajax speak to Menelaus, good at the war-cry: "O Menelaus, my friend, fostered by Zeus, I no longer have hope that we two will get back from the battle ourselves. I am not so much afraid for the corpse of Patroclus, which will soon be glutting the dogs and the birds of the Trojans, as I fear for my head, and yours, lest some (evil) befalls (us), since that cloud of war Hector is darkening everything around (us), and utter destruction again confronts us. But come, call upon the leading men of the Danaans, if any can hear."

Ll. 246-273. The Achaeans and the Trojans fight over the body of Patroclus. 

So he spoke, and Menelaus, good at the war-cry, did not fail to obey, and, shouting out at the Danaans, he cried in a piercing voice: "My friends, leaders and rulers of the Argives, who drink at the public expense with the sons of Atreus, Agamemnon and Menelaus, and each one (of you) gives commands to his people; and honour and glory given by Zeus accompany (you). It is hard for me to pick out each one (of you) chieftains; for in such a manner does the strife of war blaze forth; but let every man go forth of his own accord with righteous indignation in your hearts that Patroclus should become a plaything for the dogs of Troy." 

So he spoke, and swift Ajax, son of Oïleus, heard (him); and (he was) the first to come running to meet (him) amid the battle, and after him (came) Idomeneus and Idomeneus' comrade, Meriones, the equal of the man-killing war-god. But who, from his own mind, could tell the names of all the others who came after (these) and aroused the fight in the Achaeans? 

Then, the Trojans burst forward in a mass; and Hector led (them). And, as when, at the mouth of a river fed by Zeus (i.e. swollen by rain), a mighty wave roars against the current (of the stream), and the headlands of the sea-shore boom all around, as the salt water disgorges itself offshore, so did the Trojans come on with a shout. But the Achaeans took their stand around the son of Menoetius with one purpose, fortified by their bronze shields (as they were); and the son of Cronos spread a thick mist over their bright helmets, for he had had no dislike of the son of Menoetius before, while he was alive and was the squire of the grandson of Aeacus (i.e. Achilles); and he was loath that he should become prey to the dogs of his enemies, (namely those) of the Trojans; therefore he roused his comrades to defend him.   

Ll. 274-318. Ajax repels the Trojans. 

In the first place, the Trojans pushed back the sharp-eyed Achaeans; and they abandoned the body and shrank back, yet the high-spirited Trojans did not kill any one of them with their spears despite their efforts, but they began to drag away the corpse; but the Achaeans were only going to desert it for a short time; for Ajax rallied them very quickly, (he) who in his appearance and in his actions was above all the other Danaans after the peerless son of Peleus. He went straight through the foremost fighters like a wild boar in strength, (one) who easily scatters hounds and sturdy huntsmen in the mountains when it charges through the glens; so did the glorious son of illustrious Telamon easily scatter the battalions of the Trojans, as they stood around Patroclus, fully intending to drag him into their city and gain the glory.   

In fact, Hippothous, the glorious son of Pelasgian Lethus, was dragging him by the foot through the mighty conflict, having tied his shield-strap around the tendons at his ankle, so as to please Hector and the Trojans; but evil swiftly came upon him, and no one could keep it from him, however much they wished to. Then, the son of Telamon rushed at him through the throng and struck (him) at close quarters through the helmet with its cheeks of bronze. And the helmet with its horse-hair crest was rent around the spear-point, smitten by his great spear and his stout hand, and his brains spurted forth from the wound all bloody; there then his strength was loosed and he let fall from his hand the foot of great-hearted Patroclus to lie upon the ground; and he fell right there himself headlong over the corpse, far from very fertile Larissa, nor could he give back to his dear parents his thanks for his upbringing, and his life was short-lived, overcome (as he was) by the spear of great-hearted Ajax. 

Then, Hector in turn cast his shining spear at Ajax; but, looking (at him) face to face, he narrowly avoided the bronze spear; but Schedius, son of great-hearted Iphitus, by far the best of the Phocians, who used to live in a house in renowned Panopeus, and ruled over many men, him he smote below the centre of his collar-bone; and the bronze point (went) right through and came out at the base of his shoulder; and he fell with a crash and his armour clattered on top of him.  

Ll. 319-365. Aeneas counter-attacks.

Then again would the Trojans have gone back into Ilium, in their cowardice overcome by the Achaeans, and the Argives would have won glory, even beyond the dispensation of Zeus, through their courage and their strength; but Apollo, himself, in body looking like the herald Periphas, who had grown old in his service as a herald in the house of his old father (i.e. Anchises), and had kindly thoughts in his heart (towards him), urged on Aeneas; in that (man's) likeness, Apollo, the son of Zeus, spoke to him: "Aeneas, how could you ever save steep Ilium against the will of a god? So have I seen other men, trusting in their own courage and strength, and in their prowess and their numbers, defend their people undaunted; and Zeus wishes us the victory far more than (he does) the Danaans; but you yourselves have an unspeakable fear and refuse to fight."  

So said he, and Aeneas recognised Apollo the far-shooter when he looked him straight in the face, and he addressed Hector in a loud voice: "Hector and you other leaders of the Trojans and their allies, now it would be a shameful thing to go back into Ilium overcome in our cowardice by the war-loving Achaeans. But yet, one of the gods standing by my side tells me that Zeus, the most high counsellor, will be our helper in the fight; so let us go straight for the Danaans, and may they not bring the dead (body of) Patroclus back to the ships at their ease."   

So he (i.e. Aeneas) spoke, and he leapt far ahead of the foremost fighters, and (there) he stood; and they rallied and stood facing the Achaeans. Then, with his spear Aeneas stabbed Leocritus, son of Arisbas (and) the noble companion of Lycomedes. And, as he fell, Lycomedes, dear to Ares, took pity (on him) and came and stood very close (to him), and cast his shining spear and struck Hippasus' son, Apisaon, shepherd of the host, in the liver below the midriff, and instantly he loosed the knees from under (him, the man) who had come from very fertile Paeonia, and after Asteropaeus was the best at fighting. And as he fell, the warlike Asteropaeus felt pity for (him), and he too rushed forward to fight the Danaans; but he was no longer able (to do so) at all; for they were fenced in with shields on every side as they stood around Patroclus, and they held their spears before (them). For Ajax went around everyone of them, giving many instructions. He ordered that no one should give ground behind the corpse, and that no one should fight far in front of the other Achaeans, but stand just around it and fight at close quarters. Thus huge Ajax gave his instructions, and the earth was soaked in their purple blood, and the dead fell in heaps, the Trojans and their most mighty allies, and the Danaans alike; for the latter did not fight without bloodshed, but far fewer (of them) died; for they were ever mindful of protecting one another from utter destruction in the throng.    

Ll. 366-399. The Achaeans and the Trojans continue to fight over the body of Patroclus. 

So they fought like fire, nor would you have said that the sun or the moon were fixed (in the sky) any longer; for in that part of the battlefield, where the leading men stood around the dead (body) of the son of Menoetius, they were shrouded in fog. But the rest of the Trojans and the well-greaved Achaeans fought at ease under a clear sky, and the sharp brightness of the sun spread (over them), and no cloud could be seen over all of the earth and the mountains; and they fought intermittently, avoiding one another's grievous missiles (by) standing far apart (from each other). But those in the centre suffered woes in the fog and the fighting, and they were oppressed by the pitiless bronze, though they were the leading men; but two of the men, Thrasymedes and Antilochus (i.e. sons of Nestor), (both) men of renown, had not yet learned of the death of the peerless Patroclus, but they thought (he was) still alive and fighting the Trojans in the front of the throng of battle. And the two of them were watching the death and the rout of their comrades, as they did battle far apart (from them), as Nestor had so enjoined (them), when he roused (them) to battle from the black ships. But for the (others) the great strife raged all day long in painful battle; then, the knees, and the shins, and the feet beneath each man, and their hands and eyes, were ever ceaselessly soiled with the sweat of toil, as they fought around the noble squire of the swift-footed grandson of Aeacus. And, as when a man gives the hide of a great bull to his people to stretch when it is dripping with fat, and, when they have taken (it), they stand around in a circle and pull (at it), and the moisture quickly comes out and the fat sinks in; so the two (sides) dragged the body hither and thither in the narrow space; and their hearts were full of hope that they could drag (him) away, the Trojans into Ilium, and the Achaeans to their hollow ships; and all around him the battle grew fierce; not even Ares, the rouser of hosts, nor Athene, if they looked on, could have found fault with it, not even if deep anger came over them.     

Ll. 400-422. Both sides remain determined to secure Patroclus' body. 

Such a dreadful toil of men and horses did Zeus stretch over (the body of) Patroclus on that day. But the godlike Achilles knew nothing about Patroclus having been killed; for they were fighting under the wall of Troy a long way away from the swift ships. For this reason, he never supposed in his heart that he had died, but that he would come back again alive after he had reached right up to the gates, as he did not consider it possible at all that he would sack the city without him, or, indeed, with him; for many times had he been told this while listening secretly to his mother, who would tell him of the will of mighty Zeus. But this time his mother did not tell him of the great evil that had happened, that his most dearest comrade had been slain.    

But those (standing) around the corpse, holding their sharp-edged spears, pressed on unceasingly and slew one another; and thus would one of the bronze-clad Achaeans say: "My friends, indeed (there will be) no fame for us to return to the hollow ships, but (rather) let the black earth gape here for (us) all; that would then be a far better (outcome) for us, if we should abandon this (man) to the horse-taming Trojans to haul to their city and win glory."

And so, on the other side, would one of the great-hearted Trojans declare: "My friends, even if (it is) the fate of (us) all to be slain beside this man, nevertheless let no one withdraw from the battle." 

Ll. 423-455. Zeus is greatly moved by the sight of Achilles' sacred horses grieving for the loss of their charioteer Patroclus. 

Thus would one speak and arouse the might of each (one). So they fought on, and the clash of iron went up to the brazen sky through the barren air; but the horses of the grandson of Aeacus (i.e. Xanthus and Balius), being apart from the battle, were weeping, since first they learned that their charioteer had fallen in the dust beneath (the hands) of man-slaying Hector. In truth, Automedon, the valiant son of Diores, often tried striking them with the swift whip, and often he addressed them with gentle words, and often with a threat; but neither back to the ships on the broad Hellespont, nor into battle with the Achaeans were the two of them minded to go, but, as a pillar remains fixed that stands on the tomb of a dead man or woman, so they remained firmly beside the very beautiful chariot, hanging their heads to the ground; and hot tears flowed flowed down from their eyelids to the ground as they wept in longing for their charioteer; and their thick manes were soiled, (as their) tears spilled down from the collar on both sides of the yoke.  

The son of Cronos saw them and took pity on (them), and he shook his head and spoke (thus) to his own heart: "Ah, you poor wretches, why did we give the pair of you up to king Peleus, to a mortal, while the two of you are ageless and immortal? Was it so that you could share the pain together with unhappy men? For methinks there is nothing more miserable than man among all (the creatures) that breathe and move upon earth. But Hector, son of Priam, will not be conveyed by you and your well-crafted chariot; for I shall not allow (it). Is it not enough that he has the armour, and exults in that? But I shall put strength in your knees and in your heart, so that you may bring Automedon safely from the field of battle to the hollow ships; for I shall still give them (i.e. Hector and the Trojans) the glory of killing, until they come to the well-benched ships, and the sun goes down and the holy darkness comes on."

Ll. 456-490. Automedon decides to dismount to fight. 

So saying, he breathed great courage into his horses. And the two of them shook the dust from their manes to the ground, (and) they hastily bore the swift chariot among the Trojans and the Achaeans. And behind them (i.e. the horses) fought Automedon, though grieving for his comrade, darting in and out with his chariot like a vulture among (a flock of) geese; for he could easily escape from the clamour of the Trojans, and easily come charging back, forcing his way through the great throng (of men). But he killed no men when he drove in pursuit (of them); for, being alone in the sacred car, he was not able to  strike with his spear and to control the swift horses. But, at length, one of his companions caught sight of him, (namely) Alcimedon, son of Laerces, son of Haemon; and he stopped behind the chariot and said to Automedon: "Automedon, which one of the gods has now put this unprofitable counsel in your breast and taken away your good sense? - the way that you are fighting the Trojans alone in front of the throng! For your comrade has been slain, and Hector, himself, is wearing the armour of the grandson of Aeacus on his shoulders and exults (thereat)." 

Then, Automedon, son of Diores, said to him: "Alcimedon, now which other of the Achaeans could equal you in managing the control and (restraining) the spirit of these immortal steeds, except Patroclus, peer to the gods (as), a counsellor, while he was alive? But now death and fate have overtaken (him). But you take the whip and the shining reins, while I will dismount from the chariot in order to fight." 

So he spoke, and Alcimedon jumped into the car (that was) speedy in battle, and he quickly grasped the whip and the reins in his hands, and Automedon jumped down; now, glorious Hector noticed (them) and immediately spoke to Aeneas, who was nearby: "Aeneas, counsellor of the bronze-clad Trojans, I can see those horses of the swift-footed grandson of Aeacus coming into battle with second-rate charioteers. I might hope to capture them (i.e. the sacred horses), if in your heart you are ready to help, since (those men) would not have the courage to face the two of us rushing furiously at (them) and stand to fight against (us) in battle." 

Ll. 491-515. Automedon prepares to stand against the Trojans in battle. 

So he spoke, and the noble son of Anchises (i.e. Aeneas) did not fail to obey (him). And the two of them went straight forward. covering their shoulders with ox-hide shields, dried and tough; and much bronze had been driven into (them). And with them went both Chromius and godlike Aretus; and their hearts within them were full of hope of killing (the men) and driving away their horses with the high-arched necks, fools (that they were), for they (i.e. the horses) were not going to back away from Automedon without bloodshed. He (i.e. Automedon) prayed to father Zeus, and his dark heart was filled throughout with courage and strength; and he spoke forthwith to Alcimedon, his trusty comrade: "Alcimedon, do you now hold the horses not far away from me, but let them breathe right on my back; for I do not think that Hector, son of Priam, will be checked in his fury, until he has slain the two of us and has mounted the fair-maned horses of Achilles, and has put to flight the ranks of the Argive warriors, or he shall himself be captured among the foremost fighters."

So saying. he called out to the Aiantes and Menelaus: "(You) Aiantes and Menelaus, leaders of the Argives, now indeed do you entrust the dead body (to those) who (are) the bravest, to stand around it and ward off the ranks of men, and do you ward off the pitiless day (of doom) from the two of us, who are (yet) alive; for Hector and Aeneas, who are the Trojans' best (men), are bearing down upon (us) here in tearful warfare. But, in truth, these (things) lie on the knees (i.e. in the lap) of the gods; for I, too, shall cast (a spear),  and all things will be in the hands of Zeus." 

Ll. 516-542.  Automedon kills Aretus. 

So he spoke, and he took aim with his long-shafted spear and flung (it) and it struck Aretus on his all even (i.e. round) shield; but it did not check the spear, but its bronze (point) went right through, and it drove its way through his belt into the lower belly. And, as when a strong man with a sharp axe strikes an ox dwelling in the fields behind the horns, and cuts through the whole sinew, and it darts forward and falls prostrate, even so did he (i.e. Aretus) stumble forward and fall on his back; and the very sharp spear quivered in his bowels and loosed his limbs (i.e. he died). Then, Hector cast his shining spear at Automedon; but he, looking at (him) face to face, avoided the bronze spear; for he stooped forward and the long spear stuck in the ground behind (him), and the butt of the spear quivered over (it); and there (and) then did mighty Ares take away its force. And now would they have clashed with their swords in close combat, if the (two) Aiantes had not parted them (i.e. Hector and Automedon), eager (though they were), for they came through the throng at the call of heir comrade; and seized with fear of them, Hector and Aeneas went back again, and (so did) godlike Chromius, and Aretus they left behind there, life-stricken; and Automedon, the peer of swift Ares, stripped (him) of his armour, and said these words in exultation: "Now, in truth, I have eased my heart a little in its distress at the death of the son of Menoetius, though I have slain a lesser (man)."    

So saying, he took up the bloody spoils and put (them) in his chariot, and he mounted (it) himself, with his feet and hands bloody all over, like some lion that has devoured a bull. 

Ll. 543-566. Athene enters the ranks of the Achaeans. 

Then again was the mighty conflict extended over (the body of) Patroclus, painful and tearful (though it was), and Athene, coming down from heaven, urged on the strife; for far-seeing Zeus had sent (her) to spur on the Danaans; for his mind had now changed. When Zeus spreads a lurid rainbow from heaven to be a portent for mortals, whether of war or of a chilling storm, which stops men working on the land and disturbs the flocks, so she (i.e. Athene) covered herself with a lurid cloud and made her way into the mass of the Achaeans, and urged on every (single) man. The first (man, to whom) she spoke (words of) encouragement, (was) sturdy Menelaus, the son of Atreus; for he was close by her; likening herself to Phoenix (i.e. the tutor and comrade of Achilles) in form and tireless voice, (she said): "To you, Menelaus, there will be shame and censure, if the swift dogs tear asunder the trusty comrade of lordly Achilles beneath the Trojans' wall. But hold your ground valiantly, and urge on all of the host." 

Then, Menelaus, good at the war-cry, answered her: "Father Phoenix, old (and) venerable, if only Athene would give me strength, and keep away this hail of missiles - then would I be willing to stand by Patroclus and defend (him); for his death has touched me deeply at heart. But Hector has the dread fury of fire, and does not cease from cutting (men) down with bronze; for Zeus bestows glory on him."     

Ll. 567-596. Apollo encourages Hector to keep fighting the Achaeans. 

So he spoke, and the bright-eyed Athene was pleased that he had prayed to her first of all the gods (and goddesses). And she put strength in his shoulders and in his knees, and she put in his breast the daring of a mosquito, which, though constantly being driven away from a man's skin, persists in biting him, as to it a man's blood (is) pleasant; with such daring, she filled the dark heart within him (i.e. Menelaus), and he stood over Patroclus and cast his shining spear. There was among the Trojans (a man called) Podes, son of Eëtion, rich and brave (he was); and among the people Hector honoured him especially, for he was his dear comrade and boon companion at the feast; auburn-haired Menelaus smote him upon the belt, as he turned to flight, and the bronze (point) drove right through; and he crashed as he fell; then, Menelaus, son of Atreus, dragged the body (i.e. of Patroclus) away from the Trojans into the mass of his comrades. 

Then, Apollo came close to Hector and urged (him) on, (being) in the likeness of Phaenops, son of Asius, who was the dearest of all his guest-friends, and lived in a house at Abydos (n.b. Asius was the brother of Queen Hecuba, and so Phaenops was also Hector's first cousin); in that (man's) likeness, Apollo, who works from afar, spoke to him: "Hector, will any other (one) of the Achaeans still be frightened of you, seeing how you shrank from Menelaus, who (was) previously (considered) a feeble warrior? And now he has single-handedly carried a body out from the Trojan (ranks) and got away, and he has slain your trusty comrade, a good (man) among the foremost fighters, (namely) Podes, son of Eëtion."

So he spoke, and a black cloud of pain enveloped him (i.e. Hector), and he went his way through the foremost fighters, arrayed in flaming bronze. And then the son of Cronos took up the gleaming tasselled aegis and enshrouded Ida with clouds, and he sent a flash of lightning and thundered very loudly, and shook it (i.e. the aegis), and gave victory to the Trojans and put the Achaeans to flight. 

Ll. 597-625. Hector drives Idomeneus back to the ships. 

The first to begin the flight was Peneleos the Boeotian. For, ever facing towards (the foe), he was smitten with a spear on the top of his shoulder, a grazing (blow it was); and the point of the spear of Poulydamas scraped right through to his bone; for he hurled it, having come close (to him). Leïtus son of great-hearted Alectryon, did Hector again wound in close combat on his hand at the wrist, and he (i.e. Leïtus) ceased fighting; and he looked about him and shrank back, since he no longer had any hope in his heart that he might do battle with the Trojans, while holding his spear in his hand. And as Hector went after Leïtus, Idomeneus struck (him) on the corselet on his breast beside the nipple; but the long spear-shaft broke off at the socket, and the Trojans shouted aloud; and then he (i.e. Hector) cast his spear at Idomeneus, son of Deucalion, as he stood in his chariot; and he missed him by a hair's-breadth; but he (did strike) Coeranus, the squire and charioteer of Meriones, who had come with him from well-built Lyctus; for, in the first place, he came on foot, when leaving the ships that are rowed on both sides, and he would have yielded a great victory to the Trojans, if Coeranus had not driven up his swift-footed horses; and to him (i.e. Idomeneus) he came (as) a light (of deliverance) and he warded off the pitiless day (of doom), but he himself lost his life at the hands of man-slaying Hector. He smote him under his jaw and ears, and the spear dashed out his teeth at the roots, and he cut his tongue asunder through the middle. And he toppled from the chariot, and let the reins fall upon the ground. Then, Meriones bent forward and picked them up from the plain with his hands, and addressed Idomeneus: "Now, apply the whip until you get back to the swift ships; you can see for yourself that (there is) no longer any strength (left) in the Achaeans." 

So he spoke, and Idomeneus lashed the fair-maned horses back to the hollow ships; for fear had now fallen upon his heart. 

Ll. 626-655. Ajax prays to Zeus, and He listens. 

Nor had it escaped the notice of great-hearted Ajax and Menelaus that Zeus was giving a decisive victory to the Trojans. And of them, huge Telamonian Ajax was the first to speak: "Alas, now even (someone) who is a complete fool can see that Father Zeus himself is assisting the Trojans. For the missiles of all of them hit their mark, whoever discharges (them), (be he) a good or bad (marksman); and Zeus guides (them) all equally straight; whereas all of ours just fall uselessly to the ground. But come on! let us devise the best plan, whereby we may haul away the corpse, and also return home ourselves and be a source of joy to our dear companions, who must be looking this way in anguish, nor yet do they think that the fury of man-slaying Hector and his invincible hands will be withstood, but that he will fall upon the black ships. But, if only one of our companions could bear the tidings with all speed to the son of Peleus, for I do not think that he has heard the dreadful news that his dear companion is dead. But I cannot see such (a man) anywhere among the Achaeans; for they are covered in mist, themselves and their horses alike. But, Father Zeus, do you deliver the sons of the Achaeans from this mist and make the sky clear, and grant that we may see with our eyes; and do you even kill (us) in daylight, since your pleasure is thus."      

So he spoke, and the Father felt pity for him as he shed tears; and at once he dispelled the mist and drove away the gloom. And the sun shone upon (them) and the whole of the battle came into view; and then Ajax spoke to Menelaus, good at the war-cry: "Look now, Menelaus, cherished by Zeus, (to see) if you can see Antilochus, son of great-hearted Nestor, still alive, and urge (him) to go quickly to the warrior Achilles and tell (him) that the very dearest of his companions is dead."   

Ll. 656-693. Menelaus sends Antilochus to Achilles. 

So he spoke, and Menelaus, good at the war-cry, did not fail to obey (him), but went his way like some lion from a cattle-yard, when he is worn out attacking both dogs and men, who stay awake all night long and will not let (him) tear the fat from the cows, but, in his lust for flesh, he goes right in, but achieves nothing; for spears fly thickly against (him), (thrown) from bold hands, and burning fagots, which scare (him), eager though (he is); and in the morning he goes far away with a sorrowful heart; so did Menelaus, good at the war-cry, go from Patroclus much against his will; for he was greatly afraid that the Achaeans, as a result of their painful flight, might leave him (i.e. Patroclus) (as) spoil for the enemy. And many (requirements) did he lay upon Meriones and the Aiantes: "(You) Aiantes, leaders of the Argives, and (you) Meriones, now do you remember the kindness of poor Patroclus; for he was known to be gentle to everyone, while he was alive; yet now, death and fate have overtaken (him)."

So, having thus spoken, auburn-haired Menelaus departed, glancing around (him) on every side, like an eagle, which (men) say has the sharpest sight of all winged (creatures) under the heavens, whose notice, though he is on high, the swift-footed hare does not escape, as he crouches down beneath a leafy bush, but he swoops upon him and quickly grabs him and takes away his life. So then, Menelaus, cherished by Zeus, did your bright eyes spin around in all directions over the body of your many companions, (to see) if the son of Nestor might be seen anywhere  still alive. Him he very quickly noticed on the left-hand side of the whole battlefield, encouraging his comrades and urging (them) on to fight, and, coming near (to him), auburn-haired Menelaus spoke to (him as follows): "Come here now, Antilochus, cherished by Zeus, so that you may learn the terrible news that never ought to have happened. I think you already know it (from what) you have seen, that a god is rolling ruin upon the Danaans. And victory (belongs) to the Trojans; and the best of the Achaeans has been slain, (namely) Patroclus, and a great longing (for him) has arisen among the Danaans. But do you run speedily to the ships of the Achaeans and tell Achilles, (to see) if he may quickly bring back the naked corpse to the ships; but Hector of the shining helmet has got hold of his armour."   

Ll. 694-734. Patroclus' body is carried from the field.

So he (i.e. Menelaus) spoke, and Antilochus was horrified when he heard these words, and for a long time speechlessness took hold of him, and both his eyes filled with tears, and his sturdy voice was stifled. But not even so was he neglectful of the bidding of Menelaus, and he set off at a run and gave his armour to his peerless comrade Laodocus, who was wheeling his single-hooved horses nearby (him).

His feet bore him from the battle, shedding tears, in order to bring the bad news to Achilles, son of Peleus. Nor, Menelaus, cherished by Zeus, was your heart inclined to give help to his hard-pressed comrades, from whom Antilochus had departed, and a great longing (for him) came over the men of Pylos; but he sent forth godlike Thrasymedes (i.e. Antilochus' younger brother) to (lead) them, and he himself went back to the hero Patroclus, and he ran and stood beside the Aiantes and addressed (them) forthwith: "Yonder man I have sent to the swift ships, to go to swift-footed Achilles; but I do not think that he will come out right now, despite his great anger at godlike Hector; for, being without armour, (there is) no way he could fight against the Trojans. But let us ourselves devise the best plan, as to how we may haul away the corpse, and ourselves escape death and destruction amid the clamour of the Trojans."

Then, mighty Telamonian Ajax answered him: "All (these things) you have spoken aright, O most glorious Menelaus; but do you and Meriones bend down most quickly beneath the corpse and raise (him) up and bear (him) from the scene of battle; and behind you the two of us will fight off the Trojans and godlike Hector, having equal courage and the same name, we who have stood firm in fierce battle and remained at one another's side."    

So he spoke, and they lifted the dead (man) up on high from the ground in their arms with a very great heave, and behind (them) the Trojan host shouted aloud at (this), when they beheld the Achaeans raising the corpse. Then, they charged straight at (them), like hounds that dart at a wounded wild boar ahead of the young hunters, for they rush at (him) for a while, wanting to tear (him) apart, but, whenever he turns on (them), trusting in his own might, then they go back again, fleeing in all directions, some here, some there. So, for a time the Trojans constantly pursued (them) in a throng, thrusting at (them) with their swords and their double-pointed spears. But, whenever the (two) Aiantes would wheel around and stand against them, then would their colour change, and no one would dare to spring forward and fight for the body.    

Ll. 735-761. The Trojans continue to drive the Achaeans back to the ships. 

So, in eager haste, they carried the body out of the battle to the hollow ships; and the conflict was then stretched around them violent as a fire which falls upon a city of men and it suddenly breaks into flames, and houses collapse amid the huge blaze, and the force of the wind causes (it) to roar. So, the ceaseless din of the horses and spearmen came over them as they went; like mules applying their great strength to haul a beam or a great ship's timber down from a mountain along a rocky path; and the hearts within (them) are distressed by toil and sweat alike, as they press on; so, in eager haste, they carried the body. And behind (them) the (two) Aiantes held (the foe) in check, as a wooded ridge that happens to lie across a plain holds back (a flood of) water, and it even holds off the dread streams of powerful rivers, and, diverting (them,) it assigns all their flow straight out over the plain; nor do their currents break it asunder; so did the (two) Aiantes ever hold off the attack of the Trojans behind (them); but they (i.e. the Trojans) continued to follow after (them), especially two among them, Aeneas, the son of Anchises, and glorious Hector. And, as a cloud of starlings or jackdaws goes screeching dreadfully, when they see a hawk coming (at them), the (one) that brings death to little birds, so the young Achaeans went before Aeneas and Hector screaming incessantly, and their fighting spirit was forgotten. And much fine armour fell round and about the trench as the Danaans fled; and there was no rest from the fighting.