nor was Apollo inattentive to his father, but he
descended from the Idaean mountains to the grievous conflict. Immediately
removing noble Sarpedon out of [the reach of] weapons, and bearing him
far away, he laved him in the stream of the river, anointed him with
ambrosia, and placed around him immortal garments, then gave him in
charge to the twin-brothers, Sleep and Death, swift conductors, to be
borne away with them; who accordingly quickly placed him in the rich
state of wide Lycia.

In the meantime Patroclus, cheering on his steeds, and Automedon,
followed upon the Trojans and Lycians, and came to great
harm,--infatuate one!--but if he had observed the direction of the son
of Peleus, he had certainly escaped the evil fate of black death. But
the counsel of Jove is ever better than that of men, who puts to flight
even the valiant man, and easily deprives him of victory, even when he
himself has impelled him to fight; who then also excited courage in his
breast. Then whom first, and whom last, didst thou slay, O Patroclus,
when the gods now called thee on to death? Adrastus indeed first,
Autonous and Echeclus, and Perimus, son of Megas, and Epistor and
Melanippus; but then Elasus, and Mulius, and Pylartes. These he slew,
but the others were, each of them, mindful of flight. Then indeed had
the sons of the Greeks taken lofty-gated Troy, by the hands of
Patroclus, for he raged greatly beyond [others] with his spear, had not
Phoebus Apollo stood upon a well-built tower, meditating destructive
things to him, and assisting the Trojans. Thrice indeed Patroclus
mounted a buttress of the lofty wall, and thrice did Apollo repel him
with violence, striking his glittering shield with his immortal hands.
But when now, godlike, he rushed on the fourth time, far-casting
Apollo, threatening fearfully, addressed him:

"Retire, thou Jove-sprung Patroclus; by no means is it destined that the
city of the magnanimous Trojans should be destroyed by thy spear, nor by
Achilles, who is much better than thou."

Thus he spoke, but Patroclus retired far back, avoiding the wrath of
far-darting Apollo. But Hector detained his steeds at the Scaean[542]
gates; for he doubted whether, having driven again into the crowd, he
should fight, or should loudly command the people to be collected within
the walls. To him then, meditating these things, Phoebus Apollo stood
near, having assimilated himself to a hero youthful and brave, to Asius,
who was the