atigued, harassing both dogs and men, who watching all night, suffer
him not to carry off the fat of the oxen; but he, desirous of flesh,
rushes on, but nothing profits; for many javelins fly against him from
daring hands, and blazing torches, which, eager as he is, he dreads; but
early in the morning he goes apart with saddened mind. So, most
unwilling, from Patroclus went Menelaus, brave in the din of war;
because he greatly feared lest the Greeks, through grievous terror,
should leave him a prey to the enemy. And much, therefore, he exhorted
Meriones and the Ajaces:

"Ye Ajaces, leaders of the Greeks, and Meriones, now let each one be
mindful of the gentleness of wretched Patroclus; for when alive, he knew
how to be mild to all; but now, indeed, Death and Fate overtake him."

Thus then having spoken, yellow-haired Menelaus departed, gazing round
in all directions, like an eagle, which, they say, sees most acutely of
birds beneath the sky, and which, though being aloft, the swift-footed
hare does not escape, when lying beneath the dense-foliaged thicket; but
he pounces upon it, and quickly seizing it, deprives it of life. Thus, O
Jove-nurtured Menelaus, were thy shining eyes turned round in all
directions through the band of thy numerous companions, if anywhere thou
mightst behold the son of Nestor, yet living. But him he very soon
perceived upon the left of all the battle, encouraging his companions,
and inciting them to fight; and standing near, yellow-haired Menelaus
addressed [him]:

"Ho! hither come, Antilochus, Jove-nurtured, that thou mayest hear the
sad message which--would that it had not happened. I think, indeed, that
thou thyself looking, perceivest that a god rolls disaster upon the
Greeks, but that victory is on the side of the Trojans; for Patroclus,
the bravest of the Greeks, is slain; and a great longing [after him] has
befallen the Greeks. But do thou quickly tell it to Achilles, running to
the ships of the Greeks, if perchance quickly he may bring in safety to
his ships the unarmed body; for crest-tossing Hector possesses the
armour."

Thus he spoke; but Antilochus shuddered, hearing the news; and long did
a want of words possess him; and his eyes were filled with tears, and
his liquid voice was interrupted. Yet not even thus did he neglect the
command of Menelaus; but he hastened to run, and gave his armour to
Laodocus, his blameless companion, who, near him, managed the
solid-hoofed steeds. Hi