into the bosom of Achilles
nectar and delightful ambrosia, that unpleasant hunger might not come
upon his limbs. Then she went to the solid mansion of her powerful sire,
and they, apart, poured forth from the swift ships.

And as when thick snow-flakes fly down from Jove, beneath the force of
the cold, air-clearing Boreas; so from the ships were borne out crowded
helmets, shining brightly, and bossed shields, strong-cavitied corslets,
and ashen spears. But the sheen reached to heaven, and all the earth
around smiled beneath the splendour of the brass; and a trampling of the
feet of men arose beneath. In the midst noble Achilles was armed, and
there was a gnashing of his teeth, and his eyes shone like a blaze of
fire; but intolerable grief entered his heart within him, and, enraged
against the Trojans, he put on the gifts of the god, which Vulcan,
toiling, had fabricated for him. First around his legs he placed the
beautiful greaves, joined with silver clasps, next he put on the corslet
round his breast, and suspended from his shoulders the brazen,
silver-studded sword; then he seized the shield, large and solid, the
sheen of which went to a great distance, as of the moon.[639] And as
when from the sea the blaze of a burning fire shines to mariners, which
is lit aloft amongst the mountains in a solitary place; but the storm
bears them against their inclination away from their friends over the
fishy deep; so from the shield of Achilles, beautiful and skilfully
made, the brightness reached the sky. But raising it, he placed the
strong helmet upon his head; and the helmet, crested with horse-hair,
shone like a star; and the golden tufts which Vulcan had diffused thick
around the cone were shaken. Then noble Achilles tried himself in his
arms if they would fit him, and if his fair limbs would move freely in
them; but they were like wings to him, and lifted up the shepherd of the
people. And from its sheath he drew forth his paternal spear, heavy,
great, and stout, which no other of the Greeks was able to brandish, but
Achilles alone knew how to hurl it--a Pelian ash, which Chiron had cut
for his father from the top of Pelion, to be a destruction to heroes.
But Automedon and Alcimus, harnessing the steeds, yoked them; and
beautiful collars were upon them. They put the bridles into their jaws,
and drew back the reins towards the well-glued car, when Automedon,
seizing the shining lash, fitted to his hand, leaped into the car;