d heavy was his heart within him:

"These Greeks took from me my well-won prize, Patroclus. Yet let the
past be past; no man may keep his anger for ever. I have said that
until the men of Troy come to burn my own ships I will hold me back
from the battle. But take you my armor; lead my men in the fight, and
drive from the ships the men of Troy. But to others leave it to chase
them across the plain."

Even as Achilles spoke, the strength of mighty Ajax had come to an
end, and with furious rush did the Trojans board the ships. In their
hands they bore blazing torches, and up to the sky rushed the fiercely
roaring flames.

Then cried Achilles, smiting his thighs:

"Haste thee, Patroclus! They burn the ships! Arm thyself speedily, and
I will call my men!"

Corslet and shield and helmet did Patroclus swiftly don, and girded on
the silver-studded sword and took two strong lances in his hand.

In the chariot of Achilles he mounted, and Automedon, best and bravest
of charioteers, took the reins.

Swift as the wild west wind were Bayard and Piebald, the two horses of
Achilles, and in the side harness was Pedasus, a horse only less swift
than they.

Gladly did the men of Achilles meet his call to arms, for fierce as
wolves were they.

"Many times hast thou blamed me," cried Achilles, "because in my
wrath I kept ye back from battle. Here for ye now is a mighty fight,
such as ye love."

To battle they went, and while Patroclus led them forth, Achilles in
his tent offered up an offering to Zeus.

Like wasps that pour forth from their nests by the wayside to sting
the boys who have stoned them, so now did the Greeks swarm from their
ships.

Before the sword of Patroclus fell a mighty warrior, and when the men
of Troy saw the shining armor of Achilles in his own chariot their
hearts sank within them.

Out of the ships were they driven, the fire was quenched, and back to
the trench rolled the tide of battle. In the trench writhed many a
horse and many a man in dying agonies. But clear across it leaped the
horses of Achilles, and close to the walls of Troy did Patroclus drive
brave Hector before him.

His chariot then he turned, and headed off the fleeing Trojans,
driving them down to the ships. Before the furious rush of his swift
steeds, other horses were borne off their feet, other chariots cast in
ruins on the ground, and men crushed to death under his wheels. Chief
after chief did Patroclus slay. A mighty destro