hilles sat within his tent, nursing his great wrath, and
reviling all who came before him with gifts and prayers.

But dearer than all others to the child of the sea-nymph, Thetis, was
Patroclus, the son of Menoetius, and the heart of Achilles was touched
with pity when he saw the tears stream down his face, and he said,
"Dear friend, tell me thy grief, and hide nothing from me. Hast thou
evil tidings from our home at Phthia, or weepest thou for the troubles
which vex us here?" Then Patroclus spoke out boldly, and said, "Be not
angry at my words, Achilles. The strength of the Argives is wasted
away, and the mightiest of their chieftains lie wounded or dead around
their ships. They call thee the child of Peleus and of Thetis, but men
will say that thou art sprung from the rugged rocks and the barren
sea, if thou seest thy people undone and liftest not an arm to help
them." Then Achilles answered, "My friend, the vow is on me, and I can
not go, but put thou on my armor and go forth to the battle. Only take
heed to my words, and go not in my chariot against the City of Ilion.
Drive our enemies from the ships, and let them fight in the plain, and
then do thou come back to my tent."

Then the hearts of the Achaians were cheered, for next to Achilles
there was not in all the host a warrior more brave and mighty than
Patroclus. At his word the Myrmidons started up from their long rest,
and hastily snatched their arms to follow him to the battle. Presently
Patroclus came forth. The glistening helmet of Achilles was on his
head, and his armor was girt around his body. Only he bore not his
mighty spear, for no mortal man might wield that spear in battle but
Achilles. Before the tent stood the chariot, and harnessed to it were
the horses, Xanthos and Balios, who grow not old nor die.

So Patroclus departed for the fight, and Achilles went into his tent,
and as he poured out the dark wine from a golden goblet, he prayed to
Zeus, and said, "O thou that dwellest far away in Dodona, where the
Selloi do thy bidding and proclaim thy will, give strength and victory
to Patroclus, my friend. Let him drive the men of Ilion from the ships
and come back safe to me after the battle." But Zeus heard the prayer
in part only, for the doom was that Achilles should see Patroclus
alive no more.

Then the hosts of the Trojans trembled as Patroclus drew nigh on the
chariot of Achilles, and none dared to go forth against him. Onward
sped the undyin