The Fight for Patroclus’ Body—Achilles Mourns for His Fallen
Friend—Thetis and Vulcan—Achilles’ Shield
Hector next roved about seeking to capture the splendid steeds of
Achilles with which Patroclus had entered the field, but he could not
come near them, for Patroclus’ charioteer, Automedon, was already far
distant. Meanwhile the space about Patroclus’ body was deserted except
for Menelaus, who stood guard beside it, covering it with his shield
until some of his comrades should come up to bear it away to the ships.
He was spied by Euphorbus, brother of that Hyperenor who had fallen by
Menelaus’ hand the day before. He approached within a spear’s cast and
called to him: “Son of Atreus, stand back from the dead! Thou shalt not
give honorable burial to this destroyer who hath slain so many of us.
Back, before I rob thee of thy sweet life!”
“Great Jupiter,” cried Menelaus, “did one ever hear such insolence! Only
yesterday thy brother Hyperenor was equally bold, but I believe he has
paid the penalty, for he can scarcely have returned to his dear wife and
old father on his own feet. The same fate awaiteth thee, if thou
approach nearer. I advise thee to escape while thou canst.”
“It is for my brother’s sake that I would fight with thee,” cried
Euphorbus. “How delighted shall my father be when I bring him thy bloody
armor in token of vengeance. But why do I waste time in talk? Let us try
our skill.”
As he spoke he ran at Menelaus full tilt with his lance, but the point
bent like lead against the shield and did not even scratch it. Then
Menelaus ran him through with his own spear and the slender youth fell,
as a tender sprout of olive is uprooted by the wind. His long waving
hair was bathed in blood and he, who but a moment before had bounded
among the ranks of warriors like a deer, lay unrecognizable. Menelaus
was about to take his armor when he saw Hector at a distance, and not
caring to face him he left Patroclus’ body and ran to fetch the elder
Ajax, that together they might protect their friend from the thieving
hands of the Trojans.
Then Glaucus spoke sullenly to Hector. “Thou art a great boaster, but
never have I seen thee at the post of danger, nor attempting to defend
or avenge any of thy comrades. The heroic Sarpedon, who sacrificed so
much for thee, was left to his fate, and no one knoweth where he fell.
Do the Lycians deserve this at thy hands? If thou art so ungrateful and
no honor is paid a fallen hero, then mayest thou fight thy battles alone
and I will take my Lycians home. If ye Trojans were men of courage and
decision, ye would carry off the body of Patroclus to a place of safety.
Doubtless the Achaians would then offer the body of Sarpedon and his
weapons in exchange and even more. But thou fleest the battle like a
coward, fearing Ajax, who is, indeed, quite another sort of man.”
Darkly Hector gazed at him and began: “Ah, my friend, I have always
taken thee for a man of sense, but now hast thou spoken rashly. When did
the enemy or the snorting of horses ever terrify me? No, I fear neither
Ajax nor Diomedes nor any of the Achaian heroes, but rather the decree
of Jove, who has apparently given victory into the hands of the enemy.
What availeth the valor of a mortal against the god of gods? But if thou
wilt observe my actions, take heed and see if I am as timid as thou hast
said.”
Clad in Achilles’ magnificent armor he immediately assembled his men
with loud battle cries. Calling all the princes together, he spoke to
them. “Friends and allies, not to be in the midst of many men have I
called ye to Troy, but that ye might aid me in time of danger to protect
our wives and children. It is for this that our poor people are laboring
to feed and sustain ye with their flocks and the fruits of their fields,
and for this I am striving with sword and speech to encourage ye and
spur ye on to the combat. Then let us fight to the death! And to him who
bears the body of Patroclus into Troy I promise a rich recompense.”
All followed him, shouting, to the spot where Menelaus and Ajax stood
shielding the body of Patroclus. Their hearts beat wildly when they saw
the little band bearing down on them, and Menelaus ran as fast as he
could to procure more help. “Come friends,” he cried, “there lies
Patroclus, whom the Trojans would seize and carry away to become food
for Trojan dogs. Do ye not feel the shame of it?”
The younger Ajax was the first to hear and respond; then came Idomeneus
and Meriones, each with a band of followers. They arrived beside the
corpse just as Hector and his men came up, and the shock of meeting was
like the ocean tide at the mouth of some mighty river which empties into
the sea, so terrible was the crash of shields and lances.
Then Automedon with Achilles’ steeds came dashing along, resolved
himself to contend for the corpse. Hector saw him coming and cried,
rejoicing, to Æneas: “There come Achilles’ splendid horses! Come, if
thou wilt aid me, let us take them!” They ran toward the chariot, but
Automedon, springing to the ground, called Ajax and Menelaus to his aid.
Chromeus and Aretus joined Hector and Æneas and a fresh contest raged
about the chariot. Hector aimed well and cast with mighty power, but
Automedon dashed quickly aside and the spear flew far over him into the
earth, where it quivered for a long time. Automedon was more fortunate,
and although Hector dodged the blow, it struck Aretus, who stood behind
him. Meanwhile evening was descending and Ajax was anxious to secure the
body before night came on. But it was all the Achaians could do to hold
back the enemy. Then Ajax said to Menelaus: “If only some good youth
would hasten to the ships and take to Achilles the tidings of his
friend’s death perhaps he would come himself to rescue the body from the
enemy’s hands. Dost thou see Antilochus, Nestor’s son? I think he could
reach camp quickest.” Menelaus hastened away to seek the youth, where he
was fighting at the other side of the battlefield. He was horrified to
learn of the hero’s death and tears filled his eyes; but he did not
tarry and hurried away to Achilles.
Menelaus returned straightway to Ajax, saying: “I have sent him, but I
doubt whether Achilles will come without his armor. So let us try once
more to secure the body.”
“Thou art right,” answered Ajax. “Let us make another attempt, and if
they retire but a little way, do thou and Meriones seize the corpse
while the rest of us keep off the mighty Hector and the other Trojans.”
This strategy partially succeeded and Menelaus and Meriones were able to
drag the body some distance away. Meanwhile Achilles had been
impatiently awaiting his tardy friend. He ascended to his usual post,
the high deck of his ship, and saw, approaching through the twilight and
clouds of dust, dense crowds which looked like fleeing men. It seemed to
him that he could hear Hector’s triumphant voice pursuing the Achaians.
An uneasy premonition seized him and he was about to send out a
messenger when young Antilochus appeared before him and spake, weeping:
“Woe is me, son of Peleus, I bring thee sad tidings. Patroclus is slain,
and our warriors are fighting desperately for his naked body, for Hector
has taken his weapons.”
Achilles grew pale as death. He tore his hair with rage, beat his
breast, and threw himself upon the ground, covering dress, face, and
head with dust. His eyes flashed dangerously, his heart palpitated, and
horrible groans escaped his half-open lips. His slaves gathered about
him in affright; but when they learned the cause of his boundless
sorrow, they all burst out weeping. Antilochus wept also and held the
hero’s hands, fearing that the passionate man would harm himself. This
terrible despair lasted a long time, but at last the overburdened heart
found relief in tears and he broke out in loud lamentations.
His mother Thetis heard him and arose from the depths of the sea to seat
herself beside her unhappy son. She pressed his head to her bosom and
inquired tenderly: “Dear child, what is troubling thee now? Do not
conceal anything from me. Speak! Hath Jupiter not fulfilled thy wish and
given the victory to the Trojans?”
“What care I for the favor of Jupiter when Patroclus, whom I loved as
myself, lies dead! Hector hath slain him and taken the armor, that
splendid gift of my valiant father. For what a fate was I born! But,
indeed, I will not live if I may not slay Hector and avenge the death of
my friend.”
“Glorious son,” said his mother, weeping, “when thou hast slain him it
will be thy doom; for thy death is decreed immediately after Hector’s.”
“Would that I were already dead,” answered Achilles gloomily, “as I was
not permitted to save my friend. But I will avenge him and pay him such
honor as no mortal has ever received before. Then let Jupiter do with me
as he will. Death is the lot of all. Even great Hercules died, the best
beloved of all Jupiter’s sons. But before Death takes me, many a Trojan
woman shall lament that I have slain her son or young spouse. They shall
all learn that my long rest is ended.”
“I shall not restrain thee,” answered the silver-footed Thetis, “for thy
grief is righteous and thy resolution to honor the dead and save thy
friends from destruction is commendable. But thou hast no weapons and I
forbid thee to enter the turmoil of Mars until at dawn thou seest me
returning with armor from the hand of the artist Vulcan.” She suddenly
disappeared and ascended to Olympus to beg the weapons from the god.
[Illustration: _THETIS CONSOLING ACHILLES_]
Meanwhile the noise of the struggle grew louder as the fortunes of war
drove the Achaians to flight. With loud cries the Trojans followed the
body of Patroclus in the twilight, and although the two bearers hurried
as fast as they could to get it to a place of safety, they were often in
danger of losing it. Hector pursued them continually with his men and
more than once had seized one of the dead man’s feet. The two Ajaxes had
no thought of killing Hector, for his gigantic stature appalled them.
They only held the corpse tighter, to keep it from being torn from them.
Just as they were nearing the moat, they would have lost it, if a swift
messenger had not summoned Achilles. “Help! help! Achilles!” he cried.
“Hector will soon have taken the body of Patroclus. He threatens to cut
off the head and put it on a pike and to throw the trunk to the Trojan
dogs. What a disgrace if thy friend’s body be taken and misused!”
Like a maniac, without armor or weapons, Achilles rushed out, and in a
voice like thunder rolling in the mountains, he roared out most terrible
threats, so that both Trojans and Achaians were overcome by fear and
Hector, terrified, let go the corpse and quickly retired with his
followers, thinking Achilles was already on his track. Thus the two
heroes brought the corpse safely into camp. Achilles gazed long upon his
friend, speechless, with bowed head, clenched hands, and tears coursing
down his cheeks. The Trojans now held council whether they should spend
the night in the city or on the battlefield. Polydamas was anxious to
retire, for he feared Achilles; but Hector insisted on remaining, for he
held that it would be cowardly to allow the enemy to suspect that they
were afraid. “Let Achilles come forth to-morrow,” he concluded; “he will
do so at his own risk. I shall surely not fly before him. I long to meet
him, and then Jupiter shall decide which one of us shall be covered with
glory. Mars is a vacillating god, who oft destroys the destroyer.”
So they encamped on the field for the night. Youths brought forth
animals from the city for the sacrifice, together with bread and wine,
lit fires, and prepared the evening meal. The Achaians also, after
supping, laid down to rest. But Achilles could not sleep. Kneeling
beside his dead friend, he laid his hand on his cold breast and sobbed.
Overcome with grief he cried: “Before the earth hides me, thou shalt be
avenged, my Patroclus. I will lay Hector’s weapons at thy feet and
Hector’s bloody head beside them. I will slay twelve Trojan youths in
thine honor. Rest thou here in peace, for the morrow shall shed glory
upon thee and me.”
Meanwhile Thetis had arrived in Olympus and went straightway to Vulcan’s
dwelling. Late as it was, she heard him hammering in his workshop, for
he was making twenty bronze tripods for the Olympians’ hall. He had
fastened golden wheels to each foot, so that they could roll to the
banquet of themselves. They were all finished except for the handles,
and these he wished to complete that night. Aphrodite, the beautiful
spouse of the lame fire god, was the first to spy the newcomer at the
door. She took her hand, saying: “Welcome, dear friend, what bringeth
thee so late from thy sea depths? Thou dost not often visit me.” She led
her within and called her spouse.
He immediately left his anvil, washed his hands with a sponge, also his
sooty face, neck, and powerful chest, threw on his cloak, and leaning on
his golden staff, came limping to the door. He took the goddess’ hand
and bade her welcome. “I always think of thee with gratitude,” he said;
“for thou didst take me in when I was lamed and my mother would not
tolerate me in heaven. Then I lived for a time in thy crystal palace
under the sea and fashioned many a pretty piece of work—rings and
clasps, pins and chains—until Juno took me into favor again and I left
thy dwelling. Therefore, Aphrodite, see that thou entertain our guest
worthily.”
When Thetis had partaken of the nectar and ambrosia which Aphrodite set
before her, she began to recite all her son’s troubles, from Agamemnon’s
injustice down to the fall of Patroclus. Then she begged the god to
forge new armor for the unlucky Achilles, so that he might be ready to
attack Hector in the morning. Aphrodite was displeased, for she feared
for the Trojans, but the god paid no attention to her and promised to
fulfil Thetis’ desire. He immediately returned to his workshop and began
the work.
Before the night was two thirds past the most splendid suit of armor
that ever a hero had possessed was completed. The shield especially was
a work of art. In the middle the earth was represented with the sea and
sky, sun, moon, and stars. There were also two cities; one at peace and
the other in the throes of war. In one a wedding was being celebrated
with music and dance and there were many pictures of peaceful labor in
field and vineyard. The other city was in a state of siege, and one
could plainly see the besiegers and the citizens defending themselves.
Around the edge of the shield flowed the deep river Oceanus.