The Greeks claimed the execution of the promise, and in return a Trojan
archer sent an arrow which wounded Agamemnon. A general melee ensued, the
formidable Diomedes dashed into the midst of the Trojans, wounded Venus,
who protected Paris, and struck Mars himself; and Hector, the brave son of
Priam was compelled to retire, exhorting the Trojans to supplicate Pallas
to withdraw Diomedes from the combat.
After this bloody action, in which the Gods themselves had taken part, the
two armies engaged in several skirmishes without much advantage on either
side. The siege still continued, and the anger of Achilles remained, until
his revenge was aroused by the death of Patroclus, his friend, who was
slain in battle by Hector.
"Thus by an arm divine and mortal spear
Wounded at once, Patroclus yields to fear,
Retires for succour to his social train,
And flies the fate which Heaven decreed, in vain.
Stern Hector as the bleeding chief he views,
Breaks through the ranks, and his retreat pursues:
The lance arrests him with a mortal wound;
He falls, earth shudders, and his arms resound.
With him all Greece was sunk, that moment all
Her yet surviving heroes seemed to fall.
Patroclus thus, so many chiefs o'erthrown,
So many lives effused, expires his own."