Give me to seize rich Nestor’s shield of gold.”
And in the Nineteenth Book, Achilles reproaches his horses with the death of Patrocles, when
“The generous Xanthus as the words he said
Seemed sensible of woe and drooped his head;
Trembling he stood before the golden wain,
And bowed to dust the honors of his mane,”
before he makes a spirited reply foretelling his master’s death.
[255]. This “tiger skin” is supposed to be a magic garment which had the power of resisting the impression of every weapon. It was proof against fire, and would not sink in water. According to some classic authorities, he received it from his father, Zal; others say it was made from the skin of an animal which Rustem killed on the mountain of Sham. It will be remembered that the heroes of ancient poets frequently wore the skins of animals. Hercules wore the skin of the Nemæan lion. The skins of panthers and leopards were worn by the Greek and Trojan chiefs, and Virgil says of Alcestes:
“Rough in appearance, with darts, and a Libyan bearskin around him,
Whom once a Trojan mother had borne to the river Cremisus.”