Patroclus! these prophetic strains of death
At hand, and fate, why hast thou sung to me?
May not the son of Thetis azure-hair’d,
Achilles, perish first by spear of mine?
He said; then pressing with his heel the trunk1055
Supine, and backward thursting it, he drew
His glittering weapon from the wound, nor stay’d,
But lance in hand, the godlike charioteer
Pursued of swift Æacides, on fire
To smite Automedon; but him the steeds1060
Immortal, rapid, by the Gods conferr’d
(A glorious gift) on Peleus, snatch’d away.
BOOK XVII.
ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTEENTH BOOK.
Sharp contest ensues around the body of Patroclus. Hector puts on the armor of Achilles. Menelaus, having dispatched Antilochus to Achilles with news of the death of Patroclus, returns to the battle, and, together with Meriones, bears Patroclus off the field, while the Ajaces cover their retreat.
BOOK XVII.
Nor Menelaus, Atreus’ valiant son,
Knew not how Menœtiades had fallen
By Trojan hands in battle; forth he rush’d
All bright in burnish’d armor through his van,
And as some heifer with maternal fears5
Now first acquainted, compasses around
Her young one murmuring, with tender moan,
So moved the hero of the amber locks
Around Patroclus, before whom his spear
Advancing and broad shield, he death denounced10
On all opposers; neither stood the son
Spear-famed of Panthus inattentive long
To slain Patroclus, but approach’d the dead,
And warlike Menelaus thus bespake.