Then pressed the men of Greece the more. Back from the ships they drove the men of Troy.
But to Hector where he lay a-dying came Apollo, and into his fainting body and heart he breathed fresh strength and courage.
With strength as the strength of ten Hector once again faced the foe, and before him the Greeks fell back in dismay.
Patroclus in his tent, tending the wounds of a friend, marked how the Greeks fell back, and he groaned aloud.
‘To Achilles must I hasten,’ he said. ‘Who knows but that the time has come when I may arouse him to join in the battle.’
CHAPTER XI
HOW PATROCLUS FOUGHT AND DIED
While round the dark ships of Greece the fierce fight raged, Achilles, from afar, listened unmoved to the din of battle, and watched with stony eyes the men of Greece as they fell and died on the reddened ground.
To him came Patroclus.
‘Why dost thou weep, Patroclus?’ asked Achilles. ‘Like a fond little maid art thou that runs by her mother’s side, plucking at her gown, hindering her as she walks, and with tearful eyes looking up at her until the mother lifts her in her arms. Like her, Patroclus, dost thou softly weep.’
Then Patroclus, heavily groaning, made answer: