Faintly the dying man answered him: “It is a foolish boast, Hector. Thou camest, when I was defenseless and wounded, to rob me. In open conflict I could have slain twenty like thee, but a boy could have done what thou hast done. But vengeance is approaching and when it comes, think of me. The godlike Achilles still lives.”
“Spare me thy prophecies and die,” replied Hector. “Who knoweth but Achilles, like thee, may give up his soul at the point of my spear?” With these words he left the dying man and carried the splendid armor to a place of safety, then went back into the fray.
Chapter XII
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.”