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legs with greaves of good make； and fitted with ancle…clasps of
silver； after this he donned the cuirass of the son of Aeacus；
richly inlaid and studded。 He hung his silver…studded sword of
bronze about his shoulders； and then his mighty shield。 On his
ely head he set his helmet； well wrought； with a crest of
horse…hair that nodded menacingly above it。 He grasped two
redoubtable spears that suited his hands； but he did not take the
spear of noble Achilles； so stout and strong； for none other of
the Achaeans could wield it； though Achilles could do so easily。
This was the ashen spear from Mount Pelion； which Chiron had cut
upon a mountain top and had given to Peleus； wherewith to deal
out death among heroes。 He bade Automedon yoke his horses with
all speed； for he was the man whom he held in honour next after
Achilles； and on whose support in battle he could rely most
firmly。 Automedon therefore yoked the fleet horses Xanthus and
Balius； steeds that could fly like the wind： these were they whom
the harpy Podarge bore to the west wind； as she was grazing in a
meadow by the waters of the river Oceanus。 In the side traces he
set the noble horse Pedasus； whom Achilles had brought away with
him when he sacked the city of Eetion； and who； mortal steed
though he was； could take his place along with those that were
immortal。
Meanwhile Achilles went about everywhere among the tents； and
bade his Myrmidons put on their armour。 Even as fierce ravening
wolves that are feasting upon a homed stag which they have killed
upon the mountains； and their jaws are red with bloodthey go in
a pack to lap water from the clear spring with their long thin
tongues； and they reek of blood and slaughter； they know not what
fear is； for it is hunger drives themeven so did the leaders
and counsellors of the Myrmidons gather round the good squire of
the fleet descendant of Aeacus； and among them stood Achilles
himself cheering on both men and horses。
Fifty ships had noble Achilles brought to Troy； and in each there
was a crew of fifty oarsmen。 Over these he set five captains whom
he could trust； while he was himself mander over them all。
Menesthius of the gleaming corslet； son to the river Spercheius
that streams from heaven； was captain of the first pany。 Fair
Polydora daughter of Peleus bore him to ever…flowing
Spercheiusa woman mated with a godbut he was called son of
Borus son of Perieres； with whom his mother was living as his
wedded wife； and who gave great wealth to gain her。 The second
pany was led by noble Eudorus； son to an unwedded woman。
Polymele； daughter of Phylas the graceful dancer； bore him； the
mighty slayer of Argos was enamoured of her as he saw her among
the singing women at a dance held in honour of Diana the rushing
huntress of the golden arrows； he thereforeMercury； giver of
all goodwent with her into an upper chamber； and lay with her
in secret； whereon she bore him a noble son Eudorus； singularly
fleet of foot and in fight valiant。 When Ilithuia goddess of the
pains of child…birth brought him to the light of day； and he saw
the face of the sun； mighty Echecles son of Actor took the mother
to wife； and gave great wealth to gain her； but her father Phylas
brought the child up； and took care of him； doting as fondly upon
him as though he were his own son。 The third pany was led by
Pisander son of Maemalus； the finest spearman among all the
Myrmidons next to Achilles' own rade Patroclus。 The old knight
Phoenix was captain of the fourth pany； and Alcimedon； noble
son of Laerceus of the fifth。
When Achilles had chosen his men and had stationed them all with
their captains； he charged them straitly saying； 〃Myrmidons；
remember your threats against the Trojans while you were at the
ships in the time of my anger； and you were all plaining of
me。 'Cruel son of Peleus；' you would say； 'your mother must have
suckled you on gall； so ruthless are you。 You keep us here at the
ships against our will； if you are so relentless it were better
we went home over the sea。' Often have you gathered and thus
chided with me。 The hour is now e for those high feats of arms
that you have so long been pining for； therefore keep high hearts
each one of you to do battle with the Trojans。〃
With these words he put heart and soul into them all； and they
serried their panies yet more closely when they heard the of
their king。 As the stones which a builder sets in the wall of
some high house which is to give shelter from the windseven so
closely were the helmets and bossed shields set against one
another。 Shield pressed on shield； helm on helm； and man on man；
so close were they that the horse…hair plumes on the gleaming
ridges of their helmets touched each other as they bent their
heads。
In front of them all two men put on their armourPatroclus and
Automedontwo men； with but one mind to lead the Myrmidons。 Then
Achilles went inside his tent and opened the lid of the strong
chest which silver…footed Thetis had given him to take on board
ship； and which she had filled with shirts； cloaks to keep out
the cold； and good thick rugs。 In this chest he had a cup of rare
workmanship； from which no man but himself might drink； nor would
he make offering from it to any other god save only to father
Jove。 He took the cup from the chest and cleansed it with
sulphur； this done he rinsed it clean water； and after he had
washed his hands he drew wine。 Then he stood in the middle of the
court and prayed； looking towards heaven； and making his
drink…offering of wine； nor was he unseen of Jove whose joy is in
thunder。 〃King Jove；〃 he cried； 〃lord of Dodona； god of the
Pelasgi； who dwellest afar； you who hold wintry Dodona in your
sway； where your prophets the Selli dwell around you with their
feet unwashed and their couches made upon the groundif you
heard me when I prayed to you aforetime； and did me honour while
you sent disaster on the Achaeans； vouchsafe me now the
fulfilment of yet this further prayer。 I shall stay here where my
ships are lying； but I shall send my rade into battle at the
head of many Myrmidons。 Grant； O all…seeing Jove； that victory
may go with him； put your courage into his heart that Hector may
learn whether my squire is man enough to fight alone； or whether
his might is only then so indomitable when I myself enter the
turmoil of war。 Afterwards when he has chased the fight and the
cry of battle from the ships； grant that he may return unharmed；
with his armour and his rades； fighters in close bat。〃
Thus did he pray； and all…counselling Jove heard his prayer。
Part of it he did indeed vouchsafe himbut not the whole。 He
granted that Patroclus should thrust back war and battle from the
ships； but refused to let him e safely out of the fight。
When he had made his drink…offering and had thus prayed； Achilles
went inside his tent and put back the cup into his chest。
Then he again came out； for he still loved to look upon the
fierce fight that raged between the Trojans and Achaeans。
Meanwhile the armed band that was about Patroclus marched on till
they sprang high in hope upon the Trojans。 They came swarming out
like wasps whose nests are by the roadside； and whom silly
children love to tease； whereon any one who happens to be passing
may get stungor again； if a wayfarer going along the road vexes
them by accident； every wasp will e flying out in a fury to
defend his little oneseven with such rage and courage did the
Myrmidons swarm from their ships； and their cry of battle rose
heavenwards。 Patroclus called out to his men at the top of his
voice； 〃Myrmidons； followers of Achilles son of Peleus； be men my
friends； fight with might and with main； that we may win glory
for the son of Peleus； who is far the foremost man at the ships
of the Argiveshe； and his close fighting followers。 The son of
Atreus King Agamemnon will thus learn his folly in showing no
respect to the bravest of the Achaeans。〃
With these words he put heart and soul into them all； and they
fell in a body upon the Trojans。 The ships rang again with the
cry which the Achaeans raised； and when the Trojans saw the brave
son of Menoetius and his squire all gleaming in