mpasses the earth, that
they might easily persuade the great mind of the grandson of AEacus. But
they came to the tents and ships of the Myrmidons, and they found him
delighting his soul with his clear-toned harp, beautiful, curiously
wrought, and upon it was a silver comb. This he had taken from amongst
the spoils, having destroyed the city of Eetion, and with it he was
delighting his soul, and singing the glorious deeds[298] of heroes.
Patroclus alone sat opposite to him in silence, waiting upon the
descendant of AEacus when he should cease to sing. Then they advanced
farther, and divine Ulysses preceded; and they stood before him; whilst
Achilles, astonished, leaped up, with his lyre, quitting the seat where
he had been sitting. In like manner Patroclus, when he beheld the
heroes, arose, and swift-footed Achilles taking them by the hand,
addressed them:

"Hail, warriors, ye indeed have come as friends. Surely [there is] some
great necessity [when ye come], who are to me, although enraged, dearest
of the Greeks."

[Footnote 298: Or the renown of heroes. So Apollon. i. 1:
[Greek: Palaigeneon klea photon Mnesomai].]

Thus having spoken, divine Achilles led them forward, and seated them
upon couches and purple coverlets; then straightway he addressed
Patroclus, who was near:

"Place a larger goblet, O son of Menoetius, mix purer wine,[299] and
prepare a cup for each, for men most dear [to me] are beneath my roof."

[Footnote 299: _I. e_. less diluted than usual. On this quaint
picture of ancient manners, compared with the customs of the
Hebrew fathers, compare Coleridge, p. 151.]

Thus he spoke; and Patroclus obeyed his dear companion. But he
[Achilles] placed in the flame of the fire a large dressing-block, and
upon it he laid the chine of a sheep and of a fat goat, with the back of
a fatted sow, abounding in fat. Automedon then held them for him, and
noble Achilles cut them up; and divided them skilfully into small
pieces, and transfixed them with spits; whilst the son of Menoetius, a
godlike hero, kindled a large fire. But when the fire had burned away,
and the flame grew languid, strewing the embers, he extended the spits
over them, and sprinkled them with sacred salt, raising them up from the
racks. But when he had dressed them, and had thrown them upon kitchen
tables, Patroclus, taking bread, served it out upon the board in
beautiful baskets: but Achilles distributed the flesh. But he himself