r been
seen by men.

Meanwhile the fight raged round the dead body of Patroclus, which was
defiled with blood and dust, near the ships, and was being dragged this
way and that, and torn and wounded. Achilles could not bear this sight,
yet his mother had warned him not to enter without armour the battle
where stones and arrows and spears were flying like hail; and he was so
tall and broad that he could put on the arms of no other man. So he went
down to the ditch as he was, unarmed, and as he stood high above it,
against the red sunset, fire seemed to flow from his golden hair like the
beacon blaze that soars into the dark sky when an island town is attacked
at night, and men light beacons that their neighbours may see them and
come to their help from other isles. There Achilles stood in a splendour
of fire, and he shouted aloud, as clear as a clarion rings when men fall
on to attack a besieged city wall. Thrice Achilles shouted mightily, and
thrice the horses of the Trojans shuddered for fear and turned back from
the onslaught,--and thrice the men of Troy were confounded and shaken
with terror. Then the Greeks drew the body of Patroclus out of the dust
and the arrows, and laid him on a bier, and Achilles followed, weeping,
for he had sent his friend with chariot and horses to the war; but home
again he welcomed him never more. Then the sun set and it was night.

Now one of the Trojans wished Hector to retire within the walls of Troy,
for certainly Achilles would to-morrow be foremost in the war. But
Hector said, "Have ye not had your fill of being shut up behind walls?
Let Achilles fight; I will meet him in the open field." The Trojans
cheered, and they camped in the plain, while in the hut of Achilles women
washed the dead body of Patroclus, and Achilles swore that he would slay
Hector.

In the dawn came Thetis, bearing to Achilles the new splendid armour that
the God had made for him. Then Achilles put on that armour, and roused
his men; but Ulysses, who knew all the rules of honour, would not let him
fight till peace had been made, with a sacrifice and other ceremonies,
between him and Agamemnon, and till Agamemnon had given him all the
presents which Achilles had before refused. Achilles did not want them;
he wanted only to fight, but Ulysses made him obey, and do what was
usual. Then the gifts were brought, and Agamemnon stood up, and said
that he was sorry for his insolence, and the men took breakfast