engages with Hector, Apollo snatches the
helmet off the Greek hero's head, leaving him thus exposed to his
foe's deadly blows. The dying Patroclus, therefore, declares that had
not the gods betrayed him he would have triumphed, and predicts that
Achilles will avenge his death. Meantime, pleased with having slain so
redoubtable a foe, Hector makes a dash to secure Achilles' chariot and
horses, but fails because the driver (Automedon) speeds away.

_Book XVII._ On seeing Patroclus fall, Menelaus rushes forward to
defend his remains and rescue Achilles' armor from the foe. Warned of
this move, Hector abandons the vain pursuit of Achilles' chariot, and
returns to claim his spoil. He has barely secured it when Menelaus and
Ajax attack him, and a mad battle takes place over Patroclus' remains,
while Achilles' horses weep for the beloved youth who so often
caressed them.

_Book XVIII._ No sooner is the death of Patroclus known in Achilles'
tent than the female captives wail, while the hero groans so loudly
that Thetis hears him. Rising from the depths of the sea, she hurries
to his side, regretting his brief life should be marred by so much
sorrow. Then, hearing him swear to avenge his friend, she entreats him
to wait until the morrow, so she can procure him armor from Vulcan.
Having obtained this promise, she hastens off to visit the god and
bespeak his aid in behalf of her son.

Meanwhile the Greeks, who are trying to bear away Patroclus' remains,
are so hard pressed by the Trojans that Juno sends word Achilles must
interfere. Hampered by a lack of armor and by the promise to his
mother, the hero ventures only as far as the trench, where, however,
he utters so threatening a war-cry that the Trojans flee, and the
Greeks are thus able to bring Patroclus' body safely into camp, just
as the sun sets and the day's fighting ends.

Having unharnessed their steeds, the Trojans assemble to consider
whether it will not be best to retreat within their walls, for they
know Achilles will appear on the morrow to avenge Patroclus. But
Hector so vehemently insists that they maintain the advantage gained,
that they camp on the plain, where Jupiter predicts his wife's wish
will be granted and her favorite Achilles win great glory. It is in
the course of that night that Thetis visits Vulcan's forge and in the
attitude of a suppliant implores the divine blacksmith to make an
armor for her son. Not only does Vulcan consent, but hurries off t