Page 219 - the-iliad

‘My friends, princes and counsellors of the Argives, rally to
the defence of Ajax who is being overpowered, and I doubt
whether he will come out of the fight alive. Hither, then, to
the rescue of great Ajax son of Telamon.’
Even so did he cry when he was wounded; thereon the
others came near, and gathered round him, holding their
shields upwards from their shoulders so as to give him
cover. Ajax then made towards them, and turned round to
stand at bay as soon as he had reached his men.
Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Mean-
while the mares of Neleus, all in a lather with sweat, were
bearing Nestor out of the fight, and with him Machaon
shepherd of his people. Achilles saw and took note, for he
was standing on the stern of his ship watching the hard
stress and struggle of the fight. He called from the ship to
his comrade Patroclus, who heard him in the tent and came
out looking like Mars himself—here indeed was the be-
ginning of the ill that presently befell him. ‘Why,’ said he,
‘Achilles, do you call me? What do you want with me?’ And
Achilles answered, ‘Noble son of Menoetius, man after my
own heart, I take it that I shall now have the Achaeans pray-
ing at my knees, for they are in great straits; go, Patroclus,
and ask Nestor who it is that he is bearing away wounded
from the field; from his back I should say it was Machaon
son of Aesculapius, but I could not see his face for the hors-
es went by me at full speed.’
Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him, and
set off running by the ships and tents of the Achaeans.
When Nestor and Machaon had reached the tents of

1 The Iliad