Page 313 - the-iliad

BOOK XVI

HUS did they fight about the ship of Protesilaus. Then
TPatroclus drew near to Achilles with tears welling from
his eyes, as from some spring whose crystal stream falls
over the ledges of a high precipice. When Achilles saw him
thus weeping he was sorry for him and said, ‘Why, Patro-
clus, do you stand there weeping like some silly child that
comes running to her mother, and begs to be taken up and
carried—she catches hold of her mother’s dress to stay her
though she is in a hurry, and looks tearfully up until her
mother carries her—even such tears, Patroclus, are you
now shedding. Have you anything to say to the Myrmidons
or to myself? or have you had news from Phthia which you
alone know? They tell me Menoetius son of Actor is still
alive, as also Peleus son of Aeacus, among the Myrmidons—
men whose loss we two should bitterly deplore; or are you
grieving about the Argives and the way in which they are
being killed at the ships, through their own high-handed
doings? Do not hide anything from me but tell me that both
of us may know about it.’
Then, O knight Patroclus, with a deep sigh you answered,
‘Achilles, son of Peleus, foremost champion of the Achae-
ans, do not be angry, but I weep for the disaster that has
now befallen the Argives. All those who have been their
champions so far are lying at the ships, wounded by sword

1 The Iliad