Page 318 - the-iliad

the wind: these were they whom the harpy Podarge bore to
the west wind, as she was grazing in a meadow by the wa-
ters of the river Oceanus. In the side traces he set the noble
horse Pedasus, whom Achilles had brought away with him
when he sacked the city of Eetion, and who, mortal steed
though he was, could take his place along with those that
were immortal.
Meanwhile Achilles went about everywhere among the
tents, and bade his Myrmidons put on their armour. Even
as fierce ravening wolves that are feasting upon a homed
stag which they have killed upon the mountains, and their
jaws are red with blood—they go in a pack to lap water from
the clear spring with their long thin tongues; and they reek
of blood and slaughter; they know not what fear is, for it is
hunger drives them—even so did the leaders and counsel-
lors of the Myrmidons gather round the good squire of the
fleet descendant of Aeacus, and among them stood Achilles
himself cheering on both men and horses.
Fifty ships had noble Achilles brought to Troy, and in
each there was a crew of fifty oarsmen. Over these he set
five captains whom he could trust, while he was himself
commander over them all. Menesthius of the gleaming
corslet, son to the river Spercheius that streams from heav-
en, was captain of the first company. Fair Polydora daughter
of Peleus bore him to ever-flowing Spercheius—a woman
mated with a god—but he was called son of Borus son of
Perieres, with whom his mother was living as his wedded
wife, and who gave great wealth to gain her. The second
company was led by noble Eudorus, son to an unwedded

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