He sprang upon the wounded man to take his arms, but Hector jumped from his chariot and seized his brother’s head. Patroclus took his feet and the two men struggled for the body. A crowd of Trojans and Achaians came to their aid, and spears, shields, and naked swords rattled noisily against one another. The Trojans defended Hector as well as they could, but while he struggled for the body, none could get near him. However, a bold Trojan seized a favorable opportunity, and with a powerful blow of his sword, knocked off Patroclus’ helmet, cutting the strap of his shield at the same time, so that it fell to the earth. The hero started back and let go the corpse, but as he turned, Euphorbus stabbed him in the back. He tried to escape, but Hector laid him low with his heavy lance. The Achaians trembled, and even the most courageous of them lost their heads, and none dared interfere as Hector, bracing his foot against the body, drew out his spear, then stripped off the armor. It was now Hector’s turn to mock at the dying man and he cried: “Well, Patroclus, dost thou still expect to lay waste our city and carry off our women? One could see thou hadst great deeds in mind. No doubt Achilles bade thee not return without Hector’s bloody coat of mail. Now, poor man, thou liest here and givest me thy fine armor, but thee I give to the dogs and birds of prey for food.” Faintly the dying man answered him: “It is a foolish boast, Hector. Thou camest, when I was defenseless and wounded, to rob me. In open conflict I could have slain twenty like thee, but a boy could have done what thou hast done. But vengeance is approaching and when it comes, think of me. The godlike Achilles still lives.” “Spare me thy prophecies and die,” replied Hector. “Who knoweth but Achilles, like thee, may give up his soul at the point of my spear?” With these words he left the dying man and carried the splendid armor to a place of safety, then went back into the fray. Chapter XII The Fight for Patroclus’ Body—Achilles Mourns for His Fallen Friend—Thetis and Vulcan—Achilles’ Shield Hector next roved about seeking to capture the splendid steeds of Achilles with which Patroclus had entered the field, but he could not come near them, for Patroclus’ charioteer, Automedon, was already far distant. Meanwhile the space about Patroclus’ body was deserted except for Menelaus, who stood guard beside it, covering it with his shield until some of his comrades should come up to bear it away to the ships. He was spied by Euphorbus, brother of that Hyperenor who had fallen by Menelaus’ hand the day before. He approached within a spear’s cast and called to him: “Son of Atreus, stand back from the dead! Thou shalt not give honorable burial to this destroyer who hath slain so many of us. Back, before I rob thee of thy sweet life!”