So they encamped on the field for the night. Youths brought forth animals from the city for the sacrifice, together with bread and wine, lit fires, and prepared the evening meal. The Achaians also, after supping, laid down to rest. But Achilles could not sleep. Kneeling beside his dead friend, he laid his hand on his cold breast and sobbed. Overcome with grief he cried: “Before the earth hides me, thou shalt be avenged, my Patroclus. I will lay Hector’s weapons at thy feet and Hector’s bloody head beside them. I will slay twelve Trojan youths in thine honor. Rest thou here in peace, for the morrow shall shed glory upon thee and me.” Meanwhile Thetis had arrived in Olympus and went straightway to Vulcan’s dwelling. Late as it was, she heard him hammering in his workshop, for he was making twenty bronze tripods for the Olympians’ hall. He had fastened golden wheels to each foot, so that they could roll to the banquet of themselves. They were all finished except for the handles, and these he wished to complete that night. Aphrodite, the beautiful spouse of the lame fire god, was the first to spy the newcomer at the door. She took her hand, saying: “Welcome, dear friend, what bringeth thee so late from thy sea depths? Thou dost not often visit me.” She led her within and called her spouse. He immediately left his anvil, washed his hands with a sponge, also his sooty face, neck, and powerful chest, threw on his cloak, and leaning on his golden staff, came limping to the door. He took the goddess’ hand and bade her welcome. “I always think of thee with gratitude,” he said; “for thou didst take me in when I was lamed and my mother would not tolerate me in heaven. Then I lived for a time in thy crystal palace under the sea and fashioned many a pretty piece of work—rings and clasps, pins and chains—until Juno took me into favor again and I left thy dwelling. Therefore, Aphrodite, see that thou entertain our guest worthily.” When Thetis had partaken of the nectar and ambrosia which Aphrodite set before her, she began to recite all her son’s troubles, from Agamemnon’s injustice down to the fall of Patroclus. Then she begged the god to forge new armor for the unlucky Achilles, so that he might be ready to attack Hector in the morning. Aphrodite was displeased, for she feared for the Trojans, but the god paid no attention to her and promised to fulfil Thetis’ desire. He immediately returned to his workshop and began the work.