Achilles (Mythological character); Classical literature; Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Then he again came out, for he still loved to look upon the
fierce fight that raged between the Trojans and Achaeans.
Meanwhile the armed band that was about Patroclus marched on till
they sprang high in hope upon the Trojans. They came swarming out
like wasps whose nests are by the roadside, and whom silly
children love to tease, whereon any one who happens to be passing
may get stung—or again, if a wayfarer going along the road vexes
them by accident, every wasp will come flying out in a fury to
defend his little ones—even with such rage and courage did the
Myrmidons swarm from their ships, and their cry of battle rose
heavenwards. Patroclus called out to his men at the top of his
voice, “Myrmidons, followers of Achilles son of Peleus, be men my
friends, fight with might and with main, that we may win glory
for the son of Peleus, who is far the foremost man at the ships
of the Argives—he, and his close fighting followers. The son of
Atreus King Agamemnon will thus learn his folly in showing no
respect to the bravest of the Achaeans.”
With these words he put heart and soul into them all, and they
fell in a body upon the Trojans. The ships rang again with the
cry which the Achaeans raised, and when the Trojans saw the brave
son of Menoetius and his squire all gleaming in their armour,
they were daunted and their battalions were thrown into
confusion, for they thought the fleet son of Peleus must now have
put aside his anger, and have been reconciled to Agamemnon; every
one, therefore, looked round about to see whither he might fly
for safety.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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