Menelaus, upon the death of Patroclus, defends his body from the enemy; Euphorbus, who attempts it, is slain. Hector advancing, Menelaus retires; but soon returns with Ajax, and drives him off. This Glaucus objects to Hector as a flight, who thereupon puts on the armour he had won from Patroclus, and renews the battle. The Greeks give way, till Ajax rallies them: Æneas sustains the Trojans. Æneas and Hector attempt the chariot of Achilles, which is borne off by Automedon. The horses of Achilles deplore the loss of Patroclus; Jupiter covers his body with a thick darkness; the noble prayer of Ajax on that occasion. Menelaus sends Antilochus to Achilles, with the news of Patroclus’s death: then returns to the fight, where, though attacked with the utmost fury, he and Meriones, assisted by the Ajaces, bear off the body to the ships. The time is the evening of the eight-and-twentieth day. The scene lies in the fields before Troy. BOOK XVII. Nor was Patroclus’ fall, by Trojans slain, Of warlike Menelaus unobserv’d; Forward he sprang, in dazzling arms array’d, And round him mov’d, as round her new-dropp’d calf Her first, a heifer moves with plaintive moan: So round Patroclus Menelaus mov’d, His shield’s broad orb and spear before him held, To all who might oppose him threat’ning death. Nor, on his side, was Panthous’ noble son Unmindful of the slain; but, standing near, The warlike Menelaus thus address’d: “Illustrious son of Atreus, Heav’n-born chief, Quit thou the dead; yield up the bloody spoils: For, of the Trojans and their fam’d Allies, Mine was the hand that in the stubborn fight First struck Patroclus; leave me then to wear Among the men of Troy my honours due, Lest by my spear thou lose thy cherish’d life.” To whom in anger Menelaus thus: “O Father Jove, how ill this vaunting tone Beseems this braggart! In their own esteem, “With Panthous’ sons for courage none may vie; Nor pard, nor lion, nor the forest boar, Fiercest of beasts, and proudest of his strength. Yet nought avail’d to Hyperenor’s might His youthful vigour, when he held me cheap, And my encounter dar’d; of all the Greeks He deem’d my prowess least; yet he, I ween, On his own feet return’d not, to rejoice His tender wife’s and honour’d parents’ sight. So shall thy pride be quell’d, if me thou dare Encounter; but I warn thee, while ’tis time, Ere ill betide thee, ’mid the gen’ral throng That thou withdraw, nor stand to me oppos’d. After th’ event may e’en a fool be wise.” He spoke in vain; Euphorbus thus replied: