The news of the death of Patroclus is brought to Achilles by Antilochus. Thetis hearing his lamentations, comes with all her sea- nymphs to comfort him. The speeches of the mother and son on this occasion. Iris appears to Achilles by command of Juno, and orders him to show himself at the head of the intrenchments. The sight of him turns the fortune of the day, and the body of Patroclus is carried off by the Greeks. The Trojans call a council, where Hector and Polydamas disagree in their opinions; but the advice of the former prevails, to remain encamped in the field. The grief of Achilles over the body of Patroclus. Thetis goes to the palace of Vulcan, to obtain new arms for her son. The description of the wonderful works of Vulcan; and, lastly, that noble one of the shield of Achilles. The latter part of the nine-and-twentieth day, and the night ensuing, take up this book. The scene is at Achilles’ tent on the seashore, from whence it changes to the palace of Vulcan. BOOK XVIII. Thus, furious as the rage of fire, they fought. Meantime Antilochus to Peleus’ son, Swift-footed messenger, his tidings bore. Him by the high-beak’d ships he found, his mind Th’ event presaging, fill’d with anxious thoughts, As thus he commun’d with his mighty heart: “Alas! what means it, that the long-hair’d Greeks, Chas’d from the plain, are thronging round the ships? Let me not now, ye Gods, endure the grief My mother once foretold, that I should live To see the bravest of the Myrmidons Cut off by Trojans from the light of day. Menoetius’ noble son has surely fall’n; Foolhardy! yet I warn’d him, and besought, Soon as the ships from hostile fires were safe, Back to return, nor Hector’s onset meet.” While in his mind and spirit thus he mus’d, Beside him stood the noble Nestor’s son, And weeping, thus his mournful message gave: “Alas! great son of Peleus, woful news, Which would to Heav’n I had not to impart, To thee I bring; Patroclus lies in death; And o’er his body now the war is wag’d; His naked body, for his arms are now The prize of Hector of the glancing helm.”