And the bright point shrill-sounding-fell remote. Then Ajax in his noble mind perceived, Shuddering with awe, the interposing power Of heaven, and that, propitious to the arms Of Troy, the Thunderer had ordain’d to mar145 And frustrate all the counsels of the Greeks. He left his stand; they fired the gallant bark; Through all her length the conflagration ran Incontinent, and wrapp’d her stern in flames. Achilles saw them, smote his thighs, and said,150 Patroclus, noble charioteer, arise! I see the rapid run of hostile fires Already in the fleet—lest all be lost, And our return impossible, arm, arm This moment; I will call, myself, the band.155 Then put Patroclus on his radiant arms. Around his legs his polish’d greaves he clasp’d, With argent studs secured; the hauberk rich Star-spangled to his breast he bound of swift Æacides; he slung his brazen sword160 With silver bright emboss’d, and his broad shield Ponderous; on his noble head his casque He settled elegant, whose lofty crest Waved dreadful o’er his brows, and last he seized Well fitted to his gripe two sturdy spears.165 Of all Achilles’ arms his spear alone He took not; that huge beam, of bulk and length Enormous, none, Æacides except, In all Achaia’s host had power to wield. It was that Pelian ash which from the top170 Of Pelion hewn that it might prove the death Of heroes, Chiron had to Peleus given. He bade Automedon his coursers bind Speedily to the yoke, for him he loved Next to Achilles most, as worthiest found175 Of trust, what time the battle loudest roar’d. Then led Automedon the fiery steeds Swift as wing’d tempests to the chariot-yoke, Xanthus and Balius. Them the harpy bore Podarge, while in meadows green she fed180 On Ocean’s side, to Zephyrus the wind. To these he added, at their side, a third, The noble Pedasus; him Peleus’ son, Eëtion’s city taken, thence had brought, Though mortal, yet a match for steeds divine.185 Meantime from every tent Achilles call’d And arm’d his Myrmidons. As wolves that gorge The prey yet panting, terrible in force, When on the mountains wild they have devour’d An antler’d stag new-slain, with bloody jaws190 Troop all at once to some clear fountain, there To lap with slender tongues the brimming wave; No fears have they, but at their ease eject From full maws flatulent the clotted gore; Such seem’d the Myrmidon heroic Chiefs195 Assembling fast around the valiant friend Of swift Æacides. Amid them stood Warlike Achilles, the well-shielded ranks Exhorting, and the steeds, to glorious war. The galleys by Achilles dear to Jove200 Commanded, when to Ilium’s coast he steer’d, Were fifty; fifty rowers sat in each, And five, in whom he trusted, o’er the rest He captains named, but ruled, himself, supreme. One band Menestheus swift in battle led,205 Offspring of Sperchius heaven-descended stream. Him Polydora, Peleus’ daughter, bore To ever-flowing Sperchius, compress’d, Although a mortal woman, by a God. But his reputed father was the son210