They shall transport him quickly, where, with rites Funereal, his next kindred and his friends Shall honor him, a pillar and a tomb (The dead man’s portion) rearing to his name.820 He ceased; nor was Apollo slow to hear His father’s will, but, from the Idæan heights Descending swift into the dreadful field, Godlike Sarpedon’s body from beneath The hill of weapons drew, which, borne remote,825 He laved in waters of the running stream, With oils ambrosial bathed, and clothed in robes Immortal. Then to Death and gentle Sleep, Swift-bearers both, twin-born, he gave the charge, Who placed it soon in Lycia’s wealthy realm.830 Meantime Patroclus, calling to his steeds, And to Automedon, the Trojans chased And Lycians, on his own destruction bent Infatuate; heedless of his charge received From Peleus’ son, which, well perform’d, had saved835 The hero from his miserable doom. But Jove’s high purpose evermore prevails Against the thoughts of man; he turns to flight The bravest, and the victory takes with ease E’en from the Chief whom he impels himself840 To battle, as he now this Chief impell’d. Who, then, Patroclus! first, who last by thee Fell slain, what time thyself was call’d to die? Adrastus first, then Perimus he slew, Offspring of Megas, then Autonoüs,845 Echechlus, Melanippus, and Epistor, Pylartes, Mulius, Elasus. All these He slew, and from the field chased all beside. Then, doubtless, had Achaia’s sons prevail’d To take proud-gated Troy, such havoc made850 He with his spear, but that the son of Jove Apollo, on a tower’s conspicuous height Station’d, devoted him for Ilium’s sake. Thrice on a buttress of the lofty wall Patroclus mounted, and him thrice the God855 With hands immortal his resplendent shield Smiting, struck down again; but when he rush’d A fourth time, demon-like, to the assault, The King of radiant shafts him, stern, rebuked. Patroclus, warrior of renown, retire!860 The fates ordain not that imperial Troy Stoop to thy spear, nor to the spear itself Of Peleus’ son, though mightier far than thou. He said, and Menœtiades the wrath Of shaft-arm’d Phœbus shunning, far retired.865 But in the Scæan gate Hector his steeds Detain’d, uncertain whether thence to drive Amid the warring multitude again, Or, loud commandment issuing, to collect His host within the walls. Him musing long870 Apollo, clad in semblance of a Chief Youthful and valiant, join’d. Asius he seem’d Equestrian Hector’s uncle, brother born Of Hecuba the queen, and Dymas’ son, Who on the Sangar’s banks in Phrygia dwelt.875 Apollo, so disguised, him thus bespake. Why, Hector, hast thou left the fight? this sloth Not well befits thee. Oh that I as far Thee pass’d in force as thou transcendest me, Then, not unpunish’d long, should’st thou retire;880 But haste, and with thy coursers solid-hoof’d Seek out Patroclus, him perchance to slay, Should Phœbus have decreed that glory thine. So saying, Apollo join’d the host again. Then noble Hector bade his charioteer885