Then clouds of sorrow fell on Peleus’ son,25 And, grasping with both hands the ashes, down He pour’d them on his head, his graceful brows Dishonoring, and thick the sooty shower Descending settled on his fragrant vest. Then, stretch’d in ashes, at the vast extent30 Of his whole length he lay, disordering wild With his own hands, and rending off his hair. The maidens, captived by himself in war And by Patroclus, shrieking from the tent Ran forth, and hemm’d the glorious Chief around.[2]35 All smote their bosoms, and all, fainting, fell. On the other side, Antilochus the hands Held of Achilles, mourning and deep groans Uttering from his noble heart, through fear Lest Peleus’ son should perish self-destroy’d.40 Loud groan’d the hero, whose loud groans within The gulfs of ocean, where she sat beside Her ancient sire, his Goddess-mother heard, And hearing shriek’d; around her at the voice Assembled all the Nereids of the deep45 Cymodoce, Thalia, Glauca came, Nisæa, Spio, Thoa, and with eyes Protuberant beauteous Halia; came with these Cymothöe, and Actæa, and the nymph Of marshes, Limnorea, nor delay’d50 Agave, nor Amphithöe the swift, Iæra, Doto, Melita, nor thence Was absent Proto or Dynamene, Callianira, Doris, Panope, Pherusa or Amphinome, or fair55 Dexamene, or Galatea praised For matchless form divine; Nemertes pure Came also, with Apseudes crystal-bright, Callianassa, Mæra, Clymene, Janeira and Janassa, sister pair,60 And Orithya and with azure locks Luxuriant, Amathea; nor alone Came these, but every ocean-nymph beside, The silver cave was fill’d; each smote her breast, And Thetis, loud lamenting, thus began.65 Ye sister Nereids, hear! that ye may all From my own lips my boundless sorrow learn. Ah me forlorn! ah me, parent in vain Of an illustrious birth! who, having borne A noble son magnanimous, the chief70 Of heroes, saw him like a thriving plant Shoot vigorous under my maternal care, And sent him early in his gallant fleet Embark’d, to combat with the sons of Troy. But him from fight return’d I shall receive75 Beneath the roof of Peleus, never more; And while he lives, and on the sun his eyes Opens, he mourns, nor, going, can I aught Assist him; yet I go, that I may see My darling son, and from his lips be taught80 What grief hath now befallen him, who close Abiding in his tent shares not the war. So saying she left the cave, whom all her nymphs Attended weeping, and where’er they pass’d The breaking billows open’d wide a way.85 At fruitful Troy arrived, in order fair They climb’d the beach, where by his numerous barks Encompass’d, swift Achilles sighing lay. Then, drawing nigh to her afflicted son, The Goddess-mother press’d between her palms90 His temples, and in accents wing’d inquired. Why weeps my son? what sorrow wrings thy soul? Speak, hide it not. Jove hath fulfill’d the prayer Which erst with lifted hands thou didst prefer, That all Achaia’s host, wanting thy aid,95 Might be compell’d into the fleet, and foul