Now rose the morn in saffron vest attired From ocean, with new day for Gods and men, When Thetis at the fleet of Greece arrived, Bearing that gift divine. She found her son All tears, and close enfolding in his arms5 Patroclus, while his Myrmidons around Wept also;[1] she amid them, graceful, stood, And seizing fast his hand, him thus bespake. Although our loss be great, yet, oh my son! Leave we Patroclus lying on the bier10 To which the Gods ordain’d him from the first. Receive from Vulcan’s hands these glorious arms, Such as no mortal shoulders ever bore. So saying, she placed the armor on the ground Before him, and the whole bright treasure rang.15 A tremor shook the Myrmidons; none dared Look on it, but all fled. Not so himself. In him fresh vengeance kindled at the view, And, while he gazed, a splendor as of fire Flash’d from his eyes. Delighted, in his hand20 He held the glorious bounty of the God, And, wondering at those strokes of art divine, His eager speech thus to his mother turn’d.[2] The God, my mother! hath bestow’d in truth Such armor on me as demanded skill25 Like his, surpassing far all power of man. Now, therefore, I will arm. But anxious fears Trouble me, lest intrusive flies, meantime, Breed worms within the spear-inflicted wounds Of Menœtiades, and fill with taint30 Of putrefaction his whole breathless form.[3] But him the silver-footed Goddess fair Thus answer’d. Oh, my son! chase from thy mind All such concern. I will, myself, essay To drive the noisome swarms which on the slain35 In battle feed voracious. Should he lie The year complete, his flesh shall yet be found Untainted, and, it may be, fragrant too. But thou the heroes of Achaia’s host Convening, in their ears thy wrath renounce40 Against the King of men, then, instant, arm For battle, and put on thy glorious might. So saying, the Goddess raised his courage high. Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour’d Ambrosia, and the ruddy juice divine45 Of nectar, antidotes against decay. And now forth went Achilles by the side Of ocean, calling with a dreadful shout To council all the heroes of the host.[4] Then, even they who in the fleet before50 Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held In stewardship the food and public stores, All flock’d to council, for that now at length After long abstinence from dread exploits Of war, Achilles had once more appear’d.55 Two went together, halting on the spear, (For still they felt the anguish of their wounds) Noble Ulysses and brave Diomede, And took an early seat; whom follow’d last The King of men, by Coön in the field60 Of furious battle wounded with a lance. The Grecians all assembled, in the midst Upstood the swift Achilles, and began. Atrides! we had doubtless better sped Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first65 With cruel rage we burn’d, a girl the cause. I would that Dian’s shaft had in the fleet Slain her that self-same day when I destroy’d Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine!