Directed to the coursers of his Sire. Xanthus, and Balius of Podarges’ blood485 Illustrious! see ye that, the battle done, Ye bring whom now ye bear back to the host Of the Achaians in far other sort, Nor leave him, as ye left Patroclus, dead.[11] Him then his steed unconquer’d in the race,490 Xanthus answer’d from beneath his yoke, But, hanging low his head, and with his mane Dishevell’d all, and streaming to the ground. Him Juno vocal made, Goddess white-arm’d. And doubtless so we will. This day at least495 We bear thee safe from battle, stormy Chief! But thee the hour of thy destruction swift Approaches, hasten’d by no fault of ours, But by the force of fate and power divine. For not through sloth or tardiness on us500 Aught chargeable, have Ilium’s sons thine arms Stript from Patroclus’ shoulders, but a God Matchless in battle, offspring of bright-hair’d Latona, him contending in the van Slew, for the glory of the Chief of Troy.505 We, Zephyrus himself, though by report Swiftest of all the winds of heaven, in speed Could equal, but the Fates thee also doom By human hands to fall, and hands divine. The interposing Furies at that word510 Suppress’d his utterance,[12] and indignant, thus, Achilles, swiftest of the swift, replied. Why, Xanthus, propheciest thou my death? It ill beseems thee. I already know That from my parents far remote my doom515 Appoints me here to die; yet not the more Cease I from feats if arms, till Ilium’s host Shall have received, at length, their fill of war. He said, and with a shout drove forth to battle. BOOK XX. ARGUMENT OF THE TWENTIETH BOOK. By permission of Jupiter the Gods descend into the battle, and range themselves on either side respectively. Neptune rescues Æneas from death by the hand of Achilles, from whom Apollo, soon after, rescues Hector. Achilles slays many Trojans. BOOK XX.