Achilles (Mythological character) -- Juvenile literature; Trojan War -- Juvenile literature
Then with a great shout the Lycians and the Trojans charged, and
drove the Greeks back a space from the body; and then again the
Greeks did the like. And so the battle raged, till no one would have
known the great Sarpedon, so covered was he with spears and blood and
dust. But at the last the Greeks drave back the men of Troy from the
body, and stripped the arms, but the body itself they harmed not.
For Apollo came down at the bidding of Zeus and carried it out of the
midst of the battle, and washed it with water, and anointed it with
ambrosia, and wrapped it in garments of the gods. And then he gave
it to Sleep and Death, and these two carried it to Lycia, his
fatherland.
Then did Patroclus forget the word which Achilles had spoken to him,
that he should not go near to Troy, for he pursued the men to the
city, even to the wall. Thrice he mounted on the angle of the wall,
and thrice Apollo himself drove him back, pushing his shining shield.
But the fourth time the god said: "Go thou back, Patroclus. It is
not for thee to take the city of Troy; no, nor for Achilles, who is
far better than thou art."
So Patroclus went back, fearing the wrath of the archer god. Then
Apollo stirred up the spirit of Hector, that he should go against
Patroclus. Therefore he went, with his brother Cebriones for driver
of his chariot. But when they came near, Patroclus cast a great
stone which he had in his hand, and smote Cebriones on the forehead,
crushing it in, so that he fell headlong from the chariot. And
Patroclus mocked him, saying:--
Ceb-ri'-o-nes.
"How nimble is this man! how lightly he dives! What spoil he would
take of oysters, diving from a ship, even in a stormy sea! Who would
have thought that there were such skilful divers in Troy!"
Then again the battle waxed hot about the body of Cebriones, and this
too, at the last, the Greeks drew unto themselves, and spoiled it of
the arms. And this being accomplished, Patroclus rushed against the
men of Troy. Thrice he rushed, and each time he slew nine chiefs of
fame. But the fourth time Apollo stood behind him and struck him on
the head and shoulders, so that his eyes were darkened. And the
helmet fell from off his head, so that the horse-hair plumes were
soiled with dust. Never before had it touched the ground, for it was
the helmet of Achilles. And also the god brake the spear in his
hand, and struck the shield from his arms, and loosed his corselet.
All amazed he stood, and then Euphorbus smote him on the back with
his spear, but slew him not. Then Patroclus sought to flee to the
ranks of his comrades. But Hector saw him, and thrust at him with
his spear, smiting him in the groin, so that he fell. And when the
Greeks saw him fail, they sent up a terrible cry. Then Hector stood
over him and cried:--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account