Book XVII

And Menelaus understanding now
That slain Patroclus lay upon the ground,
Careful, as of her first Calf is a Cow,
To th'Body went and walkt about it round,
Couching his Spear and holding out his Shield,
Resolv'd to kill him whosoe'er he was
That durst to stand against him in the Field.
Then to him said Euphorbus, Menelaus
Retire, let me advise you, from the dead.
For I am he that gave him the first wound,
That with his Arms I may be honoured;
Lest with my Spear I strike you to the ground.
And Menelaus to him thus repli'd.
O Jupiter, in Lion never was,
Nor yet in Panther, nor in Boar such pride
(Though other Beasts in strength they far surpass)
As in these Sons of Panthus. Though they know,
When Hyperenor proudly me defi'd,
And spitefully did value me below
All other Greeks, that by my hand he di'd.
And sorry were his Parents and his Wife
Now you succeed will to your Brother's fate.
Be gone then if you mean to save your life,
And quickly, or you will be wise too late.
No Menelaus (said Euphorbus then)
Since you have griev'd his Parents and his Wife,
'Tis best, I think, to comfort them agen,
By making you pay for it with your life.
For though intolerable be their grief,
Yet when they see your Armour and your head
Brought to them home, it will be some relief.
But this by sight must be determined.
This said, he made a thrust at Menelaus,
Which he received on his trusty Shield,
It entered not, resisted by the Brass,
Which bent the point, and passage none did yield.
Then as he backward stept to get away
He by Atrides on the Breast was hit.
The Spear prest with his hand not there did stay,
But to his Neck went up and pierced it.
And then the ground he with his Armour knocks;
And dyed was with blood his dainty hair,
Those fine (with Gold and Silver twined) Locks,
Like those that Cytherea's Graces wear.
As when one planted hath an Olive sprig
In open place, and where are many Springs,
And stir'd by gentle winds it is grown big,
Then comes a storm and to the ground it flings;
So by Atrides fell Euphorbus now.
As when a Lion cometh from the Wood
Into the Herd and seizeth on a Cow,
First breaks his Neck, then seeds he on his blood
And Bowels, Dogs and Herds men looking on
And hueing him, that dare not to go near;
So then upon Atrides ventur'd none,
So much the Trojans stricken were with fear.
And now into the hands of Menelaus
Patroclus Armour came; and born away.
Had been, but that by Phoebus crost he was,
That was a friend to Hector and to Troy.
And in the shape of Mentes gone was then
(Whom now the Cicon Regiments obey'd)
To call back Hector to the Field agen,
And overtaking him thus to him said,
Hector, you here Automedon pursue
To take Achilles Horses all in vain,
Which never will be won or rul'd by you,
And suffer good Euphorbus to be slain
By Menelaus at the Body dead
Of Menoetiades. Then went his way.
And Hector grieved turn'd about his head,
And saw how on the ground Euphorbus lay
Bleeding and naked left by Menelaus.
And Hector then enflamed with the sight
Like raging fire did through the Squadrons pass,
And with great cry returned to the fight.
And cold was then Atrides at the heart,
And with himself he thus disputing stands;
If I should from the Body slain depart,
The Greeks would say of me but little good;
But if I stay alone here 'twill be worse
Than any thing the Greeks can of me say.
For he brings with him all the Trojan force.
But wherefore do I thus disputing stay?
Who fights against him whom a God doth aid,
Draws on himself a great and certain ill.
My best course then is Hector to avoid,
And let the Greeks say of it what they will.
But if of Ajax I could get a sight,
Then he and I together would not fear
With Hector aided by a God to fight,
And to Achilles the dead Body bear.
Whilst thus unto himself he laid the Case,
The Trojans came with Hector at the head,
And Menelaus then forsook the place,
And going left behinde the Body dead.
But oft lookt back. As when a Lion is
Compel'd to leave a Fold by Men and Dogs,
He oft looks back, and runs not for all this,
But tow'rds the Wood still slowly on he jogs
Unwillingly; his heart's too big to run;
So Menelaus off went safe and sound.
And then for Ajax Son of Telamon
Lookt round about, and 'mongst his Troops him found
Inciting them to fight. For not a man
But frighted was by Phoebus and dismay'd;
And with all speed Atrides to him ran,
And standing at his side unto him said,
Come Ajax, quickly come away with me
To save Patroclus from the Trojans wrath,
That to Achilles carri'd he may be
Though naked. For his Armour Hector hath.
Ajax inrag'd at this flies to the place
With Menelaus, where Patroclus lay
When Hector from the Field him drawing was,
(Having already snatcht his Arms away)
Unto the Trojans to cut off his head,
And give the Body to the Dogs to eat.
But when great Ajax thither came, he fled,
And to the Trojans made a quick Retreat;
And order gave to bear the Arms to Troy,
Achilles Arms, a noble Monument
Of his great deed. But Ajax still did stay,
And with his Shield about the Body went.
As when a Lion, his Whelps following him,
Into the open Field comes from the Wood,
And Hunters meets, he looks upon them grim;
So Ajax looking by Patroclus stood,
And Glaucus then that led the Lycian Bands
To Hector went and frowning to him said,
Though you be thought a good man of your hands
Hector, it is not so I am afraid.
Consider first if you the Town can save
By Trojans only, without other guard,
And of their service how great need you have;
And then how lightly you their pains regard.
What Lycian again will for you fight?
Or how will you defend a meaner man,
That left Sarpedon to the Argives spight
And sport, and from his body frighted ran,
That was your friend and had such service done?
So that if I were won to lead them home,
You'd finde a little after we were gone,
The utmost fate of Troy were on it come.
For if the Trojans had as forward been,
As men should be that for their Country fight,
Patroclus body we in Troy had seen,
Fetcht from the field, for all the Argives might;
And from the Greeks in change we might have had
Sarpedons Corps, and brought it into Troy;
And all the Greeks thereof would have been glad,
So great experience of his worth had they.
But you to Ajax never yet durst go.
And when he came to you, you from him ran
Into the throng o'th'Trojans. And why so?
But that you know he is the better man.
Then Hector frowning on him thus repli'd,
Glaucus, 'tis strange that such a man as you
Should so severely without cause me chide;
I thought you very wise, but 'tis not true.
You say I dare not with great Ajax fight
When I do neither Foot nor Horse-men shun,
But only way give sometimes to the might
Of Jove when he the Enemy sets on.
For he to whom he will gives Victorie,
And from the proud their courage takes away.
But to the Fight come with me now, and see
If I be such a Coward as you say;
And do not from Patroclus body make
Some of the Argives to retire agen.
This said, he turn'd and to the Trojans spake,
Trojans, said he, and Lycians play the men
Whilst I my self in those good Arms aray
Which from Patroclus body slain I took.
This said, he from the Field went toward Troy,
And quickly those that bare them overtook,
And gave to them the Armour […]e then wore,
And th'Armour of Patroclus there puts on,
Giv'n by the Gods to Peleus heretofore,
Which he when aged gave unto his Son,
But were not kept by him till he was old.
Then Jove that out of sight in Heaven sate
And Hector in this Armour did behold,
Poor man, said he, he knoweth not his fate,
Which now is neer; and at it shook his head,
And said, Though now these heavenly Arms you wear
Of this great man whom all men else did dread,
Killing the gentle Knight that did them bear,
And so unhandsomely, you'll never go
To shew them to Andromache your Wife.
Yet now you shall prevail against the Fo.
To please you, since thus shortned is your life.
And as he said it, seal'd it with a Nod.
Now Hector having on these Arms and fit,
Into his Breast went in the mighty God
Of Battle, and with courage filled it.
Then Hector like Achilles shining came
To his confederates, and 'mongst them went
Calling upon the best of them by name,
To give unto them all encouragement,
Mes[…]les, and Glaucus, and Thersilochus,
A[…]teropaeus, and Hippothous
Medon, Disinor, Phorcys, Chromius,
And you the skilful Augur Ennomus,
And you the thousands that to aid me come,
'Tis not to muster that you called are,
But to defend the Wives of Ilium
And Babes, against the Greeks that love the Warre.
Which to prevent, the Trojans day by day
With pay and with free Quarter tired are.
Let's therefore fight and either die or slay;
For there's no other Traffick at the Warre.
And he that shall Patroclus body gain,
And (spight of Ajax) fetch it off the Field,
Half of his Armour shall have for his pain,
And I wi[…]l half the Honour to him yield.
This said, the Trojans on the Argives fell
With all their weight, and made account to gain
Pa[…]roclus Body. For they could not […]ell
How many Trojans there would first be slain.
And then to Menelaus Ajax said,
I fear we shall no more return from Troy;
And am not for Patroclus so afraid
(That to the Dogs is sure to be a Prey)
As for my self and you; with such a Cloud
Of Trojans Hector thundring cometh on.
Go therefore presently and call aloud
To th'other Princes. Other help there's none.
Then Menelaus cried out aloud,
O you that have command in th'Argive Host,
And diet with Atrides are allow'd,
And drink unstinted at the Publick cost,
'Tis hard to call you ev'ry one by name.
But you that hear me come away with speed.
For to us all 'twill be no little shame
To let the Dogs upon Patroclus feed.
This said, first little Ajax running came,
And with Idomeneus Meriones,
Then many more came in; but who can name
The number great that came in after these?
And Hector with the Trojans then came in.
And as the Sea that rolleth to the shore
Which by some mighty wind had driven been;
So to the Fight the Trojans marching roar.
The Greeks about Patroclus body staid,
All of one minde, all cover'd with their Shields,
And on their heads Jove then a great Fog laid,
And all the place about with darkness fills.
For while Patroclus was alive and serv'd
Achilles, Jove took at him no offence,
Nor thought that to be Dogs meat he deserv'd,
And therefore urg'd the Greeks to his defence.
At first the Trojans made the Greeks to flie,
And leave the Body, but they killed none,
So great a Fog upon the place did lie.
Then with his friends again came Ajax on,
Of all the Greeks for person and for might
The bravest man excepting Th[…]tis Son.
The Trojans when the Greeks refus'd to fight,
The Body seiz'd, and thought the bus'ness done.
As when a Boar pursu'd by Hounds and Men,
Upon them turns, they scatter'd are and flie;
So when great Ajax to them came agen,
The Trojans scatter'd let Patroclus lie.
For when Hippothous was in great hope
To drag Patroclus body up to Troy,
And to his Anckle tyed had a rope,
Arrived to him was his latest day.
For Ajax now was come unto him near,
And smote him through the Helmet and the Brain,
Which stained with his bloud stuck to the Spear,
And down he threw Patroclus foot again,
And with it neer unto the body fell
Depriv'd of life by mighty Ajax Spear,
Far from Larissa where his friends did dwell,
And never for his breeding payed were
And Hector then a Spear at Ajax threw,
Which he perceiving did a little shun,
A very little it beside him flew,
And killed Schedius Iphitus Son,
That of Phocaeans all was far the best,
And did in well-built Panopaea reign.
The Spear sharp-pointed enter'd at his Brest,
And at his Shoulder out it went again.
And Ajax then the valiant Phorcys slew
That 'bout the body of Hippothous went.
The Spear through Breast-plate and through Belly flew,
And as it pass'd the Guts in pieces rent.
Then Hector and the Trojan Lords gave way
Retiring from the Argive Lords; and thus
By th'Argives coming in, without delay
Stript were both Phorcys and Hippothous.
And now the Trojans had for want of heart
Been chased by the Argives up to Troy,
And th'Argives gotten had on th'other part
Without the Gods an honourable day,
Had not Apollo, like to Periphas
Anchises Squire t'Aeneas come disguised,
That very wise now grown and aged was,
And standing by his side him thus advised.
Aeneas, cannot you without the Gods
As well as the Achaeans gain the day
By valour, since in men they have no odds?
For Jove had rather you should win than they.
Thus Phoebus said. Aeneas knew 'twas he;
And with a loud voyce unto Hector said,
Hector and you who the Commanders be
Of Trojans, or have brought unto them aid,
Oh what a shame 'tis for us thus to run
Before the Greeks our selves in Troy to hide
But come, there yet amongst the Gods is one
That hath assur'd me Jove is on our side.
This said, before the Trojans he leapt out,
And with his Spear in hand stood at their head.
And when he made them had to wheel about,
Unto the Body he directly led.
And with his Spear Leocritus he slew
The friend of Lycomed, Arisbas Son;
And Lycomed displeas'd, at Hector threw,
And hit him not, but kill'd Apisa[…],
Of all that from Paeonia pass'd the Seas,
He was in battle of the greatest might
Excepting no man but Asteropaeus;
Who angry at his fall went to the Fight.
But now the Greeks about Patroclus stood
So close, with Spears advanc'd, with Bucklers hidden,
That there Asteropaeus did no good;
For by great Ajax so they had been bidden.
Let none from hence again retire, said he,
Nor any man before the rest skip out,
But stand together till you charged be.
Thus roaring to them Ajax went about.
And thick the Trojans and their Aids now fell,
And with their bloud bedewed was the ground.
Nor did the Argives come off very well;
But fewer of them 'mongst the dead were found.
For standing close, one Shield sav'd more than one.
Thus keen as fire on both sides fought they here.
And such a darkness was the place upon
As if nor Sun nor Moon in safety were.
But th'other places all about had light,
And brightly did the Sun in Ida shine,
And gentle at a distance was the Fight,
And one anothers Spear did oft decline.
But in the middle, where the very best
Both of the Argives and the Trojans stood,
The pain they suffer'd cannot be exprest
Of restless labour and of loss of blood.
But of Patroclus by the Trojans kill'd,
Antilochus and Thrasymed knew not,
But fought in other places of the Field,
And that he still pursu'd the Trojans thought,
When for his body who the same should get,
Now fighting were the Trojans and the Greeks,
And from their Knees and Legs ran down the sweat,
And stained were with bloud their arms and cheeks.
As when men set themselves about the skin
Of some fat Bull and stretch it ev'ry way,
That th'humour may go out, the grease go in,
Just so Patroclus body tugged they,
Trojans to Troy, and Argives to the Fleet;
And thereupon arose this mighty fray.
If Mars or Pallas had been there to see't,
They had not known on whom a fault to lay,
Though angry they had been; such work was then
By Jove about Patroclus body set
For Trojans and for Argives, Horse and Men.
But to Achilles known it was not yet
That slain by th'Trojans was his Favourite.
For now not far off from the Trojan Wall
At a great distance from him was the fight,
So that he thought not on his death at all;
But having chac'd the Trojans to the Gates
Of Ilium, that straight he would come back.
For well he knew 'twas ordered by the Fates,
Patroclus never should the City sack.
His Mother Thetis oft had told him that,
As she before had told it been by Jove;
But quite Patroclus destiny forgat,
Or knew it not, whom he so much did love.
The Greeks and Trojans at the body staid
Together close, and one another kill'd.
And one Achaean to another said,
'Twould be a great disgrace to quit the Field,
And leave the body of Patroclus thus.
I rather had by th'Earth we swallowed were
Than they should have it and crow over us,
And to the Town the noble body bear.
The Trojans likewise t'one another cri'd,
Though ev'ry one of us were sure to die
By this mans body, let us here abide.
And then the clamour rose up to the Skie.
Achilles Steeds now with Aut[…]medon
Upon the Charre without the Battle stood;
But to the Fight he could not get them on.
He to them call'd, but that would do no good.
And then he flatters them, then threats, then whips,
But for Patroclus griev'd they would not go
With th'Argives to the Fight nor to the Ships,
But lay down on the ground and wept for wo
That they had lost a gentle Charretier.
Jove seeing them upon the ground thus laid,
And for Patroclus how they grieved were,
Shaking his head unto himself he said,
Poor Steeds, why did I you on man bestow
That mortal is, and you immortal are
And make you also misery to know,
And to participate of humane care?
There breatheth not upon the Earth so wide
So poor a thing and wretched as a man.
But Hector on your Charre shall never ride.
For he without my leave do nothing can.
Is't not enough for him that he hath got
Achilles Arms to please himself in vain?
Bu[…] have Achilles Horses he shall not.
For you shall to the Ships return again,
And safely carry back Automedon.
Though to the Trojans I intend to day
The Victory till setting of the Sun,
And that by darkness parted be the fray.
This said, he strength and courage to them gave.
Automedon then to the Troops of Greece
As swiftly the immortal Horses drave
As flies a Vulture at a flock of Geese.
For from the Foe he quickly could retire,
And easily upon them go again
As oft as the occasion should require;
But by his hand no Enemy was slain.
For since he was upon the Seat alone,
He could not both together fight and guide.
But to him came at last Alcimedon
Laertes Son, and stood by th'Charret side.
What God, said he, has put it in your head
Automedon, amongst so many Spears
To be alone knowing your friend is dead
And Hector now Achilles Armour wears?
Automedon unto him then repli'd,
Alcimedon, a fitter man is none
Than you are the immortal Steeds to guide,
Since Menoctiades my friend is gone.
Get up then you and the good Steeds command,
Whilst on the ground I with the Trojans fight.
Alcimedon then took the Whip in hand
And Reyns; Automedon did then alight.
This Hector saw, and to Aeneas spake,
Achilles Horses yonder coming are;
To us, said he, they are not hard to take.
For with them there is no great man of Warre;
And if we to them go they dare not stand
This said, Aeneas well contented was,
And forward then they go with Spear in hand,
And shoulders cover'd well with Hide and Brass.
And Chromius with them and Aretus went,
And made no doubt but both the men to slay,
And then to seize Achilles Steeds they meant,
And with the Charre triumphing drive to Troy.
Vain men that were not sure themselves to save.
To Jupiter Automedon then pray'd,
Who heard his Prayer, and great strength to him gave
And then unto Alcimedon he said,
Alcimedon, keep still thy Horses near,
So that upon my back may fall their breath.
For quiet never will be Hector's Spear,
Until of both of us he see the death,
And set himself upon Achilles Car,
And put the Squadrons of the Greeks to rout,
Or be amongst the foremost slain i'th'War.
This said, he to th'Ajaxes cried out,
And Menelaus. Ajax, Menelaus,
The care of him that's dead to others give,
And shew your Valour where there is more cause.
Come hither and take care of us that live.
For Hector and Aeneas both are here.
But yet since on Jove's will dependeth all
Both good and evil hap, I'll throw my Spear,
And let him where he pleaseth make it fall.
And as he spake the spear he from him sent,
Which chanc'd to light upon Ar[…]tes Shield,
And passing through into his Belly went.
At which he starting fell upon the Field.
And at Automedon then Hector threw.
But stooping forward he the Spear declin'd;
And ore his head through th' empty air it flew,
And shaking fixt it stood i'th'ground behind.
And then the Fight by Mars becalmed was;
But with their Swords they had again faln on,
But that th' Ajaxes two and Menelaus
Came in, that call'd were by Automedon.
Aeneas then and Hector shrunk away,
And Chromius with them, but Aretus not,
But on the ground without his Armour lay.
Automedon then mounts his Chariot
All bloudy, and the Armour by him set,
And said, Though this revenge be very small
For great Patroclus death, 'tis better yet,
Though this a worse man be, than none at all.
And at Patroclus body now the Fight
Was greater than before and fiercer grown.
For Pallas coming did the Greeks incite,
By Jove himself (whose mind was chang'd) sent down.
As when to mortals Jove will signifie
Th'approach of War, or Tempests cold and loud,
To make men leave their work, and Cattle die,
He sets up in the Sky a purple Cloud;
In such a Cloud wrapt up Athena came,
The Daughter of great Jove, and martial Maid,
To th'Argive Hoast their courage to inflame,
And to Atrides, who stood neerest, said,
In voyce and shape like Phoenix, Menelaus,
If you let Dogs Patroclus body tear,
That of Achilles so beloved was,
You will be scorn'd. Go to him, do not fear.
Phoenix, said he, would Pallas strengthen me,
And save me from so many Spears that fly,
Patroclus body soon should rescu'd be.
For no man for him griev'd is more than I.
But Hector fighteth like a raging flame,
And as he goes Jove gives him Victory.
This said, Athena pleas'd was with the same,
Because to her he trusted specially,
And strengthned both his shoulders and his thighs,
And made him bold as is a busie Flie
Which beaten off, again upon you flies,
And fears not for a little bloud to die.
And to Patroclus then went Menelaus,
And mongst the throng of Trojans threw his Spear.
It chanced that amongst them one there was,
Pydes Eëtions Son to Hector dear,
And at the wine his good Companion.
Him Menelaus with his Spear then slew
Just as he turn'd himself about to run,
And from the Trojans the dead body drew.
To Hector then came Phoebus, having on
The form of Phoenops Son of Asius,
In Hector's grace inferior to none,
And standing by his side said to him thus.
If you be so afraid of Menelaus,
What other Greek will be afraid of you?
He never yet good Spear-man counted was
Nor is, though Podes now by chance he slew,
And vainly now he thinks alone he can
Bring off Patroclus body from the Field.
This said, unto the body Hector ran.
And Jove then lifted up his mighty Shield,
And in thick Clouds the Mountain Ida wraps,
And dark it was upon the Field as night.
And then with Lightning and with Thunder claps
The Squadrons of the Argives puts to flight.
Menelaus who the Boeotions led,
Hurt in the shoulder by Polydamas,
Of the Achaeans was the first that fled,
And Leitus his Mate the second was,
That was by Hector wounded in the Wrist,
And could no longer use make of his Spear;
But from the battle forc'd was to desist,
And looking still about him ran in fear.
Him Hector as he running was pursues.
On Hector's Shield then lights a heavie Spear
That thrown was at him by Idomeneus,
But brake in two; and glad the Trojans were.
And at Idomeneus then Hector threw,
Beside him but a little went the Spear,
And lighting upon Caeranus him slew,
Who was Meriones his Charretier,
And with him came to Lyctus all the way
By Sea, and thence he went to Troy by land.
And much good service he had done to Troy,
For fallen had the King by Hector's hand,
And safe had been himself; but now was hit
By Hector's Spear betwixt the Cheek and Ear,
And struck out were his Teeth, his Tongue was slit,
And falling to the ground expired there.
And then Meriones took up the Reyns,
And to Idomeneus cri'd out to fly.
To little purpose now is all our pains;
You see the Trojans have the Victory.
Idomeneus to th'Ships then drave away
As fast as he could make the Horses go,
As being certain they had lost the day.
And Ajax did the same acknowledge now.
Meriones (said he) and Menelaus,
That Jove will to the Trojans give the day
A man may see that little judgment has,
So manifestly now he fights for Troy.
The Spears thrown by the Trojans never miss,
But on one Greek or other always light,
Ours seldom hit. What cause is there of this,
But that great Jove doth for the Trojans fight?
Let's therefore here consider of some way
To fetch Patroclus off, and then go home.
For to our friends in Greece 'twill be a joy
To see us safe again from Hector come;
Who when they to the Sea their faces turn
Despair of ever seeing us again,
And think that Hector will the Navie burn,
And that we there shall ev'ry man be slain.
O that we had some fit man here to send
T'Achilles Tent; for nothing yet knows he,
That by the Trojans slain is his dear friend
But 'tis so dark I no such man can see.
O Jove, give us once more a Sky serene;
Remove this Mist that we may see to fight,
Or if to kill the Argives all you mean,
O Father Jove, yet kill us in the light.
This said, Jove had compassion on his Tears.
The Sun again his glittring Beams displays.
Scatters the Clouds again and th'Heaven clears.
And then to Menelaus Ajax says,
About the Field go Menelaus now,
And seek Antilochus, and bid him go
Unto Achilles Tent, and let him know
His friend Patroclus slain is by the Foe.
This said, away Atrides went. As when
A hungry Lion parteth from a Fold,
Having in vain provok'd the Dogs and Men
That did him from th'expected prey withhold,
Watching all night, when fain he would have fed;
But all the night the Darts about him fly
And flaming Brands which Lions chiefly dread;
Away he goes i'th' morn unwillingly;
So from Patroclus body parted he
Against his will, thinking the Greeks afraid
Might leave Patroclus to the Enemie,
And to Meriones and th'Ajaxes said,
How good a man Patroclus was you know,
And how in our defence his bloud he shed,
And therefore valiantly defend him now.
Let not the Foe abuse his body dead.
And when he this had said he went away,
Amongst the Argives peeping here and there,
Like to an Eagle soaring for a Prey
Amongst the Bushes peeping for a Hare;
So he amongst the Argives lookt about
Seeking of Nestor's Son Antilochus.
Nor was it long before he found him out
Cheering his men, and said unto him thus.
Antilochus come neer and hear from me
Sad news; I would it were not also true,
That now the Trojans have the Victorie,
I think it is already known to you.
But further know that slain Patroclus is.
Run therefore to Achilles quickly, and
Tell him the news. It may be, mov'd by this
To help the Argives with his mighty hand,
He'll to the naked body hither come
(For now Achilles Armour Hector wears).
At this Antilochus was stricken dumb,
And filled were and swoln his eyes with tears.
And there Antilochus no longer staid,
But to Laodocus his Armour gave,
And he the same upon his Charret laid;
For to that end he neer unto him drave.
Away Antilochus then weeping went
To carry to Achilles the ill news,
And left to Thrasymed his Regiment.
For Menelaus did the same refuse;
Though of a valiant Commander then
The tired Pylians had the greatest need,
And to the Ajaxes return'd agen
Where lay Patroclus body, with all speed.
And when he thither came, unto them said,
Antilochus is to Achilles gone.
Although I see not how he should us aid.
How can he, seeing Armour he has none?
Let's therefore now bethink our selves, how we
Our selves may bear the body from the Field;
And also how we may secured be
Against the Trojans that we be not kill'd.
Ajax to this replying said, 'Tis true,
And the advice I'll give you will be right.
Take up the Corps Meriones and you,
And on your shoulders bear it from the Fight.
We two that are of one name and one mind,
And in the Field together use to be
Will fighting with the Trojans come behind,
Till at the Ships the body lain we see.
This said, Meriones and Menelaus
Up to their shoulders hoyst the body dead.
Whilst towards them the back of Ajax was,
The Trojans with great shouting followed.
Just as a Pack of Hounds pursue a Boar
Wounded by Hunters, running with great cry,
Until he turn; then follow him no more,
But scatter'd are, and this and that way fly;
So did the Trojans after Ajax run
As long as towards them was not his face.
But when he turned, neer him durst stay none,
But stood at a great distance from the place.
Thus fetcht they off at last the body dead,
With at their heels of Trojan Spe[…]rs great showers;
And Argives dropt abundance as they fled,
Like houses in a Twon on fire, and Tow'rs.
As when two Mules in heavie way are set
To drag down from the Hills some mighty Tree
To be a Beam or Mast, it makes them sweat
Before into the Plain it drawn could be;
So Menelaus and Meriones
Sweating and moyling with the body go.
And as a Rock that keepeth off the Seas;
So Ajax at their backs kept off the Fo.
The Trojans led by Hector and Aeneas
Pursue the flying Greeks with mighty cry,
As from a Hawk that preys on Birds like these,
A Cloud of Starelings cackle when they fly.
And many of them threw their Arms away,
And that they came to fight had quite forgot.
In and about the Ditch much Armour lay
Of flying Greeks. But done the Fight was not.