Achilles takes up arms
There was great mourning for Patroclus in the camp of the Greeks. Achilles said: “Patroclus is dead and I, too, may die here. But I care not, if only I have vengeance upon Hector. I will not bury Patroclus till I can bring the head and the arms of Hector with which to honor him.” So they washed the body of Patroclus and laid it on a bed, covered with a linen cloth.
Thetis went to the house of Hephæstus, who was the god of all who worked in gold and silver and iron. Hephæstus said to Thetis: “Tell me all that is in your mind, for I will do all that you desire.” Thetis told him how Achilles had been shamed by King Agamemnon, and of his anger, and of all that came to pass afterwards, and of how Patroclus had been slain, and how Achilles’ arms were lost. And then she said: “Make for my son Achilles a shield, and a helmet, greaves for his legs, and a breastplate.”
“That will I do,” answered Hephaestus, “I will make for him such arms as men will wonder at when they see them.”
He went to his forge. First he made a shield, great and strong, with a silver belt by which a man might hold it. Also he made a breastplate, and a great helmet with a ridge of gold, in which the plumes should be set, and greaves of tin for the legs. When he had finished, he gave the things to Thetis and she flew to her son. She found him holding in his arms the body of Patroclus, weeping aloud.
Thetis said: “Come now, let us leave the dead man; it was the will of the gods that he should die. But you must think about other things. Come now and take this gift from Hephæstus, armor beautiful exceedingly, such as man has never yet worn.”
Achilles took the arms and said: “Mother, these indeed are such arms as can be made in heaven only. Gladly will I put them on for the battle. Yet one thing troubles me. I fear decay will come on the body of Patroclus before I can do it such honor as I desire.”
Thetis answered: “I will keep the body from decay. But make peace with the king and prepare for the battle.”
Achilles went along by the ships, shouting to the Greeks that they should come to the battle. They all followed when Achilles came back to the war.
Achilles spoke: “It was a foolish thing, King Agamemnon, that we quarreled about a girl. Many a Greek who is now dead had still been alive but for this, and the Trojans would not have profited by our loss. But let bygones be bygones. Here I make an end of my anger. Make haste, then, and call the Greeks to battle, and we will see whether the Trojans will fight by the ships or by their own walls.”
King Agamemnon answered: “Listen, ye Greeks. You blamed me for this quarrel; yet it was not I, but the Fury who turns the thoughts of men to madness. Nevertheless it is for me to make amends. And this I will do, giving thee all the gifts that Ulysses promised in my name.”
Achilles said: “Give the gifts, O King, if you are pleased so to do, or keep them for yourself. There is one thing only I care for, to get to the battle without delay.”
Ulysses said: “Achilles, do not make the Greeks fight before they have eaten, for the battle will be long. Let us bid the people disperse and make ready a meal, and let King Agamemnon first send the gifts to your tent, and then let him make a feast, as is right when friends who have quarreled make peace again.”
King Agamemnon answered: “You speak well, Ulysses. Fetch the gifts, and my people shall make a feast.”
Achilles said: “How can I think of feasting when Patroclus lies dead? Let there be no delay. Let the Greeks sup well when they have driven the Trojans into their city. As for me, neither food nor drink shall pass my lips.”
Ulysses answered: “Ask not the Greeks to fast because of the dead. For men die every day, and every day would be a day of fasting. Rather let us bury our dead, and mourn them for a day, and then harden our hearts to forget. And let them who are left strengthen themselves with meat and drink, that they may fight the better.”
Then Ulysses went to the ships of King Agamemnon and fetched the gifts and the girl Briseïs, and he took them to the tent of Achilles. When Briseïs saw Patroclus lying dead, she wailed aloud, for he had been good.
When the king and the chiefs would have had Achilles feast with them, he refused. “I will not eat or drink,” he said, “till I have had vengeance.”
The Greeks took their meal, but Achilles sat fasting. Then Zeus said to Athena: “Do you not care for your dear Achilles? See how the other Greeks eat and drink, but he sits fasting.” So Athena flew down from heaven, and poured heavenly food into the breast of Achilles that his strength might not fail for hunger. Then he armed himself with the arms Thetis brought to him.
Achilles said: “I know my doom, but I care not so that I may have vengeance on the Trojans.”
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