Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/119

 Achilles and Patroclus

Not for the Greeks, paying for their sins, I hope!” “You 70 heart of iron, unreasonable man!” answered Patroclus, “If you are afraid of some secret doom, at least send me into battle, let our army follow my command and lend me your god-forged armor. The Trojans might mistake me for you, might flee headlong back to walled Troy. Even now they are setting fire to our ships.” Achilles could not refuse Patroclus, he loved the man too much. He lent him the divine armor, under strict orders only to drive the Trojans from the ships and then return at once, lest some god rise up against him. Alone again, Achilles prayed to Zeus, soaking the earth 80 with wine, begged him to grant his friend success and safe return. His prayer came straight from the heart, for Patroclus was his one true love. At gatherings they always sat apart from the crowd, arms around each other, laying their plans, and when all turned in, the two shared a single blanket. Achilles had no use for any of the Greeks, and wished he and Patroclus alone could take on all of Troy. So it had been ever since Achilles’ father had sent them, still raw youths, to live with that wise centaur Chiron in his mountain cave, to learn to hunt and fight, and to remain innocent of men’s evil 90 ways. Under Chiron’s eye Achilles grew to wield spear and sword better than any man alive. Patroclus strove hard to match his feats, but Achilles, though younger, was stronger by far. Facing their trials side by side, the boys grew close and went from love to greater love. Fresh to the fight, thirsty for slaughter, Patroclus and his troops turned the tide of battle, thrust back the worn out Trojans from the burning ships, put out the fires. Giddy 105 105