Page:The Story of the Iliad.djvu/257

Rh seeing that the Greeks fled and the men of Troy pursued, was already sore afraid. And he said, weeping as he spake:— "I bring ill news,—Patroclus lies low. The Greeks fight for his body, but Hector has his arms." Then Achilles took of the dust of the plain in his hand, and poured it on his head, and lay at his length upon the ground, and tare his hair. And all the women wailed. And Antilochus sat weeping; but ever he held the hands of Achilles, lest he should slay himself in his great grief.

Then came his mother, hearing his cry, from where she sat in the depths of the sea, and laid her hand on him and said:— "Why weepest thou, my son? Hide not the matter from me, but tell me."

And Achilles answered: "All that Zeus promised thee for me he hath fulfilled. But what profit have I, for my friend Patroclus is dead, and Hector has the arms which I gave him to wear. And as for me, I care not to live, except I can avenge me upon him." Then said Thetis: "Nay, my son, speak not