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Rh CHAPTER XXVI. THE RANSOMING OF HECTOR.

the burial of Patroclus was ended, the gods held council about Hector, for Achilles did despite to the body of Hector, dragging it about the tomb of his friend, but the gods had pity on the dead man, because in his life he had ever honoured them. Then did Zeus send for Thetis, and when she was come to Olympus, he said: "Get thee to the camp, and bid thy son give up Hector for ransom, for I am wroth with him because he doth despite to the dead." So Thetis went to Achilles, and found him weeping softly for his dead friend, for the strength of his sorrow was now spent, and she said to him: "It is the will of the gods that thou give up the body of Hector, and take in exchange the ransom of gold and precious things which his father will give thee for him."