Page:The story of Greece told to boys and girls.djvu/77

 once more against the Trojans, and do thou show thyself, O king, in the forefront of the battle.'

Then Agamemnon rallied his men and led them against the foe, yet again he was driven back. Chief after chief was wounded, and at length the Hellenes fled to their ships to defend them from the Trojans. But Patroclus determined to plead with Achilles to save his countrymen from defeat. When he entered the tent of his friend he was weeping for pity of the dead and wounded.

'Wherefore weepest thou, Patroclus, like a fond little maid that runs by her mother's side?' asked Achilles as he looked up at the entrance of his friend and saw his tears.

'Never may such wrath take hold of me as that thou nursest, thrice brave, to the hurting of others,' answered his comrade. 'The Greeks are lying wounded and dead. If thou wilt not come to their help, let me lead thy men so that the enemy may be beaten back'

'And give The armour from thy shoulders. I will wear Thy mail, and then the Trojans, at the sight, May think I am Achilles, and may pause From fighting.'

Even as Patroclus pleaded with his friend, a great light flared up against the sky. The Trojans had set fire to the Greek ships.

Then, at length, Achilles was roused. He would not go himself to the help of Agamemnon, but he bade Patroclus put on his armour, while he called together his brave warriors and commanded them to follow his friend to battle.

Quickly Patroclus donned the well-known armour of Achilles, then calling to Automedon, the chariot driver, he bade him harness Xanthus and Balius, the immortal horses of his friend, for their speed was swift as the wind.

As Patroclus vanished from sight in the chariot drawn by Xanthus and Balius, Achilles prayed to Zeus. 'O Zeus,' he cried, 'I send my comrade to this battle. Strengthen his