Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
defence of Ajax who is being overpowered, and I doubt whether he
will come out of the fight alive. Hither, then, to the rescue of great
Ajax son of Telamon.”
Even so did he cry when he was wounded; thereon the others came
near, and gathered round him, holding their shields upwards from
their shoulders so as to give him cover. Ajax then made towards
them, and turned round to stand at bay as soon as he had reached
his men.
Thus then did they fight as it were a flaming fire. Meanwhile the
mares of Neleus, all in a lather with sweat, were bearing Nestor out
of the fight, and with him Machaon shepherd of his people.
Achilles saw and took note, for he was standing on the stern of his
ship watching the hard stress and struggle of the fight. He called
from the ship to his comrade Patroclus, who heard him in the tent
and came out looking like Mars himself- here indeed was the
beginning of the ill that presently befell him. “Why,” said he,
“Achilles do you call me? what do you what do you want with
me?” And Achilles answered, “Noble son of Menoetius, man after
my own heart, I take it that I shall now have the Achaeans praying
at my knees, for they are in great straits; go, Patroclus, and ask
Nestor who is that he is bearing away wounded from the field;
from his back I should say it was Machaon son of Aesculapius, but
I could not see his face for the horses went by me at full speed.”
Patroclus did as his dear comrade had bidden him, and set off
running by the ships and tents of the Achaeans.
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