Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
As he spoke Patroclus put on his armour. First he greaved his legs
with greaves of good make, and fitted with ancle-clasps of silver;
after this he donned the cuirass of the son of Aeacus, richly inlaid
and studded. He hung his silver-studded sword of bronze about
his shoulders, and then his mighty shield. On his comely head he
set his helmet, well wrought, with a crest of horse-hair that nodded
menacingly above it. He grasped two redoubtable spears that
suited his hands, but he did not take the spear of noble Achilles, so
stout and strong, for none other of the Achaeans could wield it,
though Achilles could do so easily. This was the ashen spear from
Mount Pelion, which Chiron had cut upon a mountain top and had
given to Peleus, wherewith to deal out death among heroes. He
bade Automedon yoke his horses with all speed, for he was the
man whom he held in honour next after Achilles, and on whose
support in battle he could rely most firmly. Automedon therefore
yoked the fleet horses Xanthus and Balius, steeds that could fly
like the wind: these were they whom the harpy Podarge bore to the
west wind, as she was grazing in a meadow by the waters of the
river Oceanus. In the side traces he set the noble horse Pedasus,
whom Achilles had brought away with him when he sacked the
city of Eetion, and who, mortal steed though he was, could take his
place along with those that were immortal.
Meanwhile Achilles went about everywhere among the tents, and
bade his Myrmidons put on their armour. Even as fierce ravening
wolves that are feasting upon a homed stag which they have killed
upon the mountains, and their jaws are red with blood- they go in a
pack to lap water from the clear spring with their long thin
tongues; and they reek of blood and slaughter; they know not what
fear is, for it is hunger drives them- even so did the leaders and
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