till no one would have known the great Sarpedon, so covered was he with spears and blood and dust. But at the last the Greeks drave back the men of Troy from the body, and stripped the arms, but the body itself they harmed not. For Apollo came down at the bidding of Zeus and carried it out of the midst of the battle, and washed it with water, and anointed it with ambrosia, and wrapped it in garments of the gods. And then he gave it to Sleep and Death, and these two carried it to Lycia, his fatherland. Then did Patroclus forget the word which Achilles had spoken to him, that he should not go near to Troy, for he pursued the men of the city even to the wall. Thrice he mounted on the angle of the wall, and thrice Apollo himself drove him back, pushing his shining shield. But the fourth time the god said: "Go thou back, Patroclus. It is not for thee to take the city of Troy; no, nor for Achilles, who is far better than thou art." So Patroclus went back, fearing the wrath of the archer god. Then Apollo stirred up the spirit of Hector, that he should go against Patroclus. Therefore he went, with his brother Cebriones for driver of his chariot. But when they came near, Patroclus cast a great stone which he had in his hand, and smote Cebriones on the forehead, crushing it in, so that he fell headlong from the chariot. And Patroclus mocked him, saying: "How nimble is this man! how lightly he dives! What spoil he would take of oysters, diving from a ship, even in a stormy sea! Who would have thought that there were such skilful divers in Troy!" Then again the battle waxed hot about the body of Cebriones, and this too, at the last, the Greeks drew unto themselves, and spoiled it of the arms. And this being accomplished, Patroclus rushed against the men of Troy. Thrice he rushed, and each time he slew nine chiefs of fame. But the fourth time Apollo stood behind him and struck him on the head and shoulders, so that his eyes were darkened. And the helmet fell from off his head, so that the horse-hair plumes were soiled with dust. Never before had it touched the ground, for it was the helmet of Achilles. And also the god ake the spear in his hand, and struck the seid trem his arms, and loosed his corselet. All amazed he stood, and then Euphorbus, Pathos, smote him on the back with not. is spear, but slew him not. Then Patroclus sought to fee to the ranks of his comrades. Suc icctor saw him, and thrust at him with his c. suiting him in the groin, so that he fell. when the Greeks saw him fall, they sent ible cry. Then Hector stood over vd cried: — Past thou think to spoil our city, Patroto carry away our wives and daughShips? But lo! I have slain thee, coals of the air shall eat thy flesh; nor great Achilles help thee at allbo bade thee, I trow, strip the my breast, and thou thoughtest in answered: "Thou boasteth Yet he didst not slay me, but k to me my arms, for had ed met me, I had slain them ca this death and fate are |