Again Pelides placed before the host A mass of iron, shapeless from the forge, Which once the strong Eëtion used to hurl; But swift Achilles, when he took his life, Brought it with other booty in his ships To Troas. Rising, he addressed the Greeks:⁠—

“Stand forth, whoever will contend for this, And if broad fields and rich be his, this mass Will last him many years. The man who tends His flocks, or guides his plough, need not be sent To town for iron; he will have it here.”