heroes. By him sat alone Patroclus, silent till the song should cease. On moved the messengers—before them walked High-born Ulysses—till they stood beside Achilles. He beheld, and with the harp Sprang from his seat, surprised. Patroclus saw The heroes also, and arose. Their hands The swift Achilles took in his, and said:—
“Welcome! Ye come as friends. Some pressing cause Must surely bring you hither, whom I prize, Wronged as I am, beyond all other Greeks.”
Thus speaking, the great son of Peleus led His guests still farther on, and seated them On couches spread with purple coverings, And thus addressed Patroclus, who was near:—
“Son of Menoetius, bring a larger vase, And mingle purer wine, and place a cup For each, since these are most beloved friends— These warriors who now sit beneath my roof.”
He spake. Patroclus hearkened, and obeyed His well-beloved friend, who meantime placed A block beside the fire, and on it laid Chines of a sheep and of a fatling goat, And of a sow, the fattest of her kind. Automedon stood by and held them fast; Achilles took the knife and skilfully Carved them in portions, and transfixed the parts With spits. Patroclus, the divine in form, Woke to a blaze the fire; and when the flame Had ceased to rise he raked the glowing coals Apart, and o’er them stretched the spits, and strewed, Raising the flesh, the sacred salt o’er all. And when he had made ready and had spread The banquet on the board, Patroclus took The bread and offered it to all the guests In shapely canisters. Achilles served The meats, and took his seat against the wall, In front of great Ulysses. There he bade His friend Patroclus offer sacrifice, Casting the first rich morsels to the flames. The guests put forth their hands and shared the feast; And when the calls of hunger and of thirst Were felt no longer, Ajax gave a nod To Phoenix, which divine Ulysses saw, And filled his cup and drank to Peleus’ son:—