And thus rejoined Achilles, swift of foot:⁠— “Son of Menoetius, nobly born, and well Beloved by me, the Greeks, I deem, will soon Be at my knees, imploring aid; for now A hard necessity besets their host. But go, Patroclus, dear to Jove, and ask Of Nestor who it is that he hath brought Thus wounded from the field. Seen from behind, His form was like Machaon⁠—wholly like That son of Aesculapius; but the face I saw not, as the rapid steeds flew by.”

He spake. Patroclus hearkened to his friend, And hastened to the Grecian tents and ships.