“Why weepest thou, Patroclus, like a girl⁠— A little girl that by her mother’s side Runs, importuning to be taken up, And plucks her by the robe, and stops her way, And looks at her, and cries, until at last She rests within her arms? Thou art like her, Patroclus, with thy tears. Dost thou then bring Sad tidings to the Myrmidons or me? Or hast thou news from Phthia? It is said That still Menoetius, son of Actor, lives, And Peleus also, son of Aeacus, Among the Myrmidons. Full bitterly Should we lament to hear that either died. Or mournest thou because the Achaians fall Through their own folly by the roomy ships? Speak, and hide nothing, for I too would know.”