“O friend, O Menelaus, reared by Jove, No longer now I hope our safe return From battle. Not the greatest of my fears Is for Patroclus, whom the dogs of Troy And birds of prey full quickly will devour, But for my life and thine. That cloud of war, Hector, o’ershadows all, and over us Impends the doom of death. Yet let us call Our mighty men, if they perchance may hear.”

He spake, and Menelaus, great in war, Obeyed his wish and shouted to the Greeks:⁠—

“O friends, the princes and the chiefs of Greece, Who at the public feasts with Atreus’ sons⁠— King Agamemnon and his brother chief⁠— Drink wine⁠—who each command a host, and hold Your honors and your state from Jove⁠—my eyes Cannot discern you in the thick of fight; But some of you, who cannot bear to leave Patroclus to the dogs of Troy, draw near!”