“Leave we the dead, my son, since it hath pleased The gods that he should fall; and now receive This sumptuous armor, forged by Vulcan’s hand, Beautiful, such as no man ever wore.”

The goddess spake, and laid the armor down Before Achilles; as they touched the earth, The well-wrought pieces clanked, and terror seized The Myrmidons. No one among them all Dared fix his gaze upon them; all shrank back. Achilles only, as he saw them, felt His spirit roused within him. In his eyes A terrible brightness flashed, as if of fire. He lifted up the god’s magnificent gift Rejoicing, and, when long his eyes had dwelt Delighted on the marvellous workmanship, Thus to his mother said, in wingèd words:⁠—