He spake, and led by him the host broke forth In lamentation. Thrice around the dead, Weeping, they drave their steeds with stately manes, While Thetis in their hearts awoke the sense Of hopeless loss; their tears bedewed the sands, And dropped upon their arms, so brave was he For whom they sorrowed. Peleus’ son began The mourning; on the breast of his dead friend He placed his homicidal hands, and said:⁠—

“Hail thou, Patroclus, even amid the shades! For now shall I perform what once I vowed: That, dragging Hector hither, I will give His corse to dogs, and they shall rend his flesh; And at thy funeral pile there shall be slain Twelve noble Trojan youths, to avenge thy death.”