Another boy, son of Amphidamas, Was slain without design⁠—and Peleus made His halls my home, and reared me tenderly, And made me thy companion;⁠—so at last May one receptacle, the golden vase Given by thy gracious mother, hold our bones.”

The swift Achilles answered: “O most loved And honored, wherefore art thou come, and why Dost thou command me thus? I shall fulfil Obediently thy wish; yet draw thou near, And let us give at least a brief embrace, And so indulge our grief.” He said, and stretched His longing arms to clasp the shade. In vain; Away like smoke it went, with gibbering cry, Down to the earth. Achilles sprang upright, Astonished, clapped his hands, and sadly said:⁠—

“Surely there dwell within the realm below Both soul and form, though bodiless. All night Hath stood the spirit of my hapless friend Patroclus near me, sad and sorrowful, And asking many duties at my hands, A marvellous semblance of the living man.”