I am less concerned for the body of Patroclus, who will shortly become meat for the dogs and vultures of Troy, than for the safety of my own head and yours.

Hector has wrapped us round in a storm of battle from every quarter, and our destruction seems now certain.

Call then upon the princes of the Danaans if there is any who can hear us." Menelaus did as he said, and shouted to the Danaans for help at the top of his voice.

"My friends," he cried, "princes and counsellors of the Argives, all you who with Agamemnon and Menelaus drink at the public cost, and give orders each to his own people as Jove vouchsafes him power and glory, the fight is so thick about me that I cannot distinguish you severally; come on, therefore, every man unbidden, and think it shame that Patroclus should become meat and morsel for Trojan hounds." Fleet Ajax son of Oileus heard him and was first to force his way through the fight and run to help him.

Next came Idomeneus and Meriones his esquire, peer of murderous Mars.