Hot tears fell from their eyes as they mourned the loss of their charioteer, and their noble manes drooped all wet from under the yokestraps on either side the yoke.
The son of Saturn saw them and took pity upon their sorrow.

He wagged his head, and muttered to himself, saying, "Poor things, why did we give you to King Peleus who is a mortal, while you are yourselves ageless and immortal?
Was it that you might share the sorrows that befall mankind?
for of all creatures that live and move upon the earth there is none so pitiable as he is--still, Hector son of Priam shall drive neither you nor your chariot.

I will not have it.

It is enough that he should have the armour over which he vaunts so vainly.
Furthermore I will give you strength of heart and limb to bear Automedon safely to the ships from battle, for I shall let the Trojans triumph still further, and go on killing till they reach the ships; whereon night shall fall and darkness overshadow the land." As he spoke he breathed heart and strength into the horses so that they shook the dust from out of their manes, and bore their chariot swiftly into the fight that raged between Trojans and Achaeans.

Behind them fought Automedon full of sorrow for his comrade, as a vulture amid a flock of geese.