Iliad - Public domain English translationThetis brings the armor Hephaestus made to her son, who is embracing Patroclus' corpse. Achilles fears worms will defile the body if he leaves, so Thetis promises to protect it while Achilles fights.
The men who had stayed out of the fighting to tend the boats are inspired by Achilles to go out and fight with him, as do Diomedes, Odysseus and Agamemnon. Achilles tells Agamemnon he is putting an end to his anger.
Agamemnon says he was not to blame for taking Achilles prize because Zeus and other gods put the madness in him to take the prize of Achilles. As an example of how the gods manipulate he tells the story of how Hera contrived to make Eurystheus be born before Heracles (Hercules). Agamemnon also says he will give Achilles all that Odysseus promised.
Achilles says it is time for war. Odysseus says it is time for the troops to be fed because it will be a long day of fighting. While eating, the gifts can be transferred and Agamemnon can make an oath that he never touched Briseis.
Agamemnon agrees, but Achilles wants to fast. Odysseus insists, and the gifts are brought. Agamemnon swears he never touched Briseis, who weeps when she sees the corpse of Patroclus.
Zeus asks Athena if she has abandoned Achilles, and tells her to fill the fasting warrior with nectar and ambrosia.
Achilles, raging with hate puts on his armor, greaves fastened behind his heels with silver ankle clasps; breastplate; sword slung over his shoulder, and massive shield. Then he puts on his helmet with its horsehair crest and golden plumes. He picks up the spear his father gave him.
Automedon yokes his horses to his chariot and jumps on to steer them while Achilles fights. Achilles addresses his horses telling them they better do a better job of getting him away fromt he fray than they did with Patroclus. Using Hera's voice, one of them says they will save his life, but Achilles will die soon, anyway.
