Iliad - Public domain English translationMenelaus tries to take the corpse of Patroclus, but Euphorbus threatens him. Menelaus says underestimating him is a mistake and that he is going to take the body. Euphorbus strikes Menelaus, saying he is repaying Menelaus for killing his brother, Hyperenor. Menelaus' shield deflects the bow. Menelaus puts his spear into Euphorbus' neck. Then Menelaus strips Euphorbus' armor. Apollo, disguised as Mentes, chief of the Cicons, incites Hector to prevent Menelaus from removing it by telling him not to waste his time on the horses of Achilles' father because he will be unable to handle them as he is a son of mere mortals.
When Menelaus sees Hector, he grows fearful because he knows he is no match, but he needs to remove the body of Patroclus. He leaves the body and goes to find Ajax, son of Telamon. He tells him to help him get the body to Achilles, although they can't get the armor since Hector already has it.
Glaucus rails at Hector for leaving the body of Sarpedon. He adds that the Greeks will give up the armor of Sarpedon in exchange for Patroclus, so they need to get the body of Patroclus. Glaucus adds that Ajax is braver than Hector.
Hector is annoyed and says Glaucus should know better, that it is the will of Zeus and not fear than moves Hector. He then decides to put on the armor of Achilles taken from Patroclus. Zeus looks on with disapproval and Ares enters Hector's body.
Hector addresses the allies to say that he feeds them and gives them gifts to protect the Trojan women and children from the Greeks and they should earn their keep. They rush on Ajax and Menelaus. Ajax tells Menelaus to call for help, which he does. Ajax son of Oileus comes first and then others. Zeus helps the Greeks by putting clouds around their helmets. Without killing anyone, the Trojans gain possession of the body, but then the Greeks pursue. Ajax kills Hippothous who was dragging Patroclus. Hector aims a spear at Ajax, but Ajax sees and avoids it. It kills the captain of the Phoceans. Ajax kills Phorcys.
Apollo rouses Aeneas who shouts to Hector and the Trojan allies to stop being cowards. The Trojans and Greeks each lose a number of men as the Greeks defend the body of Patroclus.
Thrasymedes and Antilochus, ordered by Nestor to stay back in reserve, do not know of Patroclus' death, nor does Achilles. The horses of Achilles' father mourn for Patroclus. Zeus empowers the horses to get Automedon out of the fighting, but Automedon wants to fight the Trojans and does so without killing anyone. Hector and Aeneas try to get the horses away. Automedon calls the two Ajaxes and Menelaus to help. Then Automedon throws his spear and it kills Aretus. Hector's spear misses Automedon. The Ajaxes arrive and scare off the Trojans so Automedon can strip the armor of Aretus.
In the guise of Phoenix, Athena encourages Menelaus (with the approval of Zeus), and the fight over Patroclus' body renews. Menelaus gets the body away. Apollo encourages Hector. When Hector gets to the front Zeus sends clouds and lightning to give the Trojans a victory. Ajax notices that Zeus has turned against them again and adds that Achilles must not yet know Patroclus is dead, but there is no one to send to tell him. He asks Zeus to lighten up on them. Zeus obliges by lifting the clouds. Ajax tells Menelaus to find Antilochus and send him to bring the news to Achilles. Menelaus tells the two Ajaxes and Meriones to guard the body of Patroclus while he goes.
When Menelaus tells Antilochus the sad news and asks him to tell Achilles, Nestor's son is horrified, but obliges. Menelaus then returns to the two Ajaxes and explains that however much Achilles will want to fight, he can't because he has no armor. Ajax tells Menelaus and Meriones to carry the body to safety while the two Ajaxes keep the Trojans away.
