Then said Achilles, and heavy was his heart within him: 

“These Greeks took from me my well-won prize, Patroclus.  Yet let the past be past; no man may keep his anger for ever.  I have said that until the men of Troy come to burn my own ships I will hold me back from the battle.  But take you my armor; lead my men in the fight, and drive from the ships the men of Troy.  But to others leave it to chase them across the plain.”

Even as Achilles spoke, the strength of mighty Ajax had come to an end, and with furious rush did the Trojans board the ships.  In their hands they bore blazing torches, and up to the sky rushed the fiercely roaring flames.

Then cried Achilles, smiting his thighs: 

“Haste thee, Patroclus!  They burn the ships!  Arm thyself speedily, and I will call my men!”

Corslet and shield and helmet did Patroclus swiftly don, and girded on the silver-studded sword and took two strong lances in his hand.

In the chariot of Achilles he mounted, and Automedon, best and bravest of charioteers, took the reins.

Swift as the wild west wind were Bayard and Piebald, the two horses of Achilles, and in the side harness was Pedasus, a horse only less swift than they.

Gladly did the men of Achilles meet his call to arms, for fierce as wolves were they.

“Many times hast thou blamed me,” cried Achilles, “because in my wrath I kept ye back from battle.  Here for ye now is a mighty fight, such as ye love.”

To battle they went, and while Patroclus led them forth, Achilles in his tent offered up an offering to Zeus.

Like wasps that pour forth from their nests by the wayside to sting the boys who have stoned them, so now did the Greeks swarm from their ships.

Before the sword of Patroclus fell a mighty warrior, and when the men of Troy saw the shining armor of Achilles in his own chariot their hearts sank within them.

Out of the ships were they driven, the fire was quenched, and back to the trench rolled the tide of battle.  In the trench writhed many a horse and many a man in dying agonies.  But clear across it leaped the horses of Achilles, and close to the walls of Troy did Patroclus drive brave Hector before him.

His chariot then he turned, and headed off the fleeing Trojans, driving them down to the ships.  Before the furious rush of his swift steeds, other horses were borne off their feet, other chariots cast in ruins on the ground, and men crushed to death under his wheels.  Chief after chief did Patroclus slay.  A mighty destroyer was he that day.

One only of the chiefs of Troy kept his courage before the destroyer who wore the shining arms of Achilles.

“Shame on ye!” cried Sarpedon to his men, “whither do ye flee?  I myself will fight this man who deals death and destruction to the Trojan host.”

From their chariots leaped Sarpedon and Patroclus.