SWIFT AND OLD-GOLD I9I 



and gentle Thetis, but art rather born of the gray 

 sea and the beetHng rocks. But if that old 

 prophecy of the soothsayer holds thee back, then 

 I pray thee let me go forth leading the Myrmidons 

 to the help of our kinsmen. And lend me thine 

 armor and chariot and the war steeds. Swift and 

 Old-Gold, so that the Trojans will mistake me for 

 thee and perhaps be dismayed at my coming." 



Achilles was moved by his friend's entreaties, 

 and the more so as, looking toward the Grecian 

 ships, he saw thick smoke arise and then great 

 sheets of flame. 



" Truly, you may go ! " he cried. " Gird on 

 my armor quickly, and I will call the Myrmidons." 



Patroclus made haste to don the armor great 

 and fair which the gods had given to old Peleus 

 on his marriage day. Round his shoulders he 

 belted the sword of bronze, on his head he set the 

 glittering helmet, and in his hands he took the 

 mighty shield and two strong lances. But the 

 ashen spear that Cheiron had made he left in the 

 hut, for no man but Achilles could wield it. Then 

 the horses. Swift and Old-Gold, were led out by 

 Automedon, the skillfuUest of charioteers, and 

 harnessed in their places. Very glad were the 

 noble steeds when they smelled the battle and 



