Book XIX. Aurora has barely risen from the bosom of the sea, when Thetis enters her son’s tent, bearing these wonderful weapons.  Finding him still weeping over his friend’s remains, Thetis urges him to rouse himself and fight.  At the sight of the armor she brings, Achilles’ ardor is so kindled that he proclaims he will avenge his friend.  Pleased to think the Greeks will have the help of this champion, Agamemnon humbly apologizes for the past, proffering gifts and a feast, which latter Achilles refuses to attend as long as Patroclus is unavenged.  Before entering into battle, however, our hero implores his divine steeds to do their best, only to be warned by one of them that, although they will save him to-day, the time is fast coming when he too will fall victim to the anger of the gods.  Undaunted by this prophecy, Achilles jumps into his chariot and sets out for the fray, uttering his blood-curdling war-cry.

  With unabated rage—­“So let it be! 
  Portents and prodigies are lost on me. 
  I know my fate:  to die, to see no more
  My much-loved parents and my native shore—­
  Enough—­when heaven ordains, I sink in night: 
  Now perish Troy!” He said, and rush’d to fight.

Book XX. The gods, assembled on Mount Olympus, are told by Jupiter that, whereas he intends merely to witness the fight, they may all take part in it, provided they remember Achilles is to reap the main honors of the day.  Hearing this, the gods dart off to side with Troy and Greece, as their inclinations prompt, and thus take an active part in the battle, for which Jupiter gives the signal by launching a thunder-bolt.  Not only do the gods fight against each other on this day, but use all their efforts to second their favorites in every way.  Before long, however, it becomes so evident they are merely delaying the inevitable issue, that they agree to withdraw from the field, leaving mortals to settle the matter themselves.

There are vivid descriptions of sundry encounters, including one between Achilles and Aeneas, wherein both heroes indulge in boastful speeches before coming to blows.  At one time, when Aeneas is about to get the worst of it, the gods, knowing he is reserved for greater things, snatch him from the battle-field and convey him to a place of safety.  Thus miraculously deprived of his antagonist, Achilles resumes his quest for Hector, who has hitherto been avoiding him, but who, seeing one of his brothers fall beneath the Greek’s blows, meets him bravely.  But, as the moment of Hector’s death has not yet come, the gods separate these two fighters, although their hatred is such that, whenever they catch a glimpse of each other, they rush forward to renew the fight.