In front of all, two Chiefs their station took,
  Patroclus and Automedon; one mind
  In both prevail’d, to combat in the van 265
  Of all the Myrmidons.  Achilles, then,
  Retiring to his tent, displaced the lid
  Of a capacious chest magnificent
  By silver-footed Thetis stow’d on board
  His bark, and fill’d with tunics, mantles warm, 270
  And gorgeous arras; there he also kept
  Secure a goblet exquisitely wrought,
  Which never lip touched save his own, and whence
  He offer’d only to the Sire of all. 
  That cup producing from the chest, he first 275
  With sulphur fumed it, then with water rinsed
  Pellucid of the running stream, and, last
  (His hands clean laved) he charged it high with wine. 
  And now, advancing to his middle court,
  He pour’d libation, and with eyes to heaven 280
  Uplifted pray’d,[8] of Jove not unobserved. 
    Pelasgian, Dodonaean Jove supreme,
  Dwelling remote, who on Dodona’s heights
  Snow-clad reign’st Sovereign, by thy seers around
  Compass’d the Selli, prophets vow-constrain’d 285
  To unwash’d feet and slumbers on the ground! 
  Plain I behold my former prayer perform’d,
  Myself exalted, and the Greeks abased. 
  Now also grant me, Jove, this my desire! 
  Here, in my fleet, I shall myself abide, 290
  But lo! with all these Myrmidons I send
  My friend to battle.  Thunder-rolling Jove,
  Send glory with him, make his courage firm! 
  That even Hector may himself be taught,
  If my companion have a valiant heart 295
  When he goes forth alone, or only then
  The noble frenzy feels that Mars inspires
  When I rush also to the glorious field. 
  But when he shall have driven the battle-shout
  Once from the fleet, grant him with all his arms, 300
  None lost, himself unhurt, and my whole band
  Of dauntless warriors with him, safe return! 
    Such prayer Achilles offer’d, and his suit
  Jove hearing, part confirm’d, and part refused;
  To chase the dreadful battle from the fleet 305
  He gave him, but vouchsafed him no return. 
  Prayer and libation thus perform’d to Jove
  The Sire of all, Achilles to his tent
  Return’d, replaced the goblet in his chest,
  And anxious still that conflict to behold 310
  Between the hosts, stood forth before his tent. 
    Then rush’d the bands by brave Patroclus led,
  Full on the Trojan host.  As wasps forsake
  Their home by the way-side, provoked by boys
  Disturbing inconsiderate their abode, 315
  Not without nuisance sore to all who pass,
  For if, thenceforth, some traveller unaware
  Annoy them, issuing one and all they swarm