8. [{Troes de proutypsan aollees}.  The translation is literal, and
   affords one of many instances in which the Greek and English idiom
   correspond exactly.]—­TR.

9. [Arcesilaues.]

10. [This abruptness of transition from the third person to the first,
   follows the original.]

11. [The translator hopes that his learned readers will pardon him, if
   sometimes, to avoid an irksome cacophony, he turns brass into
   steel.  In fact, arrow had not a point of steel, but a brazen
   one.]—­TR.

12.  This sentiment is noble and patriotic.  It is in strict keeping
   with the character of Hector, who always appears as his country’s
   champion, and ready to die in her defence.  Our sympathies go with
   him; we involuntarily wish him success, and deplore his misfortune,
   though we admire the invincible courage of his more fortunate
   antagonist.  His actions and sentiments, springing from the simplest
   feelings of our nature, will always command applause, and, under
   all circumstances, and every form of political existence, will be
   imitated by the defenders of their country.

   The speech of Ajax is animating and powerful.  It is conceived in
   the true spirit of a warrior rousing his followers to make a last
   effort to repel the enemy.—­FELTON.

13. [Meges.]

14.  Hector is here represented as an instrument in the hand of
   Jupiter, to bring about the design the God had long ago projected. 
   As his fatal hour now approaches, Jove is willing to recompense his
   early death with this short-lived glory.

15.  It may be asked what Pallas has to do with the Fates, or what
   power has she over them?  Homer speaks thus, because Minerva has
   already resolved to deceive Hector and exalt Achilles.  Pallas, as
   the wisdom and knowledge of Jove, may be considered as drawing all
   things to the termination decreed by his councils.

16. [This termination of the period, so little consonant to the
   beginning of it, follows the original, where it is esteemed by
   commentators a great beauty.]—­TR.

Footnotes for Book XVI: 
1. [This translation of {dnopheron} is warranted by the Scholiast, who
   paraphrases it thus: 

     {meta doneseos pheromenon}.
                                   Iliad per Vill.]

2.  The friendship of Achilles and Patroclus was celebrated by all
   antiquity.  It is said in the life of Alexander the Great, that when
   that prince visited the monuments of the heroes of Troy, and placed
   a crown upon the tomb of Achilles, his friend Hephaestion placed
   another on that of Patroclus; an intimation of his being to
   Alexander, what Patroclus was to Achilles.  It is also said, that
   Alexander remarked, “Achilles was happy indeed, in having had such
   a friend to love him when living, and such a poet to celebrate him
   when dead.”