THE BRITISH POETS. VOL. XXV. EDINBURGH: Printed for A. KINCAID and W. CREECH, M, DCC, LXXIII, THE ILIA D. BOOK XVII. THE ARGUMENT. The feventh Battle for the Body of Patroclus: The Aus of Menelaus. MENELAUS, upon the death of Patroclus, defends his body from the enemy: Euphorbus, who attempts it, is flain. Hector advancing, Menelaus retires; but foon returns with Ajax, and drives him off. This Glaucus objects to Hector as a flight, who thereupon puts on the armour he had won from Patroclus, and renews the battle. The Greeks give way, till Ajax rallies them: Æneas fuftains the Trojans. Eneas and Hector attempt the chariot of Achilles, which is borne off by Automedon. The horfes of Achilles deplore the death of Patroclus; Jupiter covers his body with a thick darkness: The noble prayer of Ajax on that occafion. Menelaus fends Antilochus to Achilles with the news of Patroclus's death: Then returns to the fight, where, though attacked with the utmoft fury, he and Meriones, affifted by the Ajaxes, bear off the body to the ships. The time is the evening of the eight and twentieth day. The scene lies in the fields before Troy. |