Book Eighteen

Antilochus tells Achilles of his best friend's demise
He lays himself down in the dust and tears his hair and cries
His mother Thetis sees her son is visibly upset
She goes to see him, asks "Achilles, what's the matter pet?
Has not Zeus ensured the Argives lose, just like you said?"
"Yes, but Mummy I don't care, cos Patroclus is dead.
I have to go and fight now, killing Hector is my quest."
"Very well dear, if you like, but first you should get dressed!
I'll go and see Hephaistos, who will make you some new gear
And in the meantime don't do something silly, just wait here."
Meanwhile Hector's still trying to grab Patroclus' feet
The Ajaxes make him let go, but can't make him retreat
Iris goes to Achilles, and asks him for his aid
He says "I have no armour, I must wait till some is made"
"You don't have to fight" says Iris "just stand up and shout"
He does, twelve Trojans fall upon their spears, it is a rout
Polydamas suggests that they should go defend the city
Hector, though, rejects this sound advice, which is a pity
Thetis finds Hephaistos making tripods on gold wheels
"My son needs some new armour, will you make it?" she appeals
He makes the armour, and a shield, with many decorations
People, gods and animals, but sadly, no crustaceans