1. Their clash like the roar of raging fire,
And Antilochus had weakened his feet.

2. Achilles found the fleet striking
In its turmoil, restless at what appeared to them.

3. He groans as he anxiously speaks to himself,
"Alas, why do I see the Argives defeated?

4. The servants fled, our ships scattered,
Has a grave matter happened, ruled by the gods?"

5. A matter which Thetis commanded, saying,
"Among the Myrmidons, the best will meet their doom."

6. The light of the sun is hidden from him suddenly
By the enemies, and a revelation to you among them.

7. No doubt, Patroclus brought destruction, alas!
Didn't I tell him: “The fires are raging, beware!”

8. Extinguish their sparks and return avoiding
Like the shy partridge, don’t dive among them.

9. These anxieties stirred him, and there
Antilochus appeared, tears streaming.

10. The son of Peleus said, wounded, "A calamity has befallen us,
If only the princes had not attacked.

11. Patroclus fallen, Hector exulting,
His body naked, the blood congealed."

12. Before Antilochus finished speaking,
The mist covered the radiant Achilles.

13. Above him the fair dawn and
His cheeks were bathed in tears streaming down.

14. His cheeks darkened and his fine clothes
Were marked with traces of mourning.

15. He wailed occupying the field with his stature,
Rolling as his hair fluttered beautifully.

16. Around him the captive women cried,
Crowding the tents with their wails.

17. Both Achilles and Patroclus with their might
Had achieved peace—oh blessed peace!

18. To console the grieving hearts, and Thetis’ grief,
Achilles wiped his copious tears.

19. He held back his rage lest more grief
Consume his throat and pierce his flesh.

20. So he overcame the pain and went
To tell Thetis of this injustice and pain.

21. She roared from the depths of the sea,
Where her father Nereus dwelled in old age.

22. Around her, then in the deep standing
Were all the daughters of the sea gathered.

23. Spio, Nesaea, Akaia, Pherousa,
Mnemosyne, Doris, Panopea, Amphitrite,

24. Amphithoe, Cymothoe, Cymadusa, Thea
Of great beauty, famed among them.

25. Around were Glauce, Melite, Agave,
Doto, Proto, Dynamene, crowded together.

26. Actaea, Nemertes, Callianassa,
But Thia most stunning, adorned with hair.

27. “Oh people of Nereus’ realm, listen!
What disaster ruined all the heroes!”

28. She built him like a sweet branch in a garden,
Then the princes fought and destroyed him.

29. With the fleet I sent him to war and fight,
And now Philoctetes’ home is deserted.

30. While he lives the sun still shines,
Yet his agony remains grievous.

31. I cannot help him—see me now
Eagerly going to see him at this moment.

32. I will know his tribulation and he is
Deaf to the call of battle, overwhelmed.

33. She left her cave, and her sisters
Parted, some to the depths, some with her.

34. Until they reached the plain, they hastened
Where the Myrmidons moored their ships.

35. And where around him they anxiously gathered,
She addressed him, her words flowing like tears:

36. "My son, why this grief? Tell me, do not hide it."
He roared from his liver saying: "Yes!

37. Ruin came when he indulged the Greeks, though I warned him
Not to attack them while their rage burned hot.

38.
Patroclus died and I did not stand by him

39. To protect him from the blows that destroyed them.
I did not ward off his death nor

40. Save Hector’s young men, so alas for them!

41. Death, just death! No cure, no homeland,
Since I did not rush to protect them.

42.
A burden on earth, useless because of my heaviness,

43. While my ships remained facing them.

44. If only the wise reconsidered,
For I have deafened most of them with war.

45. So may the evil strife that toyed
With spirits and men till their bonds broke perish!

46.
And may the rage among people perish—how

47. It tempted and provoked, ruled by their passions!
Like poison in the chest flowing inflated

48. Like smoke blinding the people.
You scolded my raging anger, and that was right,

49. So let us restrain, however the pain persists.
Yes, I will seek Hector who destroyed

50. With his hands, aspiring to the highest peaks.

51. Until Zeus decides my death,
For without them life is vain.

52. Heracles did not avail them with his might, nor
Did Zeus, though they humored him.

53. He was struck by Hera's cunning—it was fate then!
So I will die since this is the ordained fate.

54.
Today no worry preoccupies me

55. Except preparing to ambition the highest ambitions.
The tender-hearted women will see

56. Hot tears streaming ceaselessly for them.
They know my absence grew long so my enemies abused me,

57. And here I am now among them.

58. Whatever advice I give is useless—you spoke truth.
Oh wisest in your judgment!

59. And I left my palace and family
With might dispelling fears that overwhelmed them.

60. But with your precious lament, the enemy prevailed,
And Hector now exults in it."

61. Did I let him continue unchecked, restraining him awhile?
I knew his time had come but they did not know.

62. So do not recklessly dive into battle
Until you see me tomorrow smiling in dawn

63. In armor from Hephaestus, eager
To return and kill them all.

64. She left him and said to the nymphs: "To
The old man, our father, let us be patient."

65.
So the nymphs of the sea told him, and I, Thetis,

66. Seek Hephaestus—he respects his word.
The nymphs parted as she rushed seeking help

67. In heaven, home of eternal glory and greatness.