Aias saw that Zeus favored the Trojans and called to Menelaus. Even a fool could read this rout: Trojan spears hit home whether a good thrower cast or a bad one, while Achaean casts fell short. They must get the body out and somehow send word to Achilles — though he had no armor now.
Aias prayed to father Zeus to clear the darkness if he pitied them at all, and kill them in the light if he meant to kill them. Zeus heard him and chased the cloud away so the sun shone out and all the field was plain again.
Then Aias told Menelaus to find Antilochus son of Nestor, if he still lived, and bid him run to Achilles with the news that the comrade dearest to him had fallen. Menelaus went searching the ranks as keenly as an eagle and found Antilochus on the left of the battle, cheering his companions.
"Antilochus," he said, "come and hear unhappy news which I wish had never been. A god is rolling ruin on the Danaans, and victory is with the Trojans. Patroclus has fallen, best of the Achaeans. Run to the ships and tell Achilles, so he may bring the body safe — though stripped; Hector of the flashing helmet has his armor."
Antilochus was struck dumb. Tears filled his eyes, and for a long time he could find no word. Then he gave his armor to Laodokos and ran weeping from the field to carry the news to Achilles.
Menelaus returned to the Aiantes. He and Meriones stooped, raised Patroclus with a great effort, and lifted him high, while the two Aiantes turned their shields toward the Trojans and held the rear. The Trojan host raised a cry and charged like dogs on a wounded boar, but when the Aiantes faced them, none dared dart in for the body.
Step by step the bearers moved toward the ships, straining like mules that drag ship timber down a rugged mountain path. Behind them the Aiantes held Hector and Aeneas back as a wooded ridge holds a flood and turns the streams into the plain. Spears rained around them, and men shouted on both sides, but the Achaeans would not let the body go. The armor of Achilles still shone on Hector's shoulders as the fight rolled back with the corpse.