They did as the swift-footed son of Peleus ordered. They quenched the pyre with wine, and the tears ran down their cheeks as they gathered the white bones of their gentle companion into a golden urn with a double fold of fat, set it in the shelter, and covered it with a soft linen cloth. They traced a circle for a mound and laid foundations around the pyre, then heaped earth, and when they had raised the barrow they went back.
Achilles kept the people there and brought prizes from the ships — cauldrons, tripods, horses, mules, strong oxen, women skilled in work, and gray iron. First he set prizes for charioteers: a woman skilled in crafts and a tripod of twenty-two measures for first; a six-year-old unbroken mare carrying a mule foal for second; a fair cauldron untouched by fire for third; two talents of gold for fourth; a two-handled urn for fifth.
He said that at any other time he would carry off first prize himself, for his horses were immortal, a gift Poseidon gave Peleus — but he and they would stay out, since they had lost their glorious charioteer, who used to pour soft oil on their manes. Let the others contend.
Eumelos son of Admetus rose first, then Diomedes with the horses he took from Aeneas. Menelaus harnessed swift Aithe and Podargos. Antilochus made ready his Pylian horses, and old Nestor stood by with counsel: watch the turning-post and use cunning where the course narrows. Meriones was fifth. They cast lots for places and lined up.
They lashed and shouted, and the horses flew over the plain. On the return the race grew tight. Athena broke Eumelos's yoke in anger; he tumbled and tore his elbows, mouth, and nose, tears filling his eyes. Diomedes shot past, Athena putting strength in his horses and giving him glory.
After him came Antilochus, who passed Menelaus by a trick on a narrow sunken stretch of road, not by the speed of his horses. Menelaus cried out in fear and anger, but Antilochus drove harder as if he had not heard. From the seats Idomeneus first spotted Diomedes coming, and Aias son of Oileus quarreled with him until Achilles told them both to stop the harsh words.