The Iliad 17.233–237

were full of hope to drag the corpse froma beneath Aias, son of Telamon—fools that they were! Verily full many did he rob of life over that corpse. Then spake Aias unto Menelaus, good at the war-cry, Good Menelaus, fostered of Zeus, no more have I hope that we twain by ourselves alone shall win back from out the war.In no wise have I such dread for the corpse of Patroclus that shall presently glut the dogs and birds of the Trojans, as I have for mine own life, lest some evil befall, and for thine as well, for a cloud of war compasseth everything about, even Hector, and for us is utter destruction plain to see.Howbeit, come thou, call upon the chieftains of the Danaans, if so be any may hear.