Penthesileia

It begins with the famous deeds and death of the Amazon Penthesileia, and concludes with the death and burial of Achilles and the dispute between Ajax and Odysseus for his arms.

Hector was replaced by Penthesileia, the beautiful and warlike queen of the Amazons, who came to the aid of the Trojans, and drove the Greeks from the field.

Low to his soul he said:   "Ne'er shall I see return alive from war   Penthesileia!"

The red blood leapt   Forth, as a fountain wells, and all at once   Fainted the strength of Penthesileia's limbs;   Dropped the great battle-axe from her nerveless hand;   A mist of darkness overveiled her eyes,   And anguish thrilled her soul.

But above the rest   Mourned they o'er brave Podarces, who in fight   Was no less mighty than his hero-brother   Protesilaus, he who long ago   Fell, slain of Hector: so Podarces now,   Struck down by Penthesileia's spear, hath cast   Over all Argive hearts the pall of grief.