The Second Slaughter

Achilles slays the man who slayed his friend, pierces the corpse behind the heels and drags it behind his chariot like the cans that trail a bride and groom. Then he lays out a banquet for his men, oxen and goats and pigs and sheep; the soldiers eat until a greasy moonbeam lights their beards. The first slaughter is for victory, but the second slaughter is for grief—