Those from Methone and Olizon’s rocks, And Meliboea and Thaumacia, filled Seven ships, with Philoctetes for their chief, A warrior skilled to bend the bow. Each barque Held fifty rowers, bowmen all, and armed For stubborn battle. But their leader lay Far in an island, suffering grievous pangs⁠— The hallowed isle of Lemnos. There the Greeks Left him, in torture from a venomed wound Made by a serpent’s fangs. He lay and pined. Yet was the moment near when they who thus Forsook their king should think of him again. Meantime his troops were not without a chief; Though greatly they desired their ancient lord, For now the base-born Medon marshalled them, Son of Oileus. Rhene brought him forth To that destroyer of strong fortresses.

The men of Tricca and Ithome’s hills, And they who held Oechalia and the town Of Eurytus the Aechalian, had for chiefs two sons of Aesculapius, healers both, And skilful⁠—Podalirius one, and one Machaon. Thirty hollow barques were theirs.