Of swift Achilles. Mouth and nostrils both Were choked with filth. The much-enduring man Ulysses, coming first, received the cup, While Ajax took the ox, and as he stood Holding the animal’s horn and spitting forth The dirt, he said to those around: “ ’Tis plain The goddess caused my feet to slide; she aids Ulysses like a mother.” So he said, And the Greeks laughed. And then Antilochus Received the third reward, and with a smile Said to the Greeks: “I tell you all, my friends, What you must know already, that the gods Honor the aged ever. Ajax stands Somewhat in years above me, but this chief Who takes the prize is of a former age And earlier race of men; they call him old, But hard it were for any Greek to vie With him in swiftness, save Achilles here.”