shall become thee well: Thy tents are full of wine, which ships from Thrace Bring every day across the mighty deep, And thou hast all things ready, and a host Of menials. Then, when many throng the board, Thou shalt defer to him who counsels thee Most wisely; for the Greeks have urgent need Of prudent counsels, when the foe so close Beside our galleys lights his multitude Of watch-fires. Who that sees them can rejoice? This night will rescue or destroy our host.”
He spake. They listened all, and willingly Obeyed him. Forth in armor went the guards, Led by the chieftain Thrasymedes, son Of Nestor, by Ascalaphus, who claimed His birth from Mars, and by Ialmenus His brother, and Deipyrus, with whom There followed Aphareus, Meriones, And Lycomedes, Creon’s noble son. Seven were the leaders of the guards; with each A hundred youths in warlike order marched, Bearing long spears; and when they reached the space Between the trench and wall they sat them down, And kindled fires and made their evening meal.
Atrides brought the assembled elder chiefs To his pavilion, and before them set A generous banquet. They put forth their hands And shared the feast; and when the calls of thirst And hunger ceased, the aged Nestor first Began to counsel them; the chief, whose words Had lately seemed of wisest import, now Addressed the assembly with well-ordered speech:—
“Atrides Agamemnon, glorious king! What I shall say begins and ends with thee, For thou dost rule o’er many nations. Jove Hath given to thee the sceptre, and the power To make their laws, that thou mayst seek their good. Thou, therefore, of all men, shouldst speak and hear In council, and shouldst follow willingly Another’s judgment when it best promotes The general weal; for all depends on thee. Now let me say what seems to me most wise; For better counsel none can give than this Which now I meditate, and which to give I purposed from the hour when thou, great king, Didst bear the maid Briseis from the tent Of the enraged Achilles, unapproved By me, who strove to change thy rash design. Then didst