And in a murderous frenzy makes his boast That none of all the chieftains whom the fleet Of Greece brought hither equals him in might.”
The swift Achilles answered him and said:— “Son of Laertes, nobly born, and versed In wise devices, let me frankly speak Just as I think, and just as I shall act, And then ye will not importune me more. Hateful to me, as are the gates of hell, Is he who, hiding one thing in his heart, Utters another. I shall speak as seems To me the best; nor deem I that the son Of Atreus or the other Greeks can move My settled purpose, since no thanks are paid To him who with the enemy maintains A constant battle: equal is the meed Of him who stands aloof and him who fights Manfully; both the coward and the brave Are held in equal honor, and they die An equal death—the idler and the man Of mighty deeds. For me there is no store Of wealth laid up from all that I have borne, Exposing life in battle. As a bird Brings to her unfledged young the food she finds, Though she herself be fasting, so have I Had many a night unvisited by sleep, And passed in combat many a bloody day, Fighting beside these warriors for their wives. Twelve cities have I with my fleet laid waste, And with my Myrmidons have I o’erthrown Eleven upon this fertile Trojan coast. Full many a precious spoil from these I bore, And to Atrides Agamemnon gave. He, loitering in his fleet, received them all; Few he distributed, and many kept. To chiefs and princes he indeed assigned Prizes, which now they hold. From me alone Of all the Greeks he takes my prize; he takes My bride, whom well I loved;—and let him keep The damsel. But what need is there that Greeks Wage war against the Trojans? For what cause Did Agamemnon, gathering from our realms An army, lead it hither? Was it not Because of fair-haired Helen? Are the sons Of Atreus, then, the only men on earth Who love their wives? Nay, every good man loves And cherishes his spouse; and mine I loved Tenderly, though the captive of my spear: And now, since he hath taken my reward Away and treacherously dealt with me, Let him not try again, for I am warned, And he will not persuade me. Let him take Counsel with thee,