To him the sovereign Agamemnon said:— “The things which thou hast uttered, aged chief, Are fitly spoken; but this man would stand Above all others; he aspires to be The master, over all to domineer, And to direct in all things; yet, I think, There may be one who will not suffer this. For if by favor of the immortal gods He was made brave, have they for such a cause Given him the liberty of insolent speech?”
Hereat the great Achilles, breaking in, Answered: “Yea, well might I deserve the name Of coward and of wretch, should I submit In all things to thy bidding. Such commands Lay thou on others, not on me; nor think I shall obey thee longer. This I say— And bear it well in mind—I shall not lift My hand to keep the maiden whom ye gave And now take from me; but whatever else May be on board that swift black ship of mine, Beware thou carry not away the least Without my leave. Come, make the trial now, That these may see thy black blood bathe my spear.
Then, rising from that strife of words, the