Book XI

river-god, another to the god Of ocean, and a heifer yet unbroke To blue-eyed Pallas. Then we banqueted, In bands, throughout the army, and lay down In armor by the river-side to sleep. Meantime the brave Epeians stood around The city, resolute to lay it waste. But first was to be done a mighty work Of war; for as the glorious sun appeared Above the earth we dashed against the foe, Praying to Jove and Pallas. When the fight Between the Eleans and the Pylean host Was just begun, I slew a youthful chief⁠— Mulius⁠—and bore away his firm-paced steeds. The fair-haired Agamedé, eldest-born Of King Augeias’ daughters, was his spouse; And well to her each healing herb was known That springs from the great earth. As he drew near, I smote him with my brazen lance: he fell To earth: I sprang into his car, and stood Among the foremost warriors; while, around, The brave Epeians, as they saw him fall⁠— The leader of their knights, their mightiest In battle⁠—turned and, panic-stricken, fled, Each his own way. I followed on their flight Like a black tempest; fifty cars I took, And from each car I dashed two warriors down, Pierced by my spear. And now I should have slain The young Molions also, Actor’s sons, Had not their father, he who shakes the earth, Enshrouded them in mist, and hidden them From all pursuit. Then with victorious might Did Jove endue our arms, while we pursued The foe across a region strewn with shields⁠— Slaying, and gathering spoil⁠—until our steeds Came to Buprasium, rich in fields of wheat, And to the Olenian rock, and to the hill Alesium in Coloné. Pallas there Stayed our pursuit, and bade our host return. There slew I the last man, and left him there. And then the Achaians, guiding their swift steeds Homeward to Pylos from Euprasium, gave Great thanks to Jupiter among the gods, And Nestor among men. Such was I then Among the heroes; but Achilles keeps His valor for himself alone⁠—and yet Bitterly must he grieve when he beholds Our people perish. O my friend! How well Menoetius charged thee when he sent thee forth, From Phthia, to Atrides! We were both⁠— The nobly born Ulysses and myself⁠— Within the palace, and we clearly heard What he commanded thee. For we had