“Sure, noble Menelaus, thou art mad. Such frenzied daring suits not with the time. Restrain thyself, though thou hast cause for wrath; Nor in thy pride of courage meet in arms One so much mightier⁠—Hector, Priam’s son, Whom every other chief regards with fear, Whom even Achilles, braver far than thou, Dreads to encounter in the glorious fight. Withdraw, then, to thy comrades, and sit down. The Greeks will send some other champion forth Against him; and though fearless, and athirst For combat, he, I deem, will gladly bend His weary knees to rest should he escape From that fierce conflict in the lists alive.”

With words like these the Grecian hero changed The purpose of his brother, who obeyed The prudent counsel; and with great delight The attendants stripped the armor from his breast. Then Nestor rose amid the Greeks and said:⁠—