“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 thou yield thee to thy haughty will, And didst dishonor a most valiant man, Whom the immortals honor. Thou didst take And still dost keep the prize he fairly won. Let it be now our study to appease The hero with large gifts and soothing words.”