Then answered Nestor the Gerenian knight:⁠— “Atrides Agamemnon! Glorious king! Gifts not to be contemned thou offerest To Prince Achilles. Let us now despatch A chosen embassy, who shall proceed At once to where Pelides holds his tent. I name the men; and cheerfully will they Perform the duty: Phoenix, dear to Jove, Shall be their leader, mighty Ajax next, And then high-born Ulysses; heralds twain Shall follow⁠—Hodius and Eurybates. And now be water brought to cleanse our hands, And charge be given that no ill-omened word Be uttered, while we pray that Jupiter, The son of Saturn, will assist our need.”