“O warrior-son of Atreus, sleepest thou? Tamer of steeds! It ill becomes a chief, Who has the charge of nations and sustains Such mighty cares, to sleep the livelong night. Give earnest heed to me, for I am come A messenger from Jove, who, though far off, Takes part in thy concerns and pities thee. He bids thee arm, with all the array of war, The long-haired Greeks, for now the hour is come Which gives into thy hands the city of Troy With all its spacious streets. The powers who dwell In the celestial mansions are no more At variance; Juno’s prayers have moved them all, And o’er the Trojans hangs a fearful doom, Decreed by Jove. Bear what I say in mind.”
“It spake and passed away, and with it fled My slumbers. Now must we devise a way To bring into the field the sons of Greece. I first will try, as best I may, with words, And counsel flight from Troy with all our ships. Ye each, with different counsels, do your part.”
He spake, and took his seat, and after him Nestor, the king of sandy Pylus, rose, With well-considered words. “O friends,” he said, “Leaders and princes of the Grecian race, Had any other of the Argive host Related such a dream, we should have said The tale is false, and spurned the counsel given, But he has seen it who in rank and power Transcends us all, and ours it is to see How we may arm for war the sons of Greece.”
He spake, and left the council, and the rest, All sceptred kings, arose, prepared to obey The shepherd of the people. All the Greeks Meanwhile came thronging to the appointed place. As, swarming forth from cells within the rock, Coming and coming still, the tribe of bees Fly in a cluster o’er the flowers of spring, And some are darting out to right and left, So from the ships and tents a multitude Along the spacious beach, in mighty throngs, Moved toward the assembly. Rumor went with them, The messenger of Jove, and urged them on. And now, when they were met, the place was stunned With clamor; earth, as the great crowd sat down, Groaned under them; a din of mingled cries Arose; nine shouting