Then spake the hardy chief Ulysses thus:⁠— “Atrides Agamemnon, glorious king Of men! He will not let his wrath abate, But rages yet more fiercely, and contemns Thee and thy gifts. He leaves thee to consult With thine Achaians by what means to save The fleet and army; for himself he means Tomorrow, with the early dawn, to launch His well-appointed galleys on the sea, And will advise the other Greeks to spread The sails for home, since they will never see The overthrow of lofty Troy, for Jove The Thunderer stretches his protecting hand Above her, and her sons have taken heart. Such are his words; and those who went with me Are present⁠—Ajax and the heralds both, Sage men⁠—the witnesses to what I say. The aged Phoenix stays behind to sleep, And on the morrow to attend his chief To their beloved country⁠—if he will, For else by no means will he take him hence.”