and where Lay the deep ashes; then, with many tears, Gathered the white bones of their gentle friend, And laid them in a golden vase, wrapped round With caul, a double fold. Within the tents They placed them softly, wrapped in delicate lawn, Then drew a circle for the sepulchre, And, laying its foundations to enclose The pyre, they heaped the earth, and, having reared A mound, withdrew. Achilles yet detained The multitude, and made them all sit down, A vast assembly. From the ships he brought The prizes—cauldrons, tripods, steeds, and mules, Oxen in sturdy pairs, and graceful maids, And shining steel. Then for the swiftest steeds A princely prize he offered first—a maid Of peerless form, and skilled in household arts, And a two-handled tripod of a size For two-and-twenty measures. He gave out The second prize—a mare unbroken yet, Of six years old, and pregnant with a mule. For the third winner in the race he staked A cauldron that had never felt the fire, Holding four measures, beautiful, and yet Untarnished. For the fourth, he offered gold, Two talents. For the fifth, and last, remained A double vessel never touched by fire. He rose and stood, and thus addressed the Greeks:—
“Atrides, and ye other well-armed Greeks, These prizes lie within the chariot-course, And wait the charioteers. Were but these games In honor of another, then would I Contend, and win and carry to my tent The first among these prizes. For my steeds, Ye know, surpass the rest in speed, since they Are of immortal birth, by Neptune given To Peleus, and by him in turn bestowed On me his son. But I and they will keep Aloof; they miss their skilful charioteer, Who washed in limpid water from the fount Their manes, and moistened them with softening oil. And now they mourn their friend, and sadly stand With drooping heads and manes that touch the ground. Let such of you as trust in their swift steeds And their strong cars prepare to join the games.”
Pelides spake: the abler charioteers Arose, and, first of all, the king of men, Eumelus, eminent in horsemanship, The dear son of Admetus.