But level is the race-course all around. The monument it is of one long dead, Or haply it has been in former days A goal, as the swift-footed Peleus’ son Has now appointed it. Approach it near, Driving thy chariot close upon its foot, Then in thy seat lean gently to the left And cheer the right-hand horse, and ply the lash, And give him a loose rein, yet firmly keep The left-hand courser close beside the goal— So close that the wheel’s nave may seem to touch The summit of the post; yet strike thou not The stone beside it, lest thou lame thy steeds And break the chariot, to thy own disgrace And laughter of the others. My dear son, Be on thy guard; for if thou pass the goal Before the rest, no man in the pursuit Can overtake or pass thee, though he drave The noble courser of Adrastus, named Arion the swift-footed, which a god Bade spring to life, or those of matchless speed Reared here in Ilium by Laomedon.”
Neleian Nestor spake, and, having thus Given all the needful cautions, took his seat In his own place. Meriones, the fifth, Harnessed his steeds with stately manes, and all Mounted their chariots. Lots were cast; the son Of Peleus shook the helmet, and the lot Of Nestor’s son, Antilochus, leaped forth; And next the lot of King Eumelus came; And Menelaus, mighty with the spear, Had the third lot; Meriones was next; And to the bravest of them all, the son Of Tydeus, fell the final lot and place. They stood in order, while Achilles showed The goal far off upon the level plain, And near it, as the umpire of the race, He placed the godlike Phoenix, who had been His father’s armor-bearer, to observe With judging eye, and bring a true report.
All raised at once the lash above their steeds, And smote them with the reins, and cheered them on With vehement cries. Across the plain they swept, Far from the fleet; beneath them rose the dust, A cloud, a tempest, and their tossing manes Were lifted by the wind. And now the cars Touched earth, and now were flung into the air. Erect the drivers stood, with beating hearts, Eager for victory, each encouraging His steeds, that flew beneath the shroud of dust.