And then Pelides brought into the midst A ponderous spear, and laid a cauldron down Which never felt the fire, inwrought with flowers, Its price an ox. And then the spearmen rose. Atrides Agamemnon, mighty king, First rose, and after him Meriones, The brave companion of Idomeneus; And thus to both the swift Achilles said:—
“O son of Atreus, for we know how far Thou dost excel all others, and dost cast The spear with passing strength and skill, bear thou This prize, as victor, to the roomy ships, And if it please thee, let us, as I wish, Give to our brave Meriones the spear.”
He spake, and Agamemnon, king of men, Complied, and gave Meriones in hand The brazen spear, while to Talthybius, The herald, he consigned the greater prize.