Then wise Ulysses, with stern look, replied:⁠— “What words, Atrides, have escaped thy lips? Unhappy man, thou shouldst have held command O’er some effeminate army, and not ours⁠— Ours to whom Jupiter, from youth to age, Hath granted to accomplish difficult wars, Until we pass away. And wouldst thou then Depart from Troy, the city of broad streets, For which we have endured so much and long? Nay, be thou silent, lest the other Greeks Hear words that never should be said by one Who knows to speak with wisdom, and who bears The sceptre, and who rules so many Greeks As thou dost. I contemn with my whole soul The counsel thou hast given, commanding us, While yet the battle rages, to draw down Our good ships to the sea, that so the foe May see his wish more easily fulfilled, Even in the hour of triumph, and our fate Be certain ruin; for the Greeks no more Will combat when they draw their galleys down, But, looking backward to the shore, will leave The battle there; and thus, O king of men! Will mischief flow from what thou counsellest.”