Ended thy dancing.” Then Meriones, The skilful spearman, answered: “Thou art brave, But thou wilt find it hard to overcome The might of all who gather to repulse Thy onset. Thou art mortal, and if I, Aiming at thee with my good spear, should pierce Thy bosom, valiant as thou art and proud Of thy strong arm, thy death would bring me praise, And send thy soul where gloomy Pluto dwells.”

He spake; the brave Patroclus heard, and thus Rebuked him: “Why wilt thou, Meriones, With all thy valor, stand to make a speech? The foe, my friend, will not be forced to leave The corpse by insults; some of them must die. In deeds the issue of a battle lies; Words are for counsel. Now is not the time To utter swelling phrases, but to fight.”