Then answered Nestor, the Gerenian knight:— “O son of Atreus, I myself could wish That I were now as when of yore I struck The high-born Ereuthalion down. The gods Bestow not all their gifts on man at once. If I were then a youth, old age in turn Is creeping o’er me. Still I keep among The knights, and counsel and admonish them— The office of the aged. Younger men, They who can trust their strength, must wield the spear.”
He spake. The son of Atreus passed him by, Pleased with his words, and, moving onward, came Where—with the Athenians, ever prompt to raise The war-cry, grouped around him—stood the knight Menestheus, son of Peteus. Near to these Was wise Ulysses, with his sturdy band Of Cephalonians. None of these had heard The clamor of the battle, for the hosts Of Trojan knights and Greeks had just begun To move, and there they waited for the advance Of other squadrons marching on to charge The Trojans and begin the war anew. The king of men, Atrides, was displeased, And spake, and chid them thus with wingèd words:—
“O son of Peteus, foster-child of Jove, And thou, the man of craft and evil wiles! Why stand ye here aloof, irresolute, And wait for others? Ye should be the first To meet the foe and stem the battle’s rage. I bid you first to banquets which the Greeks Give to their leaders, where ye feast at will On roasted meats and bowls of pleasant wine. Now, ere ye move, ye willingly would see Ten Grecian squadrons join the deadly strife.”
The man of many arts, Ulysses, spake, And frowned: “O Atreus’ son! What words are those Which pass thy lips? How canst thou say that we Avoid the battle? Ever when the Greeks Seek bloody conflict with the Trojan knights, Thou, if thou wilt, and if thou givest heed To things like these, shalt with thine eyes behold The father of Telemachus engaged In combat with the foremost knights that form The Trojan van. Thou utterest empty words.”