Book XIV

destruction to the enemy, My noble spirit never set the fear Of death before me; I was ever first To spring upon the foes, and with my spear To smite them as they turned their steps to flee. Such was I once in war; to till the fields I never liked, nor yet the household cares By which illustrious sons are reared. I loved Ships well appointed, combats, polished spears And arrows. Things that others hold in dread Were my delight; some god inclined to them My mind⁠—so true it is that different men Rejoice in different labors. Ere the sons Of Greece embarked for Troy, I served in war Nine times as leader against foreign foes, With troops and galleys under me, and then I prospered; from the mass of spoil I chose The things that pleased me, and obtained by lot Still other treasures. Thus my household grew In riches, and I was revered and great Among the Cretans. When all-seeing Jove Decreed the unhappy voyage to the coast Of Troy, they made the great Idomeneus And me commanders of the fleet. No power Had we⁠—the public clamor was so fierce⁠— To put the charge aside. Nine years we warred⁠— We sons of Greece⁠—and in the tenth laid waste The city of Priam, and embarked for home. Our fleets were scattered by the gods. For me Did all-disposing Jupiter ordain A wretched lot. But one short month I dwelt Happy among my children, with the wife Wedded to me in youth, and my large wealth. And then I planned a voyage to the coast Of Egypt, with a gallant fleet, and men Of godlike valor. I equipped nine ships, And quickly came the people to embark. Six days on shore my comrades banqueted, And many a victim for the sacrifice And for the feast I gave; the seventh we sailed From Crete’s broad isle before a favoring wind That blew from the clear north, and easily We floated on as down a stream. No ship Was harmed upon its way; in health and ease We sat, the wind and helmsmen guiding us, And came upon the fifth day to the land Of Egypt, watered by its noble streams. I bade my comrades keep beside our ships Upon the strand, and watch them well. I placed Sentries upon the Heights. Yet confident In their own strength, and rashly giving way To greed, my comrades ravaged the fair fields Of the Egyptians, slew them, and bore