Now Pallas, daughter of almighty Jove, Drew near them. She had taken Mentor’s form And Mentor’s voice. The much-enduring chief, Ulysses, saw her and rejoiced, and said To his beloved son, Telemachus:—
“Now wilt thou, of thyself, Telemachus, Bethink thee, when thou minglest in the fray That tries men’s valor, not to cast disgrace Upon thy forefathers—a race renowned For manly daring over all the earth.”
And thus discreet Telemachus replied:
“Nay, if thou wilt, my father, thou shalt see That by no lack of valor shall I cast, As thou hast said, dishonor on thy race.”
Laertes heard them, and rejoiced, and said:
“O what a day for me, ye blessed gods, Is this! With what delight I see my son And grandson rivals on the battlefield.”
And then the blue-eyed Pallas, drawing near Laertes, said:
“Son of Arcesias, loved By me beyond all others of my friends, Pray to Jove’s blue-eyed daughter, and to Jove, And brandish thy long spear, and send it forth.”
So Pallas spake, and breathed into his frame Strength irresistible. The aged chief Prayed to the daughter of almighty Jove, And brandished his long spear and sent it forth. It smote Eupeithes on the helmet’s cheek. The brass stayed not the spear, the blade passed through, And heavily Eupeithes fell to earth, His armor clashing round him as he fell. Then rushed Ulysses and his valiant son Forward, the foremost of their band, and smote Their foes with swords and lancet double-edged, And would have struck them down to rise no more, If Pallas, daughter of the god who bears The aegis, had not with a mighty voice Commanded all the combatants to cease:—