Homer, Iliad (Orange Street).pdf

Homer’s Iliad
now, therefore, arm the sons of the Achaeans. But it will be well
that I should first sound them, and to this end I will tell them to fly
with their ships; but do you others go about among the host and
prevent their doing so."
He then sat down, and Nestor the prince of Pylos with all sincerity
and goodwill addressed them thus: "My friends," said he, "princes
and councillors of the Argives, if any other man of the Achaeans
had told us of this dream we should have declared it false, and
would have had nothing to do with it. But he who has seen it is the
foremost man among us; we must therefore set about getting the
people under arms."
With this he led the way from the assembly, and the other sceptred
kings rose with him in obedience to the word of Agamemnon; but
the people pressed forward to hear. They swarmed like bees that
sally from some hollow cave and flit in countless throng among the
spring flowers, bunched in knots and clusters; even so did the
mighty multitude pour from ships and tents to the assembly, and
range themselves upon the wide-watered shore, while among them
ran Wildfire Rumour, messenger of Jove, urging them ever to the
fore. Thus they gathered in a pell-mell of mad confusion, and the
earth groaned under the tramp of men as the people sought their
places. Nine heralds went crying about among them to stay their
tumult and bid them listen to the kings, till at last they were got
into their several places and ceased their clamour. Then King
Agamemnon rose, holding his sceptre. This was the work of
Vulcan, who gave it to Jove the son of Saturn. Jove gave it to
Mercury, slayer of Argus, guide and guardian. King Mercury gave
it to Pelops, the mighty charioteer, and Pelops to Atreus, shepherd
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