The Iliad; - Truth Seeker Times

:
8 THE ILIAD. [book i.
Are peel'd away ; but now in turn Achaia's children bear it,
Servants of Justice,—intheirpalmsj by Jupiter deputed
To enforce observance of the Eight : (a mighty oath I tender)
— : :
There shall upon Achaia's sons a longing for Achilles 340
Come, soon or late, on one and all; but them, though pierc'd with an-
Unable wilt thou be to help, when hero-slaying Hector [guish.
Shall hew them down in crowds : but thou thy soul within shalt mangle
Enrag'd, that thou didst vilely treat the noblest of the Achaians."
Thus spake the son of Peleus; then, against the ground his sceptre,24B
Studded with golden nails, he dash'd; and took his seat among them.
On other side Atrides rag'd then rose between them Nestor,
The bland ofspeech,the clear of tone, the PyUan haranguer;
Who from his tongue an utterance pour'd down, than honey sweeter.
To him already waned had of voice-dividing mortals 250
Two ages, which in early days were rear'd with him, and foUow'd,
In heav'nly Pylos' land ; but he over the third was reigning
Who thus with kindly soul harangu'd, and spake his word among them.
"Good Spirits! sure, a mighty grief home to Achaia reacheth.
Truly might Priam joyful be, and all the sons of Priam, 255
And other Troians too, in soul be mightily delighted.
If all these things were learn'd by them, of you, twain chieftains battling,
Who are of Danai supreme in council and in combat.
But now fcomply ; and both of you in age are far below me.
For I long since with ancient men, of prowess yours surpassing, 260
Held intercourse ; and never they contempt display 'd toward me.
For not yet such men have I seen, nor ever shall behold them,
As were of yore Peirithous, —Dryas, the people's shepherd,
And Polyphemus, match for gods, Exadius and Cseneus,
And Theseus, .^geus' son, who bare the form of an immortal. 265
Of all the men who tread on earth, these hardiest were nurtur'd.
Most hardy were themselves; and they, with mountain-lurking monsters
Most hardy, fought; and all of them they marvellously slaughter'd.
And I, with these, high intercourse afar from land of Apis
Maintain'd, from Pylos coming forth, compliant to their summons. 270
And in my measure I too fought ; but like to them no mortal.
Of all who now set foot on earth, could quit himself in battle.
—