Such Men Reward, from line 207
“Their whole intelligence of tactics might
In talk be heard where Trojans join on watch,
Whether they are resolved to stay the night
Before our ships, or having won a match,
Would back to Troy. No less a man might learn
And come away unscathed. His fame would have
A great attraction under heaven, apt
To draw all men in favor of the brave.
And with heroic mede he’ll be endowed.
Those chiefs in highest charge of ships and men
Shall each a black ewe bring to him that has
A lamb beneath her. No man’s goods shall then
Be greater. And at bouts of wine and boards
Of feasting he’ll abide what love affords.”
A Virtuous Man, from line 218
So far he spoke, and none rejoined, all quiet
In council. Then among them Diomed, great
Like Ares greding, forwardly held forth:
“Nestor, my courage would precipitate
Your counsels. Braving hardship, I’d assay
This dread camp drawn before our fleet, compact
Of Trojans. But if an Achaian would
Consort with me, more firmness in the act,
More ready furtherance, would be maintained
By us. When two are sped, one first may see
The fitter course of profit. But a man
Alone, though circumspect in part, will be
Less sure perceiving, and his plans are dim.”
He spoke, and many sought to go with him.
Thirsting Forward, from line 228
Thirsting forward, the Aiantes, knights of Ares,
Made haste, and, thirsting forward, came Meriones,
And thirsting hard was Nestor’s son with them,
And thirsting heavily Atreyedes,
Lance-glorious Menelaos, leapt, and next
Anon Odysseus, dolor-hardened, thirsted
To draw upon the throng of Troy, a man
Entirely mettlesome, at arms unworsted,
From boldness never swerved which swelled his breast.
Then sovereign Agamemnon, seeing these,
Held forth: “Tudeyede, my heart’s recure,
Belov’d in care, an Argive choose to please
Yourself, assured the best of them to have
Who here stand forward, fortunately brave.”
The Best Man Choose, from line 237
“Nor be so verily respectful as
To leave the fitter man behind, content
To choose the poorer as the proper choice
By rank and birth, all were he prominent
Like me.” No less he spoke, afraid about
His brother, Menelaos manly blond.
Then battle-clapper Diomedes, not
Dismayed among them, meetly would respond:
“If here you’d have me an accessory
Select, how then Odysseus, Zeus’s light,
Should I not bring to mind? His breast-mood, broad
In manhood, and his brain, in prescience right,
More deeply kindled to begin a quest
Have been than any man’s in battle-test.”
