But this man is resolv'd to be first over all and in all things; All to his dictating word must submit themselves--all to his kingship-- He with his nod to command--which I think will have scanty approval. Might in his spear if there be by the gift of the Gods everlasting, Do they uphold him for that in the measureless railing of insult?" Him, with a sidelong glance, thus answer'd the noble Achilleus:-- "Worthless I well might be call'd, of a surety, and cowardly caitiff, Yielded I all at a word whensoever it pleas'd thee to dictate. Such be thy lording with others, but not as to me, Agamemnon! Waste not thy masterful signs: they shall never command my obedience. This will I tell thee at once, let my fixt resolution be ponder'd-- Never a hand will I lift to resist for the sake of the damsel, Neither on thee nor another--ye take what ye formerly granted! But of whatever besides I possess in the camp of the galleys, Nothing against my consent shall by thee or another be taken. Come now--try it thyself, that the test may for all be sufficient, Seeing how right from thy bosom the black blood streams on my spear-head." They, having battled it thus in the striving of proud contradiction, Rose and disperst the assembly of men at the ships of Achaia. Then to his tents and the line of his galleys, the noble Peleides Went with Menoetius' son and the rest of his comrades attending; While from the beach to the water, a galley surpassing in swiftness Drew Agamemnon the king, and selected a score for her oarsmen. Then in the depth of her hull was the hecatomb placed for Apollo, And he conducted himself to embark with them, rosy Chrysëis; Lastly, to govern the voyage, ascended sagacious Odysseus; Then being rang'd in the galley they sail'd on the watery courses. But the Atreides commanded the people to purification, And when they all had been cleans'd, and the sea had receiv'd the pollutions, Hecatombs whole to Apollo of bulls and of goats without blemish Bled for the purified host, on the margin of harvestless ocean, Sending the savour to heaven in the wreaths of the smoke from the altar. Busied herein was the leaguer--yet not in the King Agamemnon Enmity ceas'd, nor the pride to fulfil what his anger had menaced. He to Talthybius now and Eurybates spake his commission, Heralds of royal command, ever near him in ministry watchful:-- "Pass, ye twain, to the right to the tent of Peleian Achilleus, Enter and take with your hands, and conduct to me hither Brisëis. If he refuses to yield her, myself will accomplish the seizure, Following swiftly with more, which may chance to embitter his grudging." Loth, they obey'd him; and pass'd by the rim of the harvestless ocean, On to the Myrmidon tents and the black-hull'd ship of Peleides. Near to his tent and his galley they found him seated; nor truly,