Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
Footnote 158: (return) Not “a head less” in height; for line 169 would
then mean that Agamemnon was a head less than others, and consequently
Ulysses would be two heads under the ordinary size. Anthon has adopted
this common mistake, although Wolf had pointed it out.
But him Helen, sprung from Jove, answered: “Now, this one again is the
son of Laertes, much-scheming Ulysses, who was bred in the country of
Ithaca, rugged though it be, skilled in all kinds of stratagems and
prudent counsels.”
Her then the sage Antenor addressed in reply: “O lady, assuredly hast
thou spoken this word very truly: for already in former times divine
Ulysses came hither also, on an embassy concerning thee, with
Mars-beloved Menelaus. I received them as guests, and entertained them
in my palace, and became acquainted with the genius of both, and their
prudent counsels; but when they were mingled with the assembled
Trojans, Menelaus indeed overtopped him, as they stood by his broad
shoulders; but when both were sitting, Ulysses was more majestic. 159
But when they began to weave words and counsels for all, Menelaus, on
his part, would harangue very fluently; a few [words] indeed, but very
sweetly, since he was not loquacious, nor a random talker, though he
was younger in age. But when much-counselling Ulysses arose, he stood
and looked down, fixing his eyes on the earth, but he neither moved his
sceptre backwards nor forwards, but held it unmoved like an unskilful
man: you would say indeed that he was a very irritable man, as well as
devoid of reason. But when he did send forth the mighty voice from his
breast, and words like unto wintry flakes of snow, no longer then would
another mortal contend with Ulysses. And beholding, we then marvelled
not so much at the aspect of Ulysses, [as at his words].”
Footnote 159: (return) Observe the Attic construction, where the
genitive would have been expected. So Od. M. 73. Il. ii 317. Compared
by Lesbonax, περὶ σχημ. p. 183, sq. ed. Valck. See, also, my note on
Æsch. Prom, p. 8, ed. Bohn; intpp. on Theocrit. i. 48.
Then in the third place, having beheld Ajax, the old man asked: “Who is
that other Achæan hero, valiant and great, out-topping the Argives by
his head and broad shoulders?”
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