“Alas, alas! what grief is this for Greece! What joy for Priam, and for Priam’s sons! What exultation for the men of Troy, To hear of feuds ’tween you, of all the Greeks The first in council, and the first in fight! Yet, hear my words, I pray; in years, at least, Ye both must yield to me; and in times past I liv’d with men, and they despis’d me not, Abler in counsel, greater than yourselves. Such men I never saw, and ne’er shall see, As Pirithous and Dryas, wise and brave, Coeneus, Exadius, godlike Polypheme, And Theseus, Ægeus’ more than mortal son. The mightiest they among the sons of men; The mightiest they, and of the forest beasts Strove with the mightiest, and their rage subdued. With them from distant lands, from Pylos’ shore I join’d my forces, and their call obey’d; With them I play’d my part; with them, not one Would dare to fight of mortals now on earth. Yet they my counsels heard, my voice obey’d; And hear ye also, for my words are wise. Nor thou, though great thou be, attempt to rob Achilles of his prize, but let him keep The spoil assign’d him by the sons of Greece; Nor thou, Pelides, with the monarch strive In rivalry; for ne’er to sceptred King Hath Jove such pow’rs, as to Atrides, giv’n; And valiant though thou art, and Goddess-born, Yet mightier he, for wider is his sway. Atrides, curb thy wrath! while I beseech Achilles to forbear; in whom the Greeks From adverse war their great defender see.” To whom the monarch, Agamemnon, thus: “O father, full of wisdom are thy words; But this proud chief o’er all would domineer; O’er all he seeks to rule, o’er all to reign, To all to dictate; which I will not bear. Grant that the Gods have giv’n him warlike might, Gave they unbridled license to his tongue?” To whom Achilles, interrupting, thus: “Coward and slave indeed I might be deem’d. Could I submit to make thy word my law; To others thy commands; seek not to me To dictate, for I follow thee no more. But hear me speak, and ponder what I say: For the fair girl I fight not (since you choose To take away the prize yourselves bestow’d) With thee or any one; but of the rest My dark swift ship contains, against my will On nought shalt thou, unpunish’d, lay thy hand. Make trial if thou wilt, that these may know; Thy life-blood soon should reek upon my spear.” After this conflict keen of angry speech, The chiefs arose, the assembly was dispers’d. With his own followers, and Menoetius’ son, Achilles to his tents and ships withdrew. But Atreus’ son launch’d a swift-sailing bark, With twenty rowers mann’d, and plac’d on board The sacred hecatomb; then last embark’d The fair Chryseis, and in chief command Laertes’ son, the sage Ulysses, plac’d. They swiftly sped along the wat’ry way.