Atrides, heart-struck, wander’d to and fro, And to the clear-voic’d heralds gave command To call, but not with proclamation loud, Each sev’ral man to council; he himself Spar’d not his labour, mixing with the chiefs. Sadly they sat in council; Atreus’ son, Weeping, arose; as some dark-water’d fount Pours o’er a craggy steep its gloomy stream; Then with deep groans th’ assembled Greeks address’d: “O friends! the chiefs and councillors of Greece, Grievous, and all unlook’d for, is the blow Which Jove hath dealt me; by his promise led I hop’d to raze the strong-built walls of Troy, And home return in safety; but it seems He falsifies his word, and bids me now Return to Argos, frustrate of my hope, Dishonour’d, and with grievous loss of men. Such now appears th’ o’er-ruling sov’reign will Of Saturn’s son, who oft hath sunk the heads Of many a lofty city in the dust, And yet will sink; for mighty is his hand. Hear then my counsel; let us all agree Home to direct our course: since here in vain We strive to take the well-built walls of Troy.” The monarch spoke; they all in silence heard: In speechless sorrow long they sat: at length Rose valiant Diomed, and thus he spoke: “Atrides, I thy folly must confront, As is my right, in council: thou, O King! Be not offended: once, among the Greeks Thou heldest light my prowess, with the name Of coward branding me; how justly so Is known to all the Greeks, both young and old. On thee the deep-designing Saturn’s son In diff’ring measure hath his gifts bestow’d: A throne he gives thee, higher far than all; But valour, noblest boon of Heav’n, denies. How canst thou hope the sons of Greece shall prove Such heartless dastards as thy words suppose? If homeward to return thy mind be fix’d, Depart; the way is open, and the ships, Which from Mycenæ follow’d thee in crowds, Are close at hand, and ready to be launch’d. Yet will the other long-hair’d Greeks remain Till Priam’s city fall: nay, though the rest Betake them to their ships, and sail for home, Yet I and Sthenelus, we two, will fight Till Troy be ours; for Heav’n is on our side.” Thus he; the sons of Greece, with loud applause, The speech of valiant Diomed confirm’d.