To whom thus Agamemnon, King of men: “O Nestor! son of Neleus, pride of Greece, Know me for Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, On whom hath Jove, beyond the lot of men, Laid grief that ne’er shall end, while I retain Breath in my lungs, and vigour in my limbs. I wander thus, because these eyes of mine Sweet slumber visits not, by cares of war Oppress’d, and harass’d by the woes of Greece. Much for the Greeks I fear; nor keeps my mind Its wonted firmess; I am ill at ease; And leaps my troubled heart as tho’ ’twould burst My bosom’s bounds; my limbs beneath me shake. But if thou wilt, since thou too know’st not sleep, Together to the outposts let us go, And see if there, by toil and sleep o’erpow’r’d, The guard repose, neglectful of their watch. The foe is close at hand; nor are we sure He may not hazard e’en a night attack.” To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied; “Most mighty Agamemnon, King of men, Not all the hopes that Hector entertains Shall by the Lord of counsel be fulfill’d; For him are toil and danger yet in store, If but Achilles of his wrath repent. Gladly will I attend thee; others too, Tydides, spearman bold, Ulysses sage, Ajax the swift, and Phyleus’ noble son, Should all be summon’d; and ’twere well that one Across the camp should run, to call in haste The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus; Theirs are the farthest ships, nor near at hand. But, dear to me as Menelaus is, And highly honour’d, I must blame, that thus (Though thou shouldst take offence, I needs must say) He sleeps, and leaves the toil to thee alone. With all the chiefs he should be busied now, Imploring aid, in this our utmost need.” To whom thus Agamemnon, King of men: “For other times, old man, reserve thy blame; Sometimes, I own, he lags behind, nor takes His share of labour; not from indolence, Or want of sense; but still regarding me; Waiting from me an impulse to receive. But now, before me he was up, and came To visit me; and I have sent him on To call those very men whom thou hast nam’d. Come then; for we, beside the gates, and guard Shall find them; there my orders were to meet.” To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied; “Then none can blame him; nor can any Greek Justly refuse his summons to obey.” He said, and round his body wrapped his vest; Then on his feet his sandals fair he bound, And o’er his shoulders clasp’d a purple cloak, Doubled, with ample folds, and downy pile; Then took his spear, with point of sharpen’d brass, And through the camp prepar’d to take his way. Gerenian Nestor from his slumbers first Ulysses, sage as Jove in council, rous’d, Loud shouting; soon the voice his senses reach’d; Forth from his tent he came, and thus he spoke: “What cause so urgent leads you, through the camp, In the dark night to wander thus alone?”