Thus as he spoke, the crowd, that had not heard The secret council, by his words was mov’d; So sway’d and heav’d the multitude, as when O’er the vast billows of th’ Icarian sea Eurus and Notus from the clouds of Heav’n Pour forth their fury; or as some deep field Of wavy corn, when sweeping o’er the plain The ruffling west wind sways the bending ears; So was th’ Assembly stirr’d; and tow’rd the ships With clam’rous joy they rush’d; beneath, their feet Rose clouds of dust, while one to other call’d To seize the ships and drag them to the main. They clear’d the channels, and with shouts of “home” That rose to Heav’n, they knock’d the shores away. Then had the Greeks in shameful flight withdrawn, Had Juno not to Pallas thus appeal’d: “Oh Heav’n! brave child of aegis-bearing Jove, Shall thus the Greeks, in ignominious flight, O’er the wide sea their homeward course pursue, And as a trophy to the sons of Troy The Argive Helen leave, on whose account, Far from their home, so many valiant Greeks Have cast their lives away? Go quickly thou Amid the brass-clad Greeks, and man by man Address with words persuasive, nor permit To launch their well-trimm’d vessels on the deep.” She said, nor did Minerva not obey, But swift descending from Olympus’ heights With rapid flight she reach’d the Grecian ships. Laertes’ son, in council sage as Jove There found she standing; he no hand had laid On his dark vessel, for with bitter grief His heart was filled; the blue-ey’d Maid approach’d, And thus address’d him: “Great Laertes’ son, Ulysses, sage in council, can it be That you, the men of Greece, embarking thus On your swift ships, in ignominious flight, O’er the wide sea will take your homeward way, And as a trophy to the sons of Troy The Argive Helen leave, on whose account Far from their homes so many valiant Greeks Have cast their lives away? Go quickly thou Among the multitude, and man by man Address with words persuasive, nor permit To launch their well-trimm’d vessels on the deep.” She said; the heav’nly voice Ulysses knew; Straight, springing to the course, he cast aside, And to Eurybates of Ithaca, His herald and attendant, threw his robe; Then to Atrides hasten’d, and by him Arm’d with his royal staff ancestral, pass’d With rapid step amid the ships of Greece. Each King or leader whom he found he thus With cheering words encourag’d and restrain’d: “O gallant friend, ’tis not for thee to yield, Like meaner men, to panic; but thyself Sit quiet, and the common herd restrain. Thou know’st not yet Atrides’ secret mind: He tries us now, and may reprove us soon. His words in council reach’d not all our ears: See that he work us not some ill; for fierce His anger; and the Lord of counsel, Jove, From whom proceeds all honour, loves him well.”