My prize hard-earn’d, by common suffrage mine. I never gain, what Trojan town soe’er We ransack, half thy booty. The swift march And furious onset—these I largely reap,205 But, distribution made, thy lot exceeds Mine far; while I, with any pittance pleased, Bear to my ships the little that I win After long battle, and account it much. But I am gone, I and my sable barks210 (My wiser course) to Phthia, and I judge, Scorn’d as I am, that thou shalt hardly glean Without me, more than thou shalt soon consume.[16] He ceased, and Agamemnon thus replied Fly, and fly now; if in thy soul thou feel215 Such ardor of desire to go—begone! I woo thee not to stay; stay not an hour On my behalf, for I have others here Who will respect me more, and above all All-judging Jove. There is not in the host220 King or commander whom I hate as thee, For all thy pleasure is in strife and blood, And at all times; yet valor is no ground Whereon to boast, it is the gift of Heaven Go, get ye back to Phthia, thou and thine!225 There rule thy Myrmidons.[17] I need not thee, Nor heed thy wrath a jot. But this I say, Sure as Apollo takes my lovely prize Chrysëis, and I shall return her home In mine own bark, and with my proper crew,230 So sure the fair Brisëis shall be mine. I shall demand her even at thy tent. So shalt thou well be taught, how high in power I soar above thy pitch, and none shall dare Attempt, thenceforth, comparison with me.235 He ended, and the big, disdainful heart Throbbed of Achilles; racking doubt ensued And sore perplex’d him, whether forcing wide A passage through them, with his blade unsheathed To lay Atrides breathless at his foot,240 Or to command his stormy spirit down. So doubted he, and undecided yet Stood drawing forth his falchion huge; when lo! Down sent by Juno, to whom both alike Were dear, and who alike watched over both,245 Pallas descended. At his back she stood To none apparent, save himself alone, And seized his golden locks. Startled, he turned, And instant knew Minerva. Flashed her eyes Terrific;[18] whom with accents on the wing250 Of haste, incontinent he questioned thus. Daughter of Jove, why comest thou? that thyself May’st witness these affronts which I endure From Agamemnon? Surely as I speak, This moment, for his arrogance, he dies.255 To whom the blue-eyed Deity. From heaven Mine errand is, to sooth, if thou wilt hear, Thine anger. Juno the white-arm’d alike To him and thee propitious, bade me down: Restrain thy wrath. Draw not thy falchion forth.260 Retort, and sharply, and let that suffice. For I foretell thee true. Thou shalt receive, Some future day, thrice told, thy present loss For this day’s wrong. Cease, therefore, and be still. To whom Achilles. Goddess, although much265 Exasperate, I dare not disregard Thy word, which to obey is always best.[19] Who hears the Gods, the Gods hear also him. He said; and on his silver hilt the force Of his broad hand impressing, sent the blade270