Then joyful to have so prevail’d, she bore Herself the tidings to Saturnian Jove. Lord of the candent lightnings! Sire of all!140 I bring thee tidings. The great prince, ordain’d To rule the Argive race, this day is born, Eurystheus, son of Sthenelus, the son Of Perseus; therefore he derives from thee, Nor shall the throne of Argos shame his birth.145 She spake; then anguish stung the heart of Jove Deeply, and seizing by her glossy locks The Goddess Ate, in his wrath he swore That never to the starry skies again And the Olympian heights he would permit150 The universal mischief to return. Then, whirling her around, he cast her down To earth. She, mingling with all works of men, Caused many a pang to Jove, who saw his son Laborious tasks servile, and of his birth155 Unworthy, at Eurystheus’ will enjoin’d. So when the hero Hector at our ships Slew us, I then regretted my offence Which Ate first impell’d me to commit. But since, infatuated by the Gods160 I err’d, behold me ready to appease With gifts of price immense whom I have wrong’d. Thou, then, arise to battle, and the host Rouse also. Not a promise yesternight Was made thee by Ulysses in thy tent165 On my behalf, but shall be well perform’d. Or if it please thee, though impatient, wait Short season, and my train shall bring the gifts Even now; that thou may’st understand and know That my peace-offerings are indeed sincere.170 To whom Achilles, swiftest of the swift. Atrides! Agamemnon! passing all In glory! King of men! recompense just By gifts to make me, or to make me none, That rests with thee. But let us to the fight175 Incontinent. It is no time to play The game of rhetoric, and to waste the hours In speeches. Much remains yet unperform’d. Achilles must go forth. He must be seen Once more in front of battle, wasting wide180 With brazen spear, the crowded ranks of Troy. Mark him—and as he fights, fight also ye. To whom Ulysses ever-wise replied. Nay—urge not, valiant as thou art thyself, Achaia’s sons up to the battlements185 Of Ilium, by repast yet unrefresh’d, Godlike Achilles!—For when phalanx once Shall clash with phalanx, and the Gods with rage Both hosts inspire, the contest shall not then Prove short. Bid rather the Achaians take190 Both food and wine, for they are strength and might. To stand all day till sunset to a foe Opposed in battle, fasting, were a task Might foil the best; for though his will be prompt To combat, yet the power must by degrees195 Forsake him; thirst and hunger he must feel, And his limbs failing him at every step. But he who hath his vigor to the full Fed with due nourishment, although he fight All day, yet feels his courage unimpair’d,200 Nor weariness perceives till all retire. Come then—dismiss the people with command That each prepare replenishment. Meantime Let Agamemnon, King of men, his gifts In presence here of the assembled Greeks205 Produce, that all may view them, and that thou May’st feel thine own heart gladden’d at the sight.