Let the King also, standing in the midst, Swear to thee, that he renders back the maid A virgin still, and strange to his embrace,210 And let thy own composure prove, the while, That thou art satisfied. Last, let him spread A princely banquet for thee in his tent, That thou may’st want no part of just amends. Thou too, Atrides, shalt hereafter prove215 More just to others; for himself, a King, Stoops not too low, soothing whom he hath wrong’d. Him Agamemnon answer’d, King of men. Thou hast arranged wisely the whole concern, O Läertiades, and I have heard220 Thy speech, both words and method with delight. Willing I am, yea more, I wish to swear As thou hast said, for by the Gods I can Most truly. Let Achilles, though of pause Impatient, suffer yet a short delay225 With all assembled here, till from my tent The gifts arrive, and oaths of peace be sworn. To thee I give it in peculiar charge That choosing forth the most illustrious youths Of all Achaia, thou produce the gifts230 from my own ship, all those which yesternight We promised, nor the women leave behind. And let Talthybius throughout all the camp Of the Achaians, instant, seek a boar For sacrifice to Jove and to the Sun.235 Then thus Achilles matchless in the race. Atrides! most illustrious! King of men! Expedience bids us to these cares attend Hereafter, when some pause, perchance, of fight Shall happen, and the martial rage which fires240 My bosom now, shall somewhat less be felt. Our friends by Priameian Hector slain, Now strew the field mangled, for him hath Jove Exalted high, and given him great renown. But haste, now take refreshment; though, in truth245 Might I direct, the host should by all means Unfed to battle, and at set of sun All sup together, this affront revenged. But as for me, no drop shall pass my lips Or morsel, whose companion lies with feet250 Turn’d to the vestibule, pierced by the spear, And compass’d by my weeping train around. No want of food feel I. My wishes call For carnage, blood, and agonies and groans. But him, excelling in all wisdom, thus255 Ulysses answer’d. Oh Achilles! son Of Peleus! bravest far of all our host! Me, in no scanty measure, thou excell’st Wielding the spear, and thee in prudence, I Not less. For I am elder, and have learn’d260 What thou hast yet to learn. Bid then thine heart Endure with patience to be taught by me. Men, satiate soon with battle, loathe the field On which the most abundant harvest falls, Reap’d by the sword; and when the hand of Jove265 Dispenser of the great events of war, Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope Of more than scanty gleanings. Shall the Greeks Abstain from sustenance for all who die? That were indeed severe, since day by day270 No few expire, and respite could be none. The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed. This, duty bids, but bids us also deem One day sufficient for our sighs and tears. Ourselves, all we who still survive the war,275 Have need of sustenance, that we may bear