Polyxenus was Chieftain o’er the rest, Son of Agasthenes, Augeias’ son. Dulichium, and her sister sacred isles The Echinades, whose opposite aspect765 Looks toward Elis o’er the curling waves, Sent forth their powers with Meges at their head, Brave son of Phyleus, warrior dear to Jove. Phyleus in wrath, his father’s house renounced, And to Dulichium wandering, there abode.770 Twice twenty ships had follow’d Meges forth. Ulysses led the Cephallenians bold. From Ithaca, and from the lofty woods Of Neritus they came, and from the rocks Of rude Ægilipa. Crocylia these,775 And these Zacynthus own’d; nor yet a few From Samos, from Epirus join’d their aid, And from the opposite Ionian shore. Them, wise as Jove himself, Ulysses led In twelve fair ships, with crimson prows adorn’d.780 From forty ships, Thoas, Andræmon’s son, Had landed his Ætolians; for extinct Was Meleager, and extinct the house Of Oeneus all, nor Oeneus self survived; To Thoas therefore had Ætolia fallen;785 Him Olenos, Pylene, Chalcis served, With Pleuro, and the rock-bound Calydon. Idomeneus, spear-practised warrior, led The numerous Cretans. In twice forty ships He brought his powers to Troy. The warlike bands790 Of Cnossus, of Gortyna wall’d around, Of Lyctus, of Lycastus chalky-white, Of Phæstus, of Miletus, with the youth Of Rhytius him obey’d; nor these were all, But others from her hundred cities Crete795 Sent forth, all whom Idomeneus the brave Commanded, with Meriones in arms Dread as the God of battles blood-imbrued. Nine ships Tlepolemus, Herculean-born, For courage famed and for superior size,800 Fill’d with his haughty Rhodians. They, in tribes Divided, dwelt distinct. Jelyssus these, Those Lindus, and the rest the shining soil Of white Camirus occupied. Him bore To Hercules, (what time he led the nymph805 From Ephyre, and from Sellea’s banks, After full many a city laid in dust.) Astyocheia. In his father’s house Magnificent, Tlepolemus spear-famed Had scarce up-grown to manhood’s lusty prime810 When he his father’s hoary uncle slew Lycimnius, branch of Mars. Then built he ships, And, pushing forth to sea, fled from the threats Of the whole house of Hercules. Huge toil And many woes he suffer’d, till at length815 At Rhodes arriving, in three separate bands He spread himself abroad, Much was he loved Of all-commanding Jove, who bless’d him there, And shower’d abundant riches on them all. Nireus of Syma, with three vessels came;820 Nireus, Aglæa’s offspring, whom she bore To Charopus the King; Nireus in form, (The faultless son of Peleus sole except,) Loveliest of all the Grecians call’d to Troy. But he was heartless and his men were few.[26]825 Nisyrus, Casus, Crapathus, and Cos Where reign’d Eurypylus, with all the isles Calydnæ named, under two valiant Chiefs Their troops disposed; Phidippus one, and one, His brother Antiphus, begotten both830 By Thessalus, whom Hercules begat. In thirty ships they sought the shores of Troy. The warriors of Pelasgian Argos next,