Where wounded Menelaus stood, while all The bravest of Achaia’s host around The godlike hero press’d, he strove at once250 To draw the arrow from his cincture forth. But, drawing, bent the barbs. He therefore loosed His broider’d belt, his hauberk and his quilt, Work of the armorer, and laying bare His body where the bitter shaft had plow’d255 His flesh, he suck’d the wound, then spread it o’er With drugs of balmy power, given on a time For friendship’s sake by Chiron to his sire. While Menelaus thus the cares engross’d Of all those Chiefs, the shielded powers of Troy260 ’Gan move toward them, and the Greeks again Put on their armor, mindful of the fight. Then hadst thou[10] not great Agamemnon seen Slumbering, or trembling, or averse from war, But ardent to begin his glorious task.265 His steeds, and his bright chariot brass-inlaid He left; the snorting steeds Eurymedon, Offspring of Ptolemy Piraïdes Detain’d apart; for him he strict enjoin’d Attendance near, lest weariness of limbs270 Should seize him marshalling his numerous host. So forth he went, and through the files on foot Proceeding, where the warrior Greeks he saw Alert, he roused them by his words the more.[11] Argives! abate no spark of all your fire.275 Jove will not prosper traitors. Them who first Transgress’d the truce the vultures shall devour, But we (their city taken) shall their wives Lead captive, and their children home to Greece. So cheer’d he them. But whom he saw supine,280 Or in the rugged work of war remiss, In terms of anger them he stern rebuked. Oh Greeks! The shame of Argos! Arrow-doom’d! Blush ye not? Wherefore stand ye thus aghast, Like fawns which wearied after scouring wide285 The champain, gaze and pant, and can no more? Senseless like them ye stand, nor seek the fight. Is it your purpose patient here to wait Till Troy invade your vessels on the shore Of the grey deep, that ye may trial make290 Of Jove, if he will prove, himself, your shield? Thus, in discharge of his high office, pass’d Atrides through the ranks, and now arrived Where, hardy Chief! Idomeneus in front Of his bold Cretans stood, stout as a boar295 The van he occupied, while in the rear Meriones harangued the most remote. Them so prepared the King of men beheld With joyful heart, and thus in courteous terms Instant the brave Idomeneus address’d.300 Thee fighting, feasting, howsoe’er employed, I most respect, Idomeneus, of all The well-horsed Danäi; for when the Chiefs Of Argos, banqueting, their beakers charge With rosy wine the honorable meed305 Of valor, thou alone of all the Greeks Drink’st not by measure.[12] No—thy goblet stands Replenish’d still, and like myself thou know’st No rule or bound, save what thy choice prescribes. March. Seek the foe. Fight now as heretofore,310 To whom Idomeneus of Crete replied, Atrides! all the friendship and the love Which I have promised will I well perform. Go; animate the rest, Chief after Chief Of the Achaians, that the fight begin.315