“Who his own chariot leaves to range, let him not freely go, But straight unhorse him with a lance; for ’tis much better so. And with this discipline,” said he, “this form, these minds, this trust, Our ancestors have walls and towns laid level with the dust.” Thus prompt, and long inur’d to arms, this old man did exhort; And this Atrides likewise took in wondrous cheerful sort, And said: “O father, would to heav’n, that as thy mind remains In wonted vigour, so thy knees could undergo our pains! But age, that all men overcomes, hath made his prise on thee; Yet still I wish that some young man, grown old in mind, might be Put in proportion with thy years, and thy mind, young in age, Be fitly answer’d with his youth; that still where conflicts rage, And young men us’d to thirst for fame, thy brave exampling hand Might double our young Grecian spirits, and grace our whole command.” The old knight answer’d: “I myself could wish, O Atreus’ son, I were as young as when I slew brave Ereuthalion, But Gods at all times give not all their gifts to mortal men. If then I had the strength of youth, I miss’d the counsels then That years now give me; and now years want that main strength of youth; Yet still my mind retains her strength (as you now said the sooth) And would be where that strength is us’d, affording counsel sage To stir youth’s minds up; ’tis the grace and office of our age; Let younger sinews, men sprung up whole ages after me, And such as have strength, use it, and as strong in honour be.” The king, all this while comforted, arriv’d next where he found Well-rode Menestheus (Peteus’ son) stand still, inviron’d round With his well-train’d Athenian troops, and next to him he spied The wise Ulysses, deedless too, and all his bands beside Of strong Cephalians; for as yet th’ alarm had not been heard In all their quarters, Greece and Troy were then so newly stirr’d, And then first mov’d, as they conceiv’d; and they so look’d about To see both hosts give proof of that they yet had cause to doubt. Atrides seeing them stand so still, and spend their eyes at gaze, Began to chide: “And why,” said he, “dissolv’d thus in amaze, Thou son of Peteus, Jove-nurs’d king, and thou in wicked sleight A cunning soldier, stand ye off? Expect ye that the fight Should be by other men begun? ’Tis fit the foremost band Should show you there; you first should front who first lifts up his hand. First you can hear, when I invite the princes to a feast, When first, most friendly, and at will, ye eat and drink the best, Yet in the fight, most willingly, ten troops ye can behold Take place before ye.” Ithacus at this his brows did fold, And said: “How hath thy violent tongue broke through thy set of teeth, To say that we are slack in fight, and to the field of death Look others should enforce our way, when we were busied then, Ev’n when thou spak’st, against the foe to cheer and lead our men? But thy eyes shall be witnesses, if it content thy will,