In great Achilles' journey to the war. So came my father and such wars he waged While but preparing war. And though I pass In silence all his other merits, still Would mighty Hector's death be praise enough. 235 My father conquered Troy; the lesser task Of pillage and destruction is your own. 'Tis pleasant thus to laud my noble sire And all his glorious deeds pass in review: Before his father's eyes did Hector lie, Of life despoiled; and Memnon, swarthy son Of bright Aurora, goddess of the dawn, For whose untimely death his mother's face Was sicklied o'er with grief, while day was veiled 240 In darkness. When the heaven-born Memnon fell, Achilles trembled at his victory; For in that fall he learned the bitter truth That even sons of goddesses may die. Then, 'mongst our latest foes, the Amazons, Fierce maidens, felt my father's deadly power. So, if thou rightly estimate his deeds, Thou ow'st Achilles all that he can ask, E'en though he seek from Argos or Mycenae 245 Some high-born maid. And dost thou hesitate And haggle now, inventing scruples new, And deem it barbarous to sacrifice This captive maid of Troy to Peleus' son? But yet for Helen's sake didst thou devote Thy daughter to the sacrificial knife. I make in this no new or strange request, But only urge a customary rite. _Agamemnon:_ 'Tis the common fault of youth to have no check 250 On passion's force; while others feel alone The sweeping rush of this first fire of youth, His father's spirit urges Pyrrhus on. I once endured unmoved the blustering threats Of proud Achilles, swoll'n with power; and now, My patience is sufficient still to bear His son's abuse. Why do you seek to smirch 255 With cruel murder the illustrious shade Of that famed chief? 'Tis fitting first to learn Within what bounds the victor may command, The vanquished suffer. Never has for long Unbridled power been able to endure, But lasting sway the self-controlled enjoy. The higher fortune raises human hopes, 260 The more should fortune's favorite control His vaulting pride, and tremble as he views The changing fates of life, and fear the gods Who have uplifted him above his mates. By my own course of conquest have I learned That mighty kings can straightway come to naught. Should Troy o'erthrown exalt us overmuch? Behold, we stand today whence she has fallen. 265 I own that in the past too haughtily Have I my sway o'er fallen chieftains borne; But thought of fortune's gift has checked my pride, Since she unto another might have given These selfsame gifts. O fallen king of Troy, Thou mak'st me proud of conquest over thee, Thou mak'st me fear that I may share thy fate. 270 Why should I count the scepter anything