Page:Homer - Iliad, translation Pope, 1909.djvu/96

94 That strength which once in boiling youth I knew;

Such as I was, when Ereuthalion slain

Beneath this arm fell prostrate on the plain.

But heaven its gifts not all at once bestows,

These years with wisdom crowns, with action those:

The field of combat fits the young and bold,

The solemn council best becomes the old:

To you the glorious conflict I resign,

Let sage advice, the palm of age, be mine."

He said. With joy the monarch marched before

And found Menestheus on the dusty shore,

With whom the firm Athenian phalanx stands;

And next Ulysses, with his subject bands.

Remote their forces lay, nor knew so far

The peace infringed, nor heard the sounds of war;

The tumult late begun, they stood intent

To watch the motion, dubious of the event.

The king, who saw their squadrons yet unmoved,

With hasty ardour thus the chiefs reproved:

"Can Peleus' son forget a warrior's part,

And fears Ulysses, skilled in every art?

Why stand you distant, and the rest expect

To mix in combat which yourselves neglect?

From you 'twas hoped among the first to dare

The shock of armies, and commence the war.

For this your names are called before the rest,

To share the pleasures of the genial feast:

And can you, chiefs! without a blush survey

Whole troops before you labouring in the fray?

Say, is it thus those honours you requite?

The first in banquets, but the last in fight."

Ulysses heard: the hero's warmth o'erspread

His cheeks with blushes; and, severe, he said:

"Take back the unjust reproach! Behold we stand

Sheathed in bright arms, and but expect command.

If glorious deeds afford thy soul delight,

Behold me plunging in the thickest fight.

Then give thy warrior-chief a warrior's due,

Who dares to act whate'er thou darest to view."

Struck with his generous wrath, the king replies:

"O great in action, and in council wise!

With ours, thy care and ardour are the same,

Nor need I to commend nor ought to blame.

Sage as thou art, and learned in human kind,

Forgive the transport of a martial mind.

Haste to the fight, secure of just amends;

The gods that make, shall keep the worthy, friends."

He said, and passed where great Tydides lay,

His steeds and chariots wedged in firm array: