Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/583

Rh Of beans which they had sever'd from the stalk With hasty tooth by night, they made them greaves. Their corslets were of platted straw, well lined With spoils of an excoriated cat. The lamp contributed its central tin, A shield for each. The glitt'ring needle long Arm'd ev'ry gripe with a terrific spear, And auburn shells of nuts their brows inclosed. Thus arm'd the Mice advanced, of whose approach The Frogs apprized, emerging from the lake, All throngʻd to council, and consid'ring sat The sudden tumult and its cause. Then came, Sceptre in hand, an herald. Son was he Of the renown'd Tyroglyphus, and call'd Embasichytrus. Charged he came to announce The horrors of approaching war, and said— Ye Frogs! the host of Mice send you by me Menaces and defiance, Arm, they say, For furious fight; for they have seen the Prince Psycharpax welt'ring on the waves, and drown'd By King Physignathus. Ye then, the Chiefs And leaders of the host of Frogs, put on Your armour, and draw forth your bands to battle! He said, and went. Then were the noble Frogs Troubled at that bold message, and while all Murmur'd against Physignathus, the King Himself arising, thus denied the charge.