Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/29

Rh Athens, he introduced some verses into the larger Iliad in its praise, where he speaks of that city in the most flattering manner. It occurs in the Catalogue of the Ships:

"The city of generous Erechtheus, which the fruitful Earth produced, and Athenê, daughter of Zeus, fostered."

He then highly extols Menestheus. He excels, says he, in arranging the chariots and infantry in order of battle. Here are the lines:

"The son of Peteus, Menestheus, led these troops. Of all the mortals fed by Earth, none equalled this chief in the art of ordering the chariots and forces for battle."

He placed Aias, son of Telamon, near the Athenians; he commanded the Salaminians. That is in the following verses:

"Aias, son of Telamon, conducted twelve long ships from Salamis, and placed them beside the Athenian squadron."

Lastly, in the Odyssey, he feigns that Athenê, after an interview with Odysseus, goes to Athens, the town she honoured above all others: