hould kill the son of Atreus, or should put a stop to his wrath, and
restrain his passion. While he was thus pondering in his heart and soul,
and was drawing his mighty sword from the scabbard, came Minerva from
heaven; for her the white-armed goddess Juno had sent forward, equally
loving and regarding both from her soul. And she stood behind, and
caught the son of Peleus by his yellow hair, appearing to him alone; but
none of the others beheld her. But Achilles was amazed, and turned
himself round, and immediately recognized Pallas Minerva; and
awe-inspiring her eyes appeared to him. And addressing her, he spoke
winged words:

"Why, O offspring of aegis-bearing Jove, hast thou come hither? Is it
that thou mayest witness the insolence of Agamemnon, the son of Atreus?
But I tell thee, what I think will be accomplished, that he will
probably soon lose his life by his haughtiness."

[Footnote 28: The princes assembled.]

But him in turn the azure-eyed goddess Minerva addressed: "I came from
heaven to assuage thy wrath, if thou wilt obey me; for the white-armed
goddess Juno sent me forward, equally loving and regarding both from her
soul. But come, cease from strife, nor draw the sword with thine hand.
But reproach by words, as the occasion may suggest; for thus I declare,
and it shall be accomplished, that thrice as many splendid gifts shall
be presented to thee, because of this insolent act; only restrain
thyself, and obey us."

But her answering,[29] swift-footed Achilles addressed: "It behoves me
to observe the command of you both, O goddess, although much enraged in
my soul; for so it is better. Whosoever obeys the gods, to him they
hearken propitiously."

[Footnote 29: Columna on Ennius, p. 17, ed. Hessel., compares
"Ollei respondet Rex Albai longai," and "Ollei respondet suavis
sonus Egeriaei," observing that this formula was probably as
common in the heroic annals of Ennius as [Greek: ton d'
apameixomenos] is in Homer.]

He spoke, and held still his heavy hand upon the silvery hilt, and
thrust back the great sword into the scabbard, nor did he disobey the
mandate of Minerva; but she had gone to Olympus, to the mansions of
aegis-bearing Jove, amongst the other deities. But the son of Peleus
again addressed Atrides with injurious[30] words, nor as yet ceased from
anger:

"Wine-bibber, having the countenance of a dog, but the heart of a stag,
never hast thou at any time dared in soul to arm t