hed ships, that the long-haired Greeks may
perform his exsequies, and pile up for him a tomb on the wide
Hellespont. And hereafter will some one of future men say, as he sails
over the sea in his many-benched ship: 'This, indeed, is the tomb of a
hero long since deceased, whom once, bearing himself doughtily,
illustrious Hector slew.' Thus hereafter will some one say; but this my
glory shall never perish."

Thus he said, but all became mute in silence. Ashamed indeed they were
to refuse, and yet they dreaded to accept [the challenge]. At length,
however, Menelaus stood up, and spoke amongst them, rebuking them with
reproaches, and he groaned greatly in spirit:

"Alas! ye boasters! Greek dames! no longer Grecian men! certainly will
these things be a disgrace, most grievously grievous, if none of the
Greeks will now go against Hector. But may ye all become water and
earth, sitting there each of you, faint-hearted; utterly inglorious: but
I myself will be armed against him. But the issues of victory are rested
in the immortal gods."

Thus having spoken, he put on his beautiful arms. Then, indeed, O
Menelaus, would the end of life have befallen thee at the hands of
Hector, since he was much the better man, had not the princes of the
Greeks, starting up suddenly, restrained thee, and the son of Atreus
himself, wide-ruling Agamemnon, seized thee by the right hand, and
addressed thee, and spoke:

"Thou art mad, O Menelaus! offspring of Jove, nor hast thou any need of
such madness: restrain thyself, although grieved, nor wish for the sake
of contention to fight with a braver man than thyself, Hector, the son
of Priam, whom others also dread. Nay, even Achilles, who is much braver
than thou, dreads to meet him[256] in the glorious fight. But now, going
to the troop of thy companions, sit down. Against him the Greeks will
set up some other champion. Although he be intrepid and insatiable of
battle, I think that he will gladly bend his knee,[257] if he shall
escape from the hostile battle and the grievous fight."

[Footnote 256: Lesbonax, [Greek: peri schem.] p. 182, reads
[Greek: touton ge--antiolesai], which Valckenaer, and with
reason, thinks a more _recherche_ and genuine reading than
[Greek: touto]. Lesbonax compares the Attic phrase [Greek:
areskei me] for [Greek: moi] Cf. Aristoph. Ran. 103, with the
Scholiast.]

[Footnote 257: _I.e._ sit down through fatigue, "de iis qui longo
labore seu cui