the sterns of the ships, and the constructed rampart avails
not, nor the ditch, at which the Greeks suffered much, and hoped in
their minds that it would be an impregnable defence to the ships and to
themselves, surely it will be agreeable to all-powerful Jove that the
Greeks perish here, inglorious, far away from Argos. For I was conscious
when he willingly gave assistance to the Greeks, and I now know that he
honours those [the Trojans] equally with the happy gods, but hath
fettered our courage and our hands. But come, let us all obey as I shall
advise. Let us draw down the ships, as many as are drawn up first near
the sea, and launch them all into the vast ocean. Let us moor them at
anchor in the deep, till mortal-deceiving[455] night arrive, if even
then the Trojans may abstain from battle, and then we may perhaps draw
down all the vessels; for there is no disgrace in flying from evil, not
even during the night. It is better for a flying man to escape from
evil, than to be taken."

[Footnote 455: [Greek: 'Abrote] is akin to [Greek: embroton] from
[Greek: amartano], and therefore = "making mortals go astray," or
else = [Greek: ambrosin] in ii. 57. See Buttm. Lexil. p. 82. Or
it may be regarded as the "nox intempesta," _i.e._ "muita nox,
qua nihil agi tempestivum est," Censorinus de Die Nat. xxiv.]

But him sternly regarding, wise Ulysses then addressed: "Son of Atreus,
what speech hath escaped thy lips? Lost man! thou shouldst command some
worthless army, and not rule over us, to whom Jove hath granted, from
youth even unto old age, to accomplish toilsome wars, until we, each of
us, shall perish. Dost thou then desire thus to leave wide-wayed Troy,
on account of which we have endured so many woes? Be silent, lest some
other of the Greeks hear a speech, which a man ought not to have brought
through his mouth, whoever understands in his mind how to speak prudent
things, who is a sceptre-bearer, and whom so many people obey, as many
as thou dost govern among the Greeks. For now do I reprobate thy
judgment, in what thou hast said; who commandest us, whilst the war and
battle are waged, to draw down the well-benched ships to the sea, in
order that the wishes of the Trojans may be still better fulfilled,
victorious though they be, and dire destruction fall upon us: for the
Greeks will not maintain the fight whilst the ships are being dragged to
the sea, but will look back, and retire from the combat. Then wi