ought they rather to attend to these things, when any cessation of
battle hereafter be, and so much ardour be not in my bosom: but at
present those lie mangled, whom Hector, son of Priam, subdued, when Jove
gave him the glory: but ye urge [them] to food! Now indeed I should
excite the sons of the Greeks to fight, fasting, but with the setting
sun, to prepare a large supper, after we have revenged our disgrace.
Before that neither drink nor food shall pass down my throat, my
companion being slain, who lies in my tent, torn with the sharp brass,
turned towards the vestibule, whilst his comrades mourn around these
things are not a care to my mind, but slaughter and bloodshed, and the
dreadful groans of heroes."

But him much-scheming Ulysses answering, addressed:

"O Achilles, son of Peleus, by far the bravest of the Greeks, thou art
superior indeed to me, and not a little more valiant with the spear, but
I indeed excel thee much in prudence; because I was born before thee,
and know more: wherefore let thy mind be restrained by my words. Soon is
there a satiety of contest to the men, a most abundant crop of whom the
brass pours upon the earth; but the harvest is very small, when Jove,
who is the umpire of the battle of men, inclines his scales. It is by no
means fit that the Greeks should lament the dead with the stomach, for
in great numbers and one upon another are they every day falling; when
therefore could any one respire from toil? But it is necessary to bury
him, whosoever may die, having a patient mind, weeping for a day.[632]
But as many as survive the hateful combat should be mindful of drinking
and of food, in order that we may ever the more ceaselessly contend with
our enemies, clad as to our bodies in impenetrable brass; nor let any of
the troops lie by awaiting another exhortation. For evilly will that
exhortation come upon him, whoever may be left at the ships of the
Greeks; but advancing in a body, let us stir up the keen battle against
the horse-breaking Trojans."

[Footnote 632: Libanius, Or. ix. in Julian.: [Greek: O polla
sunkinesas epi cauto dakrya, ouk ep' emati kata to epos,
olophymoi tychon]. See Duport, p. 111.]

He said, and chose as his companions the sons of glorious Nestor, and
Meges, son of Phyleus, Thoas, and Meriones, Lycomedes, son of Creon, and
Melanippus; and they proceeded to go towards the tent of Agamemnon, son
of Atreus. Immediately after the word was spoken, and the wor