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The English Works of Thomas Hobbes of Malmesbury; Now First Collected and Edited by Sir William Molesworth, Bart., (London: Bohn, 1839-45). 11 vols. Vol. 10.

Author: Homer
Translator: Thomas Hobbes
Editor: Sir William Molesworth

Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. IX.

The Greeks deliberate of going home, but are staid by Diomed and Nestor.

Thus watch the Trojans kept. But at the fleet
Distracted was with fear the Argive host,
And their commanders; as when two winds meet,
The sea between them into heaps is toss’d.
5And Agamemnon grieved at the heart,

Bad th’ heralds forthwith to th’ assembly call
The prime commanders ev’ry one apart,
And not make proclamation once for all;
And some of them himself he summoned.
10When met were all the leaders of the Greeks,

They sat them down with hearts discouraged,
And tears ran down on Agamemnon’s cheeks.
As springs of water issue from a rock,
So fell the tears from Agamemnon’s eyes,
15And to th’ assembly thus he weeping spoke.

My friends, what help can any man devise?
Jove told me I should conquer Ilium,
And unto Argos safe return again,
And now deceiv’d me has, and sends me home
20With shame when I have lost so many men.

And thus he loves to do to show his might.
Therefore my counsel, Argives, all obey:
Let’s hoist our sails and save ourselves by flight;
For we shall never take the town of Troy.
25This said, the princes long time silent sit,

At last Tydides rising thus replied,
King Agamemnon, so far as ’tis fit
In such a public place I must you chide.
Take it not ill, because not long ago
30You me with want of courage did upbraid

Before the Greeks, as old and young well know.
Jove giv’n you has the right to be obey’d,
And grac’d you with the title of our king,
But has denied you a courageous spirit,
35Which now is the most necessary thing.

You think too meanly of your people’s merit.
As for yourself, if you will needs away,
Go. That’s your way. Your ships there ready lie
That from Mycene brought you unto Troy,
40But leave the rest their fortune here to try.

If none else stay, yet Sthenelus and I
Will not give over fighting till we know
To what side Jove will give the victory.
The Gods, I’m sure, will favour to us show.
45This speech the lords commended very much.

Then Nestor rose, and to Tydides said,
There is not of your age another such,
For counsel wise, in battle not afraid.
None will deny but what you say is right;
50But you have not said all you could have done;

And no great wonder, since for age you might
(So young you are) have been my youngest son.
Yet the advice you given have is best;
I that am elder what wants will supply,
55Adding thereto what you have not express’d,

To take from Agamemnon all reply.
For none but such as have no law, nor kin,
Nor house, in civil discord can delight.
But let us first our chiefest work begin,
60And make the young men keep good watch all night.

And let them all from you, Atrides, take
Their orders. For you are our general.
And for the princes a good supper make,
And all the eldest captains to it call.
65It best becomes you that can do it best.

For in your tents of wine you have good store,
And easlier provided than the rest,
So many ships you have to bring in more.
Hear their advice, and do what you think fit.
70Good counsel now we need the most of all,

Since our insulting foes so near us sit.
By this night’s counsel we must stand or fall.
Thus Nestor said, and ’twas agreed upon.
The captains of the watch then straight went forth;
75First Thrasymedes, that was Nestor’s son;

And after him six captains more of worth,
Ascalaphus, and then Ialmenus,
Then Aphyres, and then Meriones,
And Lycomedes, and Deipyrus:
80The seven captains of the watch were these.

And with each one a hundred spearmen went
Betwixt the pale and wall, and supped there.
And the old leaders t’ Agamemnon’s tent,
And by him nobly entertained were.
85But when they had an end made of the feast,

Nestor his counsel further open laid,
Which formerly had always been the best;
And, looking t’ Agamemnon, thus he said.
King Agamemnon, I’ll with you begin,
90And with you end, since you the sceptre bear,

And in your care it lies to lose or win.
You chiefly should good counsel give and hear.
Hear then what now is my opinion,
Than which a better, I think, you’ll not find,
95Nor is it now the first time thought upon.

But heretofore I was of the same mind,
When from Achilles you Briseis took,
And I advised you to let her stay,
Though my good counsel then you could not brook,
100But to your own great heart too much gave way,

Dishonouring the man of greatest might
In all the army, and most honoured
By all the Gods, and, contrary to right,
Taking the prize which he had purchased.
105So that the bus’ness we have now to do

Is how to reconcile him if we can,
What gifts to give him, who shall with them go,
And with sweet language pacify the man.
This said, Atrides penitent replied,
110O Nestor, all you charge me with is true,

And for Achilles’ sake, ’tis not denied,
Jove does th’ Achæan army now subdue.
He whom Jove loves worth a whole army is.
But since I made Achilles discontent,
115I’ll make amends for what I did amiss,

And send a noble present to his tent.
I’ll name the gifts I’ll give him one by one.
Seven fire new trivets. Talents ten of gold.
Twenty black cauldrons. Twelve steeds that have won
120Each one their prizes, and yet are not old.

A man that hath so many and so fleet
I think not poor, but gold may quickly win,
When I consider with their nimble feet
How many prizes they have brought me in.
125And women seven, the best of women kind

For beauty and for works of housewifery.
And unto these Briseis shall be join’d,
And I’ll be sworn she goes untouch’d from me.
And all this shall be sent him presently.
130Hereafter, if we win the town of Troy,

Let him, before the prey divided be,
Come in and carry to his ship away
As much as it can bear of gold and brass.
And twenty Trojan women which he please,
135Helen except. But if it come to pass

That safe to Argos we repass the seas,
My son in law he shall be if he will,
And as my son Orestes honour’d be;
Within my house three daughters I have still,
140Iphianassa and Laodice,

And fair Chrysothemis, take which he list,
And to his father’s house convey. For I
On settling of estate will not insist,
But of my own do that sufficiently.
145Seven cities he shall have: Pheræ divine,

Enope, Ire, and Cardamyle,
And Pedasus that fertile is of wine,
Anthria, Æpia, all on the sea
Of sandy Pyle; and rich in sheep and kine
150The people are, and will his laws obey,

And tribute pay as to a pow’r divine.
All this I’ll give his anger to allay.
And this content him may if anything.
Inexorable none but Pluto is,
155But hated for’t. I am the greater king,

And elder man: he should consider this.
Thus Agamemnon. And then Nestor said,
The gifts, O king, no man can reprehend.
The next thing to be thought upon and weigh’d,
160Is whom we shall unto Achilles send,

I think that Phœnix ought to lead the way,
Then Ajax and Ulysses, and with these
The public heralds two, Eurybates
And Odius, and here no longer stay

Ambassadors sent with gifts to reconcile Achilles in vain.

165Than to bring water for our hands, that we

May first send up our prayers unto Jove,
That our embassage may successful be.
This said by Nestor, all the rest approve.
When water was brought in they wash’d and pray’d;
170The young men fill’d the temperers with wine;

And round about the full cups were convey’d,
And offer’d up unto the powers divine.
When they had offer’d, and drunk what they would,
And parting were from Agamemnon’s tent,
175Old Nestor to instruct them how they should

Achilles best persuade, out with them went.
And one by one advis’d them what to say,
Especially Ulysses. Then they went
Saying their prayers to Neptune all the way,
180Until they came unto Achilles’ tent.

Who sitting, in his hand had a guitar
To pass the time, and sung unto the same
The noble acts that had been done in war
By th’ ancient heroes, men of greatest fame.
185Patroclus sat before him, looking when

He should have done. Ulysses then led in
Ajax and Phœnix. And Achilles then
Leap’d up as one that had surprised been.
And them receiving kindly to them said,
190Welcome, my friends, whate’er your bus’ness be.

To see you I am not a little joy’d,
Although th’ Achæans have provoked me.
And to his friend Patroclus order gave,
A larger temperer, said he, set up,
195For these the dearest friends are that I have.

Pure be the wine, and give each man a cup.
Patroclus did so. And sets on a pot
Upon the flaming fire, and puts into’t
A good sheep’s chine, another of a goat,
200Besides the chine of a fat boar to boot.

The blood boil’d out, Automedon it takes
And holds it to Achilles to divide,
Who of it many equal portions makes.
Patroclus makes a fire of wood well dried;
205And when the flame was spent, the coals he rakes

Till they lay even; then the meat he spits
And roasts; and when ’twas roasted up it takes,
And on clean dresser-boards the same he sets;
And brought, in baskets, to the table bread;
210And by Achilles was set on the meat.

Who when he saw the table furnished
Over against Ulysses took his seat,
And bade Patroclus sacrifice, who then
The first cut took and threw into the fire,
215And freely to their meat then fell the men.

But when of food they had no more desire,
Then Ajax Phœnix jogg’d, which was the sign
When to begin, for which Ulysses staid.
Ulysses then fill’d up his cup with wine,
220And speaking to Achilles, thus he said.

All health t’Achilles. Noble is your fare,
And by Atrides treated well we were.
Your tables plentifully furnished are,
But that’s not it for which we now are here.
225Our ships in danger are to be destroy’d;

The Trojans are encamped near our wall.
Unless you condescend to give us aid,
By Hector they are like to perish all;
Who threatens he will set them all on fire,
230And is encourag’d to’t by signs from Jove.

To see the morning rise is his desire,
And feareth neither men nor pow’rs above.
And like a dog enrag’d, and looking grim,
Assures the Trojans he our ships will burn,
235And either put us for our lives to swim,

Or never to Achæa to return.
I am afraid the Gods perform it will,
And so to perish here will be our fate.
Rise, then; if but a little you sit still,
240All you can do for us will come too late.

And then I am assured you will grieve,
When remedy there can be none, in vain:
Therefore, while yet you can, the Greeks relieve;
Your father’s counsel call to mind again.
245My son, said he (when you took leave for Troy),

May Juno and Athena strengthen you.
But this one lesson take from me. I pray
Remember still your anger to subdue;
Decline all contestation of the tongue,
250And let your conversation gentle be;

So shall you win the hearts of old and young
In the Achæan host. Thus counsell’d he.
Though you have this forgot, yet now be friends,
And since he sorry is, forget th’ offence,
255And take the gifts he offers for amends,

Which we esteem a worthy recompence.
I’ll name the gifts he offers one by one.
Seven fire-new trivets. Talents ten of gold.
Twenty black cauldrons. Twelve steeds that have won
260Their sev’ral prizes, and yet are not old.

A man that has so many and so fleet
I think not poor, but gold will quickly win,
When I consider with their nimble feet
What prizes to Atrides they brought in.
265And seven fair women, best of all the kind

For beauty and for works of housewifery,
And unto these Briseis shall be join’d;
And swear he will she is from blemish free.
And all this shall be sent you presently.
270Hereafter, if we take the town of Troy,

You may, before the prey divided be,
Come in and carry to your ship away
As much as it can bear of gold and brass;
And twenty Trojan women which you please,
275Helen except. But if it come to pass

That safe to Argos we get o’er the seas,
His son in law you shall be if you will,
And as his son Orestes honour’d be.
Within his house three daughters he hath still,
280Iphianassa and Laodice,

And fair Chrysothemis, take which you list,
And to your father’s house convey her; he
On settling of estate will not insist,
But of his own do that sufficiently.
285Seven cities you shall have. Phæræ divine,

Enope, Ire, and Cardamyle,
And Pedasus that fertile is of wine,
Anthria, Æpia, all on the sea
Of sandy Pyle; and rich in sheep and kine
290The people are, and will your laws obey,

And tribute pay as to a pow’r divine.
All this he’ll give your anger to allay.
And though Atrides and his gifts you hate;
Honour’d you are by th’ other Argives all,
295And should have pity on their sad estate,

Who in such numbers before Hector fall;
Whom you may have the honour now to kill;
For now he will your spear no longer shun,
But stand you in the open field he will;
300For’mongst the Greeks he thinks there’s like him none.

To this Achilles answer’d, and thus said,
Ulysses, I perceive I must be plain.
For if I be not so, I am afraid
I shall be put to speak my mind again.
305But to prevent more importunity,

What once I say I’ll do. Those men I hate
Whose tongues and hearts I find to disagree,
As much as I abominate hell-gate.
I will no more persuaded be to fight
310By Agamemnon or by any Greek,

Since they my labour do so ill requite,
And they that fight, and fight not fair alike.
For good and bad are equal when they die.
Then for my pain and danger in the wars,
315What more than any other man have I?

With me as with a bird i’ t’ field it fares,
That to her unfledg’d young ones bringeth meat.
She has it in her mouth and hungry is,
Yet she forbears and gives it them to eat.
320With the Atrides twain my case is this,

In blood by day I lead a weary life,
And sleepless am the great’st part of the night.
And why? That Menelaus may win his wife
Achilles must against the Trojans fight.
325I did so; and from Troy twelve cities won

Upon the shore, i’ th’ land eleven more,
And all the prey I sent to Atreus’ son,
Wherein of precious treasure was great store.
A small part he divided ’mongst the host.
330Somewhat he gave for honour to the best;

But to himself made sure to keep the most.
And firm is whatsoe’er he gave the rest;
From none but me his gift he takes away.
I am content, and let him keep her still
335And her enjoy. But why then came to Troy

Atrides with such strength? What was his will?
Was it not only for fair Helen’s sake?
What then must no man love his wife but they?
Yes, all men of their own wives much should make,
340If they have either wit or honesty.

And I love mine as well as he loves his,
Although she be my captive. But since she
By Agamemnon from me taken is,
Ne’er think, Ulysses, to prevail with me.
345He shall not twice deceive me. But provide,

Ulysses, that your ships not burned be.
I know a wall, a ditch pal’d, deep and wide,
Is made by Agamemnon without me.
But all this will not Hector long keep out.
350But with the Greeks when I went to the fight

He never durst to show his face without
The Scæan gate, save once. And then by flight
He ’scap’d. And since I am no more his foe,
To morrow to the Gods I’ll sacrifice,
355And launch and lade my ships, and homewards go.

And you shall see me, e’er the sun shall rise,
Upon the Hellespont if you think fit,
And how my lusty Myrmidons can row.
And so, if Neptune please, the wind may fit,
360As in three days we may to Phthia go,

Where treasure plenty I behind me left:
And now shall carry thither gold and brass,
Iron and women fair, although bereft
Of her that given me by Atrides was.
365Tell him all this, and speak it openly,

Lest other Greeks put up the like disgrace.
As for myself, though impudent he be,
He dares no more to look me in the face.
I will no more in battle or advice
370With Agamemnon join. Let him be glad

He could deceive me once. He shall not twice.
There let him rest. The Gods have made him mad.
I hate his gifts. And him I value not.
Though he would twenty times as much bring forth
375As now he has, or to him shall be brought,

Or all that which Orchomenus is worth,
Or Thebæ, that Egyptian town that can
Send twenty thousand chari’ts to the field,
And all provided well with horse and man;
380Yet so I will not t’ Agamemnon yield;

No, nor for gold so much as here is sand,
Till he has smarted for this injury,
Nor any wife will I take at his hand
Though she should fairer much than Venus be.
385Nor though she could like Pallas work, or better,

I’ll not his daughter take. Bid him bestow her
Upon some prince he thinks more worthy. Let her
For husband have a king of greater power.
For if the Gods to Hellas bring me home,
390Peleus will there provide me of a wife.

King’s daughters, not a few there are, of whom
I shall choose one, and with her lead my life,
And with my father live contentedly.
For all the wealth of stately Ilium,
395Which they enjoyed in tranquillity

When yet the Argives were not hither come,
And all Apollo’s sacred treasury
Laid up at Pytho, is not price enough
The life of any man though poor to buy.
400Horses, and kine, and sheep, and household stuff,

May be recover’d, but man’s life cannot.
My mother Thetis told me as my end,
That if I fight ’gainst Troy, ’twill be my lot
To die there, but that Fame would me commend.
405But on the other side assured me,

That if ’gainst Ilium I warred not,
But back to Phthia went, my fate would be
Long time to live, and after be forgot.
And I advise you and the rest to sail
410As soon as may be to your native land;

For you will not at Ilium prevail,
Since Jupiter protects it with his hand.
And now go tell the princes what I say,
That they may better counsel take to save
415Their ships and men by sea, because the way

Which now they take no good effect will have.
Let Phœnix, if he will (not else), stay here.
This said, th’ ambassadors were mute, and sorry
They from him could no better answer bear,
420Than a denial, flat and peremptory.

At last unto Achilles Phœnix spake;
If you, said he, resolv’d are to be gone,
And leave the war for Agamemnon’s sake,
In what estate shall I be here alone?
425When you to Agamemnon first were sent,

You were a child, and understood not war,
Unable to say clearly what you meant,
Which the first principles of honour are.
And by your father I was with you sent,
430To show you how you were to speak and do.

So that if you to go be fully bent,
You need not doubt but I shall be so too,
And should be though I were as young as when
I Hellas left, and from my father fled,
435Amyntor, son of Orminus, who then

A concubine had taken to his bed;
My mother, to the end to make her hate
In such a way the old man’s company,
Was with me oftentimes importunate
440To court her, and I did thereto agree,

And got her love. Which when my father knew,
He fell into a mighty passion,
And many bitter curses on me threw,
And pray’d the Gods I ne’er might have a son.
445His pray’r by Pluto and by Proserpine

Was heard, and I no longer would abide
At home; but cross’d awhile was my design,
By friends and nephews that my purpose spy’d,
Who pray’d me and retain’d me with good cheer;
450Many good kine they kill’d and lusty sheep,

And many swine were daily singed there,
And much wine spent, and nightly watch they keep
By turns nine nights together; and fires twain.
One in the court against my chamber-door,
455Another in the porch they kept in vain.

For on the tenth the court-wall I leapt o’er
And undiscerned to king Peleus fled,
Who us’d me as a father would his son,
His only son far off begot and bred;
460Enrich’d, and gave me the dominion

Of the Dolopians, who are a part
Of Peleus’ realm. · Now, no man like you is,
Divine Achilles, whom I love at th’ heart,
And joy that I have brought you up to this,
465Though painful to me were your infancy,

Who not at feast nor in the house would eat,
If first I did not set you on my knee,
And into little pieces cut your meat.
And often on my breast you puk’d your wine.
470But since I knew my line with me would end,

To take you for my heir was my design,
Who in my feeble age might me defend.
Master your heart, Achilles; for you know
The Gods, though stronger and more fear’d than you,
475With incense and with pray’rs are made to bow,

Although from men they not receive their due.
For Prayers of high Jove the daughters are,
Though lame their feet, and squinting be their eyes;
And follow Wrath (though she runs faster far),
480And to the hurt she does give remedies,

And cure all those that show them due respect.
But when an angry man they cannot move,
That reconcilement always will reject,
They call for judgment from their father Jove.
485Therefore, Achilles, give respect unto

These Goddesses, the daughters of high Jove,
As other mighty men and princes do.
Had not Atrides, to redeem your love,
Offer’d you presents great, and promised more,
490I never had advis’d you to agree

To save their ships from burning on the shore.
Till that were done you could not blamed be.
But since he does so amply make amends,
And chosen has good men to intercede,
495Who are of all the Greeks your greatest friends,

Refuse them not the grace for which they plead,
Such was the hero’s custom heretofore,
When one had done another injury,
The damage they had done first to restore,
500And then with gifts and pray’rs buy amity.

But I will tell you how it came to pass
At Calydon long since, not yesterday,
War ’twixt the Curets and th’ Ætolians was,
These to defend, the other to destroy.
505For Œneus having got his harvest in,

To all the Gods made a great sacrifice;
Only Diana had no part therein,
Forgot she was; he did not her despise.
But she in anger sent a great wild boar,
510That wasted and made havoc of his field,

And up by the roots, his goodly fruit-trees tore.
This boar Meleager, son of Œneus kill’d,
Assisted by the youth of many a state
That to the chase with men and hounds came in.
515Between them then Diana rais’d debate

About who was to have the head and skin.
While Meleager with them went to war,
The Curets never durst approach the wall,
Although they were the greater number far.
520But when with choler swelled was his gall,

(Which often happens to a man, though wise)
He kept his chamber and abstain’d from fight,
Offended with his mother’s injuries,
And of all company eschew’d the sight,
525But Cleopatra, consort of his bed,

Child of Marpissa, who (by stealth) was bride
Of Idas, who at that time carried
For strength the reputation far and wide.
This Idas’ child was Meleager’s wife.
530But Idas rashly for his dear wife’s sake

Against Apollo did engage his life,
And him at bow and arrows undertake.
But Cleopatra then surnamed was
Halcyone, that was not so before
535Her father with Apollo fought, because

She did her mother’s death so much deplore.
With her now grieving Meleager lay,
And angry at the curses of his mother;
Who to the Gods continually did pray
540Against his life for killing of her brother;

And from her eyes the tears ran down her breast,
And often with her hand the ground she smote.
Making to Pluto and his queen request
To kill her son; which they rejected not.
545Meanwhile the uproar heard was at the gates,

And thumping of the tow’rs of Calydon.
To Meleager then came priests and states
Intreating him his armour to put on,
And save the town, and offer’d for his pain,
550As much good land (so take it where he would,

One half for wine, the other half for grain)
As fifty able oxen labour could.
Then came his father rattling at his door,
His brothers, and his angry mother too:
555But he persisted in his will the more;

His dearest friends could with him nothing do.
But when the cry and danger now was nigher,
And on the tow’rs the Curets mounted were,
And ready now to set the town on fire,
560Then Cleopatra to her husband dear

Show’d th’ image of a town won by the foe.
How butcher’d are the men, the houses burned,
Their wives and children dragg’d away; and so
Her husband’s heart again to pity turned.
565Then went he and repell’d the enemies,

Though what they promis’d him they never gave.
But that’s not it to which I you advise;
But first the ships, and then the Greeks to save;
But not without these gifts to go to war:
570For more unto your honour it will be

To give them aid when satisfied you are,
By Agamemnon for the injury.
Thus Phœnix said. Achilles then replied,
Such honour I seek none. Jove honours me,
575Since by his will I at my ships abide,

And will do till I dead or strengthless be.
No more molest me for Atrides’ sake,
But stay with me, and equal to me reign,
And such as are my friends for your friends take,
580And do not lose my friendship his to gain.

Stay, then, this night, and take your lodging here;
My answer t’ Agamemnon these will carry;
As soon as morning shall again appear,
We’ll talk of whether we shall go or tarry.
585And as he spake those words, he wink’d upon

Patroclus to give order for his bed,
That he himself prepare might to be gone.
Amongst them then great Ajax spake and said,
Ulysses come, our labour here is lost;
590Let’s carry back his answer, such as ’tis,

To Agamemnon and the Argive host,
Who us expect, since obstinate he is,
And can a thought so savage entertain,
Unkind and unregardful of his friends,
595When others for a son or brother slain

Can be contented to receive amends,
And let the man that slew him live in rest,
As soon as they have paid for their misdeed.
But you, Achilles, harbour in your breast
600An everlasting anger without need,

And hurtful to your friends no less than foes,
For ’tis but for one maid he took away;
And for her now he seven on you bestows,
And much beside, your anger to allay.
605Regard your house. We your domestics are,

Nearer than any of the Greeks beside,
And in your honour more concern’d by far.
Thus Ajax said. Achilles then replied,
O Ajax, noble son of Telamon,
610I not deny but all you say is well;

But always when that man you mention,
My choler rising, makes my heart to swell.
He made me has to th’ Argives despicable,
As if I were a fool or inmate who
615Of honour in a town is incapable,

And with the public nothing has to do.
Go, therefore, let Atrides know my mind.
I will no more against the Trojans fight,
Till Hector at my tents and ships I find,
620And th’ Argive fleet be flaming in my sight.

For if he come unto my ships, I think,
Keen as he is, I shall his fury stay.
This said, unto the Gods above they drink,
And then they with his answer went away.
625Patroclus then gave order for a bed

With woolly cov’rings soft and linen fine
For Phœnix, where he lay till day was spread.
But with Achilles slept a concubine,
Fair Diomeda, whom he brought away
630From Lesbos when he had that city sack’d.

And in another part Patroclus lay,
Nor he a beautiful bed-fellow lack’d,
Fair Iphis, whom Achilles gave him when
He newly rifled had the town of Scyros,
635And now th’ ambassadors were come again,

And to them store of people flock, desirous
To hear the news, and wine unto them brought.
But Agamemnon first inquir’d and said,
Ulysses, will he save the fleet or not,
640Or is his choler not to be allay’d?

And he Achilles’ answer then related.
The man, said he, retains his anger still.
And now ’tis greater rather than abated,
And says, tomorrow put to sea he will.
645And your alliance and your gifts rejects,

And says he would advise us to go home;
Since Jupiter himself the town protects,
He says in vain we stay at Ilium.
And bids you order take to save the fleet.
650Thus said he, as these know as well as I,

Ajax and both the heralds, men discreet,
Who all the while he spake were standing by,
And Phœnix too. But he lies there all night,
That o’er the sea together they may go,
655If Phœnix will, as soon as it is light;

But forc’d is not whether he will or no.
When thus Ulysses ended had his story,
All silent were awhile and much dismay’d
With his denial flat and peremptory.
660At last Tydides to them spake and said,

O king Atrides, we have done amiss
With gifts and prayers thus to seek his aid,
That proud before, by this made prouder is.
Let him go when he will. Be not afraid,
665But let’s refresh ourselves tonight with bread

And wine; for that gives men both strength and heart,
And see your men i’ th’ morn embatteled,
And at the head of them do you your part.
This said, the princes of the host admired
670The gallant speech of valiant Diomed:

And every one unto his tent retired,
With a good will to sleep, and went to bed.

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LIB. IX. - Homer, The English Works, vol. X (Iliad and Odyssey) [1839]

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Part of: The English Works of Thomas Hobbes, 11 vols.

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LIB. IX.