Page 182 - the-iliad

his head, and took his spear in his brawny hand. Then he
went to rouse his brother, who was by far the most powerful
of the Achaeans, and was honoured by the people as though
he were a god. He found him by the stern of his ship already
putting his goodly array about his shoulders, and right glad
was he that his brother had come.
Menelaus spoke first. ‘Why,’ said he, ‘my dear brother,
are you thus arming? Are you going to send any of our com-
rades to exploit the Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will
do you this service, and spy upon the enemy alone in the
dead of night. It will be a deed of great daring.’
And King Agamemnon answered, ‘Menelaus, we both of
us need shrewd counsel to save the Argives and our ships,
for Jove has changed his mind, and inclines towards Hec-
tor’s sacrifices rather than ours. I never saw nor heard tell of
any man as having wrought such ruin in one day as Hector
has now wrought against the sons of the Achaeans—and
that too of his own unaided self, for he is son neither to
god nor goddess. The Argives will rue it long and deeply.
Run, therefore, with all speed by the line of the ships, and
call Ajax and Idomeneus. Meanwhile I will go to Nestor,
and bid him rise and go about among the companies of our
sentinels to give them their instructions; they will listen to
him sooner than to any man, for his own son, and Meriones
brother in arms to Idomeneus, are captains over them. It
was to them more particularly that we gave this charge.’
Menelaus replied, ‘How do I take your meaning? Am I to
stay with them and wait your coming, or shall I return here
as soon as I have given your orders?’ ‘Wait,’ answered King

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