Page 268 - the-iliad

no persuading you to take advice. Because heaven has so
richly endowed you with the arts of war, you think that you
must therefore excel others in counsel; but you cannot thus
claim preeminence in all things. Heaven has made one man
an excellent soldier; of another it has made a dancer or a
singer and player on the lyre; while yet in another Jove has
implanted a wise understanding of which men reap fruit
to the saving of many, and he himself knows more about
it than any one; therefore I will say what I think will be
best. The fight has hemmed you in as with a circle of fire,
and even now that the Trojans are within the wall some
of them stand aloof in full armour, while others are fight-
ing scattered and outnumbered near the ships. Draw back,
therefore, and call your chieftains round you, that we may
advise together whether to fall now upon the ships in the
hope that heaven may vouchsafe us victory, or to beat a re-
treat while we can yet safely do so. I greatly fear that the
Achaeans will pay us their debt of yesterday in full, for there
is one abiding at their ships who is never weary of battle,
and who will not hold aloof much longer.’
Thus spoke Polydamas, and his words pleased Hector
well. He sprang in full armour from his chariot and said,
‘Polydamas, gather the chieftains here; I will go yonder into
the fight, but will return at once when I have given them
their orders.’
He then sped onward, towering like a snowy mountain,
and with a loud cry flew through the ranks of the Trojans and
their allies. When they heard his voice they all hastened to
gather round Polydamas, the excellent son of Panthous, but