Page 463 - the-iliad

dron that had ears for handles, and would hold twenty-two
measures. This was for the man who came in first. For the
second there was a six-year old mare, unbroken, and in foal
to a he-ass; the third was to have a goodly cauldron that had
never yet been on the fire; it was still bright as when it left
the maker, and would hold four measures. The fourth prize
was two talents of gold, and the fifth a two-handled urn as
yet unsoiled by smoke. Then he stood up and spoke among
the Argives saying—
‘Son of Atreus, and all other Achaeans, these are the priz-
es that lie waiting the winners of the chariot races. At any
other time I should carry off the first prize and take it to my
own tent; you know how far my steeds excel all others—for
they are immortal; Neptune gave them to my father Peleus,
who in his turn gave them to myself; but I shall hold aloof,
I and my steeds that have lost their brave and kind driv-
er, who many a time has washed them in clear water and
anointed their manes with oil. See how they stand weep-
ing here, with their manes trailing on the ground in the
extremity of their sorrow. But do you others set yourselves
in order throughout the host, whosoever has confidence in
his horses and in the strength of his chariot.’
Thus spoke the son of Peleus and the drivers of chariots
bestirred themselves. First among them all uprose Eumelus,
king of men, son of Admetus, a man excellent in horse-
manship. Next to him rose mighty Diomed son of Tydeus;
he yoked the Trojan horses which he had taken from Ae-
neas, when Apollo bore him out of the fight. Next to him,
yellow-haired Menelaus son of Atreus rose and yoked his

The Iliad