Page 472 - the-iliad

not give up the mare, and he that will fight me for her, let
him come on.’
Achilles smiled as he heard this, and was pleased with
Antilochus, who was one of his dearest comrades. So he
said—
‘Antilochus, if you would have me find Eumelus another
prize, I will give him the bronze breastplate with a rim of
tin running all round it which I took from Asteropaeus. It
will be worth much money to him.’
He bade his comrade Automedon bring the breastplate
from his tent, and he did so. Achilles then gave it over to
Eumelus, who received it gladly.
But Menelaus got up in a rage, furiously angry with Anti-
lochus. An attendant placed his staff in his hands and bade
the Argives keep silence: the hero then addressed them.
‘Antilochus,’ said he, ‘what is this from you who have been
so far blameless? You have made me cut a poor figure and
baulked my horses by flinging your own in front of them,
though yours are much worse than mine are; therefore, O
princes and counsellors of the Argives, judge between us
and show no favour, lest one of the Achaeans say, ‘Menelaus
has got the mare through lying and corruption; his horses
were far inferior to Antilochus’s, but he has greater weight
and influence.’ Nay, I will determine the matter myself, and
no man will blame me, for I shall do what is just. Come here,
Antilochus, and stand, as our custom is, whip in hand be-
fore your chariot and horses; lay your hand on your steeds,
and swear by earth-encircling Neptune that you did not
purposely and guilefully get in the way of my horses.’

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