I wander thus, because that on my lids 105
Sweet sleep sits not, but war and the concerns
Of the Achaians occupy my soul. 
Terrible are the fears which I endure
For these my people; such as supersede
All thought; my bosom can no longer hold 110
My throbbing heart, and tremors shake my limbs. 
But if thy mind, more capable, project
Aught that may profit us (for thee it seems
Sleep also shuns) arise, and let us both
Visit the watch, lest, haply, overtoil’d 115
They yield to sleep, forgetful of their charge. 
The foe is posted near, and may intend
(None knows his purpose) an assault by night. 

    To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied. 

Illustrious Agamemnon, King of men! 120
Deep-planning Jove the imaginations proud
Of Hector will not ratify, nor all
His sanguine hopes effectuate; in his turn
He also (fierce Achilles once appeased)
Shall trouble feel, and haply, more than we. 125
But with all readiness I will arise
And follow thee, that we may also rouse
Yet others; Diomede the spear-renown’d,
Ulysses, the swift Ajax, and the son
Of Phyleus, valiant Meges.  It were well 130
Were others also visited and call’d,
The godlike Ajax, and Idomeneus,
Whose ships are at the camp’s extremest bounds. 
But though I love thy brother and revere,
And though I grieve e’en thee, yet speak I must, 135
And plainly censure him, that thus he sleeps
And leaves to thee the labor, who himself
Should range the host, soliciting the Chiefs
Of every band, as utmost need requires. 

    Him answer’d Agamemnon, King of men. 140

Old warrior, times there are, when I could wish
Myself thy censure of him, for in act
He is not seldom tardy and remiss. 
Yet is not sluggish indolence the cause,
No, nor stupidity, but he observes 145
Me much, expecting till I lead the way. 
But he was foremost now, far more alert
This night than I, and I have sent him forth
Already, those to call whom thou hast named. 
But let us hence, for at the guard I trust 150
To find them, since I gave them so in charge.[3]

    To whom the brave Gerenian Chief replied. 

Him none will censure, or his will dispute,
Whom he shall waken and exhort to rise. 

    So saying, he bound his corselet to his breast, 155

His sandals fair to his unsullied feet,
And fastening by its clasps his purple cloak
Around him, double and of shaggy pile,
Seized, next, his sturdy spear headed with brass,
And issued first into the Grecian fleet. 160
There, Nestor, brave Gerenian, with a voice
Sonorous roused the godlike counsellor