his courage high. 
  Then, through the nostrils of the dead she pour’d
  Ambrosia, and the ruddy juice divine 45
  Of nectar, antidotes against decay. 
    And now forth went Achilles by the side
  Of ocean, calling with a dreadful shout
  To council all the heroes of the host.[4]
  Then, even they who in the fleet before 50
  Constant abode, helmsmen and those who held
  In stewardship the food and public stores,
  All flock’d to council, for that now at length
  After long abstinence from dread exploits
  Of war, Achilles had once more appear’d. 55
  Two went together, halting on the spear,
  (For still they felt the anguish of their wounds)
  Noble Ulysses and brave Diomede,
  And took an early seat; whom follow’d last
  The King of men, by Cooen in the field 60
  Of furious battle wounded with a lance. 
  The Grecians all assembled, in the midst
  Upstood the swift Achilles, and began. 
    Atrides! we had doubtless better sped
  Both thou and I, thus doing, when at first 65
  With cruel rage we burn’d, a girl the cause. 
  I would that Dian’s shaft had in the fleet
  Slain her that self-same day when I destroy’d
  Lyrnessus, and by conquest made her mine! 
  Then had not many a Grecian, lifeless now, 70
  Clench’d with his teeth the ground, victim, alas! 
  Of my revenge; whence triumph hath accrued
  To Hector and his host, while ours have cause
  For long remembrance of our mutual strife. 
  But evils past let pass, yielding perforce 75
  To sad necessity.  My wrath shall cease
  Now; I resign it; it hath burn’d too long. 
  Thou therefore summon forth the host to fight,
  That I may learn meeting them in the field,
  If still the Trojans purpose at our fleet 80
  To watch us this night also.  But I judge
  That driven by my spear to rapid flight,
  They shall escape with weary limbs[5] at least. 
    He ended, and the Grecians brazen-greaved
  Rejoiced that Peleus’ mighty son had cast 85
  His wrath aside.  Then not into the midst
  Proceeding, but at his own seat, upstood
  King Agamemnon, and them thus bespake. 
    Friends!  Grecian heroes!  Ministers of Mars! 
  Arise who may to speak, he claims your ear; 90
  All interruption wrongs him, and distracts,
  Howe’er expert the speaker.  Who can hear
  Amid the roar of tumult, or who speak? 
  The clearest voice, best utterance, both are vain
  I shall address Achilles.  Hear my speech 95
  Ye Argives, and with understanding mark. 
  I hear not now the voice of your reproach[6]
  First; ye have oft condemn’d me.  Yet the blame