Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
is called Alision, at which point Minerva turned the people back.
There I slew the last man and left him; then the Achaeans drove
their horses back from Buprasium to Pylos and gave thanks to Jove
among the gods, and among mortal men to Nestor.
“Such was I among my peers, as surely as ever was, but Achilles is
for keeping all his valour for himself; bitterly will he rue it
hereafter when the host is being cut to pieces. My good friend, did
not Menoetius charge you thus, on the day when he sent you from
Phthia to Agamemnon? Ulysses and I were in the house, inside,
and heard all that he said to you; for we came to the fair house of
Peleus while beating up recruits throughout all Achaea, and when
we got there we found Menoetius and yourself, and Achilles with
you. The old knight Peleus was in the outer court, roasting the fat
thigh-bones of a heifer to Jove the lord of thunder; and he held a
gold chalice in his hand from which he poured drink-offerings of
wine over the burning sacrifice. You two were busy cutting up the
heifer, and at that moment we stood at the gates, whereon Achilles
sprang to his feet, led us by the hand into the house, placed us at
table, and set before us such hospitable entertainment as guests
expect. When we had satisfied ourselves with meat and drink, I
said my say and urged both of you to join us. You were ready
enough to do so, and the two old men charged you much and
straitly. Old Peleus bade his son Achilles fight ever among the
foremost and outvie his peers, while Menoetius the son of Actor
spoke thus to you: ‘My son,’ said he, ‘Achilles is of nobler birth
than you are, but you are older than he, though he is far the better
man of the two. Counsel him wisely, guide him in the right way,
and he will follow you to his own profit.’ Thus did your father
charge you, but you have forgotten; nevertheless, even now, say all
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