Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
roused the Achaeans, who were resting in the rear by the ships
overcome at once by hard fighting and by grief at seeing that the
Trojans had got over the wall in force. Tears began falling from
their eyes as they beheld them, for they made sure that they should
not escape destruction; but the lord of the earthquake passed
lightly about among them and urged their battalions to the front.
First he went up to Teucer and Leitus, the hero Peneleos, and
Thoas and Deipyrus; Meriones also and Antilochus, valiant
warriors; all did he exhort. “Shame on you young Argives,” he
cried, “it was on your prowess I relied for the saving of our ships;
if you fight not with might and main, this very day will see us
overcome by the Trojans. Of a truth my eyes behold a great and
terrible portent which I had never thought to see- the Trojans at our
ships- they, who were heretofore like panic-stricken hinds, the prey
of jackals and wolves in a forest, with no strength but in flight for
they cannot defend themselves. Hitherto the Trojans dared not for
one moment face the attack of the Achaeans, but now they have
sallied far from their city and are fighting at our very ships through
the cowardice of our leader and the disaffection of the people
themselves, who in their discontent care not to fight in defence of
the ships but are being slaughtered near them. True, King
Agamemnon son of Atreus is the cause of our disaster by having
insulted the son of Peleus, still this is no reason why we should
leave off fighting. Let us be quick to heal, for the hearts of the brave
heal quickly. You do ill to be thus remiss, you, who are the finest
soldiers in our whole army. I blame no man for keeping out of
battle if he is a weakling, but I am indignant with such men as you
are. My good friends, matters will soon become even worse
through this slackness; think, each one of you, of his own honour
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