Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
colour nor be on finding himself in ambush, but is all the time
longing to go into action- if the best men were being chosen for
such a service, no one could make light of your courage nor feats of
arms. If you were struck by a dart or smitten in close combat, it
would not be from behind, in your neck nor back, but the weapon
would hit you in the chest or belly as you were pressing forward to
a place in the front ranks. But let us no longer stay here talking like
children, lest we be ill spoken of; go, fetch your spear from the tent
at once.”
On this Meriones, peer of Mars, went to the tent and got himself a
spear of bronze. He then followed after Idomeneus, big with great
deeds of valour. As when baneful Mars sallies forth to battle, and
his son Panic so strong and dauntless goes with him, to strike
terror even into the heart of a hero- the pair have gone from Thrace
to arm themselves among the Ephyri or the brave Phlegyans, but
they will not listen to both the contending hosts, and will give
victory to one side or to the other- even so did Meriones and
Idomeneus, captains of men, go out to battle clad in their bronze
armour. Meriones was first to speak. “Son of Deucalion,” said he,
“where would you have us begin fighting? On the right wing of the
host, in the centre, or on the left wing, where I take it the Achaeans
will be weakest?”
Idomeneus answered, “There are others to defend the centre- the
two Ajaxes and Teucer, who is the finest archer of all the Achaeans,
and is good also in a hand-to-hand fight. These will give Hector
son of Priam enough to do; fight as he may, he will find it hard to
vanquish their indomitable fury, and fire the ships, unless the son
of Saturn fling a firebrand upon them with his own hand. Great
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