Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
Even so did I grieve when mighty Hector was killing the Argives at
their ships, and all the time I kept thinking of Folly who had so
baned me. I was blind, and Jove robbed me of my reason; I will
now make atonement, and will add much treasure by way of
amends. Go, therefore, into battle, you and your people with you. I
will give you all that Ulysses offered you yesterday in your tents:
or if it so please you, wait, though you would fain fight at once,
and my squires shall bring the gifts from my ship, that you may see
whether what I give you is enough.”
And Achilles answered, “Son of Atreus, king of men Agamemnon,
you can give such gifts as you think proper, or you can withhold
them: it is in your own hands. Let us now set battle in array; it is
not well to tarry talking about trifles, for there is a deed which is as
yet to do. Achilles shall again be seen fighting among the foremost,
and laying low the ranks of the Trojans: bear this in mind each one
of you when he is fighting.”
Then Ulysses said, “Achilles, godlike and brave, send not the
Achaeans thus against Ilius to fight the Trojans fasting, for the
battle will be no brief one, when it is once begun, and heaven has
filled both sides with fury; bid them first take food both bread and
wine by the ships, for in this there is strength and stay. No man can
do battle the livelong day to the going down of the sun if he is
without food; however much he may want to fight his strength will
fail him before he knows it; hunger and thirst will find him out,
and his limbs will grow weary under him. But a man can fight all
day if he is full fed with meat and wine; his heart beats high, and
his strength will stay till he has routed all his foes; therefore, send
the people away and bid them prepare their meal; King
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