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Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

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<strong>Homer</strong>’s <strong>Iliad</strong><br />

with their manes trailing on the ground in the extremity of their<br />

sorrow. But do you others set yourselves in order throughout the<br />

host, whosoever has confidence in his horses and in the strength of<br />

his chariot.”<br />

Thus spoke the son of Peleus and the drivers of chariots bestirred<br />

themselves. First among them all uprose Eumelus, king of men,<br />

son of Admetus, a man excellent in horsemanship. Next to him rose<br />

mighty Diomed son of Tydeus; he yoked the Trojan horses which<br />

he had taken from Aeneas, when Apollo bore him out of the fight.<br />

Next to him, yellow-haired Menelaus son of Atreus rose and yoked<br />

his fleet horses, Agamemnon’s mare Aethe, and his own horse<br />

Podargus. The mare had been given to Agamemnon <strong>by</strong> echepolus<br />

son of Anchises, that he might not have to follow him to Ilius, but<br />

might stay at home and take his ease; for Jove had endowed him<br />

with great wealth and he lived in spacious Sicyon. This mare, all<br />

eager for the race, did Menelaus put under the yoke.<br />

Fourth in order Antilochus, son to noble Nestor son of Neleus,<br />

made ready his horses. These were bred in Pylos, and his father<br />

came up to him to give him good advice of which, however, he<br />

stood in but little need. “Antilochus,” said Nestor, “you are young,<br />

but Jove and Neptune have loved you well, and have made you an<br />

excellent horseman. I need not therefore say much <strong>by</strong> way of<br />

instruction. You are skilful at wheeling your horses round the post,<br />

but the horses themselves are very slow, and it is this that will, I<br />

fear, mar your chances. The other drivers know less than you do,<br />

but their horses are fleeter; therefore, my dear son, see if you<br />

cannot hit upon some artifice where<strong>by</strong> you may insure that the<br />

prize shall not slip through your fingers. The woodman does more<br />

452

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