Iliad by Homer - Join iZDOT

Homer’s Iliad
you this prize though you cannot win one; you can now neither
wrestle nor fight, and cannot enter for the javelin-match nor footraces,
for the hand of age has been laid heavily upon you.”
So saying he gave the urn over to Nestor, who received it gladly
and answered, “My son, all that you have said is true; there is no
strength now in my legs and feet, nor can I hit out with my hands
from either shoulder. Would that I were still young and strong as
when the Epeans were burying King Amarynceus in Buprasium,
and his sons offered prizes in his honour. There was then none that
could vie with me neither of the Epeans nor the Pylians themselves
nor the Aetolians. In boxing I overcame Clytomedes son of Enops,
and in wrestling, Ancaeus of Pleuron who had come forward
against me. Iphiclus was a good runner, but I beat him, and threw
farther with my spear than either Phyleus or Polydorus. In chariotracing
alone did the two sons of Actor surpass me by crowding
their horses in front of me, for they were angry at the way victory
had gone, and at the greater part of the prizes remaining in the
place in which they had been offered. They were twins, and the one
kept on holding the reins, and holding the reins, while the other
plied the whip. Such was I then, but now I must leave these matters
to younger men; I must bow before the weight of years, but in
those days I was eminent among heroes. And now, sir, go on with
the funeral contests in honour of your comrade: gladly do I accept
this urn, and my heart rejoices that you do not forget me but are
ever mindful of my goodwill towards you, and of the respect due
to me from the Achaeans. For all which may the grace of heaven be
vouchsafed you in great abundance.”
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