His father Nestor, son of Neleus, stood by Antilochus, and gave him good advice, although he himself was wise.  “Antilochus, my son,” he said, “though thou art young, yet Zeus and Neptune have loved thee, and made thee a perfect horseman; and there is little need for me to teach thee.  But the other horses are better than thine; and I fear that much trouble is in store for thee.  But skill and cunning are better than force, and so one charioteer defeats another.  Look well to the posts at either end, and run closely by them.  Now I will tell thee another thing.  Some six feet above the ground, there stands the withered stump of a tree, with two white stones, on either side; this is the mark fixed by the swift-footed Achilles.  Do thou drive thy horses hard by this, and lean slightly to the left, and lash the off horse and give him rein; but let the near horse so closely skirt the post that the nave of the wheel of thy car may seem to graze the stone; but beware of touching it!”

Next, Meriones made ready his chariot; and so did the others.  Then they mounted their cars, and drew lots for their places.  Great Diomedes drew the best.  Achilles ranged them all side by side, and pointed to the turning-post, in the plain, near which he posted old Phoenix, as umpire.

Then, at a signal from the son of Peleus, they raised their long whips, together, standing upright, and lashed their horses, and encouraged them by hand and voice.  And the chariots now ran evenly on the ground, and now bounded high in air.  But when they entered the last part of the course, driving towards the sea, the fleet mares of Eumelus, grandson of Pheres, rushed to the front; and next came Diomedes, with the stallions of Tros, so near that they seemed to be mounting the car of Eumelus, and with their hot breath covered his back and shoulders.  Then Tydides would either have gained a victory, or it would have been at least a dead heat; but Phoebus Apollo was angry with him, and dashed his shining whip from his hand.  He shed hot tears of fury, when he saw that the mares of Eumelus were still at their utmost speed, while his own horses slackened their speed, no longer feeling the lash.  But, luckily for Diomedes, his constant friend Athene marked the trick of Apollo; and, speeding after Diomedes, she gave him back the scourge, and put fresh mettle into his steeds.  She then pursued Eumelus, and brake the yoke of his horses; they bolted from the course, and he was hurled off his car into the dust.  Meanwhile, Tydides rushed on before the others, for Athene was shedding glory on his head.

Next to him ran the horses of Menelaus, son of Atreus.  Then came Antilochus, son of Nestor, who spake thus to his father’s Pylian horses:  “I do not ask you to contend with Tydides, whose horses Athene herself is speeding; but I pray you to catch up the chariot of Atrides; and be not beaten by Aithe, lest she, who is only a mare, pour ridicule upon you.”  Thus spake Antilochus, and his horses were afraid,