Laodice; or if she please him more,
Iphianassa; and from him I ask
No dower;[5] myself will such a dower bestow 180
As never father on his child before. 
Seven fair well-peopled cities I will give
Cardamyle and Enope, and rich
In herbage, Hira; Pherae stately-built,
And for her depth of pasturage renown’d 185
Antheia; proud AEpeia’s lofty towers,
And Pedasus impurpled dark with vines. 
All these are maritime, and on the shore
They stand of Pylus, by a race possess’d
Most rich in flocks and herds, who tributes large, 190
And gifts presenting to his sceptred hand,
Shall hold him high in honor as a God. 
These will I give him if from wrath he cease. 
Let him be overcome.  Pluto alone
Is found implacable and deaf to prayer, 195
Whom therefore of all Gods men hate the most. 
My power is greater, and my years than his
More numerous, therefore let him yield to me. 
To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied. 
Atrides! glorious sovereign!  King of men! 200
No sordid gifts, or to be view’d with scorn,
Givest thou the Prince Achilles.  But away! 
Send chosen messengers, who shall the son
Of Peleus, instant, in his tent address. 
Myself will choose them, be it theirs to obey. 205
Let Phoenix lead, Jove loves him.  Be the next
Huge Ajax; and the wise Ulysses third. 
Of heralds, Odius and Eurybates
Shall them attend.  Bring water for our hands;
Give charge that every tongue abstain from speech 210
Portentous, and propitiate Jove by prayer. 
He spake, and all were pleased.  The heralds pour’d
Pure water on their hands;[6] attendant youths
The beakers crown’d, and wine from right to left
Distributed to all.  Libation made, 215
All drank, and in such measure as they chose,
Then hasted forth from Agamemnon’s tent. 
Gerenian Nestor at their side them oft
Instructed, each admonishing by looks
Significant, and motion of his eyes, 220
But most Ulysses, to omit no means
By which Achilles likeliest might be won. 
Along the margin of the sounding deep
They pass’d, to Neptune, compasser of earth,
Preferring vows ardent with numerous prayers, 225
That they might sway with ease the mighty mind
Of fierce AEacides.  And now they reach’d
The station where his Myrmidons abode. 
Him solacing they found his heart with notes
Struck from his silver-framed harmonious lyre; 230
Among the spoils he found it when he sack’d
Eetion’s city; with that lyre his cares
He sooth’d, and glorious heroes were his theme.[7]
Patroclus silent sat, and he alone,
Before him, on AEacides intent, 235
Expecting still when he should cease to sing.