Dispenser of the great events of war,
  Turns once the scale, then, farewell every hope
  Of more than scanty gleanings.  Shall the Greeks
  Abstain from sustenance for all who die? 
  That were indeed severe, since day by day 270
  No few expire, and respite could be none. 
  The dead, die whoso may, should be inhumed. 
  This, duty bids, but bids us also deem
  One day sufficient for our sighs and tears. 
  Ourselves, all we who still survive the war, 275
  Have need of sustenance, that we may bear
  The lengthen’d conflict with recruited might,
  Case in enduring brass.—­Ye all have heard
  Your call to battle; let none lingering stand
  In expectation of a farther call, 280
  Which if it sound, shall thunder prove to him
  Who lurks among the ships.  No.  Rush we all
  Together forth, for contest sharp prepared,
  And persevering with the host of Troy. 
    So saying, the sons of Nestor, glorious Chief, 285
  He chose, with Meges Phyleus’ noble son,
  Thoas, Meriones, and Melanippus
  And Lycomedes.  These, together, sought
  The tent of Agamemnon, King of men. 
  They ask’d, and they received.  Soon they produced 290
  The seven promised tripods from the tent,
  Twice ten bright caldrons, twelve high-mettled steeds,
  Seven lovely captives skill’d alike in arts
  Domestic, of unblemish’d beauty rare,
  And last, Briseis with the blooming cheeks. 295
  Before them went Ulysses, bearing weigh’d
  Ten golden talents, whom the chosen Greeks
  Attended laden with the remnant gifts. 
  Full in the midst they placed them.  Then arose
  King Agamemnon, and Talthybius 300
  The herald, clear in utterance as a God,
  Beside him stood, holding the victim boar. 
  Atrides, drawing forth his dagger bright,
  Appendant ever to his sword’s huge sheath,
  Sever’d the bristly forelock of the boar, 305
  A previous offering.  Next, with lifted hands
  To Jove he pray’d, while, all around, the Greeks
  Sat listening silent to the Sovereign’s voice. 
  He look’d to the wide heaven, and thus he pray’d. 
    First, Jove be witness! of all Powers above 310
  Best and supreme; Earth next, and next the Sun! 
  And last, who under Earth the guilt avenge
  Of oaths sworn falsely, let the Furies hear! 
  For no respect of amorous desire
  Or other purpose, have I laid mine hand 315
  On fair Briseis, but within my tent
  Untouch’d, immaculate she hath remain’d. 
  And if I falsely swear, then may the Gods
  The many woes with which they mark the crime
  Of men forsworn, pour also down on me! 320
    So saying, he pierced the