18:  It was the custom for the murderer to go into banishment for one
   year.  But if the relations of the murdered person were willing, the
   criminal, by paying a certain fine, might buy off the exile and
   remain at home.  Ajax sums up this argument with great strength:  We
   see, says he, a brother forgive the murder of his brother, a father
   that of his son; but Achilles will not forgive the injury offered
   him by taking away one captive woman.

19.  The character of Achilles is well sustained in all his speeches. 
   To Ulysses he returns a flat denial, and threatens to leave the
   Trojan shore in the morning.  To Phoenix his answer is more gentle. 
   After Ajax has spoken, he seems determined not to depart, but yet
   refuses to bear arms, except in defence of his own squadron.

Footnotes for Book X: 
1.  With slight alteration, Homer here repeats the verses that open the
   2d Book, and ascribes to Agamemnon the same watchfulness over men
   that Jupiter had over the gods.

2.  Menelaus starts a design, which is afterwards proposed by Nestor in
   council.  The poet knew that the project would come with greater
   weight from the age of the one than from the youth of the other,
   and that the valiant would be ready to engage in the enterprise
   suggested by so venerable a counsellor.

3.  Agamemnon is uniformly represented as an example of brotherly
   affection, and at all times defends Menelaus.

4. [{Sauroter}—­seems to have been a hollow iron with a point, fitted
   to the obtuse end of the spear, for the purpose of planting that
   end of it in the ground.  It might probably be taken off at
   pleasure.]—­TR.

5.  The dogs represent the watch, the flocks the Greeks, the fold their
   camp, and the wild beast that invades them, Hector.  The place,
   position, and circumstances are represented with the utmost life
   and nature.

6. [Sable, because the expedition was made by night, and each with
   a lamb, as typical of the fruit of their labors.]—­TR.

7.  It required some address in Diomede to make a choice without
   offending the Grecian princes, each one of whom might consider it
   an indignity to be refused such a place of honor.  Diomede,
   therefore, chose Ulysses, not for his valor, but for his wisdom.  On
   this point, the other leaders all yielded to him.

8.  The heroes are well armed for their design.  Ulysses has a bow and
   arrows, that he may be able to wound the enemy at a distance, and
   Diomede a two-edged sword.  They both have leathern helmets, as the
   glittering of the metal might betray them to the enemy.

9. [Autolycus was grandfather of Ulysses by the mother’s side.]—­TR.

10.  Making these military presents to brave adventurers was an ancient
   custom.  “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him,
   and gave it to David; and his garments, even to his sword, and his
   bow, and his girdle.” 1 Sam. xviii. v.