while, 135
  Should he escape the arduous brunt severe. 
    So saying, the hero by his counsel wise
  His brother’s purpose alter’d; he complied,
  And his glad servants eased him of his arms. 
  Then Nestor thus the Argive host bespake. 140
    Great wo, ye Gods! hath on Achaia fallen. 
  Now may the warlike Pelaus, hoary Chief,
  Who both with eloquence and wisdom rules
  The Myrmidons, our foul disgrace deplore. 
  With him discoursing, erst, of ancient times, 145
  When all your pedigrees I traced, I made
  His heart bound in him at the proud report. 
  But now, when he shall learn how here we sat
  Cowering at the foot of Hector, he shall oft
  His hands uplift to the immortal Gods, 150
  Praying a swift release into the shades. 
  Jove!  Pallas!  Phoebus!  Oh that I were young
  As when the Pylians in fierce fight engaged
  The Arcadians spear-expert, beside the stream
  Of rapid Celadon!  Beneath the walls 155
  We fought of Pheia, where the Jardan rolls. 
  There Ereuthalion, Chief of godlike form,
  Stood forth before his van, and with loud voice
  Defied the Pylians.  Arm’d he was in steel
  By royal Areithous whilom worn; 160
  Brave Areithous, Corynetes[4] named
  By every tongue; for that in bow and spear
  Nought trusted he, but with an iron mace
  The close-embattled phalanx shatter’d wide. 
  Him by address, not by superior force, 165
  Lycurgus vanquish’d, in a narrow pass,
  Where him his iron whirl-bat[5] nought avail’d. 
  Lycurgus stealing on him, with his lance
  Transpierced and fix’d him to the soil supine. 
  Him of his arms, bright gift of brazen Mars, 170
  He stripp’d, which after, in the embattled field
  Lycurgus wore himself, but, growing old,
  Surrender’d them to Ereuthalion’s use
  His armor-bearer, high in his esteem,
  And Ereuthalion wore them on the day 175
  When he defied our best.  All hung their heads
  And trembled; none dared meet him; till at last
  With inborn courage warm’d, and nought dismayed,
  Though youngest of them all, I undertook
  That contest, and, by Pallas’ aid, prevail’d. 180
  I slew the man in height and bulk all men
  Surpassing, and much soil he cover’d slain. 
  Oh for the vigor of those better days! 
  Then should not Hector want a champion long,
  Whose call to combat, ye, although the prime 185
  And pride of all our land, seem slow to hear. 
    He spake reproachful, when at once arose
  Nine heroes.  Agamemnon, King of men,
  Foremost arose; then Tydeus’ mighty son,
  With either Ajax in fierce prowess clad; 190