360
  Thus separated, one the Grecians sought,
  And one the Trojans; they when him they saw
  From the unconquer’d hands return’d alive
  Of Ajax, with delight their Chief received,
  And to the city led him, double joy 365
  Conceiving all at his unhoped escape. 
  On the other side, the Grecians brazen-mail’d
  To noble Agamemnon introduced
  Exulting Ajax, and the King of men
  In honor of the conqueror slew an ox 370
  Of the fifth year to Jove omnipotent. 
  Him flaying first, they carved him next and spread
  The whole abroad, then, scoring deep the flesh,
  They pierced it with the spits, and from the spits
  (Once roasted well) withdrew it all again. 375
  Their labor thus accomplish’d, and the board
  Furnish’d with plenteous cheer, they feasted all
  Till all were satisfied; nor Ajax miss’d
  The conqueror’s meed, to whom the hero-king
  Wide-ruling Agamemnon, gave the chine[12] 380
  Perpetual,[13] his distinguish’d portion due. 
  The calls of hunger and of thirst at length
  Both well sufficed, thus, foremost of them all
  The ancient Nestor, whose advice had oft
  Proved salutary, prudent thus began. 385
    Chiefs of Achaia, and thou, chief of all,
  Great Agamemnon!  Many of our host
  Lie slain, whose blood sprinkles, in battle shed,
  The banks of smooth Scamander, and their souls
  Have journey’d down into the realms of death. 390
  To-morrow, therefore, let the battle pause
  As need requires, and at the peep of day
  With mules and oxen, wheel ye from all parts
  The dead, that we may burn them near the fleet. 
  So, home to Greece returning, will we give 395
  The fathers’ ashes to the children’s care. 
  Accumulating next, the pile around,
  One common tomb for all, with brisk dispatch
  We will upbuild for more secure defence
  Of us and of our fleet, strong towers and tall 400
  Adjoining to the tomb, and every tower
  Shall have its ponderous gate, commodious pass
  Affording to the mounted charioteer. 
  And last, without those towers and at their foot,
  Dig we a trench, which compassing around 405
  Our camp, both steeds and warriors shall exclude,
  And all fierce inroad of the haughty foe. 
    So counsell’d he, whom every Chief approved. 
  In Troy meantime, at Priam’s gate beside
  The lofty citadel, debate began 410
  The assembled senators between, confused,
  Clamorous, and with furious heat pursued,
  When them Antenor, prudent, thus bespake. 
    Ye Trojans, Dardans, and allies of Troy,
  My counsel hear!  Delay not.  Instant yield 415