Homer ILIAD : Rhapsody 3

Page 7

But him Helen, sprung from Jove, answered: "Now, this one again is the son of Laertes, much-scheming Ulysses, who was bred in the country of Ithaca, rugged though it be, skilled in all kinds of stratagems and prudent counsels."

Her then the sage Antenor addressed in reply: "O lady, assuredly hast thou spoken this word very truly: for already in former times divine Ulysses came hither also, on an embassy concerning thee, with Mars-beloved Menelaus. I received them as guests, and entertained them in my palace, and became acquainted with the genius of both, and their prudent counsels; but when they were mingled with the assembled Trojans, Menelaus indeed overtopped him, as they stood by his broad shoulders; but when both were sitting, Ulysses was more majestic.[159] But when they began to weave words and counsels for all, Menelaus, on his part, would harangue very fluently; a few [words] indeed, but very sweetly, since he was not loquacious, nor a random talker, though he was younger in age. But when much-counselling Ulysses arose, he stood and looked down, fixing his eyes on the earth, but he neither moved his sceptre backwards nor forwards, but held it unmoved like an unskilful man: you would say indeed that he was a very irritable man, as well as devoid of reason. But when he did send forth the mighty voice from his breast, and words like unto wintry flakes of snow, no longer then would another mortal contend with Ulysses. And beholding, we then marvelled not so much at the aspect of Ulysses, [as at his words]."

[Footnote 159: Observe the Attic construction, where the genitive would have been expected. So Od. M. 73. Il. ii 317. Compared by Lesbonax, [Greek: peri schem]. p. 183, sq. ed. Valck. See, also, my note on AEsch. Prom, p. 8, ed. Bohn; intpp. on Theocrit. i. 48.]

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