1. Athena said to mighty Zeus' daughter:
Alas, daughter of cloud-gatherer, lord of paradise!

2. Will the Greeks leave defeated towards the sea
After their feet were destroyed at sacred Ilios

3. And homes wrecked? Priam boasts exultantly
About his kin in enslaved Hellas!

4. After their feet were wrecked at sacred Ilios
And homes destroyed, tell them to stay

5. And not to let them embark on ships.
At once she darted from high Olympus

6. To the swift ships, and in a moment
She found moody Odysseus who told of

7. Zeus' majesty, undistracted.
His heart was immersed in the fog of gloom

8. And his black ship he did not board.
She stood and called him: "Son of Laertes

9. Will you leave the land disgraced like this?
Priam boasts exultantly about his kin

10. In enslaved Hellas!
After your feet were wrecked at sacred Ilios

11. And homes destroyed, tell the troops to stay
And not to let them embark on ships."

12. At once he grasped her words, threw off his cloak,
Ran to Agamemnon, proud leader,

13. And drew from him the scepter of rule.
Then he stood between ships and troops

14. And kings and rulers.
He called on the masses as they passed

15. Stopping them, gently urging them:
"How can you scream like cowards and flee in fear?

16. Hear my advice! Turn back your troops.
For Atrides has ways to test us all

17. And you don't know his mind, but soon you will
When he punishes us with the worst punishment!"

18. Beware and curb his rage, for we're not
Dear to him among the peoples!"

19. "Whoever is Zeus' ally is not disgraced
But honored with kindness and affection.

20. And if he sees a commoner shouting
With a scepter, he knocks him down with a blow

21. And says: 'Sit down! Don't move, you coward
Empty of valor!'

22. Were you not one who loved strife and war? Stand firm!
Or are the Greeks all cowards, so no fate

23. More wretched than mob rule?"
"Things go right only when one man

24. Wields the scepter of rule!
So let us yield to whom Zeus favors

25. For kingship over the nation."
Thus he addressed them with wise speech, and the army

26. Returned to council shouting loudly,
Left their ships and tents hurrying

27. United, without scattering,
Like waves in sea coves surging, with their

28. Loud roar and thunderous crashing.
Then they settled in their councils, except

29. Thersites who would not yield and be silent,
A fool whose habit is to throw insults

30. And dispute rulers - the ugliest scheme!
Rude, exceeding all bounds, laughing

31. To mock people, prolonging his vulgar joy.
Never heeding his place, among them still

32. The worst rogue there could ever be.
He was lame and hunchbacked, bandylegged,

33. His hair so sparse it could be counted.
His shoulders, curved inwards to his narrow chest

34. That contained nothing but malice.
His hatred focused forever on Odysseus

35. And Atrides' son, with total bile and spite.
Now he turned on Agamemnon, harshly

36. Assaulting him with the ugliest diction:
"What do you want, Agamemnon, when

37. You've gathered the richest treasure here,
And the loveliest ladies from the captives, with whom

38. We love you, whichever land they're from?
Do you crave gold that will come to you

39. From sacred Ilios, seeking ransom?
I did not come to bring it, nor anyone

40. Whose son is shackled in harsh chains.
Or do you want another captive, to seduce

41. If you are alone in secret?"
"No, no! It doesn't suit the whole army's need

42. To be destroyed following the leader's whim!
Let's sail home in disgrace, women! I say:

43. No more men, so let's sail back in shame!
Let the arrogant king keep his treasure and pride

44. To see what power we have!
He has attacked beyond limit, someone stronger

45. Than him, while skulking here a coward!
If he had a heart, you'd have found

46. Retribution for your assault, you wretch!"
At this the fool Thersites provoked

47. Agamemnon, inciting with gossip.
Then Odysseus leapt up, chest flaming

48. With rage, and chided him with weeping words:
"Shut up, scum! Who are you to seek

49. To chide kings with your vile gossip?
I think you are the lowest soldier in Atrides' army.

50. Hush and be quiet!
Did you think yourself equal to speak, lamenting

51. The hunt, and begging all to return?
Who of us knows the outcome of that return?"

52. "As for you, Agamemnon, the fool gaped.
Danaus' sons honored you with a gift!"

53. "Take my report believing it! If I see such
Nonsense from you, as I see with my eyes,

54. May my head not remain above my neck,
May I not be Telemachus' father,

55. If I don't strip your clothes and tatters
Down to the last rag!"

56. "You'll be dragged atop the ship, bleeding, from the
Council, crying and screaming.

57. Then he punched and weakened his back
With the scepter, a bloody blow.

58. His back spilled blood from the swollen wounds.
He crouched, screaming in terror.

59. With a fool's simplicity he looked around
Wiping tears of anguish mockingly.

60. The Greeks could not control their excessive
Laughter at his misfortune.

61. They said: "By god, how much honor
Odysseus gained for his great worth!

62. With wisdom of opinion and scheming when roused
For action, whenever he rose for the task!

63. But he did not act most wisely
By deterring a fool raging with sedition.

64. Clearly he restrained himself from any
King's rebuke with a word."

65. But destroyer of cities, Odysseus,
Stood with the scepter of rule, determined.

66. Behind him Athena shouted, calling
Their masses with utmost calm.

67. Until their ranks, united, rallied
Around his plan, he made the clearest speech.