1. Agamemnon said, "O wise elder
You have spoken, but this warrior seeks

2. To control command and prohibition. Only
By my knowledge of those who do not mock or submit.

3. And if the masters have granted him arrogance
Did they sanction the disgrace of the virtuous?

4. Achilles responded, interrupting the speech
Order another unlike me to obey.

5. If I come guided by a saying you state
Then call me lowly and more abject than the abject

6. But I have an explicit word, take it
I will not defend any of you

7. To rob me by force what I obtained by justice
And without it, beware of reaching for what

8. My ships contain, and act if called to act
The army will show you and my spear swiftly

9. Will spill your black blood. So erupt when provoked."
Thus they parted after discord and hatred

10. And the crowd's gathering dispersed after this split
Achilles to his camp and tent on the far plain

11. And Agamemnon launched for the sailors a ship
With twenty sailors cleared without delay

12. Aboard were Chryseis and gifts for Phoebus
Its captain was Odysseus, virtuous and wise

13. And since Agamemnon embarked, he called his troops
For ablution and cleansing. They rose to wash

14. Donned them and poured out refuse in the sea
And led the best calves and lambs as offerings

15. They lit for them on the shore a fire that rose
As smoke to the sky, its aromas rising high

16. Thus they busied themselves while Agamemnon
Kept devising tricks against noble Achilles

17. He called Euribates and Talthybius, men
Who were his most faithful friends and messengers

18. And said, "Go, lead away Briseis by her wrist
And if he refuses I will come myself

19. With a band and his humiliation will mount on disgrace.”