1. The people of the drowned mocked their wounded
And enemy forces marched against them

2. So they armed themselves and advanced
Ready for the tumultuous battlefield

3. Did you not see their king rush forth
Not shrinking back in cowardice

4. But riding atop a chariot adorned
With bronze to the place of action

5. He threw the reins of his raging steeds
To Alcimus, an elite guard

6. And commanded him to stay near
To aid him in times of hardship and fatigue

7. Then he went forth on foot to execute his order
With the bearing of nobles and commanders

8. Firmly strengthening the resolve of each battalion
That rose with steadfast valor and tribulation

9. O Greeks do not hesitate
The pillar of hypocrisy is supported by crumbling

10. Our enemies broke the covenant treacherously
And for treachery, Zephyr will surely avenge

11. The birds will feed on their flesh
And all the rubble of the cities will be crushed

12. Our ships will seize their wives
And children, as their homes collapse

13. And he turns, raging against
Those who cower under the dire crisis

14. O soldiers they alleged might
And surrendered to forces now crumbling

15. Have you no shame since you have quailed in fright
Like a feeble roe that startles and stumbles

16. Until your delay makes you withdraw
Did you cast your ships forward to advance

17. The enemies swoop down on you in currents raging
To extend their arms and grab you

18. He pierced the ranks, patrolling their defenses
To defend the honorable youth of Crete

19. He found them armed as he drew near
Like hawks in the emptiness

20. He drove the vanguard, mobilizing the rearguard
Miron at the heels of the laggards

21. He trembled from euphoria at the intensity of their might
And he praised them, overflowing with the best eulogy

22. You were greeted by a supreme hero, revered
On the day of revelation and all his undertakings

23. And when the feasts were held and the
Goblets of boasting passed among the

24. Leaders, their share was limited while yours ran over
And so was mine, endless and uncontained

25. You take the goblets as much as you desire
Until you are content and avert them

26. Accustomed to seizing pottery wantonly
You are forever the dominant arbitrator

27. So Atridis replied: O Atreus I will fulfill
The ancient covenant and former gesture

28. And I am your supporter, so invite me to the fray
To set the rest of the allies aflame

29. The enemies reneged, so let them drink
The bitterness of desertion and misery

30. Spurred on, Atridis charged forth on
The gusts of wind towards all the commanders

31. He found the two despairing ones who pretended
And here the infantry like a black cloud

32. They crept with a regiment of vicious young warriors
With axes and grim-faced laborers

33. Like an approaching black cloud that sailed
On the surface of the seas with angry gales

34. It appears to the shepherd who startles, driving
The flock of ewes to the caves of darkness

35. Atridis eased up and said, addressing them
With awe and dignity:

36. Behold, O two captains of the impenetrable armor
The likes of you attack and advance

37. My soul is satisfied that you rouse
The soldiers’ resolve with intent that persists

38. If only Zephyr and his tribe conceded and if
You two led all the battalions to perfect conquest

39. Then Ilium would crumble under our arms
Quickly as the pillar of its foundation splits

40. Then he turned to address the others
And his eloquent speech was revealed to him

41. Nestor stood delivering an invigorating speech
And King Hemon, Khromios, did you not see

42. Philogonos and the rest of the renowned?
The vanguard was his cavalry and chariots

43. And his infantry in a lead battalion
While the cowardly deserters of battle

44. He assigned to the rear to evade engagement
And he urged them for every adversity

45. And to show patience in ease and affliction
Do not plunge ahead impetuously and scatter

46. Seeking easy raiding
Beware that you become conceited by your might

47. And proficiency in provocation and hostility
Alone with the enemy’s battalions or

48. That you recoil in cowardice backwards
Thus it becomes easy for the enemy to assail you

49. And that is the greatest severity and suffering
And which of you reined in the steeds once they charged

50. To the others of you, stumbling into salvation?
With the spear, so let him meet the enemies, for this

51. Is assuredly the soundest perspective
Our ancestors thus destroyed with their cunning

52. The walls of a staunch city
The king was invigorated by Nestor’s composure

53. Whose wisdom was renowned for its longevity