BOOK IX.

ARGUMENT.

THE EMBASSY TO ACHILLES.

Agamemnon, after the last day's defeat, proposes to the Greeks to quit the

siege, and return to their country. Diomed opposes this, and Nestor

seconds him, praising his wisdom and resolution. He orders the guard to be

strengthened, and a council summoned to deliberate what measures are to be

followed in this emergency. Agamemnon pursues this advice, and Nestor

further prevails upon him to send ambassadors to Achilles, in order to

move him to a reconciliation. Ulysses and Ajax are made choice of, who are

accompanied by old Phoenix. They make, each of them, very moving and

pressing speeches, but are rejected with roughness by Achilles, who

notwithstanding retains Phoenix in his tent. The ambassadors return

unsuccessfully to the camp, and the troops betake themselves to sleep.

This book, and the next following, take up the space of one night, which

is the twenty-seventh from the beginning of the poem. The scene lies on

the sea-shore, the station of the Grecian ships.

Thus joyful Troy maintain'd the watch of night;

While fear, pale comrade of inglorious flight,(199)

And heaven-bred horror, on the Grecian part,

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The Iliad of Homer