nimble steeds, were very many, even the hosts of Otreus and godlike
Mygdon, that were then encamped along the banks of Sangarios. For I too
being their ally was numbered among them on the day that the Amazons
came, the peers of men. Yet were not even they so many as are the
glancing-eyed Achaians."

And next the old man saw Odysseus, and asked: "Come now, tell me of this
man too, dear child, who is he, shorter by a head than Agamemnon son of
Atreus, but broader of shoulder and of chest to behold? His armour lieth
upon the bounteous earth, and himself like a bell-wether rangeth the
ranks of warriors. Yea, I liken him to a thick-fleeced ram ordering a
great flock of ewes."

Then Helen sprung of Zeus made answer to him: "Now this is Laertes' son,
crafty Odysseus, that was reared in the realm of Ithaka, rugged though
it be, and skilled in all the ways of wile and cunning device."

Then sage Antenor made answer to her: "Lady, verily the thing thou
sayest is true indeed, for erst came goodly Odysseus hither also on an
embassage for thee, in the company of Menelaos dear to Ares; and I gave
them entertainment and welcomed them in my halls, and learnt the aspect
of both and their wise devices. Now when they mingled with the Trojans
in the assembly, while all stood up Menelaos overpassed them all by the
measure of his broad shoulders; but when both sat down, Odysseus was the
more stately. And when they began to weave the web of words and counsel
in the face of all, then Menelaos harangued fluently, in few words, but
very clearly, seeing he was not long of speech, neither random, though
in years he was the younger. But whenever Odysseus full of wiles rose
up, he stood and looked down, with eyes fixed upon the ground, and waved
not his staff whether backwards or forwards, but held it stiff, like to