With Arnold and Anthon, I follow Koeppen's
interpretation. The meaning is, whoever, without leaping from his
own chariot, can reach that of another, should commence the
attack. This was less dangerous than dismounting.]

Thus the old man, long since well skilled in wars, exhorted them, and
king Agamemnon rejoiced when he saw him; and accosting him, spoke winged
words:

"O old man, would that thy knees could so follow thee, and thy strength
were firm as is the courage in thy breast. But old age, common alike to
all, wearies thee. Would that some other man had thy age, and that thou
wert amongst the more youthful."

Him then the Gerenian knight Nestor answered: "Son of Atreus, I myself
would much wish to be so, as when I killed Eruthalion. But the gods
never give all things at the same time to men. If I were a young man
then, now in turn old age invades me. Yet even so, I will be with the
horse, and will exhort them with counsel and words: for this is the
office of old men. But let the youths, who are younger than I am, and
confide in their strength, brandish their spears."

Thus he spoke; and the son of Atreus passed him by, rejoicing at heart.
Next he found the horseman Menestheus, son of Peteus, standing, and
around him the Athenians skilled in the war-shout: but crafty Ulysses
stood near; and round him stood the ranks of the Cephallenians not
feeble; for not yet had the troops of these heard the shout, since
lately the roused phalanxes of the horse-subduing Trojans and of the
Greeks moved along; but they stood waiting till another division of the
Greeks, coming on, should charge the Trojans and begin the battle.
Having seen these, therefore, Agamemnon, the king of men, reproved them,
and, accosting them, spoke winged words:

"O son of Peteus, Jove-nurtured king, and thou, accomplished in evil
wiles, crafty-minded [Ulysses], why trembling do ye refrain from battle,
and wait for others? It became you, indeed, being amongst the first, to
stand and meet the ardent battle. For ye are the first invited by me to
the feast when we Greeks prepare a banquet for the chiefs. Then it is
pleasant to you to eat the roasted meats, and to quaff cups of sweet
wine, as long as ye please. But now would ye in preference be
spectators, though ten divisions of the Greeks should fight in your
presence with the ruthless brass."

But him sternly regarding, crafty Ulysses answered thus: "Son of Atreus,
what a word has escaped th