Iliad," ix. 34
and 70; iv. 431; x. 325.)

For to have apologized to every one had been too servile and misbecoming
the dignity of his person; whereas equally to have neglected every one
had been an act of insolence and imprudence. And very handsome it is
that Diomedes, though in the heat of the battle he answers the king only
with silence, yet after the battle was over useth more liberty towards
him, speaking thus:--

You called me coward, sir, before the Greeks.

It is expedient also to take notice of the different carriage of a wise
man and of a soothsayer popularly courting the multitude. For Chalcas
very unseasonably makes no scruple to traduce the king before the
people, as having been the cause of the pestilence that was befallen
them. But Nestor, intending to bring in a discourse concerning the
reconciling Achilles to him, that he might not seem to charge Agamemnon
before the multitude with the miscarriage his passion had occasioned,
only adviseth him thus:--

But thou, O king, to council call the old....
Wise weighty counsels aid a state distressed,
And such a monarch as can choose the best;

which done, accordingly after supper he sends his ambassadors. Now this
speech of Nestor tended to the rectifying of what he had before done
amiss; but that of Chalcas, only to accuse and disparage him.

There is likewise consideration to be had of the different manners of
nations, such as these. The Trojans enter into battle with loud outcries
and great fierceness; but in the army of the Greeks,

Sedate and silent move the numerous bands;
No sound, no whisper, but the chief's commands;
Those only heard, with awe the rest obey.

For when soldiers are about to engage an enemy, the awe they stand in of
their officers is an argument both of courage and obedience. For which
purpose Plato teacheth us that we ought to inure ourselves to fear,
blame and disgrace more than labor and danger. And Cato was wont to say
that he liked men that were apt to blush better than those that looked
pale.

Moreover, there is a particular character to be noted of the men who
undertake for any action. For Dolon thus promiseth:--

I'll pass through all their host in a disguise
To their flag-ship, where she at anchor lies.

But Diomedes promiseth nothing, but only tells them he shall fear the
less if they send a companion with him; whereby is intimated, that
discreet foresight is Grecia