II 437 Come, let the summoners of the armoured Greeks Summon the host to gather at the ships: And we together through the wide Greek army

440 Will go, to rouse sooner the shock of war. King Agamemnon gave assent to this. He charged at once the clear-voiced summoners Summon the army of the Greeks to war; Who gathered at the summons instantly.

445 And Agamemnon, with the kings, strode round Singling men out; Athena in their midst: AIGIS her cloak of mail, ageless and deathless, Waving its hundred tassels of pure gold, All knotted fine, each worth a hecatomb.

450 She bore it dazzling through the Grecian host Urging them forth: and strength in each man's heart She put, to fight and battle to the end. And lo! the war was sweet to them, more sweet Than to be sailing in their ships for home.

455 Like deadly fire which sets a forest blazing On mountain heights (and far that light is seen): So as they trooped out, from their splendid bronze The brightness pierced the air and reached the sky.See them! as multitudes of great-wing'd birds,

460 The geese, the cranes, the swans with their long necks, In the water meadows by Kaystros fiver Fly round, rejoicing in their wings, or settle Noisily, and the ground is loud with them: So multitudes of men from huts and ships

465 Streamed on Skamandros plain; and earth was loud Beneath them with the tramp of men and horses. They stood upon Skamandros' flowered sward, Uncounted, like the leaves and flowers in spring. Like to the multitudes of flies which swarm

470 Around the sheepfold, while the sheep are milked In springtime, when the milk drenches the pails: So numerous the Greeks upon that plain Fronted the Trojans, greedy for their spoil. See them! and as the goatherds find their goats