CHAPTER IX
THE WHITE HORSES OF RHESUS
Sound was the sleep of the Greek chiefs that night, but Agamemnon the king slept not. From his enemies’ camp came the sound of pipe and flute and laughter of men, as the Trojans feasted and made merry in the red light of their camp-fires. As he looked seawards at the ships of the sleeping Greeks, his heart was heavy within him and he groaned aloud.
On his feet he bound his sandals, over his shoulders did he throw his great mantle of a tawny lion’s skin, and, grasping his spear, he went forth into the night to take counsel of wise Nestor.
Neither to Menelaus came there sleep, for his heart was full of fear lest harm should come to the Greeks who had crossed the wide seas to fight for his sake in Troyland.
Agamemnon heard the sound of pipe and flute and laughter of men as
the Trojans feasted and made merry (page [86])
On his head he placed his bronze helmet, across his broad shoulders he threw a leopard skin, and, spear in hand, went to seek his brother.
Down by the ships he found him, putting his armour on.
‘Why dost thou arm thyself, dear brother?’ he asked. ‘Wilt thou send forth one of our comrades to spy on the Trojans? I fear me no man of ours is of courage enough to go alone in the night and do so brave a deed.’
Then did Agamemnon bid his brother go and awake the lords of his host and call a council together, while he himself went to rouse Nestor, the oldest of all the warriors.