Would you, then, have us draw down our ships into the water while the battle is raging, and thus play further into the hands of the conquering Trojans?
It would be ruin; the Achaeans will not go on fighting when they see the ships being drawn into the water, but will cease attacking and keep turning their eyes towards them; your counsel, therefore, sir captain, would be our destruction." Agamemnon answered, "Ulysses, your rebuke has stung me to the heart.

I am not, however, ordering the Achaeans to draw their ships into the sea whether they will or no.

Someone, it may be, old or young, can offer us better counsel which I shall rejoice to hear." Then said Diomed, "Such an one is at hand; he is not far to seek, if you will listen to me and not resent my speaking though I am younger than any of you.

I am by lineage son to a noble sire, Tydeus, who lies buried at Thebes.

For Portheus had three noble sons, two of whom, Agrius and Melas, abode in Pleuron and rocky Calydon.