Achilles takes it meekly and shows no fight; if he did, son of Atreus, you would never again insult him." Thus railed Thersites, but Ulysses at once went up to him and rebuked him sternly.

"Check your glib tongue, Thersites," said be, "and babble not a word further.

Chide not with princes when you have none to back you.

There is no viler creature come before Troy with the sons of Atreus.

Drop this chatter about kings, and neither revile them nor keep harping about going home.