Nestor, though drinking with wounded Machaon, heard the shouting and crash of battle. He told the healer to sit and drink while Hecamede warmed water to wash the blood from him; he himself would go see the work of war. He took the shield of Thrasymedes, because his own son had gone into battle with his, and grasped a strong spear.
Outside he saw a shameful sight: the Achaeans driven in flight, the Trojans breaking the wall behind them. As a great sea heaves silently before a shrill wind comes down, not knowing which way to roll, so the old man's mind was split. Should he go into the crowd of Danaans or to Agamemnon, shepherd of the people? He chose to go to the wounded king.
He met Agamemnon, Diomedes, and Odysseus, all wounded and coming up from the ships. Their ships were drawn farthest from the fight, first hauled onto the shore, with the wall built near the foremost line. The wounded chiefs leaned on spears and grieved as they looked over the battle.
Agamemnon groaned and said Zeus now hated him past all men. Since the wall was broken and the Trojans fought by the ships, perhaps the Achaeans should drag the ships nearest the water down by night and flee when darkness came, if they could escape ruin. It was no shame to run from evil, he said; better to flee destruction than be caught.
Odysseus looked at him darkly and rebuked him. What word had escaped his teeth? He wished Agamemnon commanded some worthless army, not men doomed to fight from youth to old age. Would he really order flight while battle raged and let the Trojans win the glory they desired? Be silent, lest another Achaean hear such a word.
Agamemnon accepted the rebuke and asked for better counsel. Diomedes, though young, spoke: the wounded chiefs could go to the battle and encourage others, keeping out of weapon range because of their wounds. The three agreed and moved out, and Poseidon came near them in the shape of an old man, taking Agamemnon's hand and filling him with hope.