24 MARCH 1917, Page 10

" DOWN GLASSES" IN HOMER.

[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR."]

Sia,—You may like to remind your readers of Hector's opinion of alcohol in war time (Iliad, VI. 258). Hecuba offers him wine :—

AXXS: elv', asspa Ki rot tteXinaecc etvov &Elmo, oweicrys ALi warp/ Kai &Moir ciOavcirounv rparoy- frets 51 K auras 6vicreat, at tc€ irivola• dvdpl Be ECICALTPTL '11133 ta7CL 01505 CUE EL, 43 T1,131 e1xAL7p:11, 1444.3301, 0317011, IT1 (" But stay until I have brought thee honey-sweet wine, that thou mayest pour a libation to father Zeus and to the other immortals first, and then mayest thyself also be benefited if thou drinkest. Wine doth greatly increase the might of a man that is weary, even as thou art weary from fighting for thy kinsfolk.")

Hector's reply is :—

so, got avow detpe AeXbppova, Amp, irrj g ttrayelderes, /sepses a' dXesis re MOLoyav ("Nay, offer me not honey-hearted wine, lady mother, lest thou cripple my might, and I forget my valour.")