Valiant Tydides, next, his prayer preferr’d. 335
Hear also me, Jove’s offspring by the toils
Of war invincible! me follow now
As my heroic father erst to Thebes
Thou followedst, Tydeus; by the Greeks dispatch’d
Ambassador, he left the mail-clad host 340
Beside Asopus, and with terms of peace
Entrusted, enter’d Thebes; but by thine aid
Benevolent, and in thy strength, perform’d
Returning, deeds of terrible renown.
Thus, now, protect me also! In return 345
I vow an offering at thy shrine, a young
Broad-fronted heifer, to the yoke as yet
Untamed, whose horns I will incase with gold.
Such prayer they made, and Pallas heard well pleased.
Their orisons ended to the daughter dread 350
Of mighty Jove, lion-like they advanced
Through shades of night, through carnage, arms and blood.
Nor Hector to his gallant host indulged
Sleep, but convened the leaders; leader none
Or senator of all his host he left 355
Unsummon’d, and his purpose thus promulged.
Where is the warrior who for rich reward,
Such as shall well suffice him, will the task
Adventurous, which I propose, perform?
A chariot with two steeds of proudest height, 360
Surpassing all in the whole fleet of Greece
Shall be his portion, with immortal praise,
Who shall the well-appointed ships approach
Courageous, there to learn if yet a guard
248 As heretofore, keep them, or if subdued 365
Beneath us, the Achaians flight intend,
And worn with labor have no will to watch.
So Hector spake, but answer none return’d.
There was a certain Trojan, Dolon named,
Son of Eumedes herald of the Gods, 370
Rich both in gold and brass, but in his form
Unsightly; yet the man was swift of foot,
Sole brother of five sisters; he his speech
To Hector and the Trojans thus address’d.
My spirit, Hector, prompts me, and my mind 375
Endued with manly vigor, to approach
Yon gallant ships, that I may tidings hear.
But come. For my assurance, lifting high
Thy sceptre, swear to me, for my reward,
The horses and the brazen chariot bright 380
Which bear renown’d Achilles o’er the field.
I will not prove a useless spy, nor fall
Below thy best opinion; pass I will
Their army through, ‘till I shall reach the ship
Of Agamemnon, where the Chiefs, perchance, 385
Now sit consulting, or to fight, or fly.
249 Then raising high his sceptre, Hector sware
Know, Jove himself, Juno’s high-thundering spouse!
That Trojan none shall in that chariot ride
By those steeds drawn, save Dolon; on my oath 390
I make them thine; enjoy them evermore.
He said, and falsely sware, yet him assured.
Then Dolon, instant, o’er his shoulder slung
His bow elastic, wrapp’d himself around
With a grey wolf-skin, to his head a casque 395
Adjusted, coated o’er with ferret’s felt,
And seizing his sharp javelin, from the host
Turn’d right toward the fleet, but was ordain’d
To disappoint his sender, and to bring
No tidings thence. The throng of Trojan steeds 400
And warriors left, with brisker pace he moved,
When brave Ulysses his approach perceived,
And thus to Diomede his speech address’d.
Tydides! yonder man is from the host;
Either a spy he comes, or with intent 405
To spoil the dead. First, freely let him pass
Few paces, then pursuing him with speed,
Seize on him suddenly; but should he prove
The nimbler of the three, with threatening spear
Enforce him from his camp toward the fleet, 410
Lest he elude us, and escape to Troy.
So they; then, turning from the road oblique,
Among the carcases each laid him down.
Dolon, suspecting nought, ran swiftly by.
But when such space was interposed as mules 415
Plow in a day (for mules the ox surpass
Through fallows deep drawing the ponderous plow)
Both ran toward him. Dolon at the sound
Stood; for he hoped some Trojan friends at hand
From Hector sent to bid him back again. 420
But when within spear’s cast, or less they came,
250 Knowing them enemies he turn’d to flight
Incontinent, whom they as swift pursued.
As two fleet hounds sharp fang’d, train’d to the chase,
Hang on the rear of flying hind or hare, 425
And drive her, never swerving from the track,
Through copses close; she screaming scuds before;
So Diomede and dread Ulysses him
Chased constant, intercepting his return.
And now, fast-fleeting to the ships, he soon 430
Had reach’d the guard, but Pallas with new force
Inspired Tydides, lest a meaner Greek
Should boast that he had smitten Dolon first,
And Diomede win only second praise.
He poised his lifted spear, and thus exclaim’d. 435
Stand! or my spear shall stop thee. Death impends
At every step; thou canst not ‘scape me long.
He said, and threw his spear, but by design,
Err’d from the man. The polish’d weapon swift
O’er-glancing his right shoulder, in the soil 440
Stood fixt, beyond him. Terrified he stood,
Stammering, and sounding through his lips the clash
Of chattering teeth, with visage deadly wan.
They panting rush’d on him, and both his hands
Seized fast; he wept, and suppliant them bespake. 445
Take me alive, and I will pay the price
Of my redemption. I have gold at home,
Brass also, and bright steel, and when report
Of my captivity within your fleet
Shall reach my father, treasures he will give 450
Not to be told, for ransom of his son.
To whom Ulysses politic replied.
Take courage; entertain no thought of death.
But haste! this tell me, and disclose the truth.
Why thus toward the ships comest thou alone 455
251 From yonder host, by night, while others sleep?
To spoil some carcase? or from Hector sent
A spy of all that passes in the fleet?
Or by thy curiosity impell’d?
Then Dolon, his limbs trembling, thus replied. 460
To my great detriment, and far beyond
My own design, Hector trepann’d me forth,
Who promised me the steeds of Peleus’ son
Illustrious, and his brazen chariot bright.
He bade me, under night’s fast-flitting shades 465
Approach our enemies, a spy, to learn
If still as heretofore, ye station guards
For safety of your fleet, or if subdued
Completely, ye intend immediate flight,
And worn with labor, have no will to watch. 470
To whom Ulysses, smiling, thus replied.
Thou hadst, in truth, an appetite to gifts
Of no mean value, coveting the steeds
Of brave Æacides; but steeds are they
Of fiery sort, difficult to be ruled 475
By force of mortal man, Achilles’ self
Except, whom an immortal mother bore.
But tell me yet again; use no disguise;
Where left’st thou, at thy coming forth, your Chief,
The valiant Hector? where hath he disposed 480
His armor battle-worn, and where his steeds?
What other quar4ers of your host are watch’d?
Where lodge the guard, and what intend ye next?
Still to abide in prospect of the fleet?
Or well-content that ye have thus reduced 485
Achaia’s host, will ye retire to Troy?
To whom this answer Dolon straight returned
Son of Eumedes. With unfeigning truth
Simply and plainly will I utter all.
Hector, with all the Senatorial Chiefs, 490
Beside the tomb of sacred Ilius sits
Consulting, from the noisy camp remote.
But for the guards, Hero! concerning whom
252 Thou hast inquired, there is no certain watch
And regular appointed o’er the camp; 495
The native Trojans (for they can no less)
Sit sleepless all, and each his next exhorts
To vigilance; but all our foreign aids,
Who neither wives nor children hazard here,
Trusting the Trojans for that service, sleep. 500
To whom Ulysses, ever wise, replied.
How sleep the strangers and allies? — apart?
Or with the Trojans mingled? — I would learn.
So spake Ulysses; to whom Dolon 4hus,
Son of Eumedes. I will all unfold, 505
And all most truly. By the sea are lodged
The Carians, the Pæonians arm’d with bows,
The Leleges, with the Pelasgian band,
And the Caucones. On the skirts encamp
Of Thymbra, the Mæonians crested high, 510
The Phrygian horsemen, with the Lycian host,
And the bold troop of Mysia’s haughty sons.
But wherefore these inquiries thus minu4e?
For if ye wish to penetrate the host,
These who possess the borders of the camp 515
Farthest removed of all, are Thracian powers
Newly arrived; among them Rhesus sleeps,
Son of Eïoneus, their Chief and King.
His steeds I saw, the fairest by these eyes
Ever beheld, and loftiest; snow itself 520
They pass in whiteness, and in speed the winds,
With gold and silver all his chariot burns,
And he arrived in golden armor clad
Stupendous! little suited to the state
Of mortal man — fit for a God to wear! 525
Now, either lead me to your gallant fleet,
Or where ye find me leave me straitly bound
Till ye return, and after trial made,
Shall know if I have spoken false or true.
253 But him brave Diomede with aspect stern 530
Answer’d. Since, Dolon! thou art caught, although
Thy tidings have been good, hope not to live;
For should we now release thee and dismiss,
Thou wilt revisit yet again the fleet
A spy or open foe; but smitten once 535
By this death-dealing arm, thou shall return
To render mischief to the Greeks no more.
He ceased, and Dolon would have stretch’d his hand
Toward his beard, and pleaded hard for life,
But with his falchion, rising to the blow, 540
On the mid-neck he smote him, cutting sheer
Both tendons with a stroke so swift, that ere
His tongue had ceased, his head was in the dust.
They took his helmet clothed with ferret’s felt,
Stripp’d off his wolf-skin, seized his bow and spear, 545
And brave Ulysses lifting in his hand
The trophy to Minerva, pray’d and said:
Hail Goddess; these are thine! for thee of all
Who in Olympus dwell, we will invoke
First to our aid. Now also guide our steps, 550
Propitious, to the Thracian tents and steeds.
He ceased, and at arm’s-length the lifted spoils
Hung on a tamarisk; but mark’d the spot,
Plucking away with handful grasp the reeds
And spreading boughs, lest they should seek the prize 555
Themselves in vain, returning ere the night,
Swift traveller, should have fled before the dawn.
Thence, o’er the bloody champain strew’d with arms
Proceeding, to the Thracian lines they came.
They, wearied, slept profound; beside them lay, 560
In triple order regular arranged,
Their radiant armor, and their steeds in pairs.
Amid them Rhesus slept, and at his side
His coursers, to the outer chariot-ring
254 Fasten’d secure. Ulysses saw him first, 565
And, seeing, mark’d him out to Diomede.
Behold the man, Tydides! Lo! the steeds
By Dolon specified whom we have slain.
Be quick. Exert thy force. Arm’d as thou art,
Sleep not. Loose thou the steeds, or slaughter thou 570
The Thracians, and the steeds shall be my care.
He ceased; then blue-eyed Pallas with fresh force
Invigor’d Diomede. From side to side
He slew; dread groans arose of dying men
Hewn with the sword, and the earth swam with blood. 575
As if he find a flock unguarded, sheep
Or goats, the lion rushes on his prey,
With such unsparing force Tydides smote
The men of Thrace, till he had slaughter’d twelve;
And whom Tydides with his falchion struck 580
Laertes’ son dragg’d by his feet abroad,
Forecasting that the steeds might pass with ease,
Nor start, as yet uncustom’d to the dead.
But when the son of Tydeus found the King,
Him also panting forth his last, last, breath, 585
He added to the twelve; for at his head
An evil dream that night had stood, the form
Of Diomede, by Pallas’ art devised.
Meantime, the bold Ulysses loosed the steeds,
Which, to each other rein’d, he drove abroad, 590
Smiting them with his bow (for of the scourge
He thought not in the chariot-seat secured)
And as he went, hiss’d, warning Diomede.
But he, projecting still some hardier deed,
Stood doubtful, whether by the pole to draw 595
The chariot thence, laden with gorgeous arms,
Or whether heaving it on high, to bear
The burthen off, or whether yet to take
More Thracian lives; when him with various thoughts
Perplex’d, Minerva, drawing near, bespake. 600
Son of bold Tydeus! think on thy return
To yonder fleet, lest thou depart constrain’d.
255 Some other God may rouse the powers of Troy.
She ended, and he knew the voice divine.
At once he mounted. With his bow the steeds 605
Ulysses plyed, and to the ships they flew.
Nor look’d the bender of the silver bow,
Apollo, forth in vain, but at the sight
Of Pallas following Diomede incensed,
Descended to the field where numerous most 610
He saw the Trojans, and the Thracian Chief
And counsellor, Hippocoön aroused,
Kinsman of Rhesus, and renown’d in arms.
He, starting from his sleep, soon as he saw
The spot deserted where so lately lay 615
Those fiery coursers, and his warrior friends
Gasping around him, sounded loud the name
Of his loved Rhesus. Instant, at the voice,
Wild s
tir arose and clamorous uproar
Of fast-assembling Trojans. Deeds they saw — 620
Terrible deeds, and marvellous perform’d,
But not their authors — they had sought the ships.
Meantime arrived where they had slain the spy
Of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove,
The coursers stay’d, and, leaping to the ground, 625
The son of Tydeus in Ulysses’ hands
The arms of Dolon placed foul with his blood,
Then vaulted light into his seat again.
He lash’d the steeds, they, not unwilling, flew
To the deep-bellied barks, as to their home. 630
First Nestor heard the sound, and thus he said.
Friends! Counsellors! and leaders of the Greeks!
False shall I speak, or true? — but speak I must.
The echoing sound of hoofs alarms my ear.
Oh, that Ulysses, and brave Diomede 635
This moment might arrive drawn into camp
By Trojan steeds! But, ah, the dread I feel!
Lest some disaster have for ever quell’d
256 In yon rude host those noblest of the Greeks.
He hath not ended, when themselves arrived, 640
Both quick dismounted; joy at their return
Fill’d every bosom; each with kind salute
Cordial, and right-hand welcome greeted them,
And first Gerenian Nestor thus inquired.
Oh Chief by all extoll’d, glory of Greece, 645
Ulysses! how have ye these steeds acquired?
In yonder host? or met ye as ye went
Some God who gave them to you? for they show
A lustre dazzling as the beams of day.
Old as I am, I mingle yet in fight 650
With Ilium’s sons — lurk never in the fleet —
Yet saw I at no time, or have remark’d
Steeds such as these; which therefore I believe
Perforce, that ye have gained by gift divine;
For cloud-assembler Jove, and azure-eyed 655
Minerva, Jove’s own daughter, love you both.
To whom Ulysses, thus, discreet, replied.
Neleian Nestor, glory of the Greeks!
A God, so willing, could have given us steeds
Superior, for their bounty knows no bounds. 660
But, venerable Chief! these which thou seest
Are Thracians new-arrived. Their master lies
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