I
Uneasy lay the head of Agamemnon the King that night, and, thick as
lightnings which herald the storm, thronging cares shot through his
brain, forbidding all repose. As often as he opened his eyes he saw
the red gleam of the Trojan watchfires; and the hum of the armed
multitude, mingled with the strains of flute and pipe, filled his ears.
After an hour of weary tossing he left his couch, and wandered out into
the camp, until he came to the quarters of Menelaus, and, finding him
also afoot, he sent him to call up Ajax and Idomeneus, and went himself
to summon Nestor, intending to hold a midnight council, and devise some
plan of relief in this hour of general depression and dismay.
On the way he was joined by Diomede and Odysseus, and when they all met
it was resolved to pay a visit to the sentinels and see if they were
faithful to their trust. When they came to the place where the pickets
were stationed, outside the barriers, they found the whole troop
keeping watch and ward with sleepless vigilance, like dogs in charge of
a sheep-fold when they hear a lion prowling without. Every man was on
the alert, with his face towards the Trojan leaguer, as if expecting an
instant attack. Nestor's long experience of war now enabled him to
make a suggestion which led to one of the most famous adventures in the
whole course of the war. "Is there one among you bold enough," he
said, "to go and spy out the movements of the Trojans in their camp,
and bring back a report of what they design against us? 'Twould be a
noble enterprise, and would bring both fame and profit to him who
should accomplish it."
There was a short pause, and then Diomede declared himself willing to
undertake this perilous adventure, "But will not one of you go with
me?" he asked. "Two heads are better than one, and I may find myself
in a strait in which I should need a comrade's help and advice."
Six of the leaders at once offered to accompany Diomede, and among
these were Menelaus, Odysseus, and Antilochus, the captain of the
outpost, who was especially eager to go. "Choose him whom thou
thinkest best fitted for the task, without respect to rank or birth,"
said Agamemnon, in fear lest he should name Menelaus for his companion.
"Well, then," answered Diomede, "I choose Odysseus, the hardiest and
the shrewdest spirit among us all, and the darling of Athene. With him
at my side I will go through fire and water without scathe."
"A truce to thy praises," said Odysseus, "and let us away, for the
night is far spent, and the day is at hand."