How Diomedes and Odysseus slew Dolon, a spy of the Trojans, and
themselves spied on the Trojan camp, and took the horses of Rhesos, the
Thracian king.
Now beside the ships the other leaders of the whole Achaian host were
sleeping all night long, by soft Sleep overcome, but Agamemnon son of
Atreus, shepherd of the host, sweet Sleep held not, so many things he
debated in his mind. And even as when the lord of fair-tressed Hera
lighteneth, fashioning either a mighty rain unspeakable, or hail, or
snow, when the flakes sprinkle all the ploughed lands, or fashioning
perchance the wide mouth of bitter war, even so oft in his breast
groaned Agamemnon, from the very deep of his heart, and his spirits
trembled within him. And whensoever he looked toward that Trojan plain,
he marvelled at the many fires that blazed in front of Ilios, and at
the sound of flutes and pipes, and the noise of men; but whensoever to
the ships he glanced and the host of the Achaians, then rent he many a
lock clean forth from his head, to Zeus that is above, and greatly
groaned his noble heart.
And this in his soul seemed to him the best counsel, to go first of all
to Nestor son of Neleus, if perchance he might contrive with him some
right device that should be for the warding off of evil from all the
Danaans.
Then he rose, and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his
shining feet he bound on fair sandals, and thereafter clad him in the
tawny skin of a lion fiery and great, a skin that reached to the feet,
and he grasped his spear.
And even in like wise did trembling fear take hold on Menelaos, (for
neither on his eyelids did Sleep settle down,) lest somewhat should
befall the Argives, who verily for his sake over wide waters were come
to Troy-land, with fierce war in their thoughts.
With a dappled pard’s skin first he covered his broad shoulders, and he
raised and set on his head a casque of bronze, and took a spear in his
strong hand. Then went he on his way to rouse his brother, that
mightily ruled over all the Argives, and as a god was honoured by the
people. Him found he harnessing his goodly gear about his shoulders, by
the stern of the ship, and glad to his brother was his coming. Then
Menelaos of the loud war-cry first accosted him: “Wherefore thus, dear
brother, art thou arming? Wilt thou speed forth any of thy comrades to
spy on the Trojans? Nay, terribly I fear lest none should undertake for
thee this deed, even to go and spy out the foeman alone through the
ambrosial night; needs must he be a man right hardy of heart.”
Then the lord Agamemnon answered him and spake: “Need of good counsel
have I and thou, Menelaos fosterling of Zeus, of counsel that will help
and save the Argives and the ships, since the heart of Zeus hath turned
again. Surely on the sacrifices of Hector hath he set his heart rather
than on ours. For never did I see, nor heard any tell, that one man
devised so many terrible deeds in one day, as Hector, dear to Zeus,
hath wrought on the sons of the Achaians, unaided; though no dear son
of a goddess is he, nor of a god. He hath done deeds that methinks will
be a sorrow to the Argives, lasting and long, such evils hath he
devised against the Achaians. But go now, run swiftly by the ships, and
summon Aias and Idomeneus, but I will betake me to noble Nestor, and
bid him arise, if perchance he will be fain to go to the sacred company
of the sentinels and lay on them his command. For to him above others
would they listen, for his own son is chief among the sentinels, he and
the brother in arms of Idomeneus, even Meriones, for to them above all
we entrusted this charge.”
Then Menelaos of the loud war-cry answered him: “How meanest thou this
word wherewith thou dost command and exhort me? Am I to abide there
with them, waiting till thou comest, or run back again to thee when I
have well delivered to them thy commandment?”
Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: “There do thou
abide lest we miss each other as we go, for many are the paths through
the camp. But call aloud, wheresoever thou goest, and bid men awake,
naming each man by his lineage, and his father’s name, and giving all
their dues of honour, nor be thou proud of heart. Nay rather let us
ourselves be labouring, for even thus did Zeus from our very birth
dispense to us the heaviness of toil.”
So he spake, and sent his brother away, having clearly laid on him his
commandment. Then went he himself after Nestor, the shepherd of the
host, whom he found by his hut and black ship, in his soft bed: beside
him lay his fair dight arms, a shield, and two spears, and a shining
helmet. Beside him lay his glittering girdle wherewith the old man was
wont to gird himself when he harnessed him for war, the bane of men,
and led on the host, for he yielded not to grievous old age. Then he
raised him on his elbow, lifting his head, and spake to the son of
Atreus, inquiring of him with this word: “Who art thou that farest
alone by the ships, through the camp in the dark night, when other
mortals are sleeping? Seekest thou one of thy mules, or of thy
comrades? speak, and come not silently upon me. What need hast thou?”
Then the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him: “O Nestor, son of
Neleus, great glory of the Achaians, thou shalt know Agamemnon, son of
Atreus, whom above all men Zeus hath planted for ever among labours,
while my breath abides within my breast, and my knees move. I wander
thus, for that sweet sleep rests not on mine eyes, but war is my care,
and the troubles of the Achaians. Yea, greatly I fear for the sake of
the Danaans, nor is my heart firm, but I am tossed to and fro, and my
heart is leaping from my breast, and my good knees tremble beneath me.
But if thou wilt do aught, since neither on thee cometh sleep, let us
go thither to the sentinels, that we may see them, lest they be fordone
with toil and drowsihead, and so are slumbering, and have quite
forgotten to keep watch. And hostile men camp hard by, nor know we at
all but that they are keen to do battle in the night.”
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: “Most renowned son of
Atreus, Agamemnon king of men, assuredly not all his designs will
wise-counselling Zeus fulfil for Hector, even all that now he thinketh;
nay methinks he will contend with even more troubles if but Achilles
turn back his heart from grievous anger. And verily will I follow after
thee, but let us also rouse others again, both the son of Tydeus,
spearman renowned, and Odysseus, and swift Aias, and the strong son of
Phyleus. But well it would be if one were to go and call those also,
the godlike Aias, and Idomeneus the prince; for their ships are
furthest of all, and nowise close at hand. But Menelaos will I blame,
dear as he is and worshipful, yea, even if thou be angry with me, nor
will I hide my thought, for that he slumbereth, and to thee alone hath
left the toil; now should he be toiling among all the chiefs and
beseeching them, for need no longer tolerable is coming upon us.”
And the king of men, Agamemnon, answered him again: “Old man, another
day I even bid thee blame him, for often is he slack, and willeth not
to labour, yielding neither to unreadiness nor heedlessness of heart,
but looking toward me, and expecting mine instance. But now he awoke
far before me, and came to me, and him I sent forward to call those
concerning whom thou inquirest. But let us be gone, and them shall we
find before the gates, among the sentinels, for there I bade them
gather.”
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: “So will none of the
Argives be wroth with him or disobey him, when soever he doth urge any
one, and give him his commands.”
So spake he and did on his doublet about his breast, and beneath his
bright feet he bound goodly shoon, and all around him buckled a purple
cloak, with double folds and wide, and thick down all over it.
And he took a strong spear, pointed with sharp bronze, and he went
among the ships of the mail-clad Achaians. Then Odysseus first, the
peer of Zeus in counsel, did knightly Gerenian Nestor arouse out of
sleep, with his voice, and quickly the cry came all about his heart,
and he came forth from the hut and spake to them saying: “Wherefore
thus among the ships and through the camp do ye wander alone, in the
ambrosial night; what so great need cometh upon you?”
Then knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered him: “Laertes’ son, of the
seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many a wile, be not wroth, for great trouble
besetteth the Achaians. Nay follow, that we may arouse others too, even
all that it behoveth to take counsel, whether we should fly, or fight.”
So spake he, and Odysseus of the many counsels came to the hut, and
cast a shield bedight about his shoulders, and went after them.
And they went to seek Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and him they found
outside his hut, with his arms, and around him his comrades were
sleeping with their shields beneath their heads, but their spears were
driven into the ground erect on the spikes of the butts, and afar shone
the bronze, like the lightning of father Zeus. Now that hero was
asleep, and under him was strewn the hide of an ox of the field, but
beneath his head was stretched a shining carpet. Beside him went and
stood knightly Nestor of Gerenia and stirred him with a touch of his
foot, and aroused him, chiding him to his face, saying: “Wake, son of
Tydeus, why all night long dost thou sleep? Knowest thou not that the
Trojans on the high place of the plain are camped near the ships, and
but a little space holdeth them apart?”
So spake he, and Diomedes sprang swiftly up out of sleep, and spake to
him winged words: “Hard art thou, old man, and from toil thou never
ceasest. Now are there not other younger sons of the Achaians, who
might rouse when there is need each of the kings, going all around the
host? but thou, old man, art indomitable.”
And him knightly Nestor of Gerenia answered again, “Nay verily, my son,
all this that thou sayest is according unto right. Noble sons have I,
and there be many of the host, of whom each man might go and call the
others. But a right great need hath assailed the Achaians. For now to
all of us it standeth on a razor’s edge, either pitiful ruin for the
Achaians, or life. But come now, if indeed thou dost pity me, rouse
swift Aias, and the son of Phyleus, for thou art younger than I.”
So spake he, and Diomedes cast round his shoulders the skin of a great
fiery lion, that reached to his feet, and he grasped his spear, and
started on his way, and roused the others from their place and led them
on.
Now when they had come among the assembled sentinels, they found not
the leaders of the sentinels asleep, but they all sat wide awake with
their arms. And even as hounds keep difficult guard round the sheep in
a fold, having heard a hardy wild beast that cometh through the wood
among the hills, and much clamour riseth round him of hounds and men,
and sleep perisheth from them, even so sweet sleep did perish from
their eyes, as they watched through the wicked night, for ever were
they turning toward the plains, when they heard the Trojans moving.
And that old man was glad when he saw them, and heartened them with his
saying, and calling out to them he spake winged words: “Even so now,
dear children, do ye keep watch, nor let sleep take any man, lest we
become a cause of rejoicing to them that hate us.”
So saying he sped through the moat, and they followed with him, the
kings of the Argives, who had been called to the council. And with them
went Meriones, and the glorious son of Nestor, for they called them to
share their counsel. So they went clean out of the delved foss, and sat
down in the open, where the mid-space was clear of dead men fallen,
where fierce Hector had turned again from destroying the Argives, when
night covered all. There sat they down, and declared their saying each
to the other, and to them knightly Nestor of Gerenia began discourse:
“O friends, is there then no man that would trust to his own daring
spirit, to go among the great-hearted Trojans, if perchance he might
take some straggler of the enemy, yea, or hear perchance some rumour
among the Trojans, and what things they devise among themselves,
whether they are fain to abide there by the ships, away from the city,
or will retreat again to the city, now that they have conquered the
Achaians? All this might such an one learn, and back to us come
scathless: great would be his fame under heaven among all men, and a
goodly gift will be given him. For all the best men that bear sway by
the ships, each and all of them will give him a black ewe, with her
lamb at her foot,—no chattel may compare with her,—and ever will he be
present at feasts and clan-drinkings.”
So spake he, and thereon were they all silent, holding their peace, but
to them spake Diomedes of the loud war-cry: “Nestor, my heart and
manful spirit urge me to enter the camp of the foemen hard by, even of
the Trojans: but and if some other man will follow with me, more
comfort and more courage will there be. If two go together, one before
another perceiveth a matter, how there may be gain therein; but if one
alone perceive aught, even so his wit is shorter, and weak his device.”
So spake he, and many were they that wished to follow Diomedes. The two
Aiantes were willing, men of Ares’ company, and Meriones was willing,
and right willing the son of Nestor, and the son of Atreus, Menelaos,
spearman renowned, yea and the hardy Odysseus was willing to steal into
the throng of Trojans, for always daring was his heart within him. But
among them spake the king of men, Agamemnon: “Diomedes son of Tydeus,
joy of mine heart, thy comrade verily shalt thou choose, whomsoever
thou wilt, the best of them that be here, for many are eager. But do
not thou, out of reverent heart, leave the better man behind, and give
thyself the worse companion, yielding to regard for any, and looking to
their lineage, even if one be more kingly born.”
So spake he, but was in fear for the sake of fair-haired Menelaos. But
to them again answered Diomedes of the loud war-cry: “If indeed ye bid
me choose myself a comrade, how then could I be unmindful of godlike
Odysseus, whose heart is passing eager, and his spirit so manful in all
manner of toils; and Pallas Athene loveth him. But while he cometh with
me, even out of burning fire might we both return, for he excelleth in
understanding.”
Then him again answered the steadfast noble Odysseus: “Son of Tydeus,
praise me not overmuch, neither blame me aught, for thou speakest thus
among the Argives that themselves know all. But let us be going, for
truly the night is waning, and near is the dawn, and the stars have
gone onward, and the night has advanced more than two watches, but the
third watch is yet left.”
So spake they, and harnessed them in their dread armour. To the son of
Tydeus did Thrasymedes steadfast in war give a two-edged sword (for his
own was left by his ship) and a shield, and about his head set a helm
of bull’s hide, without cone or crest, that is called a skull-cap, and
keeps the heads of stalwart youths. And Meriones gave Odysseus a bow
and a quiver, and a sword, and on his head set a helm made of leather,
and with many a thong was it stiffly wrought within, while without the
white teeth of a boar of flashing tusks were arrayed thick set on
either side, well and cunningly, and in the midst was fixed a cap of
felt. This casque Autolykos once stole from Amyntor son of Ormenos, out
of Eleon, breaking into his well-builded house; and he gave it to
Amphidamas of Kythera to take to Skandeia and Amphidamas gave it for a
guest-gift to Molos, who gave it to his own son Meriones to wear, and
now it was set to cover the head of Odysseus.
So when these twain had harnessed them in their dread armour, they set
forth to go, and left there all the best of the host. And to them did
Pallas Athene send forth an omen on the right, a heron hard by the way,
and they beheld it not with their eyes, through the dark night, but
they heard its shrill cry. And Odysseus was glad in the omen of the
bird, and prayed to Athene: “Listen to me, thou child of aegis-bearing
Zeus, that ever in all toils dost stand by me, nor doth any motion of
mine escape thee: but now again above all be thou friendly to me,
Athene, and grant that we come back with renown to the ships, having
wrought a great work, that shall be sorrow to the Trojans.”
Next again prayed Diomedes of the loud war-cry: “Listen now likewise to
me, thou child of Zeus, unwearied maiden, and follow with me as when
with my father thou didst follow, even noble Tydeus, into Thebes, when
he went forth as a messenger from the Achaians. And them he left by the
Asopos, the mail-clad Achaians, and a honeyed word he bare to the
Kadmeians in that place; but on his backward way he devised right
terrible deeds, with thee, fair goddess, for eager didst thou stand by
him. Even so now stand thou by me willingly, and protect me. And to
thee will I sacrifice a yearling heifer, broad of brow, unbroken, that
never yet hath man led below the yoke. Her will I sacrifice to thee,
and gild her horns with gold.”
So spake they in their prayer, and Pallas Athene heard them. And when
they had prayed to the daughter of mighty Zeus, they went forth on
their way, like two lions, through the dark night, amid the slaughter,
amid the slain men, through the arms and the black blood.
Nay, nor the stout-hearted Trojans did Hector suffer to sleep, but he
called together all the best of them, all that were chiefs and leaders
of the Trojans, them did he call together, and contrived a crafty
counsel: “Who is there that would promise and perform for me this deed,
for a great gift? yea his reward shall be sufficient. For I will give
him a chariot, and two horses of arching neck, the best that be at the
swift ships of the Achaians, to whosoever shall dare the deed, and for
himself shall win glory. And the deed is this; to go near the
swift-faring ships, and seek out whether the swift ships are guarded,
as of old, or whether already, being subdued beneath our hands, the
foes are devising of flight among themselves, and have no care to watch
through the night, being fordone with dread weariness.”
So spake he, but they were all silent and held their peace. Now there
was among the Trojans one Dolon, the son of Eumedes the godlike herald,
and he was rich in gold, and rich in bronze: and verily he was ill
favoured to look upon, but swift of foot; now he was an only son among
five sisters. So he spake then a word to the Trojans and to Hector:
“Hector, my heart and manful spirit urge me to go near the swift-faring
ships, and spy out all. But come, I pray thee, hold up the staff, and
swear to me, that verily thou wilt give me the horses and the chariots
bedight with bronze that bear the noble son of Peleus. But to thee I
will prove no vain spy, nor disappoint thy hope. For I will go straight
to the camp, until I may come to the ship of Agamemnon, where surely
the chiefs are like to hold council, whether to fight or flee.”
So spake he, and Hector took the staff in his hand, and sware to him:
“Now let Zeus himself be witness, the loud-thundering lord of Hera,
that no other man of the Trojans shall mount those horses, but thou, I
declare, shalt rejoice in them for ever.”
So spake he, and sware a bootless oath thereto, and aroused Dolon to
go. And straightway he cast on his shoulders his crooked bow, and did
on thereover the skin of a grey wolf, and on his head a helm of
ferret-skin, and took a sharp javelin, and went on his way to the ships
from the host. But he was not like to come back from the ships and
bring word to Hector.
But when he had left the throng of men and horses, he went forth
eagerly on the way, and Odysseus of the seed of Zeus was ware of him as
he approached, and said unto Diomedes: “Lo, here is some man, Diomedes,
coming from the camp, I know not whether as a spy to our ships, or to
strip certain of the dead men fallen. But let us suffer him to pass by
us a little way on the plain, and thereafter may we rush on him and
take him speedily, and if it chance that he outrun us by speed of foot,
ever do thou hem him in towards the ships and away from the camp,
rushing on him with thy spear, lest in any wise he escape towards the
city.”
So they spake, and turning out of the path they lay down among the
bodies of the dead; and swiftly Dolon ran past them in his witlessness.
But when he was as far off as is the length of the furrow made by
mules, (for better far are they than kine, tho drag the jointed plough
through the deep fallow,) these twain ran after him, and he stood still
when he heard the sound, supposing in his heart that they were friends
come from among the Trojans to turn him back, at the countermand of
Hector. But when they were about a spear-cast off, or even less, he
knew them for foemen, and stirred his swift limbs to fly, and speedily
they started in pursuit.
And as when two sharp-toothed hounds, well skilled in the chase, press
ever hard on a doe or a hare through a wooded land, and it runs
screaming before them, even so Tydeus’ son and Odysseus the sacker of
cities cut Dolon off from the host, and ever pursued hard after him.
But when he was just about to come among the sentinels, in his flight
towards the ships, then Athene poured strength into the son of Tydeus,
that none of the mail-clad Achaians might boast himself the first to
smite, and he come second. And strong Diomedes leaped upon him with the
spear, and said: “Stand, or I shall overtake thee with the spear, and
methinks that thou shalt not long avoid sheer destruction at my hand.”
So spake he, and threw his spear, but of his own will he missed the
man, and passing over his right shoulder the point of the polished
spear stuck fast in the ground: and Dolon stood still, in great dread
and trembling, and the teeth chattered in his mouth, and he was green
with fear. Then the twain came up with him, panting, and gripped his
hands, and weeping he spake: “Take me alive, and I will ransom myself,
for within our house there is bronze, and gold, and smithied iron,
wherefrom my father would do you grace with ransom untold, if he should
learn that I am alive among the ships of the Achaians.”
Then Odysseus of the many counsels answered him and said: “Take
courage, let not death be in thy mind, but come speak and tell me truly
all the tale, why thus from the host lost thou come all alone among the
ships, through the black night, when other mortals are sleeping? Comest
thou to strip certain of the dead men fallen, or did Hector send thee
forth to spy out everything at the hollow ships, or did thine own
spirit urge thee on?”
Then Dolon answered him, his limbs trembling beneath him: “With many a
blind hope did Hector lead my wits astray, who vowed to give me the
whole-hooved horses of the proud son of Peleus, and his car bedight
with bronze: and he bade me fare through the swift black night, and
draw nigh the foemen, and seek out whether the swift ships are guarded,
as of old, or whether, already, being subdued beneath our hands, they
are devising of flight among themselves, and have no care to watch
through the night, being fordone with dread weariness.”
And smiling thereat did Odysseus of the many counsels make him answer:
“Verily now thy soul was set on great rewards, even the horses of the
wise son of Aiakos, but hard are they for mortal men to master, and
hard to drive, for any but Achilles only, whom a deathless mother bare.
But come, tell me all this truly, all the tale: where when thou camest
hither didst thou leave Hector, shepherd of the host, and where lie his
warlike gear, and where his horses? And how are disposed the watches,
and the beds of the other Trojans? And what counsel take they among
themselves; are they fain to abide there nigh the ships, afar from the
city, or will they return to the city again, seeing that they have
subdued unto them the Achaians?”
Then Dolon son of Eumedes made him answer again: “Lo, now all these
things will I recount to thee most truly. Hector with them that are
counsellors holdeth council by the barrow of godlike Ilos, apart from
the din, but as for the guards whereof thou askest, oh hero, no chosen
watch nor guard keepeth the host. As for all the watch fires of the
Trojans—on them is necessity, so that they watch and encourage each
other to keep guard; but, for the allies called from many lands, they
are sleeping and to the Trojans they leave it to keep watch, for no
wise near dwell the children and wives of the allies.”
Then Odysseus of the many counsels answered him and said: “How stands
it now, do they sleep amidst the horse-taming Trojans, or apart? tell
me clearly, that I may know.”
Then answered him Dolon son of Eumedes: “Verily all this likewise will
I recount to thee truly. Towards the sea lie the Karians, and Paionians
of the bended bow, and the Leleges and Kaukones, and noble Pelasgoi.
And towards Thymbre the Lykians have their place, and the haughty
Mysians, and the Phrygians that fight from chariots, and Maionians
lords of chariots. But wherefore do ye inquire of me throughly
concerning all these things? for if ye desire to steal into the throng
of Trojans, lo, there be those Thracians, new comers, at the furthest
point apart from the rest, and among them their king Rhesos, son of
Eïoneus. His be the fairest horses that ever I beheld, and the
greatest, whiter than snow, and for speed like the winds. And his
chariot is fashioned well with gold and silver, and golden is his
armour that he brought with him, marvellous, a wonder to behold; such
as it is in no wise fit for mortal men to bear, but for the deathless
gods. But bring me now to the swift ships, or leave me here, when ye
have bound me with a ruthless bond, that ye may go and make trial of me
whether I have spoken to you truth, or lies.”
Then strong Diomedes, looking grimly on him, said: “Put no thought of
escape, Dolon, in thy heart, for all the good tidings thou hast
brought, since once thou hast come into our hands. For if now we
release thee or let thee go, on some later day wilt thou come to the
swift ships of the Achaians, either to play the spy, or to fight in
open war, but if subdued beneath my hands thou lose thy life, never
again wilt thou prove a bane to the Argives.”
He spake, and that other with strong hand was about to touch his chin,
and implore his mercy, but Diomedes smote him on the midst of the neck,
rushing on him with the sword, and cut through both the sinews, and the
head of him still speaking was mingled with the dust. And they stripped
him of the casque of ferret’s skin from off his head, and of his
wolf-skin, and his bended bow, and his long spear, and these to Athene
the Giver of Spoil did noble Odysseus hold aloft in his hand, and he
prayed and spake a word: “Rejoice, O goddess, in these, for to thee
first of all the Immortals in Olympus will we call for aid; nay, but
yet again send us on against the horses and the sleeping places of the
Thracian men.”
So spake he aloud, and lifted from him the spoils on high, and set them
on a tamarisk bush, and raised thereon a mark right plain to see,
gathering together reeds, and luxuriant shoots of tamarisk, lest they
should miss the place as they returned again through the swift dark
night.
So the twain went forward through the arms, and the black blood, and
quickly they came to the company of Thracian men. Now they were
slumbering, fordone with toil, but their goodly weapons lay by them on
the ground, all orderly, in three rows, and by each man his pair of
steeds. And Rhesos slept in the midst, and beside him his swift horses
were bound with thongs to the topmost rim of the chariot. Him Odysseus
spied from afar, and showed him unto Diomedes: “Lo, Diomedes, this is
the man, and these are the horses whereof Dolon that we slew did give
us tidings. But come now, put forth thy great strength; it doth not
behove thee to stand idle with thy weapons: nay, loose the horses; or
do thou slay the men, and of the horses will I take heed.”
So spake he, and into that other bright-eyed Athene breathed might, and
he began slaying on this side and on that, and hideously went up their
groaning, as they were smitten with the sword, and the earth was
reddened with blood. And like as a lion cometh on flocks without a
herdsman, on goats or sheep, and leaps upon them with evil will, so set
the son of Tydeus on the men of Thrace, till he had slain twelve. But
whomsoever the son of Tydeus drew near and smote with the sword, him
did Odysseus of the many counsels seize by the foot from behind, and
drag him out of the way, with this design in his heart, that the
fair-maned horses might lightly issue forth, and not tremble in spirit,
when they trod over the dead; for they were not yet used to dead men.
But when the son of Tydeus came upon the king, he was the thirteenth
from whom he took sweet life away, as he was breathing hard, for an
evil dream stood above his head that night, even the seed of Oineus,
through the device of Athene. Meanwhile the hardy Odysseus loosed the
whole-hooved horses, and bound them together with thongs, and drave
them out of the press, smiting them with his bow, since he had not
taken thought to lift the shining whip with his hands from the
well-dight chariot: then he whistled for a sign to noble Diomedes.
But Diomedes stood and pondered what most daring deed he might do,
whether he should take the chariot, where lay the fair-dight armour,
and drag it out by the pole, or lift it upon high, and so bear it
forth, or whether he should take the life away from yet more of the
Thracians. And while he was pondering this in his heart, then Athene
drew near, and stood, and spake to noble Diomedes: “Bethink thee of
returning, O son of great-hearted Tydeus, to the hollow ships, lest
perchance thou come thither in flight, and perchance another god rouse
up the Trojans likewise.”
So spake she, and he observed the voice of the utterance of the
goddess, and swiftly he sprang upon the steeds, and Odysseus smote them
with his bow, and they sped to the swift ships of the Achaians.
Nay, nor a vain watch kept Apollo of the silver bow, when he beheld
Athene caring for the son of Tydeus; in wrath against her he stole
among the crowded press of Trojans, and aroused a counsellor of the
Thracians, Hippokoon, the noble kinsman of Rhesos. And he started out
of sleep, when he beheld the place desolate where the swift horses had
stood, and beheld the men gasping in the death struggle; then he
groaned aloud, and called out by name to his comrade dear. And a
clamour arose and din unspeakable of the Trojans hasting together, and
they marvelled at the terrible deeds, even all that the heroes had
wrought, and had gone thereafter to the hollow ships.
But when those others came to the place where they had slain the spy of
Hector, there Odysseus, dear to Zeus, checked the swift horses, and
Tydeus’ son, leaping to the ground, set the bloody spoil in the hands
of Odysseus, and again mounted, and lashed the horses, and they sped
onward nothing loth. [to the hollow ships, for there they fain would
be]. But Nestor first heard the sound, and said: “O friends, leaders
and counsellors of the Argives, shall I be wrong or speak sooth? for my
heart bids me speak. The sound of swift-footed horses strikes upon mine
ears. Would to god that Odysseus and that strong Diomedes may even
instantly be driving the whole-hooved horses from among the Trojans;
but terribly I fear in mine heart lest the bravest of the Argives
suffer aught through the Trojans’ battle din.”
Not yet was his whole word spoken, when they came themselves, and
leaped down to earth, but gladly the others welcomed them with
hand-clasping, and with honeyed words. And first did knightly Nestor of
Gerenia make question: “Come, tell me now, renowned Odysseus, great
glory of the Achaians, how ye twain took those horses? Was it by
stealing into the press of Trojans? Or did some god meet you, and give
you them? Wondrous like are they to rays of the sun. Ever with the
Trojans do I mix in fight, nor methinks do I tarry by the ships, old
warrior as I am. But never yet saw I such horses, nor deemed of such.
Nay, methinks some god must have encountered you and given you these.
For both of you doth Zeus the cloud-gatherer love, and the maiden of
aegis-bearing Zeus, bright-eyed Athene.”
And him answered Odysseus of the many counsels: “O Nestor, son of
Neleus, great glory of the Achaians, lightly could a god, if so he
would, give even better steeds than these, for the gods are far
stronger than we. But as for these new come horses, whereof, old man,
thou askest me, they are Thracian, but their lord did brave Diomedes
slay, and beside him all the twelve best men of his company. The
thirteenth man was a spy we took near the ships, one that Hector and
the other haughty Trojans sent forth to pry upon our camp.”
So spake he, and drave the whole-hooved horses through the fosse,
laughing; and the other Achaians went with him joyfully. But when they
had come to the well-built hut of the son of Tydeus, they bound the
horses with well-cut thongs, at the mangers where the swift horses of
Diomedes stood eating honey-sweet barley.
And Odysseus placed the bloody spoils of Dolon in the stern of the
ship, that they might make ready a sacred offering to Athene. But for
themselves, they went into the sea, and washed off the thick sweat from
shins, and neck, and thighs. But when the wave of the sea had washed
the thick sweat from their skin, and their hearts revived again, they
went into polished baths, and were cleansed.
And when they had washed, and anointed them with olive oil, they sat
down at supper, and from the full mixing bowl they drew off the
honey-sweet wine, and poured it forth to Athene.