Return then, heroes! and our answer bear:
The glorious combat is no more my care;
Not till, amidst yon sinking navy slain,

The blood of Greeks shall dye the sable main;
Not till the flames, by Hector's fury thrown,
700 Consume your vessels, and approach my own;
Just there the impetuous homicide shall stand,
There cease his battle, and there feel our hand. 770
This said, each prince a double goblet crown'd,
And cast a large libation on the ground:
Then to their vessels, through the gloomy shades
The chiefs return; divine Ulysses leads.
Meantime Achilles' slaves prepared a bed,
With fleeces, carpets, and soft linen spread:
There, till the sacred morn restored the day,
In slumbers sweet the reverend Phoenix lay.
But in his inner tent, an ampler space,
Achilles slept; and in his warm embrace
Fair Diomede of the Lesbian race.
Last, for Patroclus was the couch prepared,
Whose nightly joys the beauteous Iphis shared;
Achilles to his friend consign'd her charms,
When Scyros fell before his conquering arms.

710

His suppliant father, aged Eneus, came;
His sisters follow'd; e'en the vengeful dame,
Althea sues; his friends before him fall:
He stands relentless, and rejects them all.
Meanwhile the victor's shouts ascend the skies;
The walls are scaled; the rolling flames arise:
At length his wife (a form divine) appears,
With piercing cries and supplicating tears;
She paints the horrors of a conquer'd town,
The heroes slain, the palaces o'erthrown,
The matrons ravish'd, the whole race enslaved.
The warrior heard, he vanquish'd, and he saved.
The Etolians, long disdain'd, now took their turn,
And left the chief their broken faith to mourn.
Learn hence, betimes to curb pernicious ire,
Nor stay till yonder fleets ascend in fire;
Accept the presents; draw thy conquering sword;
And be amongst our guardian gods adored.
Thus he. The stern Achilles thus replied:
My second father, and my reverend guide!
Thy friend; believe me, no such gifts demands,
And asks no honours from a mortal's hands:
Jove honours me, and favours my designs;
His pleasure guides me, and his will confines;
And here I stay (if such his high behest,)
While life's warm spirit beats within my breast.
Yet hear one word, and lodge it in thy heart:
No more molest me on Atrides' part:
Is it for him these tears are taught to flow,
For him these sorrows? for my mortal foe?
A generous friendship no cold medium knows,
Burns with one love, with one resentment glows:
One should our interests and our passions be;
My friend must hate the man that injures me.
Do this, my Phoenix, 'tis a generous part;
And share my realms, my honours, and my heart.
Let these return: our voyage, or our stay,
Rest undetermined till the dawning day.

He ceased: then order'd for the sage's bed
A warmer couch with numerous carpets spread.
With that, stern Ajax his long silence broke,
And thus, impatient, to Ulysses spoke:

Hence let us go-why waste we time in vain ?
See what effect our low submissions gain!
Liked or not liked, his words we must relate,
The Greeks expect them, and our heroes wait.
Proud as he is, that iron-heart retains

And now the elected chiefs, whom Greece had sent,

780

790

720 Pass'd through the host and reach'd the royal tent.
Then rising all, with goblets in their hands,
The peers, and leaders of the Achaian bands
Hail'd their return: Atrides first begun:
Say, what success? divine Laërtes' son!
Achilles' high resolves declare to all;
Returns the chief, or must our navy fall?

Great king of nations! (Ithacus replied,)
Fix'd is his wrath, unconquer'd is his pride;
He slights thy friendship, thy proposals scorns,
And, thus implored, with fiercer fury burns.
731 To save our army, and our flects to free,

801

Is not his care; but left to Greece and thee.
Your eyes shall view, when morning paints the sky,
Beneath his oars the whitening billows fly,
Us too he bids our oars and sails employ,
Nor hope the fall of heaven-protected Troy:
For Jove o'ershades her with his arms divine,
Inspires her war, and bids her glory shine.

Such was his word: what farther he declared,
740 These sacred heralds and great Ajax heard.
But Phoenix in his tent the chief retains,
Safe to transport him to his native plains,
When morning dawns: if other he decree,
His age is sacred, and his choice is free.

750

Its stubborn purpose, and his friends disdains.
Stern, and unpitying! if a brother bleed,
On just atonement, we remit the deed;
A sire the slaughter of his son forgives;
The price of blood discharged, the murderer lives:
The haughtiest hearts at length their rage resign,
And gifts can conquer every soul but thine.
The gods that unrelenting breast have steel'd,
And cursed thee with a mind that cannot yield.
One woman-slave was ravish'd from thy arms;
Lo, seven are offer'd, and of equal charms.
Then hear, Achilles! be of better mind;
Revere thy roof, and to thy guests be kind;
And know the men, of all the Grecian host,
Who honour worth, and prize thy valour most.
Oh soul of battles, and thy people's guide!
(To Ajax thus the first of Greeks replied:)
Well hast thou spoke! but at the tyrant's name
My rage rekindles, and my soul's on flame:
"Tis just resentment, and becomes the brave;
.ccd, dishonour'd, like the vilest slave!

810

820

Ulysses ceased: the great Achaian host
With sorrow seized, in consternation lost,
Attend the stern reply. Tydides broke
The general silence, and undaunted spoke :
Why should we gifts to proud Achilles send?
Or strive with prayers his haughty soul to bend?
His country's woes he glories to deride,
And prayers will burst that swelling heart with pride.
Be the fierce impulse of his rage obey'd;
Our battles let him or desert, or aid;
Then let him arm when Jove or he think fit;
That, to his madness, or to heaven commit:
What for ourselves we can, is always ours;
This night let due repast refresh our powers,
(For strength consists in spirit and in blood,
760 And those are owed to generous wine and food;)
But when the rosy messenger of day

Strikes the blue mountain with her golden ray

Ranged at the ships, let all our squadrons shine 830 | Laments for Greece; that in his cause before

In flaming arms, a long extended line:

In the dread front let great Atrides stand,
The first in danger, as in high command.

Shouts of acclaim the listening heroes raise,
Then each to heaven the due libations pays;
Till sleep, descending o'er the tents, bestows
The grateful blessings of desired repose.

BOOK X.

ARGUMENT.

The Night Adventure of Diomed and Ulysses.

So much had suffer'd, and must suffer more. A leopard's spotted hide his shoulders spread, A brazen helmet glitter'd on his head : Thus (with a javelin in his hand) he went To wake Atrides in the royal tent. Already waked, Atrides he descried, His armour buckling at his vessel's side. Joyful they met; the Spartan thus begun: Why puts my brother his bright armour on? Sends he some spy, amidst these silent hours, To try yon camp, and watch the Trojan powers? But say, what hero shall sustain that task, Such bold exploits uncommon courage ask: Guideless, alone, through night's dark shade to go, Upon the refusal of Achilles to return to the army, the And 'midst a hostile camp explore the foe. distress of Agamemnon is described in the most lively To whom the king: In such distress we stand, He takes no rest that night, but passes No vulgar counsels our affairs demand: through the camp, awakening the leaders, and contriving all possible methods for the public safety. Greece to preserve is now no easy part, Menelas, Nestor, Ulysses, and Diomed are employed But asks high wisdom, deep design, and art. in raising the rest of the captains. They call a council For Jove averse our humble prayer denies, of war, and determine to send scouts into the enemy's And bows his head to Hector's sacrifice. camp, to learn their posture and discover their inten- What eye has witness'd, or what ear believed, tions Diomed undertakes this hazardous enterprise. In one great day, by one great arm achieved, and makes choice of Ulysses for his companion. In Such wondrous deeds as Hector's hand has done, their passage they surprise Dolon, whom Hector had sent on a like design to the camp of the Grecians. And we beheld, the last revolving sun? From him they are informed of the situation of the What honours the beloved of Jove adorn: Trojan and auxiliary forces, and particularly of Rhe- Sprung from no god, and of no goddess born; sus, and the Thracians who were lately arrived. They Yet such his acts, as Greece unborn shall tell, pass on with success; kill Rhesus, with several of his And curse the battle where their fathers fell. officers, and seize the famous horses of that prince, with which they return in triumph to the camp. The same night continues: the scene lies in the two

manner.

camps.

BOOK X.

Now speed thy hasty course along the fleet,
There call great Ajax, and the prince of Crete :
Ourself to hoary Nestor will repair;

To keep the guards on duty, be his care;
(For Nestor's influence best that quarter guides,
Whose son with Merion o'er the watch presides.)
To whom the Spartan: These thy orders borne,
Say shall I stay, or with despatch return?
There shalt thou stay (the king of men replied,)
Else may we miss to meet, without a guide,
The paths so many, and the camp so wide.
Still, with your voice, the slothful soldiers raise,
Urge, by their father's fame, their future praise.
Forget we now our state and lofty birth;
Not title here, but works, must prove our worth.
10 To labour is the lot of man below;

ALL night the chiefs before their vessels lay,
And lost in sleep the labours of the day:
All but the king; with various thoughts oppress'd,
His country's cares lay rolling in his breast.
As when by lightnings, Jove's ethereal power
Foretells the rattling hail or weighty shower,
Or sends soft snows to whiten all the shore,
Or bids the brazen throat of war to roar;
By fits one flash succeeds as one expires,
And heaven flames thick with momentary fires.
So bursting frequent from Atrides' breast,
Sighs following sighs his inward fears confess'd.
Now o'er the fields, dejected, he surveys,
From thousand Trojan fires the mounting blaze,
Hears in the passing wind their music blow,
And marks distinct the voices of the foe.
Now looking backwards to the fleet and coast,
Anxious he sorrows for the endanger'd host.
He rends his hairs in sacrifice to Jove,
And sues to him that ever lives above:
Inly he groans; while glory and despair
Divide his heart, and wage a doubtful war.
A thousand cares his labouring breast revolves,
To seek sage Nestor now the chief resolves,
With him, in wholesome counsels, to debate
What yet remains to save the afflicted state.
He rose; and first he cast his mantle round,
Next on his feet the shining sandals bound;
A lion's yellow spoils his back conceal'd;
His warlike hand a pointed javelin held.
Meanwhile his brother, press'd with equal woes,
Alike denied the gifts of soft repose,

And when Jove gave us life, he gave us woe.
This said, each parted to his several cares;
The king to Nestor's sable ship repairs;
The sage protector of the Greeks he found
Stretch'd in his bed, with all his arms around;
The various-colour'd scarf, the shield he rears,
The shining helmet, and the pointed spears:
The dreadful weapons of the warrior's rage,
age.
That, old in arms, disdain'd the peace of
20 Then leaning on his hand his watchful head,
The hoary monarch raised his eyes, and said:

40

50

60

What art thou? speak, that on designs un-
known,

While others sleep, thus range the camp alone?
Seek'st thou some friend, or nightly sentinel?
Stand off, approach not, but thy purpose tell.

O son of Neleus! (thus the king rejoin'd,)
Pride of the Greeks, and glory of thy kind!
Lo here the wretched Agamemnon stands,
30 The unhappy general of the Grecian bands;
Whom Jove decrees with daily cares to bend,
And woes that only with his life shall end!

20

70

80

90

101

170

He heard, return'd, and took his painted shield:
Then join'd the chiefs, and follow'd through the field.
Without his tent, bold Diomed they found,
All sheath'd in arms, his brave companions round:
Each sunk in sleep, extended on the field,
His head reclining on his bossy shield.

A wood of spears stood by, that, fix'd upright,
Shot from their flashing points a quivering light.
A bull's black hide composed the hero's bed;
A splendid carpet roll'd beneath his head.
110 Then, with his foot, old Nestor gently shakes
The slumbering chief, and in these words awakes:
Rise, son of Tydeus, to the brave and strong 180
Rest seems inglorious, and the night too long.
But sleep'st thou now? when from yon hill the foe
Hangs o'er the fleet, and shades our walls below?

At this, soft slumber from his eyelids fled;
The warrior saw the hoary chief, and said:
Wondrous old man! whose soul no respite knows
Though years and honours bid thee seek repose.
120 Let younger Greeks our sleeping warriors wake
Ill fits thy age these toils to undertake.

Scarce can my knees these trembling limbs sustain,
And scarce my heart support its load of pain.
No taste of sleep these heavy eyes have known;
Confused and sad, I wander thus alone,
With fears distracted, with no fix'd design:
And all my people's miseries are mine.
If aught of use thy waking thoughts suggest,
(Since cares, like mine, deprive thy soul of rest,)
Impart thy counsel, and assist thy friend;
Now let us jointly to the trench descend,
At every gate the fainting guard excite,
Tired with the toils of day and watch of night:
Else may the sudden foe our works invade,
So near, and favour'd by the gloomy shade.
To him thus Nestor: Trust the powers above,
Nor think proud Hector's hopes confirm'd by Jove:
How ill agree the views of vain mankind,
And the wise counsels of the eternal mind?
Audacious Hector, if the gods ordain,
That great Achilles rise and rage again,
What toils attend thee, and what woes remain!
Lo, faithful Nestor thy command obeys:
The care is next our other chiefs to raise;
Ulysses, Diomed, we chiefly need;
Meges for strength, Oïleus famed for speed.
Some other be despatch'd of nimbler feet,
To those tall ships, remotest of the fleet,
Where lie great Ajax, and the king of Crete.
To rouse the Spartan I myself decree;
Dear as he is to us, and dear to thee,
Yet must I tax his sloth, that claims no share,
With his great brother in his martial care:
Him it behoved to every chief to sue,
Preventing every part perform'd by you;
For strong necessity our toils demands,
Claims all our hearts, and urges all our hands.
To whom the king: With reverence we allow
Thy just rebukes, yet learn to spare them now.
My generous brother is of gentle kind,
He seems remiss, but bears a valiant mind;
Through too much deference to our sovereign sway,
Content to follow when we lead the way.
But now, our ills industrious to prevent,
Long ere the rest, he rose, and sought my tent.
The chiefs you named, already at his call,
Prepare to meet us near the navy wall;
Assembling there, between the trench and gates,
Near the night-guards, our chosen council waits.
Then none (said Nestor) shall his rule withstand,
For great examples justify command.

My friend (he answer'd,) generous is thy care; 190
These toils, my subjects and my sons might bear;
Their loyal thoughts and pious love conspire
To ease a sovereign, and relieve a sire:
But now the last despair surrounds our host,
No hour must pass, no moment must be lost;
Each single Greek, in this conclusive strife,
Stands on the sharpest edge of death or life
130 Yet, if my years thy kind regard engage,
Employ thy youth as I employ my age;
Succeed to these my cares, and rouse the rest; 200
He serves me most, who serves his country best.
This said, the hero o'er his shoulders flung

A lion's spoils, that to his ancles hung;
Then seized his ponderous lance, and strode along
Meges the bold, with Ajax famed for speed,
The warrior roused, and to the entrenchments led.
And now the chiefs approach the nightly guard;
A wakeful squadron, each in arms prepared:
141 The unwearied watch their listening leaders keep,
And, couching close, repel invading sleep.
So faithful dogs their fleecy charge maintain,
With toil protected from the prowling train,
When the gaunt lioness, with hunger bold,
Springs from the mountains toward the guarded fold;
Through breaking woods her rustling course they

hear;

210

Loud, and more loud, the clamours strike their ear 150 Of hounds and men; they start, they gaze around, Watch every side, and turn to every sound.

With that the venerable warrior rose;
The shining greaves his manly legs inclose;
His purple mantle golden buckles join'd,
Warm with the softest wool, and doubly lined.
Then, rushing from his tent, he snatch'd in haste
His steely lance, that lighten'd as he pass'd.
The camp he traversed through the sleeping crowd,
Stopp'd at Ulysses' tent, and call'd aloud.
Ulysses, sudden as the voice was sent,
Awakes, starts up, and issues from his tent.
What new distress, what sudden cause of fright,
Thus leads you wandering in the silent night?
O prudent chief! (the Pylian sage replied,)
Wise as thou art, be now thy wisdom tried:
Whatever means of safety can be sought,
Whatever counsels can inspire our thought,
Whatever methods, or to fly or fight;
All, all depend on this important night!

161

Thus watch'd the Grecians, cautious of surprise,
Each voice, each motion, drew their ears and eyes:
Each step of passing feet increased the affright; 221
And hostile Troy was ever full in sight.
Nestor with joy the wakeful band survey'd,
And thus accosted through the gloomy shade;
'Tis well, my sons! your nightly cares employ;
Else must our host become the scorn of Troy.
Watch thus, and Greece shall live-the hero said;
Then o'er the trench the following chieftains led.
His son,
and god-like Merion, march'd behind,
(For these the princes to their council join'd.)
The trenches pass'd, the assembled kings around
In silent state the consistory crown'd.
A place there was yet undefiled with gore,
The spot where Hector stopp'd his rage before.

230

When night descending, from his vengeful hand
Reprieved the relics of the Grecian band:
(The plain beside with mangled corps was spread,
And all his progress mark'd by heaps of dead.)
There sat the mournful kings: when Neleus' son
The council opening, in these words begun :
Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave,
His life to hazard, and his country save?
Lives there a man who singly dares to go
To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?
Or favour'd by the night approach so near,
Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?
If to besiege our navies they prepare,
Or Troy once more must be the seat of war?
This could he learn, and to our peers recite,
And pass unharm'd the dangers of the night;
What fame were his through all succeeding days,
While Phoebus shines, or men have tongues to praise!
What gifts his grateful country would bestow!
What must not Greece to her deliverer owe!
A sable ewe each leader should provide,
With each a sable lambkin by her side;
At every rite his share should be increased,
And his the foremost honours of the feast.

Then in a leathern helm he cased his head,
Shorn of its crest, and with no plume o'erspread
(Such as by youths unused to arms are worn.
No spoils enrich it, and no studs adorn.)
Next him Ulysses took a shining sword,

310

240 A bow and quiver with bright arrows stored:
A well-proved casque, with leather braces bound,
(Thy gift, Meriones) his temples crown'd:
Soft wool within; without, in order spread,
A boar's white teeth grinn'd horrid o'er his head.
This from Amyntor, rich Ormenus' son
Antolychus by fraudful rapine won,
And gave Amphidamas: from him the prize
Molus received, the pledge of social ties;
The helmet next by Merion was possess'd,
And now Ulysses' thoughtful temples press'd.
Thus sheath'd in arms, the council they forsake,
And dark through paths oblique their progress take.
Just then, in sign she favour'd their intent,
A long-wing'd heron great Minerva sent:
This, though surrounding shades obscured their view
By the shrill clang and whistling wings, they knew
As from the right she soar'd, Ulysses pray'd,
Hail'd the glad omen, and address'd the maid:

250

Fear held them mute: alone untaught to fear,
Tydides spoke-The man you seek is here.
Through yon black camps to bend my dangerous way,
Some god within commands, and I obey.
But let some other chosen warrior join,
To raise my hopes, and second my design.
By mutual confidence, and mutual aid,

Great deeds are done, and great discoveries made
The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,
And one brave hero fans another's fire.

Contending leaders at the word arose ;
Each generous breast with emulation glows:
So brave a task each Ajax strove to share,
Bold Merion strove, and Nestor's valiant heir;
The Spartan wish'd the second place to gain,
And great Ulysses wish'd, nor wish'd in vain.
Then thus the king of men the contest ends:
Thou first of warriors, and thou best of friends,
Undaunted Diomed! what chief to join
In this great enterprise, is only thine.
Just be thy choice, without affection made;
To birth or office no respect be paid;

Let worth determine here. The monarch spake,
And inly trembled for his brother's sake.
Then thus (the godlike Diomed rejoin'd)
My choice declares the impulse of my mind.
How can I doubt while great Ulysses stands
To lend his counsels, and assist our hands;
A chief, whose safety is Minerva's care;
So famed, so dreadful, in the works of war.
Bless'd in his conduct, I no aid require;

O daughter of that god, whose arm can wield
260 The avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield!
O Thou! for ever present in my way,
Who all my motions, all my toils survey!
Safe may we pass beneath the gloomy shade,
Safe by thy succour to our ships convey'd!
And let some deed this signal night adorn,
To claim the tears of Trojans yet unborn.

320

330

Then godlike Diomed preferr'd his prayer:
Daughter of Jove, unconquer'd Pallas! hear.
Great queen of arms, whose favour Tydeus won,
270 As thou defend'st the sire, defend the son.
powers
When on Esopus' banks the banded
Of Greece he left, and sought the Theban towers, 340
Peace was his charge; received with peaceful show,
He went a legate, but return'd a foe:

Then help'd by thee, and a vered by thy shield,
He fought with numbers, and made numbers yield.
So now be present, O celestial maid!
So still continue to the race thine aid!

A youthful steer shall fall beneath the stroke,
280 Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke,
With ample forehead, and with spreading horns,
Whose taper tops refulgent gold adorns.

350

The heroes pray'd, and Pallas from the skies
Accords their vow, succeeds their enterprise.
Now, like two lions panting for the prey,
With deathful thoughts they trace the dreary way,
Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain,
Through dust, thro' blood, o'er arms and hills of slain.
Nor less bold Hector, and the sons of Troy,

Wisdom like his might pass through flames of fire. 290 On high designs the wakeful hours employ;

It fits thee not, before these chiefs of fame,
(Replied the sage) to praise me or to blame :
Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,
Are lost on hearers that our merits know.
But let us haste-Night rolls the hours away,
The reddening orient shows the coming day,
The stars shine fainter on the ethereal plains,
And of Night's empire but a third remains.
Thus having spoke, with generous ardour press'd
In arms terrific their huge limbs they dress'd.
A two-edged falchion Thrasymed the brave
And ample buckler, to Tydides gave:

300

360

The assembled peers their lofty chief enclosed,
Who thus the counsels of his breast proposed:
What glorious man, for high attempts prepared,
Dares greatly venture for a rich reward?
Of yonder fleet a bold discovery make,
What watch they keep, and what resolves they take?
If now subdued they meditate their flight,
And spent with toil neglect the watch of night?
His be the chariot that shall please bim most,
Of all the plunder of the vanquish'd host;
His the fair steeds that all the rest excel,
And his the glory to have served so well.

370

A youth there was among the tribes of Troy,
Dolon his name, Eumedes' only boy.
(Five girls besides the reverend herald told.)
Rich was the son in brass, and rich in gold;
Not bless'd by nature with the charms of face,
But swift of foot, and matchless in the race.
Hector! (he said) my courage bids me meet
This high achievement, and explore the fleet:
But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies,
And swear to grant me the demanded prize;
The immortal coursers, and the glittering car,
That bear Pelides through the ranks of war.
Encouraged thus, no idle scout I go,
Fulfil thy wish, their whole intention know,
E'en to the royal tent pursue my way,
And all their counsels, all their aims betray.
The chief then heaved the golden sceptre high,
Attesting thus the monarch of the sky:
Be witness thou! immortal lord of all!
Whose thunder shakes the dark aërial hall:
By none but Dolon shall this prize be borne,
And him alone the immortal steeds adorn.

440

Then thus aloud: Whoe'er thou art, remain;
This javelin else shall fix thee to the plain.
He said, and high in air the weapon cast,
Which wilful err'd, and o'er his shoulder pass'd;
Then fix'd in earth. Against the trembling wood
The wretch stood propp'd, and quiver'd as he stood:
A sudden palsy seized his turning head;
His loose teeth chatter'd, and his colour fled.
The panting warriors seize him, as he stands
380 And with unmanly tears his life demands.

O spare my youth, and for the breath I owe,
Large gifts of price my father shall bestow.
Vast heaps of brass shall in your ships be told,
And steel well temper'd, and refulgent gold.

450

To whom Ulysses made this wise reply:
Whoe'er thou art, be bold, nor fear to die.
What moves thee, say, when sleep has closed the
sight,

To roam the silent fields in dead of night?
390 Camest thou the secrets of our camp to find,
By Hector prompted, or thy daring mind?
Or art some wretch by hopes of plunder led
Through heaps of carnage to despoil the dead? 460
Then thus pale Dolon with a fearful look,
(Still as he spoke his limbs with horror shook :)
Hither I came, by Hector's word deceived;
Much did he promise, rashly I believed:
No less a bribe than great Achilles' car,

Thus Hector swore: the gods were call'd in vain,
But the rash youth prepares to scour the plain:
Across his back the bended bow he flung,
A wolf's grey hide around his shoulders hung;
A ferret's downy fur his helmet lined,
And in his hand a pointed javelin shined.
Then (never to return) he sought the shore,
And trod the path his feet must tread no more.
Scarce had he pass'd the steeds and Trojan throng,
(Still bending forward as he coursed along,)
When on the hollow way, the approaching tread
Ulysses mark'd, and thus to Diomed:

O friend! I hear some step of hostile feet
Moving this way, or hastening to the fleet;
Some spy perhaps, to lurk beside the main,
Or nightly pillager that strips the slain.
Yet let him pass, and win a little space;
Then rush behind him, and prevent his pace.
But if too swift of foot he flies before,
Confine his course along the fleet and shore,
Betwixt the camp and him our spears employ,
And intercept his hoped return to Troy.

And those swift steeds that sweep the ranks of war, 400 Urged me, unwilling, this attempt to make,

To learn what counsels, what resolves you take;
If, now subdued, you fix your hopes on flight,
And tired with toils, neglect the watch of night. 470
Bold was thy aim, and glorious was the prize!
(Ulysses with a scornful smile replies.)
Far other rulers those proud steeds demand,
And scorn the guidance of a vulgar hand;
E'en great Achilles scarce their rage can tame,
Achilles, sprung from an immortal dame.
410 But say, be faithful, and the truth recite;

Where lies encamp'd the Trojan chief to-night?
Where stand his coursers? in what quarter sleep
Their other princes? tell what watch they keep: 480
Say, since their conquest, what their counsels are;

With that they stepp'd aside, and stooped their head Or here to combat, from their city far,

Or back to Ilion's walls transfer the war.
Ulysses thus, and thus Eumedes' son:

What Dolon knows, his faithful tongue shall own.
Hector, the peers assembling in his tent,
420 A counsel holds at Illus' monument.

(As Dolon pass'd) behind a heap of dead:
Along the path the spy unwary flew ;
Soft, at just distance, both the chiefs pursue.
So distant they, and such the space between,
As when two teams of mules divide the green
(To whom the hind like shares of land allows.)
When now few furrows part the approaching ploughs.
Now Dolon listening heard them as they pass'd;
Hector (he thought) had sent, and check'd his haste,
Till scarce at distance of a javelin's throw,
No voice succeeding, he perceived the foe.
As when two skilful hounds the leveret wind;
Or chase through woods obscure the trembling hind:
Now lost, now seen, they intercept his way,
And from the herd still turn the flying prey;
So fast, and with such fears, the Trojan flew ;
So close, so constant, the bold Greeks pursue.
Now almost on the fleet the dastard falls,
And mingles with the guards that watch the walls;
When brave Tydides stopp'd, a generous thought
(Inspired by Pallas) in his bosom wrought,
Lest on the foe some forward Greek advance,
And snatch the glory from his lifted lance.

Then sleep those aids among the Trojan train,
(Inquired the chief,) or scatter'd o'er the plain ?
To whom the spy: Their powers they thus dispose;
430 The Pæons, dreadful with their bended bows,
The Carians, Caucons, the Pelasgian host,
And Leleges, encamp along the coast.
Not distant far, lie higher on the land
The Lycian, Mysian, and Maconian band,
And Phrygia's horse, by Thymbras' ancient wall;
The Thracians utmost, and apart from all.
These Troy but lately to her succour won,

Led on by Rhesus, great Eioneus' son:

500