_Ul._ My spies, Who have searched the isle, say there’s no youth thereon, Having Achilles’ age of sixteen years, But is well known of native parentage. 140 Now Thetis’ son must be of wondrous beauty, That could not scape inquiry; we therefore look For what is hid, and not to be disguised Save as I guess. _Dio._ If this be so, thy purpose Is darker still. _Ul._ I lead thee by the steps I came myself to take, slowly and surely... And next this, that ’twere dull to ask the king To help to find the thing he goes to hide: Therefore the search must be without his knowledge. ’Twas thus I sent up Abas to the court, 150 Idly to engage him in preliminaries, The while I work; my only hope being this, To come myself to parley with the maidens; Which to procure I brought with me aboard A pedlar’s gear, and with such gawds and trinkets As tickle girlish fancies, I shall steal Upon them at their play; my hoary beard And rags will set them at their ease; and while They come about me, and turn o’er my pack, I spy. If then Achilles be among them, 160 The lad’s indifference soon will mark him out; When, watching my occasion, I’ll exhibit Something that should provoke his eye and tongue. If he betray himself, thou being at hand.... _Dio._ Why, ’tis a dirty trick. _Ul._ Not if it wins. _Dio._ Fie! fie! In rags and a white beard? _Ul._ No better way. _Dio._ The better way were not to lose the hour Hearkening to oracles, while our good ships Rot, and our men grow stale. Why, you may see Imperial Agamemnon in the eyes 171 Of all his armament walk daily forth To take fresh note of sparrows and of snakes: And if he spy an eagle, ’twill make talk For twenty days. Would you have oracles, Give me the whipping of the priests. Zeus help me! If half the chiefs knew but their minds as I, There’d be no parleying. I’ll to war alone And with my eighty ships do what I may ’Gainst gods and men. Ay, and the greater odds The better fighting. _Ul._ Now ’tis thou that talkest. 181 _Dio._ Tell me then why we are prowling on this hill.