_Ach._ Ah! now I hear a soldier’s voice. Brave Diomede, I give thee welcome, tho’ thou comest behind. _Dio._ Hail, son of Thetis, champion of the Greeks! _Ach._ Anon, anon. What dost thou here? Wert thou 1141 Sat in an ambush or arrived by chance, As thou didst say? _Dio._ By heaven I cannot tell. I serve Ulysses, and he serves the gods: If thou’rt displeased with them, gibe not at me. _Ach._ I see the plan—The pedlar here in front, The lion behind. And so ye thought to seize me. _Ul._ Have we not done it? _Ach._ Nay. _Ul._ Thou canst not scape. _Ach._ I give that back to thee. _Ul._ What wilt thou now? _Ach._ Diomede and I have swords: thou mayst stand by 1150 Until ’tis time thou show me how to escape. I’ll drive you to your ship. _Ul._ (_aside to Dio._). Answer him not. He cannot leave the isle: When the king learns of our discovery He must deliver him up. Let’s to the palace. _Dio._ (_to Ul._). Nay, I must speak— _Ul._ Thou wilt but anger him. He will yield better if we cross him not. _Dio._ (_to Ach._). Brave son of Thetis, I’d not yield to thee In any trial of strength, tho’ thou be clad In heavenly armour; but I came not here 1160 To fight, and least with thee: put up thy sword. And since I heard thee say thou wilt to Aulis, Our mission is accomplished, nought remains But to renounce our acting, and atone For what we have ventured. First I speak thee free To follow thine own way. Unless the king Or other here be in thy secrecy, None know but we, nor shall know: be it thy will, My lips are sealed, and in whatever else Thou wilt command me, I shall be glad to obey. _Ach._ Thank thee, good Diomede. What saith Ulysses? 1171 _Ul._ I’ll do whate’er will knit thee to our cause. (_Aside._) Yet shall men hear I found thee. _Ach._ Return then to your ship; and when Ulysses Is there restored proceed ye to the court. But what in the surprise and consequence Of my discovery to the king, as well As to some others may arise, I know not; Nor can instruct your good behaviours further. Time grants me but short counsel for myself. 1180 _Ul._ We too should study how to meet the king. _Ach._ Stay yet, Ulysses. Thou hast parted here With goods appraised to them that meant to buy. I have a full purse with me. Be content, Take it. I’d give as much for the little sword. Now let me do this favour to the ladies.