Achilles (Mythological character); Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Trojan War
But him much-planning Ulysses answering addressed: “In what manner now
do they sleep: mingled with the horse-breaking Trojans, or apart? Tell
me, that I may know.”
But him Dolon, the son of Eumedes, answered: “Therefore will I indeed
detail these things also very correctly. On the one hand, towards the
sea, [are] the Carians and Pœonians, armed with crooked bows, the
Lelegans, and Cauconians, and noble Pelasgians. Towards Thymbra, on the
other, the Lycians are allotted their place, and the haughty Mysians,
the horse-breaking Phrygians, and the Mæonian cavalry 355 warriors. But
why inquire ye of me these things separately? For if ye are now eager
to penetrate the host of the Trojans, those Thracians lately arrived
are apart, the last of all the others. And among them is their king
Rhesus, son of Eioneus. And his horses are the most beautiful and
largest I have seen. They are whiter than snow, and like to the winds
in speed. And his chariot is well adorned with both gold and silver;
and he himself came, wearing golden armour of mighty splendour, a
marvel to behold; which does not indeed suit mortal men to wear, but
the immortal gods. But now remove me to the swift ships, or, having
bound me with a cruel bond, leave me here until ye return, and make
trial of me, whether I have indeed spoken to you truly, or not.”
Footnote 355: (return) _I.e._ charioteers.
But him then valiant Diomede sternly regarding, addressed: “Think not
within thy mind to escape from me, O Dolon, although thou hast reported
good tidings, since thou hast once come into my hands. For if indeed we
shall now release thee, or set thee at liberty, hereafter thou wouldst
surely return to the swift ships of the Achæans, either in order to
become a spy, or to fight against us. But if, subdued by my hands, thou
lose thy life, thou wilt not ever afterwards be a bane to the Greeks.”
He said; and the other was preparing to supplicate him, taking him by
the chin with his strong hand; but he, rushing at him with his sword,
smote the middle of his neck, and cut through both the tendons; and the
head of him, still muttering, was mingled with the dust. From his head
they took the weasel-skin helmet, and the wolf skin, with the bent bow
and long spear; and noble Ulysses raised them on high with his hand to
Minerva, the goddess of plunder, and praying, spake:
“Rejoice, O goddess, in these, for thee, first of all the immortals in
Olympus, do we invoke; but guide us likewise to the horses and tents of
the Thracian men.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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