To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied: “Ulysses sage, Laertes’ godlike son, Be not offended; such the stress that now Weighs down our army; come thou then with us, And others let us call; with whom ’tis meet That we should counsel take, to fight or fly.” He said; Ulysses to the tent return’d; Then, his broad shield across his shoulders thrown, Came forth again, and with them took his way. To Diomed, the son of Tydeus, next They went; and him they found beside his arms, Without his tent; his comrades slept around, Their heads upon their bucklers laid; their spears Stood upright, on the butts; the burnish’d brass Like Heav’n’s own lightning, flashing far around. Stretch’d on a wild bull’s hide the chief repos’d, A gay-wrought carpet roll’d beneath his head. Gerenian Nestor close behind him stood, And touched him with his foot, and thus in tone Reproachful spoke: “Arouse thee, Tydeus’ son! Why sleep’st thou thus all night? or know’st thou not That on the very margin of the plain, And close beside the ships the Trojans lie, And little space between the camps is left?” Quick rous’d from sleep, thus answer’d Diomed: “Beshrew thy heart, old man! no labour seems For thee too hard; are there not younger men To run about the camp, and summon all The sev’ral chiefs? thou dost too much, old man.” To whom Gerenian Nestor thus replied: “True, friend, and full of wisdom are thy words; Good sons indeed I have, and followers brave And many, who might well my message bear; But great is now the stress that lies on Greece; For on a razor’s edge is balanc’d now, To all the Greeks, the chance of life or death. Do thou then go (for thou my younger art), And if thou pity me, thyself arouse Ajax the swift, and Phyleus’ noble son.” He said; the warrior round his shoulders threw, Down reaching to his feet, a lion’s hide, Tawny and dark; and took his pond’rous spear. He went, arous’d, and with him brought the chiefs. When to the guard they came, not sunk in sleep Found they the leaders; but on wakeful watch Intent, and all alert beside their arms. As round a sheepfold keep their anxious watch The dogs, who in the neighbouring thicket hear Some beast, that, bold in search of prey, has come Down from the mountain; loud the clamours rise Of men and dogs; all sleep is banish’d thence; So from their eyes was banish’d sleep, who watch’d Through that disastrous night; still plainward turning At ev’ry movement in the Trojan camp. The old man saw, well-pleas’d; and thus address’d With cheering words the captains of the guard: “Watch ever thus, good youths; nor be surpris’d By slumber, lest the foe a triumph gain.”