Thus saying, them he left, and onward mov’d. The son of Tydeus, valiant Diomed, Standing he found amid his warlike steeds And well-built cars; beside him, Sthenelus, The son of Capaneus; Atrides saw, And thus address’d him with reproachful words: “Alas! thou son of Tydeus, wise and bold, Why crouch with fear? why thus appall’d survey The pass of war? not so had Tydeus crouch’d; His hand was ever ready from their foes To guard his comrades; so, at least, they say Whose eyes beheld his labours; I myself Nor met him e’er, nor saw; but, by report, Thy father was the foremost man of men. A stranger to Mycenæ once he came, With godlike Polynices; not at war, But seeking succour for the troops that lay Encamp’d before the sacred walls of Thebes; For reinforcements earnestly they sued; The boon they ask’d was granted them, but Jove With unpropitious omens turn’d them back. Advancing on their journey, when they reach’d Asopus’ grassy banks and rushes deep, The Greeks upon a mission Tydeus sent: He went; and many Thebans there he found Feasting in Eteocles’ royal hall: Amid them all, a stranger and alone, He stood unterrified, and challeng’d all To wrestle with him, and with ease o’erthrew: So mighty was the aid that Pallas gave. Whereat indignant, they, on his return, An ambush set, of fifty chosen youths; Two were their leaders; Haemon’s godlike son, Maeon, and Lycophontes, warrior brave, Son of Autophonus; and these too far’d But ill at Tydeus’ hand; he slew them all: Maeon alone, obedient to the Gods, He spar’d, and bade him bear the tidings home. Such Tydeus was: though greater in debate, His son will never rival him in arms.” He said: brave Diomed in silence heard, Submissive to the monarch’s stern rebuke; Then answer’d thus the son of Capaneus: “Atrides, speak not falsely: well thou know’st The truth, that we our fathers far surpass. The seven-gated city, Thebes, we took, With smaller force beneath the wall of Mars, Trusting to heav’nly signs, and fav’ring Jove, Where they by blind, presumptuous folly fail’d; Then equal not our fathers’ deeds with ours.” To whom thus Diomed, with stern regard: “Father, be silent; hearken to my words: I blame not Agamemnon, King of men, Who thus to battle stirs the well-greav’d Greeks: His will the glory be if we o’ercome The valiant Trojans, and their city take; Great too his loss if they o’er us prevail: Then come, let us too for the fight prepare.” He said; and from the car leap’d down in arms: Fierce rang the armour on the warrior’s breast, That ev’n the stoutest heart might quail with fear.