Nor start, as yet uncustom’d to the dead. But when the son of Tydeus found the King, Him also panting forth his last, last, breath,585 He added to the twelve; for at his head An evil dream that night had stood, the form Of Diomede, by Pallas’ art devised. Meantime, the bold Ulysses loosed the steeds, Which, to each other rein’d, he drove abroad,590 Smiting them with his bow (for of the scourge He thought not in the chariot-seat secured) And as he went, hiss’d, warning Diomede. But he, projecting still some hardier deed, Stood doubtful, whether by the pole to draw595 The chariot thence, laden with gorgeous arms, Or whether heaving it on high, to bear The burthen off, or whether yet to take More Thracian lives; when him with various thoughts Perplex’d, Minerva, drawing near, bespake.600 Son of bold Tydeus! think on thy return To yonder fleet, lest thou depart constrain’d. Some other God may rouse the powers of Troy. She ended, and he knew the voice divine. At once he mounted. With his bow the steeds605 Ulysses plyed, and to the ships they flew. Nor look’d the bender of the silver bow, Apollo, forth in vain, but at the sight Of Pallas following Diomede incensed, Descended to the field where numerous most610 He saw the Trojans, and the Thracian Chief And counsellor, Hippocoön aroused,[19] Kinsman of Rhesus, and renown’d in arms. He, starting from his sleep, soon as he saw The spot deserted where so lately lay615 Those fiery coursers, and his warrior friends Gasping around him, sounded loud the name Of his loved Rhesus. Instant, at the voice, Wild stir arose and clamorous uproar Of fast-assembling Trojans. Deeds they saw—620 Terrible deeds, and marvellous perform’d, But not their authors—they had sought the ships. Meantime arrived where they had slain the spy Of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove, The coursers stay’d, and, leaping to the ground,625 The son of Tydeus in Ulysses’ hands The arms of Dolon placed foul with his blood, Then vaulted light into his seat again. He lash’d the steeds, they, not unwilling, flew To the deep-bellied barks, as to their home.630 First Nestor heard the sound, and thus he said. Friends! Counsellors! and leaders of the Greeks! False shall I speak, or true?—but speak I must. The echoing sound of hoofs alarms my ear. Oh, that Ulysses, and brave Diomede635 This moment might arrive drawn into camp By Trojan steeds! But, ah, the dread I feel! Lest some disaster have for ever quell’d In yon rude host those noblest of the Greeks. He hath not ended, when themselves arrived,640 Both quick dismounted; joy at their return Fill’d every bosom; each with kind salute Cordial, and right-hand welcome greeted them, And first Gerenian Nestor thus inquired. Oh Chief by all extoll’d, glory of Greece,645 Ulysses! how have ye these steeds acquired? In yonder host? or met ye as ye went Some God who gave them to you? for they show A lustre dazzling as the beams of day. Old as I am, I mingle yet in fight650