None yields by fear oppress’d, none lull’d by sloth From battle shrinks; but such the pleasure seems Of Jove himself, that we should perish here Inglorious, from our country far remote280 But, Thoas! (for thine heart was ever firm In battle, and thyself art wont to rouse Whom thou observ’st remiss) now also fight As erst, and urge each leader of the host. Him answered, then, the Sovereign of the Deep.285 Return that Grecian never from the shores Of Troy, Idomeneus! but may the dogs Feast on him, who shall this day intermit Through wilful negligence his force in fight! But haste, take arms and come; we must exert290 All diligence, that, being only two, We yet may yield some service. Union much Emboldens even the weakest, and our might Hath oft been proved on warriors of renown. So Neptune spake, and, turning, sought again295 The toilsome field. Ere long, Idomeneus Arriving in his spacious tent, put on His radiant armor, and, two spears in hand, Set forth like lightning which Saturnian Jove From bright Olympus shakes into the air,300 A sign to mortal men, dazzling all eyes; So beam’d the Hero’s armor as he ran. But him not yet far distant from his tent Meriones, his fellow-warrior met, For he had left the fight, seeking a spear,305 When thus the brave Idomeneus began. Swift son of Molus! chosen companion dear! Wherefore, Meriones, hast thou the field Abandon’d? Art thou wounded? Bring’st thou home Some pointed mischief in thy flesh infixt?310 Or comest thou sent to me, who of myself The still tent covet not, but feats of arms? To whom Meriones discreet replied, Chief leader of the Cretans, brazen-mail’d Idomeneus! if yet there be a spear315 Left in thy tent, I seek one; for I broke The spear, even now, with which erewhile I fought, Smiting the shield of fierce Deiphobus. Then answer thus the Cretan Chief return’d, Valiant Idomeneus. If spears thou need,320 Within my tent, leaning against the wall, Stand twenty spears and one, forged all in Troy, Which from the slain I took; for distant fight Me suits not; therefore in my tent have I Both spears and bossy shields, with brazen casques325 And corselets bright that smile against the sun. Him answer’d, then, Meriones discreet. I also, at my tent and in my ship Have many Trojan spoils, but they are hence Far distant. I not less myself than thou330 Am ever mindful of a warrior’s part, And when the din of glorious arms is heard, Fight in the van. If other Greeks my deeds Know not, at least I judge them known to thee. To whom the leader of the host of Crete335 Idomeneus. I know thy valor well, Why speakest thus to me? Choose we this day An ambush forth of all the bravest Greeks, (For in the ambush is distinguish’d best The courage; there the timorous and the bold340 Plainly appear; the dastard changes hue And shifts from place to place, nor can he calm The fears that shake his trembling limbs, but sits Low-crouching on his hams, while in his breast