In answer thus Euryalus 'gan say: "No day henceforth of all my life shall prove me fallen away 280 From this my deed: only may fate in kindly wise befall, Nor stand against me: now one gift I ask thee over all: I have a mother born on earth from Priam's ancient race, Who wretched in the land of Troy had no abiding-place, Nor in Acesta's steadfast wall; with me she still must wend: Her, who knows nought of this my risk, whatever may be the end Unto thy safeguard do I leave: Night and thy right hand there Be witness that my mother's tears I had no heart to bear. But solace thou her lack, I pray; comfort her desert need; Yea let me bear this hope with me, and boldlier shall I speed 290 Amid all haps." Touched to the heart the Dardans might not keep Their tears aback, and chief of all did fair Iulus weep, The image of his father's love so flashed upon his soul: And therewithal he spake the word: "All things I duly answer for worthy thy deed of fame; Thy mother shall my mother be, nor lack but e'en the name To be Creusa: store of thanks no little hath she won That bore thee. Whatsoever hap thy valorous deed bear on, By this my head, whereon my sire is wont the troth to plight, Whatever I promised thee come back, with all things wrought aright, 300 Thy mother and thy kin shall bide that very same reward." So spake he, weeping, and did off his shoulder-girded sword All golden, that with wondrous craft Lycaon out of Crete Had fashioned, fitting it withal in ivory scabbard meet. And Mnestheus unto Nisus gives a stripped-off lion's hide And shaggy coat; and helm for helm giveth Aletes tried. Then forth they wend in weed of war, and they of first estate, Young men and old, went forth with them, and leave them at the gate With following vows; and therewithal Iulus, goodly-wrought, Who far beyond his tender years had mind of manly thought, 310 Charged them with many messages unto his father's ear,-- Vain words the night-winds bore away and gave the clouds to bear. Forth now they wend and pass the ditch, and through the mirk night gain The baneful camp: yet ere their death they too shall be the bane Of many: bodies laid in sleep and wine they see strewed o'er The herbage, and the battle-cars upreared along the shore; And mid the reins and wheels thereof are men and weapons blent With wine-jars: so Hyrtacides such word from tooth-hedge sent: "Euryalus, the hand must dare, the time cries on the deed; Here lies the way: do thou afar keep watch and have good heed, 320 Lest any hand aback of us arise 'gainst thee and me: Here will I make a waste forsooth, and wide thy way shall be."