Alone in those Greek ships to stake
His life, for home and country's sake:
'Tis wondrous! Few be hearts so true
When seas across the bulwark break,
And sunlight sickens o'er the crew.
Ah, Phrygia still hath hearts of rock!
The Phrygian spear flies fast and far!
Where shall ye find the fool to mock
Our works in war?
Whom will he stab a-sleeping, whom,
The quick grey wolf, the crawling doom?
Grant that he slay the Spartan! Nay,
Or Agamemnon's head and plume [vv. 256-272]
To Helen bear at dawn of day!
A lightsome dawn to hear her wail
Her brother sworn, her King who came
To Ilion with his thousand sail,
And swords, and flame!
[_As the song ends_ DOLON _reappears, in the disguise of a wolf. The
Guards gather round him, bidding him godspeed as he crawls off in
the dark towards the Greek camp. Meantime from the direction of
Mount Ida has entered a_ SHEPHERD _who goes to_ HECTOR's _door and
calls. The Guards seeing him return to their places._
SHEPHERD.
Ho, Master!
[_Enter_ HECTOR _from tent_.
I would it ofttimes were my luck to share
As goodly news with thee as now I bear.
HECTOR.
What dulness hangs about these shepherds! Block,
Com'st thou to us with tidings of thy flock
Here in the field in arms? Who wants thee here?
Thou know'st my house; thou know'st my father's.
There
Tell all about thy lucky lambs.--Now go.
SHEPHERD.
Dull wits, we shepherds! Aye, 'twas alway so.
Yet still, there is some good news to be told.
HECTOR. [vv. 273-288]
A truce there to thy gossip of the fold!
Our dealings are of war, of sword and spear.
[_He turns to go._
SHEPHERD.
Aye; so were mine. That is what brought me here.
[HECTOR's _manner changes_.
A chief comes yonder, leading a great band
Of spears, with help to thee and all the land.
HECTOR.
From whence? How do his name and lineage run?
SHEPHERD.
He comes from Thrace, the River Strymon's son.
HECTOR.
Rhesus! Not Rhesus, here on Trojan soil?
SHEPHERD.
Thou hast guessed. That eases me of half my toil.
HECTOR.
What makes he there towards Ida? All astray
Thus from the plain and the broad waggon-way!
SHEPHERD.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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