Ulysses and Diomed’s Deadly Spy Mission

Now the other princes of the Achaeans slept soundly the whole night through, but Agamemnon son of Atreus was troubled, so that he could get no rest. As when fair Juno’s lord flashes his lightning in token of great rain or hail or snow when the snow-flakes whiten the ground, or again as a sign that he will open the wide jaws of hungry war, even so did Agamemnon heave many a heavy sigh, for his soul trembled within him. When he looked upon the plain of Troy he marvelled at the many watchfires burning in front of Ilius, and at the sound of pipes and flutes and of the hum of men, but when presently he turned towards the ships and hosts of the Achaeans, he tore his hair by handfuls before Jove on high, and groaned aloud for the very disquietness of his soul. In the end he deemed it best to go at once to Nestor son of Neleus, and see if between them they could find any way of the Achaeans from destruction. He therefore rose, put on his shirt, bound his sandals about his comely feet, flung the skin of a huge tawny lion over his shoulders—a skin that reached his feet—and took his spear in his hand.

The other princes of the Achaeans slept soundly all night, but Agamemnon son of Atreus was troubled and could not rest. Just as fair Juno’s husband flashes lightning to signal heavy rain, hail, or snow that will whiten the ground, so Agamemnon sighed deeply again and again. Or the lightning may signal that Juno’s husband will open the wide jaws of hungry war. Agamemnon’s sighs were like these flashes, for his soul trembled within him. Looking across the plain of Troy, he marveled at the many watchfires burning in front of Ilius. He also marveled at the sound of pipes and flutes and the murmur of men. But when he turned toward the ships and armies of the Achaeans, he tore out handfuls of his hair. He did this before Jove on high and groaned aloud because his soul was so troubled. At last, he decided to go straight to Nestor son of Neleus. Together, they might find a way to save the Achaeans from destruction. So he got up, put on his shirt, and fastened his sandals around his handsome feet. He threw the skin of a huge tawny lion over his shoulders. The skin reached down to his feet. Then he took his spear in his hand.

Neither could Menelaus sleep, for he, too, boded ill for the Argives who for his sake had sailed from far over the seas to fight the Trojans. He covered his broad back with the skin of a spotted panther, put a casque of bronze upon his head, and took his spear in his brawny hand. Then he went to rouse his brother, who was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, and was honoured by the people as though he were a god. He found him by the stern of his ship already putting his goodly array about his shoulders, and right glad was he that his brother had come.

Menelaus could not sleep either, because he too feared disaster for the Argives. They had sailed from far across the seas to fight the Trojans for his sake. He covered his broad back with a spotted panther’s skin and put a bronze helmet on his head. Then he took his spear in his muscular hand and went to wake his brother. His brother was by far the most powerful of the Achaeans, and the people honored him like a god. Menelaus found him at the stern of his ship, already putting his fine armor over his shoulders. His brother was very glad Menelaus had come.

Menelaus spoke first. “Why,” said he, “my dear brother, are you thus arming? Are you going to send any of our comrades to exploit the Trojans? I greatly fear that no one will do you this service, and spy upon the enemy alone in the dead of night. It will be a deed of great daring.”

Menelaus spoke first. “Why are you putting on your armor like this, my dear brother?” he asked. “Are you going to send one of our comrades to spy on the Trojans? I greatly fear no one will do you that service, spying on the enemy alone in the dead of night. Such a mission would take great courage.”

And King Agamemnon answered, “Menelaus, we both of us need shrewd counsel to save the Argives and our ships, for Jove has changed his mind, and inclines towards Hector’s sacrifices rather than ours. I never saw nor heard tell of any man as having wrought such ruin in one day as Hector has now wrought against the sons of the Achaeans—and that too of his own unaided self, for he is son neither to god nor goddess. The Argives will rue it long and deeply. Run, therefore, with all speed by the line of the ships, and call Ajax and Idomeneus. Meanwhile I will go to Nestor, and bid him rise and go about among the companies of our sentinels to give them their instructions; they will listen to him sooner than to any man, for his own son, and Meriones brother in arms to Idomeneus, are captains over them. It was to them more particularly that we gave this charge.”

And King Agamemnon answered, “Menelaus, we both need wise advice to save the Argives and our ships. For Jove has changed his mind and now favors Hector’s sacrifices over ours. I have never seen or heard of any man causing as much destruction in one day as Hector has now. He has done all this to the sons of the Achaeans on his own, without help. And yet he is the son of neither a god nor a goddess. The Argives will regret these losses deeply for a long time. So run as fast as you can along the line of ships, and call Ajax and Idomeneus. Meanwhile, I will go to Nestor and tell him to get up. I will ask him to visit the groups of sentinels and give them their instructions. They will listen to him more readily than to anyone else. For his own son and Meriones, Idomeneus’s brother in arms, are their captains. Those two were the men we specifically put in charge of the sentinels.”

Menelaus replied, “How do I take your meaning? Am I to stay with them and wait your coming, or shall I return here as soon as I have given your orders?” “Wait,” answered King Agamemnon, “for there are so many paths about the camp that we might miss one another. Call every man on your way, and bid him be stirring; name him by his lineage and by his father’s name, give each all titular observance, and stand not too much upon your own dignity; we must take our full share of toil, for at our birth Jove laid this heavy burden upon us.”

Menelaus replied, “What do you mean? Should I stay with them and wait for you? Or should I return here as soon as I have delivered your orders?” “Wait,” answered King Agamemnon, “because the camp has so many paths that we might miss each other. Call to every man you pass and tell him to get moving. Address each man by his family line and his father’s name, and give each his proper titles. Don’t worry too much about your own dignity. We must do our full share of the work, because Jove placed this heavy burden on us at birth.”

With these instructions he sent his brother on his way, and went on to Nestor shepherd of his people. He found him sleeping in his tent hard by his own ship; his goodly armour lay beside him—his shield, his two spears and his helmet; beside him also lay the gleaming girdle with which the old man girded himself when he armed to lead his people into battle—for his age stayed him not. He raised himself on his elbow and looked up at Agamemnon. “Who is it,” said he, “that goes thus about the host and the ships alone and in the dead of night, when men are sleeping? Are you looking for one of your mules or for some comrade? Do not stand there and say nothing, but speak. What is your business?”

With these instructions, he sent his brother on his way and went to Nestor, the shepherd of his people. He found Nestor asleep in his tent beside his own ship. His fine armor lay beside him: his shield, his two spears, and his helmet. Beside him lay the gleaming belt he wore when he armed himself to lead his people into battle. For his age did not hold him back. Nestor raised himself on one elbow and looked up at Agamemnon. “Who are you,” he asked, “walking alone through the camp and among the ships in the dead of night? Everyone is asleep. Are you looking for one of your mules or for some comrade? Do not stand there without saying anything. Speak. What is your business?”

And Agamemnon answered, “Nestor, son of Neleus, honour to the Achaean name, it is I, Agamemnon son of Atreus, on whom Jove has laid labour and sorrow so long as there is breath in my body and my limbs carry me. I am thus abroad because sleep sits not upon my eyelids, but my heart is big with war and with the jeopardy of the Achaeans. I am in great fear for the Danaans. I am at sea, and without sure counsel; my heart beats as though it would leap out of my body, and my limbs fail me. If then you can do anything—for you too cannot sleep—let us go the round of the watch, and see whether they are drowsy with toil and sleeping to the neglect of their duty. The enemy is encamped hard and we know not but he may attack us by night.”

And Agamemnon answered, “Nestor, son of Neleus, you bring honor to the Achaean name. I am Agamemnon, son of Atreus. Jove has burdened me with toil and sorrow as long as I breathe and my legs carry me. I am out here because I cannot sleep. My heart is full of the war and the danger facing the Achaeans. I fear greatly for the Danaans. I am lost and do not know what to do. My heart pounds as if it would leap out of my body, and my limbs grow weak. If you can do anything to help, let us check on the guards, since you too cannot sleep. Let us see whether exhaustion has made them drowsy and they are sleeping instead of keeping watch. The enemy is camped nearby, and for all we know, they may attack us tonight.”

Nestor replied, “Most noble son of Atreus, king of men, Agamemnon, Jove will not do all for Hector that Hector thinks he will; he will have troubles yet in plenty if Achilles will lay aside his anger. I will go with you, and we will rouse others, either the son of Tydeus, or Ulysses, or fleet Ajax and the valiant son of Phyleus. Some one had also better go and call Ajax and King Idomeneus, for their ships are not near at hand but the farthest of all. I cannot however refrain from blaming Menelaus, much as I love him and respect him—and I will say so plainly, even at the risk of offending you—for sleeping and leaving all this trouble to yourself. He ought to be going about imploring aid from all the princes of the Achaeans, for we are in extreme danger.”

Nestor replied, “Most noble son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, Jove will not do everything Hector expects of him. Hector will still have plenty of trouble if Achilles lets go of his anger. I will go with you, and we will wake others. We can wake the son of Tydeus, or Ulysses, or swift Ajax and the brave son of Phyleus. Someone had also better go and call Ajax and King Idomeneus. Their ships are not nearby, but are the farthest away of all. Still, I cannot help blaming Menelaus, much as I love and respect him. I will speak plainly, even at the risk of offending you. He is sleeping and leaving you to deal with all this trouble alone. He ought to be going around begging all the princes of the Achaeans for help, because we are in extreme danger.”

And Agamemnon answered, “Sir, you may sometimes blame him justly, for he is often remiss and unwilling to exert himself—not indeed from sloth, nor yet heedlessness, but because he looks to me and expects me to take the lead. On this occasion, however, he was awake before I was, and came to me of his own accord. I have already sent him to call the very men whom you have named. And now let us be going. We shall find them with the watch outside the gates, for it was there I said that we would meet them.”

And Agamemnon answered, “Sir, you may sometimes be right to blame him, for he often holds back and avoids making an effort. This is not because he is lazy or careless, but because he looks to me and expects me to lead. This time, however, he was awake before I was and came to me on his own. I have already sent him to call the very men you named. Now let us go. We will find those men with the guards outside the gates, where I said we would meet them.”

“In that case,” answered Nestor, “the Argives will not blame him nor disobey his orders when he urges them to fight or gives them instructions.”

“In that case,” Nestor replied, “the Argives won’t blame him or disobey his orders when he urges them to fight or gives them instructions.”

With this he put on his shirt, and bound his sandals about his comely feet. He buckled on his purple coat, of two thicknesses, large, and of a rough shaggy texture, grasped his redoubtable bronze-shod spear, and wended his way along the line of the Achaean ships. First he called loudly to Ulysses peer of gods in counsel and woke him, for he was soon roused by the sound of the battle-cry. He came outside his tent and said, “Why do you go thus alone about the host, and along the line of the ships in the stillness of the night? What is it that you find so urgent?” And Nestor knight of Gerene answered, “Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, take it not amiss, for the Achaeans are in great straits. Come with me and let us wake some other, who may advise well with us whether we shall fight or fly.”

With these words, he put on his shirt and tied his sandals around his handsome feet. He fastened his large purple coat, made of two layers of rough, shaggy fabric. He took his fearsome bronze-tipped spear and walked along the line of Achaean ships. First he called loudly to Ulysses, whose wisdom in counsel matched the gods’. Ulysses woke quickly at the sound of the battle cry. He came out of his tent and said, “Why are you walking alone through the army and along the ships in the quiet of the night? What is so urgent?” Nestor, the horseman of Gerene, answered, “Ulysses, noble son of Laertes, do not be offended, for the Achaeans are in serious trouble. Come with me, and let us wake someone else who may help us decide wisely whether to fight or flee.”

On this Ulysses went at once into his tent, put his shield about his shoulders and came out with them. First they went to Diomed son of Tydeus, and found him outside his tent clad in his armour with his comrades sleeping round him and using their shields as pillows; as for their spears, they stood upright on the spikes of their butts that were driven into the ground, and the burnished bronze flashed afar like the lightning of father Jove. The hero was sleeping upon the skin of an ox, with a piece of fine carpet under his head; Nestor went up to him and stirred him with his heel to rouse him, upbraiding him and urging him to bestir himself. “Wake up,” he exclaimed, “son of Tydeus. How can you sleep on in this way? Can you not see that the Trojans are encamped on the brow of the plain hard by our ships, with but a little space between us and them?”

At this, Ulysses went straight into his tent, slung his shield over his shoulders, and came out with the others. First they went to Diomed, son of Tydeus, and found him outside his tent in his armour. His comrades were sleeping around him, using their shields as pillows. Their spears stood upright, with the spikes at their lower ends driven into the ground. The polished bronze flashed far into the distance like the lightning of father Jove. The hero was sleeping on an oxhide, with a piece of fine carpet beneath his head. Nestor approached and nudged him with his heel to wake him, scolding him and urging him to get up. “Wake up,” he exclaimed, “son of Tydeus. How can you go on sleeping like this? Can't you see the Trojans camped on the rise of the plain, close to our ships? There is only a little space between us and them.”

On these words Diomed leaped up instantly and said, “Old man, your heart is of iron; you rest not one moment from your labours. Are there no younger men among the Achaeans who could go about to rouse the princes? There is no tiring you.”

At these words, Diomed immediately jumped up and said, “Old man, your heart is made of iron. You never take a moment’s rest from your work. Are there no younger men among the Achaeans who could go around waking the princes? You never seem to tire.”

And Nestor knight of Gerene made answer, “My son, all that you have said is true. I have good sons, and also much people who might call the chieftains, but the Achaeans are in the gravest danger; life and death are balanced as it were on the edge of a razor. Go then, for you are younger than I, and of your courtesy rouse Ajax and the fleet son of Phyleus.”

Nestor, the knight of Gerene, answered, “My son, all you have said is true. I have good sons and many followers who could call the chieftains. But the Achaeans are in the gravest danger. Life and death hang in the balance, as if on a razor’s edge. Go then, since you are younger than I am. Please wake Ajax and the swift son of Phyleus.”

Diomed threw the skin of a great tawny lion about his shoulders—a skin that reached his feet—and grasped his spear. When he had roused the heroes, he brought them back with him; they then went the round of those who were on guard, and found the captains not sleeping at their posts but wakeful and sitting with their arms about them. As sheep dogs that watch their flocks when they are yarded, and hear a wild beast coming through the mountain forest towards them—forthwith there is a hue and cry of dogs and men, and slumber is broken—even so was sleep chased from the eyes of the Achaeans as they kept the watches of the wicked night, for they turned constantly towards the plain whenever they heard any stir among the Trojans. The old man was glad and bade them be of good cheer. “Watch on, my children,” said he, “and let not sleep get hold upon you, lest our enemies triumph over us.”

Diomed threw the skin of a great tawny lion over his shoulders. The skin reached his feet, and he grasped his spear. After waking the heroes, he brought them back with him. Together they made the rounds of the guards. They found the captains awake at their posts, sitting with their weapons close at hand. Like sheepdogs guarding their flocks in pens, the Achaeans stayed alert. When the dogs hear a wild beast approaching through the mountain forest, dogs and men raise an outcry. The noise breaks their sleep. Just so, sleep fled from the Achaeans’ eyes as they kept watch through the dreadful night. Whenever they heard any movement among the Trojans, they turned toward the plain. The old man was pleased and urged them to take heart. “Keep watch, my children,” he said, “and do not let sleep overcome you, or our enemies may triumph over us.”

With this he passed the trench, and with him the other chiefs of the Achaeans who had been called to the council. Meriones and the brave son of Nestor went also, for the princes bade them. When they were beyond the trench that was dug round the wall they held their meeting on the open ground where there was a space clear of corpses, for it was here that when night fell Hector had turned back from his onslaught on the Argives. They sat down, therefore, and held debate with one another.

With these words, he crossed the trench with the other Achaean chiefs who had been called to the council. Meriones and the brave son of Nestor also went, as the princes had ordered them to. Beyond the trench dug around the wall, the men met on open ground in a space clear of corpses. This was where Hector had turned back from his attack on the Argives when night fell. So the men sat down and discussed matters together.

Nestor spoke first. “My friends,” said he, “is there any man bold enough to venture among the Trojans, and cut off some straggler, or bring us news of what the enemy mean to do whether they will stay here by the ships away from the city, or whether, now that they have worsted the Achaeans, they will retire within their walls. If he could learn all this and come back safely here, his fame would be high as heaven in the mouths of all men, and he would be rewarded richly; for the chiefs from all our ships would each of them give him a black ewe with her lamb—which is a present of surpassing value—and he would be asked as a guest to all feasts and clan-gatherings.”

Nestor spoke first. “My friends,” he said, “is any man brave enough to venture among the Trojans? Could he capture a straggler or bring us news of the enemy’s plans? Will the Trojans stay here by the ships, away from the city? Or, now that they have defeated the Achaeans, will they retreat within their walls? If a man could learn all this and return safely, his fame would reach heaven as everyone praised him. He would also be richly rewarded. Each chief from all our ships would give him a black ewe with her lamb, a gift of exceptional value. And he would be invited as a guest to all feasts and clan gatherings.”

They all held their peace, but Diomed of the loud war-cry spoke saying, “Nestor, gladly will I visit the host of the Trojans over against us, but if another will go with me I shall do so in greater confidence and comfort. When two men are together, one of them may see some opportunity which the other has not caught sight of; if a man is alone he is less full of resource, and his wit is weaker.”

They all stayed silent, but Diomed, known for his loud war cry, spoke. “Nestor, I will gladly visit the Trojan army facing us. But if someone else comes with me, I will feel more confident and at ease. When two men are together, one may spot some opportunity the other has missed. If a man is alone, he is less resourceful and his mind is less sharp.”

On this several offered to go with Diomed. The two Ajaxes, servants of Mars, Meriones, and the son of Nestor all wanted to go, so did Menelaus son of Atreus; Ulysses also wished to go among the host of the Trojans, for he was ever full of daring, and thereon Agamemnon king of men spoke thus: “Diomed,” said he, “son of Tydeus, man after my own heart, choose your comrade for yourself—take the best man of those that have offered, for many would now go with you. Do not through delicacy reject the better man, and take the worst out of respect for his lineage, because he is of more royal blood.”

At this, several men offered to go with Diomed. The two Ajaxes, servants of Mars, Meriones, and the son of Nestor all wanted to go. So did Menelaus, son of Atreus. Ulysses also wanted to go among the Trojan army, for he was always full of daring. Then Agamemnon, king of men, spoke: “Diomed, son of Tydeus, you are a man after my own heart. Choose your own companion. Take the best of the men who have offered, for many now want to go with you. Do not let politeness make you reject the better man. Do not choose the worse man out of respect for his family because he is of more royal blood.”

He said this because he feared for Menelaus. Diomed answered, “If you bid me take the man of my own choice, how in that case can I fail to think of Ulysses, than whom there is no man more eager to face all kinds of danger—and Pallas Minerva loves him well? If he were to go with me we should pass safely through fire itself, for he is quick to see and understand.”

He said this because he feared for Menelaus. Diomed answered, “If you let me choose my own companion, how could I not think of Ulysses? No man is more eager to face all kinds of danger, and Pallas Minerva loves him dearly. If he went with me, we would make it safely through fire itself, because he is quick to notice and understand.”

“Son of Tydeus,” replied Ulysses, “say neither good nor ill about me, for you are among Argives who know me well. Let us be going, for the night wanes and dawn is at hand. The stars have gone forward, two-thirds of the night are already spent, and the third is alone left us.”

“Son of Tydeus,” Ulysses replied, “don't praise or criticize me, because the Argives around you know me well. Let's go, because the night is nearly over and dawn is close. The stars have moved across the sky. Two-thirds of the night have already passed, and only one-third remains.”

They then put on their armour. Brave Thrasymedes provided the son of Tydeus with a sword and a shield (for he had left his own at his ship) and on his head he set a helmet of bull’s hide without either peak or crest; it is called a skull-cap and is a common headgear. Meriones found a bow and quiver for Ulysses, and on his head he set a leathern helmet that was lined with a strong plaiting of leathern thongs, while on the outside it was thickly studded with boar’s teeth, well and skilfully set into it; next the head there was an inner lining of felt. This helmet had been stolen by Autolycus out of Eleon when he broke into the house of Amyntor son of Ormenus. He gave it to Amphidamas of Cythera to take to Scandea, and Amphidamas gave it as a guest-gift to Molus, who gave it to his son Meriones; and now it was set upon the head of Ulysses.

They then put on their armour. Brave Thrasymedes gave the son of Tydeus a sword and shield, because he had left his own at his ship. Thrasymedes also placed a bull’s-hide helmet on his head. The helmet had neither a peak nor a crest. This kind of helmet is called a skull-cap and is commonly worn. Meriones found a bow and quiver for Ulysses and placed a leather helmet on his head. The helmet was reinforced inside with strong, braided leather straps. Its outer surface was thickly covered with boar’s teeth, carefully and skilfully fitted into place. An inner lining of felt rested against the head. Autolycus had stolen this helmet from Eleon when he broke into the house of Amyntor, son of Ormenus. Autolycus gave the helmet to Amphidamas of Cythera to take to Scandea. Amphidamas then gave the helmet to Molus as a gift of hospitality. Molus gave it to his son Meriones, and now the helmet rested on the head of Ulysses.

When the pair had armed, they set out, and left the other chieftains behind them. Pallas Minerva sent them a heron by the wayside upon their right hands; they could not see it for the darkness, but they heard its cry. Ulysses was glad when he heard it and prayed to Minerva: “Hear me,” he cried, “daughter of aegis-bearing Jove, you who spy out all my ways and who are with me in all my hardships; befriend me in this mine hour, and grant that we may return to the ships covered with glory after having achieved some mighty exploit that shall bring sorrow to the Trojans.”

Once the pair had armed themselves, they set out, leaving the other chieftains behind. Pallas Minerva sent them a heron by the roadside on their right. In the darkness, the two men could not see the bird, but they heard its cry. Ulysses was glad to hear the cry and prayed to Minerva: “Hear me,” he cried, “daughter of Jove, who carries the aegis. You watch over all my journeys and stand by me through all my hardships. Help me now, and grant that we may return to the ships covered in glory. Let us first accomplish some mighty deed that will bring sorrow to the Trojans.”

Then Diomed of the loud war-cry also prayed: “Hear me too,” said he, “daughter of Jove, unweariable; be with me even as you were with my noble father Tydeus when he went to Thebes as envoy sent by the Achaeans. He left the Achaeans by the banks of the river Aesopus, and went to the city bearing a message of peace to the Cadmeians; on his return thence, with your help, goddess, he did great deeds of daring, for you were his ready helper. Even so guide me and guard me now, and in return I will offer you in sacrifice a broad-browed heifer of a year old, unbroken, and never yet brought by man under the yoke. I will gild her horns and will offer her up to you in sacrifice.”

Then Diomed, known for his loud battle cry, also prayed: “Hear me too,” he said, “ tireless daughter of Jove. Be with me just as you were with my noble father Tydeus. The Achaeans sent him to Thebes as an envoy. He left the Achaeans by the river Aesopus and entered the city with a message of peace for the Cadmeians. On his return, goddess, he performed great acts of daring with your help, for you were ready to help him. In the same way, guide and protect me now. In return, I will sacrifice to you a year-old heifer with a broad forehead. She will be untrained and never yet put under a yoke by anyone. I will cover her horns with gold and offer her to you in sacrifice.”

Thus they prayed, and Pallas Minerva heard their prayer. When they had done praying to the daughter of great Jove, they went their way like two lions prowling by night amid the armour and blood-stained bodies of them that had fallen.

They prayed, and Pallas Minerva heard their prayer. After praying to the daughter of great Jove, they went on their way like two lions prowling at night. They moved among the armor and blood-stained bodies of the fallen.

Neither again did Hector let the Trojans sleep; for he too called the princes and councillors of the Trojans that he might set his counsel before them. “Is there one,” said he, “who for a great reward will do me the service of which I will tell you? He shall be well paid if he will. I will give him a chariot and a couple of horses, the fleetest that can be found at the ships of the Achaeans, if he will dare this thing; and he will win infinite honour to boot; he must go to the ships and find out whether they are still guarded as heretofore, or whether now that we have beaten them the Achaeans design to fly, and through sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their watches.”

Hector did not let the Trojans sleep either. He too called together the Trojan princes and councillors to lay his plan before them. “Will anyone,” he asked, “carry out a task for me in return for a great reward? I will explain the task. Whoever accepts will be well paid. I will give him a chariot and two horses, the fastest to be found at the Achaeans’ ships. He must dare to carry out this task, and he will also win endless honor. He must go to the ships and discover whether the Achaeans still guard them as before. Or, now that we have beaten them, are the Achaeans planning to flee? Are they neglecting their watches out of sheer exhaustion?”

They all held their peace; but there was among the Trojans a certain man named Dolon, son of Eumedes, the famous herald—a man rich in gold and bronze. He was ill-favoured, but a good runner, and was an only son among five sisters. He it was that now addressed the Trojans. “I, Hector,” said he, “Will to the ships and will exploit them. But first hold up your sceptre and swear that you will give me the chariot, bedight with bronze, and the horses that now carry the noble son of Peleus. I will make you a good scout, and will not fail you. I will go through the host from one end to the other till I come to the ship of Agamemnon, where I take it the princes of the Achaeans are now consulting whether they shall fight or fly.”

They all remained silent. But among the Trojans was a man named Dolon, son of Eumedes, the famous herald. Dolon was rich in gold and bronze. He was ugly, but a good runner, and was the only son among five sisters. He now spoke to the Trojans. “Hector,” he said, “I will go to the ships and scout them out. But first raise your sceptre and swear to give me the bronze-decorated chariot and horses of the noble son of Peleus. I will be a good scout for you and will not fail you. I will go through the army from one end to the other until I reach Agamemnon’s ship. I believe the Achaean princes are meeting there now to decide whether to fight or flee.”

When he had done speaking Hector held up his sceptre, and swore him his oath saying, “May Jove the thundering husband of Juno bear witness that no other Trojan but yourself shall mount those steeds, and that you shall have your will with them for ever.”

When he finished speaking, Hector raised his sceptre and swore an oath to him. “May Jove, the thundering husband of Juno, be my witness. No Trojan but you will ride those horses, and you will have them to do with as you please forever.”

The oath he swore was bootless, but it made Dolon more keen on going. He hung his bow over his shoulder, and as an overall he wore the skin of a grey wolf, while on his head he set a cap of ferret skin. Then he took a pointed javelin, and left the camp for the ships, but he was not to return with any news for Hector. When he had left the horses and the troops behind him, he made all speed on his way, but Ulysses perceived his coming and said to Diomed, “Diomed, here is some one from the camp; I am not sure whether he is a spy, or whether it is some thief who would plunder the bodies of the dead; let him get a little past us, we can then spring upon him and take him. If, however, he is too quick for us, go after him with your spear and hem him in towards the ships away from the Trojan camp, to prevent his getting back to the town.”

The oath he swore was worthless, but it made Dolon more eager to go. He slung his bow over his shoulder and wore a grey wolf’s skin over his clothes. On his head he put a cap of ferret skin. Then he took a sharp javelin and left the camp for the ships. But he would not return with any news for Hector. Once he had left the horses and troops behind, he hurried on as fast as he could. But Ulysses saw him coming and said to Diomed, “Diomed, someone is coming from the camp. I’m not sure whether he’s a spy or a thief hoping to rob the bodies of the dead. Let him pass us a little, so we can spring on him and capture him. But if he’s too fast for us, chase him with your spear. Force him toward the ships and away from the Trojan camp, so he cannot get back to the town.”

With this they turned out of their way and lay down among the corpses. Dolon suspected nothing and soon passed them, but when he had got about as far as the distance by which a mule-plowed furrow exceeds one that has been ploughed by oxen (for mules can plow fallow land quicker than oxen) they ran after him, and when he heard their footsteps he stood still, for he made sure they were friends from the Trojan camp come by Hector’s orders to bid him return; when, however, they were only a spear’s cast, or less, away from him, he saw that they were enemies and ran as fast as his legs could take him. The others gave chase at once, and as a couple of well-trained hounds press forward after a doe or hare that runs screaming in front of them, even so did the son of Tydeus and Ulysses pursue Dolon and cut him off from his own people. But when he had fled so far towards the ships that he would soon have fallen in with the outposts, Minerva infused fresh strength into the son of Tydeus for fear some other of the Achaeans might have the glory of being first to hit him, and he might himself be only second; he therefore sprang forward with his spear and said, “Stand, or I shall throw my spear, and in that case I shall soon make an end of you.”

With that, the two men turned off the path and lay down among the corpses. Dolon suspected nothing and soon passed them. They waited until he had gone a little farther. The distance was the difference in length between a furrow plowed by mules and one plowed by oxen. Mules can plow fallow land faster than oxen. Then the two men ran after him. When Dolon heard their footsteps, he stopped. He was sure they were friends from the Trojan camp, sent by Hector to call him back. But when they came within a spear’s throw or less, he saw they were enemies. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him. The others immediately gave chase. Like two well-trained hounds chasing a doe or hare that runs screaming ahead, the son of Tydeus and Ulysses pursued Dolon. They cut him off from his own people. But Dolon fled so far toward the ships that he was about to reach the outposts. Then Minerva gave the son of Tydeus fresh strength. She feared another Achaean might win the glory of striking Dolon first, leaving the son of Tydeus second. So he sprang forward with his spear and said, “Stop, or I’ll throw my spear. If I do, I’ll soon finish you off.”

He threw as he spoke, but missed his aim on purpose. The dart flew over the man’s right shoulder, and then stuck in the ground. He stood stock still, trembling and in great fear; his teeth chattered, and he turned pale with fear. The two came breathless up to him and seized his hands, whereon he began to weep and said, “Take me alive; I will ransom myself; we have great store of gold, bronze, and wrought iron, and from this my father will satisfy you with a very large ransom, should he hear of my being alive at the ships of the Achaeans.”

He threw as he spoke, but deliberately missed. The dart flew over the man’s right shoulder and stuck in the ground. The man stood completely still, trembling with terror. His teeth chattered, and he went pale with fear. The two ran up to him, out of breath, and grabbed his hands. Then he began to weep and said, “Take me alive. I will pay you a ransom for my life. We have plenty of gold, bronze, and worked iron. My father will use these riches to pay you a very large ransom if he hears I’m alive at the ships of the Achaeans.”

“Fear not,” replied Ulysses, “let no thought of death be in your mind; but tell me, and tell me true, why are you thus going about alone in the dead of night away from your camp and towards the ships, while other men are sleeping? Is it to plunder the bodies of the slain, or did Hector send you to spy out what was going on at the ships? Or did you come here of your own mere notion?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Ulysses replied. “Don’t think about death. But tell me the truth. Why are you out alone in the middle of the night, away from your camp and heading toward the ships? Other men are sleeping. Have you come to loot the bodies of the dead? Or did Hector send you to spy on what was happening at the ships? Or did you come here on your own?”

Dolon answered, his limbs trembling beneath him: “Hector, with his vain flattering promises, lured me from my better judgement. He said he would give me the horses of the noble son of Peleus and his bronze-bedizened chariot; he bade me go through the darkness of the flying night, get close to the enemy, and find out whether the ships are still guarded as heretofore, or whether, now that we have beaten them, the Achaeans design to fly, and through sheer exhaustion are neglecting to keep their watches.”

Dolon answered, his legs trembling beneath him: “Hector’s empty, flattering promises drew me away from my better judgment. He promised me the horses of the noble son of Peleus and his bronze-decorated chariot. He told me to go through the darkness of the swiftly passing night and get close to the enemy. I was to find out whether the ships were still guarded as before. Or whether, now that we have beaten them, the Achaeans plan to flee and are too exhausted to keep watch.”

Ulysses smiled at him and answered, “You had indeed set your heart upon a great reward, but the horses of the descendant of Aeacus are hardly to be kept in hand or driven by any other mortal man than Achilles himself, whose mother was an immortal. But tell me, and tell me true, where did you leave Hector when you started? Where lies his armour and his horses? How, too, are the watches and sleeping-ground of the Trojans ordered? What are their plans? Will they stay here by the ships and away from the city, or now that they have worsted the Achaeans, will they retire within their walls?”

Ulysses smiled at him and answered, “You certainly had your heart set on a great reward. But hardly any mortal except Achilles himself can control or drive the horses of that descendant of Aeacus. Achilles’ mother was immortal. But tell me, and tell me the truth, where did you leave Hector when you set out? Where are his armour and horses? How are the Trojans’ guards and sleeping areas arranged? What are their plans? Will they stay here by the ships, away from the city? Or, now that they have beaten the Achaeans, will they retreat inside their walls?”

And Dolon answered, “I will tell you truly all. Hector and the other councillors are now holding conference by the monument of great Ilus, away from the general tumult; as for the guards about which you ask me, there is no chosen watch to keep guard over the host. The Trojans have their watchfires, for they are bound to have them; they, therefore, are awake and keep each other to their duty as sentinels; but the allies who have come from other places are asleep and leave it to the Trojans to keep guard, for their wives and children are not here.”

And Dolon answered, “I will tell you all of it truthfully. Hector and the other councillors are meeting now by the monument of great Ilus, away from the general commotion. As for the guards you asked about, no one has been specially chosen to guard the army. The Trojans have their watchfires because they must. So the Trojans stay awake and make sure each man does his duty as a sentry. But the allies who have come from elsewhere are asleep and leave the guarding to the Trojans. Their wives and children are not here.”

Ulysses then said, “Now tell me; are they sleeping among the Trojan troops, or do they lie apart? Explain this that I may understand it.”

Ulysses then said, “Now tell me, are they sleeping among the Trojan troops, or are they sleeping separately? Explain where they are sleeping so I can understand.”

“I will tell you truly all,” replied Dolon. “To the seaward lie the Carians, the Paeonian bowmen, the Leleges, the Cauconians, and the noble Pelasgi. The Lycians and proud Mysians, with the Phrygians and Meonians, have their place on the side towards Thymbra; but why ask about all this? If you want to find your way into the host of the Trojans, there are the Thracians, who have lately come here and lie apart from the others at the far end of the camp; and they have Rhesus son of Eioneus for their king. His horses are the finest and strongest that I have ever seen, they are whiter than snow and fleeter than any wind that blows. His chariot is bedight with silver and gold, and he has brought his marvellous golden armour, of the rarest workmanship—too splendid for any mortal man to carry, and meet only for the gods. Now, therefore, take me to the ships or bind me securely here, until you come back and have proved my words whether they be false or true.”

“I will tell you the whole truth,” Dolon replied. “Toward the sea are the Carians, the Paeonian bowmen, the Leleges, the Cauconians, and the noble Pelasgi. The Lycians and proud Mysians camp toward Thymbra, along with the Phrygians and Meonians. But why ask about all these troops? If you want to enter the Trojan army’s camp, the Thracians have recently arrived. They camp apart from the others, at the far end of the camp. Their king is Rhesus, son of Eioneus. His horses are the finest and strongest I have ever seen. They are whiter than snow and faster than any wind that blows. His chariot is decorated with silver and gold. He has brought his magnificent golden armor, crafted with the rarest skill. The armor is too splendid for any mortal man to wear and fit only for the gods. So now take me to the ships, or tie me securely here until you return. Then you will have checked whether my words are false or true.”

Diomed looked sternly at him and answered, “Think not, Dolon, for all the good information you have given us, that you shall escape now you are in our hands, for if we ransom you or let you go, you will come some second time to the ships of the Achaeans either as a spy or as an open enemy, but if I kill you and an end of you, you will give no more trouble.”

Diomed looked sternly at him and answered, “Dolon, despite all the good information you have given us, don’t think you will escape now. You are in our hands. If we accept a ransom for you or let you go, you will return to the Achaeans’ ships. You will come either as a spy or as an open enemy. But if I kill you and put an end to you, you will cause no more trouble.”

On this Dolon would have caught him by the beard to beseech him further, but Diomed struck him in the middle of his neck with his sword and cut through both sinews so that his head fell rolling in the dust while he was yet speaking. They took the ferret skin cap from his head, and also the wolf-skin, the bow, and his long spear. Ulysses hung them up aloft in honour of Minerva the goddess of plunder, and prayed saying, “Accept these, goddess, for we give them to you in preference to all the gods in Olympus: therefore speed us still further towards the horses and sleeping-ground of the Thracians.”

At this, Dolon would have grabbed him by the beard to beg him further. But Diomed struck Dolon in the middle of the neck with his sword, cutting through both sinews. Dolon’s head fell and rolled in the dust while he was still speaking. Diomed and Ulysses took the ferret-skin cap from Dolon’s head, along with his wolf-skin, bow, and long spear. Ulysses hung these up high in honor of Minerva, the goddess of plunder, and prayed, “Accept these, goddess. We give them to you above all the gods on Olympus. So help us farther on our way to the horses and the sleeping place of the Thracians.”

With these words he took the spoils and set them upon a tamarisk tree, and they marked the place by pulling up reeds and gathering boughs of tamarisk that they might not miss it as they came back through the flying hours of darkness. The two then went onwards amid the fallen armour and the blood, and came presently to the company of Thracian soldiers, who were sleeping, tired out with their day’s toil; their goodly armour was lying on the ground beside them all orderly in three rows, and each man had his yoke of horses beside him. Rhesus was sleeping in the middle, and hard by him his horses were made fast to the topmost rim of his chariot. Ulysses from some way off saw him and said, “This, Diomed, is the man, and these are the horses about which Dolon whom we killed told us. Do your very utmost; dally not about your armour, but loose the horses at once—or else kill the men yourself, while I see to the horses.”

With these words, he took the spoils and placed them on a tamarisk tree. The two men marked the spot by pulling up reeds and gathering tamarisk branches. This way, they would not miss the spot when they returned through the swiftly passing hours of darkness. Then the two went on through the scattered armour and blood. Soon they reached the Thracian soldiers, who were asleep, exhausted by the day’s work. Their fine armour lay neatly on the ground beside them, all arranged in three rows. Each man had his pair of horses beside him. Rhesus slept in the middle. Nearby, his horses were tied to the upper rim of his chariot. Ulysses saw Rhesus from some distance away and said, “Diomed, this is the man, and these are the horses Dolon told us about before we killed him. Do your very best. Do not waste time over your armour. Untie the horses at once, or kill the men yourself while I take care of the horses.”

Thereon Minerva put courage into the heart of Diomed, and he smote them right and left. They made a hideous groaning as they were being hacked about, and the earth was red with their blood. As a lion springs furiously upon a flock of sheep or goats when he finds them without their shepherd, so did the son of Tydeus set upon the Thracian soldiers till he had killed twelve. As he killed them Ulysses came and drew them aside by their feet one by one, that the horses might go forward freely without being frightened as they passed over the dead bodies, for they were not yet used to them. When the son of Tydeus came to the king, he killed him too (which made thirteen), as he was breathing hard, for by the counsel of Minerva an evil dream, the seed of Oeneus, hovered that night over his head. Meanwhile Ulysses untied the horses, made them fast one to another and drove them off, striking them with his bow, for he had forgotten to take the whip from the chariot. Then he whistled as a sign to Diomed.

Then Minerva filled Diomed’s heart with courage, and he struck down men to his right and left. The soldiers groaned horribly as he hacked at them, and the earth turned red with their blood. Just as a lion fiercely attacks sheep or goats when he finds the flock without a shepherd, so the son of Tydeus attacked the Thracian soldiers. He killed twelve. As Diomed killed them, Ulysses dragged each man aside by the feet. He cleared the way so the horses could pass freely without being frightened by stepping over the bodies. The horses were not yet used to dead bodies. When the son of Tydeus reached the king, he killed him too, bringing the total to thirteen. The king was breathing heavily. For that night, at Minerva’s urging, the seed of Oeneus hovered over the king’s head as an evil dream. Meanwhile, Ulysses untied the horses, tied them to one another, and drove them away, striking them with his bow. He had forgotten to take the whip from the chariot. Then he whistled as a signal to Diomed.

But Diomed stayed where he was, thinking what other daring deed he might accomplish. He was doubting whether to take the chariot in which the king’s armour was lying, and draw it out by the pole, or to lift the armour out and carry it off; or whether again, he should not kill some more Thracians. While he was thus hesitating Minerva came up to him and said, “Get back, Diomed, to the ships or you may be driven thither, should some other god rouse the Trojans.”

But Diomed stayed where he was, wondering what other daring deed he might accomplish. He considered taking the chariot that held the king’s armour and pulling the chariot away by its pole. Or he could lift out the armour and carry it off. Or perhaps he should kill some more Thracians. While he hesitated, Minerva came up to him and said, “Go back to the ships, Diomed. Otherwise, you may be forced back there if some other god rouses the Trojans.”

Diomed knew that it was the goddess, and at once sprang upon the horses. Ulysses beat them with his bow and they flew onward to the ships of the Achaeans.

Diomed recognized the goddess and immediately leaped onto the horses. Ulysses struck the horses with his bow, and they raced toward the ships of the Achaeans.

But Apollo kept no blind look-out when he saw Minerva with the son of Tydeus. He was angry with her, and coming to the host of the Trojans he roused Hippocoon, a counsellor of the Thracians and a noble kinsman of Rhesus. He started up out of his sleep and saw that the horses were no longer in their place, and that the men were gasping in their death-agony; on this he groaned aloud, and called upon his friend by name. Then the whole Trojan camp was in an uproar as the people kept hurrying together, and they marvelled at the deeds of the heroes who had now got away towards the ships.

But Apollo was not blind to what was happening when he saw Minerva with the son of Tydeus. He was angry with her, so he went to the Trojan army and woke Hippocoon. Hippocoon was a counsellor to the Thracians and a noble relative of Rhesus. He sprang up from sleep and saw that the horses were gone and the men were gasping as they died. At the sight, he groaned aloud and called his friend by name. Then the whole Trojan camp was in an uproar as people hurried together. They marvelled at the deeds of the heroes, who had now escaped toward the ships.

When they reached the place where they had killed Hector’s scout, Ulysses stayed his horses, and the son of Tydeus, leaping to the ground, placed the blood-stained spoils in the hands of Ulysses and remounted: then he lashed the horses onwards, and they flew forward nothing loth towards the ships as though of their own free will. Nestor was first to hear the tramp of their feet. “My friends,” said he, “princes and counsellors of the Argives, shall I guess right or wrong?—but I must say what I think: there is a sound in my ears as of the tramp of horses. I hope it may be Diomed and Ulysses driving in horses from the Trojans, but I much fear that the bravest of the Argives may have come to some harm at their hands.”

They reached the place where they had killed Hector’s scout, and Ulysses stopped his horses. The son of Tydeus jumped to the ground and handed the bloodstained spoils to Ulysses. Then he mounted again and whipped the horses onward. The horses raced eagerly toward the ships, as though of their own free will. Nestor was the first to hear their hoofbeats. “My friends,” he said, “princes and advisers of the Argives, will my guess be right or wrong? Still, I must say what I think. I hear what sounds like the hoofbeats of horses. I hope Diomed and Ulysses are driving horses back from the Trojans. But I greatly fear that the bravest of the Argives may have suffered some harm at the Trojans’ hands.”

He had hardly done speaking when the two men came in and dismounted, whereon the others shook hands right gladly with them and congratulated them. Nestor knight of Gerene was first to question them. “Tell me,” said he, “renowned Ulysses, how did you two come by these horses? Did you steal in among the Trojan forces, or did some god meet you and give them to you? They are like sunbeams. I am well conversant with the Trojans, for old warrior though I am I never hold back by the ships, but I never yet saw or heard of such horses as these are. Surely some god must have met you and given them to you, for you are both of you dear to Jove, and to Jove’s daughter Minerva.”

He had hardly finished speaking when the two men arrived and dismounted. The others gladly shook hands with them and congratulated them. Nestor, the knight of Gerene, was the first to question them. “Tell me,” he said, “famous Ulysses, how did you two get these horses? Did you sneak into the Trojan forces, or did some god meet you and give you the horses? They are like sunbeams. I know the Trojans well. Although I am an old warrior, I never stay back by the ships. But I have never seen or heard of horses like these. Surely some god must have met you and given you these horses. For you are both dear to Jove and to Jove’s daughter Minerva.”

And Ulysses answered, “Nestor son of Neleus, honour to the Achaean name, heaven, if it so will, can give us even better horses than these, for the gods are far mightier than we are. These horses, however, about which you ask me, are freshly come from Thrace. Diomed killed their king with the twelve bravest of his companions. Hard by the ships we took a thirteenth man—a scout whom Hector and the other Trojans had sent as a spy upon our ships.”

And Ulysses answered, “Nestor son of Neleus, you bring honor to the Achaean name. Heaven, if it so wishes, can give us even better horses than these. For the gods are far mightier than we are. But the horses you ask about have just come from Thrace. Diomed killed their king and twelve of his bravest companions. Near the ships we captured a thirteenth man, a scout. Hector and the other Trojans had sent him to spy on our ships.”

He laughed as he spoke and drove the horses over the ditch, while the other Achaeans followed him gladly. When they reached the strongly built quarters of the son of Tydeus, they tied the horses with thongs of leather to the manger, where the steeds of Diomed stood eating their sweet corn, but Ulysses hung the blood-stained spoils of Dolon at the stern of his ship, that they might prepare a sacred offering to Minerva. As for themselves, they went into the sea and washed the sweat from their bodies, and from their necks and thighs. When the sea-water had taken all the sweat from off them, and had refreshed them, they went into the baths and washed themselves. After they had so done and had anointed themselves with oil, they sat down to table, and drawing from a full mixing-bowl, made a drink-offering of wine to Minerva.

He laughed as he spoke and drove the horses over the ditch. The other Achaeans gladly followed him. When they reached the sturdy quarters of the son of Tydeus, they tied the horses to the manger with leather straps. Diomed’s horses stood there, eating their sweet grain. But Ulysses hung the bloodstained spoils taken from Dolon at the stern of his ship. He did this so they could prepare a sacred offering to Minerva. Then the men went into the sea and washed the sweat from their bodies, necks, and thighs. Once the seawater had washed away all their sweat and refreshed them, they went to the baths and washed themselves. After bathing and rubbing themselves with oil, they sat down to eat. They drew wine from a full mixing bowl and poured an offering to Minerva.