Stasimon 1
[Episode]
’Tis good! ’Tis wisdom! Prince, give heed
CHORUS.
And change the word thy passion gave.
No soldier loveth, in his need,
The glory of a chief too brave.
A spy is best: a spy, to learn
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For what strange work those beacons burn
All night beside the guarded wave.
HECTOR.
Ye all so wish it?—Well, ye conquer me.
(To AENEAS) Go thou and calm the allies. There will be
Some stir among them, hearing of these high
And midnight councils.—I will seek the spy
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To send to the Greek camp. If there we learn
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Of some plot hatching, on the man’s return
I straight will call thee and share counsels. So.
But wait attentive. If he says they go
Shipward and plan to escape, one trumpet call
Shall warn thee, and I wait no more, but fall
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On camp and hulls, or ever dawn can rise.
AENEAS.
Aye, haste and send him. Now thy plans are wise,
And when need comes I am with thee, sword by sword. [Exit AENEAS.
HECTOR
Ye gathered Trojans, sharers of my word,
Who dares to creep through the Greek lines alone?
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Who will so help his fatherland?
Offer? Must I do everything, one hand
Alone, to save our allies and our land?
DOLON
I, Prince!—I offer for our City’s sake
To go disguised to the Greek ships, to make
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Their counsels mine, and here bring word to thee.
If that be thy full service, I agree.
