Stasimon 1
[Episode]
Then what greater prize than these will you ask me for?
Dolon
Achilles’ horses. The prize must be worth the toil when one stakes one’s life on Fortune’s dice.
Hector
Ah! but your desires clash with mine about those horses;
for they are immortal and born from immortals, who bear the son of Peleus on his headlong course. Poseidon, lord of the ocean, broke them and gave them to Peleus, so runs the legend. Yet, for I urged you on, I will not break my word; I will give to you
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Achilles’ team, a fair possession for your house.
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Dolon
I thank you; in receiving then, I assert that I am taking a fairer gift than any other Phrygian for my bravery. Yet you should not be envious; you have other things to gladden your heart, in your kingship over this land.
Chorus
Great the enterprise, and great the reward you design to receive. Happy, yes, happy will you be, if you succeed; fair the fame your toil shall win. Yet it is a great thing to become the brother-in-law of princes. On the gods’ decrees let Justice keep her eye!
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what man can give you have, it seems, in full.
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Dolon
I will set forth; but going within my house I will clothe myself in fitting attire, and then I will hasten to the Argive fleet.
Chorus Leader
Why, what dress in place of this will you assume?
Dolon
One that fits my task and furtive steps.
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Chorus Leader
One should ever learn wisdom from the wise; tell me, what will be your equipment?
Dolon
I will fasten a wolf-skin about my back, and over my head put the brute’s gaping jaws;
then fitting its fore-feet to ny hands and its hind-feet to my legs, I will go on all-fours in imitation of a wolf’s gait to puzzle the enemy, when I approach their trenches and barriers round the ships. Rut whenever I come to a deserted spot,
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I will walk on two feet; such is the ruse I have decided on.
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Chorus Leader
May Hermes, Maia’s child, escort you safely there and back, prince of tricksters as he is! You know what you have to do; good luck is all you need now.
Dolon
I shall return in safety, and bring to you the head of Odysseus
when I have slain him, or the son of Tydeus, and with this clear proof before you you shall assert that Dolon went to the Argive fleet; for, before the dawn, I will come back home with bloodstained hand. Exit Dolon.
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[Choral 1]
Lord of Thymbra and of Delos, who haunt
Chorus
your temple in Lycia, Apollo, O divine head, come with all your archery, appear this night, and by your guidance save this man,
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and aid the Dardanians, O almighty god whose hands in days of old built the walls of Troy.
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May he come to the ships! May he reach the army of Hellas and spy it out, then turn again and reach the altars of his father’s
May he mount the chariot drawn by Phthia’s horses, when our master has sacked Achaea’s camp,
those horses that the sea-god gave to Peleus, son of Aeacus.
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[Choral 2]
For he alone had heart enough for home and country to go and spy on the naval station; I admire
Chorus
his spirit; how few stout hearts there are, when on the sea the sunlight dies and the city labors in the surge.
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Phrygia yet has left a valiant few, and bold hearts in the battle’s press; it is only Mysia’s sons who scorn us as allies.
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Which of the Achaeans will the earth-treading murderer slay
in their beds, as he pretends to be a four-footed beast on the ground? May he lay Menelaus low, slay Agamemnon and bring his head
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