Epeisodion 3
Odysseus
Did you not hear, Diomedes, the clash of arms or is it an idle noise that rings in my ears?
565
Diomedes
No, it is the rattle of steel harness on the chariot rails; I, too, was afraid, till I perceived it was the clang of horses’ chains.
Odysseus
Beware lest you stumble upon the guard in the darkness.
570
Diomedes
I will take good care how I advance even in the gloom.
Odysseus
If however you should rouse them, do you know their password?
Diomedes
Yes, it is Phoebus; I heard Dolon use it.
Odysseus
Ah! I see the enemy have left this bivouac.
Diomedes
Yet Dolon surely said that here was Hector’s couch, against whom this sword of mine is drawn.
575
Odysseus
What can it mean? Has his company withdrawn elsewhere?
Diomedes
Perhaps to form some stratagem against us.
Odysseus
Yes, for Hector is bold now, by reason of his victory, bold.
Diomedes
What then are we to do, Odysseus? We have not found the man asleep; our hopes are dashed.
580
Odysseus
Let us go to the fleet with what speed we may. Some god, whichever it be that gives him his good luck, is preserving him; against fate we must not strive.
Diomedes
Then should we two not go against Aeneas or Paris, most hateful of Phrygians, and with our swords cut off their heads?
585
Odysseus
Well, how in the darkness can you find them among a hostile army, and slay them without risk?
Diomedes
Yet it would be shameful to go to the Argive ships
if we have done the enemy no harm.
590
Odysseus
What! no harm! Have we not slain Dolon who spied upon the anchored fleet, and have we not his spoils safe here? Or do you expect to sack the entire camp?
Diomedes
I agree, let us return; and good luck go with us!
Athena
Where are you going, away from the Trojan ranks, with sorrow gnawing at your hearts, because the god does not grant you two to slay Hector or Paris? Have you not heard that Rhesus has come to aid Troy in no mean fashion?
595
If he survives this night until the dawn, neither Achilles nor Aias’s spear can stop him from utterly destroying the Argive fleet, razing its palisades and carrying this the onslaught of his lance far and wide within the gates.
600
Slay him, and all is yours; let Hector’s sleep alone, no throat-cutting slaughter; for he shall find death at another hand.
605
Odysseus
Queen Athena, it is the well-known accent of your voice I hear; for you are always
at my side to help me in my toil. Tell us where that man lies asleep; in what part of the barbarian army is he stationed?
610
Athena
Here lies he close at hand, not marshalled with the other troops, but outside the ranks Hector has given him quarters,
till night gives place to day. And near him his white horses are tethered to his Thracian chariot, easy to see in the darkness; they shine like the plumage of a river swan. Slay their master and bear them off
615
home, glorious spoils; for nowhere else in all the world is such a team to be found.
620
Odysseus
Diomedes, either you slay the Thracian folk, or leave that to me, while your care must be the horses.
Diomedes
I will do the killing, and you master the horses.
For you are well versed in clever tricks, and have a ready wit. And it is right to station a man where he may best serve.
625
