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 Has his company withdrawn elsewhere?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
Athena
Look! there I see Paris coming towards us; perhaps he has heard from the guard a vague rumor that foes are near.
Diomedes
Are others with him or does he come alone?
630
Athena
Alone; to Hector’s couch he seems to wend his way, to announce to him that spies are in the camp.
Diomedes
Ought he not head the list of slain?
Athena
You can not overreach destiny.
It is not decreed that he should fall by your hand. But hasten on your mission of fore-ordained slaughter, while I, feigning to be Cypris, his ally, and to aid him in his efforts, will answer the foe with unsound words.
635
I tell you this; but the fated victim does not know, nor has he heard, for all he is so near. Exeunt Odysseus and Diomedes.
640
Paris
To you I call, general and brother, Hector, are you asleep? Should you not awake? Some enemy draws near our army,
or thieves perhaps, or spies.
645
Athena
Courage! See, Cypris watches over you in gracious mood. Your warfare is my concern, for I do not forget the honor you once did me, and I thank you for your good service. And now, when the army of Troy is triumphant,
I have come bringing to you a powerful friend, the Thracian child of the Muse, the heavenly singer; his father’s name is Strymon.
650
Paris
Always to this city and to me you are a kind friend, and I am sure that decision I then made
conferred you upon this city, the highest treasure life affords. I came when I heard a vague report—for a rumor prevailed amlng the guards—that Achaean spies are here. One man, that did not see them, says so, while another, that saw them come, cannot describe them;
655
and so I am on my way to Hector’s tent.
660
Athena
Fear nothing; all is quiet in the army, and Hector has gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.
Paris
You persuade me, and I believe your words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.
Athena
Go, for it is my pleasure ever to watch your interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yes, and you too shall recognize my zeal. Exit Paris.
665
In a loud voice, to Odysseus and Diomedes. Son of Laertes, I bid you sheath your whetted swords, you warriors all too keen.
For the Thracian chief lies dead and his horses are captured, but the enemy know it, and are coming against you; fly with all speed to the ships’ station. Why delay saving your lives, when the enemy’s storm is just bursting on you?
670
Chorus
Oh, oh! At them, at them! Strike them, strike them!
675
Look; I mean that man. There are the thieves who in the gloom disturbed this army.
Come here, here, everyone! I have them, I have clutched them fast.
680
What is your company? Where did you come from? Who are you?
Odysseus
It is not for you to know; for you will die today for your villainy.
Chorus
Will you not declare the password, before my sword finds its way to your heart?
Odysseus
Halt! Be of good heart.
685
Chorus
Come near. Strike, everyone!
685
Odysseus
What! have you slain Rhesus?
Chorus
No, but you, who came to slay us—
Odysseus
Stay, every man of you!
Odysseus
Ah! do not slay a friend!
Chorus
What is the password, then?
Chorus
Right! every man hold back his spear!
Do you know where the men have gone?
Odysseus
Somewhere here I caught a sight of them.
Chorus
Close on their track each man of you! Or should we shout for aid?
690
The print edition attributes line 691 to Odysseus.No, it would be strange conduct to disturb our friends with wild alarms by night. Exeunt Odysseus and Diomedes.