Stasimon 1
[Episode]
What then is your desire of all that Ilium stores within her?
Dolon
Promise me my gift when you conquer the Achaeans.
Hector
I will give it to you; ask anything except the captains of the fleet.
Dolon
Slay them; I do not ask you to keep your hand off Menelaus.
Hector
Is it the son of Oileus you would ask me for?
175
Dolon
Hands that are well brought up are worthless at farming.
Hector
Whom then of the Achaeans will you have alive to hold to ransom?
Dolon
I told you before, my house is stored with gold.
Hector
Why then, you shall come and with your own hands choose out some spoil.
Dolon
Nail up the spoils for the gods on their temples.
180
Hector
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
185
Achilles’ team, a fair possession for your house.
190
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!
195
what man can give you have, it seems, in full.
200
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?
