In silent state the consistory crown’d.

A place there was, yet undefiled with gore,

The spot where Hector stopp’d his rage before;

When night descending, from his vengeful hand

Reprieved the relics of the Grecian band:

(The plain beside with mangled corps was spread,

And all his progress mark’d by heaps of dead:)

There sat the mournful kings: when Neleus’ son,

The council opening, in these words begun:

“Is there (said he) a chief so greatly brave,

His life to hazard, and his country save?

Lives there a man, who singly dares to go

To yonder camp, or seize some straggling foe?

Or favour’d by the night approach so near,

Their speech, their counsels, and designs to hear?

If to besiege our navies they prepare,

Or Troy once more must be the seat of war?

This could he learn, and to our peers recite,

And pass unharm’d the dangers of the night;

What fame were his through all succeeding days,

While Phoebus shines, or men have tongues to praise!

What gifts his grateful country would bestow!

What must not Greece to her deliverer owe?

A sable ewe each leader should provide,

With each a sable lambkin by her side;

At every rite his share should be increased,

And his the foremost honours of the feast.”

Fear held them mute: alone, untaught to fear,

Tydides spoke—“The man you seek is here.

Through yon black camps to bend my dangerous way,

Some god within commands, and I obey.

But let some other chosen warrior join,

To raise my hopes, and second my design.

By mutual confidence and mutual aid,

Great deeds are done, and great discoveries made;

The wise new prudence from the wise acquire,

And one brave hero fans another’s fire.”

Contending leaders at the word arose;

Each generous breast with emulation glows;

So brave a task each Ajax strove to share,

Bold Merion strove, and Nestor’s valiant heir;

The Spartan wish’d the second place to gain,

And great Ulysses wish’d, nor wish’d in vain.

Then thus the king of men the contest ends:

“Thou first of warriors, and thou best of friends,

Undaunted Diomed! what chief to join

In this great enterprise, is only thine.

Just be thy choice, without affection made;

To birth, or office, no respect be paid;

Let worth determine here.” The monarch spake,

And inly trembled for his brother’s sake.

“Then thus (the godlike Diomed rejoin’d)

My choice declares the impulse of my mind.

How can I doubt, while great Ulysses stands

To lend his counsels and assist our hands?

A chief, whose safety is Minerva’s care;

So famed, so dreadful, in the works of war:

Bless’d in his conduct, I no aid require;

Wisdom like his might pass through flames of fire.”

“It fits thee not, before these chiefs of fame,

(Replied the sage,) to praise me, or to blame:

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe,

Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

But let us haste—Night rolls the hours away,

The reddening orient shows the coming day,

The stars shine fainter on the ethereal plains,

And of night’s empire but a third remains.”

Thus having spoke, with generous ardour press’d,

In arms terrific their huge limbs they dress’d.

A two-edged falchion Thrasymed the brave,

And ample buckler, to Tydides gave:

Then in a leathern helm he cased his head,

Short of its crest, and with no plume o’erspread:

(Such as by youths unused to arms are worn:)

No spoils enrich it, and no studs adorn.

Next him Ulysses took a shining sword,

A bow and quiver, with bright arrows stored:

A well-proved casque, with leather braces bound,

(Thy gift, Meriones,) his temples crown’d;

Soft wool within; without, in order spread,²¹⁷

A boar’s white teeth grinn’d horrid o’er his head.

This from Amyntor, rich Ormenus’ son,

Autolycus by fraudful rapine won,

And gave Amphidamas; from him the prize

Molus received, the pledge of social ties;

The helmet next by Merion was possess’d,

And now Ulysses’ thoughtful temples press’d.

Thus sheathed in arms, the council they forsake,

And dark through paths oblique their progress take.

Just then, in sign she favour’d their intent,

A long-wing’d heron great Minerva sent:

This, though surrounding shades obscured their view.

By the shrill clang and whistling wings they knew.

As from the right she soar’d, Ulysses pray’d,

Hail’d the glad omen, and address’d the maid:

“O daughter of that god whose arm can wield

The avenging bolt, and shake the dreadful shield!

O thou! for ever present in my way,

Who all my motions, all my toils survey!

Safe may we pass beneath the gloomy shade,

Safe by thy succour to our ships convey’d,

And let some deed this signal night adorn,

To claim the tears of Trojans yet unborn.”

Then godlike Diomed preferr’d his prayer:

“Daughter of Jove, unconquer’d Pallas! hear.

Great queen of arms, whose favour Tydeus won,

As thou defend’st the sire, defend the son.

When on Æsopus’ banks the banded powers

Of Greece he left, and sought the Theban towers,

Peace was his charge; received with peaceful show,

He went a legate, but return’d a foe:

Then help’d by thee, and cover’d by thy shield,

He fought with numbers, and made numbers yield.

So now be present, O celestial maid!

So still continue to the race thine aid!

A youthful steer shall fall beneath the stroke,

Untamed, unconscious of the galling yoke,

With ample forehead, and with spreading horns,

Whose taper tops refulgent gold adorns.”

The heroes pray’d, and Pallas from the skies

Accords their vow, succeeds their enterprise.

Now, like two lions panting for the prey,

With dreadful thoughts they trace the dreary way,

Through the black horrors of the ensanguined plain,

Through dust, through blood, o’er arms, and hills of slain.

Nor less bold Hector, and the sons of Troy,

On high designs the wakeful hours employ;

The assembled peers their lofty chief enclosed;

Who thus the counsels of his breast proposed:

“What glorious man, for high attempts prepared,

Dares greatly venture for a rich reward?

Of yonder fleet a bold discovery make,

What watch they keep, and what resolves they take?

If now subdued they meditate their flight,

And, spent with toil, neglect the watch of night?

His be the chariot that shall please him most,

Of all the plunder of the vanquish’d host;

His the fair steeds that all the rest excel,

And his the glory to have served so well.”

A youth there was among the tribes of Troy,

Dolon his name, Eumedes’ only boy,

(Five girls beside the reverend herald told.)

Rich was the son in brass, and rich in gold;

Not bless’d by nature with the charms of face,

But swift of foot, and matchless in the race.

“Hector! (he said) my courage bids me meet

This high achievement, and explore the fleet:

But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies,

And swear to grant me the demanded prize;

The immortal coursers, and the glittering car,

That bear Pelides through the ranks of war.

Encouraged thus, no idle scout I go,

Fulfil thy wish, their whole intention know,

Even to the royal tent pursue my way,

And all their counsels, all their aims betray.”

The chief then heaved the golden sceptre high,

Attesting thus the monarch of the sky:

“Be witness thou! immortal lord of all!

Whose thunder shakes the dark aerial hall:

By none but Dolon shall this prize be borne,

And him alone the immortal steeds adorn.”

Thus Hector swore: the gods were call’d in vain,

But the rash youth prepares to scour the plain:

Across his back the bended bow he flung,

A wolf’s grey hide around his shoulders hung,

A ferret’s downy fur his helmet lined,

And in his hand a pointed javelin shined.

Then (never to return) he sought the shore,

And trod the path his feet must tread no more.

Scarce had he pass’d the steeds and Trojan throng,

(Still bending forward as he coursed along,)

When, on the hollow way, the approaching tread

Ulysses mark’d, and thus to Diomed;

“O friend! I hear some step of hostile feet,

Moving this way, or hastening to the fleet;

Some spy, perhaps, to lurk beside the main;

Or nightly pillager that strips the slain.

Yet let him pass, and win a little space;

Then rush behind him, and prevent his pace.

But if too swift of foot he flies before,

Confine his course along the fleet and shore,

Betwixt the camp and him our spears employ,

And intercept his hoped return to Troy.”

With that they stepp’d aside, and stoop’d their head,

(As Dolon pass’d,) behind a heap of dead:

Along the path the spy unwary flew;

Soft, at just distance, both the chiefs pursue.

So distant they, and such the space between,

As when two teams of mules divide the green,

(To whom the hind like shares of land allows,)

When now new furrows part the approaching ploughs.

Now Dolon, listening, heard them as they pass’d;

Hector (he thought) had sent, and check’d his haste,

Till scarce at distance of a javelin’s throw,

No voice succeeding, he perceived the foe.

As when two skilful hounds the leveret wind;

Or chase through woods obscure the trembling hind;

Now lost, now seen, they intercept his way,

And from the herd still turn the flying prey:

So fast, and with such fears, the Trojan flew;

So close, so constant, the bold Greeks pursue.

Now almost on the fleet the dastard falls,

And mingles with the guards that watch the walls;

When brave Tydides stopp’d; a gen’rous thought

(Inspired by Pallas) in his bosom wrought,

Lest on the foe some forward Greek advance,

And snatch the glory from his lifted lance.

Then thus aloud: “Whoe’er thou art, remain;

This javelin else shall fix thee to the plain.”

He said, and high in air the weapon cast,

Which wilful err’d, and o’er his shoulder pass’d;

Then fix’d in earth. Against the trembling wood