# The Iliad, Book 10: The Night Raid

Ἰλιάς · Homer · The Patrocleia

Odysseus and Diomedes go out by night, catch the Trojan spy Dolon, and kill the Thracian king Rhesus in his sleep.

Source: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/10. Data: https://1732studios.com/books/iliad/10.json. Audio: https://audio.1732studios.com/iliad/<line id>.m4a.

**1** ἄλλοι μὲν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀριστῆες Παναχαιῶν  
The other princes of all the Achaeans, beside the ships,

**2** εὗδον παννύχιοι μαλακῷ δεδμημένοι ὕπνῳ·  
slept through the night, subdued by gentle sleep;
> Sleep as a conqueror: δεδμημένοι is a perfect middle-passive participle: the princes lie in the completed state of having been subdued. Sleep acts upon warriors with the language of conquest.

**3** ἀλλʼ οὐκ Ἀτρεΐδην Ἀγαμέμνονα ποιμένα λαῶν  
but sweet sleep did not hold Atreus' son Agamemnon, shepherd of the people,

**4** ὕπνος ἔχε γλυκερὸς πολλὰ φρεσὶν ὁρμαίνοντα.  
as he turned over many things within his mind.

**5** ὡς δʼ ὅτʼ ἂν ἀστράπτῃ πόσις Ἥρης ἠϋκόμοιο  
As when the husband of lovely-haired Hera flashes lightning,
> The simile opens: The paired words ὡς and ὅτε open an extended comparison: Agamemnon's repeated groans will answer Zeus's repeated flashes. The weather image runs through line 10 before the comparison closes.

**6** τεύχων ἢ πολὺν ὄμβρον ἀθέσφατον ἠὲ χάλαζαν  
making either a vast, unspeakable rain, or hail,

**7** ἢ νιφετόν, ὅτε πέρ τε χιὼν ἐπάλυνεν ἀρούρας,  
or snowfall, whenever snow blankets the fields,

**8** ἠέ ποθι πτολέμοιο μέγα στόμα πευκεδανοῖο,  
or somewhere the great maw of bitter war,
> The great maw of war: Homer gives war a μέγα στόμα, a great mouth or maw. Zeus's lightning may announce weather, but it may also open war as something that consumes men.

**9** ὣς πυκίνʼ ἐν στήθεσσιν ἀνεστενάχιζʼ Ἀγαμέμνων  
so Agamemnon groaned thick and fast within his breast,

**10** νειόθεν ἐκ κραδίης, τρομέοντο δέ οἱ φρένες ἐντός.  
from the depths of his heart, and the wits within him trembled.

**11** ἤτοι ὅτʼ ἐς πεδίον τὸ Τρωϊκὸν ἀθρήσειε,  
Whenever he looked across the Trojan plain,

**12** θαύμαζεν πυρὰ πολλὰ τὰ καίετο Ἰλιόθι πρὸ  
he marveled at the many fires burning before Ilion,

**13** αὐλῶν συρίγγων τʼ ἐνοπὴν ὅμαδόν τʼ ἀνθρώπων.  
at the din of pipes and flutes, and the clamor of men.

**14** αὐτὰρ ὅτʼ ἐς νῆάς τε ἴδοι καὶ λαὸν Ἀχαιῶν,  
But whenever he looked toward the ships and the Achaean host,

**15** πολλὰς ἐκ κεφαλῆς προθελύμνους ἕλκετο χαίτας  
he tore many locks from his head by the roots
> Torn up by the roots: προθελύμνους means that the locks are pulled out from their very roots. The physical violence of Agamemnon's grief matches the extremity of the crisis he sees.

**16** ὑψόθʼ ἐόντι Διί, μέγα δʼ ἔστενε κυδάλιμον κῆρ.  
toward Zeus on high, and his noble heart groaned mightily.

**17** ἥδε δέ οἱ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀρίστη φαίνετο βουλὴ  
And this seemed the best counsel to his spirit:

**18** Νέστορʼ ἔπι πρῶτον Νηλήϊον ἐλθέμεν ἀνδρῶν,  
to go first among men to Nestor, son of Neleus,

**19** εἴ τινά οἱ σὺν μῆτιν ἀμύμονα τεκτήναιτο,  
in case together with him he might fashion some blameless plan
> Counsel as craftsmanship: τεκτήναιτο is an aorist middle optative from a verb of building or fashioning. Agamemnon hopes that he and Nestor might construct a plan as a craftsman constructs an object.

**20** ἥ τις ἀλεξίκακος πᾶσιν Δαναοῖσι γένοιτο.  
that might ward off harm from all the Danaans.

**21** ὀρθωθεὶς δʼ ἔνδυνε περὶ στήθεσσι χιτῶνα,  
He rose upright and drew a tunic around his chest,

**22** ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,  
beneath his glistening feet he bound fair sandals,
> An inherited dressing formula: This whole Greek line is identical to Iliad 2.44, and its English repeats that accepted line exactly. Such fixed dressing lines are part of the poem's formulaic structure.

**23** ἀμφὶ δʼ ἔπειτα δαφοινὸν ἑέσσατο δέρμα λέοντος  
and then he put around him the reddish hide of a lion,

**24** αἴθωνος μεγάλοιο ποδηνεκές, εἵλετο δʼ ἔγχος.  
of a great tawny beast, reaching to his feet, and he took his spear.
> Reaching to the feet: ποδηνεκές describes the lion skin's length: it hangs all the way down to Agamemnon's feet. The same full-length lion skin will recur as heroic night gear later in the book.

**25** ὣς δʼ αὔτως Μενέλαον ἔχε τρόμος· οὐδὲ γὰρ αὐτῷ  
And just so trembling held Menelaus, for upon his eyes as well

**26** ὕπνος ἐπὶ βλεφάροισιν ἐφίζανε· μή τι πάθοιεν  
sleep would not settle, for fear the Argives might suffer harm,

**27** Ἀργεῖοι, τοὶ δὴ ἕθεν εἵνεκα πουλὺν ἐφʼ ὑγρὴν  
who for his sake had come far across the sea

**28** ἤλυθον ἐς Τροίην πόλεμον θρασὺν ὁρμαίνοντες.  
to Troy, intent upon bold war.

**29** παρδαλέῃ μὲν πρῶτα μετάφρενον εὐρὺ κάλυψε  
First he covered his broad back with a spotted

**30** ποικίλῃ, αὐτὰρ ἐπὶ στεφάνην κεφαλῆφιν ἀείρας  
panther skin; then he raised a bronze helmet

**31** θήκατο χαλκείην, δόρυ δʼ εἵλετο χειρὶ παχείῃ.  
and set it on his head, and took a spear in his strong hand.

**32** βῆ δʼ ἴμεν ἀνστήσων ὃν ἀδελφεόν, ὃς μέγα πάντων  
He went to rouse his own brother, who ruled greatly over all

**33** Ἀργείων ἤνασσε, θεὸς δʼ ὣς τίετο δήμῳ.  
the Argives, and was honored like a god among his people.
> Honor received: τίετο is imperfect passive: Agamemnon was continually honored among his people. The comparison to a god describes the standing regard he received, not divinity.

**34** τὸν δʼ εὗρʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι τιθήμενον ἔντεα καλὰ  
He found him putting his fair armor about his shoulders

**35** νηῒ πάρα πρύμνῃ· τῷ δʼ ἀσπάσιος γένετʼ ἐλθών.  
beside the stern of his ship; and Menelaus's coming was welcome to him.

**36** τὸν πρότερος προσέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·  
Menelaus, good at the war-cry, spoke to him first:

**37** τίφθʼ οὕτως ἠθεῖε κορύσσεαι; ἦ τινʼ ἑταίρων  
"Why are you arming yourself so, dear brother? Will you urge

**38** ὀτρυνέεις Τρώεσσιν ἐπίσκοπον; ἀλλὰ μάλʼ αἰνῶς  
one of our companions to spy upon the Trojans? But terribly

**39** δείδω μὴ οὔ τίς τοι ὑπόσχηται τόδε ἔργον  
I fear that no one will undertake this deed for you,

**40** ἄνδρας δυσμενέας σκοπιαζέμεν οἶος ἐπελθὼν  
to go alone and spy upon our enemy men

**41** νύκτα διʼ ἀμβροσίην· μάλα τις θρασυκάρδιος ἔσται.  
through the immortal night. He must be a very boldhearted man."
> Bold at heart: θρασυκάρδιος joins θρασύς, bold or daring, to καρδία, heart. The compound measures the extreme courage required to enter an enemy camp alone at night.

**42** τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη κρείων Ἀγαμέμνων·  
Then the lord Agamemnon answered him and said:

**43** χρεὼ βουλῆς ἐμὲ καὶ σὲ διοτρεφὲς ὦ Μενέλαε  
"Zeus-nurtured Menelaus, you and I have need of shrewd
> Zeus-nurtured: διοτρεφής calls a king nurtured by Zeus, grounding royal standing in divine favor. It is a genuine epithet here and does not replace Menelaus's distinct formula, good at the war-cry.

**44** κερδαλέης, ἥ τίς κεν ἐρύσσεται ἠδὲ σαώσει  
counsel, some plan that might shield and save

**45** Ἀργείους καὶ νῆας, ἐπεὶ Διὸς ἐτράπετο φρήν.  
the Argives and their ships, since the mind of Zeus has turned.

**46** Ἑκτορέοις ἄρα μᾶλλον ἐπὶ φρένα θῆχʼ ἱεροῖσιν·  
It seems he has set his heart more upon Hector's sacrifices.
> Hector's sacrifices: The dative words Ἑκτορέοις and ἱεροῖσιν mean Hector's sacred offerings or sacrifices. Zeus is the unstated subject who has turned his attention toward them.

**47** οὐ γάρ πω ἰδόμην, οὐδʼ ἔκλυον αὐδήσαντος  
For never yet have I seen, nor heard from any speaking man,

**48** ἄνδρʼ ἕνα τοσσάδε μέρμερʼ ἐπʼ ἤματι μητίσασθαι,  
that one man devised so many grievous deeds in one day

**49** ὅσσʼ Ἕκτωρ ἔρρεξε Διῒ φίλος υἷας Ἀχαιῶν  
as Hector, dear to Zeus, has wrought against the sons of the Achaeans,

**50** αὔτως, οὔτε θεᾶς υἱὸς φίλος οὔτε θεοῖο.  
on his own, though he is the dear son of neither goddess nor god.

**51** ἔργα δʼ ἔρεξʼ ὅσα φημὶ μελησέμεν Ἀργείοισι  
He has done deeds that I say will weigh upon the Argives

**52** δηθά τε καὶ δολιχόν· τόσα γὰρ κακὰ μήσατʼ Ἀχαιούς.  
for a long, long time, such evils has he devised against the Achaeans.

**53** ἀλλʼ ἴθι νῦν Αἴαντα καὶ Ἰδομενῆα κάλεσσον  
But go now and call Ajax, son of Telamon, and Idomeneus,

**54** ῥίμφα θέων παρὰ νῆας· ἐγὼ δʼ ἐπὶ Νέστορα δῖον  
running swiftly along the ships; I will go to godlike Nestor

**55** εἶμι, καὶ ὀτρυνέω ἀνστήμεναι, αἴ κʼ ἐθέλῃσιν  
and urge him to rise, in case he is willing

**56** ἐλθεῖν ἐς φυλάκων ἱερὸν τέλος ἠδʼ ἐπιτεῖλαι.  
to go among the sacred company of guards and give them orders.
> The guards as a company: τέλος here is an organized body or company, not an ending. Calling the watch ἱερόν, sacred, lends formal dignity to the group entrusted with the army's safety.

**57** κείνῳ γάρ κε μάλιστα πιθοίατο· τοῖο γὰρ υἱὸς  
For they would obey him most of all; his own son

**58** σημαίνει φυλάκεσσι καὶ Ἰδομενῆος ὀπάων  
commands the guards, and Idomeneus's companion,

**59** Μηριόνης· τοῖσιν γὰρ ἐπετράπομέν γε μάλιστα.  
Meriones; for to them above all we entrusted this."

**60** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Μενέλαος·  
Then Menelaus, good at the war-cry, answered him:

**61** πῶς γάρ μοι μύθῳ ἐπιτέλλεαι ἠδὲ κελεύεις;  
"What order do you lay upon me and command?

**62** αὖθι μένω μετὰ τοῖσι δεδεγμένος εἰς ὅ κεν ἔλθῃς,  
Am I to stay there among them, waiting until you come,

**63** ἦε θέω μετὰ σʼ αὖτις, ἐπὴν εὖ τοῖς ἐπιτείλω;  
or run back after you when I have given them their orders well?"

**64** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων,  
Then Agamemnon, lord of men, addressed him in turn:

**65** αὖθι μένειν, μή πως ἀβροτάξομεν ἀλλήλοιιν  
"Stay there, lest somehow we two miss one another
> The two brothers: ἀλλήλοιιν, one another, is a dual form. Greek marks Agamemnon and Menelaus as an exact pair whose separate paths might cross unseen.

**66** ἐρχομένω· πολλαὶ γὰρ ἀνὰ στρατόν εἰσι κέλευθοι.  
as we go; for many are the paths throughout the camp.

**67** φθέγγεο δʼ ᾗ κεν ἴῃσθα καὶ ἐγρήγορθαι ἄνωχθι  
Call out wherever you go, and bid them keep awake,

**68** πατρόθεν ἐκ γενεῆς ὀνομάζων ἄνδρα ἕκαστον  
naming him by his father's line and by his lineage,

**69** πάντας κυδαίνων· μηδὲ μεγαλίζεο θυμῷ,  
honoring them all; do not be proud in your heart,
> A middle command: μεγαλίζεο is a present middle imperative: Menelaus is told not to make himself great or behave proudly. The command checks royal self-importance during a shared emergency.

**70** ἀλλὰ καὶ αὐτοί περ πονεώμεθα· ὧδέ που ἄμμι  
but let us labor ourselves as well; for so it was upon us

**71** Ζεὺς ἐπὶ γιγνομένοισιν ἵει κακότητα βαρεῖαν.  
that Zeus laid heavy hardship from the hour of our birth."
> A burden laid at birth: The participle γιγνομένοισιν points to the brothers as they were being born. Agamemnon presents their labor not as a momentary duty but as a burden Zeus assigned with their very lives.

**72** ὣς εἰπὼν ἀπέπεμπεν ἀδελφεὸν εὖ ἐπιτείλας·  
So he spoke and sent his brother away, giving him good instructions;

**73** αὐτὰρ ὃ βῆ ῥʼ ἰέναι μετὰ Νέστορα ποιμένα λαῶν·  
and he went on to Nestor, shepherd of the people.

**74** τὸν δʼ εὗρεν παρά τε κλισίῃ καὶ νηῒ μελαίνῃ  
He found him beside his hut and black ship,

**75** εὐνῇ ἔνι μαλακῇ· παρὰ δʼ ἔντεα ποικίλʼ ἔκειτο  
in a soft bed; and beside him his richly wrought armor lay:

**76** ἀσπὶς καὶ δύο δοῦρε φαεινή τε τρυφάλεια.  
his shield and two spears and shining helmet.

**77** πὰρ δὲ ζωστὴρ κεῖτο παναίολος, ᾧ ῥʼ ὁ γεραιὸς  
Beside him lay the gleaming belt with which the old man
> The gleaming war-belt: The ζωστήρ is the outer war-belt worn with armor, here modified by παναίολος, gleaming all over. It is kept distinct from the corselet and the inner belly guards named elsewhere in battle scenes.

**78** ζώννυθʼ ὅτʼ ἐς πόλεμον φθισήνορα θωρήσσοιτο  
would gird himself whenever he armed for man-destroying war
> War that destroys men: φθισήνωρ makes war itself the destroyer of men, joining a wasting or perishing root to ἀνήρ, man. The compound is concrete and deadly rather than a generic description of danger.

**79** λαὸν ἄγων, ἐπεὶ οὐ μὲν ἐπέτρεπε γήραϊ λυγρῷ.  
and led his people, since he did not yield to grievous age.

**80** ὀρθωθεὶς δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ ἀγκῶνος κεφαλὴν ἐπαείρας  
Rising upon his elbow and lifting his head,

**81** Ἀτρεΐδην προσέειπε καὶ ἐξερεείνετο μύθῳ·  
he addressed the son of Atreus and questioned him:

**82** τίς δʼ οὗτος κατὰ νῆας ἀνὰ στρατὸν ἔρχεαι οἶος  
"Who are you, walking alone through the camp beside the ships

**83** νύκτα διʼ ὀρφναίην, ὅτε θʼ εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι,  
through the dark night, when other mortals sleep?

**84** ἠέ τινʼ οὐρήων διζήμενος, ἤ τινʼ ἑταίρων;  
Are you searching for one of the mules, or for a companion?
> A missing mule: οὐρεύς is a mule, an ordinary but valuable camp animal used for hauling. Nestor begins with practical possibilities before he recognizes the scale of Agamemnon's fear.

**85** φθέγγεο, μηδʼ ἀκέων ἐπʼ ἔμʼ ἔρχεο· τίπτε δέ σε χρεώ;  
Speak, and do not come toward me in silence. What need brings you?"

**86** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·  
Then Agamemnon, lord of men, answered him:

**87** ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν  
"Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaeans,
> Great glory of the Achaeans: κῦδος is glory or victorious splendor, often understood as something conferred by divine favor. Here the phrase makes Nestor himself a great glory belonging to the Achaean host.

**88** γνώσεαι Ἀτρεΐδην Ἀγαμέμνονα, τὸν περὶ πάντων  
you will recognize Atreus' son Agamemnon, whom above all

**89** Ζεὺς ἐνέηκε πόνοισι διαμπερὲς εἰς ὅ κʼ ἀϋτμὴ  
Zeus has thrust continually amid labors, for as long as breath

**90** ἐν στήθεσσι μένῃ καί μοι φίλα γούνατʼ ὀρώρῃ.  
remains in my breast and strength rises in my dear knees.

**91** πλάζομαι ὧδʼ ἐπεὶ οὔ μοι ἐπʼ ὄμμασι νήδυμος ὕπνος  
I wander so because sweet sleep does not settle

**92** ἱζάνει, ἀλλὰ μέλει πόλεμος καὶ κήδεʼ Ἀχαιῶν.  
upon my eyes, but war and the cares of the Achaeans trouble me.

**93** αἰνῶς γὰρ Δαναῶν περιδείδια, οὐδέ μοι ἦτορ  
For I fear terribly for the Danaans, and my heart

**94** ἔμπεδον, ἀλλʼ ἀλαλύκτημαι, κραδίη δέ μοι ἔξω  
is not steady, but I am distraught; my heart leaps
> A mind left distraught: ἀλαλύκτημαι is a reduplicated perfect middle-passive form. It presents Agamemnon as already driven into an enduring state of distraction and distress.

**95** στηθέων ἐκθρῴσκει, τρομέει δʼ ὑπὸ φαίδιμα γυῖα.  
out of my chest, and my shining limbs tremble beneath me.

**96** ἀλλʼ εἴ τι δραίνεις, ἐπεὶ οὐδὲ σέ γʼ ὕπνος ἱκάνει,  
But if you can do anything, since sleep does not reach you either,

**97** δεῦρʼ ἐς τοὺς φύλακας καταβήομεν, ὄφρα ἴδωμεν  
come, let us go down to the guards, so that we may see

**98** μὴ τοὶ μὲν καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες ἠδὲ καὶ ὕπνῳ  
whether, worn down by toil and sleep,

**99** κοιμήσωνται, ἀτὰρ φυλακῆς ἐπὶ πάγχυ λάθωνται.  
they have lain down and utterly forgotten their watch.
> Fear for the watch: After ὄφρα ἴδωμεν, the preceding particle μή introduces what Agamemnon fears they may discover. Both κοιμήσωνται and λάθωνται are aorist subjunctives, presenting the feared lapse as a completed act.

**100** δυσμενέες δʼ ἄνδρες σχεδὸν εἵαται· οὐδέ τι ἴδμεν  
The enemy men sit nearby, and we do not know

**101** μή πως καὶ διὰ νύκτα μενοινήσωσι μάχεσθαι.  
whether they may be eager to fight even through the night."

**102** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
Then Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, answered him:

**103** Ἀτρεΐδη κύδιστε ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγάμεμνον  
"Son of Atreus, most glorious, Agamemnon, lord of men,
> An inherited address: The Greek wording repeats Iliad 2.434, differing only in terminal punctuation, so its English repeats the accepted address exactly. The phrase ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν retains Agamemnon's distinct title, lord of men.

**104** οὔ θην Ἕκτορι πάντα νοήματα μητίετα Ζεὺς  
Zeus the counselor will surely not fulfill for Hector all the plans
> Zeus the counselor: μητίετα praises Zeus as a deviser of counsel. The fixed rendering remains distinct from the many separate epithets that praise his thunder, clouds, or kingship.

**105** ἐκτελέει, ὅσα πού νυν ἐέλπεται· ἀλλά μιν οἴω  
he now hopes for. Rather, I think he

**106** κήδεσι μοχθήσειν καὶ πλείοσιν, εἴ κεν Ἀχιλλεὺς  
will labor amid still more troubles, if Achilles

**107** ἐκ χόλου ἀργαλέοιο μεταστρέψῃ φίλον ἦτορ.  
turns his own heart away from bitter anger.

**108** σοὶ δὲ μάλʼ ἕψομʼ ἐγώ· ποτὶ δʼ αὖ καὶ ἐγείρομεν ἄλλους  
I will gladly follow you; and let us also wake the others:

**109** ἠμὲν Τυδεΐδην δουρὶ κλυτὸν ἠδʼ Ὀδυσῆα  
the son of Tydeus, famed with the spear, and Odysseus,
> Famed with the spear: δουρὶ κλυτός is the inherited spear-fame epithet already used for Idomeneus. Here the same generic honor belongs to Diomedes, the son of Tydeus.

**110** ἠδʼ Αἴαντα ταχὺν καὶ Φυλέος ἄλκιμον υἱόν.  
and swift Ajax, son of Oileus, and the valiant son of Phyleus.

**111** ἀλλʼ εἴ τις καὶ τούσδε μετοιχόμενος καλέσειεν  
But if only someone would go and call these men as well:

**112** ἀντίθεόν τʼ Αἴαντα καὶ Ἰδομενῆα ἄνακτα·  
godlike Ajax, son of Telamon, and lord Idomeneus,

**113** τῶν γὰρ νῆες ἔασιν ἑκαστάτω, οὐδὲ μάλʼ ἐγγύς.  
for their ships are the farthest away, and by no means near.

**114** ἀλλὰ φίλον περ ἐόντα καὶ αἰδοῖον Μενέλαον  
But Menelaus, though he is dear to me and honored,

**115** νεικέσω, εἴ πέρ μοι νεμεσήσεαι, οὐδʼ ἐπικεύσω  
I will rebuke him, even if you resent me, and I will not conceal

**116** ὡς εὕδει, σοὶ δʼ οἴῳ ἐπέτρεψεν πονέεσθαι.  
how he sleeps and has left you alone to labor.

**117** νῦν ὄφελεν κατὰ πάντας ἀριστῆας πονέεσθαι  
He ought now to be laboring among all the princes,

**118** λισσόμενος· χρειὼ γὰρ ἱκάνεται οὐκέτʼ ἀνεκτός.  
appealing to them, for the need upon us can no longer be borne."

**119** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·  
Then Agamemnon, lord of men, addressed him in turn:

**120** ὦ γέρον ἄλλοτε μέν σε καὶ αἰτιάασθαι ἄνωγα·  
"Old man, at other times I even urge you to blame him,

**121** πολλάκι γὰρ μεθιεῖ τε καὶ οὐκ ἐθέλει πονέεσθαι  
for often he hangs back and is unwilling to labor,

**122** οὔτʼ ὄκνῳ εἴκων οὔτʼ ἀφραδίῃσι νόοιο,  
yielding neither to hesitation nor to thoughtlessness of mind,
> Neither hesitation nor folly: The paired οὔτε ... οὔτε rejects two possible explanations in balance. Menelaus hangs back neither from hesitation nor from lack of judgment; the next line supplies the real reason.

**123** ἀλλʼ ἐμέ τʼ εἰσορόων καὶ ἐμὴν ποτιδέγμενος ὁρμήν.  
but because he looks to me and waits for my lead.

**124** νῦν δʼ ἐμέο πρότερος μάλʼ ἐπέγρετο καί μοι ἐπέστη·  
But now he woke well before I did and came to me.

**125** τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ προέηκα καλήμεναι οὓς σὺ μεταλλᾷς.  
I sent him on to call the very men you ask after.

**126** ἀλλʼ ἴομεν· κείνους δὲ κιχησόμεθα πρὸ πυλάων  
But let us go; we shall find them before the gates,

**127** ἐν φυλάκεσσʼ, ἵνα γάρ σφιν ἐπέφραδον ἠγερέθεσθαι.  
among the guards, for there I told them to gather."

**128** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
Then Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, answered him:

**129** οὕτως οὔ τίς οἱ νεμεσήσεται οὐδʼ ἀπιθήσει  
"In that case no one among the Argives will resent him or disobey

**130** Ἀργείων, ὅτε κέν τινʼ ἐποτρύνῃ καὶ ἀνώγῃ.  
whenever he urges a man on and gives him orders."
> Whenever he commands: ὅτε with κεν and two subjunctives makes an indefinite temporal clause: whenever Menelaus urges or commands someone. Nestor answers Agamemnon by describing how the Argives will respond in any such case.

**131** ὣς εἰπὼν ἔνδυνε περὶ στήθεσσι χιτῶνα,  
So he spoke, and put a tunic about his chest,

**132** ποσσὶ δʼ ὑπὸ λιπαροῖσιν ἐδήσατο καλὰ πέδιλα,  
beneath his glistening feet he bound fair sandals,

**133** ἀμφὶ δʼ ἄρα χλαῖναν περονήσατο φοινικόεσσαν  
and around him he fastened a crimson cloak with a brooch,
> A crimson cloak: The χλαῖνα is a heavy outer cloak, here dyed φοινικόεις, a deep crimson or purple-red. Nestor dresses for the night before taking up his spear.

**134** διπλῆν ἐκταδίην, οὔλη δʼ ἐπενήνοθε λάχνη.  
double and broad, with a thick nap spread over it.

**135** εἵλετο δʼ ἄλκιμον ἔγχος ἀκαχμένον ὀξέϊ χαλκῷ,  
He took his stout spear, sharpened with keen bronze,

**136** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι κατὰ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων.  
and went along the ships of the bronze-clad Achaeans.

**137** πρῶτον ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆα Διὶ μῆτιν ἀτάλαντον  
First Odysseus, the equal of Zeus in counsel,
> Equal to Zeus in counsel: This epithet praises Odysseus by making his μῆτις, his power of shrewd counsel, equal to Zeus's. Homer keeps it distinct from Odysseus's other titles, such as “of many wiles” and “of many devices.”

**138** ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνέγειρε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ  
Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, woke from sleep,

**139** φθεγξάμενος· τὸν δʼ αἶψα περὶ φρένας ἤλυθʼ ἰωή,  
calling aloud; and at once the cry reached his mind.
> A cry in the night: ἰωή is a loud cry or shout, often heard in battle. Even from sleep, Odysseus hears Nestor's voice at once.

**140** ἐκ δʼ ἦλθε κλισίης καί σφεας πρὸς μῦθον ἔειπε·  
He came out from his hut and spoke a word to them:

**141** τίφθʼ οὕτω κατὰ νῆας ἀνὰ στρατὸν οἶοι ἀλᾶσθε  
“Why do you wander alone through the camp along the ships

**142** νύκτα διʼ ἀμβροσίην, ὅ τι δὴ χρειὼ τόσον ἵκει;  
through the immortal night? What need so great has come upon you?”

**143** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
Then Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, answered him:

**144** διογενὲς Λαερτιάδη πολυμήχανʼ Ὀδυσσεῦ  
"Odysseus, son of Laertes, sprung from Zeus, of many devices,

**145** μὴ νεμέσα· τοῖον γὰρ ἄχος βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.  
do not be angry; for such grief has overwhelmed the Achaeans.

**146** ἀλλʼ ἕπεʼ, ὄφρα καὶ ἄλλον ἐγείρομεν ὅν τʼ ἐπέοικε  
But come, so that we may wake another man, one who is fit

**147** βουλὰς βουλεύειν, ἢ φευγέμεν ἠὲ μάχεσθαι.  
to devise our counsels, whether to flee or to fight.”

**148** ὣς φάθʼ, ὃ δὲ κλισίην δὲ κιὼν πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς  
So he spoke; and Odysseus of many wiles went to his hut,

**149** ποικίλον ἀμφʼ ὤμοισι σάκος θέτο, βῆ δὲ μετʼ αὐτούς.  
set a richly wrought shield about his shoulders, and followed them.

**150** βὰν δʼ ἐπὶ Τυδεΐδην Διομήδεα· τὸν δὲ κίχανον  
They went to Diomedes, son of Tydeus, and found him

**151** ἐκτὸς ἀπὸ κλισίης σὺν τεύχεσιν· ἀμφὶ δʼ ἑταῖροι  
outside his hut with his arms; around him his companions

**152** εὗδον, ὑπὸ κρασὶν δʼ ἔχον ἀσπίδας· ἔγχεα δέ σφιν  
slept with shields beneath their heads, while their spears

**153** ὄρθʼ ἐπὶ σαυρωτῆρος ἐλήλατο, τῆλε δὲ χαλκὸς  
stood upright upon their butt-spikes, fixed in the ground, and far off the bronze

**154** λάμφʼ ὥς τε στεροπὴ πατρὸς Διός· αὐτὰρ ὅ γʼ ἥρως  
flashed like the lightning of father Zeus. But the hero

**155** εὗδʼ, ὑπὸ δʼ ἔστρωτο ῥινὸν βοὸς ἀγραύλοιο,  
slept, with the hide of a field-dwelling ox spread beneath him,

**156** αὐτὰρ ὑπὸ κράτεσφι τάπης τετάνυστο φαεινός.  
and under his head a gleaming rug was stretched.

**157** τὸν παρστὰς ἀνέγειρε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ,  
Standing beside him, Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, woke him,

**158** λὰξ ποδὶ κινήσας, ὄτρυνέ τε νείκεσέ τʼ ἄντην·  
stirring him with his heel; he urged him and rebuked him to his face:
> With his heel: λάξ is an adverb meaning “with the heel” or “with the foot.” Nestor does not gently shake Diomedes awake: he prods him with his foot and immediately scolds him.

**159** ἔγρεο Τυδέος υἱέ· τί πάννυχον ὕπνον ἀωτεῖς;  
“Wake, son of Tydeus! Why do you sleep the whole night through?

**160** οὐκ ἀΐεις ὡς Τρῶες ἐπὶ θρωσμῷ πεδίοιο  
Do you not hear how the Trojans sit upon the brow of the plain,

**161** εἵαται ἄγχι νεῶν, ὀλίγος δʼ ἔτι χῶρος ἐρύκει;  
close to the ships, and only a little ground still holds them back?”

**162** ὣς φάθʼ, ὃ δʼ ἐξ ὕπνοιο μάλα κραιπνῶς ἀνόρουσε,  
So he spoke, and Diomedes sprang very swiftly from sleep,

**163** καί μιν φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and speaking to him, he addressed him with winged words:
> Winged words: The recurring formula calls spoken words “winged”: once released, they fly from speaker to hearer. Its repetition is part of the audible architecture of Homeric verse.

**164** σχέτλιός ἐσσι γεραιέ· σὺ μὲν πόνου οὔ ποτε λήγεις.  
“You are relentless, old man; you never cease from toil.

**165** οὔ νυ καὶ ἄλλοι ἔασι νεώτεροι υἷες Ἀχαιῶν  
Are there not other, younger sons of the Achaeans

**166** οἵ κεν ἔπειτα ἕκαστον ἐγείρειαν βασιλήων  
who could go everywhere and wake each one of the kings?

**167** πάντῃ ἐποιχόμενοι; σὺ δʼ ἀμήχανός ἐσσι γεραιέ.  
But there is no managing you, old man.”

**168** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
Then Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, spoke to him again:

**169** ναὶ δὴ ταῦτά γε πάντα φίλος κατὰ μοῖραν ἔειπες.  
“Yes, my friend, all this you have spoken in due measure.

**170** εἰσὶν μέν μοι παῖδες ἀμύμονες, εἰσὶ δὲ λαοὶ  
I have blameless sons, and I have men,

**171** καὶ πολέες, τῶν κέν τις ἐποιχόμενος καλέσειεν·  
many of them, one of whom might go around and call the others.

**172** ἀλλὰ μάλα μεγάλη χρειὼ βεβίηκεν Ἀχαιούς.  
But an overwhelming need has come upon the Achaeans.

**173** νῦν γὰρ δὴ πάντεσσιν ἐπὶ ξυροῦ ἵσταται ἀκμῆς  
For now, for all of them, the matter stands upon a razor's edge:
> On a razor's edge: The Greek phrase places the army's whole fate on the sharp edge of a razor. The familiar English expression descends from this Homeric image of a balance so fine that either outcome may follow.

**174** ἢ μάλα λυγρὸς ὄλεθρος Ἀχαιοῖς ἠὲ βιῶναι.  
either utter ruin for the Achaeans, or survival.

**175** ἀλλʼ ἴθι νῦν Αἴαντα ταχὺν καὶ Φυλέος υἱὸν  
But go now and wake swift Ajax and the son of Phyleus,

**176** ἄνστησον· σὺ γάρ ἐσσι νεώτερος· εἴ μʼ ἐλεαίρεις.  
for you are younger, if you have any pity for me.”

**177** ὣς φάθʼ, ὃ δʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἑέσσατο δέρμα λέοντος  
So he spoke; and Diomedes put about his shoulders the hide of a lion,

**178** αἴθωνος μεγάλοιο ποδηνεκές, εἵλετο δʼ ἔγχος.  
of a great tawny beast, reaching to his feet, and he took his spear.

**179** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι, τοὺς δʼ ἔνθεν ἀναστήσας ἄγεν ἥρως.  
He set out, and after rousing those men the hero led them back.

**180** οἳ δʼ ὅτε δὴ φυλάκεσσιν ἐν ἀγρομένοισιν ἔμιχθεν,  
When they had joined the guards gathered together,

**181** οὐδὲ μὲν εὕδοντας φυλάκων ἡγήτορας εὗρον,  
they did not find the leaders of the guard asleep,

**182** ἀλλʼ ἐγρηγορτὶ σὺν τεύχεσιν εἵατο πάντες.  
but all sat awake with their weapons.

**183** ὡς δὲ κύνες περὶ μῆλα δυσωρήσωνται ἐν αὐλῇ  
As dogs keep troubled watch around sheep in a farmyard

**184** θηρὸς ἀκούσαντες κρατερόφρονος, ὅς τε καθʼ ὕλην  
when they hear a strong-hearted beast that through the woods

**185** ἔρχηται διʼ ὄρεσφι· πολὺς δʼ ὀρυμαγδὸς ἐπʼ αὐτῷ  
comes across the mountains, and a great clamor rises after it

**186** ἀνδρῶν ἠδὲ κυνῶν, ἀπό τέ σφισιν ὕπνος ὄλωλεν·  
from men and dogs, and sleep is lost to them—

**187** ὣς τῶν νήδυμος ὕπνος ἀπὸ βλεφάροιιν ὀλώλει  
so sweet sleep had been lost from the sentries' eyelids

**188** νύκτα φυλασσομένοισι κακήν· πεδίον δὲ γὰρ αἰεὶ  
as they guarded through the evil night; for toward the plain they always

**189** τετράφαθʼ, ὁππότʼ ἐπὶ Τρώων ἀΐοιεν ἰόντων.  
kept turning whenever they heard the Trojans coming on.
> A repeated state of readiness: τετράφαθʼ is a Homeric pluperfect form of τρέπω used intransitively: they had kept themselves turned toward the plain. The tense presents their vigilance as an already established, continuing posture.

**190** τοὺς δʼ ὃ γέρων γήθησεν ἰδὼν θάρσυνέ τε μύθῳ  
The old man rejoiced when he saw them and encouraged them with words,

**191** καί σφεας φωνήσας ἔπεα πτερόεντα προσηύδα·  
and speaking, he addressed them with winged words:

**192** οὕτω νῦν φίλα τέκνα φυλάσσετε· μηδέ τινʼ ὕπνος  
“Keep watch so now, dear children, and let sleep

**193** αἱρείτω, μὴ χάρμα γενώμεθα δυσμενέεσσιν.  
seize no one, lest we become a joy to our enemies.”

**194** ὣς εἰπὼν τάφροιο διέσσυτο· τοὶ δʼ ἅμʼ ἕποντο  
So he spoke and hurried across the trench; and with him followed

**195** Ἀργείων βασιλῆες ὅσοι κεκλήατο βουλήν.  
the kings of the Argives, all who had been called to council.

**196** τοῖς δʼ ἅμα Μηριόνης καὶ Νέστορος ἀγλαὸς υἱὸς  
With them went Meriones and the glorious son of Nestor,

**197** ἤϊσαν· αὐτοὶ γὰρ κάλεον συμμητιάασθαι.  
for the kings themselves had called them to share their counsel.

**198** τάφρον δʼ ἐκδιαβάντες ὀρυκτὴν ἑδριόωντο  
Crossing over the dug trench, they sat down

**199** ἐν καθαρῷ, ὅθι δὴ νεκύων διεφαίνετο χῶρος  
in a clear place where the ground showed free of corpses.

**200** πιπτόντων· ὅθεν αὖτις ἀπετράπετʼ ὄβριμος Ἕκτωρ  
of fallen men; from there mighty Hector had turned back again,

**201** ὀλλὺς Ἀργείους, ὅτε δὴ περὶ νὺξ ἐκάλυψεν.  
killing Argives, when night at last covered all around.

**202** ἔνθα καθεζόμενοι ἔπεʼ ἀλλήλοισι πίφαυσκον·  
There they sat and unfolded words to one another,

**203** τοῖσι δὲ μύθων ἦρχε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
and Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, began speaking among them:

**204** ὦ φίλοι οὐκ ἂν δή τις ἀνὴρ πεπίθοιθʼ ἑῷ αὐτοῦ  
“Friends, is there no man who would trust his own
> A cautious optative proposal: πεπίθοιθʼ is an optative with ἄν: “would someone trust” his own daring spirit? Nestor frames the dangerous mission as a tentative invitation rather than naming or commanding a scout.

**205** θυμῷ τολμήεντι μετὰ Τρῶας μεγαθύμους  
daring spirit and go among the high-hearted Trojans,

**206** ἐλθεῖν, εἴ τινά που δηΐων ἕλοι ἐσχατόωντα,  
and perhaps seize some enemy straggler at the edge,

**207** ἤ τινά που καὶ φῆμιν ἐνὶ Τρώεσσι πύθοιτο,  
or perhaps learn some report among the Trojans—

**208** ἅσσά τε μητιόωσι μετὰ σφίσιν, ἢ μεμάασιν  
what they are planning among themselves, whether they are eager

**209** αὖθι μένειν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀπόπροθεν, ἦε πόλιν δὲ  
to remain here beside the ships, far from the city, or back toward the city

**210** ἂψ ἀναχωρήσουσιν, ἐπεὶ δαμάσαντό γʼ Ἀχαιούς.  
they will withdraw, now that they have defeated the Achaeans.

**211** ταῦτά κε πάντα πύθοιτο, καὶ ἂψ εἰς ἡμέας ἔλθοι  
He might learn all this and come back again to us

**212** ἀσκηθής· μέγα κέν οἱ ὑπουράνιον κλέος εἴη  
unharmed; great would be his fame beneath the heavens
> The scout's fame: κλέος is the fame that travels through what people hear and say of a deed. Nestor offers the volunteer both this lasting public renown and the tangible rewards listed next.

**213** πάντας ἐπʼ ἀνθρώπους, καί οἱ δόσις ἔσσεται ἐσθλή·  
among all mankind, and his gift will be a good one.

**214** ὅσσοι γὰρ νήεσσιν ἐπικρατέουσιν ἄριστοι  
For as many princes as command the ships,

**215** τῶν πάντων οἱ ἕκαστος ὄϊν δώσουσι μέλαιναν  
each one of them will give him a black ewe,

**216** θῆλυν ὑπόρρηνον· τῇ μὲν κτέρας οὐδὲν ὁμοῖον,  
a female with a lamb beneath her; no possession equals her,

**217** αἰεὶ δʼ ἐν δαίτῃσι καὶ εἰλαπίνῃσι παρέσται.  
and he will always be present at feasts and banquets.”

**218** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.  
So he spoke, and they all fell hushed in silence;

**219** τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης·  
and among them Diomedes, good at the war-cry, spoke:

**220** Νέστορ ἔμʼ ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ  
“Nestor, my heart and proud spirit urge me

**221** ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων δῦναι στρατὸν ἐγγὺς ἐόντων  
to enter the nearby camp of our enemies,

**222** Τρώων· ἀλλʼ εἴ τίς μοι ἀνὴρ ἅμʼ ἕποιτο καὶ ἄλλος  
the Trojans. But if another man would go with me,

**223** μᾶλλον θαλπωρὴ καὶ θαρσαλεώτερον ἔσται.  
there will be greater comfort, and greater confidence.

**224** σύν τε δύʼ ἐρχομένω καί τε πρὸ ὃ τοῦ ἐνόησεν  
When two go together, one sees before the other
> Two going together: The participle ἐρχομένω is dual, marking a pair acting together. Diomedes' argument is built into the grammar: two minds give counsel an advantage that one mind lacks.

**225** ὅππως κέρδος ἔῃ· μοῦνος δʼ εἴ πέρ τε νοήσῃ  
how there may be gain; but even if a man alone perceives it,

**226** ἀλλά τέ οἱ βράσσων τε νόος, λεπτὴ δέ τε μῆτις.  
his mind is slower, and his counsel is thin.”
> Thin counsel: λεπτός means “thin” or “fine.” Applied to μῆτις here, it makes a lone man's practical intelligence slight or scant compared with the fuller foresight two companions can share.

**227** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἔθελον Διομήδεϊ πολλοὶ ἕπεσθαι.  
So he spoke, and many were willing to follow Diomedes.

**228** ἠθελέτην Αἴαντε δύω θεράποντες Ἄρηος,  
The two Ajaxes, attendants of Ares, both wished to go,
> Both Ajaxes in the dual: The verb ἠθελέτην and the name Αἴαντε are dual forms, reinforced by δύω, “two.” Homer treats Ajax, son of Telamon, and Ajax, son of Oileus, as one paired unit in the offer.

**229** ἤθελε Μηριόνης, μάλα δʼ ἤθελε Νέστορος υἱός,  
Meriones wished it, and the son of Nestor wished it greatly,

**230** ἤθελε δʼ Ἀτρεΐδης δουρικλειτὸς Μενέλαος,  
and Menelaus, famed with the spear, wished it,

**231** ἤθελε δʼ ὁ τλήμων Ὀδυσεὺς καταδῦναι ὅμιλον  
and enduring Odysseus wished to enter the throng
> Enduring Odysseus: Here τλήμων is a local adjective, “enduring” or “daring to undergo,” suited to the dangerous entry into the Trojan camp. It is not the full standing formula πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς, “much-enduring godlike Odysseus.”

**232** Τρώων· αἰεὶ γάρ οἱ ἐνὶ φρεσὶ θυμὸς ἐτόλμα.  
of Trojans, for the spirit in his heart was always daring.

**233** τοῖσι δὲ καὶ μετέειπεν ἄναξ ἀνδρῶν Ἀγαμέμνων·  
Then among them spoke Agamemnon, lord of men:

**234** Τυδεΐδη Διόμηδες ἐμῷ κεχαρισμένε θυμῷ  
"Diomedes, son of Tydeus, dear to my heart,

**235** τὸν μὲν δὴ ἕταρόν γʼ αἱρήσεαι ὅν κʼ ἐθέλῃσθα,  
you shall choose as your companion whichever man you wish,

**236** φαινομένων τὸν ἄριστον, ἐπεὶ μεμάασί γε πολλοί.  
the best of those who have come forward, since many are eager.

**237** μηδὲ σύ γʼ αἰδόμενος σῇσι φρεσὶ τὸν μὲν ἀρείω  
Do not, from awe within your heart, leave the better man behind

**238** καλλείπειν, σὺ δὲ χείρονʼ ὀπάσσεαι αἰδοῖ εἴκων  
and take the worse, yielding to respect

**239** ἐς γενεὴν ὁρόων, μηδʼ εἰ βασιλεύτερός ἐστιν.  
as you look to his lineage, not even if he is more kingly.”

**240** ὣς ἔφατʼ, ἔδεισεν δὲ περὶ ξανθῷ Μενελάῳ.  
So he spoke, for he feared for golden-haired Menelaus.

**241** τοῖς δʼ αὖτις μετέειπε βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης·  
Then Diomedes, good at the war-cry, spoke among them again:

**242** εἰ μὲν δὴ ἕταρόν γε κελεύετέ μʼ αὐτὸν ἑλέσθαι,  
“If you command me to choose my companion myself,

**243** πῶς ἂν ἔπειτʼ Ὀδυσῆος ἐγὼ θείοιο λαθοίμην,  
how then could I forget godlike Odysseus,

**244** οὗ πέρι μὲν πρόφρων κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ  
whose eager heart and proud spirit excel

**245** ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισι, φιλεῖ δέ ἑ Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.  
in every kind of toil, and Pallas Athena loves him?

**246** τούτου γʼ ἑσπομένοιο καὶ ἐκ πυρὸς αἰθομένοιο  
With this man following me, even from blazing fire

**247** ἄμφω νοστήσαιμεν, ἐπεὶ περίοιδε νοῆσαι.  
we both would return, for he excels in understanding.”
> A confident potential optative: νοστήσαιμεν is an aorist optative: with Odysseus beside him, Diomedes says the two “would return” even from fire. The form presents survival as the expected potential result of Odysseus's exceptional foresight.

**248** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς·  
Then much-enduring godlike Odysseus addressed him in turn:

**249** Τυδεΐδη μήτʼ ἄρ με μάλʼ αἴνεε μήτέ τι νείκει·  
“Son of Tydeus, neither praise me greatly nor blame me at all,

**250** εἰδόσι γάρ τοι ταῦτα μετʼ Ἀργείοις ἀγορεύεις.  
for you say these things among Argives who know me.

**251** ἀλλʼ ἴομεν· μάλα γὰρ νὺξ ἄνεται, ἐγγύθι δʼ ἠώς,  
But let us go; for the night is waning, and dawn is near,

**252** ἄστρα δὲ δὴ προβέβηκε, παροίχωκεν δὲ πλέων νὺξ  
the stars have advanced, and more of the night has passed
> The night has advanced: Both προβέβηκε and παροίχωκεν are perfect forms: the stars have moved forward and the night has gone by. Their present result matters more than the motion itself—little darkness remains for the mission.

**253** τῶν δύο μοιράων, τριτάτη δʼ ἔτι μοῖρα λέλειπται.  
than two of its portions, and still the third portion remains.”

**254** ὣς εἰπόνθʼ ὅπλοισιν ἔνι δεινοῖσιν ἐδύτην.  
So the two spoke; and they put on their dread armor.
> The two scouts in the dual: Both the participle εἰπόνθʼ and the verb ἐδύτην are dual forms. The grammar now treats Diomedes and Odysseus as a pair acting together.

**255** Τυδεΐδῃ μὲν δῶκε μενεπτόλεμος Θρασυμήδης  
Steadfast-in-battle Thrasymedes gave the son of Tydeus

**256** φάσγανον ἄμφηκες· τὸ δʼ ἑὸν παρὰ νηῒ λέλειπτο·  
a two-edged sword, for his own had been left beside his ship,

**257** καὶ σάκος· ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἔθηκε  
and a shield; and around his head he set a helmet

**258** ταυρείην, ἄφαλόν τε καὶ ἄλλοφον, ἥ τε καταῖτυξ  
of bull's hide, without horn or crest, the kind called a skullcap,
> A plain leather skullcap: The helmet has neither φάλος, the projecting ridge or horn, nor λόφος, the crest. Homer distinguishes this light leather cap from the crested bronze helmets of open battle.

**259** κέκληται, ῥύεται δὲ κάρη θαλερῶν αἰζηῶν.  
which guards the heads of vigorous young men.

**260** Μηριόνης δʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ δίδου βιὸν ἠδὲ φαρέτρην  
Meriones gave Odysseus a bow and a quiver

**261** καὶ ξίφος, ἀμφὶ δέ οἱ κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἔθηκε  
and a sword, and around his head he set a helmet

**262** ῥινοῦ ποιητήν· πολέσιν δʼ ἔντοσθεν ἱμᾶσιν  
made of hide; inside, with many leather thongs

**263** ἐντέτατο στερεῶς· ἔκτοσθε δὲ λευκοὶ ὀδόντες  
it had been stretched tight, while outside the white tusks

**264** ἀργιόδοντος ὑὸς θαμέες ἔχον ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα  
of a white-tusked boar stood thickly set on either side,

**265** εὖ καὶ ἐπισταμένως· μέσσῃ δʼ ἐνὶ πῖλος ἀρήρει.  
well and skillfully; and felt was fitted in the middle.

**266** τήν ῥά ποτʼ ἐξ Ἐλεῶνος Ἀμύντορος Ὀρμενίδαο  
Once from Eleon, from Amyntor, son of Ormenus,

**267** ἐξέλετʼ Αὐτόλυκος πυκινὸν δόμον ἀντιτορήσας,  
Autolycus had taken it, breaking through his close-built house,

**268** Σκάνδειαν δʼ ἄρα δῶκε Κυθηρίῳ Ἀμφιδάμαντι·  
and he gave it to Amphidamas of Cythera to take to Scandeia;

**269** Ἀμφιδάμας δὲ Μόλῳ δῶκε ξεινήϊον εἶναι,  
Amphidamas gave it to Molus as a guest-gift,

**270** αὐτὰρ ὃ Μηριόνῃ δῶκεν ᾧ παιδὶ φορῆναι·  
and he gave it to his son Meriones to wear;

**271** δὴ τότʼ Ὀδυσσῆος πύκασεν κάρη ἀμφιτεθεῖσα.  
and now, set around Odysseus, it covered his head.

**272** τὼ δʼ ἐπεὶ οὖν ὅπλοισιν ἔνι δεινοῖσιν ἐδύτην,  
When the two had put on their dread armor,

**273** βάν ῥʼ ἰέναι, λιπέτην δὲ κατʼ αὐτόθι πάντας ἀρίστους.  
they set out, leaving all the princes there behind them.

**274** τοῖσι δὲ δεξιὸν ἧκεν ἐρῳδιὸν ἐγγὺς ὁδοῖο  
Pallas Athena sent them a heron on the right, close beside the road;

**275** Παλλὰς Ἀθηναίη· τοὶ δʼ οὐκ ἴδον ὀφθαλμοῖσι  
they could not see it with their eyes

**276** νύκτα διʼ ὀρφναίην, ἀλλὰ κλάγξαντος ἄκουσαν.  
through the murky night, but heard it cry.

**277** χαῖρε δὲ τῷ ὄρνιθʼ Ὀδυσεύς, ἠρᾶτο δʼ Ἀθήνῃ·  
Odysseus rejoiced at the bird and prayed to Athena:

**278** κλῦθί μευ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς τέκος, ἥ τέ μοι αἰεὶ  
“Hear me, child of aegis-bearing Zeus, you who always

**279** ἐν πάντεσσι πόνοισι παρίστασαι, οὐδέ σε λήθω  
stand beside me in every toil, and no movement of mine escapes you;

**280** κινύμενος· νῦν αὖτε μάλιστά με φῖλαι Ἀθήνη,  
now once again favor me above all, Athena,

**281** δὸς δὲ πάλιν ἐπὶ νῆας ἐϋκλεῖας ἀφικέσθαι  
and grant that we return to the ships in glory,

**282** ῥέξαντας μέγα ἔργον, ὅ κε Τρώεσσι μελήσῃ.  
having done a great deed that will weigh upon the Trojans.”

**283** δεύτερος αὖτʼ ἠρᾶτο βοὴν ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης·  
Then Diomedes, good at the war-cry, prayed after him:

**284** κέκλυθι νῦν καὶ ἐμεῖο Διὸς τέκος Ἀτρυτώνη·  
“Hear me now as well, child of Zeus, unwearied one;
> Athena the unwearied one: Ἀτρυτώνη is Athena's standing title, the “unwearied one.” It suits a goddess invoked for a night of sustained vigilance and danger.

**285** σπεῖό μοι ὡς ὅτε πατρὶ ἅμʼ ἕσπεο Τυδέϊ δίῳ  
follow beside me as once you followed my father, godlike Tydeus,

**286** ἐς Θήβας, ὅτε τε πρὸ Ἀχαιῶν ἄγγελος ᾔει.  
to Thebes, when he went as the Achaeans' envoy.

**287** τοὺς δʼ ἄρʼ ἐπʼ Ἀσωπῷ λίπε χαλκοχίτωνας Ἀχαιούς,  
He left the bronze-clad Achaeans there beside the Asopus,

**288** αὐτὰρ ὃ μειλίχιον μῦθον φέρε Καδμείοισι  
and carried a gentle message to the Cadmeans

**289** κεῖσʼ· ἀτὰρ ἂψ ἀπιὼν μάλα μέρμερα μήσατο ἔργα  
there; but as he returned he devised most terrible deeds

**290** σὺν σοὶ δῖα θεά, ὅτε οἱ πρόφρασσα παρέστης.  
with you, divine goddess, when you willingly stood beside him.

**291** ὣς νῦν μοι ἐθέλουσα παρίσταο καί με φύλασσε.  
So now stand willingly beside me, and guard me.

**292** σοὶ δʼ αὖ ἐγὼ ῥέξω βοῦν ἦνιν εὐρυμέτωπον  
In return I will sacrifice to you a yearling, broad-browed heifer,

**293** ἀδμήτην, ἣν οὔ πω ὑπὸ ζυγὸν ἤγαγεν ἀνήρ·  
unbroken, which no man has yet brought beneath the yoke;

**294** τήν τοι ἐγὼ ῥέξω χρυσὸν κέρασιν περιχεύας.  
I will sacrifice her to you, pouring gold over her horns.”

**295** ὣς ἔφαν εὐχόμενοι, τῶν δʼ ἔκλυε Παλλὰς Ἀθήνη.  
So they spoke in prayer, and Pallas Athena heard them.

**296** οἳ δʼ ἐπεὶ ἠρήσαντο Διὸς κούρῃ μεγάλοιο,  
When they had prayed to the daughter of great Zeus,

**297** βάν ῥʼ ἴμεν ὥς τε λέοντε δύω διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν  
they went on like two lions through the black night,
> A pair of lions: λέοντε is dual, reinforced by δύω, “two.” The simile keeps the scouts grammatically paired as they enter the killing ground together.

**298** ἂμ φόνον, ἂν νέκυας, διά τʼ ἔντεα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα.  
through slaughter, through corpses, through armor and black blood.

**299** οὐδὲ μὲν οὐδὲ Τρῶας ἀγήνορας εἴασεν Ἕκτωρ  
Nor did Hector allow the high-hearted Trojans

**300** εὕδειν, ἀλλʼ ἄμυδις κικλήσκετο πάντας ἀρίστους,  
to sleep, but called all the princes together,

**301** ὅσσοι ἔσαν Τρώων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες·  
all who were leaders and rulers of the Trojans;

**302** τοὺς ὅ γε συγκαλέσας πυκινὴν ἀρτύνετο βουλήν·  
calling them together, he devised his close-woven counsel:

**303** τίς κέν μοι τόδε ἔργον ὑποσχόμενος τελέσειε  
“Who will undertake this work for me and carry it through

**304** δώρῳ ἔπι μεγάλῳ; μισθὸς δέ οἱ ἄρκιος ἔσται.  
for a great reward? His payment will be enough.

**305** δώσω γὰρ δίφρόν τε δύω τʼ ἐριαύχενας ἵππους  
For I will give a chariot and two high-necked horses,
> Two high-necked horses: Hector promises exactly two horses with a chariot. ἐριαύχην praises the proud, powerful carriage of their necks.

**306** οἵ κεν ἄριστοι ἔωσι θοῇς ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν  
whichever are best beside the swift ships of the Achaeans,

**307** ὅς τίς κε τλαίη, οἷ τʼ αὐτῷ κῦδος ἄροιτο,  
to whoever dares, and wins glory for himself,

**308** νηῶν ὠκυπόρων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν, ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι  
to go close to the swift-running ships and learn

**309** ἠέ φυλάσσονται νῆες θοαὶ ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,  
whether the swift ships are guarded as they were before,

**310** ἦ ἤδη χείρεσσιν ὑφʼ ἡμετέρῃσι δαμέντες  
or whether, already broken beneath our hands,

**311** φύξιν βουλεύουσι μετὰ σφίσιν, οὐδʼ ἐθέλουσι  
they are planning flight among themselves and have no wish

**312** νύκτα φυλασσέμεναι, καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες αἰνῷ.  
to keep watch through the night, worn down by cruel toil.”

**313** ὣς ἔφαθʼ, οἳ δʼ ἄρα πάντες ἀκὴν ἐγένοντο σιωπῇ.  
So he spoke, and they all fell hushed in silence;

**314** ἦν δέ τις ἐν Τρώεσσι Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱὸς  
There was among the Trojans a certain Dolon, son of Eumedes,

**315** κήρυκος θείοιο πολύχρυσος πολύχαλκος,  
the godlike herald; Dolon was rich in gold and rich in bronze,

**316** ὃς δή τοι εἶδος μὲν ἔην κακός, ἀλλὰ ποδώκης·  
who was ugly in appearance, but swift on his feet;

**317** αὐτὰρ ὃ μοῦνος ἔην μετὰ πέντε κασιγνήτῃσιν.  
and he was the only son among five sisters.
> One son among five sisters: μοῦνος marks Dolon as the sole male child, while μετά with the dative κασιγνήτῃσιν means “among five sisters.” Homer gives the precise family structure that makes Dolon's promised ransom and his father's wealth matter.

**318** ὅς ῥα τότε Τρωσίν τε καὶ Ἕκτορι μῦθον ἔειπεν·  
He then spoke his word to the Trojans and to Hector:

**319** Ἕκτορ ἔμʼ ὀτρύνει κραδίη καὶ θυμὸς ἀγήνωρ  
“Hector, my heart and proud spirit urge me

**320** νηῶν ὠκυπόρων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι.  
to go close to the swift-running ships and make inquiry.

**321** ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τὸ σκῆπτρον ἀνάσχεο, καί μοι ὄμοσσον  
But come, raise the scepter for me and swear

**322** ἦ μὲν τοὺς ἵππους τε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ  
that you will give me the horses and the chariot adorned with bronze

**323** δωσέμεν, οἳ φορέουσιν ἀμύμονα Πηλεΐωνα,  
that carry the blameless son of Peleus.

**324** σοὶ δʼ ἐγὼ οὐχ ἅλιος σκοπὸς ἔσσομαι οὐδʼ ἀπὸ δόξης·  
I will be no worthless scout for you, nor fall short of your expectation;

**325** τόφρα γὰρ ἐς στρατὸν εἶμι διαμπερὲς ὄφρʼ ἂν ἵκωμαι  
for I will go straight through the camp until I reach

**326** νῆʼ Ἀγαμεμνονέην, ὅθι που μέλλουσιν ἄριστοι  
Agamemnon's ship, where the princes must surely

**327** βουλὰς βουλεύειν ἢ φευγέμεν ἠὲ μάχεσθαι.  
be taking counsel whether to flee or fight.”

**328** ὣς φάθʼ, ὃ δʼ ἐν χερσὶ σκῆπτρον λάβε καί οἱ ὄμοσσεν·  
So he spoke; Hector took the scepter in his hands and swore to him:

**329** ἴστω νῦν Ζεὺς αὐτὸς ἐρίγδουπος πόσις Ἥρης  
“Now let loud-thundering Zeus, husband of Hera, be witness:

**330** μὴ μὲν τοῖς ἵπποισιν ἀνὴρ ἐποχήσεται ἄλλος  
no other man among the Trojans shall mount those horses,

**331** Τρώων, ἀλλά σέ φημι διαμπερὲς ἀγλαϊεῖσθαι.  
but you, I say, shall glory in them always.”

**332** ὣς φάτο καί ῥʼ ἐπίορκον ἐπώμοσε, τὸν δʼ ὀρόθυνεν·  
So he spoke and swore a false oath, and spurred Dolon on.

**333** αὐτίκα δʼ ἀμφʼ ὤμοισιν ἐβάλλετο καμπύλα τόξα,  
At once Dolon slung a curved bow around his shoulders,

**334** ἕσσατο δʼ ἔκτοσθεν ῥινὸν πολιοῖο λύκοιο,  
and over his clothes he put the hide of a gray wolf;

**335** κρατὶ δʼ ἐπὶ κτιδέην κυνέην, ἕλε δʼ ὀξὺν ἄκοντα,  
on his head a ferret-skin cap, and he took a pointed javelin.
> A ferret-skin cap: κτιδέην describes a cap made from the skin of a small mustelid, commonly rendered ferret or marten. It is distinct from both Dolon's wolf hide and the two borrowed helmets worn by his pursuers.

**336** βῆ δʼ ἰέναι προτὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατοῦ· οὐδʼ ἄρʼ ἔμελλεν  
He set out toward the ships, away from the camp; but he was not destined

**337** ἐλθὼν ἐκ νηῶν ἂψ Ἕκτορι μῦθον ἀποίσειν.  
to come back from the ships and bring Hector any report.

**338** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵππων τε καὶ ἀνδρῶν κάλλιφʼ ὅμιλον,  
When he had left behind the throng of horses and men,

**339** βῆ ῥʼ ἀνʼ ὁδὸν μεμαώς· τὸν δὲ φράσατο προσιόντα  
he hurried eagerly along the road; and as he came, he was noticed by

**340** διογενὴς Ὀδυσεύς, Διομήδεα δὲ προσέειπεν·  
Zeus-sprung Odysseus, who spoke to Diomedes:

**341** οὗτός τις Διόμηδες ἀπὸ στρατοῦ ἔρχεται ἀνήρ,  
“Diomedes, some man is coming here from the camp.

**342** οὐκ οἶδʼ ἢ νήεσσιν ἐπίσκοπος ἡμετέρῃσιν,  
I do not know whether he is a spy upon our ships

**343** ἦ τινα συλήσων νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων.  
or means to despoil one of the fallen.

**344** ἀλλʼ ἐῶμέν μιν πρῶτα παρεξελθεῖν πεδίοιο  
But first let us allow him to pass us on the plain

**345** τυτθόν· ἔπειτα δέ κʼ αὐτὸν ἐπαΐξαντες ἕλοιμεν  
a little way; then we can spring on him and seize him

**346** καρπαλίμως· εἰ δʼ ἄμμε παραφθαίησι πόδεσσιν,  
quickly. But if he outstrips us with his feet,

**347** αἰεί μιν ἐπὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατόφι προτιειλεῖν  
keep driving him toward the ships, away from the camp,

**348** ἔγχει ἐπαΐσσων, μή πως προτὶ ἄστυ ἀλύξῃ.  
rushing at him with your spear, lest he somehow escape toward the city.”

**349** ὣς ἄρα φωνήσαντε παρὲξ ὁδοῦ ἐν νεκύεσσι  
So the two spoke and lay down off the road among the corpses;

**350** κλινθήτην· ὃ δʼ ἄρʼ ὦκα παρέδραμεν ἀφραδίῃσιν.  
and in his folly he ran swiftly past them.

**351** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἀπέην ὅσσόν τʼ ἐπὶ οὖρα πέλονται  
But when he was as far away as the furrow-ends of mules

**352** ἡμιόνων· αἱ γάρ τε βοῶν προφερέστεραί εἰσιν  
lie from those of oxen—for mules are better than oxen

**353** ἑλκέμεναι νειοῖο βαθείης πηκτὸν ἄροτρον·  
at drawing the jointed plow through deep fallow—

**354** τὼ μὲν ἐπεδραμέτην, ὃ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔστη δοῦπον ἀκούσας.  
the two ran after him, and he stopped when he heard their footfall.

**355** ἔλπετο γὰρ κατὰ θυμὸν ἀποστρέψοντας ἑταίρους  
For in his heart he expected that comrades were turning him back,

**356** ἐκ Τρώων ἰέναι πάλιν Ἕκτορος ὀτρύναντος.  
coming from the Trojans again at Hector's urging.

**357** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἄπεσαν δουρηνεκὲς ἢ καὶ ἔλασσον,  
But when they were a spear-cast away, or even less,

**358** γνῶ ῥʼ ἄνδρας δηΐους, λαιψηρὰ δὲ γούνατʼ ἐνώμα  
he knew them for foes and drove his nimble knees

**359** φευγέμεναι· τοὶ δʼ αἶψα διώκειν ὁρμήθησαν.  
to flee; and they at once sprang to the pursuit.

**360** ὡς δʼ ὅτε καρχαρόδοντε δύω κύνε εἰδότε θήρης  
As two sharp-toothed hounds skilled in the hunt
> Two hounds in the dual: The adjective καρχαρόδοντε and noun κύνε are dual, again reinforced by δύω. The hunting pair maps exactly onto Diomedes and Odysseus pursuing one quarry.

**361** ἢ κεμάδʼ ἠὲ λαγωὸν ἐπείγετον ἐμμενὲς αἰεὶ  
press always after a fawn or a hare

**362** χῶρον ἀνʼ ὑλήενθʼ, ὃ δέ τε προθέῃσι μεμηκώς,  
through wooded country, while it runs ahead crying,

**363** ὣς τὸν Τυδεΐδης ἠδʼ ὃ πτολίπορθος Ὀδυσσεὺς  
so the son of Tydeus and Odysseus, sacker of cities,

**364** λαοῦ ἀποτμήξαντε διώκετον ἐμμενὲς αἰεί.  
cut him off from his people and pursued him without cease.

**365** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ τάχʼ ἔμελλε μιγήσεσθαι φυλάκεσσι  
But when, fleeing toward the ships, he was soon about to reach the guards,

**366** φεύγων ἐς νῆας, τότε δὴ μένος ἔμβαλʼ Ἀθήνη  
then Athena put strength into the son of Tydeus,

**367** Τυδεΐδῃ, ἵνα μή τις Ἀχαιῶν χαλκοχιτώνων  
so that none of the bronze-clad Achaeans

**368** φθαίη ἐπευξάμενος βαλέειν, ὃ δὲ δεύτερος ἔλθοι.  
might be first to boast that he had struck him, while Diomedes came second.
> A purpose clause in the optative: After the past-tense ἔμβαλʼ, Homer uses the optative φθαίη in a negative purpose clause: Athena strengthens Diomedes so that no other Achaean might strike first and claim the boast.

**369** δουρὶ δʼ ἐπαΐσσων προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης·  
Rushing at him with his spear, mighty Diomedes spoke:

**370** ἠὲ μένʼ ἠέ σε δουρὶ κιχήσομαι, οὐδέ σέ φημι  
“Either stand, or I will catch you with my spear; and I tell you

**371** δηρὸν ἐμῆς ἀπὸ χειρὸς ἀλύξειν αἰπὺν ὄλεθρον.  
you will not long escape sheer death from my hand.”

**372** ἦ ῥα καὶ ἔγχος ἀφῆκεν, ἑκὼν δʼ ἡμάρτανε φωτός·  
He spoke and cast his spear, but deliberately missed the man;
> He missed deliberately: ἑκών means “willingly” or “on purpose.” Diomedes does not fail in the throw: he aims to stop and terrify Dolon without killing the source of intelligence.

**373** δεξιτερὸν δʼ ὑπὲρ ὦμον ἐΰξου δουρὸς ἀκωκὴ  
over his right shoulder the point of the polished spear

**374** ἐν γαίῃ ἐπάγη· ὃ δʼ ἄρʼ ἔστη τάρβησέν τε  
drove into the ground; he stopped and was terrified,

**375** βαμβαίνων· ἄραβος δὲ διὰ στόμα γίγνετʼ ὀδόντων·  
stammering, while the clatter of his teeth rose through his mouth,
> Fear in the mouth: βαμβαίνων evokes broken, stammering sound, and the next clause adds the audible clatter of Dolon's teeth. Homer makes his terror physical before he can form his plea.

**376** χλωρὸς ὑπαὶ δείους· τὼ δʼ ἀσθμαίνοντε κιχήτην,  
pale beneath his fear; and the two, panting, caught him,

**377** χειρῶν δʼ ἁψάσθην· ὃ δὲ δακρύσας ἔπος ηὔδα·  
and seized him by both hands; and he wept and spoke:

**378** ζωγρεῖτʼ, αὐτὰρ ἐγὼν ἐμὲ λύσομαι· ἔστι γὰρ ἔνδον  
“Take me alive, and I will ransom myself; for there is within my house

**379** χαλκός τε χρυσός τε πολύκμητός τε σίδηρος,  
bronze and gold and iron wrought with toil.

**380** τῶν κʼ ὔμμιν χαρίσαιτο πατὴρ ἀπερείσιʼ ἄποινα  
From these my father would grant you boundless ransom,

**381** εἴ κεν ἐμὲ ζωὸν πεπύθοιτʼ ἐπὶ νηυσὶν Ἀχαιῶν.  
if he heard that I was alive beside the ships of the Achaeans.”

**382** τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·  
Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said:

**383** θάρσει, μηδέ τί τοι θάνατος καταθύμιος ἔστω.  
"Take heart, and let death be no concern within your heart.
> Death within the heart: καταθύμιος describes what lies upon or within the θυμός, the seat of feeling and resolve. Odysseus calms Dolon by removing death, for the moment, from the fear lodged in his heart.

**384** ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·  
But come, tell me this and recount it truly:

**385** πῇ δὴ οὕτως ἐπὶ νῆας ἀπὸ στρατοῦ ἔρχεαι οἶος  
why are you going thus alone from the camp toward the ships

**386** νύκτα διʼ ὀρφναίην, ὅτε θʼ εὕδουσι βροτοὶ ἄλλοι;  
through the dark night, when other mortals sleep?

**387** ἤ τινα συλήσων νεκύων κατατεθνηώτων;  
Is it to strip someone among the fallen dead?

**388** ἦ σʼ Ἕκτωρ προέηκε διασκοπιᾶσθαι ἕκαστα  
Or did Hector send you to spy out everything

**389** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς; ἦ σʼ αὐτὸν θυμὸς ἀνῆκε;  
at the hollow ships? Or did your own heart urge you on?"

**390** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Δόλων, ὑπὸ δʼ ἔτρεμε γυῖα·  
Then Dolon answered him; his limbs trembled beneath him:

**391** πολλῇσίν μʼ ἄτῃσι παρὲκ νόον ἤγαγεν Ἕκτωρ,  
"Hector led my mind astray with many ruinous delusions,
> Ate: ruinous blindness: ἄτη is a blinding delusion that drives someone into disastrous action. Dolon makes Hector the agent who led his mind aside, while the word also anticipates the ruin produced by that error.

**392** ὅς μοι Πηλεΐωνος ἀγαυοῦ μώνυχας ἵππους  
who promised to give me the single-hoofed horses of Peleus' glorious son

**393** δωσέμεναι κατένευσε καὶ ἅρματα ποικίλα χαλκῷ,  
and his chariot richly worked in bronze; and he ordered me

**394** ἠνώγει δέ μʼ ἰόντα θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν  
to go through the swift black night

**395** ἀνδρῶν δυσμενέων σχεδὸν ἐλθέμεν, ἔκ τε πυθέσθαι  
and draw near the enemy men, and learn

**396** ἠὲ φυλάσσονται νῆες θοαὶ ὡς τὸ πάρος περ,  
whether the swift ships are guarded as before,

**397** ἦ ἤδη χείρεσσιν ὑφʼ ἡμετέρῃσι δαμέντες  
or whether, already broken beneath our hands,
> The question repeated: This Greek line is identical to line 310, where Hector first posed the question Dolon now reports. The English is therefore locked to that earlier question rather than freshly paraphrased here.

**398** φύξιν βουλεύουσι μετὰ σφίσιν, οὐδʼ ἐθέλουσι  
they are planning flight among themselves and have no wish

**399** νύκτα φυλασσέμεναι, καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες αἰνῷ.  
to keep watch through the night, worn down by cruel toil."

**400** τὸν δʼ ἐπιμειδήσας προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·  
Then Odysseus of many wiles smiled and spoke to him:

**401** ἦ ῥά νύ τοι μεγάλων δώρων ἐπεμαίετο θυμὸς  
"Truly your heart reached out for mighty gifts—

**402** ἵππων Αἰακίδαο δαΐφρονος· οἳ δʼ ἀλεγεινοὶ  
the horses of the warlike son of Aeacus. But hard they are

**403** ἀνδράσι γε θνητοῖσι δαμήμεναι ἠδʼ ὀχέεσθαι  
for mortal men to master and to drive,

**404** ἄλλῳ γʼ ἢ Ἀχιλῆϊ, τὸν ἀθανάτη τέκε μήτηρ.  
for any but Achilles, whom an immortal mother bore.

**405** ἀλλʼ ἄγε μοι τόδε εἰπὲ καὶ ἀτρεκέως κατάλεξον·  
But come, tell me this and recount it truly:

**406** ποῦ νῦν δεῦρο κιὼν λίπες Ἕκτορα ποιμένα λαῶν;  
where, when you came here, did you leave Hector, shepherd of the people?

**407** ποῦ δέ οἱ ἔντεα κεῖται ἀρήϊα, ποῦ δέ οἱ ἵπποι;  
Where does his war gear lie, and where are his horses?

**408** πῶς δαὶ τῶν ἄλλων Τρώων φυλακαί τε καὶ εὐναί;  
And how are the other Trojans' watches and sleeping places ordered?

**409** ἅσσά τε μητιόωσι μετὰ σφίσιν, ἢ μεμάασιν  
what they are planning among themselves, whether they are eager

**410** αὖθι μένειν παρὰ νηυσὶν ἀπόπροθεν, ἦε πόλιν δὲ  
to remain here beside the ships, far from the city, or back toward the city

**411** ἂψ ἀναχωρήσουσιν, ἐπεὶ δαμάσαντό γʼ Ἀχαιούς.  
they will withdraw, now that they have defeated the Achaeans."

**412** τὸν δʼ αὖτε προσέειπε Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱός·  
Then Dolon, son of Eumedes, addressed him again:

**413** τοὶ γὰρ ἐγώ τοι ταῦτα μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω.  
"Then I will tell you all this very truly.

**414** Ἕκτωρ μὲν μετὰ τοῖσιν, ὅσοι βουληφόροι εἰσί,  
Hector, among all those who are bearers of counsel,

**415** βουλὰς βουλεύει θείου παρὰ σήματι Ἴλου  
is weaving counsel at the tomb of godlike Ilus,

**416** νόσφιν ἀπὸ φλοίσβου· φυλακὰς δʼ ἃς εἴρεαι ἥρως  
apart from the tumult. But as for the watches you ask of, hero,

**417** οὔ τις κεκριμένη ῥύεται στρατὸν οὐδὲ φυλάσσει.  
no chosen guard protects the camp or keeps watch.
> No selected watch: κεκριμένη is a perfect middle-passive participle agreeing with an understood φυλακή, watch. Dolon says no guard has been specially selected and remains established in that role for the whole camp.

**418** ὅσσαι μὲν Τρώων πυρὸς ἐσχάραι, οἷσιν ἀνάγκη  
By every Trojan hearth-fire, those compelled by need

**419** οἷ δʼ ἐγρηγόρθασι φυλασσέμεναί τε κέλονται  
are awake and bid one another keep watch;

**420** ἀλλήλοις· ἀτὰρ αὖτε πολύκλητοι ἐπίκουροι  
but the far-summoned allies, in turn,
> Allies summoned from afar: πολύκλητοι describes allies called from many places or from far away. Their distance from home explains the contrast Dolon draws next: unlike the Trojans, they have no families nearby to protect.

**421** εὕδουσι· Τρωσὶν γὰρ ἐπιτραπέουσι φυλάσσειν·  
sleep; they entrust the Trojans to keep the watch,

**422** οὐ γάρ σφιν παῖδες σχεδὸν εἵαται οὐδὲ γυναῖκες.  
since their children and wives are not near at hand."

**423** τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·  
Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said:

**424** πῶς γὰρ νῦν Τρώεσσι μεμιγμένοι ἱπποδάμοισιν  
"Then do they now sleep mingled with the horse-taming Trojans,
> Mixed with the Trojans: μεμιγμένοι is a perfect middle-passive participle: Odysseus asks whether the allies sleep in a settled mixture with the horse-taming Trojans or occupy separate ground. The spatial distinction controls Dolon's answer.

**425** εὕδουσʼ ἦ ἀπάνευθε; δίειπέ μοι ὄφρα δαείω.  
or apart? Explain it, so that I may know."

**426** τὸν δʼ ἠμείβετʼ ἔπειτα Δόλων Εὐμήδεος υἱός·  
Then Dolon, son of Eumedes, answered him:

**427** τοὶ γὰρ ἐγὼ καὶ ταῦτα μάλʼ ἀτρεκέως καταλέξω.  
"Then I will tell you this too very truly.

**428** πρὸς μὲν ἁλὸς Κᾶρες καὶ Παίονες ἀγκυλότοξοι  
Toward the sea lie the Carians and the curved-bow Paeonians,

**429** καὶ Λέλεγες καὶ Καύκωνες δῖοί τε Πελασγοί,  
and the Leleges and Cauconians and godlike Pelasgians;

**430** πρὸς Θύμβρης δʼ ἔλαχον Λύκιοι Μυσοί τʼ ἀγέρωχοι  
toward Thymbra the Lycians and proud Mysians received their lot,

**431** καὶ Φρύγες ἱππόμαχοι καὶ Μῄονες ἱπποκορυσταί.  
and Phrygians who fight from chariots and Maeonian chariot-warriors.

**432** ἀλλὰ τί ἢ ἐμὲ ταῦτα διεξερέεσθε ἕκαστα;  
But why do you question me through all these things one by one?

**433** εἰ γὰρ δὴ μέματον Τρώων καταδῦναι ὅμιλον  
If indeed you two are eager to enter the Trojan throng,
> The two raiders: μέματον is a dual verb: Dolon addresses Odysseus and Diomedes together as the pair eager to penetrate the Trojan host. He returns to dual forms with πελάσσετον in line 442 and ἔλθητον and πειρηθῆτον in line 444, though line 443 uses plural forms.

**434** Θρήϊκες οἷδʼ ἀπάνευθε νεήλυδες ἔσχατοι ἄλλων·  
here are Thracians, apart, newly arrived, at the farthest edge of all;

**435** ἐν δέ σφιν Ῥῆσος βασιλεὺς πάϊς Ἠϊονῆος.  
among them is their king Rhesus, son of Eioneus.

**436** τοῦ δὴ καλλίστους ἵππους ἴδον ἠδὲ μεγίστους·  
His horses I saw—the finest and the largest;

**437** λευκότεροι χιόνος, θείειν δʼ ἀνέμοισιν ὁμοῖοι·  
whiter than snow, and in running like the winds.
> Rhesus's horses: Dolon gives two separate comparisons: the horses are whiter than snow, and their running is like the winds. These claims follow his first judgment that they are the finest and largest he has seen.

**438** ἅρμα δέ οἱ χρυσῷ τε καὶ ἀργύρῳ εὖ ἤσκηται·  
His chariot is well wrought in gold and silver,

**439** τεύχεα δὲ χρύσεια πελώρια θαῦμα ἰδέσθαι  
and he came bearing enormous golden armor, a wonder to behold;

**440** ἤλυθʼ ἔχων· τὰ μὲν οὔ τι καταθνητοῖσιν ἔοικεν  
these do not seem fit for mortal

**441** ἄνδρεσσιν φορέειν, ἀλλʼ ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.  
men to wear, but for immortal gods.

**442** ἀλλʼ ἐμὲ μὲν νῦν νηυσὶ πελάσσετον ὠκυπόροισιν,  
But now take me near the swift-faring ships,

**443** ἠέ με δήσαντες λίπετʼ αὐτόθι νηλέϊ δεσμῷ,  
or bind me with a pitiless bond and leave me here,

**444** ὄφρά κεν ἔλθητον καὶ πειρηθῆτον ἐμεῖο  
until you two return and put me to the proof,

**445** ἠὲ κατʼ αἶσαν ἔειπον ἐν ὑμῖν, ἦε καὶ οὐκί.  
whether I spoke among you in due measure or not."

**446** τὸν δʼ ἄρʼ ὑπόδρα ἰδὼν προσέφη κρατερὸς Διομήδης·  
Then, glaring at him from under his brows, mighty Diomedes spoke:
> The inherited angry-retort formula: The whole Greek line is identical to Iliad 4.411. Its English therefore repeats the accepted hupodra formula exactly, including the fixed epithet mighty Diomedes.

**447** μὴ δή μοι φύξίν γε Δόλων ἐμβάλλεο θυμῷ·  
"Do not, Dolon, lodge hope of escape within your heart,

**448** ἐσθλά περ ἀγγείλας, ἐπεὶ ἵκεο χεῖρας ἐς ἁμάς.  
though you have brought good tidings, since you have come into our hands.

**449** εἰ μὲν γάρ κέ σε νῦν ἀπολύσομεν ἠὲ μεθῶμεν,  
For if we now release you or let you go,

**450** ἦ τε καὶ ὕστερον εἶσθα θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν  
surely later you will come again to the swift ships of the Achaeans,

**451** ἠὲ διοπτεύσων ἢ ἐναντίβιον πολεμίξων·  
either to spy or to fight us face to face;

**452** εἰ δέ κʼ ἐμῇς ὑπὸ χερσὶ δαμεὶς ἀπὸ θυμὸν ὀλέσσῃς,  
but if, subdued beneath my hands, you lose your life,

**453** οὐκέτʼ ἔπειτα σὺ πῆμά ποτʼ ἔσσεαι Ἀργείοισιν.  
never again will you be a source of harm to the Argives."

**454** ἦ, καὶ ὃ μέν μιν ἔμελλε γενείου χειρὶ παχείῃ  
He spoke; and Dolon was about to touch Diomedes' chin with his strong hand

**455** ἁψάμενος λίσσεσθαι, ὃ δʼ αὐχένα μέσσον ἔλασσε  
and clasp it in supplication, but Diomedes sprang and struck the middle of his neck

**456** φασγάνῳ ἀΐξας, ἀπὸ δʼ ἄμφω κέρσε τένοντε·  
with his sword, and cut through both sinews;

**457** φθεγγομένου δʼ ἄρα τοῦ γε κάρη κονίῃσιν ἐμίχθη.  
while Dolon was still speaking, his head mingled with the dust.

**458** τοῦ δʼ ἀπὸ μὲν κτιδέην κυνέην κεφαλῆφιν ἕλοντο  
From his head they took the ferret-skin cap,

**459** καὶ λυκέην καὶ τόξα παλίντονα καὶ δόρυ μακρόν·  
and the wolf skin and recurved bow and long spear;

**460** καὶ τά γʼ Ἀθηναίῃ ληΐτιδι δῖος Ὀδυσσεὺς  
and godlike Odysseus dedicated them to Athena of the Spoils,
> Athena of the Spoils: ληΐτις links Athena directly with ληΐς, spoil or booty taken in war. It is a distinct epithet from ἀγελείη, Athena, driver of spoil, and so receives its own fixed English wording.

**461** ὑψόσʼ ἀνέσχεθε χειρὶ καὶ εὐχόμενος ἔπος ηὔδα·  
raised them high in his hand, and spoke a word in prayer:

**462** χαῖρε θεὰ τοῖσδεσσι· σὲ γὰρ πρώτην ἐν Ὀλύμπῳ  
"Rejoice, goddess, in these; for to you first on Olympus

**463** πάντων ἀθανάτων ἐπιδωσόμεθʼ· ἀλλὰ καὶ αὖτις  
of all immortals will we turn; but now once more

**464** πέμψον ἐπὶ Θρῃκῶν ἀνδρῶν ἵππους τε καὶ εὐνάς.  
send us toward the horses and sleeping places of the Thracian men."

**465** ὣς ἄρʼ ἐφώνησεν, καὶ ἀπὸ ἕθεν ὑψόσʼ ἀείρας  
So he spoke, and lifting them high away from himself,

**466** θῆκεν ἀνὰ μυρίκην· δέελον δʼ ἐπὶ σῆμά τʼ ἔθηκε  
set them upon a tamarisk; and beside it he made a visible marker,
> A visible marker: σῆμα is a sign or marker, here made δέελον, clearly visible. The reeds and tamarisk branches mark the hidden spoils so the pair can recover them on their return through the dark.

**467** συμμάρψας δόνακας μυρίκης τʼ ἐριθηλέας ὄζους,  
grasping reeds together and the tamarisk's flourishing boughs,

**468** μὴ λάθοι αὖτις ἰόντε θοὴν διὰ νύκτα μέλαιναν.  
lest the two miss it as they returned again through the swift black night.

**469** τὼ δὲ βάτην προτέρω διά τʼ ἔντεα καὶ μέλαν αἷμα,  
The two went onward through the weapons and black blood,

**470** αἶψα δʼ ἐπὶ Θρῃκῶν ἀνδρῶν τέλος ἷξον ἰόντες.  
and soon, as they went, they reached the company of Thracian men.

**471** οἳ δʼ εὗδον καμάτῳ ἀδηκότες, ἔντεα δέ σφιν  
They slept, worn down by toil, and beside them their fine armor

**472** καλὰ παρʼ αὐτοῖσι χθονὶ κέκλιτο εὖ κατὰ κόσμον  
lay on the ground close at hand, all set in good order

**473** τριστοιχί· παρὰ δέ σφιν ἑκάστῳ δίζυγες ἵπποι.  
in three rows; and beside each man stood his pair of harnessed horses.
> Three ordered rows: τριστοιχί means in three rows. The sleeping men, their armor, and the paired horses form an ordered camp whose arrangement makes the raiders' work swift and visible.

**474** Ῥῆσος δʼ ἐν μέσῳ εὗδε, παρʼ αὐτῷ δʼ ὠκέες ἵπποι  
Rhesus slept in the midst, and beside him his swift horses

**475** ἐξ ἐπιδιφριάδος πυμάτης ἱμᾶσι δέδεντο.  
were tethered by straps to the rearmost rail of the chariot.

**476** τὸν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς προπάροιθεν ἰδὼν Διομήδεϊ δεῖξεν·  
Odysseus saw him first and pointed him out to Diomedes:

**477** οὗτός τοι Διόμηδες ἀνήρ, οὗτοι δέ τοι ἵπποι,  
"There is the man, Diomedes, and there are the horses

**478** οὓς νῶϊν πίφαυσκε Δόλων ὃν ἐπέφνομεν ἡμεῖς.  
that Dolon, whom we killed, revealed to us.

**479** ἀλλʼ ἄγε δὴ πρόφερε κρατερὸν μένος· οὐδέ τί σε χρὴ  
Come now, bring forth your mighty strength; you must not

**480** ἑστάμεναι μέλεον σὺν τεύχεσιν, ἀλλὰ λύʼ ἵππους·  
stand here uselessly with your weapons. Come, loose the horses,

**481** ἠὲ σύ γʼ ἄνδρας ἔναιρε, μελήσουσιν δʼ ἐμοὶ ἵπποι.  
or else kill the men, and the horses will be my care."

**482** ὣς φάτο, τῷ δʼ ἔμπνευσε μένος γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη,  
So he spoke, and bright-eyed Athena breathed strength into Diomedes,
> Strength breathed into him: The verb ἔμπνευσε makes Athena's aid bodily: she breathes μένος, force or fighting strength, into Diomedes. The goddess empowers the raid, but Diomedes remains the agent of the killing that follows.

**483** κτεῖνε δʼ ἐπιστροφάδην· τῶν δὲ στόνος ὄρνυτʼ ἀεικὴς  
and he killed from side to side; a hideous groaning rose from them

**484** ἄορι θεινομένων, ἐρυθαίνετο δʼ αἵματι γαῖα.  
as they were struck with the sword, and the earth reddened with blood.

**485** ὡς δὲ λέων μήλοισιν ἀσημάντοισιν ἐπελθὼν  
As when a lion comes upon an unguarded flock

**486** αἴγεσιν ἢ ὀΐεσσι κακὰ φρονέων ἐνορούσῃ,  
of goats or sheep and leaps among them, bent on harm,

**487** ὣς μὲν Θρήϊκας ἄνδρας ἐπῴχετο Τυδέος υἱὸς  
so the son of Tydeus ranged among the Thracian men

**488** ὄφρα δυώδεκʼ ἔπεφνεν· ἀτὰρ πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεὺς  
until he had killed twelve; but Odysseus of many wiles,

**489** ὅν τινα Τυδεΐδης ἄορι πλήξειε παραστὰς  
whenever the son of Tydeus stood near and struck a man with his sword,

**490** τὸν δʼ Ὀδυσεὺς μετόπισθε λαβὼν ποδὸς ἐξερύσασκε,  
would seize him from behind by the foot and drag him clear,
> Odysseus clears the bodies: The iterative verb ἐξερύσασκε describes what Odysseus repeatedly did after each blow: he took the corpse by a foot and dragged it out. The division of work is exact—Diomedes kills, while Odysseus clears a path for the horses.

**491** τὰ φρονέων κατὰ θυμὸν ὅπως καλλίτριχες ἵπποι  
planning in his heart how the lovely-maned horses

**492** ῥεῖα διέλθοιεν μηδὲ τρομεοίατο θυμῷ  
might pass through easily and not tremble in their hearts

**493** νεκροῖς ἀμβαίνοντες· ἀήθεσσον γὰρ ἔτʼ αὐτῶν.  
as they stepped over corpses, for they were not yet used to them.

**494** ἀλλʼ ὅτε δὴ βασιλῆα κιχήσατο Τυδέος υἱός,  
But when the son of Tydeus reached the king,

**495** τὸν τρισκαιδέκατον μελιηδέα θυμὸν ἀπηύρα  
he took the honey-sweet life from him, the thirteenth,
> Rhesus the thirteenth: The ordinal τρισκαιδέκατον explicitly makes Rhesus Diomedes' thirteenth victim in the Thracian camp. It completes the count begun with the twelve men at line 488.

**496** ἀσθμαίνοντα· κακὸν γὰρ ὄναρ κεφαλῆφιν ἐπέστη  
as he breathed hard; for an evil dream stood above his head

**497** τὴν νύκτʼ Οἰνεΐδαο πάϊς διὰ μῆτιν Ἀθήνης.  
that night—the grandson of Oeneus—through Athena's counsel.

**498** τόφρα δʼ ἄρʼ ὃ τλήμων Ὀδυσεὺς λύε μώνυχας ἵππους,  
Meanwhile enduring Odysseus was loosing the single-hoofed horses,
> Odysseus enduring here: τλήμων is a local adjective meaning enduring or steadfast in hardship. It is not the full standing formula πολύτλας δῖος Ὀδυσσεύς, much-enduring godlike Odysseus, and does not replace that distinct epithet.

**499** σὺν δʼ ἤειρεν ἱμᾶσι καὶ ἐξήλαυνεν ὁμίλου  
bound them together with their straps, and drove them from the throng,

**500** τόξῳ ἐπιπλήσσων, ἐπεὶ οὐ μάστιγα φαεινὴν  
striking them with his bow, since he had not thought to take

**501** ποικίλου ἐκ δίφροιο νοήσατο χερσὶν ἑλέσθαι·  
the shining whip in his hands from the richly worked chariot.

**502** ῥοίζησεν δʼ ἄρα πιφαύσκων Διομήδεϊ δίῳ.  
Then he whistled, making the signal known to godlike Diomedes.
> A whistle for the signal: ῥοίζησεν denotes a sharp whistling sound. Odysseus uses it as a signal after freeing the horses, calling Diomedes away without a shouted alarm.

**503** αὐτὰρ ὃ μερμήριζε μένων ὅ τι κύντατον ἕρδοι,  
But Diomedes stayed and pondered what boldest deed he should do:

**504** ἢ ὅ γε δίφρον ἑλών, ὅθι ποικίλα τεύχεʼ ἔκειτο,  
whether to take the chariot where the richly wrought armor lay

**505** ῥυμοῦ ἐξερύοι ἢ ἐκφέροι ὑψόσʼ ἀείρας,  
and drag it out by the pole, or lift the armor high and carry it,

**506** ἦ ἔτι τῶν πλεόνων Θρῃκῶν ἀπὸ θυμὸν ἕλοιτο.  
or else take the lives of still more Thracians.

**507** εἷος ὃ ταῦθʼ ὥρμαινε κατὰ φρένα, τόφρα δʼ Ἀθήνη  
While he weighed these things within his mind, Athena

**508** ἐγγύθεν ἱσταμένη προσέφη Διομήδεα δῖον·  
stood close beside him and addressed godlike Diomedes:

**509** νόστου δὴ μνῆσαι μεγαθύμου Τυδέος υἱὲ  
"Now remember your homeward return, high-hearted son of Tydeus,
> Remember the return: νόστος is the homeward return from war or wandering. Athena's command turns Diomedes from further killing and spoil toward the ships, setting the raid's hard limit.

**510** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς, μὴ καὶ πεφοβημένος ἔλθῃς,  
back to the hollow ships, lest you come there driven in flight,

**511** μή πού τις καὶ Τρῶας ἐγείρῃσιν θεὸς ἄλλος.  
if some other god should rouse the Trojans."

**512** ὣς φάθʼ, ὃ δὲ ξυνέηκε θεᾶς ὄπα φωνησάσης,  
So she spoke, and he understood the voice of the goddess speaking,
> An inherited whole line: The Greek line is identical to Iliad 2.182. Its English therefore copies that accepted rendering exactly rather than recasting Athena's command and Diomedes' recognition.

**513** καρπαλίμως δʼ ἵππων ἐπεβήσετο· κόψε δʼ Ὀδυσσεὺς  
and swiftly mounted the horses; Odysseus struck them

**514** τόξῳ· τοὶ δʼ ἐπέτοντο θοὰς ἐπὶ νῆας Ἀχαιῶν.  
with his bow, and they flew toward the swift ships of the Achaeans.

**515** οὐδʼ ἀλαοσκοπιὴν εἶχʼ ἀργυρότοξος Ἀπόλλων  
Nor did Apollo of the silver bow keep blind watch
> Apollo of the silver bow: ἀργυρότοξος is Apollo's silver-bow epithet. Here it marks the opposing divine watcher: Apollo sees Athena aiding Diomedes and moves to wake the Trojan camp.

**516** ὡς ἴδʼ Ἀθηναίην μετὰ Τυδέος υἱὸν ἕπουσαν·  
when he saw Athena following after the son of Tydeus;

**517** τῇ κοτέων Τρώων κατεδύσετο πουλὺν ὅμιλον,  
angered at her, he entered the great throng of Trojans

**518** ὦρσεν δὲ Θρῃκῶν βουληφόρον Ἱπποκόωντα  
and roused Hippocoon, counselor of the Thracians,

**519** Ῥήσου ἀνεψιὸν ἐσθλόν· ὃ δʼ ἐξ ὕπνου ἀνορούσας  
the noble cousin of Rhesus; springing up from sleep,

**520** ὡς ἴδε χῶρον ἐρῆμον, ὅθʼ ἕστασαν ὠκέες ἵπποι,  
he saw the place empty where the swift horses had stood,

**521** ἄνδράς τʼ ἀσπαίροντας ἐν ἀργαλέῃσι φονῇσιν,  
and the men writhing amid the grievous slaughter;

**522** ᾤμωξέν τʼ ἄρʼ ἔπειτα φίλον τʼ ὀνόμηνεν ἑταῖρον.  
then he groaned aloud and called his dear companion by name.

**523** Τρώων δὲ κλαγγή τε καὶ ἄσπετος ὦρτο κυδοιμὸς  
A clamor rose among the Trojans and an unspeakable tumult

**524** θυνόντων ἄμυδις· θηεῦντο δὲ μέρμερα ἔργα  
as they rushed together; and they marveled at the dreadful deeds

**525** ὅσσʼ ἄνδρες ῥέξαντες ἔβαν κοίλας ἐπὶ νῆας.  
the men had done before they went back to the hollow ships.

**526** οἳ δʼ ὅτε δή ῥʼ ἵκανον ὅθι σκοπὸν Ἕκτορος ἔκταν,  
When they reached the place where they had killed Hector's scout,

**527** ἔνθʼ Ὀδυσεὺς μὲν ἔρυξε Διῒ φίλος ὠκέας ἵππους,  
there Odysseus, dear to Zeus, reined in the swift horses,

**528** Τυδεΐδης δὲ χαμᾶζε θορὼν ἔναρα βροτόεντα  
and the son of Tydeus sprang to the ground and placed the bloody spoils

**529** ἐν χείρεσσʼ Ὀδυσῆϊ τίθει, ἐπεβήσετο δʼ ἵππων·  
in Odysseus' hands, then mounted the horses again;

**530** μάστιξεν δʼ ἵππους, τὼ δʼ οὐκ ἀέκοντε πετέσθην  
he lashed them, and the pair flew onward willingly

**531** νῆας ἔπι γλαφυράς· τῇ γὰρ φίλον ἔπλετο θυμῷ.  
toward the hollow ships, for that way pleased their hearts.

**532** Νέστωρ δὲ πρῶτος κτύπον ἄϊε φώνησέν τε·  
Nestor was the first to hear the hoofbeats, and he spoke:

**533** ὦ φίλοι Ἀργείων ἡγήτορες ἠδὲ μέδοντες  
Friends, leaders and rulers of the Argives,
> The leaders addressed: This whole Greek address is identical to Iliad 2.79. The English copies the accepted line exactly, including the distinct ethnonym Argives.

**534** ψεύσομαι, ἦ ἔτυμον ἐρέω; κέλεται δέ με θυμός.  
shall I speak falsely, or tell the truth? My heart urges me on.

**535** ἵππων μʼ ὠκυπόδων ἀμφὶ κτύπος οὔατα βάλλει.  
The beat of swift-footed horses is striking all about my ears.

**536** αἲ γὰρ δὴ Ὀδυσεύς τε καὶ ὃ κρατερὸς Διομήδης  
If only Odysseus and mighty Diomedes

**537** ὧδʼ ἄφαρ ἐκ Τρώων ἐλασαίατο μώνυχας ἵππους·  
were driving single-hoofed horses here so soon from the Trojans;

**538** ἀλλʼ αἰνῶς δείδοικα κατὰ φρένα μή τι πάθωσιν  
but terribly I fear within my heart that they may have suffered—

**539** Ἀργείων οἳ ἄριστοι ὑπὸ Τρώων ὀρυμαγδοῦ.  
the best of the Argives—beneath the Trojans' battle-din."

**540** οὔ πω πᾶν εἴρητο ἔπος ὅτʼ ἄρʼ ἤλυθον αὐτοί.  
He had not yet spoken the whole word when they themselves arrived.

**541** καί ῥʼ οἳ μὲν κατέβησαν ἐπὶ χθόνα, τοὶ δὲ χαρέντες  
The two dismounted to the ground, and the others rejoiced

**542** δεξιῇ ἠσπάζοντο ἔπεσσί τε μειλιχίοισι·  
and welcomed them with the right hand and with gentle words.

**543** πρῶτος δʼ ἐξερέεινε Γερήνιος ἱππότα Νέστωρ·  
Nestor, the Gerenian horseman, was first to question them:

**544** εἴπʼ ἄγε μʼ ὦ πολύαινʼ Ὀδυσεῦ μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν  
"Come, tell me, much-praised Odysseus, great glory of the Achaeans,
> Much-praised Odysseus: πολύαινος means much-praised or rich in praise. This whole Greek line is identical to Iliad 9.673, so the English copies that finalized rendering exactly.

**545** ὅππως τοῦσδʼ ἵππους λάβετον καταδύντες ὅμιλον  
how did you two take these horses after entering the throng

**546** Τρώων, ἦ τίς σφωε πόρεν θεὸς ἀντιβολήσας.  
of Trojans? Or did some god meet you and grant them?

**547** αἰνῶς ἀκτίνεσσιν ἐοικότες ἠελίοιο.  
They are terribly like the rays of the sun.

**548** αἰεὶ μὲν Τρώεσσʼ ἐπιμίσγομαι, οὐδέ τί φημι  
I am always joining battle with the Trojans, and I do not claim

**549** μιμνάζειν παρὰ νηυσὶ γέρων περ ἐὼν πολεμιστής·  
to linger beside the ships, old warrior though I am;

**550** ἀλλʼ οὔ πω τοίους ἵππους ἴδον οὐδὲ νόησα.  
but never yet have I seen or beheld such horses.

**551** ἀλλά τινʼ ὔμμʼ ὀΐω δόμεναι θεὸν ἀντιάσαντα·  
I think some god must have met you and given them;

**552** ἀμφοτέρω γὰρ σφῶϊ φιλεῖ νεφεληγερέτα Ζεὺς  
for Zeus the cloud-gatherer loves you both,

**553** κούρη τʼ αἰγιόχοιο Διὸς γλαυκῶπις Ἀθήνη.  
and so does bright-eyed Athena, daughter of aegis-bearing Zeus."

**554** τὸν δʼ ἀπαμειβόμενος προσέφη πολύμητις Ὀδυσσεύς·  
Then Odysseus of many wiles answered him and said:
> The answer line repeated: The Greek is identical to lines 382 and 423 in the preceding chunk. This English copies the line 382 rendering exactly, including Odysseus' many-wiles epithet and the full answered-him-and-said formula.

**555** ὦ Νέστορ Νηληϊάδη μέγα κῦδος Ἀχαιῶν  
"Nestor, son of Neleus, great glory of the Achaeans,

**556** ῥεῖα θεός γʼ ἐθέλων καὶ ἀμείνονας ἠέ περ οἵδε  
a god, if willing, could easily grant us horses better

**557** ἵππους δωρήσαιτʼ, ἐπεὶ ἢ πολὺ φέρτεροί εἰσιν.  
even than these, for the gods are far mightier.

**558** ἵπποι δʼ οἵδε γεραιὲ νεήλυδες οὓς ἐρεείνεις  
But these horses you ask of, old man, have newly come

**559** Θρηΐκιοι· τὸν δέ σφιν ἄνακτʼ ἀγαθὸς Διομήδης  
from Thrace; and good Diomedes killed their lord,

**560** ἔκτανε, πὰρ δʼ ἑτάρους δυοκαίδεκα πάντας ἀρίστους.  
and beside him all twelve companions, every one among the best.

**561** τὸν τρισκαιδέκατον σκοπὸν εἵλομεν ἐγγύθι νηῶν,  
We took the thirteenth man, a scout, close beside the ships,

**562** τόν ῥα διοπτῆρα στρατοῦ ἔμμεναι ἡμετέροιο  
whom Hector and the other proud Trojans sent out

**563** Ἕκτωρ τε προέηκε καὶ ἄλλοι Τρῶες ἀγαυοί.  
to be a watcher over our army."

**564** ὣς εἰπὼν τάφροιο διήλασε μώνυχας ἵππους  
So he spoke, and drove the single-hoofed horses across the trench,

**565** καγχαλόων· ἅμα δʼ ἄλλοι ἴσαν χαίροντες Ἀχαιοί.  
laughing aloud; and the other Achaeans went with him rejoicing.

**566** οἳ δʼ ὅτε Τυδεΐδεω κλισίην εὔτυκτον ἵκοντο,  
When they reached the well-built shelter of the son of Tydeus,

**567** ἵππους μὲν κατέδησαν ἐϋτμήτοισιν ἱμᾶσι  
they tethered the horses with well-cut straps

**568** φάτνῃ ἐφʼ ἱππείῃ, ὅθι περ Διομήδεος ἵπποι  
at the horse-manger, where Diomedes' own horses

**569** ἕστασαν ὠκύποδες μελιηδέα πυρὸν ἔδοντες·  
stood swift-footed, eating honey-sweet grain.

**570** νηῒ δʼ ἐνὶ πρυμνῇ ἔναρα βροτόεντα Δόλωνος  
At the stern of his ship Odysseus set Dolon's bloody spoils,

**571** θῆκʼ Ὀδυσεύς, ὄφρʼ ἱρὸν ἑτοιμασσαίατʼ Ἀθήνῃ.  
so that they might prepare a sacred offering for Athena.

**572** αὐτοὶ δʼ ἱδρῶ πολλὸν ἀπενίζοντο θαλάσσῃ  
Then they themselves entered the sea and washed away their great sweat

**573** ἐσβάντες κνήμας τε ἰδὲ λόφον ἀμφί τε μηρούς.  
from their shins, their necks, and around their thighs.

**574** αὐτὰρ ἐπεί σφιν κῦμα θαλάσσης ἱδρῶ πολλὸν  
And when the wave of the sea had washed their great sweat

**575** νίψεν ἀπὸ χρωτὸς καὶ ἀνέψυχθεν φίλον ἦτορ,  
from their skin and cooled the hearts within them,

**576** ἔς ῥʼ ἀσαμίνθους βάντες ἐϋξέστας λούσαντο.  
they entered the polished baths and bathed.

**577** τὼ δὲ λοεσσαμένω καὶ ἀλειψαμένω λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ  
When the two had bathed and anointed themselves richly with oil,

**578** δείπνῳ ἐφιζανέτην, ἀπὸ δὲ κρητῆρος Ἀθήνῃ  
they sat down to the meal, and from the full mixing bowl

**579** πλείου ἀφυσσόμενοι λεῖβον μελιηδέα οἶνον.  
they drew honey-sweet wine and poured a libation to Athena.

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Source text: public domain (Homer, ancient; Greek per the Murray text via the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 3.0). English translation: © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC — original line-aligned draft, pending editorial review. Word-by-word morphology and syntax derived from the Perseus Ancient Greek Dependency Treebank (CC BY-SA 3.0); English glosses and notes © 2026 1732 Studios, LLC.