He found him arming by his ship, and said; "Why armest thou? Wilt thou send some one to spy out the doings of the Trojans? I fear much that no man will undertake the task to go alone, for it is a daring deed."

To him replied King Agamemnon: "We have need of good counsel, my brother, that we may save the people. Truly the mind of Zeus is changed; for never hath a man wrought such destruction in one day as did Hector on the Greeks. Run thou to Ajax and Idomeneus, and call them to the council, and I will go to Nestor."

So the chiefs were gathered to the council. First of all they went to the company of them that watched the camp. These they found not sleeping but awake. As dogs that hear the sound of some wild beast in the wood, so did the watch look towards the plain, thinking to hear the sound of the feet of the Trojans.

Gladly did old Nestor see them, and spake, saying, "Such be your watch, my children, lest we become a prey to our enemies."

Then he hasted to cross the trench, and with him went the other princes. In an open spaces that was clear of dead, they sat down, even where Hector had turned back from slaying the Greeks.

And Nestor rose and said: "Is there now a man who will go among the sons of Troy, and see what they are minded to do? Great honour will he win, and gifts."

Then Diomed said, "I am ready to go, but I would fain have some one with me. To have a companion gives comfort and courage, and, indeed, two wits are better than one to take counsel and to foresee."

And many were willing to go with Diomed. But Agamemnon said, "Choose the best man, O Diomed, and regard not the birth or rank of any." And Diomed answered: "If I may choose, whom should I choose rather than the wise Ulysses? Brave is he, and prudent, and Athene loves him well."

But Ulysses said: "Praise me not overmuch, nor blame me. Only let us go, for the night is far spent."

So these two armed themselves. Diomed took a two-edged sword and a shield, and a helmet without a crest, and Ulysses a bow and a quiver and a sword, and a helmet of hide with the white teeth of a wild boar about it. Then both prayed to Athene that she would help them, and after that they went through the darkness like two lions, trampling over dead bodies and arms and blood.