ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH BOOK.
Diomede and Ulysses enter the Trojan host by night, and slay Rhesus.
BOOK X.
All night the leaders of the host of Greece
Lay sunk in soft repose, all, save the Chief,[1]
The son of Atreus; him from thought to thought
Roving solicitous, no sleep relieved.
As when the spouse of beauteous Juno, darts5
His frequent fires, designing heavy rain
Immense, or hail-storm, or field-whitening snow,
Or else wide-throated war calamitous,
So frequent were the groans by Atreus’ son
Heaved from his inmost heart, trembling with dread.10
For cast he but his eye toward the plain
Of Ilium, there, astonish’d he beheld
The city fronted with bright fires, and heard
Pipes, and recorders, and the hum of war;
But when again the Grecian fleet he view’d,15
And thought on his own people, then his hair
Uprooted elevating to the Gods,
He from his generous bosom groan’d again.
At length he thus resolved; of all the Greeks
To seek Neleian Nestor first, with whom20
He might, perchance, some plan for the defence
Of the afflicted Danaï devise.
Rising, he wrapp’d his tunic to his breast,
And to his royal feet unsullied bound
His sandals; o’er his shoulders, next, he threw25
Of amplest size a lion’s tawny skin
That swept his footsteps, dappled o’er with blood,
Then took his spear. Meantime, not less appall’d
Was Menelaus, on whose eyelids sleep
Sat not, lest the Achaians for his sake30
O’er many waters borne, and now intent
On glorious deeds, should perish all at Troy.
With a pard’s spotted hide his shoulders broad
He mantled over; to his head he raised
His brazen helmet, and with vigorous hand35
Grasping his spear, forth issued to arouse
His brother, mighty sovereign of the host,
And by the Grecians like a God revered.
He found him at his galley’s stern, his arms
Assuming radiant; welcome he arrived40
To Agamemnon, whom he thus address’d.
Why arm’st thou, brother? Wouldst thou urge abroad
Some trusty spy into the Trojan camp?[2]
I fear lest none so hardy shall be found
As to adventure, in the dead still night,45
So far, alone; valiant indeed were he!
To whom great Agamemnon thus replied.
Heaven-favor’d Menelaus! We have need,
Thou and myself, of some device well-framed,
Which both the Grecians and the fleet of Greece50
May rescue, for the mind of Jove hath changed,
And Hector’s prayers alone now reach his ear.
I never saw, nor by report have learn’d
From any man, that ever single chief
Such awful wonders in one day perform’d55
As he with ease against the Greeks, although
Nor from a Goddess sprung nor from a God.
Deeds he hath done, which, as I think, the Greeks
Shall deep and long lament, such numerous ills
Achaia’s host hath at his hands sustain’d.60
But haste, begone, and at their several ships
Call Ajax and Idomeneus; I go
To exhort the noble Nestor to arise,
That he may visit, if he so incline,
The chosen band who watch, and his advice65
Give them; for him most prompt they will obey,
Whose son, together with Meriones,
Friend of Idomeneus, controls them all,
Entrusted by ourselves with that command.
Him answer’d Menelaus bold in arms.70
Explain thy purpose. Wouldst thou that I wait
Thy coming, there, or thy commands to both
Given, that I incontinent return?
To whom the Sovereign of the host replied.
There stay; lest striking into different paths75
(For many passes intersect the camp)
We miss each other; summon them aloud
Where thou shalt come; enjoin them to arise;
Call each by his hereditary name,
Honoring all. Beware of manners proud,80
For we ourselves must labor, at our birth
By Jove ordain’d to suffering and to toil.
So saying, he his brother thence dismiss’d
Instructed duly, and himself, his steps
Turned to the tent of Nestor. Him he found85
Amid his sable galleys in his tent
Reposing soft, his armor at his side,
Shield, spears, bright helmet, and the broider’d belt
Which, when the Senior arm’d led forth his host
To fight, he wore; for he complied not yet90
With the encroachments of enfeebling age.
He raised his head, and on his elbow propp’d,
Questioning Agamemnon, thus began.