Odysseus: Diomedes, either do thou slay the Thracian folk, or leave
that to me, while thy care must be the horses.
Diomedes: I will do the killing, and do thou look to the steeds. For
thou art well versed in clever tricks, and hast a ready wit. And 'tis
right to allot a man to the work he can best perform.
Athena: Lo! yonder I see Paris coming towards us; he hath heard maybe
from the guard a rumour vague that foes are near.
Diomedes: Are others with him or cometh he alone?
Athena: Alone; to Hector's couch he seems to wend his way, to announce
to him that spies are in the camp.
Diomedes: Ought not he to head the list of slain?
Athena: Thou canst not o'erreach Destiny. And it is not decreed that
he should fall by thy hand; but hasten on thy mission of slaughter
fore-ordained, (exeunt Odysseus and Diomedes) while I feigning to
be Cypris, his ally, and to aid him in his efforts will answer thy
foe with cheating words. Thus much I have told you, but the fated
victim knoweth not, nor hath he heard one word, for all he is so near.
(Enter Paris.)
Studies
