Part 32 (1/2)

A youth there was a the tribes of Troy, Dolon his nairls 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 e bids h achievement, and explore the fleet: But first exalt thy sceptre to the skies, And swear to grant littering 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 aih, 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 shi+ned

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 holloay, the approaching tread Ulysses mark'd, and thus to Diomed;

”O friend! I hear so to the fleet; Soer 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 teareen, (To whom the hind like shares of land allows,) When no furrows part the approaching ploughs

Now Dolon, listening, heard theht) 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 tre hind; Now lost, now seen, they intercept his way, And fro prey: So fast, and with such fears, the Trojan flew; So close, so constant, the bold Greeks pursue

Now aluards that watch the walls; When brave Tydides stopp'd; a gen'rous thought (Inspired by Pallas) in his bosoht, Lest on the foe solory 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 tre wood The wretch stood propp'd, and quiver'd as he stood; A sudden palsy seized his turning head; His loose teeth chatter'd, and his colour fled; The panting warriors seize him as he stands, And with unmanly tears his life dee gifts of price my father shall bestow: Vast heaps of brass shall in your shi+ps be told, And steel well-teold”

To whom Ulysses made this wise reply: ”Whoe'er thou art, be bold, nor fear to die

What ht, To roaht?

Cam'st thou the secrets of our ca h heaps of carnage, to despoil the dead?”

Then thus pale Dolon, with a fearful look: (Still, as he spoke, his limbs with horror shook:) ”Hither I came, by Hector's words deceived; Much did he proreat Achilles' car, And those swift steeds that sweep the ranks of war, Urged , this attempt to make; To learn what counsels, what resolves you take: If now subdued, you fix your hopes on flight, And, tired with toils, neglect the watch of night”

”Bold was thy ailorious was the prize, (Ulysses, with a scornful smile, replies,) Far other rulers those proud steeds dereat Achilles scarce their rage can ta from an immortal dame

But say, be faithful, and the truth recite!

Where lies encaht?

Where stand his coursers? in what quarter sleep Their other princes? tell atch they keep: Say, since this conquest, what their counsels are; Or here to combat, from their city far, Or back to Ilion's walls transfer the war?”

Ulysses thus, and thus Euue shall own

Hector, the peers asse in his tent, A council holds at Ilus' htly watch partake; Where'er yon fires ascend, the Trojans wake: Anxious for Troy, the guard the natives keep; Safe in their cares, the auxiliar forces sleep, Whose wives and infants, froe their souls of half the fears of war”

”Then sleep those aids a the Trojan train, (Inquired the chief,) or scattered o'er the plain?”

To whom the spy: ”Their powers they thus dispose The Paeons, dreadful with their bended bows, The Carians, Caucons, the Pelasgian host, And Leleges, encaher on the land The Lycian, Mysian, and Maeonian band, And Phrygia's horse, by Thymbras' ancient wall; The Thracians utmost, and apart from all

These Troy but lately to her succour won, Led on by Rhesus, great Eioneus' son: I saw his coursers in proud triuo, Swift as the wind, and white as winter-snow; Rich silver plates his shi+ning car infold; His solid arlorious load, Celestial panoply, to grace a God!

Let me, unhappy, to your fleet be borne, Or leave me here, a captive's fate to mourn, In cruel chains, till your return reveal The truth or falsehood of the news I tell”

To this Tydides, with a glooh all the truth be shown: Shall we dismiss thee, in some future strife To risk ain our camps thou may'st explore?

No--once a traitor, thou betray'st no more”