Paris
To you I call, general and brother, Hector, are you asleep? Should you not awake? Some enemy draws near our army,
or thieves perhaps, or spies.
645
Athena
Courage! See, Cypris watches over you in gracious mood. Your warfare is my concern, for I do not forget the honor you once did me, and I thank you for your good service. And now, when the army of
Troy
is triumphant,
I have come bringing to you a powerful friend, the Thracian child of the Muse, the heavenly singer; his father’s name is Strymon.
650
Paris
Always to this city and to me you are a kind friend, and I am sure that decision I then made
conferred you upon this city, the highest treasure life affords. I came when I heard a vague report—for a rumor prevailed amlng the guards—that Achaean spies are here. One man, that did not see them, says so, while another, that saw them come, cannot describe them;
655
and so I am on my way to Hector’s tent.
660
Athena
Fear nothing; all is quiet in the army, and Hector has gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.
Paris
You persuade me, and I believe your words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.
Athena
Go, for it is my pleasure ever to watch your interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yes, and you too shall recognize my zeal.
Exit Paris.
665
In a loud voice, to Odysseus and Diomedes. Son of
Laertes
, I bid you sheath your whetted swords, you warriors all too keen.
For the Thracian chief lies dead and his horses are captured, but the enemy know it, and are coming against you; fly with all speed to the ships’ station. Why delay saving your lives, when the enemy’s storm is just bursting on you?
670
Rhesus. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
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