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Hector
In good season you come, although your tidings are full of terror; for those men are bent on giving me the slip and stealing away from this land in their ships by night;
their midnight signalling pleases me. Ah! Fortune, to rob me in my hour of triumph, a lion of his prey, before this spear had made an end of the whole
Argive
army in one line! Yes, if the sun’s bright lamp had not withheld
55
his light, I would not have stayed my victor’s spear, before I had fired their ships and made my way from tent to tent, drenching this hand in Achaean blood. I was eager to make a night attack and take advantage of the stroke of luck sent by heaven;
60
but those wise seers of mine, who have heaven’s will so pat, persuaded me to wait for dawn, and then leave not one Achaean in the land. But those others do not await the counsels of my soothsayers; darkness turns runaways to heroes.
65
But we must now without delay pass this word to the army to take up arms and cease from slumber, so that many an Achaean, as he leaps aboard his ship, shall be smitten through the back and sprinkle the ladders with blood, and others shall be fast bound with cords
70
and learn to till our Phrygian fields.
75
In good season you come, although your tidings are full of terror; for those men are bent on giving me the slip and stealing away from this land in their ships by night;
their midnight signalling pleases me. Ah! Fortune, to rob me in my hour of triumph, a lion of his prey, before this spear had made an end of the whole
Argive
army in one line! Yes, if the sun’s bright lamp had not withheld
55
his light, I would not have stayed my victor’s spear, before I had fired their ships and made my way from tent to tent, drenching this hand in Achaean blood. I was eager to make a night attack and take advantage of the stroke of luck sent by heaven;
60
but those wise seers of mine, who have heaven’s will so pat, persuaded me to wait for dawn, and then leave not one Achaean in the land. But those others do not await the counsels of my soothsayers; darkness turns runaways to heroes.
65
But we must now without delay pass this word to the army to take up arms and cease from slumber, so that many an Achaean, as he leaps aboard his ship, shall be smitten through the back and sprinkle the ladders with blood, and others shall be fast bound with cords
70
and learn to till our Phrygian fields.
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Chorus Leader
You hasten, Hector, before you know clearly what is happening; for we do not know for certain whether the men are flying.
You hasten, Hector, before you know clearly what is happening; for we do not know for certain whether the men are flying.
Hector
What other reason did the
Argive
army have to kindle fires?
What other reason did the
Argive
army have to kindle fires?
Chorus Leader
I do not know; I am very suspicious.
I do not know; I am very suspicious.
Hector
If you fear this, be sure there’s nothing you would not fear.
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If you fear this, be sure there’s nothing you would not fear.
80
Chorus Leader
Never before did the enemy kindle such a blaze.
Never before did the enemy kindle such a blaze.
Hector
No, nor ever before did they suffer such shameful defeat and rout.
No, nor ever before did they suffer such shameful defeat and rout.
Chorus Leader
This you have achieved; look now to what remains to do.
This you have achieved; look now to what remains to do.
Hector
A simple tale, to arm against the enemy.
85
A simple tale, to arm against the enemy.
Chorus Leader
Look! Here comes Aeneas, in great haste too, with news to tell his friends.
85
Look! Here comes Aeneas, in great haste too, with news to tell his friends.
85
Aeneas
Hector, why have the sentinels in terror made their way through the army at night to your couch to hold a midnight conclave and disturb the army?
Hector, why have the sentinels in terror made their way through the army at night to your couch to hold a midnight conclave and disturb the army?
Hector
Encase yourself in your armor, Aeneas.
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Encase yourself in your armor, Aeneas.
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Aeneas
What is it? Have tidings come of some secret stratagem set on foot during the night by the foe?
What is it? Have tidings come of some secret stratagem set on foot during the night by the foe?
Hector
The men are flying, and going aboard their ships.
The men are flying, and going aboard their ships.
Aeneas
What sure proof can you give of this?
What sure proof can you give of this?
Hector
The whole night they are kindling blazing torches; I think they will not wait for tomorrow, but after lighting brands upon their ships’ decks will leave this land and fly to their homes.
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The whole night they are kindling blazing torches; I think they will not wait for tomorrow, but after lighting brands upon their ships’ decks will leave this land and fly to their homes.
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Aeneas
And you, why do you gird on your sword?
And you, why do you gird on your sword?
Hector
With my spear I will stop them even as they fly and leap aboard their ships, and my hand shall be heavy upon them; for it is shameful in us, yes, and cowardly as well as shameful, when the god gives them into our hands, to let our foes escape without battle, after all the injuries they have done us.
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With my spear I will stop them even as they fly and leap aboard their ships, and my hand shall be heavy upon them; for it is shameful in us, yes, and cowardly as well as shameful, when the god gives them into our hands, to let our foes escape without battle, after all the injuries they have done us.
100
Aeneas
Would you were as sage as you are bold! But, to be sure, among mortals the same man is not dowered by nature with universal knowledge; each has his special gift appointed him, yours is battle, another’s is sage counsel. You are excited to hear that the Achaeans are
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lighting blazing torches, and you would lead on our troops across the ditches in the calm still night. Now after crossing the deep yawning trench, supposing you should find the enemy are not flying from the land, but are awaiting your onset,
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beware lest you suffer defeat and so never reach this city again; for how will you pass the palisades in a rout? And how shall your charioteers cross the bridges without dashing the axles of their cars to pieces? And, if victorious, you have next the son of Peleus to engage;
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he will never allow you to cast the firebrand on the fleet or harry the Achaeans, as you believe. No, for that man is fierce as fire, a very tower of might. Let us rather then leave our men to sleep calmly under arms after the weariness of battle,
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while we send, as I advise, whoever will volunteer to spy upon the enemy; and if they really are preparing to fly, let us arise and fall upon the
Argive
army, but if this signalling is a trap to catch us, we shall discover from the spy the enemy’s designs
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and take counsel; such is my advice, lord.
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131
Would you were as sage as you are bold! But, to be sure, among mortals the same man is not dowered by nature with universal knowledge; each has his special gift appointed him, yours is battle, another’s is sage counsel. You are excited to hear that the Achaeans are
105
lighting blazing torches, and you would lead on our troops across the ditches in the calm still night. Now after crossing the deep yawning trench, supposing you should find the enemy are not flying from the land, but are awaiting your onset,
110
beware lest you suffer defeat and so never reach this city again; for how will you pass the palisades in a rout? And how shall your charioteers cross the bridges without dashing the axles of their cars to pieces? And, if victorious, you have next the son of Peleus to engage;
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he will never allow you to cast the firebrand on the fleet or harry the Achaeans, as you believe. No, for that man is fierce as fire, a very tower of might. Let us rather then leave our men to sleep calmly under arms after the weariness of battle,
120
while we send, as I advise, whoever will volunteer to spy upon the enemy; and if they really are preparing to fly, let us arise and fall upon the
Argive
army, but if this signalling is a trap to catch us, we shall discover from the spy the enemy’s designs
125
and take counsel; such is my advice, lord.
130
Chorus
It pleases me well; so change your mind and adopt this counsel. I do not love hazardous commands in generals. What is better than for a swift-footed spy to approach the ships
and learn why our foes are lighting fires in front of their naval station?
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It pleases me well; so change your mind and adopt this counsel. I do not love hazardous commands in generals. What is better than for a swift-footed spy to approach the ships
and learn why our foes are lighting fires in front of their naval station?
135
Hector
Since this finds favor with you all, prevail.
To Aeneas. Go and calm the allies; perhaps the army hearing of our midnight council is disturbed.
Mine shall it be to send one forth to spy upon the foe. And if I discover any plot among them, you shall fully hear of it and be present to learn the report; but in case they are starting off in flight, with eager ear await the trumpet’s call,
140
for then I will not stay, but will this very night engage the
Argive
army there where their ships are hauled up.
145
Since this finds favor with you all, prevail.
To Aeneas. Go and calm the allies; perhaps the army hearing of our midnight council is disturbed.
Mine shall it be to send one forth to spy upon the foe. And if I discover any plot among them, you shall fully hear of it and be present to learn the report; but in case they are starting off in flight, with eager ear await the trumpet’s call,
140
for then I will not stay, but will this very night engage the
Argive
army there where their ships are hauled up.
145
Aeneas
Send out the spy at once; there’s safety in your counsels now. And you shall find me steadfast at your side, whenever occasion calls.
Send out the spy at once; there’s safety in your counsels now. And you shall find me steadfast at your side, whenever occasion calls.
Hector
What Trojan of those present in council
volunteers to go and spy on the
Argive
fleet? Who will be that patriot? Who says yes? I myself cannot at every point serve my country and my friends in arms.
150
What Trojan of those present in council
volunteers to go and spy on the
Argive
fleet? Who will be that patriot? Who says yes? I myself cannot at every point serve my country and my friends in arms.
150
Dolon
I for my country will gladly run this risk
and go to spy on the
Argive
fleet, and when I have learned fully all that the Achaeans plot I will return. I undertake this toil on these conditions.
155
I for my country will gladly run this risk
and go to spy on the
Argive
fleet, and when I have learned fully all that the Achaeans plot I will return. I undertake this toil on these conditions.
155
Hector
True to his name indeed, his country’s friend is Dolon. Your father’s house was famed before,
but now you have made it doubly so.
160
True to his name indeed, his country’s friend is Dolon. Your father’s house was famed before,
but now you have made it doubly so.
160
Dolon
So must I toil, but for my pains I should receive fitting wages. For set a reward on any deed, and it breeds a double favor.
164
So must I toil, but for my pains I should receive fitting wages. For set a reward on any deed, and it breeds a double favor.
Hector
Yes, that is fair; I cannot dispute it.
Name your wage, except for my sovereignty.
165
Yes, that is fair; I cannot dispute it.
Name your wage, except for my sovereignty.
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Dolon
I do not covet your toilsome sovereignty.
I do not covet your toilsome sovereignty.
Hector
Well then, marry a daughter of Priam and become my brother-in-law.
Well then, marry a daughter of Priam and become my brother-in-law.
Dolon
No, I do not wish to marry among those beyond my station.
No, I do not wish to marry among those beyond my station.
Hector
There’s gold, if this you’ll claim as your prize.
There’s gold, if this you’ll claim as your prize.
Dolon
I have it in my home; I lack no sustenance.
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I have it in my home; I lack no sustenance.
170
Hector
What then is your desire of all that
Ilium
stores within her?
What then is your desire of all that
Ilium
stores within her?
Dolon
Promise me my gift when you conquer the Achaeans.
Promise me my gift when you conquer the Achaeans.
Hector
I will give it to you; ask anything except the captains of the fleet.
I will give it to you; ask anything except the captains of the fleet.
Dolon
Slay them; I do not ask you to keep your hand off Menelaus.
Slay them; I do not ask you to keep your hand off Menelaus.
Hector
Is it the son of Oileus you would ask me for?
175
Is it the son of Oileus you would ask me for?
175
Dolon
Hands that are well brought up are worthless at farming.
Hands that are well brought up are worthless at farming.
Hector
Whom then of the Achaeans will you have alive to hold to ransom?
Whom then of the Achaeans will you have alive to hold to ransom?
Dolon
I told you before, my house is stored with gold.
I told you before, my house is stored with gold.
Hector
Why then, you shall come and with your own hands choose out some spoil.
Why then, you shall come and with your own hands choose out some spoil.
Dolon
Nail up the spoils for the gods on their temples.
180
Nail up the spoils for the gods on their temples.
180
Hector
Then what greater prize than these will you ask me for?
Then what greater prize than these will you ask me for?
Dolon
Achilles’ horses. The prize must be worth the toil when one stakes one’s life on Fortune’s dice.
Achilles’ horses. The prize must be worth the toil when one stakes one’s life on Fortune’s dice.
Hector
Ah! but your desires clash with mine about those horses;
for they are immortal and born from immortals, who bear the son of Peleus on his headlong course. Poseidon, lord of the ocean, broke them and gave them to Peleus, so runs the legend. Yet, for I urged you on, I will not break my word; I will give to you
185
Achilles’ team, a fair possession for your house.
190
Ah! but your desires clash with mine about those horses;
for they are immortal and born from immortals, who bear the son of Peleus on his headlong course. Poseidon, lord of the ocean, broke them and gave them to Peleus, so runs the legend. Yet, for I urged you on, I will not break my word; I will give to you
185
Achilles’ team, a fair possession for your house.
190
Dolon
I thank you; in receiving then, I assert that I am taking a fairer gift than any other Phrygian for my bravery. Yet you should not be envious; you have other things to gladden your heart, in your kingship over this land.
I thank you; in receiving then, I assert that I am taking a fairer gift than any other Phrygian for my bravery. Yet you should not be envious; you have other things to gladden your heart, in your kingship over this land.
Chorus
Great the enterprise, and great the reward you design to receive. Happy, yes, happy will you be, if you succeed; fair the fame your toil shall win. Yet it is a great thing to become the brother-in-law of princes. On the gods’ decrees let Justice keep her eye!
195
what man can give you have, it seems, in full.
200
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Great the enterprise, and great the reward you design to receive. Happy, yes, happy will you be, if you succeed; fair the fame your toil shall win. Yet it is a great thing to become the brother-in-law of princes. On the gods’ decrees let Justice keep her eye!
195
what man can give you have, it seems, in full.
200
Dolon
I will set forth; but going within my house I will clothe myself in fitting attire, and then I will hasten to the
Argive
fleet.
I will set forth; but going within my house I will clothe myself in fitting attire, and then I will hasten to the
Argive
fleet.
Chorus Leader
Why, what dress in place of this will you assume?
Why, what dress in place of this will you assume?
Dolon
One that fits my task and furtive steps.
205
One that fits my task and furtive steps.
205
Chorus Leader
One should ever learn wisdom from the wise; tell me, what will be your equipment?
One should ever learn wisdom from the wise; tell me, what will be your equipment?
Dolon
I will fasten a wolf-skin about my back, and over my head put the brute’s gaping jaws;
then fitting its fore-feet to ny hands and its hind-feet to my legs, I will go on all-fours in imitation of a wolf’s gait to puzzle the enemy, when I approach their trenches and barriers round the ships. Rut whenever I come to a deserted spot,
210
I will walk on two feet; such is the ruse I have decided on.
215
I will fasten a wolf-skin about my back, and over my head put the brute’s gaping jaws;
then fitting its fore-feet to ny hands and its hind-feet to my legs, I will go on all-fours in imitation of a wolf’s gait to puzzle the enemy, when I approach their trenches and barriers round the ships. Rut whenever I come to a deserted spot,
210
I will walk on two feet; such is the ruse I have decided on.
215
Chorus Leader
May Hermes, Maia’s child, escort you safely there and back, prince of tricksters as he is! You know what you have to do; good luck is all you need now.
May Hermes, Maia’s child, escort you safely there and back, prince of tricksters as he is! You know what you have to do; good luck is all you need now.
Dolon
I shall return in safety, and bring to you the head of Odysseus
when I have slain him, or the son of Tydeus, and with this clear proof before you you shall assert that Dolon went to the
Argive
fleet; for, before the dawn, I will come back home with bloodstained hand.
Exit Dolon.
220
I shall return in safety, and bring to you the head of Odysseus
when I have slain him, or the son of Tydeus, and with this clear proof before you you shall assert that Dolon went to the
Argive
fleet; for, before the dawn, I will come back home with bloodstained hand.
Exit Dolon.
220
Rhesus. Euripides. Edward P. Coleridge (Translator). London. 1906.
Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Funding provided by The Annenberg CPB/Project.