ATHENA
Ho, Aias! Once again I summon thee.
So slight is thy regard for thine ally?
[Aias appears in the tent door, with a blood-stained
scourge in his hand.]
AIAS
Oh hail, Athena! Hail thou Zeus-born maid!
Nobly hast thou stood by me. Now will I crown thee
With trophies all of gold for this rich conquest.
ATHENA
Thy words are welcome. But now tell me this:
Hast thou dyed well thy sword in the Argive host?
AIAS
Such vaunt is mine. I disclaim not that glory.
ATHENA
Against the Atreidæ didst thou arm thy hand?
AIAS
So that Aias nevermore shall they insult.
ATHENA
The men are dead, if rightly I take thy meaning.
AIAS
Yes, dead. Now let them rob me of my arms.
ATHENA
'Tis well. And what then of Laertes' son?
In what plight does he stand? Or has he escaped thee?
AIAS
Wouldst thou know where is that accursed fox?
ATHENA
Even so—Odysseus, thine old adversary.
AIAS
Goddess, a most dear captive in my tent
He sits. I do not mean him to die yet.
11
