ing them with his bow, because he thought not of taking with his hands the splendid lash from the well-wrought chariot seat; and then he whistled as a signal to noble Diomede. But he remaining, was meditating what most daring deed he should do; whether seizing the car, where lay the embroidered armor, he should drag it out by the pole[1] or bear it away, raising it aloft; or take away the life of more of the Thracians. While he was revolving these things within his mind, Minerva in the mean time standing near, addressed noble Diomede:
"Be mindful now of a return to the hollow ships, O son of magnanimous Tydeus, lest thou reach them, having been put to flight; or lest some other god perchance arouse the Trojans."
Thus she spoke; and he understood the voice of the goddess speaking, and he quickly ascended the chariot. And Ulysses lashed on [the horses] with his bow, and they fled to the swift ships of the Greeks.
Nor did silver-bowed Apollo keep a vain watch. When he beheld Minerva accompanying the son of Tydeus, enraged with her, he descended into the vast army of the Trojans, and roused Hippocoon, a counselor of the Thracians, the gallant cousin of Rhesus. And he, leaping up from sleep, when he beheld the place empty where the fleet horses had stood, and the man panting amid the dreadful slaughter, immediately then wept aloud, and called upon his dear companion by name. A clamor and immeasurable tumult of the Trojans running together arose, and they looked with wonder at the marvelous deeds, which men having perpetrated, had returned to the hollow ships.
But when now they came where they had slain the spy of Hector, there Ulysses, dear to Jove, reined in his fleet steeds. But the son of Tydeus, leaping to the ground, placed the bloody spoils in the hands of Ulysses, and then ascended the chariot. And he lashed on the steeds, and both, not unwilling, fled toward the hollow ships, for thither it was agreeable to their minds [to go]. But Nestor first heard the sound, and said:
"O friends, leaders and rulers over the Greeks, shall I speak
- ↑ Understand κατὰ ῥυμοῦ.
