BOOK THE FIFTH.
ARGUMENT.
Then, moreover, Pallas Minerva gave strength and daring to Diomede, the son of Tydeus, that he might become conspicuous among all the Argives, and might bear off for himself excellent renown. And she kindled from his helmet and his shield an unwearied fire, like unto the summer[1] star, which shines[2] very brightly, having been bathed in the ocean. Such a fire she kindled from his head and shoulders, and she urged him into the midst, where the greatest numbers were in commotion.
Now there was among the Trojans one Dares, rich, blameless, the priest of Vulcan; and he had two sons, Phegeus and Idæus, well skilled in all kinds of battle: these twain, apart [from their companions], rushed to meet [Diomede]; they on their part, from their two-horse chariot, but he, from the ground, made the attack on foot. When these, therefore, advancing against each other, were now near, Phegeus first hurled forth his long-shadowed spear, and the point of the spear went over the left shoulder of the son of Tydeus, nor did it strike him. But the son of Tydeus next rushed on with his brazen javelin; nor did the weapon fly in
- ↑ i. e., the dog star, Sirius, whose rising marked the beginning of the ὀπώρα or season extending from the middle of July to the middle of September, It is said to be most brilliant at its time of rising. Cf. Apoll. iii. 956: Ὃς δή τοι καλὸς μὲν ἀριζηλός τ' ἐσιδέσθαι Ἀντέλλει
- ↑ This use of the subjunctive mood is called the σχῆμα Ἰθύκειον by Lesbonax, p. 179, ed. Valck.
