Paris. Ever unto this city and to me a kind friend art thou, and I am sure that decision I then made conferred upon this city the highest treasure life affords in thy person. I heard a vague report, and so I came, for there prevailed amongst the guard a rumour that Achæan spies are here. One man, that saw them not, saith so, while another, that saw them come, cannot describe them, and so I am on my way to Hector's tent.
Ath. Fear naught; all is quiet in the host, and Hector is gone to assign a sleeping-place to the Thracian army.
Paris. Thou dost persuade me, and I believe thy words, and will go to guard my post, free of fear.
Ath. Go, for 'tis my pleasure ever to watch thy interests, that so I may see my allies prosperous. Yea, and thou too shalt recognize my zeal.
(To Odysseus and Diomedes.) O son of Laertes, I bid you sheathe your whetted swords, ye warriors all too keen; for dead before you lies the Thracian chief, his steeds are captured, but the foe have wind thereof, and are coming forth against you; fly with all speed to the ships' station. Why delay to save your lives when the foemen's storm is just bursting on you?
Cho. On, on! strike, strike, lay on, lay on! deal death in every blow!
- Semicho. Who goes there?
- Look you, that man I mean. There are the thieves who in the gloom disturbed this host. Hither, come hither, every man of you! I have them—I have clutched them fast.
- What is the watchword? Whence cam'st thou? Thy country?
Odys. 'Tis not for thee to know.
- Semicho.[1] Speak, or thou diest as a vile traitor this day.
