“O son of Tydeus, that undaunted knight! What is there to appall thee? Why look through The spaces that divide the warlike ranks? Not thus did Tydeus feel the touch of fear, But ever foremost of his warriors fought. So they declare who saw his deeds, for I Was never with him, nor have ever seen The hero. Yet they say that he excelled All others. Certain is it that he once Entered Mycenae as a friendly guest, With no array of soldiery, but came With godlike Polynices. ’Twas the time When warrior-bands were gathered to besiege The sacred walls of Thebes, and earnestly They prayed that from Mycenae they might lead Renowned auxiliars to the war, and we Would willingly have given the aid they asked⁠— For we approved the prayer⁠—but Jove, with signs Of angry omen, changed our purposes. The chiefs departed, journeying on to where Asopus flows through reeds and grass, and thence The Achaians sent an embassy to Thebes By Tydeus. There he met the many sons Of Cadmus at the banquets in the hall