Of valiant Eteocles. Though alone Among so many, and a stranger guest, The hero feared them not, but challenged them To vie with him in games; and easily He won the victory, such aid was given By Pallas. Then the sons of Cadmus, skilled In horsemanship, were wroth, and privily Sent fifty armed youths to lie in wait For his return. Two leaders had the band⁠— Maion, the son of Harmon, like a god In form, and Lycophontes, brave in war, Son of Autophonos. A bloody death Did Tydeus give the youths. He slew them all Save Maion, whom he suffered to return, Obedient to an omen from the gods. Such was Aetolian Tydeus; but his son, A better speaker, is less brave in war.”

He spake; and valiant Diomed, who heard The king’s reproof with reverence, answered not. Then spake the son of honored Capaneus:⁠—