Ulysses, nobly born and hardy, spake In turn: “Tydides, praise me not too much, Nor blame me, for thou speakest to the Greeks, Who know me. Meantime let us haste to go, For the night wears away, and morn is near. The stars are high, two thirds of night are past— The greater part—and scarce a third remains.”
He spake; and both arrayed themselves for fight. The mighty warrior Thrasymedes gave The two-edged sword he wore to Diomed— Whose own was at the galleys—and a shield. The hero then put on his helmet, made Of tough bull-hide, with neither cone nor crest— Such as is worn by beardless youths. A bow, Quiver, and sword Meriones bestowed Upon Ulysses, placing on his brows A leathern helmet, firmly laced within By many a thong, and on the outer side Set thickly with a tusky boar’s white teeth, Which fenced it well and skilfully. A web Of woollen for the temples lined the work. This helm Autolycus once bore away From Eleon, the city where he sacked The stately palace of Amyntor, son Of Ormenus. The captor gave the prize To the Cytheran chief, Amphidamas, Who bore it to Scandeia, and in turn Bestowed it upon Molus as his guest, And Molus gave it to Meriones, His son, to wear in battle. Now at last It crowned Ulysses’ temples. When the twain Were all accoutred in their dreadful arms, Forward they went, and left the assembled chiefs, While, sent by Pallas forth, upon their right A heron flew beside their path. The bird They saw not, for the night was dark, but heard Its rustling wings. Ulysses at the sound Rejoiced, and supplicated Pallas thus:—
“Hear! daughter of the Aegis-bearer Jove! Thou who art near me in all dangers, thou Whose eye is on me wheresoe’er I go, Befriend me, Pallas, yet again, and grant That, laden with great glory, we return Safe to the galleys, mighty deeds performed, And woe inflicted on the Trojan race.”
Next Diomed, the great in battle, prayed:— “Daughter invincible of Jove, give ear Also to me. Be with me now, as once Thou didst attend on