“Friends! Is there none among you who so far Trusts his own valor that he will tonight Venture among the Trojans? He perchance Might capture on the borders of the camp Some foeman wandering, or might bring report Of what they meditate, and whether still They mean to keep their station far from Troy And near our ships, or, since their late success, Return to Ilium. Could he safely bring This knowledge back to us, his meed were great, Glory among all men beneath the sky, And liberal recompense. As many chiefs As now command our galleys, each would give A black ewe with a suckling lamb⁠—such gifts No one hath yet received⁠—and he should sit A guest at all our banquets and our feasts.”

He spake; and all were silent for a space. Then Diomed, the great in battle, said:⁠—