d ardent as he
before was in spirit to fight against the Trojans, then, indeed, thrice
as much courage possessed him. Like as a lion, whom the shepherd in the
country, by his fleecy sheep, has grazed indeed, while overleaping the
court-yard, but has not killed; he [the shepherd] has merely roused his
ardour; but afterwards he ventures no farther aid, but on the contrary
retires within the fold, while the sheep, deserted, fly in
consternation. These, indeed, are huddled in masses one upon another,
but he [the lion] leaps joyfully from the lofty fold.[201] So was brave
Diomede joyfully mixed with the Trojans.

Then he slew Astynoues, and Hypenor the shepherd of the people: having
smote the one above the pap with the brazen lance, but the other he
smote with his huge sword on the collar-bone at the shoulder, and
separated the shoulder from the neck and back. These, indeed, he left,
but rushed on Abas and Polyidus, the sons of Eurydamas, the aged
interpreter of dreams; to whom going to the war, the old man did not
interpret their dreams; but brave Diomede spoiled them when slain. Then
he went against Xanthus and Thoon, the sons of Phaenops, both dearly
cherished;[202] but he was worn by sad old age, and did not beget
another son to leave over his possessions. These, then, Diomede slew,
and took their life from both, but to their father left grief and
mournful cares, since he did not receive them returning alive from
battle; but his next of kin[203] divided the inheritance amongst them.

[Footnote 201: A very doubtful line.]

[Footnote 202: Cf. Buttm. Lexil. p. 511.]

[Footnote 203: Schol.: [Greek: Cherostai, oi ton cheron oikon
dianemomenoi kleronomoi]. Apoll. Lex. p. 854: [Greek: Oi
macrothen prosekontes kata genos, kai chera onta ton syngus ta
chremata kleronomountes].]

Then he seized Echemon and Chromius, two sons of Dardanian Priam, being
in one chariot. As when a lion, leaping amidst the herd, has broken the
neck of a heifer or of an ox pasturing in a thicket; so did the son of
Tydeus forcibly dislodge them both from the chariot against their wills,
and then spoiled them of their arms. But the steeds he gave to his
companions, to drive to the ships.

But him AEneas beheld devastating the ranks of men, and he hastened to go
both through the battle and the din o spears, seeking godlike Pandarus,
if anywhere he might find him. He found the blameless and valiant son of
Lycaon, and stood before him