on that day when I led the Trojans to pleasant Ilium,
doing a favour to divine Hector. But if I shall return, and shall with
these eyes behold my country, and my wife, and my lofty-roofed great
palace, immediately may some hostile man cut off my head, if I do not
put this bow into the shining fire, having broken it with my hands; for
it attends on me to no purpose."

[Footnote 204: Cf. Hor. Od. i. 2, 31: "Nube candentes humeros
amictus."]

[Footnote 205: Observe the force of [Greek: moi].]

Him then AEneas, the leader of the Trojans, addressed in turn: "Speak not
so: but it will not be otherwise, before that we twain, with horses and
chariot, going against this man, make trial of him with arms. But come,
ascend my chariot; that thou mayest see of what kind are the steeds of
Tros, skilful in the plain to pursue rapidly here and there, and to
retreat; they also shall bring us safe again to the city, if Jove will a
second time afford glory to Diomede, the son of Tydeus. But come, take
the whip now, and the shining reins, and I will descend from the
chariot, that I may fight; or do thou await this man, and the steeds
shall be my care."

Him then the illustrious son of Lycaon answered in turn: "AEneas, do thou
thyself hold the reins and thy own steeds: the better will they bear
along the curved chariot under their accustomed charioteer, if we shall
fly back from the son of Tydeus; lest they, taking fright, should become
restive, and be unwilling to bear us away from the war, missing thy
voice, and the son of magnanimous Tydeus, rushing on us, should slay
ourselves, and drive away thy solid-hoofed steeds. But do thou thyself
drive the chariot and thy own steeds, but with my sharp spear will I
receive him advancing."

Thus having said, ascending the variegated chariot, they directed the
swift steeds impetuously against the son of Tydeus. But Sthenelus, the
illustrious son of Capaneus, perceived them, and immediately to the son
of Tydeus he spoke winged words:

"Diomede, son of Tydeus, most dear to my soul, I perceive two valiant
men eager to fight against thee, possessing immense might; one, indeed,
well-skilled in the bow,[206] Pandarus, and moreover he boasts to be the
son of Lycaon, and AEneas, [who] boasts to be born the son of magnanimous
Anchises; but Venus is his mother. But come, let us now retire, having
ascended our horses, nor thus, I pray thee, run furiously through the
van, lest thou shouldst lose