, on the
other, the Lycians are allotted their place, and the haughty Mysians,
the horse-breaking Phrygians, and the Maeonian cavalry[355] warriors. But
why inquire ye of me these things separately? For if ye are now eager to
penetrate the host of the Trojans, those Thracians lately arrived are
apart, the last of all the others. And among them is their king Rhesus,
son of Eioneus. And his horses are the most beautiful and largest I have
seen. They are whiter than snow, and like to the winds in speed. And his
chariot is well adorned with both gold and silver; and he himself came,
wearing golden armour of mighty splendour, a marvel to behold; which
does not indeed suit mortal men to wear, but the immortal gods. But now
remove me to the swift ships, or, having bound me with a cruel bond,
leave me here until ye return, and make trial of me, whether I have
indeed spoken to you truly, or not."

[Footnote 355: _I.e._ charioteers.]

But him then valiant Diomede sternly regarding, addressed: "Think not
within thy mind to escape from me, O Dolon, although thou hast reported
good tidings, since thou hast once come into my hands. For if indeed we
shall now release thee, or set thee at liberty, hereafter thou wouldst
surely return to the swift ships of the Achaeans, either in order to
become a spy, or to fight against us. But if, subdued by my hands, thou
lose thy life, thou wilt not ever afterwards be a bane to the Greeks."

He said; and the other was preparing to supplicate him, taking him by
the chin with his strong hand; but he, rushing at him with his sword,
smote the middle of his neck, and cut through both the tendons; and the
head of him, still muttering, was mingled with the dust. From his head
they took the weasel-skin helmet, and the wolf skin, with the bent bow
and long spear; and noble Ulysses raised them on high with his hand to
Minerva, the goddess of plunder, and praying, spake:

"Rejoice, O goddess, in these, for thee, first of all the immortals in
Olympus, do we invoke; but guide us likewise to the horses and tents of
the Thracian men."

Thus he said; and raising them high above himself, he hung them on a
tamarisk-branch. But beside it he placed a conspicuous mark, pulling up
handfuls of reeds,[356] and the wide-spreading branches of the tamarisk,
lest they should escape their notice whilst they were returning through
the dark and dangerous night. Then both advanced onwards through arms
and black blood; and