Page 87 - the-iliad

surely enough, I have only made them still more furious. I
did ill to take my bow down from its peg on the day I led
my band of Trojans to Ilius in Hector’s service, and if ever I
get home again to set eyes on my native place, my wife, and
the greatness of my house, may some one cut my head off
then and there if I do not break the bow and set it on a hot
fire—such pranks as it plays me.’
Aeneas answered, ‘Say no more. Things will not mend
till we two go against this man with chariot and horses and
bring him to a trial of arms. Mount my chariot, and note
how cleverly the horses of Tros can speed hither and thither
over the plain in pursuit or flight. If Jove again vouchsafes
glory to the son of Tydeus they will carry us safely back to
the city. Take hold, then, of the whip and reins while I stand
upon the car to fight, or else do you wait this man’s onset
while I look after the horses.’
‘Aeneas,’ replied the son of Lycaon, ‘take the reins and
drive; if we have to fly before the son of Tydeus the horses
will go better for their own driver. If they miss the sound of
your voice when they expect it they may be frightened, and
refuse to take us out of the fight. The son of Tydeus will then
kill both of us and take the horses. Therefore drive them
yourself and I will be ready for him with my spear.’
They then mounted the chariot and drove full-speed to-
wards the son of Tydeus. Sthenelus, son of Capaneus, saw
them coming and said to Diomed, ‘Diomed, son of Tydeus,
man after my own heart, I see two heroes speeding towards
you, both of them men of might the one a skilful archer,
Pandarus son of Lycaon, the other, Aeneas, whose sire is

The Iliad