e barrier of thy teeth! How canst thou say
that we are remiss in fighting? Whenever we Greeks stir up fierce
conflict against the horse-taming Trojans, thou shalt see, if thou
desirest, and if these things are a care to thee, the beloved father of
Telemachus mingled with the foremost of the horse-taming Trojans. But
thou sayest these things rashly."

But him king Agamemnon, when he perceived that he was angry, smiling,
addressed, and he retracted his words:

"Noble son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, I neither chide thee in
terms above measure, nor exhort thee. For I am aware that thy mind in
thy breast kens friendly counsels: for thou thinkest the same that I do.
But come, we shall settle these disputes at a future time, should
anything evil have now been uttered. But may the gods render all these
things vain."

Thus having spoken, he left them there, and went to others; he found
magnanimous Diomede, son of Tydeus, standing by his horses and
brass-mounted[185] chariot. Near him stood Sthenelus, son of Capaneus.
And having seen him too, king Agamemnon reproved him, and accosting him
thus, spoke winged words:

"Alas! O son of warlike horse-breaking Tydeus, why dost thou tremble?
Why dost thou explore the intervals of the ranks?[186] It was not with
Tydeus thus customary to tremble, but to fight with the enemy far before
his dear companions. So they have said, who beheld him toiling: for I
never met, nor have I beheld him: but they say that he excelled all
others. For certainly with godlike Polynices he entered Mycenae without
warlike array, a guest, collecting forces: they[187] were then preparing
an expedition against the sacred walls of Thebes, and supplicated much
that they would give renowned auxiliaries. But they [the Mycenaeans] were
willing to give them, and approved of it, as they urged; but Jove
changed [their design], showing unpropitious omens. But, after they
departed, and proceeded on their way, they came to rushy, grassy Asopus.
Then the Achaeans sent Tydeus upon an embassy.[188] Accordingly he went,
and found many Cadmeans feasting in the palace of brave Eteocles. Then
the knight Tydeus, though being a stranger, feared not, being alone
amongst many Cadmeans: but challenged them to contend [in games], and
easily conquered in all, so mighty a second was Minerva to him. But the
Cadmeans, goaders of steeds, being enraged, leading fifty youths, laid a
crafty ambuscade for him returning: but there were