two leaders, Maeon,
son of Haemon, like unto the immortals, and Lycophontes, persevering in
fight, the son of Autophonus. Tydeus, however, brought cruel death upon
them. He killed them all, but sent one only to return home: for he
dismissed Maeon, obeying the portents of the gods. Such was AEtolian
Tydeus. But he begat a son, inferior to himself in battle, but superior
in council."

[Footnote 185: Properly, "fastened, soldered."]

[Footnote 186: Lit. "the bridges of the war." He was looking to
see where there was a chance of escape by running between the
ranks.]

[Footnote 187: Polynices and Adrastus. The reader will do well to
compare Grote vol. i. p. 371.]

[Footnote 188: To Thebes.]

Thus he spoke; but brave Diomede answered nothing, reverencing the
rebuke of the venerable king.

But him the son of renowned Capaneus answered: "Son of Atreus, lie not,
knowing how to tell truth. We, indeed, boast to be far better than our
fathers. We too have taken the citadel of seven-gated Thebes, leading
fewer troops under the wall sacred to Mars, confiding in the portents of
the gods, and in the aid of Jove: but they perished through their own
infatuation. Wherefore, never place my ancestors in the same rank with
me."

Him sternly regarding, brave Diomede accosted thus: "My friend[189]
Sthenelus, sit in silence, and obey my words; for I blame not Agamemnon,
the shepherd of the people, for thus exhorting the well-greaved Greeks
to fight. Glory shall attend him, if, indeed, the Greeks shall conquer
the Trojans, and take sacred Ilium; but great grief shall be his, on the
other hand, the Greeks being cut off. But come now, and let us be
mindful of impetuous valour."

[Footnote 189: [Greek: Tetta] is an affectionate phrase applied
to an elder, like _papa_. Compare Alberti on Hesych. v. [Greek:
apphia], t. i. p. 505, and on [Greek: atta], p. 606; Helladius,
Chrestom. p. 9, ed. Meurs.]

He spoke, and from his chariot leaped with his arms upon the earth, and
dreadfully sounded the brass on the breast of the prince, as he moved
rapidly along: then truly would fear have seized even a brave spirit.

As when on the loud-resounding shore a wave of the sea is impelled in
continuous succession beneath the north-west wind which has set it in
motion; at first indeed it raises itself aloft in the deep, but then
dashed against the land, it roars mightily; and being swollen it rises
high around the projec