thy dear life."

But him sternly regarding, brave Diomede thus addressed: "Talk not to me
of retreat,[207] since I think thou wilt not persuade me. It becomes not
my nature to fight in a skulking manner, nor to tremble; as yet my
strength is unimpaired. I am averse to mount the chariot, but even as I
am will I advance to meet them: spear-brandishing Minerva does not
suffer me to tremble. Never shall the swift horses bear these twain both
back again from us, supposing even one of them shall escape. But another
thing I tell thee, and do thou lay it up in thy soul, if most prudent
Minerva should grant me the glory to kill both, then do thou detain here
these swift steeds, stretching forth the reins from the rim, and,
mindful, rush upon the horses of AEneas, and drive them from the Trojans
to the well-greaved Greeks. For they are of that breed which far-seeing
Jove gave as a price to Tros for his son Ganymede; wherefore they are
the best of steeds, as many as are under the east and the sun. From this
breed Anchises, king of men, stole them, having supplied mares without
the knowledge of Laomedon: of the breed of these six were foaled in his
courts. Reserving four himself, he nourished them at the manger, and
two, skilled in rousing terror, he gave to AEneas. If we can take these,
we shall have borne away excellent glory."

[Footnote 206: This bold change of construction, where one would
have expected [Greek: ton men, ton de], has been noticed by
Lesbonax, p. 186.]

[Footnote 207: But Anthon, I think, with more spirit, renders
this, "Speak not at all fearward."]

Thus they were speaking such things to each other; but the others soon
drew near, urging onward their swift steeds. The illustrious son of
Lycaon first accosted Diomede:

"Stout-hearted, warlike-minded, son of illustrious Tydeus, certainly my
swift shaft, my bitter arrow has not slain thee. Now again will I try
with my spear, whether I can hit my mark." [208]

He said, and brandishing [it], he sent forth his long-shadowed spear,
and struck the shield of Tydides: but the brazen spear flying straight
through, approached the corslet. Then the son of Lycaon shouted loudly
over him:

"Thou art wounded in the flank, through and through, nor do I think thou
wilt endure it much longer: but to me hast thou given great glory."

But him the valiant son of Tydeus, undisturbed, addressed: "Thou hast
erred, nor hast thou reached thine aim;[209] but I certa